Completed Nobunaga's Ambition 14: Kagetora's Revenge

[RK47]

Fire spreads

Spoiler

Sawada attackers are retreating as ordered!

Good.

Alert! Alkeides has encountered opposition in Kagone!

How did they get there so quickly? No matter! Order a breakthrough!

More enemy from the north!

I shall respond!

An order to attack? Very well! Men! To me! Faith and steel, hand in hand!

Never falter! Concentrate!

Cast your arrows all you want villain! PIERCING CHARGE!

The enemy attempts to buy some time, to no avail.

Hurry! We must not let that unit get past us!

Lord Kagetora! The Hojo has responded to the incursion into Numata!

How many?

10,000 from the north, 3,000 from the west.

Maintain course.

Meanwhile to the north...

I sense an opportunity. Second unit! Intercept!

Back in Kogane...

By the nine hells! I've failed to stop them! I've let them past?!

No regrets! Lay siege to Kogane! Prevent any more forces coming to reinforce the south!

Lord Kagetora, our rearguard has engaged an enemy of 8,000!

Instruct them to delay until my arrival! We march!

Bishamonten be praised, I have arrived. Behold my wrath!

Flee before my righteous fury!

 

[RK47]

Piercing Karma at Kogane!

Spoiler

WHAT'S THAT? THEY'RE SAILING ACROSS THE RIVER TO FITE ME?! OH YEAH LET'S DO THIS, BITCHES! COME ON! MATE! WE BEEN HANDED A CANDY BAR AND WE GONNA EAT IT AND SMASH THEIR FACES! SET FORTH N SET FISTS TO SMASH!

Kogane...

They've arrived. Sagetsusai and Alkeides is in position to blockade. LundB may not make it in time.

They'll have to do.

Oh man..

What is it?

The Hojo force of 10,000 that slipped past Alkeides is now turning back for a pincer attack!

Kuso. Warn Alkeides of the pincer attack! How are the situation in Numata?

Siege is underway. A tribe of 3,200 has arrived to help out.

Good. I'm guessing progress is slow in Yuri's front?

We couldn't get any more reinforcements to his side. It'd be hard for him to break through on his own.

Understood. Let him think through it by himself. He works better when he's mad.

FITE FITE FITE!

KOJIMA! PROVOKE THOSE BASTARDS ! NO MORE TRICKS!

It's OGRE BITCH!

YURI SMASH!

PUSH ON MATE! WE GETTING THAT CASTLE! ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!

Incredibly, the Hojo forces were not concerned with stopping the brute's advance.
While in the north.

HALT! The enemy is fleeing! Do not lose sight of Kitajo! Return to our outpost!

Tsk..I'm getting impatient...

Kogane Castle, same time...

Men! Hold strong! We will retreat and deal with the incoming reinforcements first!

Sage-san! Just in time!

A double piercing formation would make short work of that newcomer; what say you, Monk?

Agreed. We will combine our strength in one joint attack!

Work quickly then! More are coming! PIERCE!

They're coming for a frontal charge at the Hojo's Elite? FOOLS! We won't lose that easily! Unleash the War Cry and prepare your weapons!

Fire your weapons! Cut them down!

Kid! They're shooting at you! Back off!

Shit, the other unit's here! I'll take this one, you take that red one!

A mere monk wishes to take me on? What lunacy!? Not even God can save you now!

No divine intervention necessary today. I've let you off once, never again. PIERCING STRIKE!

Ha! Well delayed kid!

No! NO! I've LOST?!

Your arrogance is your downfall, ingrate.

Only one unit remain! Regroup!

 

[RK47]

Descend!

Spoiler

Try not to take too many losses.

I'll do my best.

Gentlemen.

Who is this newcomer? No matter! Men! Prepare for close combat!

FOOL! IT'S OVER WHEN THE DRAGON DESCENDS!

More fools approach...

Elsewhere in the south...

HEY! STOP RUNNING!

In the north...

Challenging me to a battle? Very well.

Plains, south of Kogane.

You will not pass!

The two armies exchanged fierce blows...

Curses, he took out quite a lot with that attack...

An enemy is coming from the north! 3900-strong!

Order Yorinaga Tendo to intercept.

The rest of you! We must capture this Castle quickly!

 

[RK47]

The Hunger for Battle

Spoiler

Fugg, yuri's been played, mates...we running low on food.

But that's okay, we gonna raze Motosakura for food.

You are nothing before us!

Let me handle this!

Like I'll stand aside and let you have the credit!

Suit yourself!

The enemy general roared in defiance and ordered a charge.

Irrelevant!

Push on towards Motosakura to cut off that fleeing unit!

Omega, it's time for the hammer blow. Activate Utsunomiya's garrison of 14,000!

Yes, sir!

With this push...the West, Central and South is finished. *clenches fist*

What of the north, Lord Kagetora?

Ah yes..To the north...

Enemy General! You stand face to face against Nagao Clan's Defense manager!

Kageie Kakizaki will crush your defiance!

PIERCE THROUGH THEM!

You're all talk, old man! Open fire!

TRIBESMEN! RAPID ASSAULT!

CHARGE!

DO NOT FLINCH!

Ninjas! Sow confusion among the enemy ranks!

What?!

NO ESCAPE!

I...won't...LOSE!

NO RETREAT! LONG LIVE MEN OF THE NORTH!

Both armies charged at each other till none are left standing.

Kuh! BLAST IT! I'll remember this!

Damn it! Lord Kagetora will be displeased...

And then it is all quiet in the north.

 

[RK47]

Escalation

Spoiler

No. I shan't be shamed like this! Unleash the men from Kitajo! Form up with the remaining unit to take Matsudai Castle! GO!

Harumasa Nanbu suffered a slight set-back in an encounter with the enemy's forces. Both his and the enemy's army are routed. He is now planning a counter attack on Mitsudai Castle.

That won't work. But it might create a diversion. I approve. Omega. More men from the rear line please.

At once. 7,300 dispatched from Shiono Castle.

Situation in Moriyama?

Secured.

Move on towards Motosakura.

What shall we do with the captured officers?

Recruit the willing, execute the rest.

What news of our force at Numata?

They are... surrounded, there is no avenue to escape. Shall I send a unit for relief? They're just a month away...

No. Redirect them towards Koga Palace. We will take it.

But those men will be annihilated.

The price of victory. Execute my orders.

Yorinaga has engaged the force of 3,900 from Sekiyado!

Yorinaga is victorious!

Onward, to Castle Sekiyado.

There is no escape for the force in Numata.

But they've bought the rest precious time. Your sacrifice shall never be forgotten. Take Koga Palace at all cost!

DO NOT FALTER! MEN OF THE NORTH!

Lord Kagetora, the defenders have surrendered!

Soon.

 

[RK47]

Collapse at Kanto

Spoiler

Iron Yuri ordered an attack on a second Hojo castle in the south.
Only to be beaten to the charge by LundB

Your help ain't needed!

m88888888888888888!

This friendly rivalry is deadly to the Hojo forces who had to endure defeat after defeat to the two aces. Close to the central, the Hojo could not longer muster any more relief as Nagao Clan closes in for the siege.

Even in the north, the outnumbered defenders of Matsudai sees little chance of help coming.

Hah! I'll seize that city and redeem my honor! Men! To me! We must stop the Hojo forces returning from Sawada!

Elsewhere, the Ogre is having a feast.

Go on! Eat our fill!

Sekiyado defenders of 1,500 made a pathetic last stand. While Koga awaits a three-pronged attack to arrive

Destroy.

Onward! To Koga Castle!

Elsewhere in the north, Hojo force of 6,900 responds to the attack.

While the distraction force in Numata begin to crumble.

Do not let those sacrifices be in vain! Attack together now!

Looks like our end is near. Fight bravely! Do not dishonor the clan!

It took 8,000 losses to subdue this Hojo's elite.

Rearguards, lay siege and the rest of you: move onward!

To the south Hojo forces attempts to lift the siege.

You boys stay here...I'll be right back.

It's ogre, mates.

In the central, another siege took place against a Hojo castle.

Late October 1557, eventually last of Numata attackers were routed, but it was a hollow victory for the struggling Hojo Forces.

More men! To Edo!

Blockade the passage to their castles! Cut them off! Kanto is ours!

October 1557 was an especially harsh month for the Hojo forces.

 

[RK47]

Decline of Hojo

Spoiler

The Hojo forces at Numata finished dealing with the threat, but unsure whether to contribute further to the conflict in central Kanto.

Elsewhere in the North, Hojo relief forces could not dislodge the besiegers at Matsudai. While a returning force of 5,800 from Sawada was greeted by 10,000 on the shore.

Realizing the futility of their attempt, the Hojo relief force at Matsudai eventually retreats, leaving the lone castle to its fate.

In central Kanto, the unthinkable is happening in multiple locations. Hojo Castles were besieged almost everywhere. The remaining forces were unable to gather a meaningful resistances as all paths to relief were blockaded.

Even the Southern Hojo territory was not spared.

But more of Hojo forces continue to pour forth from the West.

But nothing matters anymore to the defenders at Matsudai, the castle commander ordered a surrender as no signs of relief came.

Elsewhere, the defenders of Oyami watch helplessly as the Ogre of Otawara pillaged the countryside surrounding the castle to feed his troops.

Despite the numbers being mustered from the west, Hojo's relief forces are still imperiled by the apparent lack of quality commanders leading the troops.

A fatal decision that spelled the needless loss of 10,000 men outside Iwatsuki.

They'll be here soon. Be ready.

In the north, Harumasa Nanbu seeks to regain his honor.

No survivors! Annihilate them!

In the midst of battle, good news came from the South.

Another castle is about to be besieged by the Nagao Clan.

Omega, deal with the western relief.

I shall deal with the north myself.

Just further to the south, Sagetsusai's unit of 2,800 men finally reached their limit.

It did not dampen the courage of his comrades fighting in the north...

Overwhelm them!

Did you hear that?! The end of Hojo is near! Keep up the pressure!

Are you still hungry?! I AM!

Men of the north! ATTACK!

A force of possibly 30,000 troops approaches. We must be quick in dealing with this initial defenders of 5,000!

Still bearing down on us? Very well. Let battle be joined!

 

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[RK47]

Slow December

Spoiler

Late 1557, the Nagao offensive is beginning to lose steam.

The force at Kasaguyama will not be able to succeed without shedding a lot of blood. Even more worrying is the enemy's ally lurking from the west. Perhaps a withdrawal is necessary.

Elsewhere, a force of 20,000 Hojo samurais arrive to defend its territory.

The enemy is poorly trained! Do not fear!

In the confusion of the battle, Hojo reinforcements arrive side by side with LundB's unit.

Like lambs to the slaughter.

Step aside, Champion coming through!

You have no hope of stopping me, the Western Ace!

The insane battle costed LundB 2,000 of his soldiers. It was well worth it, the Hojo unit lost 15,000.

Stand back! I'll finish this!

Your quantity can never beat my quality.

Elsewhere, Yuri performed an off-screen death for one of the Hojo's officer.

Though the situation is favorable to us, I must confess I am unsure of pressing the advantage further.

It may be prudent. We've lost more than 40% of our forces so far, mostly in the north.

How is the north?

They've launched into a full offensive on both Hojo stronghold but is encountering stiff resistance.

And the south?

Yuri is calling in more men from the newly captured castles to help in the offense.

Crude, but timely action.

In the central, we've made gains towards Edo.

Let us maintain and further monitor the developments.

Eventually in late December, the Northern campaign was called off. The siege at Sakato and Kasugayama was abandoned.

Yet the Northern army refused to spare the retreating Hojo men from Sawada.

It was a bloody and costly fight. But none of the Hojo men made it back to their own territory.

 

[RK47]

Unhappy New Year

Spoiler

Hojo forces arrives to defend Edo.

It can't be helped. Withdraw for now. We need to regroup.

Our retreating northern forces are cut off in the mountain pass between Sakato and Matsudai. They will have to break through.

Force a breakthrough to avoid annihilation.

The retreating force broke through with 2,000 men lost.
Elsewhere in the south, progress is slow, but steady.

A prize defection was also secured.

Shit. Can I really break through here?

We march for Kururi Castle!

Impatient. It might not succeed... but at least we'll empty its garrison. Hojo's army is starting to slow down, but so are we.

Yo! They've abandoned Edo! I repeat they are going after Yuri!

Hit Edo with all you got!

Fuck, 7,000 got away! It's Yuri's problem now.

Elsewhere...

Outta da way, mate.

Mates! Hurry up and siege the castle, Imma stop that 8,000 strong army by myself!

Trying to break through? Foolishness.

We've done what we can. Send a token force to assist Yuri. I'm not very helpful we'll make it in time, but we owe him that much.

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

Beyond Kanto, how much does hojo have?

 

[RK47]

Beyond Kanto, how much does hojo have?

They must've taken Imagawa's Sunpu and other prosperous coastal cities, around 4-5 of them.
They also control most of the Western Echizen and Kai. I really hate taking down those mountain forts cause it's slow and the rewards are just piss-poor. Bulldozing their Kanto cities shd kill them in the long run. Probably can't even form a coalition against them ever again. Not that I need to.

 

[RK47]

Forward Onward

Spoiler

Nagao Clan pushes further into Hojo's territory and moved their main base of operations to Otawara Castle. A small patch of northern territory fell out of direct control as a result and had to be delegated

Yet direct control of the newly captured Hojo Castles proved useful in providing fresh reinforcements.

Something that Yuri & Co. could use more of in the south as he now attempts to prevent Hojo reinforcements interfering with his siege.

The first batch of 5,300 was dispatched with no problems.

Only 2,100 men left. Will it be sufficient to take on the next 7,200 troops?

In the central, more garrisons were emptied from Nagao's territory. Their target is Oshi and Kawagoe Castle.

Follow me lead! We march for Kawagoe!

To the south, Yuri faces down a troop that is nearly four times as strong as his.

No fear m8s. No problems!

His insane words proved true as his remaining 442 men stood victorious against the 7,200.

You got rekt, m8.

His victory was ensured the siege's completion at Kururi and Mangi Castle.

A perfect opportunity to replenish his depleted army.
Just across the sea, Lund is battling Hojo defenders at Misaki Castle.

He dealt with the enemy one at a time.

That's not gonna work.

More good news from the south: another Castle has fallen.

It was a bad month for the Hojo as Nagao Clan's forces piled into Oshi Castle.

Takasuke Nasu, a Hojo General refused to yield.

He was given an honorable death.

 

[RK47]

Unstoppable

Spoiler

Taking 5000 men from Kururi Castle, Yuri is ready to march onward.
While from the rear, more reinforcements were called into action.

Strings of victories followed...

Until...

Better keep track of that huge army's direction..where is it going?

Certainly did not expect that...

 

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Hunger

Spoiler

Kagetora-sama, we've re-established our distant diplomacy. Shall we reform our coalition?

No. Not yet. We don't need their help for now.

What of the prisoners that are uncooperative?

They've chosen their path. End it.

One of the Takeda general left behind a war manual.

....Thank you, Takeda. If you will not aid me in life, then you shall in the afterlife.

Omega, commence diplomacy with the Hatakeyama Clan and establish a two year alliance with the Ouchi. Send an envoy as well to the Chosokabe to court them to our side.

Leave the Chosokabe to me.

Send gifts to hasten the results.

I'm sure you will see the results soon!

Now, how is the current progress of our war?

We're pushing them back on Tamanawa, Odawara and making a move towards Fuji Yoshida.

And the force of 16,000?

Do not worry, we will have it surrounded and destroyed next month.

I see... what about the grain?

We...have enough to feed roughly 10,000 men for three months.

How many men do we have on the field?

50,000. Give or take.

I see. We have to stop soon. Tell the men to redouble their efforts. I want the north to secure two more castles, while the South focus their effort on Odawara and Fuji Yoshida.

Yes, Sir! We are also running short of horses.

Mouths to feed. Mares to ride. A truce will buy us half a year. I won't call it until the four castles are flying our banners.

 

[RK47]

Not Greedy

Spoiler

An abandoned policy?

The improved militia costed us lots of coin. I'm afraid our treasury can support it no longer.

Mmmm, without the grain to sell we have no options anyway. Alright. I shan't be greedy. Capture Odawara, Fuji Yoshida, and Sakato Castle before declaring a truce.

It shall be done.

 

[RK47]

 

[RK47]

Enough

Spoiler

Alright that is sufficient. Let us call a truce.

The truce came into effect immediately, both sides, exhausted from months of fighting make the long march back to their own territories.

There is no doubt that Hojo has suffered a major blow to their power base in Kanto.
Kagetora saw fit to rule from within Kanto itself, specifically Utsunomiya Castle.

Half a year will not be enough time for the Hojo to rebuild what was lost. Not to mention the possibility of the Imagawa vying to reclaim their lost territory.

The drought proved to be a minor setback, in fact - Kagetora appreciate the heightened price on supplies.

He sold a small part of his stock and replenished his stables with war horses.
Once those had been dealt with, came the planning for next year's return to battle as well as a list of officers to study and assign.

And conscription to carry out.

More supplies were called from the rear provinces.

And a new northern province was created to maintain the defense against any possible incursion form the Northwest.

 

[RK47]

Time doesn't stop

Spoiler

The income from Kanto as well as other provinces powered the Nagao War Machine.

Many expansions, roadworks, and castle upgrades were ordered every month.

Then came the distribution of assignments.

No less than 14 units were given specific garrisons to command.
The big four were allocated the largest units.

A four pronged attack is now possible, but the rough terrain in the mountainous region of Kai will definitely hamper progress.

Three months remain.

The rear-most garrison begins their march.
The following month, Clan Hatakeyama accepted a two year alliance offered, ensuring they will not play a part in the coming battle.

When new year arrives, Kagetora marches forth from Ota Castle with 14,000 men.

The Hojo remains silent.

 

[RK47]

Tick Tock

Spoiler

Final thirty days...
Thousands gather around Kanto.

Late February, the order to march into enemy borders were given.

Operation Trident is a go.

 

[RK47]

 

[RK47]

April 1559

Spoiler

A very harsh month awaits the Hojo.

Nirayama - Shimoda to the south.

Iiyama to the North.

If Komoro falls, the floodgates will be wide open.

 

[RK47]

May 1559

Spoiler

Hosokawa, under attack from the Chosokabe sues for protection from the Nagao Clan.

The Hojo having little time to regroup, is facing total invasion from all eastern front.

They're about to receive additional pain from the West.

I'm sure the Imagawa and Honganji is desperate for vengeance.

Are you sure this is wise, Lord Kagetora?

What worries you?

Our aim is to control thirty castles and Nijo, no?

Do not worry. I've only given them a few fortresses.