A flower's life is short....

Many exciting elements were featured in this episode, quite fitting for such a turbulent era. We rejoin Kanbei as he is sent to the castle to be "fostered" (held hostage, more like), learning how being used for truces and guaranteed loyalty must feel for men and women alike. A little later, Kanbei distinguishes himself in his first battle; this aspect is handled perfectly, showing his nerves and yet how sharp he can be under pressure. Using prior knowledge of the land, he saves the day and manages to gain some attention--positive and negative.

We also spend some time with Nobunaga, who encounters difficulty in his invasion of Mino. A short, yet poignant glimpse into his background fascinates ("You're a demon!"), airing a little humanity into this bombastic historic presence. Meanwhile, it becomes clear how brilliant the enemy strategist is; how great would it be if they had one of their own?

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