Cherry Blossom | | Ikemen Sengoku | |

Chapter 12: Encounter

The hunt festival ended magnificently with most of the hunted preys being given to the small villages who are in lack of resources. Like how the city had guessed, Nobunaga's team came in last, the first time in history of the festival. Though there were many people that had hope that the two-talented daimyos, Nobunaga and Ieyasu, could overturn the disadvantage they have, but it proved to be futile.

The life of the people living in Azuchi resumed to how it was before. That evening, a council was about to begin at Azuchi castle, two days after they came back.

Y/N, who suffered many bruises thanks to the event, was also summon to the council. Despite her protests and complaints, she dragged her weak legs to the main chamber on the 5th floor of the castle, where most of Nobunaga's vassals were already presented.

"Y/N, come here." Hideyoshi calls out to the young woman upon seeing her at the doorway.

She has on a light orange-ish color kimono with big white flowers imprinted on them, matching perfectly to the Autumn season that is arriving.

Hideyoshi signals the young woman to sit next to Maeda Toshiie, one of Nobunaga's main general that participated in the hunt. Y/N notices that everyone in the room is sitting according to their rank. Maeda Toshiie is in the middle while Nobunaga's main vassals like Ieyasu and Mitsuhide are further in the front.

"I'm sure you've met Toshiie before. If you don't understand anything during the council, I'm sure he could help." Hideyoshi smiles sweetly.

"Thank you Hideyoshi. This spot is perfect." She returns the gratitude.

Y/N is more than glad not to be sitting near the front where Nobunaga will be at. He and his main daimyos always talk in war-code-language during these councils.

Soon, the room is packed with generals of all ranks, including Nobunaga who is sitting at his dais. His expression is placid and emotionless as always.

"I'm sure you all know why we are gathered here today." Hideyoshi speaks up to gather the attention of the whole room.

"Why?" Y/N whispers to herself.

Confusion is clearly written on her face and Hideyoshi did not fail to catch that. He glances over at Toshiie before averting his eyes back to the other retainers.

"Ah, did they not tell you the reason why before you came here?" Toshiie whispers to Y/N so he does not interfere with Hideyoshi.

"They never told me anything. I was dragged here against my will." Y/N's blunt reply caught Toshiie off guard, causing the young general unable to hold back a small laugh.

"What usually come after The Hunt Festival is an Autumn Festival. The preys that we hunted the other day will be given to small villages and  to the city that the Autumn Festival will be held at." Toshiie speaks slowly as he tells her the information. "It is a way for Nobunaga-sama to help his people. Small villages tend to lack the resources they need to survive. So Azuchi held the Hunt Festival just a few days before the Autumn Festival for this purpose."

Y/N's lips naturally open in surprise at the revelation. So it was not just a meaningless festival for the daimyos to have fun, there is a deep and meaningful motive behind it all. The three days that she spent with them in the forest suddenly did not feel like a bad experience anymore.

"As war is impending, there is a high chance conflicts will breakout at the capital. Therefore, we will be sending generals there to help with tightening the security and enforcement like every year." Hideyoshi takes out a document.

He places it on his desk, beside a brush pen and pot of ink a maid had prepared for him.

"As of right now, Nagahide and I, will be the leaders for this task. We are looking for 6 more generals to come with us and a list of vassals they will be taking." Hideyoshi looks up to the room. "We will be conducting a few scouting to the regional areas as well."