Ikémen Sengoku: Transcriptioned Romances Across Time (Masamune)

Masamune Date POV Chapter 2

Masamune: "He's just confessed to treason, right? And he says, it's one's lord who determines whether you live or die. His rules. And we were told to take whatever measures we deem necessary."

Yoshitoshi had called his people, his charges, mere tools. I pointed my sword at him, ready to kill. If this revolt was about protecting his people, I was going to go easy on him. But this bastard is only looking to satisfy his personal greed and ambition. I've got no pity for a man like that.  

"If you want to live, drop your weapons and go back to your farms now. As for everyone else? Make one move and you die."

Yoshitoshi: "What are you all doing‽ Strike back!" Yoshitoshi's frightened call had little effect.

Masamune: "As much as I'd love to take you all on, and I would win, it's time to choose a side. We don't have 500 years! Do you really want to die for this guy?"

Yoshitoshi: "Don't listen to him! Go! Get them!" One man took a hesitant swing. I parried his weak blow, knocking his sword away.

Kojuro: "Follow Lord Masamune! Don't fall behind!"

Farmer: "Y-yeah! Let's do this!" Kojuro led the rest of my men. The farmers joined us. 

Any unnecessary deaths on either side are going to cause resentment once this is over.  The conscripted were fighting those who willingly served Yoshitoshi, but they were all from the same land. 

Yoshitoshi had created an untenable situation, not caring about the pain it caused. I focused my eye on him. The best way to end this is to capture him quickly.  

Enemy Warrior: "Prepare yourself, Masamune Date!"

Masamune: "Out of the way." A soldier came at me. I could see that he was prepared to fight and die. I struck him in the leg, a fast, effective way of incapacitating him.

Enemy Warrior: "Urgh--!" He collapsed to the ground in pain. Stay right there and you'll get out of this with no more than that.  

One after another, enemies came at me. I threw a glance behind me. Where's Mai?  I looked around the large room, spotting her and Ieyasu near the back of the hall. Ieyasu will watch out for her. She'll be all right.  

I turned back to Yoshitoshi. More of his guards stood in my way. These guys aren't what I'd call a challenge.  They were fighting their fear, not me. Lose to the enemy or face the wrath of their lord. I felt a little sad for them. Hard to get up the will to fight when your lord's a pathetic fool like that.  

He was hiding behind his troops, looking like they were no more than human shields. Rage built up in me.

Masamune: "Picking on the weak and oppressed isn't a good way to rule."

Yoshitoshi: "It's the way it's done!"

Masamune: "Prove it. Come on, leader, let's finish it!" I expected my call to frighten him, but his terrified reaction almost made me laugh.

Yoshitoshi: "Y-you all can handle him!"

Enemy Warrior: "My lord‽ Where are you going?"

Yoshitoshi: "Shut up! Just keep him away from me! Got that‽" Rotten swine. He's worse than I thought.  Fear on his ashen face, Yoshitoshi fled from the room through a back door. His men were left speechless.

Masamune: "You can't pick where you're born, but you guys got a rough deal." Several of the soldiers I'd been fighting looked at me in astonishment. "We'll capture your 'daimyo' and bring him in. After that, Lord Nobunaga will send someone new to take care of this land. You don't have any reason to serve that criminal any longer. If you still want to fight though, then bring it."