Character History
Plot Summary: Sarutobi Sasuke - Sengoku Basara, Season One
Episode One
Sasuke scouts for Takeda Shingen of Kai and reports the arrival of Date Masamune of Oshu's forces and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo's forces' movements, during their skirmish at Saijo Mountain. Date was following Uesugi and heading for Tawanaka Island.
Next day, Sasuke heads to Sunpu Castle in Suruga, ruled by Imagawa Yoshimoto, and identifies Oda Nobunaga's army attacking Ise. In response, Takeda takes his forces and heads for Suruga to conquer it, suspecting that to be Oda's intention. Date does the same with his army.
Date fakes an attack on Hojo Ujimasa in Odawara on the way, in order to lure his forces into Takeda. Sanada Yukimura, Takeda's general and protege, pursues.
Episode Two
After intercepting Imagawa, they duel. Takeda takes Odawara. During this, Sasuke meets with Echigo's ninja Kasuga and he tells her about Date's move and Odawara. During Date & Yukimura's duel, Imagawa has two body-doubles assemble and they all flee. Sasuke follows Yukimura, advises them to turn back as there is higher chance of failure. Says the Kitabatake of Ise will fall quickly. He sensed what Imagawa was going to do and waited instead of returning to Owari. The two of them encounter Nouhime, the bride of Oda Nobunaga, who kills their impostor. They pursue further, before encountering Oda with his retainers Mori Ranmaru, Nouhime and Akechi Mitsuhide alongside Date Masamune, Katakura Kojuro and Kasuga. Okehazama is where they all convene.
Episode Three
In response to Nobunaga's conquest of Suruga, the wanderer Maeda Keiji travels to Echigo and then Oshu in order to convince the generals to form an alliance. Sasuke follows him to Echigo where he encounters Kasuga. Kasuga tells him Keiji's gone. Sasuke asks if he went to Oshu, she shrugs him off, he guesses that it's true, which Takeda apparently also predicted.
Episode Four
Sasuke travels to Oumi and contacts Azai Nagamasa (apparently after Ieyasu Tokugawa of Mikawa), to attempt to convince him (apparently one of many) to join the anti-Oda alliance of the east. He refuses, due to the fact they are brothers-in-law. Sasuke then warns him that Oda plans to attack Asakura in Echizen, Azai's ally. He is told to leave when he says that Oda isn't human.
Kasuga meets with Takeda in Kai as an envoy of Uesugi's and it's revealed that Sasuke seemingly talks about Kasuga all the time, and Yukimura thinks they're engaged. Kasuga protests, naturally. She leaves as soon as she senses Sasuke approach. He reports that Tokugawa also refused. Afterwards, Yukimura tells Sasuke that Kasuga was there, but said she wasn't his fiance. Sasuke claims she was merely embarrassed. Yukimura naively accepts that explanation. They have something of a heart-to-heart, Sasuke seems almost cavalier about the war coming up.
Sasuke's job previously was to reinforce Maeda Keiji's efforts of convincing the generals under the official capacity of Kai's envoy, the end result being that Date's army unwittingly formed a vanguard for Takeda and Uesugi's forces.
Mid-march, Azai intercepts Akechi Mitsuhide as he is about to attack Asakura. Azai calls off their alliance with Oda. Mitsuhide tells him to talk it out to Oda. In response, Oda Nobunaga takes Oda Oichi (his sister and Azai's wife) hostage and orders Azai to attack Asakura himself.
Tokugawa refuses Takeda's final request to betray Oda, and apparently Takeda kicked his ass in the past, so he wants to settle the score and will fight to protect Oda. Takeda and Uesugi prepare to face off with him at Nagashino.
Azai is told by Mitsuhide to go there to stop Date instead of killing off Asakura.
Episode Five
In Nagashino, Shingen and Uesugi face off with Tokugawa, while Date encounters Azai. Sasuke is present to protect Sanada Yukimura when he momentarily falters during battle, and also fights alongside him and Shingen against Honda Tadakatsu, who is Tokugawa's champion and "Strongest of the Warring States".
Episode Six
No sighting.
Episode Seven
While Uesugi Kenshin's forces are retreating to Echigo from Kai, Sasuke meets with Kasuga to warn her to stay with Kenshin, in case of an assassination. Of course, first he jokes with her about "sharing a moonlit night together", and afterward says that maybe Takeda wanted her to stay somewhere safe since they were "fiances". Kasuga did not appreciate this.
Mid-conversation, there's an explosion in the west border of Kai and Sasuke takes his squad of ninjas to investigate. Turns out Matsunaga Danjou Hisahide kidnapped Date's four captains and held them ransom for Date's six swords and the Shieldless Armour of Takeda. Katakura Kojuro fights Date to prevent him from leaving in his wounded state, and then Kojuro leaves with the swords himself.
Sasuke is with Yukimura when he talks to Takeda about the matter, and follows him when he is ordered to take the armour and assist Kojuro.
Episode Eight
Sasuke and Yukimura show up after Kojuro fights the three members of the Death Squad, noting the poison. They rock up just as Matsunaga refuses to trade only the swords for captives, after which he finally accepts and blows up the retainers with explosives, along with the location where Sasuke was hiding in an attempt to free them. The two from Kai intervene when Matsunaga sends suicide bombers at the group. Sasuke shows he's safe by saving Yukimura from an explosive blast, and throws smoke bombs containing an antidote to a poison Matsunaga had released.
Episode Nine
Some time (presumably weeks) after the battle at Nagashino, Sasuke reports to Takeda that Tokugawa Ieyasu has died, killed by Akechi Mitsuhide because he announced their alliance annulled. Also informed them that Nouhime and Mori Ranmaru were absent from Oda's main force during his Kyuushu campaign, and figuring they were planning an assassination, sends envoy to Kenshin in Echigo.
The envoys never arrive, and Kenshin is shot by Ranmaru and Nouhime. Despite sending three people, Sasuke feels uneasy and goes to check it out himself.
Episode Ten
Following Mitsuhide's apparent murder of Takeda Shingen, Sasuke discovers his envoys murdered on the border of Kouzuke and continues to Echigo, where he encounters Kasuga, who informs him of Kenshin being critically injured, but narrowly avoiding death. He senses Kasuga's intention to go to Owara and get revenge almost instantly and criticizes her for being emotional as a shinobi. She grows hysterical, so he slaps her.
He sympathizes with her eventually, though. He respects the fact she feels so useless she wishes to die, and that she loves someone so much she wouldn't mind dying. He gives her a ninja tool and tells her to do as she wishes, and when she protests, tells her to pretend that he tricked her.
Later, Sasuke reports to Date and Kojuro that his ninjas bring news of Oda heading for Yamashiro, likely on the way to his residence, Honnouji, before invading the Seto Inland. The three discuss war plans, and come to the conclusion it's a trap, one which Date wants to walk into.
When Date asks Sanada about his actions, he starts beating himself up, and Sasuke lectures him about the realities of war and targeting the most important people. That he needs to stop pining and fight. When Date disbands Oshu's army and attempts to leave, Sasuke challenges him and demands to know where he's going, he replies Honnouji and that he's going alone.
Episode Eleven
While the armies of Oshu, Kai, Echigo and the other surviving nations march on Oda, Sasuke spies Kasuga floating overhead on the ninja tool glider he gave her. He rescues her from falling to her death, and she criticizes him for not telling her what it did when he gave it to her. He laughs it off, then asks about the situation. Kasuga tells him that Oda is in Azuchi Castle.
Episode Twelve
Sasuke rendezvous with Yukimura and Date as they prepare to storm Azuchi Castle. Sasuke reckons the attack is reckless, but that they should reach Azuchi before Oda can get there from Honnouji. Date says they might get pincered, Sasuke says to leave that to him. He is shown then to have destroyed one of the bridges that reinforcements were approaching from.
Later, he is briefly pictured during the battle with Oda's forces, catching his shuriken and declaring that things were up to Date and Yukimura, now. During the fight, the battle takes a turn for the worse and Azai's forces are gunned down by Oda's gunmen. Sasuke's ninjas are about to deploy to counter them when he orders them to wait, sensing Honda Tadakatsu's arrival. When Tadakatsu is defeated by Oda, Sasuke is shown to be holding Oichi's body.
The fight alters dramatically as Mori Motonari, Chosokabe Motochika, Maeda Matsu, Maeda Toshiie and Kasuga all appear to join the battle. Kasuga and Sasuke are shown to be fighting alongside one another.
During the epilogue, Sasuke is shown speaking with Kasuga about the ninja tool he gave her originally. It was apparently a prototype, which he had her test. She protests, but he points out that she would've gone either way, so it seemed like a good idea anyway. He points out that they're enemies once more, to which Kasuga replies that she'll show no mercy, but their manner suggests that there's no hard feelings between them.
Sengoku Basara, Season Two
Episode One
Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen are having their long-awaited final showdown at Kawanakajima, just beyond which Date Masamune and Sanada Yukimura duel in an attempt to prevent Date's forces from interfering. Further away, Maeda Keiji approaches in order to deliver a warning to the gathered generals, but Sarutobi Sasuke and Kasuga arrive to the battlefield first. They briefly clash blades before moving to warn their respective lords of a large attack coming from the northwest. Just as Date manages to defeat Yukimura, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Takenaka Hanbei and their forces fully encircle all three armies and demand for their surrender.
Days later, Sasuke reports to Shingen that Hideyoshi had been planting amongst their people for ages, and that the Toyotomi have occupied Utsunomiya and Odawara. Yukimura interrupts and insists on focusing on Osaka, their base, since they are "unrivalled Knights of Takeda". Shingen reprimands him, pointing out that with Utsunomiya occupied, such a move would leave Kai unguarded. Sasuke further reports that in the west, Mori Motonari of Aki is negotiating with Hideyoshi for an alliance. Shingen decides to send Yukimura and part of his forces to the far west in Satsuma, Kyuushu, in order to set up a pincer attack, since together Hideyoshi and Mori make up half of Hi-No-Moto.
Episode Two
In Oshu, the three previously-dominated neighbouring fiefs of Nambu, Tsugaru and Soba attack Date's lands, followed by Takenaa Hanbei at the head of Ashina's forces from Aizu, culminating in the battle of Suriagehara. Sasuke reports to Shingen and Yukimura of the situation and that Katakura Kojuro has gone missing. Almost immediately afterwards, Yukimura is sent with cavalry forces to Satsuma. Ambiguously, Sasuke and Shingen discuss:
Sasuke: If I may ask. Did you just do that to Sanada no Danna now, of all times?
Shingen: I did it because of that. Our time of greatest peril is the best time to send him forth. What expression will he wear on his return?
Episode Six
While Yukimura's forces are headed towards Satsuma, they pass nearby a battle occurring in the Seto Sea adjacent to Aki, between Chosokabe Motochika of Shikoku (aboard the floating fortress Fugaku) and the alliance of Mori and the Toyotomi. Yukimura arrives just after Hideyoshi parts the seas with a tremendous punch and launches a land attack upon the grounded Fugako. Sasuke shows up and chastises Yukimura for having delayed so long in his travels as to allow him to catch up. Yukimura had been occupied several times with helping local peasants during his journey, as well as investigating the ruins of Azuchi Castle and finding Oda Oichi, when his priority was meant to be Satsuma (which he would have reached by that time otherwise).
Watching Hideyoshi's forces decimate Chosokabe, Yukimura feels compelled to go to their aid since he had heard word that the daimyo had been allowing those fleeing from the armies of Mori and Toyotomi to take refuge in his lands. Yukimura's Lieutenant, Oyamada Nobushige, protests and says he can't sit back quietly any longer (as Yukimura was making a huge mistake). Yukimura's purpose was, after all, to forestall any attack on Kyushu in the first place by consolidating his position in Satsuma. Sasuke reminds Yukimura of his responsibility in that he leads an army, now.
Yukimura decides in the end to reinforce Chosokabe, however Sasuke points out that the battle is already settled. Hideyoshi has already defeated Motochika in a duel and Fugaku has sustained heavy damage in the process. Yukimura insists anyway and orders his men forward. Sasuke moves to stop him but Oyamada cuts him off and assents, respecting his order as General.
Episode Seven
Several days later, Sasuke reports to Shingen of Oyamada's death, who had given his life in order to demonstrate to Yukimura the magnitude of his decisions and how to be a proper general. Fully half of his subordinates die along with him. Sasuke questions whether or not it will succeed as a lesson in leadership, and Shingen concedes that it is a decisive moment. Sasuke says that he will go to Satsuma to be at Yukimura's side, however Shingen refutes this, saying that Oyamada's sacrifice would then truly be in vain. Sasuke stresses how imperative the outcome is for the future of the Takeda, but Shingen insists that he and Yukimura share a fate, as he is the one who will eventually succeed him, and he has to trust in him now.
Sasuke moves on then to report the activity, or lack thereof, of the besieging Toyotomi in Kai. They are neither attacking nor interfering with the peasantry, simply consolidating their position and observing. He assures that if anything occurs, he would report immediately. Not moments later, one of Sasuke's ninja reports that the waiting Toyotomi have taken up Takeda flags are attempting to repel Date Masamune and his forces, who are passing by Kai. Sasuke proceeds to contact Date mid-battle and inform him of the ruse, and the Takeda assist in repelling the impostors, after which Shingen and Date discuss whether or not to form an alliance to defend the east.
Meanwhile, Yukimura is experiencing a flashback to before Sasuke left him after the battle with Mori and Toyotomi. Sasuke asks him why he thinks Oyamada followed his orders, and also explains that ordinarily people have plenty of time to mature, but that it is the Sengoku Era, where you may not see tomorrow, and that it's too late for Yukimura to learn how to be a General when he already is one. That was Oyamada's lesson. Yukimura had failed even in his task of assisting Chosokabe, as during the battle Oyamada was wounded and Yukimura rushed to his side rather than intervene and stop Hideyoshi. All Yukimura ultimately achieved was overpowering Oyamada's objections, and if he was always going to be like that, then Sasuke thought he ought to look for a new job.
Sasuke's lecture reduces Yukimura to tears, who screams out anguished apologies to Oyamada. Sasuke sternly says that he doesn't think Oyamada wants apologies, and what's important is what he does now.
Episode Ten
At Osaka, Hideyoshi and Hanbei send a force west to Harima in order to betray Motonari Mori. After Chosokabe's defeat, he seized Fugaku, rebuilt it and renamed it Nichirin, and the Toyotomi intend to take it from him. Meanwhile, the main army begins its march towards Odawara in order to thwart Shingen's plans to occupy it while Kenshin ties up Utsunomiya's forces. Hanbei intends to pincer Takeda with a force hidden to the far north of Oshu (lead by Ishida Mitsunari) and finally conquer Satsuma with a second hidden army (lead by Tokugawa Ieyasu). Sasuke lay hidden beyond Osaka's walls and observes the respective armies setting out and accurately guesses their movements and the forthcoming surprise attacks, sending his ninja to inform Shingen. He also resolves to check on Yukimura.
Just as his subordinates depart using his ninja tool gliders, Kasuga notices them leaving and Sasuke sneaks up and surprises her. They discuss the situation at ahnd and take note of the fact that Hanbei hasn't departed west with the detachment to Harima. Kasuga asks for one of his gliders but he jokingly refuses, pointing out that they aren't currently allies. She protests. They're interrupted though as they spot one of Toyotomi's spies pass beneath their position in the treetops and then suddenly collapse, apparently murdered, shortly before Sasuke correctly identifies Fuuma Kotaro as the culprit.
Episode Eleven
Sasuke and Kasuga proceed to infiltrate Osaka, having found that Kotaro has already gone ahead and massacred dozens of guards in the castle. They're unsure of what purpose and who exactly he serves, and are thus wary wary of possibly having to fight him. Through a grate visible from the walls Sasuke manages to spot Kojuro and his prison and the two of them proceed to free him. Before leaving the three of them go to the war room and find Hanbei's invasion plans, verifying his forthcoming maneuvers, as well confirming the existence of Nichirin. They surmise that Mori intends to attack Osaka with it.
Giving one of his gliders to Kasuga, Sasuke tells her to go straight to Kenshin and warn him of the attack coming from the rear by the northern army of Mitsunari. Kojuro then reveals that Matsunaga is alive and attempting to slow down Date until Hanbei can steal Nichirin from Mori and use it to destroy him and his forces. About to set forth, Sasuke takes a nearby katana from the room and moves to give it to Kojuro, however Kotaro suddenly appears and attempts to take it from him.
Kasuga tries to intervene, but she is blasted away, at which point Sasuke draws the sword. Kotaro draws his dual ninja-to and the two of them fight. Sasuke orders Kasuga to hurry and go, whereas Kojuro tells Sasuke to give him the katana, but Sasuke insists that he leave as well. Kojuro then tells him to drop the katana, as Kotaro is Matsunaga's man and he's only after the weapon, not him. Sasuke throws it into the air beyond the castle and Kotaro pursues it, grabs it, then disappears. He delivers it to Matsunaga, who reveals to Date and Chosokabe that it's a famous sword "Otenta", a national treasure and one of Hi-No-Moto's "Five Swords Under Heaven" going by the name of Mikazuki Munechika, or "Crescent Moon Munechika".
Later, having witnessed Mori annihilating Hanbei's advance scouting party with Nichirin, Yukimura muses on his next move and his responsibility to both his own men and those who joined him from Satsuma. Sasuke catches up with him and outlines Hideyoshi's plans in full, as well as mentioning the revolt in Osaka by Chosokabe's captured men, as well as the reunion of Kojuro and Date who are now headed for Odawara. Sasuke indicates then that Shingen's forces are in reserve, and asks if Shingen can count on Yukimura's assistance. He declines and says he wants Shingen to be prepared to respond from Kai, since it's uncertain how the situation will develop.
Sasuke marvels that Yukimura has become reliable. He also incorrectly assumes that Hanbei has seized Nichirin, and Yukimura decides that it is up to him and his forces to stop them.
Episode Twelve
Sasuke reports to Shingen regarding Yukimura's message. "If Uesugi is threatened, march on Utsunomiya. If Date is cornered, send reinforcements to Odawara. If Mori perhaps dispatches his mobile fortress to your west flank, you may meet your fate. But I refuse to believe that our parting shall be eternal. I swear on the souls of Oyamada-dono and the other men I've lost that I shall succeed!" Shingen states that Yukimura finally understands, and wonders if the pupil has become the master. But he laughs at the directive to simply hold his ground.
Sasuke is last seen overlooking Shingen and Yukimura when they are finally reunited, after Hideyoshi has been defeated at the hands of Date, and Mori and Nichirin have been destroyed by Yukimura.