Great name!

Chapter 263: I'll Trick You, Sakuma, Without Negotiation
Tennoji Fort was in danger. After Oda Nobunaga sent his men out, he immediately took more than a hundred of his personal soldiers and left Gifu Castle.

It took less than half an hour from the time the letter for help arrived in the city to the time Nobunaga left Gifu Castle.

Sakuma Nobumori originally wanted to secretly mock Nobunaga and strive for the position of legion commander, but Nobunaga did not give him any chance at all.

Sakuma Nobumori was worried about the life of his son Nobuyoshi, so he left with two or three hundred people more than an hour later than Nobunaga.

Half a day after Nobunaga left Gifu Castle, Nobutora, who was stationed in Iwamura Castle to guard against the Takeda family, received the order from the envoy.

"Harada Naomasa is dead?"

Nobutora was a little surprised. He and Harada Naomasa had an average relationship. They had some minor conflicts in the past, but that was 10 or 20 years ago.

Nobutora was still somewhat surprised that such a high-ranking old colleague died in battle.

The envoy replied, "Ha, the news is accurate. Lord Jingzhao Yin, please send troops to support us as soon as possible. The master of the family has already left the city."

Xinhu immediately stood up and asked: "How many people can the master of the family gather? Are you leaving now?"

The envoy replied: "There are only a hundred or so personal soldiers."

Xin Hu frowned and shouted, "Nonsense! This is too dangerous!"

"Xinchang, Zhengxin, quickly gather all the troops, quickly!"

"Wenshan, take your men to Ise immediately and inform Changxin to quickly gather the Ise people!"

As soon as Nobutora walked out of Hiroma, he immediately asked Tsurusaki Naoshige to help him put on armor. A quarter of an hour later, he was fully dressed and mounted on his warhorse.

Five hundred standing troops have been assembled and are ready to set off at any time. In addition, more than a thousand Mino foot soldiers are also being assembled.

Nobutora didn't have time to wait, so he waved his hand and shouted, "We can't wait any longer, we need to set off immediately. The following teams can just gather a foot soldier team and set off. Quick!"

Nobutora did not wait any longer and left Iwamura Castle with a team of just over a thousand people.

Fortunately, he was accompanied by military generals such as Maeda Keiji, Shima Sakon, and Onitsuka Masaaki.

At this time, Nobunaga rushed to Kyoto without stopping. On the way, he prayed for victory at Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine and some shrines and temples.

The next day, Nobunaga entered Wakae Castle and waited for reinforcements from various places.

Nobutora arrived at dusk with more than a thousand soldiers around him.

Seeing the exhausted Nobunaga, Nobunaga stepped forward and patted Nobunaga on the shoulder, saying, "Take a rest first."

The two looked at each other, Nobunaga patted him hard, and then let go and let Nobutora leave.

In the evening, Nobunaga immediately asked Nobutora to come and discuss countermeasures.

Nobunaga frowned and said, "I have already found out that the enemy has 15,000 people. Our military strength is not optimistic."

Nobutora also looked solemn, and said: "Naga Nobu has gathered a thousand Ise people. According to the distance, they will arrive at the earliest in the early morning. In addition, there are 500 Omi people. I have 3,000 people under my command."

Nobunaga shook his head slightly and said, "The rest of the army can only gather 3,000 people at most. Even if it is 6,000, the situation of our army is not optimistic.

The enemy's strength this time is extraordinary. They have elite troops such as the Negoro and Saiga clans, and many artillery pieces. Our chances of winning are slim."

This time it was indeed hasty, and the Oda army had no advantage in firepower at all.

Xinhu slapped the map with his hand and said firmly: "Our army will charge forward, fight the enemy hand-to-hand, and break the formation!"

Hearing this, Nobunaga also laughed: "Hahaha, good, you are worthy of being Nobunaga! In this battle, do you dare to be the vanguard?"

Xinhu clenched his fist and said, "Humph, we are all just a bunch of chickens and dogs, what are we afraid of?"

"Okay, I'll lead the charge for you!"

Nobunaga immediately ordered Nobutora to be the vanguard general and wait for the others to gather.

The next day, Takigawa Kazumasu, Hachiya Yoritaka, Hashiba Hideyoshi, Niwa Nagahide, Inaba Katetsu, Ujiie Naomoto, Andō Morinari, Ikeda Tsuneoki and others came with troops of nearly 3,000 men.

Nobunaga immediately ordered his troops to attack the Ikki.

Nobutora led 500 regular soldiers and 2,000 Tsuda troops as the vanguard and marched towards Sumiyoshi.

Takigawa Ieyasu, Hashiba Hideyoshi, Niwa Nagahide and others led 2,000 soldiers as the second formation to cooperate with Nobutora's assault operation.

Nobunaga brought a total of 1,500 people including Tsuda Naganobu as the rear guard, ready to engage in battle at any time.

Nobutora led his troops close to Sumiyoshi, and the Ikki immediately sent out the Negoro and Saiga tribes to fight.

The leader, Saiga Magoichi (Suzuki Sadayo), looked at the Maruka papaya pattern flying across the street and said excitedly, "The general across the street is the famous general Tsuda Kyōjo Yin Shintora, who is known throughout the world and even the emperor. I heard that he is also good at using iron cannons. Today, I want to compete with him!"

Tsuda Kanmono-sama laughed and said, "Tsuda Shintora is nothing. I will take down Oda Nobunaga's head today!"

Suzuki Sadayo was the leader of the Saiga clan, Tsuda Kanmo Sancho was one of the leaders of the Negoro clan, and there was another person beside him, named Shimo Morishige. He waved his hand and said, "No need to say more, prepare for battle and eliminate the enemy of Buddha!"

The arquebusiers from the Saiga and Negoro groups were ready.

Nobutora saw the enemy's actions and knew that this was going to be a fierce battle. He said to Maeda Keiji and other four generals, "Wait a minute, Keijiro, Sakon, you lead the troops to the front and draw fire. Make sure the enemy can't use the iron cannon again."

Maeda and other four generals immediately received the order and prepared to charge with a thousand elite soldiers.

In order to reduce losses, the foot soldiers in the front row were all strong and healthy. Even Maeda Keiji, Shima Sakon and other four people dismounted and fought on foot, advancing with the help of bamboo bundles.

Behind them was a team of arquebusiers.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

Nobutora took the lead in launching the attack, and the four generals immediately led the troops forward.

After approaching the Ikki group about a hundred steps away, the Negoro group opened fire first, causing many casualties among the Tsuda army.

Shima Sakon roared, "Don't be afraid, keep moving forward!"

The Tsuda army continued to maintain its pace, slowly approaching the Ikki group step by step.

"Bang bang bang!"

When the Negoro men fired the second round, a foot soldier in Tsuda's army screamed and fell down, and soon a foot soldier came forward carrying a bundle of bamboo to fill his position.

Tsuda Kanmono frowned and said, "What a powerful Tsuda Army! Even in this situation, there is no riot."

Doctor Suzuki said with a straight face: "Don't worry, let me try!"

"Zaiga clan, shoot!"

The Tsuda army was less than sixty steps away from the Ikki. The Saiga army opened fire, and a burst of cannon fire rang out, and screams rang out from the Tsuda army one after another.

But the Tsuda army continued to advance, and the distance was once again shortened to only forty steps.

"Bang bang bang..."

The Saiga group fired the second round of shots, and at the same time, the Negoro group also followed suit.

In an instant, dozens of Tsuda's army suffered casualties. This time, the Tsuda army had lost hundreds of people combined.

Shima Sakon saw that the troops were only thirty steps away from the enemy and immediately shouted, "Thirty steps, the artillery team, get ready!"

"Ashigaru team, stop!" The Ashigaru in front immediately stopped and put down the bamboo bundles. The arquebus team immediately stepped forward with the prepared arquebuses and opened fire directly!
"Bang bang bang!"

"what…"

As the Tsuda artillery team counterattacked, dozens of Ikki people suffered casualties. They immediately stopped shooting and prepared to hide.

Maeda Keiji, Onitsugu Masaaki and Fujido Takatora saw the other side avoiding the fight and immediately shouted, "Ashigaru team, kill!"

Hundreds of people followed the three powerful generals and rushed directly towards the Ikki Clan. Doctor Suzuki Sadao and Kenmo Tsuda immediately ordered their own foot soldiers to take the lead.

"kill!"

Maeda Keiji led his troops into the battle array, swinging his spear continuously, knocking down many Ikki members. Several samurai came forward to fight, but were knocked to the ground by Maeda Keiji in a few strokes.

Not only was Maeda Keiji killing everyone, but Fujido Takatora, Oniwa Masaaki, and Shima Sakon who joined later also broke through several small formations of the Saiga and Negoro groups.

Xinhu saw that the four generals had completed their mission, so he did not hesitate, slapped his horse and shouted: "The opponents are all chickens and dogs, follow me to kill the enemy!"

"kill!"

"Come on!"

Nobutora led more than a thousand Ise troops to launch a charge. The Saiga and Negoro troops were unable to resist and were defeated in a moment.

The monks behind came to reinforce and temporarily blocked the attack of Tsuda's team.

However, Nobunaga, who was behind, saw that Nobutora had the upper hand, and immediately ordered Takigawa Ieyasu, Hashiba Hideyoshi and others to fight.

They immediately led the second group of 3,000 people to attack the monks from both sides. The monks were defeated and began to retreat.

Nobunaga was overjoyed, and immediately led Tsuda Nagatobu and other rear guards to launch a charge. After three consecutive attacks, the 15,000-strong Ikki army was defeated, and Nobunaga reached the Tennoji Fortress.

Akechi Mitsuhide and Sakuma Nobuyoshi cried with joy when they saw the reinforcements.

Akechi Mitsuhide quickly ordered the city gates to be opened to welcome Nobunaga's army into the city.

Nobunaga walked into the wooden house in the fort with a stern face. After he sat down, he immediately said: "Everyone, take a break. We will continue to attack the Ikki people later!"

Sakuma Nobumori immediately stopped him and said, "Master, please do not act rashly. Our army, including the defenders of Tennoji Fort, only has 7,000 to 8,000 people. Although the Ikki Clan was defeated for a while, they still have more than 10,000 people. Our army is still at a disadvantage. Please think twice!"

Niwa Nagahide also said: "Master, now that the danger in Tianwang Temple Fort is over, our army will hold on for a few days and wait for reinforcements from other places. This will be safer."

Hashiba Hideyoshi cried, "Master, your precious body must not be put at risk!"

Nobunaga slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "You bastard, I have been humiliated by Honganji Xiannyo, I can't swallow this!"

Xinhu interrupted and said, "When the enemy sees our army enter the fort, they may think that our army will not fight again. If we launch an attack at this time, we will gain unexpected gains."

Hearing this, Nobunaga secretly thought that he was indeed Nobutora, and had guessed what I was thinking: "You guys go down and prepare immediately, Nobutora, you'll lead the charge later!"

Xinhu immediately saluted and responded to the military order.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the previously defeated Ikki had regrouped and began to surround Tennoji Fort.

At this time, the gate of the fort was wide open, and Nobutora, with four generals, led two to three thousand people to rush out and attack the rebels fiercely.

Just as Nobunaga and Nobutora had expected, the Ikki never expected that the Oda army that entered the city would attack them.

Shimomama Yoriyuki of the Honganji Temple, Tsuda Kanmo and Shimoe Morishige of the Negoro clan, and Suzuki Sadayo of the Saiga clan were all caught off guard and almost collapsed due to Nobutora's fierce charge.

Inside the fort, Nobunaga saw that the situation was favorable, so he immediately led the remaining troops into battle. The Ikki rebels collapsed and fled in all directions.

Nobunaga personally led his troops in pursuit and killed the rebels.

On the road to Honganji Temple, several warriors from the Saiga clan protected Suzuki Sadayo and Suzuki Shigehide as they escaped, but the Oda army behind them was in hot pursuit.

Suzuki Shigehide said anxiously: "Father, please go first. I will lead the others to cover your rear!"

Doctor Suzuki Sa nodded, left behind a few elite soldiers and continued to escape.

Suzuki Shigehide immediately climbed up a high slope with several of his men.

Soon, Nobunaga himself rode his horse and chased after them, wielding his sword to kill the fleeing soldiers.

Suzuki Shigehide, who was hiding on a high slope, saw Nobunaga wearing the Nanbando and pointed at him and said, "Look at the warrior wearing the Nanban cloak, shoot!"

"Bang bang bang!"

"what!"

"Master Patriarch!"

Nobunaga screamed and almost fell off his horse, but the severe pain made him unable to stand up, so he could only lie on the horse.

Several warriors following behind immediately rushed up and formed a human wall, while the other warriors immediately moved towards the high slope.

Suzuki Shigehide immediately fled with his men.

Nobunaga was injured and the main force stopped pursuing. Only a part of the army chased the Ikki to the Castle Gate of Honganji before retreating.

In this battle, more than 2,000 people were killed.

Although the Oda army won a great victory, the head of the family, Nobunaga, was injured in the leg.

Although surgery had been performed to remove the bullet, Nobunaga would have to stay in bed to recuperate for a short period of time.

The angry Nobunaga cursed Harada Naomasa for his incompetence, but Harada Naomasa had already died in the battle, and many of his relatives also died in this battle.

Nobunaga's anger naturally fell on the surviving members of the Harada clan, and the Harada clan fell into decline in an instant.

On the bed, the pale-faced Oda Nobunaga was still arranging tasks. He said, "Damn Honganji, they actually dared to fight back? Build a castle around it and surround Honganji!"

Sakuma Nobumori replied, "Master, even if we surround Honganji, they will definitely fight back. Now that you are injured, there is one less general in charge in the capital."

Nobunaga sneered at Sakuma Nobumori and said, "Why, do you think there is no one in your family who can rule the capital? Is Nobutora not qualified?"

Nobutora didn't want to get involved in the war with Honganji. Fighting with a madman would definitely be a bad battle.

He said quickly, "Master, I still need to deal with the Takeda family, which is definitely too much for me. In my opinion, let Master Sakuma take charge of the generalship of the capital."

Nobunaga and Sakuma Nobumori were both surprised. What was going on? The sun was rising from the west?

Both Nobunaga and Sakuma Nobumori felt that Nobutora's proposal had some ill intentions.

Nobutora ignored the two's surprised attitude and continued, "Why? Lord Sakuma, do you think you are not up to the task?"

When Sakuma Nobumori saw that Nobutora was so contemptuous of him, he was instantly furious. He shouted, "Master Jingzhao Yin, don't go too far. As long as the master of the family allows me to be the general, I will definitely destroy Honganji!"

Xinhu smiled to himself, good man, this time you are really courting death.

When Nobunaga saw this, he said, "Well, since you want to prove yourself, it's up to you, Sakuma, to pacify Honganji. Don't let me down."

Sakuma Nobumori said confidently: "Master, don't worry!"

(End of this chapter)