Chapter 213

The guys from the previous chapter was so excited by the idea that they're aided by Tenkai's monk army, but Azumi clarifies that Tenkai still haven't given his order to attack yet so they're not fully backed.

Nevertheless they told their brothers about the news who were so elated that they held counsel with chief retainer Tsubouchi-sama last night. And this morning they received a letter requesting to meet at "a road where nobody goes, so you can immediately see if you're being tailed."

Tobizaru probes them by asking who chose the location with no signs of life, and notes it as suspicious. Azumi tags along with them to the meeting spot to make sure it's not a trap, as the letter could be either a fraud or they've been betrayed. "'Our senior Tobizaru is the type of man who always considers the worst! It'll be fine!'"Earlier the brothers were sitting in the building waiting for Tsubouchi-sama. They talk about Azumi's beauty and desire to see her for themselves. "'She works as an envoy for high priest Tenkai and stays at the Seigain...'" In the grove nearby, Chiyozo is being instructed by his sister to aim for their vitals and he must kill them instantly, since they're samurai, not thieves. "'You're ... the one ... who settles things at Niwauchi!'"Two samurai manage to escape the building, but are intercepted and killed by Yomiji. When our friends finally reach the building, everyone has been cut down and Chiyozo has left the scene. "'In troubled times, aside from shinobi clans there were other clans that excelled at peculiar bujutsu and that were employed as military forces. But they also lost their pay when peace arrived. Yagyu Munenori maintained the employment of some of these clans, and kept them as part of his forces. Kiku's clan was one. Dozo and Kazo's was another. Doronue's as well. Besides those, he continued to pay many others whose only livelihood were their assassination skills, using them as a secret army. For this purpose, he needed tremendous assets. That is why Munenori set his sights on that country. If he were to establish Bontenmaru as lord of the castle, he would earn official authorization from Shogun Hidetada...'" Gonza and two others welcome lord Munenori, and reports their numbers to be 36 men. Munenori explains that there is a chance that there will be a great battle with an army of monks led by Tenkai himself, which is the reason why he has gathered them all here.

On the way back, Azumi's disciples are questioning why they cannot join them instead of just overlooking this evil in silence. Azumi explains that just killing someone won't settle this, and advices them to treasure their lives until, Yagyu Munemori, the root of all this comes out of hiding.