Chapter 7: Hattori's Loyalty
Then the Imagawa clan realized that this was not feasible and decided to retreat, which made the situation within the Matsudaira clan quite interesting. The heir to the Matsudaira family, Matsudaira Takechiyo, had been abducted a few years earlier by Matsudaira Hirotada's other father-in-law, Honda Yasunori, who sold him for 40 kan of Yongle coins to become a companion of Oda Nobunaga in Nagoya Castle. Honda Yasunori's original intention was to send Matsudaira Takechiyo away so that his daughter could bear a child to serve as the heir of the Matsudaira family. However, his daughter failed to produce a male heir, resulting in the Matsudaira family losing both its head and its heir, leading to utter chaos.
Reflecting briefly on the youthful years of over a decade, Hattori Yasunari regained his composure and said: "It is merely that I have recently had to leave the Matsudaira family for certain reasons, and thus, through the mediation of His Highness Yamamoto, I have decided to serve Lord Gokkan!"
Hattori Yoshinobu seemed reluctant to mention the past, merely kneeling respectfully on the ground and not rising. Seeing this situation, Yamamoto Kansuke intervened, saying: "Since the collapse of Moriyama, the circumstances of the Hattori clan have been deteriorating. Some within the Matsudaira family believe that the death of Matsudaira Kiyoyasu is related to Lord Iwami's negligence in his duties..."
"It is an old matter from over a decade ago that I have completely forgotten along with the books." Hattori, feeling grateful, glanced at Yamamoto Kansuke and then replied: "The reason for my departure is still due to the Battle of Anjo in March of this year, where the Matsudaira family's general, Honda Tadataka, was killed. Following that, Lord Hirotada also passed away suddenly, and there are rumors in the family that Lord Hirotada was also harmed by someone. Therefore, in the midst of the Matsudaira family's leaderless situation, my clan is about to bear an infamous crime, and I have not received a single mon of salary for nearly half a year."
What? The Hattori clan has decided to return to the main family? Kira Bansho Maru was taken aback by this news. Just a moment ago, he had excitedly let slip his thoughts upon seeing Hattori Yasunaga. Now, with an even bigger revelation brought forth by Yamamoto Kansuke, he could no longer maintain his composure. He fanned himself vigorously, his voice hurried as he said: "Isn't Ishikawa serving the Matsudaira family? How could this be..."
Due to the uncertain fate of Matsudaira Takechiyo, differing opinions emerged within the Matsudaira clan regarding the necessity of reinstating a new head of the family. The various branches of the Matsudaira family became divided, leading to months of disputes and unrest, with no clear resolution in sight.
"Naha * Tu * Shuni? This is truly excessive, isn't it?" Kira Manshomaru looked at him with a face full of regret, but inside he was overjoyed. This year's Anjo Battle was particularly intense, and Kira Manshomaru had the fortune to observe this battle from a distance alongside Yamamoto Kansuke. Honda Tadataka, the leading general of the Matsudaira clan, was surrounded and killed by the Oda army after charging too deeply. The death of the actual commander led to a great rout of the Matsudaira forces. Matsudaira Hirotada, upon hearing this dreadful news, was both furious and anxious, and he also passed away.
How could the Hattori family so easily pledge allegiance to me! There must be something wrong with this! Yet this old man refuses to tell me! Today he even said he would let me participate in government affairs, and not even half a day later, he is treating me like this! This absolutely cannot be tolerated! Kira Matsumaru was very dissatisfied with his deceptive behavior; what good is a good reputation? In this era, strength speaks for itself. Does he not understand how much the Kira family is worth compared to Yamamoto Kansuke? However, it is not appropriate to interject in front of outsiders. What good is a good reputation? In this era, strength speaks for itself. Does he not understand how much the Kira family is worth compared to Yamamoto Kansuke? However, it is not appropriate to interject in front of outsiders.
Although secretly harboring doubts about Yamamoto Kansuke, Kira Banshomaru still had to respond positively: "I see! On behalf of the Kira family, the main house welcomes the Hattori clan... However, as far as the main house knows, Lord Iwami originally belonged to the Chiga clan, one of the three great shinobi families of Iga. I wonder why he has come to our Mikawa countryside? And what prompted him to join the main house?"
The term "Yukata" is a respectful title for high-ranking officials in the public and military sectors. It is a designation permitted by the shogunate for the Ashikaga clan and various regional lords, as well as high-ranking officials of the shogunate or local lords who have made significant contributions, to be referred to by the name of their residence. The Kira family enjoys the status of Yukata and holds the position of the highest-ranking Yukata, becoming the highest title next to the shogun.
I clearly remember it being called Shoushan Collapse, so how did it become Senzan? However, there is indeed a Senzan in the West Mikawa region; could it be a different name? Never mind, I won't quibble over these trivial details!" Kira Bansho Maru thought to himself. The death of Matsudaira Kiyoyasu is quite a well-known event, and Kira Bansho Maru also remembers it, but he had never considered that Matsudaira Kiyoyasu's death could be related to the Hattori family.
The Honda clan, having lost Honda Tadataka, fell into anger and sorrow. Sakai Tadanobu, a prominent retainer of the Matsudaira family, seized the opportunity to expand his power within the Matsudaira clan, suppressing some of the former rival factions. Among them, the Hattori clan became the unfortunate soft target, and the library became a sacrifice for Sakai Tadanobu to solidify his power.
"My lord of the mansion!" Yamamoto Kansuke interrupted him somewhat discontentedly, narrowing his single eye as he spoke: "Our Kira family is a prominent branch of the Kawachi Genji warrior clan, a powerful lineage under the Ashikaga shogunate, and a family favored by the Jishō-in. You, my lord of the mansion, hold a noble status as the lord of the house, and Lord Iwami has come to seek refuge with our family out of admiration for your esteemed reputation. What is so strange about that?"
"I am from the family that, for certain reasons, left the Iga region and wandered through various countries. I once served the shogunate under the great shogun, but I was quite unruly in my youth... Thus, I was invited by Lord Kiyokatsu to come to Mikawa and serve the Matsudaira family!" Hattori Yasunaga seemed to be reminded of something by his words, but he only vaguely summarized his experiences over the past decade.
It seems that the esteemed master has a great appreciation for Lord Iwami, which allows me to feel at ease!" Yamamoto Kansuke displayed a look of relief and, before Kira Banshomaru could fully comprehend, continued: "Lord Hattori Iwami has decided to lead the Hattori clan in pledging loyalty to the main house and serving the esteemed master faithfully!
Why is this the case? Wasn't the Matsudaira clan quite good? Although Matsudaira Hirotada has passed away, there should still be a young heir to the Matsudaira family, right? This is nonsense spoken with eyes wide open by Kira Mantsumaru; he is somewhat aware of the chaos within the Matsudaira family, but in order to extract the truth from Hattori Hōchō, he does not mind making a few nonsensical remarks.
He couldn't help but feel some sympathy for this middle-aged man, who had borne fifteen years of criticism while continuing to live in the Matsudaira household; life must have been quite difficult for him. Kira Yoshitoki then asked, "If that is the case, why did he leave the Matsudaira household? If he wanted to leave, he surely would have done so long ago during these fifteen years"
Due to the inadequate supervision by Lord Hattori Ishikage, who served as a vassal, the Matsudaira family held him accountable afterward. The new lord, Matsudaira Hirotada, was weak, so Lord Hattori Ishikage had no choice but to endure such criticism. Yamamoto Kansuke sighed and remarked that the Moriyama Collapse occurred fifteen years ago, meaning that the Hattori clan had been severely affected by events from that long ago. However, Kira Yoshitoki was thinking of something else: "Is it possible to monitor a situation where a retainer rebels and stabs the head of the family? Hattori Yasunaga is truly caught in the crossfire without any fault of his own!" The Moriyama Collapse occurred fifteen years ago, meaning that the Hattori clan had been severely affected by events from that long ago. However, Kira Yoshitoki was thinking of something else: "Is it possible to monitor a situation where a retainer rebels and stabs the head of the family? Hattori Yasunaga is truly caught in the crossfire without any fault of his own!"
The Kira Mansamaru Controversy: "It is said that the collapse of Moriyama is an event from the fourth year of Tenmon. Wasn't Matsudaira Kiyoyasu assassinated by his retainers? How is this related to the Hattori clan?"