Author's Games: Samurai

Task One: Tokubetsuna Shunkan

Hideyoshi was still recovering from the nightmare he'd had when he stepped into the war meeting room. The long, low table was surrounded by generals and representatives, including one from the Shogunate himself.

Hideyoshi bowed respectfully, pausing in the doorway of the open shoji, before he stayed on his knees as he crawled over to his spot. It was tradition when in the presence of someone of great importance. Even the representative from the Shogunate was more important than Hideyoshi and Nobunaga combined.

"Reports have come in from our spies all across Japan," the representative started. He was a harsh man, always with a frown on his face. The top of his head was balding, and the marks on his skin suggested he was a monk, or at least had been in his past. Hideyoshi remembered only the man's family name: Yanada.

"Yes, yes I've heard the reports, too. Apparently clans all over are making moves against one another." Nobunaga's mouth slightly tilted up, as if this amused him.

Yanada narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. Hideyoshi noted that this was quite unusual. All of the generals sat with their legs tucked beneath them, and the others all had their hands resting on their laps in traditional fashion. By crossing his arms, Yanada was showing Nobunaga disrespect. "Two clans have already been completely defeated and the others aren't stopping. You're conquest thus far has conquered and destroyed five major clans, and three smaller ones, Nobunaga-kun."

Nobunaga narrowed his eyes at the impolite title.

"Now the other clans have seen this and plan to act," Yanada finished.

"Yanada-sama, what exactly are you saying?" Hideyoshi looked at Yanada, hoping to distract Nobunaga from Yanada's disrespect toward him.

"The clans are planning to take over Japan."

It was as if all the air in the room had been sucked out.

"You've confirmed this?" Nobunaga's head general, Iwashita, looked at Yanada in shock.

Yanada nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Yes. Shogunate spies have learned much information about them. Many have had shifts in power-new diaymos. This new, younger generation of diaymo thirsts for blood and longs for war. The few clans who aren't ready to completely take over Japan soon will be. Spies have also confirmed that several events have already been set in place that will make the clans begin their conquests."

"Certain events set in place? What do you mean, Yanada-san?" Iwashita asked.

"The clans are on edge from all the fighting. It won't take much before they start attacking the countryside one by one." Yanada looked at Nobunaga.

Nobunaga's serious expression slowly turned into a grin. When he opened his mouth to speak, Hideyoshi was surprised to hear a loud, bellowing laugh. His laugh echoed around the entire room. Most of the generals found it offensive, but Hideyoshi couldn't understand why.

"He's too arrogant with absolutely no consideration for anyone else!" Iwashita told Hideyoshi one time.

Hideyoshi had only chuckled and shook his head. "Oda-san just doesn't want anyone to have power over him. If everyone hates him, then there is no threat of betrayal. Deep inside, he longs to be happy. Just like everyone else."

Iwashida had only glared at Hideyoshi as if he was a lunatic.

Bringing his mind back into the present, Hideyoshi cleared his throat and leaned forward.

"I just informed you that the other clans plan to rise against you in an attempt to take over Japan, as you have, and you laugh?" Yanada shook his head in utter dismay at Nobunaga's response.