[Anomaly]

Chapter 4

The Buddhist temple stood high on the mountain, enveloped in an almost ethereal peace that only the sound of tree leaves swaying in the wind occasionally broke. The stone steps, worn by the years and the footsteps of the monks, creaked under the weight of three figures who approached with a firm step. They were men of the Uesugi Clan, dressed in dark blue silk suits bearing the clan's emblem: a circle with three horizontal stripes symbolizing their warrior lineage. His expressions were severe, tense; They brought with them an urgent matter, one that had brought discord to the clan since the death of their previous leader.

The monks greeted them with respectful bows, leading them into the inner gardens of the temple, where a young woman of just fourteen years old practiced her morning meditation routines.

There was Nagao Kagetora, a teenager who, at first glance, might seem fragile and delicate, but anyone who saw her a second time would know that her eyes contained a determination worthy of a leader. Her long, white hair fell like a waterfall, with three distinctive black spots: one on her bangs, which fell right between her eyes, and two more on the sides, framing her face with a contrast that highlighted her sharp features. She wore a simple white ensemble, the traditional attire of the temple's acolytes, with no ornaments or jewelry to indicate her status, but everything in her looked majestic, as if even the simplest garments were transformed into the garments of nobility.

Nagao sat in a meditative position, surrounded by the blooming trees in the garden. His face showed an unwavering serenity, like the reflection of a calm lake, as the petals of flowers fell gently around him. The men of the Uesugi Clan, seeing her countenance, exchanged uncertain looks, knowing that it would not be easy to convince this young woman.

"Nagao-sama, we come on behalf of the clan," one of the men said, bowing deeply. His tone was respectful, but charged with urgency. "It's imperative that you come back. Your family needs her to lead the Uesugi Clan."

Nagao's eyes opened slowly, revealing a pale green hue, contrasting with the purity of her white clothing. The serene yet piercing gaze he possessed, as if he could see through any mask or lie, made anyone uncomfortable under his scrutiny. He watched the men without moving from their place, maintaining an almost infuriating calm.

"I told you last time," she replied in a soft but firm voice, "I am not interested in leading a clan that has fallen into decline because of my brother's incompetence."

The men tensed. Their faces showed a hint of displeasure, but they kept their composure. One of them, an older man with gray hair, stepped forward, tried to speak again, but stopped when he heard the soft rustling of leaves under light footsteps. From the path leading to the inner garden of the temple, a red-haired boy appeared, advancing with the confidence and tranquility that did not befit someone of his age.

Senji Muramasa, with his tousled red hair and strange black sclera eyes and white pupils, observed the scene calmly, without immediately interrupting. It was hard to ignore his presence; His figure looked out of place in a Buddhist temple.

Nagao Kagetora turned her face to the boy, her lips curving into a faint smile as she recognized him. "Oh, moon-eyed boy," he exclaimed in a clear voice, catching the attention of both Senji and the three men of the clan.

Senji raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the peculiar nickname. "Moon-eyed child?" he repeated in a neutral tone. "It's a curious nickname, although I don't find it annoying."

The men of the Uesugi Clan looked at the boy in bewilderment, surprised by both his unexpected arrival and his unusual eyes. None of them had ever seen someone with black sclera and white pupils, devoid of irises. The phenomenon was so strange that, for a moment, they forgot the main reason for their visit to the temple.

"Yes, moon-eyed boy," Nagao claimed, completely ignoring the men trying to convince her. "That's what I'll call you until you decide to give me your real name."

Senji kept his expression serious, not showing any interest in the nickname. "My name is Senji Muramasa, if that's what you want to know."

Nagao nodded, with a nod of approval. "Senji Muramasa... Yesterday, in our combat, you never showed up."

"I didn't consider it necessary," Senji replied calmly, maintaining his relaxed posture. "I don't usually give my name unless asked."

"And yet you have come to see me today," Nagao remarked, showing more interest in him than in the clanmen. "Why are you here, Senji Muramasa?"

"The reason for my visit is not personal," Senji explained bluntly. "My mistress, Nobunaga-sama, sent me a message. He is interested in having you as an ally. He believes that your strength and skills would be a valuable asset to the Oda Clan."

The men of the Uesugi Clan exchanged tense glances upon hearing Nobunaga Oda's name, but Nagao just let out a sigh, as if she was completely bored. "I reject your offer, just as I reject these men's," he said, gesturing toward the clan members. "I'm not interested in politics or power games. But you, Senji... you do get my attention."

Senji tilted his head slightly, showing mild surprise at his comment, but didn't respond immediately. He kept his expression unchanged, without letting his thoughts show.

Nagao Kagetora continued to watch Senji with his pale green eyes. A slight smile formed on his lips. "You intrigue me, that's all," he concluded before turning to return to the interior of the temple.

Senji tilted his head slightly in a respectful gesture. He had nothing more to say for now, so he turned around and left the temple, going down a few meters along the path until he reached a natural viewpoint. From there, the horizon stretched like a vast blanket of green, dotted with the shadows of forests and mountains that were lost in the distance.

Senji dropped gently to the ground, leaning his back against a rock. 'There's no point in insisting today,' he thought. 'Maybe tomorrow I'll change my mind.' He closed his eyes, allowing the sound of the wind and the murmur of the trees to lull him to sleep. I was not in a hurry; he knew that both he and the men of the Uesugi Clan would try again the next day.

It wasn't long before he heard the sound of the voices of the three men who had come to convince Nagao. "We'll be back tomorrow," one of them said in a determined tone. "We cannot allow her to reject the leadership of the clan. There is no one more suitable."

"Yes, we can't give up that easily," replied another, as they walked away.

Senji opened his eyes for a moment, watching them leave. 'It seems that we think the same,' he reflected calmly before lying down again.

Night slowly fell, enveloping the temple and the mountain in a blanket of darkness. The moon dimly illuminated the terrain, creating long, spectral shadows. From his resting place, Senji heard the sound of metal crashing. It was clear and rhythmic, like a fight or training.

Curious, he got up and walked in silence towards the origin of the sound. There, in a clearing in the temple, Nagao Kagetora practiced with various weapons. Short swords, katanas, naginatas and even a bow; His skill and dexterity were amazing. Every move was precise, fluid, with no room for error. Sweat glistened on his forehead and arms, but he showed no signs of tiredness.

Senji watched from the shade of the trees, without intervening. The scene was impressive, but it also made something clear to her: this girl was not someone who could be easily persuaded. Her strength and determination were beyond ordinary.

Finally, after nearly an hour of training without a break, Nagao put his weapons aside. He took a deep breath and, with a gesture of satisfaction, went to the back of the temple, where an open-air bath was located.

Senji decided not to follow her. He returned to his resting place, lying down again among the bushes. He closed his eyes, letting himself be carried away by the sound of the wind and the rustling of the leaves. 'I'll wait until tomorrow,' he thought.

Minutes later, Nagao Kagetora came out of the bathroom. He walked calmly, letting the cool of the night dry his wet skin. He stopped suddenly, noticing a red spot a few feet away in the bushes. He approached, and to his surprise, he found the moon-eyed boy, Senji Muramasa, fast asleep, with an expression of total calm on his face.

Nagao stared at him for a few seconds, his eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and fascination. 'What a peculiar child,' he thought, but he said nothing. He turned and returned to the interior of the temple, leaving Senji to sleep in the silvery moonlight.

The next morning arrived with a clear sky, the sun gently illuminating the temple grounds. Senji had woken up early and had sat in the same place where he had spent the night, watching the horizon, thoughtful. He had decided to make another attempt to convince Nagao Kagetora.

Not long after, the three men of the Uesugi Clan returned to the temple, this time with a more determined expression. Nagao Kagetora was already waiting for them in the central courtyard, dressed in a simple but elegant outfit, which made her authority clear, although she did not wear any insignia indicating her rank.

The clanmen bowed deeply at the sight of her, begging once again to reconsider her decision.

"Nagao-sama," the eldest of them began, looking up. "The Uesugi Clan needs a strong leader, and we know that you are the only one capable of guiding us. Your brother has proven his incompetence. We beg you, accept our call."

Nagao remained silent, staring at the men for a few moments. Then, he turned his head slightly towards where Senji was, who had approached, watching the scene with his peculiar moon eyes.

"Senji Muramasa," she called him, catching his attention. "Come here."

Senji calmly approached, bowing his head slightly in respect. "Nagao-sama."

"Last night I was thinking about your request," she said, clasping her hands. "And I've come to a decision."

The men of the Uesugi Clan held their breath expectantly.

"I will agree to be the leader of the Uesugi Clan, under one condition," Nagao continued in a firm voice. "Kasugayama Castle will be my home and the new main base of the clan. I don't want to argue about this. If you accept my leadership, you will do so on my terms."

The three men exchanged nervous glances, but in the end, they nodded with a solemn gesture. "Yes, Nagao-sama. Kasugayama Castle will be yours, and no one will argue with it."

"Perfect," Nagao said, with a slight smile. He then turned his attention to Senji. "Now let's talk about your request."

Senji remained silent, letting her continue.

"You say that Nobunaga sent you to convince me to join his cause, don't you?" asked Nagao.

"That's right," Senji replied, maintaining his neutral tone. "My mistress believes that your strength and abilities would be a great asset to the Oda Clan."

Nagao took a few steps towards him, stopping right in front of his unusual eyes. "I will accept your proposal, Senji Muramasa... But I have one condition."

Senji raised an eyebrow, showing a slight surprise. "And what would that condition be, Nagao-sama?"

"I want you to be mine," she declared without hesitation, her words echoing clear in the air.

Senji's face remained unperturbed, but his eyes revealed a flash of surprise. I hadn't expected a response like that.

"Let it be yours?" he repeated, as if he were trying to confirm what he had just heard.

"Yes," Nagao said, with an enigmatic smile. "I want you to belong to me. Not as a servant or as a subordinate, but as something else. Something that belongs to me and cannot be claimed by anyone else."

The men of the Uesugi Clan looked at each other, perplexed by their new leader's strange request, while Senji remained silent, pondering how to respond.

"I'm afraid I can't accept your condition so easily, Nagao-sama," Senji finally said, bowing his head slightly. "I belong to Nobunaga-sama, and my loyalty is with her. I can't make promises that don't correspond to me."

Nagao watched him for a moment, showing no signs of anger or disappointment. Instead, he nodded slowly, as if he had already anticipated his answer. "I get it, Senji Muramasa. But if you want my alliance for the Oda Clan, you'll have to talk to your mistress. Get his permission, and then I will agree to be an ally of Nobunaga."

"I understand your position," Senji replied, flashing a faint smile for the first time. "I will speak to Nobunaga-sama and introduce him to your condition."

"Then it's a deal," Nagao said, turning to return to the temple. "We will see each other again soon, Senji Muramasa. I look forward to your reply."

As Nagao walked away, the men of the Uesugi Clan bowed once more, finally accepting his leadership. Senji, for his part, stood motionless for a moment, watching Nagao's figure disappear into the temple. 'This has been more complicated than I expected', he thought.

However, a slight smile curled his lips. There was something about Nagao Kagetora that intrigued him, something that made him want to come back and face this challenge.

…

Senji descended from the temple hill into the city. The air was laden with the scents of incense and street food, and the activity of the market gave the place a lively air. He walked calmly, thinking about the conversation he had just had with Nagao Kagetora. Her request had been unexpected, and now he had the difficult task of bringing this answer to Nobunaga.

As he reached a small square, two men dressed in yukata approached him. Although at first glance they looked like ordinary citizens, Senji recognized the hidden insignia of the Oda Clan on the edges of their sleeves. They were the ones in charge of the investigation in the city, the same ones who had sent the reports about Nagao Kagetora to Nobunaga.

"Muramasa-dono," one of the men said, bowing slightly in respect. "We have received your signal. Do you have an answer for us?"

Senji nodded, watching the two men. "Yes, but I must talk to Nobunaga-sama. One of you will return at once to inform you, while the other will assist me until I receive the answer."

The men exchanged a glance and the older of them bowed deeply. "I will take it upon myself to carry the message to Nobunaga-sama. My companion will take care of you in the house we got in this city."

After hearing what Senji said, the man turned around and disappeared into the crowd, while his companion guided Senji to a small house hidden in a quiet alley.

Days later...

At Nobunaga Castle, a ten-year-old girl writhed on the tatami floor, rolling back and forth. Oda Nobunaga, the young leader of the Oda Clan, used to be unflappable and cold, but this news had provoked an unusual reaction in her. With her face flushed and her arms folded over her chest, she muttered to herself.

"How dare you...?" muttered Nobunaga, referring to Nagao's request. "Want my Senji Muramasa for herself? I won't allow that!"

Despite her protest, the girl couldn't help but smile mischievously. She was obsessed with Senji, and the thought of losing him irritated her deeply. However, she was cunning and knew that she could not refuse Nagao's request without risking the alliance.

Finally, he got up from the tatami with a decision made. "It's okay," she said to herself, in a tone that mixed stubbornness and mischief. "We will share it. Senji will serve both the Oda Clan and the Uesugi Clan. There will be no discussion about this."

The messenger of the Oda Clan returned to the city where Senji was waiting. Finding him, he bent down and handed him the letter sealed with Oda's emblem. Senji took it and broke the seal, quickly reading his mistress's words. As he had anticipated, Nobunaga had agreed to Nagao's request, but on his own condition.

Senji sighed slightly, a smile formed on his lips. He understood Nobunaga's character well. There was no other answer to expect from her.

"Thank you for your service," he said to the messenger, who bowed deeply before leaving. Senji put the letter away and set out for Kasugayama Castle, which was now the home of Nagao Kagetora.

Kasugayama Castle

The fortress, imposing and surrounded by mountains, seemed to defy the sky. Senji was escorted through the corridors to the great hall where Nagao Kagetora was waiting for him. Sitting in the center of the room, with a serene expression and a faint smile on her lips, Nagao looked more relaxed than the last time he saw her.

"Senji," she said softly as she saw him enter. "I wondered when you would come back."

Senji bowed respectfully. "Nagao-sama, I bring Nobunaga-sama's answer."

"Go ahead, tell me," Nagao replied, leaning forward slightly, interested.

Senji looked up and looked straight into her eyes. "Nobunaga-sama has accepted your request... with one condition. My service will be shared between the Oda Clan and the Uesugi Clan. That is their answer, and there is no room for discussion."

Nagao was silent for a moment, his smile widened, as if he found the situation more amusing than he had expected. He got up and walked towards Senji, stopping right in front of him. To Senji's surprise, she stretched out her arms and pulled him to herself in a firm embrace.

"So they accept me and my request," Nagao whispered close to his ear. "Then for now, you'll be mine, Senji. For the rest of this year, you will stay here, by my side, and then return to the Oda Clan."

Senji remained motionless in the embrace, showing no resistance, but he did not reciprocate the gesture either. "May I ask your reason for wanting me here, Nagao-sama?"

Nagao let go of him and took a step away, looking at him with a serious expression. "I need someone to help me keep improving. We fought to a draw last time, and I know you're a good opponent for me. If I want to reach the kingdom of Bishamonten, I need someone like you by my side."

Senji looked at her silently, taking in her words. Finally, he nodded with a slight smile. "Then, until the end of the year, I will be yours, Nagao-sama."