White Castle Blues

June 06, 1582, Sasuke goes to Himeji castle inform Hideyoshi of Kiyohide's decision. Hideyoshi explains his swift return was for grieving. Ikeda, Takayama, Niwa, Nobutaka have already allied with him. Hidenaga and Hideyoshi will meet at Amagasaki castle to engage Mitsuhide's forces before Shibata does. Hideyoshi then promises lordship to Sasuke. June 07, Mitsuhide sends the Hatsuhana to Ieyasu with an offer of alliance. Unsure what to do, Ieyasu starts conscription while waiting for new developments. June 08, Mitsuhide puts Hidemitsu in charge of Azuchi. He deplores Hosokawa and Tsutsui have not joined him. Soueki gazing upon the new whiteness of Azuchi, has his heart stolen for a moment. June 09, Hideyoshi tells Sasuke he will need a hostage from Kiyohide. June 10, in fact he does not need one, it was a ploy to strengthen Ikeda's and Takayama loyalty. Araki Murashige, now called Doufun, brings news of Ashikaga Yoshiaki joining Hideyoshi. In exchange of the Momojiri vase, Murashige also asks Hideyoshi for pardon. Hideyoshi accepts. Sasuke then designs the banner under which the retainers of Nobunaga will exert revenge.