Nobutsuna Sensei

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Nobutsuna Sensei was a virtual representation of one of Yasuke's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Yasuke, then known as Diogo, visits Kamiizumi Nobutsuna's house to begin his training.

Dialogue

Accompanied by a guard, Diogo arrives at Nobutsuna's house and found two samurai conversing outside the house. One of them noticed Diogo.

• Marume Nagayoshi: What is it?

The samurai signaled for Nagayoshi to turn around. Diogo gave him a bow.

• Diogo: I have been sent by Lord Nobunaga to train with Kamiizumi Nobutsuna sensei.

Diogo took out a letter issued by Nobunaga. Nagayoshi came down the stairs and inspected the letter before signaling for the guard to leave. Diogo pocketed the paper.

• Nagayoshi: Follow me.

Diogo followed the samurai to the Training Grounds, the latter being greeted by the trainees.

• Samurai Duelist 1: Sir.

Diogo overheard the students gossiping about him.

• Samurai Duelist 2: I bet he won't last two strikes. Sensei is fierce and unyielding.
• Samurai Duelist 3: But look at his size! I think he could last five.
• Samurai Duelist 2: It's a bet. Loser owes the other sake.

Nagayoshi brought Diogo to Nobutsuna, who was performing bonsai.

• Marume Nagayoshi: Sensei, I have news.
• Diogo: That must be the sensei.

Nobutsuna signaled Diogo to remain still while he approached the swordmaster. After bowing, Nagayoshi went forward to inform him of Diogo's arrival and showed him Nobunaga's letter. After doing so, Nagayoshi returned to Diogo.

• Nagayoshi: Diogo, Nobutsuna sensei will do as Lord Nobunaga commands and train you in his shinkage-ryū style.
• Diogo: Thank you, Nobutsuna sensei.
• Nagayoshi: We have one moth until Lord Nobunaga's return. He will expect you to be the finest of warriors by then. A shining example of strength, loyalty, and technique.
• Diogo: And if I am not?

Nobutsuna, who heard Diogo's reply, turned around.

• Nobutsuna: You must be.
• Diogo: I will work hard to be the warrior Lord Nobunaga expects.
• Nagayoshi: Good. But your success will take more than hard work. You will need humility, concentration and perseverance. You must live Nobutsuna sensei's teachings if you are to truly master them. Now take up the shinai and show our sensei your skills.

Diogo picked up a shinai and took position in the court opposite Nagayoshi. Both of them drew their swords.

• Nobutsuna: Begin.
• Nagayoshi: Do not hold back. I will not.

Heeding his words, Diogo began striking him.

• Nagayoshi: You hack like a peasant.
• Nobutsuna: (grunts) A pitiful display.
• Diogo: I can defeat you.
• Nagayoshi: Do not fight me. The true fight is within.
• Diogo: You speak in riddles.

After a while, Nagayoshi disarmed a heavily beaten Diogo.

• Diogo: (grunts) (breathes)
• Nagayoshi: Follow me.

Diogo gave Nobutsuna a bow before joining with Nagayoshi at the stairs.

• Nagayoshi: There is a house down those stairs. Go there. I will find you shortly.

Diogo listened and went down, hearing gossips from the nearby watchers.

• Man: Ah! That wasn't a duel. That was a beating.
• Woman: How is he still standing?

Diogo went down the stairs, holding in the pain from his injuries.

• Diogo: (winces) That... that hurt.

As he reached his hut, he found a group of samurai harassing an elderly lady.

• Sanada-ryu Student 1: You are the one cooking for us? That food is not fit for dogs.
• Sanada-ryu Student 2: Our master is a guest of Lord Nobunaga himself!
• Elderly Servant: Tomorrow it will improve. I promise.
• Sanada-ryu Student 2: It better. Or Lord Nobunaga will hear about it.

The samurai pushed the elderly servant, which Diogo took notice.

• Diogo: Leave her alone!

The group turned to Diogo.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: And who is this, now? Tell me you are not a student of Nobutsuna sensei. Has he stooped so low? Oh, Master Masatoyo will want to hear about this.

Diogo went to check on the elderly servant.

• Diogo: Are you all right?

The servant bowed and quickly left.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: I am talking to you, outlander! Don't you know how to bow to your betters?

Diogo gave no response but a stern look.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: You will pay for this.

The samurai attacked Diogo with his shinai. Diogo followed suit, and returned his attack. The samurai's fellow group then attacked Diogo from behind, knocking him the ground, with his opponent giving a heavy strike.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: Stay down, outlander. If you show such insolence again, you will know my katana.
• Sanada-ryu Student 1: (laughs)
• Sanada-ryu Student 2: (laughs)

The group of samurai students left the area. Once they cleared, Nagayoshi came to check on Diogo.

• Nagayoshi: You cannot stay there forever, Diogo. Come with me.

Diogo gathered enough strength to regain his stand, following Nagayoshi into his house and room.

• Diogo: I would be fine in a barracks or a more modest lodging.
• Nagayoshi: You are a guest of Lord Nobunaga. You will stay here. Tomorrow, you train again. I will bring sensei's instructions in the morning.

Nagayoshi closed the door to Diogo's residence and took his leave. Diogo then laid down on the ground and got emotional over the day's events.

• Diogo: (cries)

He then remembered the sound of gunfire.

• Diogo: No. No!

Diogo took out a charm from his home land of Mozambique.

• Diogo: I cannot go back. I cannot give up. I cannot fail.

He punched his right fist into the ground. The next morning, Diogo was woken up by a knock on the door.

• Diogo: (sighs)

Diogo quickly got up and went to open the door, where he was greeted by a large man.

• Kuma: Diogo. Lady Oichi would like to meet you. You may approach.

As Kuma moved away, Diogo saw the lady looking at him from a distance. Diogo approached her with a bow.

• Kuma: Lady Oichi, younger sister of Lord Nobunaga. Diogo, the visitor from—
• Lady Oichi: Oh, everyone knows Diogo. He's so, so...
• Diogo: Different?
• Lady Oichi: Tall! I heard you had some trouble last night with samurai from Master Masatoyo's school.
• Diogo: Yes. I... I did not know who they were.
• Lady Oichi: They have come to Azuchi with their master, Sanada Masatoyo, to pledge their fealty to my brother.
• Diogo: It was not my intention to make trouble.

Diogo walked with Oichi.

• Lady Oichi: The way I heard it, they were the ones making trouble. And you came to the defense of a woman they were harassing. That was noble. I wanted to meet this foreigner who would stand up for someone of no consequence to himself. I know my brother took you into his service. But what brought you here to begin with?
• Diogo: The Portuguese.
• Lady Oichi: Hmm... You sound bitter.
• Diogo: No, not anymore. Whatever will come of my time here, I am ready. Lord Nobunaga is a great man.
• Lady Oichi: It must be lonely, far from your family and home.
• Diogo: Over the years, I have learned to live this way.
• Lady Oichi: Do you have a wife, children? Parents, perhaps? We could send for them.
• Diogo: I—uh. That is not possible.
• Lady Oichi: What really brought you here? How long will you stay? What makes a man leave all he has known to come so far? Who are you really, Diogo?
• Diogo: Forgive me, Lady Oichi. I must depart.

Diogo gave a bow.

• Lady Oichi: Then before you go, we have a gift for you.

A female servant came over with a kosode.

• Lady Oichi: This kosode was made by the woman you saved last night. She wanted you to have it.

Diogo accepted the gift.

• Diogo: I am honored.

Lady Oicho then departed with the servant and Kuma. Diogo later changed into the kosode and returned to train with Nobutsuna. In his first session, he was easily beat down by the teacher.

• Diogo: (grunts)
• Nobutsuna: You betray your intentions at every step.

At night, Nobutsuna also trained Diogo in calligraphy. After finishing, Diogo presented it to Nobutsuna, who was not impressed and tore it up. Diogo continued these sessions in the next few days, each being met in failure. A few times, the Sanada-ryu students came to watch and mock his training. Diogo persisted and continued, occasionally conducting meditations and sparred with Nobutsuna in the rain. Despite being hit in the ground, Diogo refused to give up and stood up, ready to face his master again. Eventually, Diogo grew a beard. Soon, his calligraphy work was accepted by Nobutsuna, and he was able to block all of Nobutsuna's attacks and hit him in the back, stunning the Sanada-ryu students.

• Diogo: My apologies, sensei.
• Nobutsuna: No need. You did not react, you responded. Good.

The two duelists bowed to each other in respect. Later that evening, Diogo was in his residence when he heard noise coming from the outside. As he looked out, he saw a Jesuit priest spying on him. The priest, having been realized, quickly ran away.

• Diogo: Hey!

Diogo stood up and gave chase.

• Diogo: Quem és tu? (Who are you?)
• Jesuit Priest: Lamento! (I'm sorry!)

They ran past the Eastern Barracks.

• Diogo: Para! (Stop!)
• Jesuit Priest: Deixe-me em paz! (Leave me alone!)
• Diogo: Por que estás atrás de mim? (Why are you watching me?)

The priest reached a dead end, allowing Diogo to catch up.

• Diogo: Quem que te enviou? Valignano? Os outros? (Who sent you? Was it Valignano? Or was it the others?)
• Jesuit Priest: O quê? Não sei o que estás a dizer! (What? I don't know what you mean!)
• Diogo: Por que que andas a espiar-me?! (Why are you spying on me?!)
• Jesuit Priest: Lamento. A minha curiosidade— (I'm sorry. My curiosity—)
• Diogo: Para de mentir. (Stop lying.)
• Jesuit Priest: Tinha como missão negociar com o clã Oda a construção de uma igreja nas redondezas. (I was to negotiate with the Oda clan about building a church nearby.)
• Diogo: Estavas a observar-me. (You were watching me.)
• Jesuit Priest: Fiquei surpreendido por ver como tu num lugar deste. Não devia ter sido entreolhado. Perdoa me. (I was surprised to see a man like you in a place like this. I should not have stared. Please forgive me.)

Diogo eventually accepted the priest's words. After a season, Diogo heard a knock on the door. He opened up and was greeted by Marume Nagayoshi.

• Nagayoshi: Nobutsuna sensei summons you, Diogo.
• Diogo: Oh. I thought we had finished for the day.
• Nagayoshi: Indeed.

Marume Nagayoshi took his leave while Diogo made his way to Nobutsuna's residence.

• Diogo: What does the sensei want with me at this time of night?

He passed by the Training Grounds.

• Diogo: So peaceful and quiet now. Unlike the day.

He soon reached the residence, which was tightly guarded by a number of samurai.

• Diogo: Who are these people? What is this?

The samurai at the door stood aside, signaling Diogo to enter. Diogo entered and found a noble lady looking at a sword display inside. She turned around, revealing herself as Lady Nene.

• Lady Nene: Enter, Diogo.
• Diogo: Lady Nene. My apologies, I did not expect you.

The samurai closed the door behind them.

• Lady Nene: Please, sit. I wish to speak with you while your sensei is away.

Diogo sat down at the table.

• Diogo: Nobutsuna sensei does not know you are here?
• Lady Nene: You are loyal, Diogo. Good. But we need not burden him with politics of a visit by Lord Hideyoshi's wife. You are fortunate, Diogo. You need allies at Azuchi, and Nobutsuna sensei is valuable.
• Diogo: His training has been grueling.
• Lady Nene: That is why Lord Nobunaga chose him. There is no one better to test your strength, your skill, and most of all, your loyalty. Lord Nobunaga was also a student of Nobutsuna sensei's teachings. Long ago. A devoted student with an unshakable belief in himself. That confidence blinds him to certain dangers. He has many enemies. More than even he knows. He needs someone like you.

Lady Nene picked up the sheathed katana on the wall.

• Diogo: Because of my size? My strength?
• Lady Nene: No. A humble man. Like the ashigaru Lord Nobunaga is so fond of. Unencumbered by the jealousies and politicking of samurai and daimyo (lords). Nobutsuna sensei was once that for Lord Nobunaga.

Lady Nene sat down while holding the sword. and then placed it on the table.

• Lady Nene: Lord Nobunaga once gifted Nobutsuna sensei a prized katana. A reward for his teachings. But a champion from a rival school, Sanada Masatoyo's school, challenged Nobutsuna's champion for the sword and won. This defeat dishonored Nobutsuna sensei and, he feels, diminished him in the eyes of Lord Nobunaga. Those samurai who mocked you are from that same rival school. Masatoyo is their sensei.
• Diogo: I begin to understand.

Lady Nene stood up. and headed for the door.

• Lady Nene: Tomorrow, Lord Nobunaga returns to Azuchi. Masatoyo will swear allegiance to him at a ceremony.

Nene's follower brought a sword.

• Lady Nene: Masatoyo will make sure to wear Nobutsuna's katana at his belt.

Diogo stood up and accepted the katana from the samurai. He then gave it a good look.

• Diogo: For all to see.
• Lady Nene: Tomorrow is about loyalty. Something Lord Nobunaga values above all else.

Lady Nene then left the residence.

• Diogo: Loyalty.

That night, Diogo brought the sword to the training ground and pondered over Nene's words.

• Nobutsuna: A new katana, I see.

Nobutsuna came from behind. Diogo immediately bowed as a greeting.

• Diogo: It was a gift from Lady Nene.
• Nobutsuna: It is rare to see you out of your room at this hour. Something troubles you.

Diogo said nothing for a moment.

• Nobutsuna: No matter. Let us see how you wield that blade.

Nobutsuna went up to the platform and turned around to face Diogo who's was at the ground. He then drew his shinai and took a still position.

• Nobutsuna: Follow my movement.

Diogo took kata lessons from Nobutsuna, training his movement and form. He did so until dawn, and managed to fully learn the art.

• Nobutsuna: I must go now, Diogo. Continue the movements until your thoughts no longer trouble you.

Diogo bowed.

• Diogo: Thank you, Nobutsuna sensei.

As Nobutsuna left, Diogo practiced the kata one more time.

• Diogo: Benevolence. Righteousness. Courtesy. Wisdom. Integrity. Courage. This is what it means to take up the sword. This is who I am.

Just then, he noticed a young boy behind him wielding a shinai and practicing kata just like he does.

• Akira: I will be a warrior like you.
• Diogo: I am still learning, myself. Nobutsuna sensei is a true master.
• Akira: My grandfather was a warrior. I wanted to be like him too. His name was Yasuke. He was brave, but also kind. When anyone needed something, they would call, "Yasuke! Yasuke!" And he would always help. And, and... and I miss him. And he was brave.
• Diogo: It is good to remember your grandfather Yasuke. We should always act such that we are remembered well.
• Akira: Yes. But I also want to be like you!

Akira ran off, leaving Diogo to ponder over the name mentioned by the boy.

• Diogo: Yasuke. Hm...

Later that night, Nobunaga arrived at the castle, with a ceremony being held for Sanada Masatoyo to pledge loyalty to his clan. Nobutsuna was also present and saw Diogo coming in.

• Masatoyo: Lord Oda Nobunaga.
• Nobutsuna: Diogo, not now!

Diogo ignored his pleas and went in.

• Masatoyo: I present this helmet... as a sign of my school's undying loyalty. Please accept this gift, my lord.

Diogo came to the front where Masatoyo was and bowed in front of Nobunaga, just as Masatoyo noticed and stood up.

• Nobunaga: Diogo! Speak.
• Diogo: I... I challenge Masatoyo's champion to a duel. I will win back my mentor's sword.
• Masatoyo: Outrageous! This barbarian is no samurai. He has no right to—

Nobunaga stopped him with a hand signal.

• Nobunaga: Samurai or not, I permit this duel. No, I command it.
• Masatoyo: Yes, lord! But lord... My champion defeated three students. Can he do the same?
• Diogo: Send three or thirty, it matters not. I will take that sword back.

Nobunaga nodded and acknowledged Diogo's response. Masatoyo placed the sword on a display and then signaled his students to get ready. As a samurai prepared a shinai, Diogo stopped him.

• Diogo: No.

Diogo drew the katana he received from Lady Nene.

• Diogo: We fight with steel.

The Sanada-ryu students who beat down on Diogo before drew their swords. Nobunaga laughed, then clapped his hand.

• Oda Nobunaga: Begin.

The students began attacking Diogo.

• Diogo: You said I would know your katana. Come on, then!
• Sanada-ryu Student 1: I will relish watching you die in shame.
• Oda Nobunaga: (laughs) Good, good! My man shows both skill and power.
• Nobutsuna: Do not react. Respond.

Diogo listened to his words and managed to kill one of the students, causing the remaining to panic.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: Masatoyo sensei, what now?
• Masatoyo: You were born into the house of the warrior! Grasp your sword and kill!

Some time later, Diogo killed the remaining students. He wiped the blood off his sword using his clothes before sheathing it. Having won the duel, Diogo went to the front where the helmet and sword were displayed.

• Diogo: I will have that.

Masatoyo stood aside. Diogo retrieved Nobutsuna's sword and returned to his side, kneeling down to present the weapon.

• Diogo: It is an honor to return your katana, sensei.

Nobutsuna accepted the sword and Diogo soon got up. After bowing, Diogo went back to Nobunaga's side, giving him a full bow. Nobunaga's retainer Mori Ranmaru and Akira were also in attendance.

• Oda Nobunaga: Diogo, you have proven your loyalty and valor. What's more, you have earned your place next to me. As a samurai. What shall we call you, samurai?

After some thought, Diogo responded.

• Diogo: My name... is Yasuke.

Some time after the faithful event, Yasuke visited his mentor at the Training Ground.

• Nobutsuna: Yasuke, join me.

Yasuke joined his mentor at the platform around his bonsai.

• Yasuke: This tree remains my favorite in all of Azuchi.
• Nobutsuna: Cultivating a bonsai is about guiding its proportion, its balance, and its maturation. But the tree itself must also want to develop. A gardener can only guide the tree so far.
• Yasuke: My hope is to remain worthy of your guidance, sensei.
• Nobutsuna: You are more than worthy. You have come from a faraway land, shaken off bondage, and mastered our tongue. Foreign samurai are unheard of, yet you were chosen by the great Lord Nobunaga. I don't know what Lord Nobunaga saw in you when he first sent you, but I am glad that he did. You may yet prove to be the most promising student to ever study Shinkage-ryu.

Yasuke bowed to expressed his gratefulness for the praise.

• Yasuke: You honor me, Nobutsuna sensei.

Nobutsuna took out a list and gave it to Yasuke.

• Nobutsuna: That is a list of names. The greatest students from across my many years of teaching. They will push you harder than I can. And if you can defeat them, you will be the true champion of my school. When you are ready, open that scroll and read those names. But only when you are truly ready.
• Yasuke: I will challenge these students. And whoever wins, the victory is yours, sensei.

Outcome

Diogo trained under Nobutsuna. After impressing Nobunaga in a duel against Masatoyo's students to win back Nobutsuna's sword, Nobunaga proclaimed him one of his samurai, allowing him to adopt the name of Yasuke. Nobutsuna later presented Yasuke with a list of his top students to defeat to become the Shinkage-ryu school champion.