The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

In the height of summer, Gifu Castle is lush and green, and the Nagara River flows gently.

The scenery of early summer remains unchanged, but things have changed.

Nohime still lives in her old mansion, and everything she sees evokes memories of the past.

As per Nobunaga's orders, Nagayoshi would come to pick up Tokuhime at noon.

Although Nohime had no children of her own, she cared deeply for the children of her concubines, and Tokuhime received much care from her from a young age.

In the morning, Nohime summoned Tokuhime to her room.

Princess Tokuhime was even more submissive in front of Nohime than she was in front of her birth mother, Arui. As soon as she entered the house, she leaned against Nohime's side.

"Ade, you must keep a close eye on your husband. If anything happens, you must tell your father, okay?"

Saito Dosan gave the same advice to Nohime, who was not yet engaged.

"Understood, sir!"

This "adult" refers to the sample, signifying the illegitimate daughter's respect for her legitimate mother.

"My lord, what is my future husband's name?"

"Your father and Lord Ieyasu have already discussed it and decided to name him Tokugawa Nobuyasu."

"Was the faith taken from your father?"

"Yes... but Takeda Shingen also has the character 'Shin' in his name."

After saying that, Nohime smiled again.

"Princess Tokuhime, never utter these words to anyone, not even in death. The Oda clan originated from the Taira clan, but the Tokugawa clan originated from the Minamoto clan, and the Shogun also originated from the Minamoto clan. The new world should belong to the Taira clan, replacing the Minamoto clan."

After Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoritomo, the wheel of fortune turned, and it was indeed the Taira clan's turn.

This is the kind of twisted logic that Nobunaga liked.

Oda Gotoku was only six years old and knew nothing of these things; he only remembered to inform others and not to talk nonsense.

Deji nodded innocently.

Do you know who Tokugawa Nobuyasu's mother was?

"Mrs. Sekiguchi".

"In short, be polite. Greet your elders when you see them."

"Ade will serve her husband's parents wholeheartedly."

"That's good... Lord Mori will escort you to Hamamatsu Castle later, remember to be very respectful to Lord Mori!"

"What constitutes respect?"

"Just like when you meet Tokugawa's retainers, simply say 'Thank you for your help.' Don't be too enthusiastic, but also don't be too cold..."

After teaching Tokuhime, Nohime went to the main hall of the castle.

Niwa Nagahide was taking stock of the dowry and having it packed into boxes.

Changqing has arrived and is checking the gift list.

The gift list even included a water tank with three carp, each about a foot long, inside.

Because people are Buddhists, they rarely eat meat from ordinary livestock and mostly eat fish. In times of poverty, they would even eat small fish.

Therefore, these three large fish are indeed very rare.

Perhaps due to lack of oxygen, the three fish came to the surface of the water, their mouths opening and closing as if they were trying to tell something.

Those six lifeless fish eyes made Changqing want to slap the fish across the face.

I've never caught a fish this big in my past life, no matter how many times I went fishing and came back empty-handed. You bastard, you won't even bite the hook!

Just then, Nobunaga walked in. Seeing Nagayoshi staring blankly at the fish, he couldn't help but laugh.

Is it big or not?

It sounds like an insult to the fishing spot next door. Being an air force user is considered inferior, but there's nothing that can be done about it.

"big……"

Changqing replied with enthusiasm, but it was just a perfunctory response.

"Then this one is me, Nobunaga; one fish is Ieyasu; and the other fish is Nobuyasu," Nobunaga said casually, pointing to one of the fish.

Nohime couldn't help but laugh. Although Nobunaga was already in his early thirties, he couldn't help but have childish behavior.

"Chōkyō, what do you think Ieyasu would think if he saw a fish?"

"He will thank you for your generosity and then share it with his retainers!"

"How can that be?" Nobunaga pulled out a folding fan from his robes and gently tapped Nagayoshi's shoulder. "Tell him to take good care of it! This kind of big carp can live for at least another ten years!"

"Yes."

"Remember to tell Ieyasu that I'll check on his fish regularly. Don't let him kill Nobunaga!"

Nagayoshi then realized that Nobunaga was looking for another opportunity to warn Ieyasu.

"I understand, I will convey it to Lord Ieyasu!"

"Oh, and by the way, we need to make a big show of going to Kai. Bring half of the wedding procession with us, don't embarrass me!"

"yes!"

Nobunaga was rarely this fussy, which made Nagayoshi a little uncomfortable.

……

The Tokaido region is humid at the end of May.

The mountain breeze and the sea breeze converge here, making one feel the sweltering heat of midsummer.

Changqing rode at the head of the procession, followed by the sedan chair carrying Princess Deji, with four maids on each side. Behind them was a long procession transporting the dowry, with more than thirty packhorses and 200 soldiers, the chests and trunks tied with red and white silk ribbons symbolizing good fortune.

Princess Tokuhime was somewhat uneasy as she stepped into Mikawa for the first time, the unfamiliar scenery making her feel uneasy.

The road is flanked by rolling fields. The new look of Sanhe is completely different from that of a few years ago, and it is in no way inferior to Meinong today.

The group arrived at Okazaki Castle around dusk.

After Changqing and his entourage settled in, they made a point of inspecting the water tank containing the three carp.

The fish swam slowly in the tank, seemingly having adapted to the bumpy journey.

There's a reason why it's grown this big.

"Change the water in the fish tank and take good care of it."

Looking at the three carp that symbolized Nobunaga, Ieyasu, and Nobuyasu, he couldn't help but marvel at how ingenious Nobunaga always did things.

The team arrived in Hamamatsu at noon on the third day.

The city gate was already crowded with people waiting to welcome him, and at the head of the crowd was Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Ieyasu was twenty-three years old, nine years younger than Nobunaga. Standing next to him was a seven or eight-year-old boy wearing a dark blue thong; this was Tokugawa Nobuyasu.

Nagayoshi dismounted and bowed: "Lord Tokugawa, I am Mori Nagayoshi, and I have come here on the orders of Lord Nobunaga to escort Princess Tokuhime."

Ieyasu nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Mori. How is Lord Nobunaga?"

"My lord is well and has specially sent me to give you his regards," Changqing replied respectfully. He then gestured for his attendants to bring forward the water vat. "My lord has also specially sent three carp for Your Highness to see."

Ieyasu approached the water tank, his gaze narrowing slightly as he looked at the three large fish swimming in the water.

"My lord said that these three fish represent you, him, and Lord Nobuyasu..."

Ieyasu immediately ordered Honda Shige to move the water tank several times.

"You've gone to so much trouble, Lord Nobunaga. I will take good care of these three fish."

"My lord specifically instructed," Nagayoshi lowered his voice, "that the largest one represents him personally, and you must take good care of him. He will frequently inquire about 'Little Nobunaga's' situation."

Nagayoshi was talking nonsense, because Nobunaga just pointed casually at the time.

Ieyasu's lips twitched slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Please tell Lord Nobunaga that I will cherish these fish as I would my own life."

At this moment, Princess Deok-hee's palanquin landed, and a maid lifted the curtain and helped her out. The six-year-old girl, dressed in formal attire, walked with grace and poise.

She first bowed to Ieyasu: "Tokuhime greets Father."

Ieyasu immediately smiled gently and stroked Tokuhime's head.

"Your Highness, you must be tired from your journey. This is my son, Nobuyasu, who is eight years old and will be your husband in the future."

Xin Kang took a step forward shyly, secretly sizing up the girl who would become his wife.

Deji also looked up at him, and the two children looked at each other for a moment before revealing innocent smiles.

"Nobuyasu, take good care of the princess." After giving the order, Ieyasu gestured to Nagayoshi.

"Lord Mori, you must be tired from your journey. I have prepared a banquet in the city. Please stay for a day."

"good!"