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The battlefield was still. Quiet and silent as the wind blew by. Bei Hai was littered with bodies both Chinese and Japanese. Chinese soldiers help out their comrades, liting them off the battlezone. But they are not quick enough as their open backs are met with the katanas of their enemies, striking them down from where they stood. Nobunaga walked ontop of a trail of bodies as everyone else kept clear from them. Nobunaga sneered when one of the bodies were still alive. With that noticed, he grinded the mans face into the ground after stomping on the top of his head momentarily. He continued his walk and looked to his right to see Ranmaru walking quietly besides him. Then to his left to Mitsuhide and his shocked face. Eventually, the trail of bodies stopped and Nobunaga stamped down his ground. Thre stood in front of him was the castle Bei Hai. He had already went in once but this time he shall rest in the castle rather kill. He began proceeding in with Ieyasu behind him, walking with his faithful bodyguard Tadakatsu.

Nobunaga continued walking with no reply. He just continued his slow steady paced march. Everyone contng could be heard of the Chinese soldiers as the delightful sound of the blade ripping through flesh echoed around the castle. Even the pleading of the Chinese could be heard before his head was severed from the outside though it only sounded like strange grunting and mumbling to them. Soon they had arrived to the throne. Upon the ground still laid the headless Yuan Shao and Ju Shou's two bodies laid sprawled. Their blood colored the royal rug beautifully with red and the stench of blood tickled the nose. Nobunaga walked towards the throne and stared at it. It was different from at home. Where they had to kneel down upon their knees, there is a chair just laying in the middle with a pillow ontop of the seat. Nobunaga walked over and sat down with a disheartened look but immediately rid it. Ranmaru was the only one allowed next to Nobunaga. Everyone else lined to the left and right of Nobunaga's sight. He turned over to a samurai who had just entered. He bowed respectfully to Nobunaga. But immediately Nobunaga gave a signal to the man, sending him off. In a short time, the samurai came running back with a pillow and a cloth hung ontop of something large. The man reveiled it as Yuan Shao's head. Nobunaga examined it and stared at the head. Yuan Shao's eyes were rolled back and his mouth was in an expression of fear. Nobunaga signalled then for him to leave the head at his feet, facing his men. Nobunaga looked at the head with a vile grin and then to his men.
"This victory was all to the fact that such men of weak statures could not prepare for our surprise invasion. To foolishly sick all of the dogs on the pack of wolves, it does not mean safety is guarentee! Armed with only his gun, even an Alpha Wolf can tear his throat out before he could fire a shot!" Nobunaga immediately took a musket from Ranmaru and aimed it towards the center of his men.
"Those that endulge in momentum shall only fall hard! Fight for the momentum! Do not allow the momentum to get the best of you! Remember this lesson and we shall take over this land with ease!" And with that, Nobunaga fired his musket, sending the shell flying out of the castle and disappearing into the distance.

Yoshino followed her husband into the castle, making sure not to step on the dead as she passed. Her eyes were on the storm above, which would be cleared up before their next battle. Oda had won by the darkness and rain, but he was also aiding the people that followed him, a goal worthy of merit. To be a demon, it must be nice. Normal men fear you, but only the strongest can slay you, most of which have joined your side. She eventually found herself behind a musket-toting Nobunaga and a severed head on the floor. Turning her head away from the carnage, she left Oda with thoughts, before turning around to explore the rest of the castle.

"The rain will let up before you face your next challenge, who will prove to be harder. I do not think he will win against you, but the sky is being pressed by three clouds, and not just one. More than anything, I fear this man Saosao, who this head spoke of, believing it to be you. If so, he may be a match for you, being like yourself not only in mind and body, but in skill. He can not be saved for the last fight, or he will take your head, your armor, your army and victories, and your name."

Nobunaga ignored Hideyoshi but listened to Yoshino intently. Aman that was possibly as great as him? Not impossible of course. There will always be someone stronger than you of course as an old martial art saying went. Nobunaga let out a small chuckle and placed his musket down. He only glanced at his men in the hall from the corner of his eyes.
"This man named....Sao Sao. Do you really believe that such a man can defeat I if I falter my thoughts from him?" Nobunaga questioned without expecting an answer. He chuckled darkly again.
"Such a man should not be looked down upon... for because of I, a great man was lost of my own foolishness." Nobunaga said as he looked back at Ranmaru. The man he was talking about was Ranmaru's father was why. He looked back at his army and continued.
"Those days of foolishness is over. I shall not be blinded by my own follies! Has the scouts returned with news to the land?"

Yoshino smiled at her husband, saying, "You would think so, but Saosao's fate seems almost identical to our lord's, my love. If we surround him, he will be among us, instead of against us, where he will seperate us. We mustn't allow ourselves to be split apart, or even the deadman's soldiers could have finished us."

Yoshino, as the curious girl she was, left her husband as she ventured around Bei Hai, noting castle wall entrances for archers and musketeers, and rooms for housing. If they were to be pushed back by the three clouds, this place was going to have to be their Gifu castle, there last stand and capital. Might as well learn to enjoy and grow accustom to the area. Yoshino did, however, dislike the stagnant stone compared to Japan's wooden castles. Fire proof but bland, sturdier, but less versatile, longer lasting, but less appealing.

"My Lord," began the Kabuki warrior, "I agree with Katsuie Shibata! These morons scream in gibberish! Someone could just talk them out of fighting for us. However, our men from home would never give in. I say we just take out these weaklings, every last one of them, and build more to your legacy using their bones and graves!" The warrior didn't want to wait. The ship overseas was bad enough, but to try to learn these weaklings language would take even more time. "Besides, if we show them we are kind and willing to talk to them, they will think they are our equals, or worse, our betters. Might as well crush them and keep them pinned."

After a long period of everyone argueing, Mitsuhide finally made a sound. A clear of voice but nonetheless it was something. Everone went silent in his prescence now. Mitsuhide began.
"It would be best right now if we take over any land that once belonged to this man we have killed for as what Sir Hideyoshi said, they could rise up in rebellion. As we fight on, we shall leave some here on defence. We won't be needing too much for the enemy right now do not know of our prescence for sure. Enough at least to defend our castle to a three battalion unit. They won't send so much in the beginning. While they stay here, perhaps Ieyasu can research on what he had proposed. We can see if they can be cracked. Of course if our identity is to be hidden, he must die afterwards..."Mitsuhide said with hesitation in his throat at that last part. He continued though. "A small group shall sail back to bring over more reinforcements as the rest shall attack any nearby cities that belong to this kingdom. Be wary of how you attack. Be swift or we will be seen for sure." Mitsuhide finsihed. Shibata sneered at Mitsuhide. He never liked the pretty boy very much. Nobunaga stared at Mitsuhide before smiling at him. Mitsuhide looked away immediately. Nobunaga rose from where he sat and looked down upon his men. "We shall see how this will turn out then....Mitsuhide," Nobunaga chuckled darkly. "Takechiyo, you shall stay here as Mitsuhide had suggested and you shall....play with your little toys." Nobunaga said with the once again dark smile. "Mitsuhide! Ranmaru! Toshie! Katsuie! You shall accompany me as we give a "visit" the the northern cities." Nobunaga turned to Hideyoshi and stared. "Monkey! I'm taking you with me as well. Get ready! We shall depart in an hour." Nobunaga said calmly. With that, Nobunaga left the chair and went down the middle line and headed outside. Ieyasu styed silent with Tadakatsu behind him. Hanzo suddenly appeared beside him and stood at guard. Ieyasu continued staring and finally uttered words.
"Why does he still call me Takechiyo...."