"Father! Father!"

  The voice echoing from the distance made Kanbe'e’s entire body freeze. For nearly a year in the suffocating darkness, he had heard that voice countless times as a haunting hallucination. As Kanbe'e struggled to stand on his trembling legs, a young boy lunged into his arms with overwhelming force.

  "Oh... Shoju... is it truly you, Shoju...!"

  Kanbe'e gripped his son’s shoulders with shaking hands. They were sturdier than a year ago, yet his face still held the innocence of a child. Under the protection of Hanbe'e Takenaka, this boy had truly, vibrantly, survived.

  "Father, your face... and your legs... How could they do this to you...!"

  Shoju-maru, seeing his father’s emaciated frame, his fallen hair, and his crippled legs, broke down in uncontrollable sobs of shock. Kanbe'e pulled the small body close, embracing him with boney, trembling arms.

  "Forgive me... Shoju, forgive me. It was my own arrogance... my overconfidence in my own schemes... that brought such suffering upon you. Not a single day passed that I did not curse myself... believing I had caused your death and ended the Kuroda bloodline..."

  The man who had lived as a cold-blooded strategist wept aloud like a child.

  Shoju-maru wiped his tears and looked straight into his father’s eyes.

  "Father, please lift your head. Mr.Hanbe'e always told me: 'Kanbe'e is a man destined to be the light that illuminates all of Japan. Therefore, you, Shoju, must never let the Kuroda flame go out.' I have lived as a son of the Kuroda, protecting your pride, Father."

  In those words, Kanbe'e saw the soul of his departed friend, Hanbe'e.

  "You have changed... Shoju. Hanbe'e... he raised you into such a magnificent young man..."

  "Yes, Father! Mr.Hanbei treated me with the utmost kindness. He always asked if I was lonely... the warmth of his hand still lingers on my cheek. I will never forget the day he took my hand, smiled, and promised me: 'You will surely see your father again.'"

  "I see... Shoju... watch me. This life that Lord Hanbei protected... I shall dedicate it now to building a world where you and your kin can live with smiles upon your faces. Welcome back... I am so grateful you are alive..."

  Their tears mingled, and the lingering chill of the dungeon within Kanbe’s heart finally melted into the warmth of a spring day. Looking up, he saw the distant mountains of Himeji wearing the colors of late autumn—the same scenery he had gazed upon the day he departed for Arioka Castle. He sat in silent reflection.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Upon receiving news of Kanbe’s survival and return, Hideyoshi’s joy knew no bounds. He was certain that there was no one else capable of succeeding his late right hand, Hanbe'e Takenaka, but Kanbe'e.

  Hideyoshi needed to present Kanbe'e to Nobunaga immediately to prove his loyalty, but there was a treacherous hurdle to clear first: the report of Shoju-maru’s survival. Depending on Nobunaga’s reaction, they could all be executed on the spot for defying a direct order.

  From his camp during the Siege of Miki Castle, Hideyoshi sent a letter to Nobunaga—a gamble that could cost him everything.

  To My Lord Nobunaga,

  I wish to urgently report that upon the fall of Murashige raki, we have successfully rescued Kanbe'e Kuroda. After a year in a wretched dungeon, he is in a miserable state, unable even to stand. Yet, his loyalty to you, My Lord, has never wavered for a moment; he is a paragon of a righteous warrior.

  However, there is a matter I must report at the risk of my own life.

  Shoju-maru, whom you ordered to be executed, was secretly hidden in Mino by the late Hanbe'e Takenaka and remains safe to this day.

  Until his final breath, Hanbe'e wept and said, 'Our Lord will surely realize Kanbe'e’s innocence. When that time comes, I will gladly accept the punishment for defying his command.'

  I, Hideyoshi, am prepared for any punishment for failing to carry out your direct order. Nevertheless, I beg you to consider Kanbe'e’s loyalty and Hanbe'e’s ultimate sincerity, and grant them your mercy. I implore you most humbly.

  October 22, the 7th Year of Tensho

  Hideyoshi "Chikuzen-no-kami" Hashiba

  "If there is blame, let it all be placed on me, as if I acted entirely without your knowledge..."

  That was the final 'strategy' left by his sworn friend. But whether it would work on Nobunaga was a different matter entirely. Hideyoshi was restless with anxiety until the reply arrived.

  Before long, Nobunaga’s response reached him. Hideyoshi opened it with a tense expression.

  I have received word of Shoju-maru’s survival. I feel no anger toward this whatsoever. On the contrary, the weight that has long pressed upon my chest has been lifted, and I find myself at peace.

  Tell Kanbe'e to come to Myokaku-ji Temple in Kyoto on the 28th. Even if his body is broken, tell him to appear before me exactly as he is now.

  You, too, must support Kanbe'e well. I have taken due note of the loyalty of both men.

  October 24, Nobunaga

  Nobunaga was not angry. On the contrary, he had written that he was 'at peace.' Hideyoshi was overjoyed and grabbed the hand of Koroku Hachisuka, who stood nearby.

  "Koroku! Look at this! My Lord has forgiven us! He says he is 'not angry' about Shoju-maru being alive. More than that, he said 'the weight on his chest has been lifted'! Koroku, this is all thanks to Hanbe'e. Even from beyond the grave, that man was pulling the reins from the depths of the underworld to ensure My Lord did not commit a grave error. A strategist to be admired even in death! Hanbe'e, are you watching? You’ve won!"

  Koroku, too, broke into a relieved smile at the sight of his master’s joy.

  "Koroku, support Kanbe with everything you've got! My Lord's mercy soaks into my very bones. Everyone, there's no time to dawdle! Prepare for the journey to Kyoto on the 28th immediately! We shall send Kanbe to the capital with the greatest hospitality! Hurry, hurry!"

  That very day, a letter carrying Hideyoshi’s intense, overflowing joy was dispatched to Kanbe'e in Himeji.

  Produced and written by a Japanese author, rooted in authentic Japanese history. Translated with the assistance of Gemini (AI).