Departing Demon Lord (Part 1)

Life, Relocation

Now that Seki Hajime was made welcome in the Matsumoto Black Galleon's Mirror Palace and the preparations for the morning's tournament completed, Fubuki had one last piece of business to attend to. First, she* sent her sheele, Kōyō to Owari Castle to collect some correspondence from the generals there. Then, she* flitted off the ship's deck and into Wakigami Castle below, making directly for the quarters of famed general Oda Nobunaga.

Upon arriving at the erstwhile Oda Daimyō's rooms, however, Fubuki found them empty. Not only that, but the floor had been swept, the kettle and futon stored, and no weapons or personal effects betrayed any recent residence. Considering this, Fubuki decided to reach out to Nobunaga mentally. Rewarded with an immediate response and dire news, Fubuki's mind raced as Nobunaga explained how she and her husband were currently voyaging away from Japan. To hear her tell it, they had no intention of returning in the near future. Indeed, Nobunaga expected that they would be reaching the limits of Shigeaki Fujino's telepathic network shortly.   When faced with this news, Fubuki had no choice but to divulge her* true intentions. When at Owari Castle the previous night, she* had offered to deliver any messages the generals there might have for their former leader. Having had the night to compose their missives, Azai Nagamasa no doubt had a parcel ready for delivery. It was this which Fubuki had sent Kōyō questing for. To such news, Nobunaga could only express her regret. She would not be returning soon, and so if Fubuki could somehow deliver the messages to her, she would appreciate it. Otherwise, she only hoped that the other could convey honor and hope for the future to her former clanmates.   This required direct action. Fubuki engaged the services of a frazzled Fujino to take her* to Owari Castle, where she* was led inside without delay. After a brief period of waiting within the entry hall, Azai Nagamasa himself descended to meet her*, Kōyō by his side. His face turned grave as Fubuki explained the situation, and he handed over a parcel full of loose messages intended for Oda Nobunaga. Just as Fubuki was about to leave, however, he stopped her* for one last question. The generals of the Oda were greatly indebted to her* for this act, and he wanted to know what, if anything, they could do in return. Fubuki considered the question, and joked about asking to be Daimyō, before simply stating it as an act of good will without any other real reason behind it.   When Fubuki rushed into a clandestine copse of trees near Owari Castle and summoned her* Sable Fox, the sun was already beginning to peek over the eastern horizon. She* was billed for the first match of the morning in the Mōri Martial Arts Tournament, and a quick spell told her* that Nobunaga's ship was a good four hundred miles for shore. Fubuki couldn't make it in time, but the mystic fox could. Patting it and hoping for the best, Fubuki sent the creature speeding off toward where she'd* pinged the ship, then called up Fujino once again for a ride to the tournament.