Namida Bridge: The End of the Brave Generals (1)

The defense of Sukagawa Castle, held by Jibu-no-taifu, can only be described as magnificent. Given the size of the castle, the number of people in Sukagawa is likely at most five or six hundred. It is clear that they are concentrating their troops mainly in the Ninomaru and Sannomaru. Between those two enclosures lies the Honmaru, where Jibu-no-taifu and his wife reside.
"I cannot even imagine what kind of strange strategy Jibu-dono will use next."
During the midday war council, Shimotsuke-no-kami clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Despite the several-fold difference in military strength, the losses on the Wada side only continue to increase. Tosho-ryo cannot help but feel that although the number of defenders is small, they are deploying their personnel effectively.
"We must break the defense of the Ninomaru and sever its connection with the Sannomaru to the northwest."
Awa-no-kami muttered while glaring at the map of the castle town. From the west of Sukagawa Castle toward the northwest, there is a steep cliff. Partway down below the cliff is a settlement called Ameyobariguchi, and the north entrance of Ameyobariguchi is one of the ferry points on the Shukado River. Also, if you climb the steep slope eastward from Ameyobariguchi, you come out behind the Sannomaru. It was already the hour of the sheep on the third day.
It was during that war council that an unfamiliar person appeared at the Yabe encampment in Honmachi. At that point, the stalemate with the Sukagawa camp was still continuing. Due to the fire attacks by the Sukagawa side yesterday and the day before, the strength of Yabe's forces had been reduced to nearly half, so they had sent a messenger to Nikaido Saemon, who was at Hachimanyama in Daikokuishiguchi, and were waiting for the troops led by Saemon to join them.
"The Sukagawa side also has a blind spot."
The man who suddenly appeared interrupted the council as if it were natural. Seeing that Awa-no-kami did not seem suspicious of the man, it appeared that a group of ninjas requested from Mino-no-kami had arrived.
"Where?"
Awa-no-kami asked sharply. The man pointed to one spot with his index finger. The fingertip was pointing at the storehouse area slightly to the west of the Ninomaru.
Since it is a storehouse area, there are several storage warehouses. One corner of it is used by the people of Sukagawa to discard miscellaneous items, making it a perfect place to hide. It is also a place where people from the Sukagawa castle town come to deliver rice and crops, so even if one approaches disguised as a commoner during the day, it would not look suspicious. They intend to invade the castle from there. Since the Wada troops are concentrated on the north side, passing through the east from the south side, including the Otemon gate, the west side is less guarded.
Furthermore, he said that under the instructions of Mino-no-kami, who is at Atagoyama, he also has troops waiting in Dojomachi. There is a Jodoshu-related temple on that side, and behind the kitchen is a forest. This was also a perfect place to hide.
"We will rush into the Ninomaru in a cross formation and break the gate from the inside. However, if possible, I would like to borrow two or three people who are fast on their feet and skilled in combat. Our men will lead the way, but we do not have enough men to cut down all the gatekeepers."
"Hmm..."
Awa-no-kami crossed his arms and pondered for a while. Then he suddenly looked up, and his eyes met Tosho-ryo's.
"I will go."
This time, it was definitely an opportunity to achieve military merit. Tosho-ryo nodded.

The Wada ninjas used the excuse of "coming to deliver offerings for the New Year's celebration" to the Sukagawa soldiers guarding the storehouse area, and easily approached the castle town. The group bribed farmers to prepare real sake and offered it to the sentries as "New Year's Eve celebratory sake." Now that it was mentioned, Tosho-ryo remembered that today was New Year's Eve. Under the cold sky, the Sukagawa soldiers' bodies must have been craving warmth. There were not a few soldiers who reached out for the sake that was offered.
While grimacing at the musty smell, Tosho-ryo thought that it was fortunate that it was winter. If it had been summer, the smell would surely have soaked into his body after staying in this hiding place for even a short time.
What Tosho-ryo is wearing now is a dark blue field garment. On his right shoulder, he has tied a small piece of light blue cloth as the Wada side's identification mark. Although he is wearing a sword at his waist, he was also told not to kill people more than necessary for the sake of military merit. The goal is to create an opening for the Wada forces waiting outside, and it would be troublesome if the Sukagawa soldiers were to make an unnecessary commotion.
"For tonight only, I will call you Mokko."
The leader declared so. Tosho-ryo felt like he had heard that voice before, but because the face was covered with a hood and the voice was muffled, he could not recall it clearly. Tosho-ryo nodded vaguely and asked back.
"Understood. What should I call you?"
"You can call me Gozu."
The leader responded to Tosho-ryo's question with a voice that contained a faint smile. Tosho-ryo also grinned at the combination of those words. In Sukagawa, when summer comes, people offer cucumbers to Gozu Tenno, wishing for the expulsion of disease. Mokko is another name for cucumber, and it was a suitable combination to use as a password. It is a pattern also used in the Isshiki family crest, so he did not have a bad feeling about it.

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