ALEXIS' POV

'Are we there yet?'

Earlier, we had to reach the Takeda forces. Now that we were united with them, we moved as fast as an army could. 

"We'll be there soon. The fighting is just a few hours ride ahead of us," Yukimura explained to us after he came back from scouting the area ahead of us.

"Good scouting work. And you, Alexis, good job holding up. Are you tired?"

I was riding in the most protected part of the formation as Shingen intended. He and Yukimura, who rode just ahead of me, turned to see how I was doing. 

"I'm okay, thanks."

Sora barked happily since he wasn't tired either, I guess he was determined to get to Kenshin just as I am.

'Besides, I need to hold on until I see Kenshin. It'll be soon!'

I put some of that nervous energy into shaking the knots out of my body. It had been a long ride.

"Nobunaga's forces arrived the day before yesterday."

"So, the fighting's already started."

I mumbled before I  thought to myself.

'I hope against hope that all of them are somehow all right.'

"I'm surprised Kennyo is lasting this long against Kenshin," Yukimura commented.

"He's switched to defensive tactics, but, if you ask me he's up to something."

Shingen cut his words off with a frown. Yukimura and I urged him to continue.

"Like what?"

"Do you think he's trying to buy time?"

Yukimura and I asked him.

"I'm not making any definitive statements until I see the field. But, there's some activity in the surrounding area I don't like."

'I really hope he isn't right.'

I thought to myself before Sora started barking in the direction that's in front of us.

"What is it, Sora?" Yukimura asked him.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the front ranks.

'What's going on? One of our people is riding this way, fast.'

"Lord Shingen, there's detachment of Oda troops just ahead!"

The messenger shouted as he came to a quick stop. 

"They're led by Akechi Mituhide and Ishida Mitsunari. They're not showing signs of aggression." 

My eyes widen in shock when I heard the news.

'Mitsuhide and Mitsunari are here?'

"So, they're just riding to meet us? why?" Yukimura asked the messenger.

"I can't imagine them turning their back on the greater battle to come after us."

Yukimura and Shingen galloped to the front of the line.

'This, I have to see.'

I told myself before I moved my horse to get a better look at the approaching Oda forces. They halted at the signal from Mitsuhide. 

"Takeda soldiers, we request a peaceful parlay with your Lord. We have no intention to fight."

Even I could hear Mitsuhide's deep voice as it crossed the distance. Mitsunari stopped beside him, both of them watching the Takeda to see their response. 

'What did they come here for?'

I asked myself before Shingen spoke up.

"Let's parlay."

Shingen raised a hand, and as one, the Takeda came to a halt and lowered their weapons. If you don't make trouble, then neither will we. So, what's on your mind?"

Shingen's voice was as easygoing as if they met on the street. But, the way he carried his body spoke of readiness. 

"Before we get started." 

"We'd like to request that Alexis be a part of our discussion," Mitsunari finished his sentence.

'They knew I'd be here?!'

I shouted in my head with a surprised look on my face. I didn't think they could see me. They weren't even looking my way.

"How did you know she's here with us?" Yukimura asked them.

"While your Lord Shingen's information network is enviable vast, I daresay we have a few talented spies of our own."

Mitushide smiled as he spoke. He was enjoying the expression on Yukimura's face as one might enjoy fine wine.

"Alexis, if you'd be so kind as to join us? This conversation seems to involve you."

"I'm on my way."

I trotted my horse through the formation until I reached the front with Sora following me. 

"Alexis, it's been some time since my visit to Echigo."

"Yes. And Mitushide, it's been even longer since I saw you."

"Too long perhaps. You were a naughty girl, running away from Azuchi like that."

I chuckled nervously when he told me this.

"Sorry...but, I had no choice, Nobunaga was driving me crazy and he planned to bring me to the battlefield with him."

'Although, I ended up there anyway after taking a wrong turn and here we are.'

I thought to myself before Mitsuhide spoke up.

"While I'd be delighted to catch up, we have pressing matters to discuss."

"Alexis, Lord Shingen, Lord Yukimura, let's retire to a place where we can speak."

We left both armies to ride a short distance and talk in private. 

"All right, we're all here," Shingen spoke up.

"I shall get right to the point. Kennyo's pressuring the local daimyo to encircle Kenshin, cutting off all retreat to kill him. Several armies are converging now. This tempestuous battlefield is about to become a death trap."

The three of us were shocked by the news and I thought to myself.

'If they encircle Kenshin, we won't be able to reach him!'

The news hit me and Yukimura harder than it did to Shingen. 

"That explains all the activity my spies have been observing," Shingen mumbled.

'Kenshin will be literally surrounded by enemies. This is way worse than a three-way war. The whole country is turning on him now.'

Yukimura frowned and he said to us.

"Why are these daimyo listening to anything Kennyo has to say?"

Mitsunari answered with a calm matter-of-factness.

"Kenshin declaring his intent to conquer lands he previously showed no interest in has destabilized the area. He's already laid a swath of destruction behind him. Those in this region fear they are next."

"So, they'd be willing to side with anyone they think can stop Kenshin," I spoke in a worried tone.

"Precisely, Kennyo is playing to the fears of the daimyo."

Sora whimpered when Mitsuhide told us this.

'How does this situation keep getting worse?!'

I asked myself before Mitsunari spoke up.

"Kenshin's belligerence is making him many new enemies, as well as those already seeking revenge. Before, few of those enemies were brave enough to challenge him and risk reprisal."

"What changed? is it just Kennyo or is it something else?" I asked the two Mitsus.

"Kenshin's growing increasingly reckless. They must think now is their chance to take down a god. The fools. Revenge won't bring back the dead," Shingen sighed bitterly.

"Judging the cost to be too great, the Oda forces have decided to withdraw from this conflict. Lord Nobunaga has already disbanded his camp and is on his way back to Azuchi. Mitsunari and I took this route back in hopes of encountering you, Lord Shingen," Mitsuhide explained to us.

"All to warn us about Kennyo's plan? Why? How does helping us serve your interests?" Shingen asked Mitsuhide as he eyed at him speculatively.

'That's true. If they're retreating, you'd think they'd only be interested in the outcome of the battle and I can't see Nobunaga trying to help Kenshin out of any affection for the man.'

I thought to myself before Mitushide told us.

"Lord Nobunaga is concerned about the impact of Lord Kenshin's defeat. If a man of his influence falls to a disorderly mob, that could reenergize this period of war."

'...that means Kenshin's death could trigger another 100 years of war?'

It made sense. The last and latest march of the God of War had changed the landscape of Japan both physically and emotionally. 

"So, you're dumping the problem on us while you wait and see who wins?" Yukimura asked him.

"I expected you'd be pleased to have the information since you're already entering the fray."

"It's unfortunate but, this is all we can do for you."

Mitsunari told us as he took a piece of paper out and offered it to Shingen. 

"And what's this?" Shingen asked him as he accepted the letter.

"This is all our intelligence about the size and compositions of the armies participating. I'm sure you already possess some of this information, Lord Shingen, but I hope you can make use of what we've gathered."

Shingen glanced at the letter and then back at Mitsunari.

"Normally, I'd turn down any Oda bearing gifts but, this is an emergency, so this one time, I'll accept it. You have my gratitude," Shingen told him as he put away the paper.

"We have to tell Kenshin he's going to be surrounded while he still has time to retreat," I told the others and Sora barked in agreement.

"Unfortunately, just getting this information to him won't be enough to get him to stop."

"He's more likely to see it as an opportunity to crush everyone at once."

Shingen and Yukimura spoke up.

"But, he doesn't really stand a chance against EVERYONE, does he?"

I wondered if Kenshin was truly on the verge of forcing himself into an unwinnable battle. Judging by the dour expressions, no one was going to give me the comforting news I was wrong.

"Not by my estimations," Mitushide spoke up. 

"If the Uesugi forces were at their peak; he might actually have a shot at it." Mitsunari told us.

"Yeah, I don't these pea-sized daiymos would be any challenge for Lord Kenshin. But, Lord Kenshin's not himself, and that changes things," Yukimura spoke with a small frown on his face.

I looked away with a worried look and I asked myself.

'Kenshin...how can we save you?'

Shingen saw the look in my eyes and he said to me.

"Don't worry Princess. This doesn't change our plan."

"And what is our plan?" I asked him.

"I'm going to deliver you safely to Kenshin. Information won't stop him, but you can. And if you do that, then we all win. If we get there before the circle is complete, we all pull out together. If it's after we fight our way through together,"Shingen told me with a smile.

'Shingen's right. I may not be able to fight this battle with a sword, but, I know I don't need that to get through to Kenshin. We only have so much time before his fear causes him to break completely. 

I thought to myself before I looked at Shingen.

"Sounds like a plan. If Kenshin returns to his right mind, the God of War will emerge victorious from any fight!"

"That's the spirit."

"I won't lose either."

'I made a promise to hold him and reassure him and I'm going to do that.'

I thought to myself with a confident smile on my face. It was strange, but, saying it aloud solidified my resolve. 

"Alexis, Kenshin doesn't know it, but, what he's seeking is death in battle. His only reason left to live is you."