The Man Who Ended the World: The Dagger's Scabbard - Chapter 23: Laying the Groundwork
Night.
A room in a silent temple.
A man was bowing his head deeply.
Ishida Mitsunari.
Sitting before him was a monk.
Tenkai.
Tenkai watched Mitsunari quietly.
"Speak, Jibu-no-Sho."
Mitsunari said,
"I have a request."
Tenkai lowered his gaze to the desk.
What was placed there.
The scabbard of a dagger.
Mitsunari continued,
"I would like to... borrow that scabbard."
A moment of silence.
The lamp flickered.
Tenkai slowly picked up the scabbard.
"That scabbard is..."
He said in a low voice.
"Something to contain the blood."
Mitsunari did not look up.
Tenkai continued.
"Can you do that?"
Mitsunari replied.
"...I will do it."
A brief silence.
Before long, Tenkai held out the scabbard.
"Then take it with you."
Mitsunari bowed deeply.
"I am deeply grateful."
He stood up quietly and left the room.
The door closed.
Tenkai remained motionless, staring at the light.
A few days later.
Deep within the temple.
Sake was set out.
Two men sat facing each other.
One was
Kato Kiyomasa.
The other was
Ishida Mitsunari.
Kiyomasa tilted his cup.
"What do you want, Jibu?"
Mitsunari bowed his head.
"I apologize for the sudden request."
Kiyomasa laughed.
"Don't beat around the bush. Speak."
Mitsunari looked up.
"Tokugawa is making a move."
Kiyomasa scoffed.
"Then we simply strike him down."
Mitsunari shook his head quietly.
"That will not end the war."
Kiyomasa narrowed his eyes.
"Sakichi. What are you trying to say?"
Mitsunari said.
"I will let Tokugawa win."
The air stood still.
"...Have you lost your mind?"
Mitsunari's voice did not waver.
I will end the war.
I will end the world.
Kiyomasa glares at him.
What will happen to the young lord?
Mitsunari fixes his gaze straight ahead and says,
I will preserve the Toyotomi.
Mitsunari continues.
For that purpose—
I will become the figurehead.
I will become the sacrificial stone.
Silence.
A long silence.
Eventually, Kiyomasa stands up.
He heads toward the door.
His feet stop.
On the desk.
Something is placed there.
The scabbard of a dagger.
Kiyomasa says, while still looking at it.
Sakichi.
Mitsunari
...Ha.
Kiyomasa did not turn around.
So you have steeled yourself that much.
You are a true man.
The door closed.
Another day.
Mitsunari was facing a single man.
Otani Yoshitsugu.
Having finished listening to the story, Yoshitsugu smiled slightly.
You have always been...
He held his sake cup.
...a man who dislikes war.
Mitsunari lowered his eyes.
I will end the war.
Yoshitsugu said, keeping his gaze on Mitsunari.
Do you intend to hand the realm over to Tokugawa for that sake?
Mitsunari remained silent.
Yoshitsugu nodded.
Then I shall...
He sets down his cup.
He smiles slightly.
"I will become that sacrificial stone."
Mitsunari was left speechless.
Yoshitsugu says nothing more.
Night.
Mitsunari sat alone.
On the desk.
Something is placed there.
The dagger's scabbard.
The lamp flickers.
Mitsunari stares at it.
Before long, he murmured softly.
"This is fine."
A quiet voice.
Mitsunari picks up the scabbard.
And then he extinguished the lamp.