Wolves and Foxes

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Wolves and Foxes was a virtual representation of one of Fujibayashi Naoe's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Naoe travels to Yamashiro with Yasuke to look for Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Dialogue

Near Uji Tawara, Naoe heard sounds of battle and gunfire. As she got near, she noticed a group of Igan shinobi fighting against the forces of Akechi Mitsuhide.

• Naoe: Are those Igans against Mitsuhide's army? I need to help.

Naoe assisted her fellow Igans in eliminating the group of rōnin hired by Mitsuhide. After doing so, she went to where Ieyasu was at, under a hut protected by a band of Igan shinobi.

• Igan Shinobi 1: Is that the daughter of Fujibayashi Nagato?
• Igan Shinobi 2: She died in the war.
• Igan Shinobi 1: No, that's her! She survived.
• Igan Shinobi 2: Maybe it's her ghost.

As she approached, Yasuke joined her.

• Castle Commander: Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu! Raise your heads.

As Naoe and Yasuke got on their knees, the commander stepped aside to allow Ieyasu to speak to them.

• Ieyasu: Timely assistance, Yasuke. I am pleased to see you survived Lord Nobunaga's betrayal.

The two of them bowed.

• Yasuke: Thank you, my lord. I honor Lord Nobunaga's alliances.
• Ieyasu: I admire your loyalty. The line does not seem as clear in these tumultuous times. I extend my gratitude to your friend as well. What is your name?
• Naoe: Thank you, Lord Ieyasu. I am Naoe.
• Ieyasu: Naoe... ah. The Fujibayashi child.
• Naoe: You know me?
• Ieyasu: My associate once extended my protection to you. Before the regrettable events of Iga.
• Naoe: Hattori Hanzō served you.
• Ieyasu: And he continues to do so. A resourceful and loyal man. I count on his support. He will arrive soon. And he will be surprised to see you alive.
• Naoe: Is he escorting you out of the Kansai?
• Ieyasu: Observant. As most Igans. I am opting for the best strategy the situation prescribes. The sword may win this battle, but patience will win the war.
• Naoe: But Mitsuhide got ahead through aggressive means, my Lord.
• Ieyasu: And yet, in the end, restraint will triumph and ensure prosperity.
• Naoe: But your forces could help Hashiba Hideyoshi and the Oda clan.
• Ieyasu: What would this accomplish? For more than 100 years, vengeance, power, and treason have led to this endless cycle. It will drive Hideyoshi just as it drives Mitsuhide. I stood by Lord Nobunaga's vision, But his assassination will have wolves tear each other apart for power. In this moment, it is wiser to be a fox.
• Naoe: Yes, Lord Ieyasu.
• Ieyasu: The aim is peace. We will usher the people there carefully. It is useless to harm a bird to make it sing. Best to wait for its song.

Ieyasu looked to his right and saw Hanzō waiting in a distance.

• Ieyasu: Ah, our friend in common has arrived.
• Naoe: Hattori Hanzō.
• Ieyasu: I hope we can one day continue this conversation. Thank you, both. Your help will not be forgotten.
• Yasuke: Until we meet again, Lord Ieyasu.

Ieyasu then prepared to leave with his Igan followers. Naoe and Yasuke got up.

• Naoe: I should talk with Hanzō. By myself.
• Yasuke: If you need me, you know where I am.

Naoe left to meet with Hanzō on the road nearby. As she approached, Hanzō left to continue down the road, causing Naoe to follow as well.

• Naoe: Where is he going?

They reached a tree near the river. Hanzō leaned against the tree and Naoe approached him.

• Hanzō: Alive, are you?
• Naoe: Surviving.
• Hanzō: Your father?
• Naoe: Dead.
• Hanzō: Hm. I offered him life and he choise death. Stubborn until the end.
• Naoe: That's not what happened. You knew what he was hiding.
• Hanzo: The more important question is whether you know.
• Naoe: A fancy lacquered box.
• Hanzō: You don't know what's inside.
• Naoe: My father died protecting it. That's all that matters to me.
• Hanzō: And of course, now it is lost.
• Naoe: I will find it.
• Hanzō: You don't have to be a fool like he was. Abandon this quest.
• Naoe: No. I made a promise.
• Hanzō: It is a path that only leads to death.
• Naoe: Then why am I still standing?
• Hanzō: It killed your father, and it killed your mother. It will kill you next.
• Naoe: What does this have to do with my mother?
• Hanzō: It has everything to do with Tsuyu. You were robbed of an exceptional woman. The best warrior I have ever met.
• Naoe: Tell me more.
• Hanzō: It's a complicated story and I am not much of a storyteller. But I knew her as well as Nagato did.
• Naoe: Were you close to my father?
• Hanzō: We were different in every way. The highborn war prodigy and the humble jizamurai's son. But we were like brothers.
• Naoe: What changed?
• Hanzō: Our views. Time. The world is always moving. But most of all, it was those cursed boxes.
• Naoe: Boxes? There's more than one?
• Hanzō: That is all I will say. Abandon this foolish quest and work with me.
• Naoe: I gave my word.
• Hanzō: Open your eyes, Naoe. The world is changing. Your skills have value. Come with me.
• Naoe: And be the tool of yet another power hungry demon like you?
• Hanzō: I am not the one chasing ghosts. There is much you don't know.

Naoe activated her Hidden Blade.

• Naoe: Enough riddles!
• Hanzō: You wield your father's blade, but you don't even know what it stands for.
• Naoe: Then tell me!
• Hanzō: Just like Tsuyu. I never could change her mind. If this is the path you choose, you will walk it alone. In Settsu, there is a kofun. You will find the answers you seek inside. I have to go. My client waits for me. And Naoe... If you ever pull a blade on me again, I will kill you with my bare hands.

Hanzō took his leave while Yasuke arrived to check on Naoe.

• Yasuke: Are you all right?
• Naoe: I... I don't know. I think I'm scared.
• Yasuke: Well. You are the most courageous person I have ever met. That must count for something.
• Naoe: It will have to. You can't come with me this time, Yasuke.
• Yasuke: We all have secrets, And we all have to face them one day. Just know that your allies will be there for you if you need us.
• Naoe: What would I do without you?
• Yasuke: I really do not know. Hey! You've got work to do. Get to it.

Outcome

Naoe and Yasuke met with Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was temporarily retreating from Kansai. Naoe later met Hattori Hanzō, who directed her to a kofun in Settsu to find the answers she needed regarding her parents.