akika Releases

Translation: Sengoku 35

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:24:53 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga. Halfway through vol 4 :D]

Pg 100
Txt: Asai Nagamasa's wife and Oda Nobunaga's sister
Oichi
Box: Same time. Inside of the Asai clan's Odani Castle. Having lost face when the house she had married into revolted against the Oda clan, Oichi became enraged.

Box: And---- Though Nagamasa had gambled everything on his revolt against Nobunaga, he had been unable to kill him. He lost his mental equilibrium.

Pg 101
Box: 1570 (First year of Eiroku) One day in June—Takekurabe Castle, necessary to protect Asai Nagamasa's Odani castle, is completed.

Txt: Asai clan retainer
Isono Tanba-no-kami Kazumasa
Isono: This Takekurabe Castle
Isono: Is the most important point in our defense of the center of the Asai clan territory!

Pg 102
Txt: Hori Jirou Hidemasa Higuchi Saburoubei Naofusa
Isono: Generals of this castle, Hori Jirou-dono, and his retainer Higuchi Saburou-dono
Isono: Become the shield of the Asai. May you gain glory as warriors

Isono: Then, Asai army!
Isono: The day of our showdown with Oda Danjou-no-Chuu Nobunaga, that evil star who brings chaos to the land, is near!

Pg 103
Isono: Tonight, may the divine mission to strike down the demon Oda Danjou-no-chuu be bestowed upon us!
Isono: Pray for victory in battle! Recite noisily! Raise your manly voices!
Txt: Vol. 35 The Night Before the Stratagem

Pg 104
?: Ahh
?: Ah
?: Ohh
?: Aaaa

Box: Meanwhile—A room inside of Takekurabe Castle

Pg 105
Txt: Asai Nagamasa's wife and Oda Nobunaga's sister
Oichi

Nagamasa: Iiiiiiiiii
NM: Ichi.......Oichi.....

Txt: Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa

NM: I, I...
NM: I.... I can't do without you. Why won't you let me sleep with you?

Pg 106
Oichi: Then apologize to my brother Nobunaga and surrender to him.

NM: You dare to mock me.... the head of the Asai clan?

Pg 107
NM: Guhh
NM: Now that I've betrayed him...
NM: Nobunaga will never forgive me.... I can only kill him..... There is no other way but killing Nobunaga....

Txt: He's betrayed my brother Nobunaga..... Nagamasa.... you've disgraced me...

Oichi: How pitiful....

Pg 108
?: Gehehehehe.... Alright, lady, wanna do it?
?: Go away
?: I have no interest in low ranking warriors

?: Where is he, where is he?
?: Where is Yamazaki Shinpei-sama?

?: I must hurry. Other women are after him...

?: It would be better to give up....

?: Yamazaki Shinpei-sama is certainly the Asai clan's strongest warrior.... But I have heard that even if he sleeps with a woman, he will not open either his mask or his heart to her.

?: His prowess in battle stems from his quest for truth
?: It is not at all.... for the sake of protecting a woman

Pg 109
NM: Ya-ya- Yamazaki Shinpei

YZ: My lord

NM: I..I… rely on your vanguard

NM: I...I.... honestly
NM: can't help feeling....so very scared of Nobunaga

Pg 110
YZ: There is no need to fear Oda Danjou-no-chuu
YZ: No matter how large the army is, I shall break through their lines and take Nobunaga's head.

NM: Um..um..
NM: With you weilding a spear on horseback, there's nothing to fear...

Pg 111
Higuchi: Gahahaha, look over there, young master Jirou...
Higuchi: There's some good looking girls lined up...

Jirou: Sa...Saburou...

Jirou: As I confessed the other day to Takenaka Hanbei-dono....

Jirou: I am...
Jirou: Wavering....

Pg 112
Jirou: Takenaka-dono is called a god of battle, but his presence is mysteriously reassuring...

Jirou: On the other hand, Yamazaki-dono is a warrior as fierce as a demon
Jirou: But... even if he is protecting us, I can't stop fearing him...
(cut and paste panel: YZ: And, aged minister....
YZ: This Takakurabe is the most strategically important point in our war against the Oda. Be resolute in your protection of it...)

Jirou: When Takenaka-dono said that he was leaving us.....
Jirou: if we too could go to the Oda...

Higuchi: My lord...
Higuchi: Please do not say any more

Pg 113
Higuchi: My lord, you are the head of the Hori clan...
Higuchi: Protecting that lineage and that name is your paramount duty

Higuchi: If you decide something is necessary to preserve the existence of the Hori clan, this aged man would stake his life on it.
Higuchi: However, my lord, your confusion now is only driven by vague fears.... I cannot support you in that situation.

Txt: Around that time

Pg 114
Box: Gifu
Kinoshita Toukichirou's manor
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou
Sakai: Yaa
Sakai: Aaaaaaah

Sakai: Gyaaaaah
Sakai: My wound is throbbing

Sakai: Hey...wait
Sakai: That thing's still unscathed

Pg 115
SG: Just swinging the spear is not good. Center yourself, Kyuuzou

SG: No matter what happens, don't let the center of your body be shaken
SG: A top won't fall down as long as its center is straight... It's just like that...
SG: Make small quick turns without moving the center of your body

SG: Hoy

Pg 116
Sakai: Whoaa

SG: Here
Sakai: Gyah! Don't stick your snot on me!

Sakai: Even so... I've got to not move my center, but I don't know how...
Sakai: No matter how much I think about it, my body doesn't do it well
Sakai: Really, Brother Gon, your head might be stupid, but in place of that your body is smart.

Pg 117
Sakai: However, that guy Yamazaki Shinpei in the Asai army can pull that off while riding on a horse.
Sakai: That's unbelievable

Sakai: But, Brother Gon
SG: What?

Sakai: Seems like there's a guy who can do that in our Oda army

Sakai: I heard that during the attack on Inabayama Castle he was on the enemy side and he plunged into our army alone while wielding a spear on horseback...
SG: That can't be
SG: It shouldn't be possible to keep yourself centered while riding on a horse like that

SG: That's why I'm sticking more snot on ya

Box: Sawayama in Omi
Yamazaki Shinpei's Manor

Pg 118-9
HB: He he he.... it seems you have completed a magnificent castle at Takekurabe

Txt: This guy.... I had heard that he had renounced the world and gone to Higuchi. What is he plotting?
YZ: You probably didn't come here for idle chit chat

YZ: What is your business?
YZ: Takenaka Hanbei....

Translation: Sengoku 34

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:13:51 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 81
Sakai: Um um
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou
Sakai: I am Sakai Kyuuzou. May I come in?

Sakai: Whoa

HY: Sit down!
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Hanbei: Hehehe..
HB: This is almost like seeing Sengoku Gonbei several years ago...

HB: However... he is...

Pg 82
HB: Is totally different from before
HB: It's not only that his face and body look more intrepid...
Txt: Vol. 34 Only Desire

Pg 83
Hanbei: Oho.... your toes

SG: Eh?
SG: Ah... they...

SG: For some reason, I've had this habit ever since I got back from Kanegasaki
HY: Hehee... He does that when he sleeps too

HB: Hmph..... Soldiers who have passed by death all have such habits...
HB: It's so they can move their bodies in case some incident suddenly occurs...

HB: And he very naturally sits in a position where he can guard Kinoshita-san's back

Pg 84
Sakai: Um..er...
Sakai: I'm so nervous I feel like I have to pee... May I go?

SG: That’s a shame

HB: What's a shame?

SG: Ah.. no
SG: The next battle is coming up, so we can't be here for a long time....

SG: Just breathing in the atmosphere silently with Takenaka-san is pleasant...
SG: To lose even a moment of this pleasant time is a shame

Pg 85
HY: We didn't come here for fun.
SG: Eh? So then why?

HB: Hehehehe.....

HB: He studies the battlefield, enjoys the everyday, no matter where, he's enjoying learning something,...
HB: He always gives off a bright light

HY: I see.... Kinoshita-san's mysterious power to sway people's hearts, has made this Sengoku Gonbei grow

Pg 86
Txt: Have I grown at all during my seclusion in this hermitage?

HB: Kinoshita-san.... When I heard about it, my heart was moved...
HB: The retreat from Kanegasaki...

HY: Hehee... why?....All we wanted to do was survive....
HY: Hahaha.... People were moved, though

HY: Also, the Asakura army was weak
HY: I don't know anything about famous clans, but those guys, who act like they're court nobles, hiding in their shell in Ichijou Valley....
HY: In the end, they weren't much

Pg 87
HY: And... no matter how astounding their gifts are, people are the same way

HY: Do you remember? The "Revolt of Inabayama" you started?

Pg 88
HB: That was...
HB: To chastise Saitou Tatsuoki-sama, my lord at the time, for his lawlessness
HY: Wrong

HB: Then why?
HY: It was only desire

HB: Don't be stupid
HY: You only wanted to see if you could pull off an insane stunt like like taking a castle with that few people

HY: However.... Mere desire gives people hope...

Pg 89
HY: You're one of those who can move people's hearts

HY: Don't make like you don't want anything

Note: Revolt of Inabayama: Six years before the present events in the manga in 1564 (Eiroku 7), February 6th, Hanbei took over Inabayama Castle, the residence of his lord Saitou Tatsuoki. He had only sixteen troops, so it was a difficult task. There is a theory that he did it because one of the castle soldiers urinated on him, but his true motive is unclear. During the revolt, Hanbei's left eye was wounded. Later, Hanbei gave the castle back to Tatsuoki, and lived in seclusion. It was an extraordinary incident which made the entire country shiver.

Pg 90
HY: I'll say it straight out
HY: I want you like you were back then

Pg 91
HY: When you use your talents to do things, people will usually admire you
HY: But... along with that admiration comes...

HY: Jealousy.... ill feeling.... hatred....

HY: You've shut yourself up here...
HY: Simply to run away from that...

HY: You're not living
HY: that's just death

Pg 92
HY: Well...
HY: Shall we go, Sengoku...?

HY: Hanbei...

HY: If you want to live....

HY: I'll protect you
HY: The malice that follows you around, I'll take on all of it for you

Pg 93
Sakai: You there? Were you waiting?
Sakai: I had trouble peeing...

Sakai: Who's that? .... That big old guy and the young samurai...
Sakai: Takenaka Hanbei-sama is Toukichirou-sama's friend, but he freeloads off of the Higuchi clan on the Asai side... It wouldn't be strange if the enemy came here....

Pg 94
Txt: Asai retainer, Head of the Hori clan
Hori Jirou Hidemura
Txt: Chief Retainer of the Hori clan
Higuchi Saburoubei Naofusa
Box: Takenaka Hanbei had not become the retainer of Hori Hidemura or Higuchi Naofusa, but they allowed him to live off of them because they admired his character.
HB: Pardon me for keeping you waiting.... Hori-sama... Higuchi-sama...

Higuchi: Was the person that you called me and my lord here to see
Higuchi: That little man earlier?

Jirou: Was he that Kinoshita of the Kanegasaki affair?
HB: That's right

Pg 95
Jirou: That man...

Higuchi: I understand, but think

Higuchi: The Takekurabe castle I and Hori Jirou-sama protect is a crucial point in the war between the Asai and the Oda.
Higuchi: If we lose you now, we, and in turn the Asai clan may totally collapse

Higuchi: Your moving towards backing that man is nothing other than revolt against us, and also the Asai clan!
Higuchi: But.... I can't stop you!! There was not a drop of falsehood in the words that man said earlier!

Pg 96
HB: I had thought of "talent" as something which only isolated people.
Txt: "You're needed" and "I'll protect you"? Kinoshita-san's abilities have grown as well.

HB: If that was so, then spending my days like a dead person, and losing my "talent" would be reasonable
Txt: Before he definitely never went that far...

HB: But, ever since I've shut myself up in this hermitage... Only unreason has arisen in my heart.
Txt: Asking a friend for help.... then helping them out...

Pg 97
(Cut and paste panel: Sengoku: Toukichirou-sama! Even though you're the type who just pounces on women.
Sengoku: What do you mean you don't want to ask your friend for help?

Sengoku: Takenaka-sama too!
Sengoku: You don't even think of helping him because he's your friend? )

HB: That those words young Sengoku Gonbei let loose are within my chest even now...
HB: Is that growth? Or have I returned to my younger days?

Pg 98-9
HB: I, Takenaka Hanbei, shall leave this hermitage...
HB: and live

Translation: Sengoku 33

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:35:59 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga.]

Pg 61
Box: 1570 (First year of the Genki Era) May 22nd. Nobunaga's room in Gifu Castle.

Txt: Oda Danjou-no-Chuu Nobunaga

Txt: Vol. 33 The Scramble for Takekurabe in Sakata

Pg 62
Note: Azuchi Castle: This was not the same as the Azuchi Castle of the Tenshou era. At the time it was just a small fort. (Translator's note: The reason why the author bothers to note this is that Azuchi Castle eventually becomes Nobunaga's palatial residence.)

Nobu: Mori Sanzaemon at Usayama Castle

Nobu: Sakuma Uemon at Nagahara Castle

Nobu: Shibata Shuri at Choukou Castle... Nakagawa Hachirouuemon at Azuchi Castle.

Nobu: With this, the safety of the route between Gifu and Kyoto is assured...
Nobu: My "defense" agains the Asai clan is complete.
Map: (the script is kind of unreadable, and isn't really relevant anyway... So I'll just translate the regular text) 浅井朝倉方勢力範囲=Territory Controlled by the Asai and Asakura Forces　琵琶湖=Lake Biwa　織田方勢力範囲=Territory Controlled by the Oda Clan

Pg 63
Nobu: However..
Nobu: My "attack" is insufficient.

Nobu: Between Asai Nagamasa's headquarters Odani Castle, and Sawayama Castle, protected by the Isono Army, the strongest within the Asai clan, is Sakata....
Nobu: That point is exactly what I require for my "attack."

Txt: If it falls, then my "attack" on Nagamasa shall fall into place!

Pg 64
Box: Takakurabe, Sakata County--- "Asai Bizen-no-kami allied with the Asakura, and built a fort at Takakurabe, in Sakata County in Omi."--- Shinchoukou-ki
Box: The area of Sakata was the domain of the Asai clan retainer Hori Jirou Hidemura, only fourteen years old.

Note: Shinchoukou-ki: A work compiled by the Oda retainer Ota Gyuuichi. It is thought to be highly reliable as a source.

Txt: Asai clan retainer, Head of the Hori clan (Translator's note: No relation to Hori Kyuutarou. )
Hori Jirou Hidemura
Jirou: So this land of ours is guarding the center of the Asai domains? ....

Higuchi: Be at ease, my lord!
Txt: Chief retainer of the Hori Clan, Higuchi Saburoubei Naofusa
Higuchi: My lord! This old man Saburou will protect you, young master Jirou!

Pg 65
Jirou: Uh...
Jirou: Um....

Higuchi: That's the Isono clan's.... what's he doing?

Higuchi: Hey. It's great that you've come all this way to watch, but we're building a castle
Higuchi: What are you thinking, killing the carpenters?

Pg 66
YZ: Be calm, elder
Txt: General of the Isono Army, the strongest in the Asai clan.
Yamazaki Shinpei Toshihide
YZ: This carpenter... He was stealing a nail, so I cut off his ill-mannered arm.

YZ: I will cut down all those who are disloyal to the Asai clan
YZ: Be they a child, or an old man, I'll show no mercy.

Pg 67
YZ: Young noble...
YZ: And aged minister....
YZ: This Takekurabe is the most strategically important point in our war against the Oda. Be resolute in your protection of it...

YZ: Both of you have become shields of the Asai clan...
YZ: I, Yamazaki Shinpei, am the one who rushes first into battle... I must take Oda Danjou-no-chuu's head....

Higuchi: Umm....
Txt: Yamazaki Shinpei, the brave general, whose ability to wield a spear on horseback makes him the pride of Isono Kazumasa's army, the strongest in the Asai clan...
As long as he is our ally, our lives are safe.....
Higuchi: But....

Pg 68
Note: Returning from Sakai: Toukichirou had been procuring supplies of gunpowder from the merchant Imai Munehisa in Sakai (Osaka) (Translator's note: Entirely different kanji here from Sakai the person)

Box: Taga in Omi—The headquarters of Kinoshita Toukichirou
Nene: Welcome back
Nene: Darling~

HY: Puff... And now right after this we've got to go out on the next errand..
Nene: Eh~~~~~ Even though you just got back from Sakai?

HY: The battle's already begun....
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

SG: Toukichirou-sama
SG: Shouldn't you say it in a way that won't make Nene-sama cry?

Nene: Hey, hey, more importantly, a guest had come, come on up
Txt: Toukichirou's wife, Nene
?: A guest?

Pg 69
Sakai: Yo, Brother Gon!
Sakai: I was waiting for you
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou

Both: Kyu-Kyuuzou, what are ya doing here?
Sakai: Welcome back, Kinoshita-sama....

HY: Your father is okay with you being here?
Sakai: I'm going to study many things here until there's a battle again.

Nene: Cu~~te~~~ Like a girl
Sakai: Hehe
Sakai: Hey, wait a minute! Where are you going!

Pg 70
Sakai: I'm wounded, so walk slow for me
Sakai: Take this well-informed Kyuuzou with you. I'll be useful somehow

Note: Shot at by a sniper: While Nobunaga was returning from Kyoto, Sugitani Zenjuubou shot at him, but he escaped unharmed. Rumors that Nobunaga was possessed by a demon spread.

Sakai: Anyway, that Akechi-sama isn't human.
Sakai: Right after he got back from that hellish retreat, he set out for Wakasa.

Sakai: Nobunaga-sama is even more amazing....
Sakai: When he was returning to Gifu from Kyoto, a sniper shot at him, but he wasn't hurt.

Sakai: I really don't know anything about what happened, but since then, our lord has worn foreign armor...
Sakai: Indeed, in this age.... Are you listening to me?
Koroku: Heeeeeeeey! Kinoshita!

Pg 71
Koroku: Hic... I can't believe it
Txt: Hachisuka Koroku Masakatsu
Koroku: You really came back from that hell alive.

Koroku: If I hadn't been passed out drunk, I would've also gone with you~~~
HY: You're drunk as usual, Koroku

Koroku: Eh? Wha?
Koroku: Kinoshita, did you get a little bit bigger?

HY: Hehehe, you're seeing things.
HY: You're just drunk....

Pg 72
Koroku: Anyway, yer gonna go see a god on the orders of Nobunaga-sama, right?
Koroku: Hic... Lemme come with ya, I'll worship the god too.

Sakai: ...Brother Gon... A god? ... What?
SG: Well now, what is it... well-informed Kyuuzou-sama?

HY: A god?
HY: What.. It's just my friend

Sakai: Wait, aren't we in Asai territory now? Dangerous...
Sengoku: (pokes)
Sakai: Gyaaaaah! Ouch ouch ouch. Don't touch my wound, Brother Gon!
HY: Be quiet
Koroko: We may be in enemy territory, but with me, Koroku-sama, there's nothing to be scared of

Pg 73
Box: Border of Gifu and Omi. Within the territory of Asai clan retainer Higuchi Naofusa

HB: .....
HB: I had thought you would be coming around now..

Pg 74
HY: It's been a long time, Hanbei...
HB: Hehehehe.... I've heard of your retreat from Kanegasaki. To think we would be able to meet again....
Txt: Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu

Sakai: Hanbei? That Hanbei? The legend who took over Inabayama Castle? Takenaka Han...

Sakai: Yeowch!
SG: Quiet...

Koroku: Ah..... Please go in before me

Both: There's nothing scary there... Maybe the more wild a guy is, the more scared he is of smart people.

Pg 75
HB: Say, Kinoshita-san
HB: I must be seeing things but....

HB: Have you gotten a little bigger?

HY: He he he. Humans usually grow bigger.
HY: As long as they are living....

Pg 76
HB: Let's see.... "As long as they are living?"
HB: I too am living, though.

SG: Toukichirou-sama said
SG: "Living" is "overcoming death."

Sakai: That's sly, Brother Gon
Sakai: Talking to Hanbei-sama like that. I wanna talk to him too

SG: Go ahead.
HB: You are....

Pg 77
HB: You are....
HB: That Sengoku Gonbei?!

SG: Thank you for helping us in the mock battle, Takenaka Hanbei-sama.
Sakai: Wha?
Sakai: You know him?

Pg 78-9
Txt: Is this what is meant by living?
Txt: Does battle make humans this strong?

Pg 80
Txt: Does that mean I am not living, since I have renounced the world, and shut myself up in this hermitage?

Txt: My heart is becoming passionate

Translation: Sengoku 32

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:31:38 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga.]

pg 41
Box: 1570 (First Year of Genki) May 9th. In Kyoto, rumors of the ghosts of fallen warriors began to circulate.
?: They're here

?: Fallen warriors? Those are probably the ghosts of the Oda Army's rear guard which was destroyed at Kanegasaki, right? They wanted to go back to Kyoto.
?: I guess.... But they've got feet... (translator's note: In Japanese folklore, ghosts do not have feet. This is one way to tell a ghost from a living person.)

Txt: Kyoto: Myoukaku Temple

pg 42-3
?: The Ki... Kinoshita Brigade has returned to base!

Pg 44
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
Txt: Oda Danjou-no-chuu Nobunaga

Pg 45
HY: Ha...ha...ha
HY: Thank goodness.... You're alive, my lord....

HY: Ha ha.... My lord, you're alive....

Nobu: Fool

HY: A..

Pg 46
HY: That....

Nobu: We meet again.....

Pg 47
?: Ugh
?: Uuuuuh
?: Guh
?: Waaaaaaaah

Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou

SG: Sniff...sniff..That's...that's...
SG: Sniff.... more than we deserve....

Pg 48
(no text, just crying)

pg 49
Txt: Shibata Shuri-no-suke Katsuie
Shibata: Monkey

Shibata: Be proud. You have won an honor great enough to make me jealous.

Shibata: And as for Sengoku

Shibata: You can keep that
Shibata: No matter what happens...
Shibata: Don't forget your will to live...

Mori: Kinoshita-dono.... You have saved Nobunaga-sama.
Sakuma: No, all of us...
Sakuma: You have saved the entire Oda clan army.
Nakagawa: Your name as a warrior resounds throughout the land
HY: No...that can't be....
Txt: Mori Sanzaemon Yoshinari
Txt: Sakuma Uemon Nobumori
Txt: Nakagawa Hachirouuemon Kiyohide

pg 50
HY: Anyway....why is everyone wearing armor?.........

Shibata: We were waiting for the Kinoshita Brigade to return before we set out....

HY: Th-
HY: Then

Shibata: Our lord is setting out
Shibata: For the next battle

Nobu: Regarding that matter

pg 51
Nobu: You know
Nobu: The Asakura clan.... And the crest of the traitorous Asai clan

?: Yea
?: Yea
?: Yea

pg 52
Nobu: You know
Nobu: Of how I have given Asai Nagamasa my sister Ichi in marriage

Nobu: You know
Nobu: Of how the Asai clan's betrayal endangered our army, and of how great numbers of my retainers have died

Nobu: And
Nobu: Of how they have tried to take my life

SG: Gulp
?: Yea
?: Yea
?: Yea
?: Yea

pg 53
Nobu: Slice off all of their heads!

Txt: Vol. 32 The Oda Army Prepares for Battle

Pg 54-55
Txt: "Battle of Anegawa" Arc

Pg 56
SG: It's said the Asai army isn't far behind the most feared armies of this era, the Takeda and the Uesugi...
SG: Our enemy is that brigade of death, with that Yamazaki Shinpei in red armor, who wields a spear on horseback...
SG: But we won't lose... We've overcome death to get here.

HY: Heh... You too...
HY: Sengoku?

Pg 57
HY: I'm so worn out I feel like being bitten like a mosquito would kill me.
HY: But when I think 'it's for Nobunaga-sama's sake,' strength flows through me.

HY: I feel like winning even more honors....

HY: We'll grow more
HY: The Kinoshita Brigade will become a more and more astounding unit

SG: Yes

Pg 58
Box: According to the Shinchoukou-ki, on May 9th, Nobunaga set out with a force of 20,000 from Kyoto headed to Gifu.
Box: Akechi Mitsuhide had arrived at around the same time in Kyoto, and set out right after to Wakasa along with Niwa Nagahide.

Nobu: The Asakura clan's Echizen soldiers are beneath notice.... But the Asai's Omi soldiers are far too strong for us to go straight up against
Nobu: My army is still not enough....
Nobu: I need those of astounding talents, people who have abilities not possessed by Ago or Curly or Kumquat or the bald rat....

Pg 59
Txt: Border of Gifu and Omi. Within the territory of Asai clan retainer Higuchi Naofusa

Hanbei: What?
HB: Kinoshita-san has returned?

HB: Can this be?

HB: I had heard that he had led the rear guard at Kanegasaki, and fought with three thousand soldiers against the 20,000 of the Asakura army..... How could he return alive?
HB: Impossible.... Unthinkable....

Pg 60
HB: Is Kinoshita Toukichirou a great figure beyond my imaginings?

HB: Heheheh... That person may have the potential to shake this age.
Txt: Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu
HB: However, what is this? I, who have turned away from the world, fled conflict, and lived alone in secluded retirement for a long time, feel within my breast such excitement come welling up....

Translation: Sengoku 31

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:10:06 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 21
MH: Our Akechi Brigade can't afford to sacrifice anyone now... Will you allow me to use him as a decoy? Kinoshita-dono...
Txt: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide

HY: Yeah
HY: Sengoku said he'd do it so it can't be helped
HY: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Hori: Hehe
Kani: Haha
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga

Hori: Heh..... we have no objections either...
Kani: Hah... If that shitty Sengoku is being stubborn, even we can't stop him...

MH: Then...
MH: We'll put the fate of the Kinoshita and Akechi Brigades in your hands, Sengoku Gonbei......

Pg 22
HY: From now, the Kinoshita-Akechi united forces shall use the sure-kill tactic "Killing Space" to intercept the attacks of the Asakura army!

Vol. 31 Killing Space

Pg 23
Txt: First Division of the pursuing Asakura Army, Yamasaki Yoshiie's Army
Yamasaki: The time has come—

Txt: Yamasaki Nagato-no-kami Yoshiie
YS: From our attacks by both day and night, enemy morale is at its nadir

YS: There is nothing more to fear!

YS: Crush the Oda rear guard in one blow!

Pg 24
?: Fire, fire!
?: Destroy the defenses!

?: Doraaaaa
?: As expected, there's no one
?: These boards are just decoration!

Pg 25
?: Listen!
?: It's a war drum! That's the enemy headquarters!
?: Anyway, there aren't any soldiers here!
?: Aim only at the headquarters! Everyone, charge!

?: There's the main camp!
?: Advance, advance! Everyone together! Charge!

Pg 26
?: Huh?

?: O—o
?: Ogre!?

Pg 27
?: Whaaaaaaaaat? No one is here? Just an ogre?!

Pg 28-9
(no text)

pg 30
?: Each and every one of the advance unit has been shot down!
?: Not even one is left, they've all been killed!

?: Could that have been the "Killing Space?"
?: That's the tactic of Akechi Juubei, who used to work for our Asakura clan!! But why is that method?!

?: Ergh...
?: His shooting made all the people watching, from Asakura Yoshikage-sama on down, be struck with wonder. Are you saying that shooting expert is in the rear guard?

Note: Shooting expert: According to the "Akechi Gunki" (Military Chronicles of the Akechi) When Akechi Mitsuhide was in the Asakura clan, he demonstrated his shooting in front of Asakura Yoshikage, and never missed a shot.

pg 31
HY: Wha....what power....
MH: Hah

Txt: If there is only one line of fire, the effectiveness of rifles is low... If you shoot from head on, only the soldiers in front will die.
Txt: But... If we use a decoy to make the enemy unit gather close together, then we can have two lines of fire, and they'll intersect at one spot.
Diagram: Killing space

MH: The crossing of the bullets is what makes it a "killing space."
MH: If someone steps into the place of intersection, it'll be the end of them. This way, we can make it to Kyoto.

pg 32
Txt: The same day, April 30th, Kyoto—Oda Nobunaga passes Kuchiki in Omi, and returns to Kyoto at the hour of the Boar (around 11:00 p.m.)

Box: Accompanying him were only about ten people----"Keijin-ki"
Txt: Oda Danjou-no-chuu Nobunaga

Note: Keijin-ki: The diary of the Kyoto court noble Naka-no-in Michikatsu

pg 33
Yoshiaki: Damn....
YA: He's returned alive from Kanegasaki? He's got the devil's own luck.
Txt: 15th Ashikaga Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki
YA: I had been worried...
YA: You must have been under terrible strain during that journey...

Nobu: No
Nobu: It was easily done
Txt: You damn tanuki Yoshiaki.....I'll kill you....

pg 34
Txt: Then--- First year of Genki (1570), May. "The Asakura Army had triumphed over the Oda army, taking 1353 heads. Having meted out a stern punishment, they returned to their lands." "Asakura Shimatsu-ki"

Note: Asakura Shimatsu-ki: (Record of the Asakura, from beginning to end) A history of the Asakura clan, starting with its origin, until the time of its destruction. The author is unknown.

pg 35
(no text)

pg 36-7
Txt: I'm back.... Ochou

Box: 13th day of the Retreat, May 8th
The Kinoshita and Akechi Brigades reach Kyoto.
The Final distribution of the 3000 soldiers of the Kinoshita Brigade
Dead 1353 Deserters 1300
Safely returned 347
Here ends the "Retreat from Kanegasaki"

pg 38
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou
Sakai: Wait...wait up....
Sakai: Up...until the end.... I want to walk back on my own...

SG: Don't over do it, Kyuuzou! I'll lend you my shoulder.

Sakai: Hey.... Brother Gon.... let's continue that talk we had...
SG: Wha? "Brother Gon?"

Sakai: I volunteer for this dangerous battle because I wanted to rebel against my old man.
SG: You said you hated him, yeah.

pg 39
Sakai: When I see my dad
Sakai: I think.... really, people change, that's how human beings are....

Sakai: You'll....understand someday...
Sakai: They get promoted... they're under more constraints....
Sakai: Human hearts end up changing, to good, to evil.... As our clan has gotten more powerful, my dad does only dirty stuff...

Sakai: But...
(cut and pasted panel: SG: Eat, Kyuuzou)
Sakai: Brother Gon.... don't ever change....

pg 40
SG: Really, what's this
SG: He ended up passing out...

Sakai: Be..become a general
Sakai: Become a general soon...
SG: Got it, got it

Txt: Brother Gon....Stay an idiot like you are now...
Txt: And become an idiot general....

Translation: Sengoku 30

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:09:25 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; vol 4 begins. BTW if you are an editor and you would like to see these scanlations come out faster, I-M is always looking for new people. ]

pg table of contents

Table of Contents
Vol. 30 Two Great Men Collide
Vol. 31 Killing Space
Vol. 32 The Oda Army Prepares for Battle
Vol. 33 The Scramble For Takekurabe in Sakata
Vol. 34 Mere Desire
Vol. 35 The Night Before the Stratagem
Vol. 36 Stratagem
Vol. 37 The Burning of the Odani Castle Town
Vol. 38 The Reinforcements Strategy
Vol. 39 Jirou-saburou Ieyasu

Pg 1
Txt: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide
Mitsuhide: Good morning, Kinoshita-dono........

HY: Ah
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
HY: Akechi Juubei?... This is like meeting the Buddha in hell.

SG: An..an ally
SG: The sun rises in hell too
Txt: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide-sama... It might be because of the morning sun, but he's shining like a living Buddha...

Txt: In the major historical documents, Akechi Mitsuhide's name does not appear in connection with the "Retreat from Kanegasaki," but.....

Pg 2-3
Box: The "Buge Unsen" says: "Nobunaga, aided by Niwa Nagahide, created the following plan: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi and Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide, and others, would be left at Kanegasaki Castle.

Txt: Vol. 30 Two Great Men Collide

Box: The Kinoshita Brigade was not the only unit guarding the retreat from Kanegasaki. Akechi Mitsuhide's brigade had also been fighting all the way through a blazingly violent retreat.

Pg 4
Txt: The encouraging appearance of an allied army—Yet, suspicion showed on the faces of a few as they beheld this meeting of two great men.

Note: "Buge Unsen": A collection of letters written from Isshiki Fujinaga, a general from Tango (northern section of Kyoto) to Hatano Hideharu a noble living in Tanba (middle section of Kyoto) (Translator's note: The name translates to something like Epistles of a Samurai)

Hori: We're joining forces, but the Akechi Brigade's way of fighting is totally different. Which one of them will be the commander? ...
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa

Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Kani: So the monkey and the dog of the Oda clan have bumped into each other in hell?
(Translator's note: In Japanese culture, monkeys and dogs are said to be enemies, like cats and dogs in English-speaking countries)

Sakai: Just please let there not be trouble....
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou

Koichi: Gulp
Txt: Kinoshita Koichirou Hidenaga

Cut-and-pasted panel: HY: He works harder than me, he's cleverer than me, and he even makes our lord laugh...
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
HY: Really I can't stand that Akechi bastard

Koichi: He is the only one who can laugh with Lord Nobunaga, that's how well their sensibilities match...
Txt: Kinoshita Koichirou Hidenaga

Pg 5
Txt: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide, come to think of it, is of a lineage which traces its roots to the Toki Minamoto clan, which formerly ruled the province of Mino. He was also a retainer of the Ashikaga Shogunate.
Txt: If times had not changed, he would be like someone above the clouds to our Kinoshita Brigade..... However, he became a wanderer, and now is a newcomer to the Oda clan.

Txt: On the other hand, my older brother Toukichirou was originally a nameless commoner.... But Nobunaga-sama discovered him, in the midst of the mud, and now he has crawled up to here....
Txt: And in comparison to the newcomer Akechi-dono, my elder brother has served as an officer in this army for fifteen years. Now he has a higher position than Akechi-dono.

Txt: In the end, who will take command of this army?

Pg 6
?: Anyway, even though they've come through hell, the Akechi brigade looks pretty clean...
?: They're looking down on our Kinoshita Brigade.
?: Did those guys get the easy part, while we got stuck holding the bag?

SG: How the heck does the Akechi Brigade fight?

Pg 7
Txt: Miyake Kura-no-suke Hidesuke

MH: Muh

Miyake: Ex...excuse me

Miyake: My.....lord..... I apologize....
MH: Take off his armor!

Pg 8
?: Wh..what's that?
?: Miyake-dono of the Akechi Brigade is still standing after being shot that much?

Sakai: My wounds are nothing compared to that!

SG: Quick.... get him some help!

Miyake: Pl...please kill me..... I....can... no longer walk

Pg 9
Miyake: Rather than being a burden, I wish to sustain you, Mitsuhide-sama...
Miyake: Then, my lord... our Akechi clan... please let it shine once again....

HY: Ah!

HY: Mitsuhide!!
HY: Stop!!!

Pg 10
(no text)

pg 11
MH: Now, everyone make merry. Taste the blood. Inscribe it onto yourselves.
MH: His blood shall give us the strength to live on in hell.

HY: Mitsuhide..... He was one of your retainers, so I'm not grumbling, but isn't that a bit much....

MH: Kinoshita-dono

pg 12
MH: This person has served the Akechi clan since the time of my father.... When I became a wanderer, he walked with me....
MH: But...
MH: When there are wounded, then it becomes necessary for others to carry them. Then, the wounded can aid the entire brigade through their own deaths.... That is how we have survived.

MH: It is different from how the Kinoshita Brigade has survived.

HY: Cause of that, the Akechi Brigade is few in number, but they're brimming with energy...

Sakai: Eeee...
Sakai: If...if we go with these guys, then I'll be killed!

?: Sc...scary
?: The Akechi brigade is scary

pg 13
HY: Somehow, it looks like I can't take command... It may be better to act separately from the Akechi Brigade..

HY: But if we don't merge here, then neither of us will survive... Mitsuhide should know this too. So it's a question of saving face. What we need is an opportunity to...

SG: Wh..what should I do?
SG: We've found allies in hell
SG: But... I have no idea whether Akechi-sama's way of doing things is right or not...
SG: Somehow we've got to be able to join forces....

HY: Ah
HY: Hey...

pg 14
HY: Hey

HY: Aaah!

HY: Wha
HY: What're you doing?!

Pg 15
SG: Even when I think it over in my head, I don't know which way is the right one.
SG: So I'm going to try doing it Akechi-sama's way as much as I can.

Txt: That's...that's it! First you lower guys are showing you're ready to fight along with the Akechi Brigade!!

MH: Hah hah
MH: Looks like there's someone lacking brains here....

MH: These foolish ways of acting....
MH: Are they a declaration of your will to fight alongside us?
MH: Or is this stupid behavior the reason this many of the Kinoshita Brigade have survived?

Pg 16-7
MH: Though your bodies have weakened, they're full of spirit.
MH: It's really illogical—However, the fact is, you've got a stronger will to live than we...

Txt: Hmph..... So you're also a performer, Mitsuhide..
HY: ...of course...

HY: I'll have you work under my command, Mitsuhide
MH: As you say, Kinoshita-dono
Txt: Fifth day of the retreat
Kinoshita Rear Guard: 450
Akechi Rear Guard: 60
Here they merge
Kinoshita-Akechi Merged Unit: 510 in all!

Pg 18
MH: Well then
MH: To start things off, please watch how we fight.

MH: Our tactic, the "Killing Space" wreaks total destruction on the enemy.
MH: This is the Akechi clan's sure-kill tactic.

Pg 19
HY: What's that... this "Killing Space"?...
MH: Ha ha ha. You can see it for yourself in the next battle.

MH: First we need someone to act as a decoy.
MH: Wasn't there that young warrior lacking in brains earlier?

SG: Y..yes...
MH: Before you said that you would try to do things our way, as much as possible.

MH: Will you play the role in battle that he did?

Pg 20
Txt: The role of a corpse?.....

HY: Wha
HY: A decoy...what...

SG: I believe.... I believe in the light I saw in Akechi-sama

SG: I'll do it!

Translation: Sengoku 29

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:26:25 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; end of the third volume, hurray! ]
Pg 189
Sakai: Aaaaghh!
?: Sakai!!!

Caption: Vol. 29 Hell

?: No! Get him to a safe place!

Sakai: Uwaaaaah! I don't wanna die!
Sakai: I don't wanna die!!!!

Pg 190
?: Oh...
?: Looks like the bullet went clean through...

Sakai: Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa
Hori: His life is not in danger....
Hori: We'll treat his wound now...

Hori: Disinfect it with the shitozuzu
Sakai: Gyaaaaaaaah

Hori: After that, stop the bleeding with ash.
Sakai: Guuuuuuuuuuh

Kani: Quiet! The enemy'll find us!
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Sakai: Guh
Sakai: Hmph
Sakai: Hmph

Note: Shitozuzu (urine bamboo tube): Warriors in armor urinated into bamboo pipes on the battlefield. They were also used to disinfect wounds.

Pg 191
Hori: It seems somehow like they're attacking at night to scare us.
Hori: Let's go back to the station.

Kani: Hit by a random bullet fired to scare us
Kani: This guy's got no luck

Sakai: Uuuuuh
Sakai: Uuuuuuh

SG: Hey... Kyuuzou

SG: Long ago I thought I was going to die from an arrow

Pg 192
SG: Times like that.....
SG: Think about someone you like or things you like, and you'll feel better

Sakai: Don't got that....
Sakai: Just want to go home and eat till I'm full

SG: Then you should think about food
Sakai: Then put it right in front of me! ......even though there ain't any

Box: Then with the dawn, they plunged into the third day of the retreat

Pg 193
?: Gaaaaaaaah
?: Urghhaaaaaaa
Txt: Third day of the Retreat
Kinoshita Rear Guard: 1300
Dead: 100 Deserters 250
Remaining: 950

?: No, we're on the same side!
?: Stop killing us!
Txt: Third day of the Retreat, night
Kinoshita Rear Guard: 950
Dead: 50 Deserters: 150
Remaining: 750

Txt: Fourth day of the Retreat
Kinoshita Rear Guard: 750
Dead: 100 Deserters: 200
Remaining: 450

Pg 194
Txt: Then, April 30th, 1570. The fifth day of the retreat dawned for Sengoku and the rest.

Hori: Kinoshita-sama....
Hori: There seems no end to the desertions.....

Hori: Now we have 450 soldiers.... That is barely enough for us to continue operating as a unit.....
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
Hori: To stop our troops from deserting, it may be necessary to take measures as strict as the death penalty....

HY: Most of them are good-natured former commoners....
HY: They're not strong in body and spirit like you....

HY: The feelings of the guys who ran off.....

Kani: I don't care about 'em

Pg 195
Kani: Master rat, maybe you also started out as a commoner
Kani: but if ya gonna be so easy going and soft on them when you've been made a general, that's a problem

SG: What should I do....
SG: Every...everyone's falling apart

?: He....
?: Hehehehehehe

Pg 196
?: It's him!
?: It's his fault!!!!!

?: It's the bald rat's fault that all of this crap happened to us!!!

?: If I give his head to the Asakura, they'll help us!!!
?: Ahah ahahaha I'll cut off his head and give it to the Asakura......

Pg 197
Hori: If even one madman emerges, that invites confusion in the ranks...
Hori: As I suspected, we must use severe punishments if we are to survive....

Kani: Better yet, what about killing all of the wounded?

Sakai: Wai...wait.......
Kani: That way the chances of the guys carrying the wounded surviving will go up
SG: What?

Pg 198
HY: Don't fuck around, you bastards!

HY: This is hell! Flail around as much as you like, but we're all gonna die!

Pg 199
HY: We're all gonna die here!!!! Eat! Eat up!!!!
HY: Eat all the leftover rice and diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieee!

HY: But...
HY: Like I said, this is hell...

HY: I'll cut down anyone who doesn't follow the table manners of hell!!

Pg 200
HY: Now, eat!
HY: But no standing up

HY: And eat with these wooden spears

HY: Before I entered the Oda clan I wandered around the provinces
HY: There I heard about the table manners in hell...

HY: Though they're made of bamboo, they're spears, gotta hold them with two hands....
HY: This is your last meal. Be thankful for it.

Pg 201
?: Guh

Kani: What's this?
Kani: Even if we can get these to our mouths, it takes too long!!
Hori: Kinoshita-sama.... This joke is a bit much... While we do this, the Asakura Army is.......

HY: Quick, eat up! The guards in hell are impatient! They'll burn up all this food!

?: Hey...
?: Even...
?: Even if you tell us that we can't do a thing

Txt: ..........Kyuuzou's wounded.....

Pg 202
SG: Eat....Kyuuzou.....
SG: Go ahead and stuff yourself....

?: Ah

?: That's...that's how to do it!
SG: Eh?

Pg 203
?: Ah
?: Hah
?; That's it, that's it

?: That's how we can eat quick

?: You, I'll bring it over, eat, eat
?: Ohhh
?: You too! Let's feed each other!!

Kani: Shit.... He got us

Hori: I'm impressed

SG: Eh?
SG: What?

Pg 204
HY: You guys got it?!?!
HY: That's the only way to survive in hell!

SG: I don't get any of this, but I'm alive
SG: I will survive!

Kani: He he

Hori: Hmph

Sakai: Sengoku Gonbei.... You're the best at surviving

Pg 205
?: Toukichirou-sama!

?: Behind us!
?: Enemy forces!

HY: What?!
HY: Coming at us head-on, coming at us from behind, we'll take 'em on!

?: Yaaaaaaaaaah

Pg 206-7
?: They're coming

Pg 208
(no text)

Pg 209
Mitsuhide: Ha ha ha..... We're some folks who have lost our way.....

(Translator's Endnote:
Thanks for reading up to volume three. In volume four we shall see the lead-up to the famous battle of Anegawa, and Tokugawa Ieyasu will appear. )

Translation: Sengoku 28

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:22:23 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga. ]

Pg 169
Txt: Second day of the Retreat
Kinoshita Rear Guard: 3,000
Dead: 300 Deserters: 200
2,500 are left!

?: Riflemen, fire!
Txt: First division of the Asakura army, Yamasaki Yoshiie's Army
?: After that, throw the gunpowder balls!

?: Uwaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaah!

Koichi: Even the wooden boards have been broken.
Txt: Oda Army, Kinoshita Rear Guard
HY: We don't have fortifications, the enemy outnumbers us ten to one, we've got caught in a shooting war....
HY: Wh...what kind of battle is this?!

Pg 170
Txt: Vol. 28 Kyuuzou

HY: Pl...please hold out......
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
HY: We're waiting for Gonbei and the rest of the elite ambush unit to do something!!

Pg 171
Yamasaki: Those crafty ambushers might be lurking in the woods again!
Txt: Yamasaki Nagato-no-kami Yoshiie

Yamasaki: Shoot into the woods in all four directions!

SG: All the way up to here
Sakai: Eeee.... the enemy's found us!
Kani: Shaddup
Kani: They're firing randomly to scare us
Txt: Kinoshita Rear Guard, Elite Ambush Unit

Hori: Though we're trying to get the enemy general, we can't show ourselves!
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa
Hori: If we fire one shot badly, we'll be met by a rain of enemy counterfire! There's nothing we can do!

Pg 172
Kani: Shit
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Kani: If we had some weapons to shoot at them, we could take on hundreds of 'em

Sakai: Rain... if it were to rain then they wouldn't be able to use their guns
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou

SG: Think...Think.... Think.... Think....

SG: What is battle? What is battle? What is battle?

Txt: What is battle? Please tell me, Toukichirou-sama?
Txt: Aw, shaddup

Pg 173
Txt: Battle, you ask? It's pulling off ideas that make others say "that's crazy" when they hear them, by using precise calculations. You can come up with the crazy ideas, but you can't do the precise calculations...
Txt: But, if you have superior comrades, you can do crazy stuff like building a castle in one night.

SG: Hey
SG: Everyone...listen to me

Everyone: That's crazy

Pg 174
Hori: There's no other way... We'll use Sengoku's plan

?: Ugh

?: As we suspected, there are ambush troops hiding there!
?: From that angle!

?: Kill them all in one volley!

Pg 175
Hori: Guh
Sakai: Eee

SG: Hah
SG: Hah hah

Txt: Please...
Txt: Let this work...

Pg 176
SG: Ung
SG: Raaaaaah

Kani: I'll lend a hand, Gonbei!

SG: Aaaaaaaaaa

Pg 177
?: Ha

?: Be-be-be-behind!!!!!!!
?: Behind!!!

?: Ah!
?: What!?!
?: Wha?

Pg 178-9
?: Uaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
?: What's this?! A treeeeeeeee!

HY: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

HY: I don't get this, but good! Now...

HY: Retreat, Kinoshita Brigade! Run!!
HY: Use this chance to run!

Pg 180
?: We...we've arrived at the next station.
?: Wa..water
?: There's dried rice too. Now we can take a break
Box: The Kinoshita Rear Guard did not retreat randomly.

Box: Previously, during the retreat of the main Oda forces, Niwa Nagahide's army had constructed defense stations.
Diagram: 朝倉軍=Asakura Army　木下隊=Kinoshita Brigade　防御柵=Defense stations

Box: There, they left supplies of water, food, and weapons, and then continued to retreat.

Pg 181
Koichi: Since yesterday, the numbers of dead and wounded
Koichi: and deserters show no signs of hitting bottom

HY: Sigh
HY: Is that so?... In this kind of war, it can't be helped that there are deserters

HY: Hey, Sengoku, and the rest of the elite ambush unit... well done
HY: You're the hope of the remaining ones

HY: Continue to put your lives on the line and turn your heads
HY: Running, running, and surviving is the nature of a retreat

HY: From now on, you'll decide the battles..... If you hesitate for even a second, all of us will collapse.. If you understand, then rest for awhile...

Pg 182
Sakai: Ugh
Sakai: Kyuutarou... What're those?

Hori: These are the right little fingers of our dead comrades... I must send these back to their families back in their villages

Sakai: Uhh... Kyuutarou's adapted to this hell-like environment
Sakai: I'm too stressed out to sleep. Kani's snoring is noisy too...

Sakai: Mm?

Sakai: That's Sengoku Gonbei

Sakai: Hey...
Sakai: I'm..I'm Sakai Kyuuzou. You can't sleep too?

Pg 183
SG: Eh?
SG: Hey
SG: If you think about a girl, you'll get sleepy...

Note: Little finger of the right hand: In the Oda clan, it was a custom to cut off the little finger of the right hand of those who had died in battle, and record their names. The fingers would be given to the families of the dead.

Sakai: Bwah
Sakai: Being stupid at a time like this... you

SG: I don't really understand, but...
SG: At scary times, I see her face in front of me, encouraging me, scolding me, consoling me....

SG: A long time ago, that girl told me
SG: No matter when or where you are, under this sky, you'll definitely form ties with others....

Pg 184
SG: A girl you love, family

SG: Friends..

SG: As long as you have them, you'll become strong...
SG: Just by thinking of them, you'll get stronger

Sakai: Wait, it's the opposite!
Sakai: It's totally the opposite!

Sakai: The more things humans have to protect, the weaker they get.... If you look at my dad, you'll understand...

Pg 185
Sakai: The solitary human with nothing to lose is the strongest...
Sakai: Like me...

SG: Hmmmm. Solitary? ..... What does 'solitary' mean?

Pg 186
?: Eeeee! Yaaaaah! It's a night attack!
?: Uwaaah! Gyaaah!
?: A night attack! A night attack!

Pg 187
HY: Whaa.
HY: Wha
HY: What
HY: What is this?!

Hori: Could this be....?

Kani: Shit

SG: Guh

Sakai: Eee
Sakai: Eee

HY: They don't want to let us rest for a moment.

HY: Is this cause the enemy attacks during the day were light? Take up positions to intercept the attack!
Sakai: Ah! Wait!
Hori: Probably they were dividing the soldiers into day and night shifts!!

Pg 188
Sakai: Aaaaaaah!
?: Sakaiiiii!

Txt: Second day of the retreat, night
Kinoshita Rear Guard: 2,500
Dead: 700 Deserters: 500
Remaining: 1300!

Translation: Sengoku 27

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:10:35 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 148
Txt: Vol. 27 Fierce Fight

Pg 149
?: They're coming!

?: The Asakura army is advancing behind us

Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa
Txt: Sengoku Gonbei Hidehisa
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou

Pg 150-1
HY: The *Asakura army pursuing us is 20,000 strong
*according to the Asakura Shimatsu-ki, there were 22,150 troops

HY: Our Kinoshita Rear Guard numbers 3,000
HY: We'll intercept them now!!

HY: Alright?
Box: Mountains near Kanegasaki Castle, Echizen. Retreat route of the Kinoshita Rear Guard.

HY: Here the mountain pass is a single lane. The Asakura army must advance in a long line, so only a few of them can attack at once.

Pg 152
HY: But... Even so, there's no way we can push back against a big army like that when it's coming down on us.
HY: There is only one tactic to use against it

HY: Our main forces will block the enemy advance at the front.
HY: On the side, hidden on some higher ground, a small ambush force will burst right into the middle of the enemy, intercept their attacks, and aim for the general of the enemy vanguard....
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
Diagram: 朝倉軍=Asakura Army　大将=general　伏兵小隊=Ambush unit　柵=fence　木下本隊=Kinoshita main forces

HY: Since the main general will be in danger, then the enemy will have to withdraw at once.
HY: Using that chance, we'll also retreat
Diagram: 退却＝withdrawal　撤退=retreat

HY: Sengoku and these fifty others will be our elite ambush unit!

Pg 153
HY: Steel yourselves!
HY: Up till now, I've seen many a brave warrior lose his nerve at the last moment....

HY: If you lose your courage, even for a second, all three thousand of us will die

SG: Courage!
SG: Resolution!

Pg 154
Txt: They've come!
Txt: First Division of the Asakura Army
Yamasaki Nagato-no-kami Yoshiie's Army

?: The Asakura have their spearmen behind shields!
?: We can't use guns or arrows against them like this!

?: Uuuuh
?: Gwaaa

Pg 155
?: The fence!
?: Aaah!!
?: Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

?: AAAAAAAAAAAAh!!

?: Ee!

Pg 156
?: Glug
?: Glug glug glug glug glug
?: Uaaaaaaaah!
?: Kill them kill them kill them

?: Shit
?: Argh

Sakai: Wait...Wait.... Our allies are dying! Do people die so easily....

Kani: Shut up, you bastard

Hori: We...we ambush troops must stand by until we can confirm the position of the enemy general! Don't be found out!

Sakai: Oooh
Sakai: Hahh
Sakai: Hah

SG: My chest is tight, I can't breathe.

Pg 157
?: Ha
?: L..look over there, that sturdy looking group...

SG: That's the enemy general, for sure...

SG: We're going

SG: We of the elite ambush unit
SG: From now, are going towards our deaths!

Pg 158
Txt: As we've seen, "death" is hard, harsh, painful, bloody
Txt: But, to overcome that is "life"!

Txt: .......bei!!
Txt: Gonbei!!!

Txt: Live!
Txt: Live brightly!!

Pg 159
Txt: Be a fool! Be a fool!
Txt: Be a foooooool!

Hori: Wha....?

Pg 160-1
SG: We meet, enemy general!
SG: I am Sengoku Gonbeiiii!

Pg 162
?: My lord! It's an ambush!
?: It's an enemy ambush!
Txt: Yamasaki Nagato-no-kami Yoshiie

Hori: That
Hori: Fool!

Kani: Since he's yelled, there's no point in staying hidden.

SG: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
SG: AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Pg 163
Sakai: Uh?
Sakai: Wait a sec...

Hori: We...
Hori: We can go

Pg 164
?: Let's go while the enemies are all looking at that fool!

?: Wha
?: What?
?: More are coming!
?: More ambushers!!

Pg 165
?: What's with these strong guys!?! Aaaaaah!

Pg 166
?: My...my lord! There is great disorder....
?: It has become dangerous....

?: Ugh
?: Urgh

?: Stop the attack!

?: Withdraw
?: Then get our lines back in order!

Pg 167
HY: Hah, good!
HY: Everybody retreat!

?: Hah
?: Hah
?: Hah

Pg 168
HY: Run! A step, even a half-step, is that much closer to Kyoto!
HY: Soon the second division will come!

SG: Urgh

SG: Ugh
SG: A corpse

SG: Damn it! What the... Ahead
SG: There are all these corpses...

Txt: Kinoshita Rear Guard: 3,000
Due to the fight with the First Division of the Asakura Army
300 have died in battle
2,700 are left!

Translation: Sengoku 26

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:23:28 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 129
?: Ohhhh! It is our lord!
?: Nobunaga-sama has come here!
Txt: Vol. 26 Reason for Living

Pg 130
Nobu: Bald rat
Txt: Nobunaga Danjou-no-chuu Nobunaga

HY: Eh?

Nobu: Fool

Nobu: Toukichirou

Nobu: According to the gossip going around, one of my women brought you in

Nobu: And through that connection, you became one of my men

Note: That connection: According to "Bukouyowa," Hideyoshi was found by Yoshino-no-kata, one of Nobunaga's concubines, and through her introduction, came to serve Nobunaga.

Pg 131
HY: Heheheh.... I'm also remembering the time you picked me up.

HY: My lord... Somehow... may you be well

Txt: Even now, this guy hasn't changed.

Pg 132
Hori: It has been a long time, Kinoshita-sama
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa
Hori: Nobunaga-sama has sent you these soldiers and arms

SG: Guh! Hori Kyuutarou!

Hori: In addition, I have a request to Kinoshita-sama

Hori: For the rear guard, failure is not an option....
Hori: Therefore, I made this suggestion to Nobunaga-sama earlier:
Hori: "There are those within the Kinoshita Brigade who may get carried away, and thus run the risk of committing serious errors"

Pg 133
Hori: Thus, I
SG: Hmm
Hori: have been ordered to oversee those people

Hori: May I, Hori Kyuutarou
Hori: Be allowed to join the Kinoshita Brigade as a yoriki*?

*yoriki: a commanding officer of a mid-level unit under a brigade commander

HY: Are you
HY: Serious?

Txt: Ha ha, Kyuutarou really is a weird kind of guy....

Pg 134
Kani: Shit!
Kani: Outta the way! Get outta the way!

HY: Wha
HY: What now?

Kani: Master rat!
Kani: Me too!

Kani: Looks like joining the Kinoshita Brigade is the best way for me to go wild
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Kani: I, Kani Saizou, would like to join the Kinoshita Brigade as a yoriki!

Pg 135
SG: Ka... Kani Saizou.....
HY: Hey, what's going to happen next~~~

Shibata: You seem to be in a spot.......
Txt: Shibata Shuri-no-suke Katsuie

HY: Shi...
HY: Shibata-dono....

Shibata: I'm giving you Kani

Shibata: Use him well
Shibata: It seems you are
Shibata: Not a man who is all talk

Pg 136
HY: No, I....
HY: I'm not worthy....

Shibata: Sengoku...
SG: Yes

Shibata: Your muddied spear no longer is of any use
Shibata: I'm giving you this

Pg 137
Txt: Enma-sama......
Shibata: It's stupidly heavy, so it suits you well

Sakai: Wait!
Sakai: I'm joining too!

Sakai: I'm Sakai Kyuuzou. I'm going to make a name for myself too!
Sakai: I'm praising myself, but I did pretty well at the attacks on Kannonji Castle and Mitsukuriyama Castle!! Take me along too!
Txt: Sakai Kyuuzou

HY: Aren't you Sakai-dono's heir, Kyuuzou?
HY: Really, these young'uns
HY: From here on, we'll be dying.

Note: Sakai Kyuuzou: The eldest son of the Oda clan general Sakai Masahisa. He was active at the attacks against the Rokkaku clan when Nobunaga went to Kyoto. He was known for his good looks, and also was one of Nobunaga's pages.

Pg 138
HY: .....Anyway....

HY: Hey, don't you guys know each other? Say something!
HY: Hey, Sengoku! Aren't you going to thank them? Your dependable comrades have come to lend you a hand!

Hori: No, I came because Nobunaga-sama ordered me to....

Kani: I came here just to go wild..

SG: What?
SG: Kyuutarou and Kani? Both of them have tried to kill me!

Pg 139
SG: He he...
Hori: Hmph
Kani: Heh...

Txt: I don't really get it.... But there's nothing as reassuring as when people who have tried to kill you become your allies...

SG: Anyway, I'll give it my all, Toukichirou-sama!

Txt: These guys.... Are they even thinking about death?

Pg 140
HY: Hey... everyone gather round
HY: Sorry for talking 'bout myself all of a sudden

HY: Eh..
HY: Now I'm 33, was born a commoner, got promoted
HY: Got married to a cute girl, made friends.. taking care of some kids.... well, it's been fun....

HY: Even if I die here, I've had a pretty good life

HY: Puff

Pg 141
HY: But when I see you fools
HY: Somehow I want to live on too

HY: Survive, get home, hug my wife Nene
HY: Then other women, smoke my pipe
HY: Talk to my friends
HY: and the kids

HY: That's it

HY: That's my reason for living!!

Pg 142
?: Live
?: See ma again
?: Me too
?: Just got married

HY: Right!
HY: That's right!

HY: You guys have got kids
HY: Don't you wanna see your own kids again?

HY: Family, promotion, friends, women
HY: Whatever it is, it's all good!! Just as long as you've got a reason, that's good!

Pg 143
HY: Okay?
?: Yeah
?: Yeah
?: Yeah

HY: Don't even think for a second you're okay with dying!
?: Yeah!!
?: Yeah!!

HY: From here, the path we're going down is the path towards death!!
?: Eh?
?: Yeah!

HY: But!!!

Pg 144-5
HY: We'll overcome death!! And live!!!
?: Yeaaah!!

Pg 146
?: From here on out, the retreat from Kanegasaki begins!

Pg 147
(no text)

Translation: Sengoku 25

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:01:06 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; halfway through volume three, whee]
Pg 107
Txt: Vol. 25 The Rear Guard is Chosen

Pg 108
?: Ah...
?: Be..betrayal?

TO: That's right
TO: Otake...Since you've also been born in this age of civil war, you've probably also wondered....
Txt: Otake, Asai clan lady-in-waiting
TO: Why is it that people betray each other?

TO: In the past, my father Saitou Yoshitatsu killed my beloved grandfather, Saitou Dousan, all because he was tormented by suspicion. With a single rumor, "they're not really of the same blood," everything changed.
TO: "Father is strict because he loves me" became "he is cold to me because he doesn't love me".... All because his foundation, the belief that they were tied by blood, was gone.

Pg 109
Txt: People "betray" when their belief in that other human crumbles.

TO: Asai Nagamasa reveres Oda Nobunaga with all of his heart.
TO: But...That love as well can be transformed into hatred, arising from a man's jealousy and suspicions
Otake: Ahhh
Otake: Aah, Aaah Ahh

TO: Now Nagamasa is under a lot of mental pressure... At this time a man is weak to rumors
Otake: It's too much!

Txt: Otake! Spread rumors near Asai Nagamasa! If you do that, I shall make you my woman!

Pg 110
?: I feel sorry for our lord....
?: He doesn't realize he's being used by Oda Nobunaga and his sister, Oichi-sama....
?: He even turns his back on his father so he can protect the Oda clan....

?: Oichi-sama loves Nobunaga more that Nagamasa-sama, and puts him first
Txt: Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa
?: I feel so sorry for him.....

Txt: My heart is already decided...
Txt: There is nothing for me to be troubled over

Cut and pasted past panel: Nagamasa: For...for your sake I would even kill my father..
NM: How could I betray my revered brother Nobunaga?

Txt: The Asakura clan is important, but my brother-in-law Nobunaga is who I long to be like, it's my dream....

Pg 111
Text: In the past, I.... admired Nobunaga deeply for beating the great Imagawa army with only a small force at Okehasama. Then, when I too beat a great army of 20,000 with only a small force at the battle of Norada, I caught Nobunaga's eye, and he gave me his sister, Ichi....

Text: Loving and being loved by Nobunaga and Ichi is everything to me....
Text: I need nothing else....

Note: Battle of Norada: 1560 (Eiroku 3) Asai Nagamasa was victorious over the Rokkaku clan. After this, Nagamasa became the head of his clan.

Pg 112
Oichi: I feel sorry for you....

Oichi: You seem worn out...
Nagamasa's wife and Nobunaga's younger sister
Lady Oichi

NM: Iiiiiiiiiichiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Oichi: You protect my brother and me.....

Pg 113
Txt: My brother and me.....
Txt: Nobunaga and Ichi.........

Txt: The bonds between Nobunaga and Ichi are strong
Txt: Since they're brother and sister, that's natural.... but...

Txt: Are those bonds so strong that she puts Nobunaga before me?
Txt: Am I second to my brother-in-law?

Txt: I love Ichi more than my father....
Txt: But does Ichi love me more than Nobunaga?

Pg 114
NM: What... what is this?
NM: Azuki beans?

Oichi: Yes...
Oichi: I am sending them to my brother, Nobunaga, on the battlefield, as an expression of concern for his health

NM: Elder brother is strong, so that kind of thing is unnecessary!
Oichi: Why is that? Even though my lady-in-waiting, Otake, has cleverly prepared them...

Pg 115
NM: It's... unnecessary to send this....

NM: Instead of elder brother....
NM: Worry about me a little more....

?: Those who are faint-hearted... believe in rumors...

Pg 116
NM: Wh-who are you calling faint-hearted....
NM: Are you...comparing me with elder brother....no, Nobunaga?

NM: Are you saying I'm below Nobunaga?

?: Please stop, my lord!
?: You are raving!!

Pg 117
NM: I'll show you... that...I...I'm above Nobunaga!!

Nobu: It cannot be helped
Txt: Oda Danjou-no-Chuu Nobunaga

HY: Hurry! Are we ready to retreat?
Txt: Kanegasaki Castle, Tsuruga.
Kinoshita Toukichirou's Brigade

HY: We'll be the very first in the army to flee!

Pg 118
Niwa: That is all.
Niwa: Our lord has decided that the entire army will retreat.

Txt: Niwa Gorozaemon Nagahide
Niwa: Now to decide on the rear guard

Niwa: It goes without saying, that they will be left at this Kanegasaki castle
Niwa: Until the entire army escapes to safe ground, they will absorb the enemy attacks

Niwa: Their role is to be completely destroyed
Niwa: They must throw away all hope of a safe return

Pg 119
Niwa: Due to the urgent state of affairs, they will have no time for being caught between feelings and reality
Niwa: They must make decisions coolly and logically

Niwa: The rear guard must be skilled enough to battle while incurring the least possible number of casualties...
Niwa: And...
Niwa: If they are destroyed, their absence must not have a great impact on the survival of the Oda clan.... These are the two necessary points....

Niwa: Then, who....

?: I shall
?: I'll...
?: No, we will
Txt: Shibata Shuri-no-suke Katsuie

Pg 120
Niwa: Shibata-dono, please step back....
Niwa: The Oda clan cannot do without you

Niwa: Maeda, Satsuki, step back...
Txt: Satsuki Narimasa
Txt: Maeda Toshiie
Niwa: Your ability is not yet sufficient

Sakuma: Urm...
Sakuma: I would criticize, but.... It's useless....
Txt: Sakuma Nobumori

Nobu: Enough!

Pg 121
Nobu: It'll be the bald rat.

Pg 122-3
?: Relaying an order from Oda Nobunaga-sama to the Kinoshita Brigade—
?: For this retreat, you be the rear guard and sacrifice yourselves to prevent the pursuit of the Asakura Army at this Kanegasaki Castle.
?: And one other thing--- As Nobunaga-sama will look after all of the families left behind in the home villages of the rear guard........

Pg 124
?: Die
?: Without any worries
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

?: Sob
?: Waaah
?: Sob...
?: Ooooh

HY: Ha

Pg 125
HY: HA HA
HY: Ha ha ha ha ha

HY: Ha ha
HY: Ha ha
HY : Wa ha ha ha
HY: Ha ha ha

SG: Ha...
SG: Ha ha

SG: Ha ha ha
SG: Wa ha ha ha ha

Pg 126
?: My lord, where are you going?

Txt: ..... These guys

Pg 127
HY: Now...now as you have heard, we have been ordered to be the rear guard....
HY: which is the same as receiving an order to die.

HY: From Nobunaga-sama.... Ha ha

HY: But... Nobunaga-sama is more sensitive than anyone... Our lord is more pained by this than anyone else...
HY: We will never see him again, probably, so don't bear a grudge against him...

Pg 128
SG: That's the kind of person Toukichirou-sama is...
SG: What's with saying not to bear a grudge against the person who's told him to die?

SG: It's just like that time with Takenaka Hanbei-sama
(Cut-and-paste panel: HY: Because of that..
HY: His feelings are probably hurt...
Txt: Toukichirou-sama really
Txt: does like Hanbei-sama.)
SG: He worries more about the feelings of others than about his own problems

SG: He's puny, a real pervert, but I respect Toukichirou-sama....
SG: Toukichirou-sama is Nobunaga-sama's shield! So I'll become Toukichirou-sama's shield!!

Translation: Sengoku 24

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:55:12 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 89
?: Ooooooooooooooh!
Txt: Vol. 24 The Fall of Kanegasaki Castle

Pg 90
?: Well done, mud rat brigade
?: The main forces of the Oda army have arrived

?: We're entering the castle in one burst! Take out your blades and charge!

Pg 91
Box: When Oda army invaded Tezutsuyama, they killed 1,370 Asakura soldiers

?: Ooooooooh!
?: Hey
?: Hey
?: Hey

Box: The surprise attack on the back gate, the taking of the castle, the victory: The morale of the Oda Army was at its crest

Pg 92
SG: Aaah
HY: I can't move anymore....

Nobu: Rat, Dango

HY: I...I have no excuse for my actions
HY: We shall immediately set out to attack Kanegasaki Castle

Pg 93
Nobu: Hmph
Nobu: Well done
Txt: Oda Danjou-no-suke Nobunaga

Nobu: The enemy has already fled from Kanegasaki Castle
Nobu: This that, Kanegasaki Castle has become ours

Pg 94
Box: The Oda Army had won a great victory. Tezutsuyama Castle had fallen. They had also taken over Kanegasaki Castle. And the Asakura had also left Hiketa Castle.
Box: In the Shinchoukou-ki, it is written: "The Oda Army went through Ki no Me Pass, and invaded the land of the Asakura...

Text: ---or that was what should have happened."

Pg 95
NM: Hah hah hah hah hah hah
Txt: Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa

?: My lord
?: Your father, Hisamasa-sama, and the important retainers are preparing an army to strike down Oda Nobunaga.

Note: Shinchoukou-ki: A work compiled by the Oda retainer Ota Gyuuichi. Is thought to be highly reliable as a source.

Pg 96
?: Guh

NM: How—how dare they act on their own like this!
NM: I...I, Nagamasa, am the head of the Asai clan!

NM: The Asakura are our allies, the Oda clan our in-laws, whichever one we choose, it's betrayal
NM: W—wait awhile for my decision!
Diagram: 浅井家=Asai clan　朝倉家=Asakura clan　盟友=Allies　侵攻=Invading　義兄弟=in-laws　織田家=Oda clan

?: But my lord, if you do not make a decision now, your father and the others will gather the troops on their own!!

NM: I-i-i-iiiiiii Ichi.....
NM: Ichiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Pg 97
Txt: Nagamasa's wife, Oichi

Box: She was known as "The most beautiful woman of the age" and was Nobunaga's younger sister
Box: Because of her arranged marriage to Asai Nagamasa, the Oda and Asai clans had become allies.

Pg 98
Oichi: It seems that your father and the high-ranking retainers hate my brother

Oichi: Do you also intend to betray my brother and me?

Nagamasa: For...for your sake I would even kill my father..
NM: How could I betray my revered brother Nobunaga?

Pg 99
Oichi: Ohohohohoho.... What a darling person you are....
Oichi: Now, suckle as you please

NM: My body is large, but I'm timid.....
NM: If only some day I would become like my revered elder brother, Nobunaga...

Oichi: No.... You have always had the potential to become greater than my brother Nobunaga...
NM: Really? Is that really true? ....

Txt: Again, quoting from the Shinchoukou-ki: "They should have invaded the Asakura lands, but...."

Pg 100
?: My
?: Lord....
Txt: Kanegasaki Castle, Tsuruga Province
Oda Nobunaga's main camp

Nobu: What?

Txt: "There came word that Asai Bizen-no-kami of Omi Province had betrayed them."

Pg 101
Box: He was in a desperate situation—The Oda Army was surrounded by mountains, the sea, and the Asakura army. The Asai army would cut off their escape route.
Map: 敦賀湾=Tsuruga Bay　朝倉軍=Asakura Army　金ヶ崎城=Kanegasaki Castle　織田軍=Oda Army　浅井軍=Asai Army

Nobu: It cannot be helped

Nobu: Has that Nagamasa betrayed me?

Box: According to the Shinchoukou-ki, at that time Nobunaga found it hard to believe that Nagamasa had betrayed him..... Perhaps things were so desperate that he sentimentally did not want to believe it.

Txt: Will you die?

Pg 102-3
Txt: Or will I have to kill you, Nagamasa?

?: The Asakura clan are the true allies of our Asai clan!
Box: The Asai army advances towards Suruga
?: Strike down Nobunaga in the name of honor!

Pg 104
HY: Hurry
HY: Hurry
HY: Hurry
HY: No mistake, we're retreating, prepare to flee!
Box: Kinoshita Toukichirou Brigade

SG: Why?
SG: Why are we retreating? I don't what's going on!

HY: Wha? It's all gone to pot! The Asai clan has betrayed us. You should only think of escaping now!

HY: If...if we don't run away, we'll all be massacred! Everyone will die!
HY: D..damn it to hell! I don't care about being promoted anymore! I'll be the first... the first to run!

Box: The Asai clan's betrayal—In a second, shudders ran through the Oda Army
Box: Warriors of the Sengoku era knew first hand that the most difficult of military operations is the retreat.

Pg 105
HY: The Asai army is coming at us from behind like the raging waves!
HY: And in front of us, the Asakura army is coming like the mist!

HY: But!! Don't give up, everyone!
HY: Look!

HY: Though we might be surrounded by clouds and raging waves, the sun will come out for sure!
HY: No matter what, we'll escape!

Pg 106
HY: Alright? We'll definitely
HY: Definitely live!

HY: We will escape, for sure!

Translation: Sengoku 23

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:10:08 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; and so begins the first real battle arc]

pg 67
?: 1570 (First year of the Genki era) April 20th. Oda Danjou-no-suke Nobunaga sets out with his army from Kyoto to Echizen in order to strike down Asakura Yoshikage

?: The advance is aiming at the home territory of the Asakura clan, Ichijou Valley

pg 68-9
Txt: A retreat unheard of in earlier eras!
Txt: "The Retreat from Kanegasaki" Arc
Txt: Vol. 23 The Advance to Echizen

pg 70
HY: I quote Nobunaga-sama
HY: First, think about what battle is!!
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Txt: Kinoshita Koichirou Hidenaga
Koichi: How did this all start?

HY: The campaign against the Asakura began when Nobunaga-sama sent out an order in the name of the Shogun to the Asakura clan, ordering them to come to the capital, and the Asakura ignored it.
HY: For a long time, the Asakura clan and Oda clan have been in conflict... Clearly they are spoiling for a fight with Nobunaga-sama

HY: Essentially there is no reason to subjugate the Asakura, but Nobunaga-sama has justice on his side.
HY: And that is because the Asakura refuse to listen to the Shogun's orders, and so they are the ones in the wrong.

Koichi: This is why Nobunaga-sama has spent so much time and effort protecting the Shogun.

pg 71
HY: That's right
HY: But then why did he pick a fight for no reason with the Asakura?
HY: The Asakura domains are not such a rich country to be worth killing for

HY: I don't get it
HY: Why all this effort
HY: To get rid of the Asakura?

Box: Oda Nobunaga was aiming at transforming the country by water trade routes, with Lake Biwa at the center. The Asakura clan's Tsuruga Harbor functioned as the leading trade port on the Sea of Japan. Nobunaga needed it to make his vision a reality.

Map: 越前=Echizen　敦賀=Tsuruga　貿易船=Trading ships　江戸期には北廻船になる=During the Edo period these became ships traveling to the north　朝倉氏=Asakura clan　小浜=Obama　若狭=Wakasa
北国街道　浅井氏=Asai clan　小谷=Odani　菅浦=Sugaura　長浜=Nagahama　豊臣秀吉=Toyotomi Hideyoshi　津田信澄=Tsuda Nobusumi　信長の甥=Nobunaga's nephew　大溝=Oomizo　安土=Azuchi　織田信長=Oda Nobunaga　水上輸送経路=Water cargo routes　明智光秀=Akechi Mitsuhide　坂本=Sakamoto　京=Kyoto
Box-caption: Nobunaga's vision at the beginning of the Tenshou era

Box: The recognition that economic activity comes from circulation of trade, rather than from tribute or exploitation dates from the Edo period (and moreover, the latter part of it)--- People of the Sengoku era would not have been able to understand Nobunaga's vision.

pg 72
HY: ....We've made camp, so take a break, Sengoku...
SG: Yes

Txt: Say nothing more
Win honors in battle

HY: This idiot's taking it literally

Box: At this time, Sengoku Gonbei, eighteen years old
Box: keeps his fighting spirit within himself

pg 73
Box: April 20th, Wani
21st, Takashima
22nd, Wakasa
The Oda army achieves successive victories
Box: Then on the 25th, they make camp near Kanegasaki Castle and Tezutsuyama Castle in Suruga, Echizen province

?: If we can take Kanegasaki and Tezutsuyama castle,
?: Then afterwards we have only the Asakura main territory left...

?: First we shall start with Tezutsuyama, however...

pg 74
? : This mountain castle is sternly defended on both the eastern and western approaches

Txt: Oda Danjou-no-chuu Nobunaga

Niwa: Trying to make it fall in one blow will result in many casualties.
Txt: Niwa Gorozaemon Nagahide

Nobu: We will attack the relatively unguarded karamete*
*back gate

Niwa: My lord, please look here
Niwa: The gate in the back is by a swamp
Map: 金ヶ崎城=Kanegasaki Castle　天筒山城=Tezutsuyama Castle　沼田=swamp

Nobu: What of it?
Nobu: We'll attack from the swamp

pg 75
Niwa: Uh....Well....
Niwa: If we advance from the swamp then...

Niwa: Armor is heavy, so we'll get stuck in the mud, and it'll take a lot of time
Niwa: Trees don't grow in swampland, so we'll be totally exposed to the enemy
Map: See previous map 大手門=main gate

Nobu: Isn't there a unit which can lead the attack from the mud?

?: Though you say that...
Niwa: A unit suited to the mud.....

pg 76
HY: Wha?
HY: Our Kinoshita Brigade is leading the attack from the mud?

HY: Is this an order from our lord?
HY: Don't talk! Be quiet and win honors in battle!

pg 77
HY: Anyway, both the mud and the way we'll be exposed to the enemy are problems!
HY: Engineers, get these ready
HY: Grass, mud, and fishermen's nets

HY: Ahahaha, it suits you well

HY: And here's some mud makeup

pg 78
HY: We'll show them commoners' wisdom

HY: Move forward like you're fishing for mudskippers
HY: To the enemy on top of the mountain it'll be like you're only grass

HY: When you get below the castle, climb the mountain in the enemies' blind spot
HY: When you kill the watchmen, then we'll come over

?: Got it

pg 79
(no text)

pg 80-1
?: Eh? What's this?

?: Guh!
?: Ahhh! Gyaaah!

Pg 82
Txt: It's okay if at first things aren't to showy
Txt: I'll accept the orders of our general, Nobunaga-sama, then follow the orders of my commander, Toukichirou-sama. I'll be silent, eat mud, then win honors!

HY: Shove everything into the mud!
HY: Quick, contact Nobunaga-sama and the others at the main camp!

HY: Then, let's go, mud rat Kinoshita Brigade!

Pg 83
?: My lord!

?: The Kinoshita Brigade has succeeded in their advance from the swamp
?: They've also already built a way through

Nobu: Heh heh heh heh

Nobu: Good!
Nobu: We shall bust through the back gate in one push

Pg 84
Box: Meanwhile—Around 40 km away from the battle in Suruga, in the Asai clan's Odani Castle in Omi Province.

?: What
?: What
?: What is this?!?

NM: My brother Nobunaga is attack.. .is attac...is attacking the Asakura clan?!
NM: Our Asai clan and the Asakura clan are allies!
Txt: Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa
Diagram: 浅井家=Asai clan　朝倉家=Asakura clan　盟友=Allies　侵攻=Invading　義兄弟=in-laws　織田家=Oda clan

Hisamasa: That Nobunaga....He broke his promise to tell us when he attacked the Asakura clan
Txt: Asai Hisamasa (Nagamasa's father)

Txt: But! That's the sort of man Oda Danjou-no-chuu is!

pg 85
Hisamasa: Geniuses are those who have the power to see the light of successes invisible to ordinary people.
HM: However, they may be also those who are unable to understand the circumstances, or consider the feelings of those in the shade.

HM: As Nobunaga always says, he loves this land, and wants to take it...
HM: To Nobunaga, it is as if he is willing to throw this world away, if before the woman he loves...

HM: Nagamasa.... do you think your brother-in-law was considering your situation?

Pg 86
Box: Meanwhile—An abandoned house on the outskirts of Odani Castle
?: Tatsuoki-sama

TO: What?

TO: Is that so? Asai Nagamasa is troubled by his dilemma? He he he he He's becoming interesting.
Txt: Asai Clan lady-in-waiting Otake
Otake: Hohoho--- It will be soon... So you had been plotting that from the beginning when you approached me, a lady-in-waiting of the Asai clan?

Note: Asai clan Lady-in-waiting: Tatsuoki received a concubine from the Asai clan

Txt: It's now.... If Nagamasa betrays Nobunaga now, then he'll be facing a pincer attack!

Pg 87
Box: 1570 (First year of Genki) The attack on Kanegasaki and Tezutsuyama Castles
Due to the efforts of the desperate unit under the Oda Clan's Kinoshita Toukichirou, including Sengoku, the Oda army succeeds in invading the castle through the back gate

Diagram: 搦手=back gate　大手門=main gate　沼地=swampland　天筒山城=Tezutsuyama Castle　金ヶ崎城=Kanegasaki Castle

Box: Kinoshita Toukichirou's brigade

HY: We're going in
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
SG: Yes!

Pg 88
HY: First make a shiyori
HY: Set up the shields and the fencing, and prepare the positions to invade the castle!

Note: Shiyori: An embankment made by soldiers for approaching a castle. Using shields and sandbags, they would defend against the arrows of the troops inside the castle.

SG: Sh
SG: Shiyori is complete!

HY: Then destroy the enemy's fortifications!
HY: Throw horoku at the watchtower!

SG: Got it!!!!
Note: Houroku: Hand-grenade-like metal balls filled with gunpowder. They were launched as if throwing a hammer.

Translation: Sengoku 22

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:36:06 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; in this chapter, Nobunaga makes people cry, LOL]
Pg 47
Nobu: It was but a trifle
Txt: Vol. 22 Conclusion of the Battle of Rokujou

Pg 48
Txt: Kyoto: Honkoku Temple

Nagamasa: Oooooh
NM: El---el---Elder brother-in-law!!
Txt: Asai Bizen-no-Kami Nagamasa

Pg 49
NM: It has... it has been a long time!
Nobu: Ah ha ha ha... Strong, as always

Box: Asai Nagamasa--- He was the head of the Asai clan, the Oda clan's ally, and, having married Nobunaga's younger sister Oichi, known as the 'most beautiful woman of the age,' he was Nobunaga's brother-in-law.
Box: He worshipped Nobunaga so much that he had changed his name from "Katamasa" to "Nagamasa."

NM: Pl—please look over here.... This is the pride of the Asai clan, our vanguard general
NM: It is all thanks to his military feats!

Nobu: Oho....

Pg 50
Yamazaki: I am Yamazaki Shinpei...
YZ: My face has been disfigured in battle, so please excuse me for not removing this soumen
Txt: Yamazaki Shinpei

Txt: Yamazaki Shinpei..... Clad in crimson armor, wielding a hazu-yari on horseback

Note: Soumen: A piece of armor used for protecting the face. It covered the entire face like a mask.

Pg 51
Txt: On the battlefield.... He was as calm as the mokkei*, and fought like an ashura demon
Txt: I could but only look on
Note: *refers to the wooden chicken on his helm

Txt: I had finally gone to the front, yet I was shaking....
Txt: I'm ashamed at how pathetic I was....

Note: Hazu-yari: A bow which has spearheads attached to both ends. It was extremely rare for one to be used in actual battle.

Pg 52
Nobu: So, Kumquat-head

MH: Hah, calling Akechi Juubei, famed for his shining gold mind....

Nobu: Hehehehe
Nobu: What's with that face....?

MH: Ahahahahha
MH: I had put on some makeup for entertainment....
MH: But when I fought, mysteriously my spirits began to rise, and I became like a demon.

MH: Then, as I am wearing this makeup, to express our thanks for our lord's hard work, I shall put on a kagura performance
MH: The guests already have their heads lined up

Nobu: Guests?

Pg 53
MH: Right here... A few of them have their heads turned away though

Nobu: Aha, hah hah hah hah

Pg 54
HY: He works harder than me, he's cleverer than me, and he even makes our lord laugh...
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
HY: Really I can't stand that Akechi bastard

Koichi: He is the only one who can laugh with Lord Nobunaga, that's how well their sensibilities match...

Pg 55
Txt: I can understand Toukichirou-sama's jealousy well
Txt: We all wanted to be praised by Nobunaga-sama, so we tried hard.

SG: We tried to stand out as much as the people before us; we want to be praised as the second to get here

Nobu: Now, bald rat
HY: Y...yes.

Pg 56
Nobu: I shall reduce your salaries.

Pg 57
SG: Wait
SG: Wait
SG: Please wait a moment

SG: Er, um,
SG: I'm not complaining about the salary or our lifestyle...

SG: We are inexperienced and weak, and we would only be in the way, so we stood by...
SG: But we ran with all of our might to get to the battlefield quickly!

SG: Within a rain of arrows and gunfire, we made it through with our lives
SG: We really did give our all...

pg 58-9
(no text)

pg 60
HY: Sengoku...

HY: You only gave it your best effort.... But that wasn't of any use

HY: You were just worried about whether you had worked

pg 61
HY: You can't call that giving your all.

HY: You can't call that

Txt: Giving your all...

pg 62
SG: I have always
SG: Trained my body, and learned martial arts, in order to win honors on the battlefield

SG: I had gotten some confidence, but then I saw the warriors of the Asai clan
SG: Their bearing.... their strength, it shocked me. I looked bad in comparision

SG: But more than that, I didn't want to mess up... But I got so scared I wasn't able to move....

SG: What should I do....This....

SG: Sob...
SG: What should I do....?

SG: Sob..
SG: What should I...

pg 63
SG: Sob....sob....sob
Nobu: Say nothing more

Nobu: Win honors in battle

pg 64
Box: At that time--- Sengoku was not the only one crying.... And the events of that day....
Box: Were tied to those miraculous feats in battle one year and two months later.

Box: Outskirts of Kyoto Saitou Tatsuoki's army
TO: Today was a complete victory for you, Danjou-no-Chuu

Txt: Saitou Uhyoue-taihitsu Tatsuoki
TO: But!
TO: I saw the scene of your death at my hands!

pg 65
(no text)

pg 66
(no text)

Translation: Sengoku 21

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:07:02 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

pg 24
Txt: Vol. 21 The Battle of Rokujou 2

Pg 25
Txt: In front of Honkoku Temple
?: Defenders of the Shogun are approaching from all sides
Txt: Saitou Uhyoue-taihitsu Tatsuoki
TO: Damn, they're quick
TO: Counterattack!

MH: Be patient for awhile, until reinforcements arrive!
MH: Don't panic! Keep your mind clear!
Txt: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide
Txt: Within the Honkoku Temple

Txt: Suburbs of Kyoto
HY: Hurry, hurry
HY: We're avoiding battle, but let's try to be the first to get there!
SG: We'll get there first, then clear the enemy out in one blow!

Pg 26
?: Hah
?: Hah

Koichi: When it's this cold, the horses' legs are stiff too
Koichi: Uh?

SG: This time, this time, we'll get to the front line
SG: This time will be the first time I go into the breach in a real battle!

Koichi: Gonbei.... recently you've surpassed my vigor in martial arts; we can rely on you now
Txt: Kinoshita Koichirou Hidenaga
Koichi: But be careful when you advance... the fearsomeness of a real battle differs from that of a mock battle.

Pg 27
HY: This fool doesn't know fear
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

SG: I know how scary being at the front is
SG: But because of that, I'm going to be cheerfully full of energy...

HY: You must all push down and crush your fears!
HY: Now, follow Sengoku!

Pg 28
?: The sound of the conch and the drum!
?: It seems the battlefield is near

?: Huh?

HY: Hey, vanguard. What is that unit up ahead?
?: Understood

?: That flag belongs to
?: the ally of our Oda army, the Asai clan
(Translator's note: In most historical sources, it is known as the Azai clan, but for some reason, the creator is going with "Asai," so we'll leave it as that.)

?: We are in the army of the Asai clan. You are the Oda clan's....?
HY: Kinoshita Toukichirou
HY: Well, well, now..... we have such dependable comrades! Shall we fight together?

Pg 29
?: There is no need.
?: Wait on the side
Txt: Asai clan retainer Isono Tanba no Kami Kazumasa

SG and HY: Eh?!

Isono: Your actual level of ability can be gauged from your miserable appearances
Isono: Common soldiers who are the very first to flee at the front only will get in the way

Pg 30
SG: What do you mean, 'very first to flee'?!
HY: Stop, Sengoku. We came to protect the shogun.

HY: He he he..... Then, good luck in battle

SG: At least get down from your horse and...
SG: Urgh
HY: No, no, it's all.....

Pg 31
SG: Damn, really!
SG: You can tell someone's strength from their appearance?

HY: You can tell!!
HY: Saying that you should be judged from the inside is wishful thinking

HY: It's through their dress and bearing that their valor and daring comes through
HY: Today or tomorrow, they're willing to die, and cause of that, they'll dress to the nines

HY: First-rate guys are like that...

Pg 32
Txt: Honkoku Temple

MH: Fire, fire
MH: No matter how tired you get, don't stop smiling!!

MH: Never show the enemy weakness
MH: Become like an ogre who smiles as he kills people!

?: Hahahahahaha
?: A------hahahaha

Pg 33
Box: A passage about this battle from the Shinchoukou-ki:
Box: "The warriors of the Oda clan raised sparks among the enemy as they fought. In a flash, thirty enemy warriors were shot dead. The dead and wounded among the enemy were nearly innumerable, and thus the attackers did not even consider entering the temple."

MH: Ha
MH: Ha ha ha ha ha ha

Txt: As I thought, I should put on the makeup to bring out my madness

Note: Shinchoukou-ki: A work compiled by the Oda retainer Ota Gyuuichi. Is thought to be highly reliable as a source.

Txt: It'll probably take around three days for the main forces of the Oda clan to get here from Gifu
Txt: But the allied forces around here should be arriving soon
Txt: Especially the Asai clan. If they come, we'll win, because they have that hero within their ranks.

Pg 34
?: They've come
?: An enemy attack!
?: With rifles!
?: The rebel army has set a trap for us!

?: Eee
?: E—even here...

HY: Do...don't flinch, Kinoshita brigade! Get into a defensive formation
HY: Set up the shields!

SG: Let's fire too!
HY: Showing useless bravery? We'll wait!

Pg 35
?: Guh
?: The enemy is gradually approaching!
?: We've got to run away!

SG: After the guns will come the arrows...

HY: And after the arrows will come the spears!!

Txt: They're....

Txt: Coming!!

Pg 36
?: Eee
?: Run!

SG: Ugh

Txt: I'm not scared
Txt: I'm not scared

SG: I... won't run!
SG: Can I retreat after they've said we're the sorts who'll be the first to run from the front?

Koichi: What?!

HY: Get back, Sengoku!

Pg 37
?: Your body has become stiff with fear. If you run to the front now, only a dog's death awaits you.
?: Retreat, young warrior.

Pg 38
Txt: He's an Asai clan warrior.... Wh-what's this?
Txt: I...I'm shaking

?: Well then, shall we show you the charge of the vaunted vanguard of the Asai clan?

Pg 39
?: Hey, get back, youngster
SG: But if those guys charge into the yari-busuma on horseback, they'll be struck off their horses...

?: Guh..

Pg 40-41
?: The soldiers on the left side have been shot down!!
?: Continue circling towards the left side!

Pg 42
SG: That's.... the sole weakness of the yari-busuma, an attack from the left! But... how will he do that with a bow?!

SG: A bow.... no....
SG: A spear!

?: Ee, a spear attack from the side!
SG: All of a sudden, he's using a spear on horseback!

Pg 43
HY: I remember now... That crimson arrow, and hazu-yari (bow-spear)
HY: Using a spear on horseback would be rare enough... but he also uses as hazu-yari

HY: He is the brave warrior whose name resounds about the Kinai region...
Note: Hazu-yari: A bow which has spearheads attached to both ends. It was extremely rare for one to be used in actual battle.

Pg 44
HY: He is usually seen at the front, as the Asai clan's vanguard general...
HY: Yamazaki Shinpei

Txt: I gazed at that warrior of fearsome strength
Txt: Inwardly, I had been relieved not to go to the front. But after that, regret and shame rose up within me....

Pg 45
Box: January the 6th—(Three days after the start of the Battle of Rokujou) The request for aid from the Shogun reaches Oda Nobunaga in Gifu. He immediately sets out with a small number of soldiers.
Box: January 8th—Through frigid snowstorms, Oda Nobunaga makes a three days' journey in two days, and arrives in Kyoto, a mobilization of godlike speed.

Txt: Oda Danjou-no-Chuu Nobunaga

Pg 46
?: Excuse me
?: Thanks to the accomplishments of Akechi Juubei-sama within the residence, and our allies, the Asai army, the enemy has already been subdued!!

?: The Shogun is also safe!

?: Our victory is total!

Nobu: Hmph
Nobu: Really?

?: Even so, with this rapid advance
?: Truly, my lord, you have labored much

Translation: Sengoku 20

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:00:49 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 02
Vol. 20 The Battle of Rokujou 1
Vol. 21 The Battle of Rokujou 2
Vol. 22 Conclusion of the Battle of Rokujou
Vol. 23 The Advance to Echizen
Vol. 24 The Fall of Kanegasaki Castle
Vol. 25 The Rear Guard is Chosen
Vol. 26 Reason for Living
Vol. 27 Fierce Fight
Vol. 28 Kyuuzou
Vol. 29 Hell

Pg 3
Box: 1569 (Eiroku 12) January 4th Saitou Tatsuoki and the Miyoshi Sannin Group launched a raid on the residence of the Shogun, Yoshiaki, while Oda Nobunaga was absent, having returned to Gifu.
Txt: Honkoku Temple, near the Rokujou area of Kyoto

?: The gates have been burned down
?: Good, then let's trample over them at once!

Txt: Saitou Uhyouetaihitsu Tatsuoki
TO: Slaughter Shogun Yoshiaki!
TO: If we kill the Shogun, our Saitou clan's archenemy, Oda Nobunaga, will see his power plunge!

Pg 4
TO: Fare thee well, Shogun!
Txt: It became known as the "Battle of Rokujou"
Txt: Vol. 20 The Battle of Rokujou 1

Pg 5
Box: Some two months before this battle---1568 (Eiroku 11) Ashikaga Yoshiaki had, with Oda Nobunaga's backing, formally become the fifteenth Seii Daishogun.

Box: Around the same time, the fourteenth Shogun Ashikaga Yoshihide died. Tatsuoki and his allies had previously killed Yoshiaki's elder brother and backed Yoshihide.

Diagram: 斉藤龍興ら擁護=Under the protection of Saitou Tatsuoki and allies　十四代足利幕府将軍=Fourteenth Ashikaga Shogun　足利義栄=Ashikaga Yoshihide 　死亡=death
敵対=enemies　十五代足利幕府将軍=Fifteenth Ashikaga Shogun　足利義昭=Ashikaga Yoshiaki　織田信長が擁護=Under the protection of Oda Nobunaga

Box: Because the current Shogun was a hinderance to installing a new puppet Shogun, Saitou Tatsuoki and his allies attacked the Honkoku Temple in Kyoto, the residence of the fifteenth Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

Translator's note: Seii Daishogun is the official title of the Shogun. It translates to something like Great General who Subdues the Barbarians

Pg 6
Toda: This young lord has inherited the blood of that accomplished villain, Saitou Dousan, and experienced failure at the hands of the rising dragon Oda Nobunaga
Toda: I, Toda Seigen
Toda: Have been invited to serve many lords, but serving this Tatsuoki-sama is interesting...
Txt: Saitou Clan Military Instructor Toda Seigen

Toda: He had the diplomatic skill necessary to make the actual powers of Kyoto, the Miyoshi Sannin group and Nagai Hayato, his allies
Toda: And planned the raid on the Shogun's residence, using the opportunity presented by the absence of Oda Nobunaga, the protector of the Shogun
Toda: Warfare, politics, intrigue: his growth in all of them is remarkable.

Txt: My eyes are weak, but they can clearly see my lord's victory!

Pg 7
?: This is the residence of the Shogun of this land
?: Do NOT let Saitou Tatsuoki get in here

?: Ugh
?: Eee
?: Don't give up! Though we are surrounded by a great army, we still have the brave warriors Yamagata Kennai and Uno Yashichi as our allies!

?: Ex..Excuse me
?: E.. What is it?

?: Those brave warriors, Yamagata and Uno have mowed down the enemy, wounding many of them grievously!!
?: Yes!

Pg 8
?: ...And after that, they were stabbed by enemy spears, and died in battle.
?: What?!

?: It's over already...
?: We're surrounded by trenches, and the Honkoku Temple is only a temple, and doesn't have enough weapons.

?: We really cannot protect the Shogun.

Pg 9
?: We..
?: We must get the Shogun out of here right away
?: But is there no one who will be our shield?

?: What about the warriors of the Oda clan? There must be some of them left.
?: In this state of emergency, where have they gone?

?: Where are they? The people of the Oda clan?
?; Eee...

Pg 10-11
Mitsuhide: Hey

MH: Happy New Year

?: A m-m-m-m
?: Monster!!

Pg 12
MH: Hahaha. It's me. I am...
MH: Akechi Juubei
Txt: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide (39 years old)

MH: Hahaha
MH: I was preparing to put on a kagura performance to celebrate the New Year, so that's why I'm like this....

(Translator's Note: Kagura is a type of Japanese traditional theatrical dance, usually involving dancers acting out scenes from Japanese mythology, accompanied by music)

MH: Please hold this rifle for awhile.

Pg 13
?: Heavy! A rifle is this heavy?
?: Ju...Juubei-dono carries it so lightly
MH: Hahaha Please observe

MH: The enemy trembles at the sound of the guns
MH: Now they cannot enter this building easily

?: Hey! Why are the soldiers destroying this place?
?: Why are you so calm? Get the shogun to a safe place....
?; More importantly, where were you before?

MH: Now now... I am not Shotoku Taishi, but I will answer your questions one at a time.

(Translator's note: Shotoku Taishi was a politician of the Asuka period. He was famed for his ability to converse simultaneously with ten people at once.)

Pg 14
MH: Firstly.... You asked why they are destroying this place...

MH: Oho.
?: Eeee

MH: It seems as expected, they will not be fearful of the rifles for much longer.... Tighten the defense.
?: Yes!

?: Line up the flooring
?: Pile up the straw

Pg 15
?: Oh.....
?: This is...

pg 16
?: Astounding, they have turned the room into a fort.
?: But Juubei-dono.... walls and guns alone are not enough.... Bows are faster...

?: Elder brother
Txt: Akechi Samanosuke Mitsuharu

Mitsuharu: As you have instructed, we have placed a scarecrow of the Shogun near the shutters in various places
Mitsuharu: Amusingly, many arrows have come flying

MH: With this, we'll have enough arrows.

?: Guh
?: Hahahaha... Well well.... Good job, Samanosuke

pg 17
MH: Secondly
MH: Your question was 'why are you so calm?"
MH: My calmness is so that I will not cause everyone to do something stupid, such as getting hasty and trying to escape.

?: What?
?: We can only escape. This place won't last for five days.

MH: That is exactly what the enemy wants. Is your wish that the Shogun end up stuck with arrows like a hedgehog?

MH: Three days
MH: If we wait three days, we shall be victorious.

pg 18
?: What?!
MH: And the last answer! What was I doing up till now, you asked?

MH: Before this place was completely surrounded, I sent messengers off by fast horses to various places
MH: Naturally, to Nobunaga-sama in Gifu
MH: But I also requested aid from lords of provinces allied to the Oda in the Kinai region

MH: Three days later, our allies will surround the enemy in numbers ten times theirs.

pg 19
?: Th..
?: Thank goodness Juubei-dono is our ally
?: Even so, that killing intent I felt when he was wearing the makeup....
Box: Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide--- Previously, he had received instruction from the accomplished villain, Saitou Dousan, in firearms.

Box: Afterwards, he went over to the Ashikaga and Asakura clans, learning warfare, statecraft, and intrigue. Now he had vowed to serve both Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga.
Box: Serving two lords at once—This was known as "kentai." The samurai philosophy that "one should die before serving two masters" was a dominating principle constructed in the Edo period, and during the Sengoku era, "kentai" was permissible.

pg 20
Box: Meanwhile. The suburbs of Kyoto. Kinoshita Toukichirou's brigade is stationed in the suburbs for the purpose of maintaining the order of Kyoto.
?; What?
?: The shogun's residence is being raided?

HY: Didn't you hear?
HY: It's the New Year.
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
HY: I'm the general protecting Kyoto in name only..... There are other strong armies, like Niwa's...

HY: What to do? What to do?
HY: If I get there too early, it'll be dangerous. If I go too late, Nobunaga-sama will be angered.

SG: Toukichirou-sama

pg 21
SG: Right now is a great opportunity for promotion!!
Box: With the New Year, Sengoku Gonbei, age seventeen, had grown in both spirit and body.

pg 22
SG: Aid the Shogun!
SG: I'll make my name known, even slightly more

SG: Step by step, I'm on the fastest road to Ochou

Txt: Now, to battle!

pg 23
(no text)

Translation: Sengoku 19

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:36:31 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; hurray, this is the last chapter of volume two!]

pg 193
Txt: Where is Ochou? ....

Txt: I don't need dreams or a family....
Txt: I want to see her... Ochou...

Ochou: Gonbei!

Pg 194
Ochou: Gonbei!!
Txt: Vol. 19 A chance encounter

Pg 195
?: What's this? A woman is running here?
?: Oooh, she's pretty hot

Ochou: Go...

Pg 196
(no text)

pg 197
?: Message from Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga-sama to all troops!
?: Do nothing to threaten the people of Kyoto!

?: First! Do not steal even a sen!
?: Second! No violence or disorderly conduct!

?: Third! Do not approach any women!

?: If we catch anyone breaking these rules, they'll end up like these heads!

pg 198
Ochou: Urgh!
Oino: Quiet! It's Oino, you stupid girl.

Oino: Let's go back. If you go to Gonbei he'll lose his head.
Ochou: Bu..but

Oino: We're going back
Ochou: But...

pg 199
Ochou: Sob
Ochou: Sob

Ochou: But..
Ochou: But... Neesan....

pg 200
?: Hey, walk on
?: That girl you were looking at before
?: Was she someone you knew?

?: No...I don't know her, but she looked like someone I knew
?: Leave her alone, unless you want to become like one of those heads

pg 201
(no text)

pg 202
Oino: Hey... Take this paper
Oinio: Dry your tears

Pg 203
(no text)

pg 204-5
Cut and pasted panels:
Ochou: Live cheerfully
Ochou: If you do that, I'll try to live cheerfully too!

Ochou: I need you
Ochou: I need you and that sunny, stupid face you're always making

Txt: Live brightly
Txt: If you do that, I'll try to live brightly too!

pg 206
SG: Ochou!
SG: That girl before was...

Txt: We couldn't meet, but I'm relieved...
Txt: Just knowing Gonbei is alive makes me happy
Txt: He's still cheerful and sunny... Really, I was worried

pg 207
SG: Ochou

SG: Is she hiding her face so I don't lose my head?
SG: Message, message
SG: Let me ride behind you!!

SG: It's okay, don't worry
SG: I'm a fool, but I quickly get cheerful again

Txt: Dreams, family, Ochou, to get them all, I'm willing to do anything
Txt: Leave it to me

pg 208-209
(no text)

Pg 210
Text: I am waiting cheerfully for you
Text: We definitely will meet

Pg 210
Text: Yes..
Text: You've become a little more reliable

Pg 212
HY: That idiot!
HY: Y...You

HY: Have you become a real idiot?

Pg 213
Txt: I'll be patient, I'll train hard, I'll do anything
Text: So I can meet Ochou again

Txt: If in this time of civil war, strong warriors are important, I'll become one, starting from tomorrow
Txt: The dream of becoming a daimyo, like Nobunaga said

Txt: Toukichirou-sama's family, everything, I can do this all...
Txt: A strong, a strong warrior

Txt: I'll become a strong warrior
Txt: Just to meet Ochou

pg 214
Text: Because I love you....

(Translator's Endnote: We have reached the end of Volume Two. In the next volume, there will be some real fighting. Also, Akechi Mitsuhide will appear. He's the guy who eventually assassinates Nobunaga. )

Translation: Sengoku 18

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:07:50 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

pg 173
?: Hurry, ladies
Box: One year before, 1567 (Eiroku 10) The fall of Inabayama Castle
?: Oda Nobunaga's army is threatening to enter Inabayama Castle!

Oino: What're you doing, Ochou!
Oino: Hurry and get out!

Ochou: Sorry, Oino-neesan
Ochou; I'm staying with Gonbei

Oino: You fool
Oino: Do you want to die?

Txt: Saitou clan lady-in-waiting, Ochou
Txt: Ochou...
Txt: Saitou clan lady-in-waiting, Oino

pg 174
Oino: This is bad!
Oino: Gonbei has joined the side of our Saitou clan's nemesis, Oda Nobunaga
Oino: Considering Ochou's personality, I absolutely cannot let her meet Gonbei!

Vol 18. Ochou's Determination

pg 175
SG: Ah
SG: Wait...

SG: Ochou?
SG: Where is Ochou?

SG: Wait, Oino-neesan!
SG: Wait!

pg 176
HY: Da--
HY: Damn you, Sengoku!
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

pg 177
HY: How many times
HY: How many do I have to tell you before you get it, you idiot!
HY: I told you not to come near women!!

HY: Right now you're in the middle of a great enterprise, an army of 60,000!
HY: And we're just a small unit within it, and you're just one low-ranking soldier in the middle of that!
HY: Even so, if you cause a problem, then that'll affect the entire army, and even make trouble for Nobunaga-sama!

pg 178
SG: ....chou
SG: Ochou...

HY: That Sengoku seems to be alive, but he forgot himself
HY: Koichirou, keep an eye on him

Koichi: Yes

Box: Around the same time, several kilometers away from Kinoshita Toukichirou's unit, in an advancing unit near the main unit of Oda Nobunaga's army,

Box: An incident took place

pg 179
?: We control Kyoto
?: Ehehehehe, I came up with a little idea...

?: A woman!
?: Haha, I just want to see her face

?: Whoa! Aha
?: What're you...

?: My lord!
?: Ehehehehe

?: Eh?

pg 180
Txt: Oda Kazusanosuke Nobunaga

Nobu: Expose this

Pg 181
Box: 1568 (Eiroku 11) September 26th The middle of Kyoto
Box: On this day, Oda Nobunaga personally decapitated two foot soldiers

Box: Their crimes were as follows: One was looking at the face of a woman, and another had stolen only a small amount of money, a sen coin.
Box: These two heads were mounted on stakes and displayed.... They were used as a message to the people of Kyoto, that the Oda Army was severely disciplined, and was an army which would protect the order and safety of the people of Kyoto.

Box: This became known as the "Nobunaga cuts off a head for a sen" incident.

Pg 182
Koichi: Did you hear, Gonbei?
Koichi: If you even look at a woman's face, you'll get your head cut off...

Koichi: And not only that...
Koichi: My elder brother Toukichirou will also earn a punishment
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hidenaga

Koichi: You probably also said this during normal days
Koichi: Since you had been treated unkindly as a child, you were grateful from the bottom of your heart to be in this Kinoshita Brigade...

Koichi: We are family....

Pg 183
Koichi: You are no longer alone...
Koichi: That's why you have something to protect

Text: Does Ochou remember?
Txt: When Inabayama Castle fell...

Txt: As long as I could help you escape, I didn't care whether I died or not

Txt: But... when you came back to see me

Txt: From then on, even if there were things more painful than death

Text: I wanted to live

Pg 184
Txt: From Gifu to Kyoto...
The moon has gone from full to disappearing while I've walked...

Txt: Carrying a uma-shiruji in heavy armor....
With a tired out body...
Gritting my teeth....

Txt: But, I thought, someday I will meet Ochou
Txt: My heart flew up somewhere soft

Txt: Someday, I'll...
Txt: See Ochou, I thought

Pg 185
SG: Now
SG: Even though Ochou is in Kyoto, we can't meet

SG: Even though I'm in the midst of a great work that may move this very land
?: Hey, you're young, so walk
SG: Even though I've formed deep family bonds, which I would die for

Txt: Even though I must move forward
Txt: Why have my legs suddenly become so heavy...

Pg 186-7
Text: By throwing everything away....
Text: I want to see her....
Text: I want to see Ochou

Pg 188
Box: Meanwhile, a kilometer or so away ahead of Sengoku

Ochou: Wait
Ochou: What? Oino-neesan
Ochou: Why are you so nervous?

Oino: Come here already, Ochou!
Oino: Anyway, let's get out of here.

?: Hey, don't go to the back
?: There's that tiresome guy there... really slow....

?: He seems to have got a uma-jirushi (translator's note: uma jirushi: It's that thing Sengoku is carrying, which is supposed to mark the position of the general)
?: That guy, he's the young...

Pg 189
?: Sengoku Gonbei

pg 190
Ochou: Nee-san! Right now he said "Gonbei"!
Oino: No!

Oino: Get a grip on youself! Yeah, right now Gonbei is alive. He'll be here soon. But you shouldn't meet him.
Oino: He's an enemy! Gonbei is a soldier in the enemy army!

pg 191
Oino: Ochou!!
Ochou: I'm going!!

Pg 192
Txt: He's alive
Txt: He's alive
Txt: He's alive

Txt: Gonbei
Txt: is alive!!

Translation: Sengoku 17

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:59:47 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]
pg 153
HY: Quick! Quick! Quick! Get ready!
HY: Nobunaga-sama is going to the capital!

Vol. 17 Sengoku goes to the capital

Pg 154
SG: Dah!
SG: Please tell me, Toukichirou-sama. Is going to Kyoto really such an amazing thing?

HY: You're even attacking me with questions now, moron?
HY: Alright!
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

HY: Ashikaga Yoshiaki-sama of the Shogunate clan has asked Nobunaga-sama for help.
HY: He asked him to go to Kyoto with him!
Diagram: 12代目将軍=12th shogun　義晴=Yoshiharu　１３代目将軍=13th Shogun　義輝=Yoshiteru　義昭=Yoshiaki　義綱=Yoshitsuna　１４代目将軍=14th Shogun　義栄=Yoshihide

SG: Buh
SG: Then.. Nobunaga-sama
SG: Is friends with the shogun?!

Pg 155
HY: Yeah, they're good friends.
SG: Awesome!!

HY: During this past year, Nobunaga-sama has deliberated almost like a god, worked like a carthorse,
HY: amassed economic power; now his retainers number in the hundreds, and if he were to move, he could call up an army numbering in the tens of thousands....

HY: Damn it, I could cry. Finally our lord has moved to take this land.
HY: I'm so happy I serve Nobunaga-sama

SG: What you said is too complicated, so I don't get it
Txt: At that time I met him, and he even talked to me... So Nobunaga-sama is such an astounding person....

Pg 156
Box: 1568 (Eiroku 11) September 7th Oda Nobunaga leads a great army out of Gifu.
Box: According to the Shinchoukou-ki, it was 60,000 men strong, but actually it is thought to have been around 10,000 and a few thousand more. If he had gone with an army of 60,000, the rice alone would have amounted to 600 bags a day, which Nobunaga could not have provided with his current level of economic power----Then, what in the world really did happen?

Note: Shinchoukou-ki: A work compiled by the Oda retainer Ota Gyuuichi. Is thought to be highly reliable as a source.

Pg 157
Box: As Nobunaga advanced his army, he subjugated the local samurai, and then attacked Kannonji Castle and Mitsukuriyama Castle....
Box: From the enemies he defeated, he then collected three kinds of taxes, as a security fee: military service (conscripts), supplies (food), and cash.

Box: At that time, the staple food of the soldiers was brown rice... which was steamed, then dried, to make "hoshi-ii." (dried rice)
Box: It could be eaten dry and crunchy. And of course they also had the food collected from their defeated enemies.
Box: In other words, Nobunaga advanced while collected the supplies necessary for an army of 60,000 from the surrounding lands.

Box: Then, Nobunaga's army, which had been victorious in successive engagements, had swelled to 60,000 before it entered the capital. Even though the huge army was divided into five lines, they still were around ten kilometers long. Going to the capital was a gigantic project.

Pg 158
Box: Meanwhile--- The outskirts of Kyoto. Saitou Tatsuoki's hidden temple.

Toda: Tatsuoki-sama
Txt: Saitou Uhyoue-taihitsu Tatsuoki

Toda: Your enemy Oda Kazusa-no-suke is already about to enter Kyoto.
Txt: Military Advisor to the Saitou Clan Toda Seigen
Tatsuoki: Really?

TO: Sorry, ladies, I've got to go out for awhile
?: Aaaaah, Tatsuoki-sama <3

Pg 159
TO: Hehehe. Really, he's amazing, that bastard Oda Nobunaga....
Toda: He is our archenemy, who stole Mino from our Saitou clan
Toda: Do you not hate him?

TO: More than hate, what I feel for him is love, far and away!
TO: Oda Nobunaga..... The foremost warrior of this age....
TO: I want to kill him! Kill! Kill!
TO: so much I can't stand it.

Pg 160
TO: My dear ladies

TO: Our archenemy, Oda Nobunaga, is coming to Kyoto
TO: Go and perform reconnaissance

TO: Make good use of your ripe bodies
TO: From the armor of the soldiers to the size of their dicks, find out about everything

Oino: Now, let's go, Ochou
Txt: Saitou clan lady-in-waiting Oino

Ochou: "Make good use of your bodies..."
Oino: Idiot, it was a joke. Look now....
Oino: Tatsuoki-sama thinks enough of women to encourage them to study...

Pg 161
Oino: Tatsuoki-sama especially favors you
Oino: He told the other ladies-in-waiting to protect you.

Oino: Even though that lord has lost his castle, he hasn't given into despair one bit. He doesn't forget to look after the people around him
Oino: He will definitely become a good man.

Oino: I'm willing to die for the sake of a good man
Oino: Reconnaissance in Kyoto....

Oino: ...is deadly work
Txt: Saitou clan lady-in-waiting, Ochou

Pg 162
SG: This is the capital of flowers.... Kyoto?

Box: September 26th. Having left Gifu, the Oda army arrives in Kyoto three weeks later.

Pg 163
SG: It doesn't look like a 'capital of flowers' at all
SG: The town below Gifu Castle is more lively

Koichi: Battles have been fought here over and over
Txt: Kinoshita Koichirou Hidenaga

SG: .....but, as expected, the women here have class

SG: Eh....
SG: What's with that, Toukichirou. You're even the biggest womanizer in Gifu....

HY: I know.
HY: It's been a long advance, and everyone wants to do it bad...

HY: But. Don't look at women
HY: Don't even talk to them

Pg 164
HY: Nobunaga-sama said he would kill anyone who violates this prohibition
HY: Do not steal even a cent, Do not be violent and disorderly, Do not touch the women

HY: Make no mistake, that lord will definitely kill

Koichi: Right now this is an extremely important time for Nobunaga-sama. Our lord is very anxious...
Koichi: This is so that the people of Kyoto will see that the Oda army is not an army of conquest....

Pg 165
SG: Toukichirou-sama and Koichirou-sama are also nervous...
SG: No, brutally so

SG: Yes...
SG: I apologize for my behavior

Koichi: The lower-ranking troops who have just become part of this large army are lacking a sense of anxiety.
Koichi: Open their eyes to this

Pg 166
?: I can't stand it anymore!
?: Even with their clothes on you can clearly see their full bodies

?: Really! Right after..

Pg 167
?: Ooooh, that's a fine breeze! Blow more....
?: Puff, puff

SG: Hey, stop that!

?: Ooohh

?: It can't be....

Pg 168-9
Oino: Gon...
Oino: be....i?

Pg 170
Sg: Oino-nee!!

Koichi: Huh? That voice is...
HY: Sengoku!

Pg 171
Oino: Wh—Why? How?
Oino: Gonbei is alive!
Oino: More importantly, why is he in the army of our archenemy, Oda Nobunaga?
Oino: Anyway, I must go!

SG: Hey...
SG: This can't be... why...
SG: Why is Oino-nee-san in Kyoto?

SG: If Oino-nee-san is here

SG: If she's here...
SG: If she's here then...

Pg 172
SG: Ochou is...
SG: Ochou is near here!

Translation: Sengoku 16

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:23:31 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]
pg 130
vol. 16 The Messenger To Nobunaga

pg 131
Box: 1568 (Eiroku 11) July, the outskirts of Kyoto

Tatsuoki: Hello, Ochou-dono

Ochou: What do you mean, Ochou-dono? Please drop the honorific.
Ochou: Since you are someone who is with Saitou Tatsuoki-sama....

pg 132
TO: Oho
TO: I tried speaking like a Kyoto noble but... am I no good?
Ochou: I was joking... I truly am grateful to you, Tatsuoki-sama

Ochou: When Inabayama Castle fell, and when we escaped, you said that the women should go first
Ochou: It is thanks to Tatsuoki-sama's kindness that we women are living peacefully like this now.

TO: It is women who are the foundation of the world, so it's really natural to help them first.
Txt: Saitou Uhyoue-taihitsu Tatsuoki
Box: Tatsuoki, who had been chased out of Inabayama Castle by Nobunaga, was the son of Saitou Yoshitatsu, who had killed Saitou Dousan, known as the greatest villain of his time. Now he is a wanderer, followed around by his retainers, and is living as a guest near Kyoto.

pg 133
Ochou: That is so but.... I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

TO: You've become quite the Kyoto woman

TO: That sweet, husky voice gives me strength as a man....

TO: Urgh
Oino: Wait, my lord, do you intend to get your hands on all of the ladies-in-waiting? Your reputation in Kyoto will fall.

TO: What's this, Oino?
Oino: Really

Oino: Even for a famous ladies' man like Tatsuoki-sama
Oino: Loving Ochou is dangerous

pg 134
Oino: Can't you see the passion hidden in her eyes?
Oino: She's a woman who would do anything for love, even die

Oino: If some man approaches her for a mere flirtation, he's going to get his dick cut off.
TO: Ha ha ha. Scary... I'm retreating

Txt: Thank you Oino-neesan

Oino: Really, girl, you feel a debt to that dull, unreliable Sengoku
Oino: Gonbei, Gonbei, you keep on saying... We don't even know if that guy is dead or alive

Ochou: He's alive..... That guy.... He he he

Oino: Ochou
Oino: To find a powerful man, and stick to him, is what a woman must to do survive....

pg 135
Oino: If in this era of civil war you marry an incapable man, the only thing you have to look forward to is death...
Ochou: Hey, Oino-neesan

Ochou: I've heard it said that love is a sad thing
Oino: Yes?

Ochou: If you believe in each other, it's a happy thing
Oino: Hehehe, you're also a fool

pg 136
Box: Eight months after the mock battle. Toukichirou's manor near Gifu Castle

HY: Koichirou, is Nene gone?

HY: Hyoh! Yessss!
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

HY: I'm going in!!

HY: I'll make love to you with these six fingers

Note: Six fingers: According to the missionary Luis Frois in his 'History of Japan,' Hideyoshi had six fingers on one of his hands. Maeda Toshiie wrote in his memoirs that "the Taiko-sama (Hideyoshi) had an extra thumb on his right hand" as well.

pg 137
?: Ahhh
?: Hahh
?: Aaaaaah

Box: Sengoku Gonbei Hidehisa, Age Sixteen
Box: His days are spent working up a sweat doing martial arts, and suffering from irrepressible impulses.

pg 138
Tora: What're you doing, Gonbei?

Tora: Eh.... It looks like you're working hard at something
Txt: Toranosuke Ichimatsu
Sengoku: Shaddup!!

Tora: Aaaahh, paper isn't free, you know. You shouldn't crumple it up...
Tora: or get strange fluids on it
Sengoku: You're fussy for a kid, Toranosuke!

Ichimatsu: Origami....
Sengoku: Ohh!
Sengoku: Do you know how to do it, Ichimatsu?
(small text): I'm surprised

pg 139
SG: Oh!

SG: That's it, that's it! That's what I wanted to make.
SG: Good job, Ichimatsu

SG: Hehehe

Txt: This brings back memories....

pg 140
Box: Eleven years ago. 1557 (Kouji 3) Mino Province. Sengoku is five years old.
?: Ouch!

?: This naughty boy... Even an adult can't handle him.

?: Alright, Sengoku
?: You are no longer a child of our... no, the Sengoku family

?: Be a good boy and go to your adoptive family. You were born the fourth son of a samurai clan, so you can't be the heir to the main branch!
?: If you don't go to another clan as an adopted child, you won't be able to live on.

pg 141
?: He doesn't eat anything, or sleep
?: Does he want to stay there until he dies?

?: He's a stubborn kid
?: I've never even seen him cry

?: Leave him alone and go back
?: Me and Ochou-chan are going back home too

Ochou: I'm going to play with Gonbei
Ochou: I'll stay here

Ochou: Ouch

Ochou: What're you doing, Gonbei?!
Sengoku: Go away!

pg 142
SG: Hurry and go home

Ochou: No!
Ochou: Come here, Gonbei!

Ochou: My home isn't any fun

Ochou: Above there's our lord, and I hate him. Below, there are the retainers, and they can't be trusted
Ochou: My house is dark and gloomy, so I hate it
Ochou: I'm jealous of you, Gonbei, because you're leaving your house

Ochou: Come here quick!
Ochou: I'm scared of the dark!

pg 143
Ochou: Quick
Ochou: Quick, over here...

Ochou: Ha
Ochou : What a stupid face

pg 144
Ochou: Gonbei
Ochou: You don't want to leave?

SG: No one
SG: No one needs me

SG: They don't need me

Ochou: No... Gonbei
Ochou: I hate the dark, and people crying

SG: Sob
SG: Sob

pg 145
Box: The next morning--- His stubbornness finally broken, Sengoku leaves for his adoptive house

pg 146
Ochou: Gonbei!

Ochou: Here, take this!
Ochou: Live brightly
Ochou: If you do that, I'll try to live brightly too!

Ochou: I need you
Ochou: I need you, Gonbei, cause you've always making that sunny stupid face

pg 147
Box: Some months after, in Iyo Province. Sengoku's adoptive father, Hagiwara Kunimitsu's manor

?: Gonbei goes 'yeah, yeah' when the master tells him something, but this is not at all a good point.
?: He lacks obedience
?: He is a useless boy

?: We don't need you in our clan

pg 148
Box: Six years later, the Sengoku clan had lost its head, and all of his elder brothers in succession
Box: Then, Sengoku was called back, and succeeded to the leadership of the family

Box: After this, five years passed, and now in at present, it is 1568 (Eiroku 11)

pg 149
Box: July 11th
Box: Ashikaga Yoshiaki, of the Shogunate clan, who had been chased out of Kyoto, sent out a messenger.

Box: He requested that Nobunaga help him return to Kyoto and become shogun
Txt: Yoshiaki's messenger
Txt: Wada Iga-no-kami Koremasa
Txt: Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga
Box: According to the Shinchoukou-ki, at that time Nobunaga answered as follows "though I, Nobunaga, am but a weak and insignificant samurai, I shall labor loyally for the country," but within his heart.........

Note: Shinchoukou-ki: A work compiled by the Oda retainer Ota Gyuuichi. Is thought to be highly reliable as a source. [Translator's note: The title translates to something like "the Chronicles of Lord Nobunaga"]

pg 150-1
Txt: Hehehehehe.... Has it come already?

Txt: The clan of Ashikaga Shoguns, who are the leader of the Minamoto, have come to ask for help from my Oda clan, descended from the Taira, who now only control a small province....
Did Uesugi Terutora (Kenshin), Takeda Shingen, and Asakura Yoshikage decide to stick to protecting their own domains and refuse to go to the capital?

Txt: Making use of the previous Shogun's brother Yoshiaki is exactly the step I must take to lay the foundation for my dominion of the land....
I shall devour him thoroughly.........

Box: Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga (thirty five years old) is now at the peak of his talent and ambition------ He resolves to go to the capital

(Translator's note: The Minamoto (or Genji) and Taira (or Heike) are two great noble clans who descend from the imperial line. At the end of the Heian period, they fought a great war. Many of the samurai clans of the Sengoku era can trace, or claim they can, their ancestry to these two noble families)

pg 152
Box: The two of them did not yet know that today would mark the beginning of one of history's great convulsions.

Translation: Sengoku 15

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:24:59 +0000

[reserved for Illuminati-Manga; thanks to everyone who left thanks!]

pg 109
(no text)

pg 110
Nobunaga: Fall back

Txt: Vol. 15 The Duty of a Warrior

pg 111
Nobu: Ago... Drink...

Nobu: I praise you

Shibata: Gah
Shibata: That is the greatest delight....
Txt: Shibata Gonroku Katsuie

Nobu: Don't follow Ago's pattern. Do it showily
Nobu: Stone head

?: Shaaa
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga

pg 112
SG: Oho, that ogre is also as high spirited
SG: As a small child before Nobunaga-sama

Nobu: Bald rat....

Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi
HY: Yes

pg 113
Nobu: Hehe
Nobu: Come closer

HY: Yes

SG: Ha ha

Nobu: You aren't all talk...
Nobu: It wasn't too shabby, how you put your life on the line and risked your neck

Txt: This lord... did he foresee everything?

pg 114
HY: But
HY: I tried too hard and shit myself
Nobu: Ahahah, you shitty rat

SG: He had said the right thing.... But then he starts joking at a time like this?

SG: Toukichirou-sama's hands are shaking
SG: Is he nervous?

SG: But it somehow is peaceful.....

SG: I don't really get it, but I feel those two want to be breathing the same air

Txt: Toukichirou-sama, who is wiser and more important than me, and close to Nobunaga-sama
Txt: Holds Nobunaga-sama in far, far greater awe than I do

pg 115
Txt: The more you know, the more astounding a personage Nobunaga-sama is.....

SG: Darn it.... I don't know anything, so I can't understand Nobunaga-sama's awesomeness

SG: I must learn more about everything
SG: I want to know more about Nobunaga-sama and Toukichirou-sama!

pg 116
Nobu: Then...
Nobu: Dango nose

SG: Y...y
SG: Yes!

HY: This guy? This idiot Sengoku?
HY: Hyah hyah, really
HY: We can't do anything with him. Hyah hyah

SG: When he starts talking about me, he quickly starts to laugh even more stupidly

HY: Why, even in this battle
HY: He forgot the plan and screwed things up

Nobu: That failure?....

pg 117
Hori: Certainly that earlier mistake
Hori: Was something worthy of seppuku
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa

SG: Damn you, Kyuutarou
SG: How much of a bastard can you be?

HY: No, that...
Nobu: Silence

pg 118
Nobu: It is precisely at the time of a failure when the duty of a warrior is visible

Nobu: Is it to cut his stomach open, and flee responsibility?
Nobu: Or to escape death using his will to live, and eclipse his failures with his successes?

Nobu: Taking responsibility by cutting open your stomach is nothing more than running away.
Nobu: From your failure came a great feat... That is good.... That is the duty of a warrior

pg 119
Nobu: It would be a great evil if the warriors of our army were to do nothing for fear of failure
Nobu: And... an even greater one if they were to cover up their failures when they made them

Nobu: If that happens, I will behead them straight away!

pg 120-1
SG: Yes!! I, Sengoku Gonbei, shall live my whole life as a warrior, to the utmost!!
SG: Even if dying, I'll live!!

pg 122
Nobu: Ha ha
Nobu: Fool

SG: Um
SG: Excuse me

SG: I have decided how I will live! But there are too many things I don't know....
SG: I want to know everything about this time of war! Understand it all!

Nobu: You fool
Nobu: Battle, politics, intrigue
Nobu: If you understood all of those, you could take this land in three days

pg 123
Nobu: Even I
Nobu: from the time of my birth, up till now
Nobu: Though I forgo food and sleep, spend all of my time, deliberate exhaustively, even now, it is not enough

Nobu: Firstly, you should know battle
Nobu: You should continue to ask questions, until the bald rat goes insane

pg 124
Nobu: Then, living in that way, pursuing your ambitions
Nobu: become a daimyo

?: Bwah

pg 125
HY: Th—This idiot?

HY: This idiot Sengoku a daimyo?
HY: With a rank equal to Nobunaga-sama's?

Nobu: Continue to ask what battle is
Nobu: From here, the true battle awaits

pg 126
Hori: My lord!
Hori: Even though he lost, do you intend to choose Kinoshita-sama for the Horo Squad?

Nobu: In this mock battle, the greatest gain
Nobu: has been the flowering of the bald rat's capabilities

Nobu: His talent should not be used for something on the Horo Squad level
Box: 1567 (Eiroku 10) The mock battle concludes---

Box: Nineteen soldiers are chosen for the Red and Black Horo Squads
Box: The leader of the Black Horo Squad is Satsuki Narimasa (31)
Txt: Satsuki Kura-no-suke Narimasa

Box: Maeda Toshiie (29) is chosen as the leader of the Red Horo Squad
Txt: Maeda Matazaemon Toshiie

pg 127
Hanbei: Hah

Hanbei: Is talent...
Hanbei: Something which can be drawn out by encounters?

Hanbei: The genius, Oda Nobunaga, and the idiot, Sengoku Gonbei
Hanbei: Between them is Kinoshita-san.... afterwards, what sort of man will he become?

Hanbei: I'd like to see that a bit

pg 128
HY: Thanks to Sengoku
HY: Though it's not like me, I got all fired up. But the feeling.... wasn't bad

SG: I don't know why
SG: But I'm glad I'm working for Toukichirou-sama

SG: Huh?
SG: The enemy?
HY: You fell asleep

HY: We're going back
HY: home

pg 129
(no text)

Translation: Sengoku 14

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:56:56 +0000

[reserved for Illuminati-manga; once again, thanks for your thanks. Half done with volume two, yay. ^_^ ]

Pg 86
Vol. 14 Conclusion

Pg 87
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Txt: Shibata Gonroku Katsuie

Pg 88
?: We archers
?: will also attack with wooden swords

?: We can't tell enemies or allies apart already
?: Go prepared for attacks from allies!

?: Protect the flag of our general with your life!
?: Take the flag of the enemy general even at the cost of your life!

Pg 89
Kani: Hey, come
Kani: Is this guy the only one who dares to challenge me?

Pg 90
?: Resist him with inuyari (thrown spears)

Kani: You shitty trash
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Kani: You're making me laugh with your spear throwing

?: It's hopeless, we can't beat him
?: He's not only strong, but skilled with the spear too

SG: Hey!!

Note: Inuyari: "Dog Spear" Means a thrown spear. A technique often seen on the battlefield.

Pg 91
SG: Ugh
SG: Guh
SG: I'm still alive!!

Kani: Heh
Kani: You're the only samurai here
Kani: Come

Pg 92
Kani: Hah
Kani: Are you also throwing your spear.....

Pg 93
SG: Aaaaaaa
SG: Aaaaaaa

Txt: Wha....?!

Pg 94
Txt: What's with this guy....

Txt: He won't give up
Txt: Until he's dead?

Pg 95
Kani: Bastard-----!

Sengoku: Haha
SG: I got the flag

SG: Guh

Kani: This guy

Kani: Even if he's killed
Kani: He still has life in him

Pg 96
HY: Guh!!

HY: Sengoku!!!
Txt: What?!

Pg 97
HY: Ugh!!

?: Oh!
?: Ah
?: Whaa?!

?: Hey, ain't that Kinoshita Toukichirou?

Txt: Uh...damn
?: Take the general's flag!

Pg 98
?: We've taken the flag of the enemy general, Kinoshita Toukichrou!

?: The Shibata Brigade has won!

Pg 99
?: Hey
?: Hey

?: Ho
Txt: Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu

?: Hey
?: Hey

?: Ho

?: Hey Hey
?: Ho

Pg 100
?: Th
?: That is just like Kani-san
?: In the midst of the battle he found the enemy general

Kani: Shaddup

Kani: The general plunged through himself and came here
Kani: Just to protect a single soldier

?: Eh?
?: Your flag...

Kani: What?

Pg 101
Kani: Shit...

Kani: Hey, what's this guy's name?

Kani: Sengoku Gonbei?
Kani: I'll remember it!

Pg 102
HY: Ouch
HY: Damn
HY: You overdid it, just like a fool

Shibata: Don't smile weakly, cowardly monkey

Shibata: But... your look when you were leading the charge....
Shibata: Wasn't bad

HY: He
HY: Hehehe.... Thanks...

Pg 103
Shibata: Sengoku did magnificently
Shibata: It was the first time I saw someone fight against Kani that well

Shibata: Monkey
Shibata: Will you send him to our brigade?

Shibata: Right?
Shibata: Isn't he an idiot?

HY: He's always meddling and messing up
HY: And in this battle he even committed an offense worthy of seppuku

Pg 104-5
HY: But
HY: No matter what Shibata-sama says, I cannot hand Gonbei over

HY: Because he's family.............

Pg 106
Hori: I have finally understood your true intentions, my lord

Hori: The reason you sent Sengoku Gonbei to Kinoshita-sama and not Shibata-sama was...

Nobunaga: Hmph
Nobunaga: Get me a horse. I'm going down to the battlefield......

Pg 107
(no text)

pg 108
(no text)

Translation: Sengoku 13

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:48:01 +0000

[reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

pg 65
SG: No..
SG: No one else is here

Hanbei: He'll be killed
HY: Aren't you gonna run, Sengoku?
HY: You want to fight that Kani Saizou?

SG: He..he's coming
Txt: Kani Saizou Yoshinaga
Txt: At this time, Kani has a spear one and a half ken (around 270 cm) long

Txt: Sengoku has a long spear three ken long (around 540 cm). This puts him at a disadvantage, because it is difficult for him to swing it around. So Sengoku....

SG: I'm the only one

pg 66
Txt: breaks the spear
SG: I've got
SG: To do it!!

Vol. 13 Sengoku vs. Kani

pg 67
(no text)

pg 68
Kani: Keeeh!

Pg 69
(no text)

pg 70
HY: Sengoku!

Kani: All of you are beneath me!
Kani: Who's the next guy who wants to die?

pg 71
HY: It...
HY: can't be helped
HY: It's his own fault for forgetting the plan

HY: E...even if he dies
HY: There's no helping it... That's why I hate idiots

?: It's not good
?: The whites of his eyes are showing
?: Put a cloth in his mouth so he doesn't bite off his tongue

SG: Uh...
?: Don't move
?: Play dead

pg 72
?: If you stand up now
?: Kani is going to come here again

?: So play dead....

?: Winning honors is important
?: But more than that, not dying comes first

SG: Uh...
Txt: Did...did I die? No..... I'm not dead yet.... Am I alive?

?: This battle is a loss
?: Remember this when there's a real fight
?: In a losing battle, playing dead, doing whatever to get through and save your life is the way of the world.

pg 73
?: Our Kinoshita-sama isn't a general worth risking your life for
?: He's all talk and is bad at fighting... He wasn't born a samurai....

Sengoku: Uhh.. But....

?: Ahh! Lie down!

SG: Playing dead...
SG: Isn't that just like being dead?.....

pg 74
SG: I
SG: I've decided
SG: Decided that even if I'm dying, I'll live on

pg 75
Kani: You Kinoshita small fry
Kani: Is it over already?
Kani: I didn't get to go wild at all

Txt: I'm not dead yet.....

pg 76-7
Txt: I'm alive!!

Pg 78
HY: Se-se—sengoku!!
HY: Are you really?!

Kani: Shitty bastard!
Kani: I thought I killed you earlier

SG: Shut up!
SG: If I say I'm alive....
SG: Then I'm alive!!

Pg 79
Kani: Get back
Kani: Don't go for him
Kani: This one
Kani: I'm gonna kill him!!

Sengoku: I'm alive
SG: I WILL LIVE

?: Whoa
?: He's a real moron
?: Fighting with Kani right smack in the middle of the Shibata army

pg 80
HY: Hey
HY: Why aren't they moving? Our troops

Hanbei: Probably everyone is worn out, so they can't move.
HY: It's not their bodies! It's their spirits! Don't they feel anything when they see Sengoku?

HY: Have you guys given up?
HY: Isn't that idiot giving it his all?

HY: Hey, we're going too!

Hanbei: Hehe... Is Kinoshita Toukichirou
HB: Also an idiot?
Txt: Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu

Pg 81
Hanbei: We don't have any tactics left but...
HB: Let's go!

HY: Kinoshita Brigade Main forces!
HY: Attack!!

Pg 82
Hori: My lord!
Hori: what the.....
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa

Nobu: Oho....
Txt: Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga

Nobu: Is that timid monkey...
Nobu: wearing a fierce expression for the first time?

Shibata: What?

Shibata: That cowardly monkey
Shibata: Is leading the charge himself?

Pg 83
Shibata: Take up your weapons

Shibata: Main forces of the Shibata Brigade
Shibata: Intercept the Kinoshita Brigade

Pg 84
(no text)

Pg 85
(no text)

Translation: Sengoku 12

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:21:14 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 44
Sengoku: Shibata Brigade!
SG: This time our spears are stronger than they were before!

SG: Because we switched weapons at the beginning and now we're back to normal

Pg 45
Sengoku: We got them
SG: Spear them!

Txt: Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga

Shibata: Hmph
Txt: Shibata Gonroku Katsuie

HY: Go!
HY: Spear them from the side
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Pg 46
?: What?
?: The Kinoshita Brigade's spears are coming at us from the left

?: All troops, turn to the left!

Txt: Vol. 12 Formation Reversal

Pg 47
Txt: The single weakness of the yari-busuma formation is that it is vulnerable to an attack from the left.

Box: The unit is armed with long spears, so if the soldiers try to turn to the left, they will bump into the spear handle of the soldier next to them.

Capt: If a closely packed together unit is turning to the left, the soldiers must make their spears vertical and then change direction.

Hanbei: We have the advantage
Txt: Takenaka Hanbei Shigeru

?: Guh
?: Oooooooooooh

Pg 48-9
(no text)

pg 50
?: Whooo
?: We've taken all of these flags at once

SG: Yes
SG: Yeaaaah!

HY: Haaaah

?: Our small, weak Kinoshita Brigade has made Ogre Shibata's troops crawl on the ground
? This is an unbelievable sight

pg 51
?: The Kinoshita spear unit has become an archer unit
?: Fire!

?: Whaaa

?: What? The arrows are coming from behind?
?: Gwaah

Nobu: Hmph
Nobu: They got them...

Hori: Seen from above
Hori: This plan is extremely beautiful
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa

pg 52
Hori: Their archery and spear fighting are much better that they were at the start of the battle....

Hori: The Kinoshita Brigade....
Hori: Switched the weapons of the spear and archer units beforehand.....

Hori: Because of this, their movements at the start of the battle were incredibly messed up
Hori: Then both units dropped their weapons and retreated, as if inviting the enemies....

Hori: Having let the other side see them retreat
Hori: They picked up the fallen weapons and finished the exchange

Hori: Then, they launched a raid

Hori: Marvelous...
Hori: I, Hori Kyuutarou, have certainly learned something from this....

pg 53
?: I, Yokoyama Issai of the Kinoshita Brigade
?: have taken a flag!

?: I've taken one!

HY: Ha.... hahaha....
HY: We..we may win.....

Hanbei: After this we have only to strike the main force.....

?: Toukichirou-sama!
?: Please look at the archer unit!

HY: Hmm?
HY: Ehhhhh?

pg 54
HY: In the middle of the archer unit
HY: There's one guy with a spear sticking out......

Hanbei: Probably......He totally forgot my instructions, and didn't exchange his weapon, and has been there ever since.

HY: Who the hell is that?
?: Hey, you're in the way
?: Go to the back

HY: Is..
HY: Isn't that Sengoku?!??

pg 55
HY: Aaaaah!
HY: That idiot!!!

SG: Eeeeeee... What should I.....
SG: I got excited and my mind went all blank

pg 56
HY: What a failure
HY: Really that guy is a moron. I'm gonna fire him

HB: It...it can't be help
HB: There are many examples of armies losing due to the mistake of a single soldier.

HY: He had become a little cuter, but.....
Txt: This is a screw-up worthy of seppuku

SG: Ughhhh....
Txt: How did this happen.... I am a real idiot....

pg 57
Hori: In the midst of this unexpectedly difficult battle, Shibata-sama is holding back.....

Nobunaga: Hmph....That Ago
Nobu: Is he concealing a powerful blade?

Shibata: Come out,
Shibata: Kani

pg 58
Kani: Master Oni Ago
Kani: I didn't expect that the Shibata Ogre Brigade would be doing this sadly

Kani: Ha
Kani: But thanks to that, I get to go wild.

Kani: Let's go, Kani Flying Squadron
Kani: We're aiming for the enemy spear unit. Get off in front of them and attack

pg 59
Kani: Mmmm

pg 60-1
Kani: Shitty bastards!!!!

pg 62
?: Wh-wh-wh-whaaa?
?: What's going on?

?: We're like garbage to this guy

?: Th....That man is a young warrior whose courage and strength are unequalled. He is said to be the strongest man in Mino.
?: No matter which general it is, they can't subdue him
?: That rough warrior was in Shibata's army? !

pg 63
Kani: Bring it on!
Kani: I am Kani Saizou!!!

pg 64
Kani: Huh? Annoying, some archers

Kani: Shit

?: Eeee
?: He's coming here, run!

Txt: This is bad...
Txt: Wh—what should I do?

Translation: Sengoku 11

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:10:25 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga; also, thanks to everyone who thanked me. Scanlations of chaps 4-7 are now out, also.]

Pg 25
Shibata: Whip that monkey's red ass!
Txt: Shibata Gonroku Katsuie

Pg 26
HY: Beat Shibata's Ogre Brigade? No way that can happen!
Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

SG: Whaaaaaaaat?

HB: Hehehehehe........
Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu

HY: But.... Pulling off impossible things like that
HY: Feels the best!!

HY: I'll let you guys have a taste of that. We'll win this match!

?: Yeaaaaaaah!

Pg 27
SG: Up till now I couldn't help being really scared of fighting...
SG: But now I really want to the front so badly

Txt: This is my real first battle

Txt: Vol. 11 Collision

Pg 28-9
?: Begin the battle!

Pg 30
Shibata: Forward arrow squad, fire!

?: Gwah!
?: Aaah!

Pg 31
?: The Shibata Army's archers are way too fast
?: We can't shoot back

?: Stop, stop, crouch down and protect yourself

SG: Whoa

HY: Urgh, up to our main force
HY: Their firing distance is too much

Shibata: Are those guys flinching already?
Shibata: Next are the spears, charge!

Pg 32
Box: After a volley of arrows from the archers

Box: The spear unit would attack in a "yari-busuma" formation

Note: Yari-busuma: Written with the kanji for "spear quilt." 20-30 soldiers wielding spears would fight while packed together. It was called such because the tips of the spears lined up together looked like a blanket.

?: The spears are coming!
?: Kinoshita archers, move to the side
Box: Then the two spear units would fight each other.

Pg 33
Box: This way of fighting was recorded in Zatsuhyou Monogatari

Sengoku: Time for the Kinoshita spear unit.
?: Ho

?: Now
?: Raise the spears

Note: Zatsuhyou Monogatari (The Common Soldier's Tale): A book compiled in the early Edo period by Matsudaira Mino no Kami Nobuoki. In the tactics of Sengoku-era warfare were recorded in the words of the foot soldiers.

Quote: [might want to use a different font for this? Like an old fashioned one] "Don't think of thrusting with the spears"
Quote: Line up all of the spear heads, and strike from above as one.

Pg 34
?: Strike!

?: Owww

SG: Gah... It hurts
SG: He..Here we've got to hold on and watch

?: Shibata archers, provide back-up fire
?: Shoot, shoot, shoot

Pg 35
?: I've had enough
?: Give us a break

?: Hey, Kinoshita archers
?: Where are you going?

Pg 36
?: Hey

Nobunaga: .....What is this....
Txt: Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga

Hori: Up till now, the Kinoshita Brigade has been weak...
Hori: I cannot think of them at all as a well-trained unit
Txt: Hori Kyuutarou Hidemasa

Hori: The archers are not at all in sync, and they're firing wildly
?: Raise the shield!
?: Give me the arrows quicker!

Hori: The yari-busuma has a power that is beyond simple numbers, which comes from all of the soldiers moving as one, and concentrating their strength....

Hori: In the case of the Kinoshita spear unit.. They are all in disarray....

Pg 37
Hori: Looking at the main units, the gap between the two generals is obvious.

Hori: Probably.... Out of all the brigades participating, the Kinoshita Brigade
Hori: will be the one which collapsed the fastest

Nobunaga: ......

Pg 38
HY: Str...Strategist
HY: Is it time yet?

HB: Okay
HB: Drummer
HB: Give the signal to the army

SG: Now!!

Pg 39
?: Kinoshita archers, retreat, retreat

?: Spear unit, retreat too

?: Pathetic.... The entire army is dropping their weapons and running

pg 40

Shibata: How wussy can this rat army get?!
Shibata: Beat the crap out of every one of them!

Shibata: Leave the archers for now
Shibata: Slaughter the nearer spear squad

Hanbei: Good
HY: They're going right for the spearmen

HY: They've been taken in by Hanbei's plan

Pg 41
Caption: First, when the Kinoshita spear unit retreated, both units of the Shibata army pursued them
Diagram: 柴田隊=Shibata Brigade　やり=Spears　弓=Archers　捨やり=dropped spears　捨て弓=dropped arrows　やり隊退却=spear unit retreats　弓隊退却=archer unit retreats　黒=black　柴田=Shibata　白=white　木下=Kinoshita

Caption: Seeing that gap, the Kinoshita archer unit ran towards the dropped spears
Diagram: 柴田隊追走=Shibata Brigade pursues　弓隊迂回=Archer unit turns back

Caption: The Kinoshita archers picked up the spears which had been dropped by the spear unit
Diagram: 弓隊捨やりをとる=Archer unit picks up the dropped spears

Pg 42-3
?: The Kinoshita archer unit has become a spear unit

Capt: The archer unit and spear unit have exchanged weapons on the battlefield

Txt: In other words, Hanbei
Diagram text: Archer unit's raid
Txt: had thought of the strange plan of having the elite unit suddenly appear on the battlefield with their original weapons.
Txt: This was...

Hanbei: Spear them from the side!

Txt: The cast-off shell tactic!

Translation: Sengoku 10

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:23:22 +0000

[reserved for Illuminati-Manga]

Pg 2

Vol. 10 The Strongest Legion
Vol. 11 Collision
Vol. 12 Formation Reversal
Vol. 13 Sengoku vs. Kani
Vol. 14 The Conclusion
Vol. 15 The Duty of a Warrior
Vol. 16 The Messenger to Nobunaga
Vol. 17 Sengoku Goes to the Capital
Vol. 18 Ochou's Determination
Vol. 19 A Chance Meeting

Pg 3
(no text)

pg 4
Vol. 10 The Strongest Legion

Pg 5
Shibata: Gooooo!

Box: 1567 (Eiroku 10) The mock battle has finally started---

Pg 6-7
Box: The warriors of each brigade fight with a cloth tag known as a "kakijirushi" attached to their helmets.

Box: The "kakijirushi" being taken is equivalent to a death in battle.

Pg 8
?: Guh

?: Gah
?: Gyuh

?: Ooooooh

pg 9
?: I, Yamada Gosaku of the Shibata Brigade, have taken a flag!
?: I, Hosokawa Kounosuke, have taken one!
?: Same here!

?: The general's flag is still left
?: Go! Go!

?: He
?: Heeeeee

pg 10
?: Guaaaaah

?: We've taken the general's flag!!
Box: If the soldiers captured the flag of the opposing side's general, they would win.

?: A perfect victory for the Shibata army!

pg 11
Hori: Once again, a complete victory, without the main division of the Shibata army even needing to move.
Hori: All other brigades have no chance against them.

pg 12
Hori: My lord,
Hori: would it not be better to have the Shibata Brigade go a little easier on....
Txt: Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga

Hori: There appear to be a few generals in the Niwa or Takigawa Brigades who can withstand them,
Hori: But the Shibata Brigade is in a class of its own....
Hori: Also, in the next bout, if the weaker Toukichirou Brigade
Hori: does poorly, some people might even die.

pg 13
Nobunaga: Ago
Shibata: Yes

NN: Do your utmost
Shibata: Yes

Shibata: My brigade has finally warmed their bodies up,
Shibata: So we shall battle bravely once again!
Txt: Shibata Gonroku Katsuie

pg 14
Sengoku: Finally
Sengoku: It will be our turn

Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Txt: Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu

Pg 15
Txt: Kinoshita Koichirou Hidenaga

Koichi: I have returned from viewing the match.

Hideyoshi: How was the Shibata Army?
Sengoku: H..How were they?! Koichirou-san?!?!

Koichi: First they attacked with arrows, then the spearmen launched a concentrated attack in the "Houshi Formation."
Sengoku: Wh-wha The Houshi formation?

Hanbei: You're saying you know it?
HY: Shaddup, Sengoku

Pg 16
HY: So.... just how strong is the enemy?

Koichi: If I talked about it, everyone's morale would probably drop.
Koichi: Honestly, I can't say.

Koichi: The allied troops are already losing morale from watching the Shibata army fight...
Koichi: For fear to spread like a disease is the worst state of affairs....
Koichi: We must do something about the lowness of the morale......

HY: Strategist
HY: Is it really hopeless?

Pg 17
?: Who is that person wearing the "soumen"*?

?: It seems that for some reason he won't reveal his name.

Hanbei: Everyone...I have an acquaintance
Hanbei: He is freeloading off of the Higuchi clan of Omi
Hanbei: and is known as Takenaka Hanbei.

?: Wha What?
?: The Takenaka Hanbei who took over Inabayama Castle?

SG: Aq.....
SG: Aquaintance? What do you mean, actually that person is.........

HY: Shaddup, you damned idiot

Hanbei: There was that incident where he captured Inabayama Castle, indeed.
Hanbei: Why did he resolve to carry out that difficult maneuver?

Note: Soumen: A type of armor used for protecting the face. It covered the entire face like a mask.

Pg 18
HB: Was it impossible?
HB: Or possible?

HB: He himself did not know.
HB: That's why he simply wanted to see if would work out in reality.... Or so he said.

HB: And this time
HB: He has given me a single "stratagem."

Pg 19
HB: Can we defeat the Shibata Brigade using Takenaka Hanbei's plan or not?

HB: Is it impossible or possible? I would definitely like to find out.

HB: Shall we try it out? This plan.....

Pg 20
Sengoku: Can we possibly turn down a plan given to us by the god of battle?
SG: We've got to do it, whatever it is!

?: T...this is the only way
?: If we fight normally, we totally can't do it

HB: Thank you
HB: Please gather the troops at once....

Pg 21
?: The Kinoshita Brigade has in total a hundred soldiers

?: They are divided as follows.... The main squad and cavalry combined are forty men

?: The spear unit thirty

?: The archers thirty

HY: Ah, ahem.
HY: This is quick, but I'm going to mess with the composition of the squads a bit

Pg 22
HY: The spear unit and archer unit....
HY: Should all exchange their weapons.

Pg 23
SG: Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh Nononononono, that can't be done!
HY: You bastard, weren't you the first to say you'd do it, whatever it was?

?: Um
?: We in the spear unit have only trained with the spears, and the archers only with bows
?: Even if we exchange quickly, we won't be able to do anything.

HB: I will explain

Pg 24
SG: Ha
SG: Hahahahha

Capt: Hanbei-sama.... He's a genius

HY: So that's it, hehehehe

HY: You all!!! Have you ever heard of such a tactic?

HY: This'll definitely confuse the Shibata Army!!! We'll take advantage of that, and win for sure! Okay?!!

?: We will win for sure!!!
?: We will win!!!!!

Translation: Sengoku 9

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:46:32 +0000

[reserved for Illuminati-manga]
Pg 194
Vol. 9 Toukichirou's Pipe

Text: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu Sengoku Gonbei Hidehisa

Pg 195
Hideyoshi: Puff

HY: Raise your head.
HY: You don't need to apologize.

HY: In my heart
HY: I too was secretly hoping to use Hanbei's abilities.

Pg 196
HY: Because of that..
HY: His feelings are probably hurt...

Txt: Toukichirou-sama really
Txt: does like Hanbei-sama.

Pg 197
Nene: Wait wait, Koichirou-san
Nene: Why is even Gonbei depressed?

Sengoku: What should I do... The mock battle is coming closer.

Nene: That's enough, what about not smoking and training?
Nene: If you smoke that all the time, you won't be able to get it up.
Nene: Just kidding.

HY: Hey, give that back! If I don't smoke, I'll die!

Nene: Ah, I give up on you.

Pg 198
Txt: I have grown tired of battle.

Sengoku: The prodigy of Mino, Takenaka Hanbei, is someone that sensitive....

Sengoku: That time when he took over Inabayama Castle with only sixteen people.

Sengoku: When I heard about that, chills ran down my spine.

Sengoku: Why did he do it?

Sengoku: To get back at one of the soldiers for pissing on him.

Note: The Taking of Inabayama Castle: In 1564, Takenaka took over Inabayama Castle, which belonged to his own lord, Saitou Tatsuoki, with a small number of people. Tatsuoki fled the castle, but Takenaka gave it right back. There is also a theory he did it to admonish him.

Pg 199
Text: He's so damn
Txt: Awesome

SG: It's not an ulterior motive. I want to go to the match with him.

SG: We just want to do things we like with people we like!

Pg 200
Sengoku: Now I'll go just this once.

Hanbei: What is it?
Hanbei: You....

Sengoku: Whaaa?
Whaaa?

Pg 201
SG: Um... about that mock battle..

Hanbei: It's no good.

SG: I apologize for how Toukichirou-sama and I had ulterior motives in coming to see you.
SG: But it wasn't only that...

Hanbei: You
Hanbei: Did you come here to lecture me?

SG: No, nooo, someone like me would never
SG: dare to lecture the genius, Takenaka-sama

Hanbei: Then, what do you want to say?

SG: That both Toukichirou-sama and I both
SG: like Takenaka-sama.

Pg 202
Hanbei: However...
HB: Isn't it in your case more like feelings towards an image of me constructed from what you've heard?

SG: Er...
SG: Well, maybe?

SG: Bu... but, Toukichirou-sama's feelings
SG: are real!!

SG: I have brought Toukichirou-sama's favorite pipe.
SG: Until his sincere feelings get through to Takenaka-sama, he has the determination not to touch this even once...

Pg 203
Txt: !! Could Kinoshita-san have? ........
Txt: It must be as hard for him as it would be for me to give up books.

HB: Hmmmm.

HB: .... Speaking of which
HB: You must have borrowed this on your own?

HB: It's impossible for Kinoshita-san to let go of this.
HB: Rather, he'll probably be even more addicted to it than he was before.
(small text: addiction is like that)

HB: Return it to him already.
HB: This kind of joke won't be amusing for him.

Pg 204
HB: If he finds out, he'll kill you with his bare hands. Don't mess up...

SG: Then..Then if that's so...
SG: I'll risk my own neck! Then will you believe me?!

SG: I will leave it with you. Bye.

Pg 205
HB: He's young.
Txt: To so easily risk his life....

Txt: Is he just being stubborn because his lies have been found out?
Txt: Or is he that loyal to Kinoshita-san?

Txt: Well, probably both....
Txt: Hidden motives and sincerity... lies and the truth... There are times when the human heart contains all at once.

HB: A good taste...
Txt: How pitiful Kinoshita-san is.... This has been left with me because of his foolish subordinate.

Pg 206
Hideyoshi: Not here not here not here
HY: Where is it!!!!
HY: MY PIPE!??!!!

Pg 207
Text: Then
Txt: The day of the Horo Troop Selection Match

?: Now, change quickly into your armor!

?: No matter what, you can't let this cloth be taken.

Pg 208
Nene: Pwaaah! Now it has come! The day of the match!
Nene: Give it all you've got----!!!

?: Hey
?: Hey
?: Ho

Nene: Darling, you too! <3
HY: Uhh Uhh huhh.

Nene: Goodbye!!!

Pg 209
Hideyoshi: Huh?

Pg 210-1
Koichi: Who is that person?
Koichi: He is wearing a 'soumen' so we can't see his face.

Txt: My pipe. ...

Txt: Really, that idiot Sengoku went to Hanbei's place? .........
HY: Heh.

Note: Soumen: A piece of armor used for protecting the face. It overed the entire face like a mask.

HY: Hyah hyah hyah hyah.
HY: Isn't that my friend?

Pg 212
Hanbei: You rely on the power of this pipe, don't you?
Hideyoshi: I don't rely on it.
Hideyoshi: It's just a friend I want to have with me.
Hideyoshi: Now!
To the mock battle!

Endnote from the Translator:

One volume down, fourteen to go. ^_^

On the titles: The title of the manga, Sengoku, is in katakana, which means that it could refer either to the name of the main character, Sengoku, or the time period, the Sengoku era. (The kanji for each is different)

On the names of the characters: Most of the characters are known by their "second name" or title, which is placed between their family name and personal name.

Example: Sengoku Gonbei Hidehisa. If you look him up on wikipedia, for example, he will be listed in the modern Japanese way, as Sengoku Hidehisa. But in the manga virtually no one refers to him as Hidehisa. Everyone either calls him Sengoku or Gonbei.

As for Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi, he'll eventually change his family name to Hashiba, and then later to Toyotomi.

A note about the history: Eventually, Nobunaga will be assassinated by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide (who appears in volume three). Hideyoshi will avenge him and kill Mitsuhide. Later, he will also defeat Shibata Katsuie.

Hideyoshi's neighbor in this volume is Maeda Toshiie, who is currently one of Nobunaga's generals, and will later join Hideyoshi after Nobunaga's death. Omatsu is Toshiie's wife.

The two boys who are Hideyoshi's wards, Toranosuke and Ichimatsu, will later be known as Katou Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori, two famed generals.

Translation: Sengoku 7

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:25:35 +0000

[Reserved for Illuminati-Manga]
pg 153
Text: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi

HY: Hey. You're making a lot of noise.
HY: Aaaaah!

Pg 154
Vol. 7 Mock Battle
Hideyoshi: Sengoku! You bastard!
HY: That persimmon tree is important! Nobunaga-sama gave it to me!

Pg 155
SG: I humbly apologize!
HY: If you get it, then go away. You're not only noisy, but also an eyesore.

?: (farting noise)

Text: What's with this kid....
small text: Next, stinking up the place too?

Txt: Why did Nobunaga-sama send me this fool?
Text: Wouldn't he fit right in with Ago Shibata's troops?

HY: Damn.... This is a pain...

Capt: A certain day approached

Pg 156
SG: That bald rat! Bald rat!
SG: How'd a weakly laughing guy like that become one of Nobunaga-sama's generals?

SG: I wanted to work for Shibata-sama, known throughout the land as a ferocious general...

Txt: Toukichirou's wife, Nene
Nene: Honey, I'm home----

Pg 157
HY: Ohhhh! You're back!
HY: Nene!

SG: Nene? His wife?

Kochi: Don't breathe a word about those women from before.

Nene: I was at Omatsu-chan's next door
Nene: We had some drinks.

SG: Does he have a wife this young and cute?
SG: Eeeh, well, I'm in love with Ochou...

Pg 158
Nene: Hey, hey, are you the new one?

SG: Y..yes, I am known as Sengoku Gonbei.

Nene: Oho.
HY: You don't have to greet him...

Nene: By the way, he didn't bring any women here, did he?

HY: What're you saying, Nene~ ?

HY: You bastard, you get it, right?
HY: That couldn't possibly be, right?

SG: Haha
SG: From now on, I shall never leave Toukichirou-sama's side, to make sure that no women come near him.

Pg 159
HY: Tsk.

Nene: Heh, I leave it to you, Gonbei!
SG: Yes!

Nene: By the way
Nene: Dear...

Nene: I heard something from Maeda-sama next door.
Nene: You aren't keeping something from me, are you?

Pg 160
HY: (surprise)

SG: Women again, probably.

Nene: Soon
Nene: Nobunaga will be choosing new members for his "Horo" Squad.

Pg 161
Text: Members of the Red and Black Horo Squads will be chosen by their military feats in a mock battle.

Sengoku: A.. a mock battle?

Pg 162-3
?: Those who excel there may be admitted into the Red Horo Troop or Black Horo Troop, who serve at Nobunaga-sama's side.

?: Also, when Nobunaga-sama takes over the country, they might become daimyo...

Nene: Our neighbor Maeda-sama's troops are already training hard.
Nene: Of course, you are also going to enter too, right dear?

Note: Horo Troop: During a battle, they were heralds who would remain in the main camp. A type of bow and arrow known as "horo" would be affixed to their backs. The term also referred to the bodyguard troop who protected the lord.

Pg 164
Sengoku: Let's go!!!!
Nene: Yes, yes! We can't lose to the neighbors! Never!

Pg 165
Sengoku: A mock battle! It's an opportunity to be promoted quickly!
Sengoku: By all means, Toukichirou-sama! May you excel there!

Sengoku: Toukichirou-sama
Hideyoshi: Don't talk to me from above, big guy.

Hideyoshi: Yeah, I'll go.
Hideyoshi: Definitely, I'll go.

Hideyoshi: So that I can keep showing Nobunaga that I have drive.
Hideyoshi: In other words, I'm not gonna overdo it, you bastard.

Sengoku: Wh—What... That's....

Pg 166

Hideyoshi: I'm really jealous of your dumbness.

Sengoku : Argh! That's hot!
Hideyoshi: Hey, did you forget about how you dueled in front of Nobunaga-sama?

Hideyoshi: This is Nobunaga-sama's mock battle.

HY: It's not gonna be like that burn.
HY: People are gonna get hurt. If we mess up, even die. Do you get it, you bastard?

Pg 167

Sengoku: I wish to gain glory for the sake of the woman I love!
Sengoku: Please, Toukichirou-sama, fight for Nene-sama's sake.

HY: Aww, shut up!

HY: What I got is here!
HY: I'll move up by flattery!

SG: Then shouldn't you fight using your head?
HY: Don't talk to me from above!
HY: You don't know anything, you idiot!

Pg 168
HY: The opponents in this selection match are all the best of the Oda Army.
HY: The strongest in the Oda Clan, Shibata's Ogre Brigade.
Txt: Shibata Gonroku Katsuie

HY: The wise general Niwa's Mobile Brigade
Txt: Niwa Gorozaemon Nagahide

HY: The elusive Takigawa's Veteran Brigade
Txt: Takigawa Sakonshougen Kazumasu

HY: Whichever brigade it is, each one of them has not only skill, but smarts. And they won't pull their punches a bit.

Pg 169
HY: Okay?! I'm just going to show I have some drive, and get through unharmed.
HY: Got it?!

SG: E..even if I am the only one...
SG: I will give it my all!

Box: 1567 (Eiroku 10) Autumn—
Box: Lots were drawn to determine who would face whom in the selection matches.

Pg 170
?: Oooooh!

SG: Toukichirou-sama!

SG: Who is our opponent for the match?

Pg 171
HY: Damn... it...
HY: Of all the... The most dangerous guy...

HY: (surprise)

HY: Hya hahahhaha
HY: This...uh
HY: Go easy on me on the day of the match, please.

Pg 172
Shibata: When you laugh weakly like that, it makes my skin crawl, rat.
Shibata: I'll crush you...

Pg 173
Text: During the Sengoku era, an arrow unit was composed of three people: a shield-holder, an archer, and an arrow-holder.
? : Hey

?: Hey
Txt: The arrow-holder passed arrows to the archer.

?: Ho
Txt: The shield holder lowered the shield.

Translation: Sengoku 6

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:09:47 +0000

pg 132

Vol 6 Toukichirou Hideyoshi

Pg 133
Sengoku: Ochou!!! <3
Priest: Urgh.

Priest: I'm shocked! What a hold on life you've got.
Sengoku: Urrrrrgh! Wha?

Sengoku: You're not Ochou. A priest?
SG: Am I in a temple? What time is it? Why?

Priest: This is a Zen temple near the Nagara River. It's been three days since you were carried here covered in blood. You've slept since then.

Sengoku: I don't remember anything like that. More importantly, I'm starving.

Pg 134
Priest: You don't recall anything?
Priest: The one who brought here and looked after you was a person named Hori Kyuutarou.

SG: Bwah!?
SG: Hori Kyuutarou!!

Priest: You have a good comrade.
SG: And he cut me up this much!! He's even weirder than I thought.

SG: Hmph.

Priest: Young folk chase after their dreams. Just as they always have.

Pg 135
Priest: Your eyes are brimming full of life.

Sengoku: Hah.
SG: Really?

SG: My dream is to make my name known as a general.
SG: And once I'm famous, the girl I love and I....

SG: AAAAAAAAAAH. I gotta go quick!

Pg 136
Priest: Now now, you're leaving with your body like that?

SG: I have to meet that girl!

Priest: Hohoho. So you can't be stopped.
Priest: Have some food, medicine, and a change of clothes.

SG: I am greatly indebted to you, for the many free services you have rendered me.

Priest: It's fine, Nobunaga-sama has given us alms.
SG: Nobunaga-sama?

Priest: I heard that you were a promising young samurai, although a bit lacking in brains.
Priest: I'm cheering you on!

Pg 137
Sengoku: Yes!!

Box: 1574 (Eiroku 10) After the fall of Inabayama Castle, Nobunaga moves his headquarters to this province, and renames it "Gifu."
Box: The most commonly accepted theory is that a Zen priest Nobunaga favored, Takugen Shuon, chose the name from Chinese antiquity.

Pg 138
Txt: Meanwhile, Sengoku has arrived at the place where he and Ochou were to meet
Txt: Ochou is not there.

Txt: Maybe someone has seen her..

Txt: I asked

Txt: Many people, but...

Txt: There was no hint of her.

SG: She's not here.

Capt: The sun set.

SG: But
SG: Ochou is definitely alive somewhere

Pg 139
SG: Just as Nobunaga-sama said, I'll make my name known. Then I'll search for Ochou and see her again.

Txt: You will work for the bald rat.
SG: I'll perform great deeds under my new master, Kinoshita Toukichirou's, command!

Txt: Aaaaaaargh!
SG: I forgot! I've got to get to Kinoshita-sama's house quick!

Pg 140
Txt: The next day—Kinoshita Toukichirou's manor.

Sengoku: From today on, I shall serve under Kinoshita Toukichirou-sama's command!
SG: My name is Sengoku Gonbei Hidehisa!

SG: I shall do anything! Toukichirou-sama!!
Koichirou: I..is that so?
Koichi: I am Toukichirou's younger half-brother, Koichirou.

Note: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hidenaga. (1540-1591) Afterwards Great Counselor Toyotomi Hidenaga. Known for his good-natured personality, he devoted himself to serving as an aide.

Pg 141
Sengoku: Where is Toukichirou-sama?

Koichi: He is in the house now.

Sengoku: Then I will greet him right away!
Koichi: Ah! Wait...

?: Uhh
?: Aaaah Ooooh

Sengoku: Toukichirou-sama!
Sengoku: Moaning? Is he sick?

Pg 142-3

Hideyoshi: Ooooh, this feels great.

Pg 144
Box: In his History of Japan, Luis Frois, a missionary who came to Japan during the Sengoku period, depicts Kinoshita Toukichirou (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) as follows:

?: Yes, yes
?: Oooh.

Box: He had a terribly ugly face.
Box: And was an incredible womanizer.

Txt: Also

Pg 145
Box: He had six fingers on one of his hands.

Sengoku: Ah...
SG: Um....

SG: I am Sengoku Gonbei.
SG: Is this Kinoshita Toukichirou-sama?

Pg 146
Txt: Kinoshita Toukichirou Hideyoshi (31)
Hideyoshi: Huh?

Sengoku: Is he the bald rat?

Note: It is well known that Hideyoshi was nicknamed "monkey," but in Nobunaga's writings he also refers to him as "that bald rat."

HY: Hey!

SG: Ah, yes! What is it?
HY: Anyone here?

Pg 147
Koichi: Yes, yes

Koichi: Really! If you get things this messy, the lady will figure things out.
HY: Hyaaaaa hyaaaa hyaaaa

HY: You're the best, Koichi! So clever.

SG: Toukichirou-sama, is there anything I....
HY: Come 'ere, Ichimatsu, Toranosuke
HY: So cute, so cute.

Pg 148
HY: Hey, you. What are you looking at?
HY: Get out of the room already.

SG: Only me?

HY: It's only natural. Koichirou, obviously, and Ichimatsu and Toranosuke are just like family.

SG: Retainers can wait outside.

Pg 149
HY: Hyaaa hyaa hyaaa Let's all take a bath together.
?: Indeed, but I won't impose...
HY: Why not? Hyaah hyaaah

HY: First peeping, now eavesdropping? Go somewhere farther away.

SG: But, I have come here for the purpose of making myself famous.
SG: I cannot leave your side.

HY: Really, you're not listening to me. Smells like you're an idiot.

Pg 150
HY: Just like someone who barged into an army just for the sake of a single girl, then got captured.
HY: A warrior like a reckless boar, who fought unprotected against an armored man.

HY: It's Nobunaga's orders, so I have to keep you around, but even if I keep a boar, I don't want it near me.
HY: A fool is the biggest nuisance when fighting in groups.

Pg 151
Koichi: When my brother sees someone as talented, he totally takes them under his wing
Txt: I feel sorry for him
Koichi: If he seems them as useless, he removes them completely. Is it over for Sengoku?

HY: Now now, let's go to the bath!

HY: What's this, the water is flowing over

Pg 152
SG: I will wash your back.

SG: Even if this boar is not to approach the bald rat, I shall not lose.

HY: This guy is really an idiot.

Translation: Sengoku 5

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:38:53 +0000

[reserved by Illuminati-manga]
Pg 111
Vol. 5 Rule by Military Might
Sengoku: He said "do you hate me?" ? Wha..what does he mean?

Pg 112
Sengoku: Should I lower my head?

Nobunaga: Raise your face!
Sengoku: Yes Yes!

Nobunaga: Why is there such vitality in your eyes?
Nobunaga: Why does your will to live flow up?

Nobunaga: Is it because you love battle?
Nobunaga: Or because you hate me?

Pg 113
Sengoku: What?
Sengoku: How should I answer so I won't be killed?

Sengoku: I have no hate
Sengoku: In my heart..

Nobunaga: You! If you are saying you don't hate me
Nobunaga: Then why didn't you beg for your life and ask to become my retainer?

Pg 114
Sengoku: Is he saying he wants me to become his retainer?

Text: If that's so, then shouldn't he try to gently persuade me? Why's he being like this?

Text: Somehow, this is just like

Sengoku: If you cry and beg me, I'll help you
Ochou: I don't need it!

Text: Like how I was every time I talked to Ochou.

Text: Unconsciously pestering someone to get their attention

Text: Picking on them, to get to know their feelings in a roundabout way

Text: With this habit, I would use a rough tone because I was embarrassed, to hide my true feelings.

Pg 115
Txt: Probably .... This lord

Text: Is incredibly awkward....?

Pg 116
Nobunaga: Someone get my sword.

Sengoku: If I annoy him even a little bit, my head'll go flying!
Sengoku: Dangerous and awkward!

Sengoku: I'll gently
Sengoku: Without upsetting him, make something up...

Sengoku: No... I can't
Sengoku: There's no way I can lie to him.

Pg 117

Text: Somehow...I've got to be honest

Sengoku: I...hate you.

Nobunaga: Why is that?

pg 118

Sengoku: Th-
Sengoku: There's a girl I like

?: Wha?

Sengoku: When the Oda Army took over the castle, I was separated from her.
Sengoku: Now I don't know whether she's safe.....

Sengoku: Ah...and that's why I hate you.

Sengoku: But I think...
Sengoku: You had your reasons, my lord, for attacking it

Pg 119
(no text)

pg 120
Sengoku: Guuuuuh!
Sengoku: Guuuuh!

Nobunaga: Stop your whining.

Nobunaga: Your desire to protect that girl
Nobunaga: Was weaker than my desire to fight, that's all.

Sengoku: M...My feelings were enough!
Sengoku: But I can't fight an entire army alone with a sword!

pg 121
Shibata: Wha... What is he saying?

Kyuu: Has he lost it?

Nobunaga: Hmph.

Nobunaga: If that's so,

Nobunaga: Then you should lead an army.

pg 122

Shibata: Somehow
Shibata: that's easy to understand

Sengoku: Bu...but...

Sengoku: How do I do that?
Sengoku: I have no idea how to do that!!

Nobunaga: Come and work for me.

pg 123
Nobunaga: Excel within my army.

Nobunaga: Become a general leading a grand army...

Nobunaga: Let your name resound through the world

Nobunaga: If you do that, you'll naturally meet that girl again.

pg 124
Sengoku: There is one thing
Sengoku: That I want to know.

Sengoku: How strong is
Sengoku: Your will, my lord?

Nobunaga: Don't laugh.
Sengoku: No, no.

Nobunaga: Many despair of it, but I love this era.
Nobunaga: A little bit how you love that girl...

pg 125
Nobunaga: I want to take this war-torn land.
pg 126-7
Nobunaga: And won't that be interesting?

Sengoku: Haaaa
Sengoku: From today onwards, I, Sengoku Gonbei Hidehisa, swear my fealty to Oda Nobunaga-sama!!!

pg 128
Sengoku: Haha
Sengoku: Haha

Nobunaga: Don't laugh. Dango-nose. [Translator's note: Dango=a type of dumpling.]

Sengoku: This...
Sengoku: This lord is even more...

Text: Even more awkward than me

Text: But..
Text: I have a feeling he can take over this country....

pg 129
Box: After the conquest of Inabayama Castle, Oda Nobunaga began to use the Rule of the Land by Military Might seal.

Box: It was almost too ridiculous, for the ruler of only two provinces, Owari and Mino, to style himself the ruler of the land.

Box: But from that point on, it was clear there was but one man who sought to "conquer Japan": Not the Takeda, Uesugi, or Mori, but Oda Nobunaga.

Pg 130
Nobunaga: Dango!
Sengoku: Huh?

Nobunaga: You will work for the bald rat!
?: His name is Kinoshita Toukichirou

Sengoku: B..
Text: Bald rat?

Pg 131
(no text)