SW3:E - Date Story translation

[yobanashi]

Date Story, done!

Tbh, I thought this story was kinda a mess. The first part is all serious and drama, and then suddenly bears! sparkles! 'all for the sake of love!!!' I like the idea of Kai/Masamune but I wish the last part had been done differently, hilarious as it is.

Anywayyyy, here's a link to a recording of all the events in the Date Story because it works better if you can hear their tone and emotions. Also, there are sound effects and not-very-fitting stock gestures and Tsunamoto's fifty shades of 'Tonoooooooo!!!'.

A note for a phrase that will crop up in the second half of this translation: the core of the land. In the story, Masamune says that he's not interested in ruling the land, he's interested in 天下の中身. Translated literally, it means 'the contents of the land' and from the comments on the recording on niconico, I'm not the only one going wtf are you talking about, Masamune. I think it means something along the lines of 'the attitude and values of the people in the land' and I'm going with the phrase 'the core of the land' which is used in Masamune's profile on the Koei Wiki.

Also, since the recording only has the conversation events, I just included the battles and chapter openings where I think they should go. Let me know if I got them wrong!



Chapter 1: Surpassing his father

Event: Terumune and Masamune

The Date clan were lords in the Tōhoku region during the Sengoku era. The head of the clan at that time, Terumune, had a brilliant son named Masamune.
One day, Masamune rushed frantically into Terumune's residence. He had just heard of Terumune's sudden retirement.

Masamune: Father, is it true that you're retiring?!
Terumune: I will leave the family to you. From today onwards, you will be the head of the Date clan.
Masamune: W-Wait! I am still inexperienced, I cannot succeed you as the head of the clan now! It is still too early for this!
Terumune: You are talented. What I cannot accomplish, you can do with ease. I leave the Date clan to you. Do as you wish.
Masamune: H-However, I can't just leave you behind...
Terumune: It is only a matter of time before the child surpasses the parent. There is no need for the child to wait for the parent to grow old.
Masamune: But if I ignore society's norms and customs, I will lose their trust and there will be discord within the family!
Terumune: Don't be blinded by what's before you! Look at the big picture. If you want to see your ambition to the end, ignore the trivial things that clutter your way and keep your eyes on what's ahead.
Terumune: I do not see things like petty fighting within the family. ...All I see is you soaring to the sky like a dragon.
Masamune: A dragon..! Father, I, Masamune, will show that you did not choose wrongly!

Event: War at Ōshū

Masamune had a reliable retainer whose name was Oniniwa Tsunamoto.
Tsunamoto had been serving the Date clan since Masamune was young and was currently Masamune's guardian.

Masamune: Report!
Tsunamoto: There are suspicious things going on near us.
Masamune: It's Ōuchi Sadatsuna, isn't it? I guess he can't stand the fact that I'm the head of the clan now.
Tsunamoto: Sadatsuna has pledged his allegiance to us but it seems that he is working with Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu. He may have intentions to raise his sword against us and be independent.
Masamune: So he's really making his move! We were right to prepare our troops!
Tsunamoto: It appears that my lord has already foreseen this.
Masamune: If I can't even predict something like this, I can't carry on the Date name! Let's go! The dragon will soar in the land of Tōhoku!

Battle: Odemori Castle

Event: The father's sentiments

After Masamune had defeated Ōuchi Sadatsuna, Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu requested a peace negotiation. However, Masamune did not forgive Yoshitsugu.
With the intervention of Masamune's father, Terumune, Yoshitsugu's life was spared but his territory was greatly reduced.
Tsunamoto thought that the punishment was too severe and suggested many times for a lighter sentence. However, Masamune did not accept his suggestions.

Masamune: In these chaotic times, sympathy is unnecessary! If we don't get them, they'll get us!
Tsunamoto: In that case, Lord Terumune might have wasted some of that unnecessary sympathy on Yoshitsugu.. It appears that Yoshitsugu is visiting Lord Terumune's Miyamori Castle.
Masamune: What? Is that true?!

Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu had gone to Miyamori Castle to convey his gratitude to Terumune.
However, his demeanour suddenly changed. Yoshitsugu grabbed Terumune and dragged Terumune back towards his own castle.

Terumune: Where are you taking me to? If you dawdle, a fearsome Masamune is going to catch up.
Nihonmatsu: S-Shut up! It's your son's fault that we're ruined!

Just then, Masamune arrived with his rifle squads.

Nihonmatsu: Masamune?! How did he reach us so quickly?! D-Don't come near! If you do, I'll kill Terumune!

Yoshitsugu held his wakizashi against Terumune. Masamune stood still.

Masamune: You coward...
Terumune: Masamune, shoot me too!
Nihonmatsu: W-What are you saying?! You'll die too!
Terumune: I do not care. A parent cannot be a burden to their child. Fire, Masamune! Surpass your father and seize the sky!
Masamune: …..Fire!

Date Terumune died along with Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu. As revenge, Masamune attacked Nihonmatsu Castle, where Yoshitsugu's son, Yoshitsuna, was.

Battle: Hitotoribashi

Event: The sound of the crying dragon

Although Masamune won his battle of revenge for Terumune, the atmosphere at the Date clan was gloomy.

Tsunamoto: My lord, are you crying?
Masamune: I-Imbecile! I don't have eyes that can cry!
Tsunamoto: You're forcing yourself to be strong again. If you feel like crying, you should just cry all you want.
Masamune: A dragon does not cry, it only roars! I am the One-Eyed Dragon! I will soar to the sky and roar my name throughout the land!

Chapter 2: Born too late

Event: Sōbujirei

Tsunamoto: My lord! My lord! My lord! This is bad!
Masamune: So noisy, what is it?
Tsunamoto: Toyotomi Hideyoshi has announced something called the 'Sōbujirei'. Fighting for personal reasons are banned and all battles are to be halted.
Masamune: It sounds good if you look at it as a mediation... Go on.
Tsunamoto: Those who are fighting for personal reasons are to voice their complaints to Tokugawa Ieyasu who will then decide on the punishments...
Masamune: Hmm... Hideyoshi's resolving the conflicts among daimyō as part of official business. In other words, Hideyoshi's word is rule and the Toyotomi court is the highest authority in Hi-no-moto...
Masamune: If we obey this order, it means that we acknowledge him as the ruler of the land.
Tsunamoto: However, if we do not obey, a large army will be gathered from the whole land and the Date clan will be crushed in a single blow.
Masamune: I know. Let's pretend to obey for now and focus on increasing our strength. We will wait for our chance to move!

Event: Battle of Ōzaki

When Masamune entered his room, there was an unknown man standing there.

Masamune: Who the hell are you?!

Masamune aimed his pistol at the strange man.

Magoichi: I've gotten used to having the pistol aimed at me as a greeting since I live on the battlefield so it doesn't bother me anymore. When a pistol is out, the person holding it looks incapable.

Masamune's cheeks turned red and he put down his pistol. Seeing Masamune honestly acknowledging his weakness, he lifted his brows as though satisfied with Masamune's capabilities, and continued talking.

Magoichi: I am Saika Magoichi, the strongest mercenary and an unrivalled charmer. Date Masamune, I bring you good news.
Masamune: Speak. I'll hear you out, at least.
Magoichi: You're aware that there is internal strife arising in Ōzaki. Those involved don't even know the real reason behind it and yet the clan is split into two. A battle's inevitable.
Magoichi: The Sōbujirei has really drained the job market for me, so I hurried over to check things out but things don't look good.
Masamune: And so? Have you come to ask me for reinforcements?
Magoichi: Well, that's about the size of it. Thanks to Hideyoshi's Sōbujirei, we can't simply fight as we wish, can we? However, if our aim is to stop a war...
Masamune: So you're saying that we can lead our army under a banner of justice... Your name is Magoichi, right? That sounds interesting, count me in.

Battle: Ōzaki

Event: Stepping into Kantō

Magoichi: That was a good job done on cleaning up the rebellion and now I'm out of a job again. It would be good if I can meet that Masamune guy again somewhere...

Magoichi started to leave.

Masamune: Wait! You hasty bastard, you've leaving unfinished work behind! Our next target is northern Kantō!
Magoichi: Hey hey, are you thinking of continuing to fight? Hideyoshi's not going to keep quiet if you go on.
Masamune: Imbecile! I am the man who will seize the land! If there is an chance, I will take even a single step closer to the sky!
Magoichi: You're an interesting one. In that case, how about allying with the Hōjō? The Hōjō are still resisting Hideyoshi. It'll be a shame if that spark of rebellion is quashed.
Masamune: Hmm, that makes sense. Alright, I'm going to Odawara!
Magoichi: H-Hey! Aah, going off on his own like that, he's really an interesting guy. Well then, I should start looking for my next job.

Chapter 3: The One-Eyed Dragon's Ambition

Cutscene:

Masamune: Where on earth is this?!
Masamune: Am I not at Odawara yet?!
Masamune: No one told me anything about sending a bear to meet me...
Kai: Wait!
Masamune: Who the hell are you?!
Kai: I'm this kid's parent!
Masamune: Are you a bear?
Kai: Wrong!
Kai: It was all alone so I took it in. Its parents were killed by humans!
Masamune: Imbecile, it's natural for humans to kill bears!
Kai: You're the imbecile here! What do you mean, it's 'natural' to be killed?!
Kai: To be fated to be killed from the moment you're born, that's unbelievable!
Masamune: That...
Kai: As long as you understand, that's fine.
Kai: Let's go. The castle's right up ahead.
Masamune: W-Wait! Who the hell are you?!
Kai: The most beautiful woman in the Hōjō clan, the one known as the pure maiden, Kai!
Masamune: Impossible, they really sent a bear to meet me...

Event: Odawara alliance

With Kaihime as a guide, Masamune reached Odawara Castle. And finally, he met with Ujiyasu.

Masamune: This is the first time we have met! My name is Date Masamune! It is an honour and pleasure to be granted this audience!
Ujiyasu: Enough with the small talk. Tell me what you're here for. For a great lord from Tōhoku to ride all the way to Odawara here alone, you must have got something bothering you.
Masamune: I beg your apology. In that case, I will get to the point. I, Date Masamune, wish to conquer the land!
Ujiyasu: I was wondering what you were after, turns out it's that. Unfortunately, I have no interest in conquering the land. If you want it, go ahead and take as much as you can.
Ujiyasu: Just don't lay a single finger on my people. No matter what your excuse is, I won't take it lightly.
Masamune: Understood! With the exception of the Hōjō, the entire Hi-no-moto will be mine! I'll take my leave!

Kai: He said that but... is this going to be fine?
Ujiyasu: He's the real deal. He's not going to stick around here. He won't stop until he seizes the sky.
Kai: The sky? That brat?
Ujiyasu: He only has eyes for what's above him. He's still small now but one day he'll be somewhere no one can reach him.
Kai: Huh... is he really that great. I think that you, my lord, are closer to conquering the land though.
Ujiyasu: I'm a lion who can't sleep well if I leave the ground. I can't even reach the feet of a dragon flying in the sky.

Event: Attacking the Hōjō

One day, Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to visit Masamune. Each and every one of the Date clan couldn't hide their confusion at the surprise visit from the ruler of the land.
When Masamune and Tsunamoto entered the room, Hideyoshi was sitting cross-legged on the seat of honour.

Hideyoshi: Hey there, so you're Masamune! You didn't visit me even though I've asked you so many times, so I thought I would come visit you myself!
Masamune: I'm afraid I was held back by many matters.

Masamune prostrated himself before Hideyoshi and answered.

Hideyoshi: You don't have to be so formal! I've heard that the Lord of Tōhoku is afraid of no one!

Masamune: That is very kind of you.

Masamune answered without lifting his head.

Hideyoshi: Hmm... Oh, never mind. By the way, Masamune, will you help me attack the Hōjō?
Masamune: Hōjō? Are you going to attack the Hōjō?
Hideyoshi: That's right! After I suppress the Hōjō, the whole land will be united. And finally, a time of peace will come!
Hideyoshi: Of course, you will be helping me, right? If the dragon from the north comes, I'll be reassured!
Masamune: Yes! I will do as you command!
Hideyoshi: I've been waiting for this reply! I have high hopes for you, Masamune!

Hideyoshi left the room, laughing heartily.

Tsunamoto: Hideyoshi must have known that we have approached the Hōjō directly, and that's why he came to us about this...
Masamune: No matter what his intentions are, the Date have to attack the Hōjō. Prepare for war.

Event: Attack on Oshi Castle

Hideyoshi chose Ishida Mitsunari as one of his generals and ordered him to attack Hōjō's auxiliary castle, Oshi Castle. As promised to Hideyoshi, Masamune sent Tsunamoto to Oshi Castle.
Most of the Hōjō troops were protecting Odawara Castle and thus, there were only a small number of men at Oshi Castle.

Mitsunari: So you're Date Masamune's man. In return for joining us late, do your utmost best for Lord Hideyoshi.
Tsunamoto: Yes, sir! I will not disappoint you!

Masamune: That Hideyoshi... he brought such a large army to attack this pathetic castle!
Kai: What does he think he's doing, ganging up on a helpless lady?! Wait, you! What the hell are you doing here?!
Masamune: As according to our agreement, I am here to fight on the Hōjō's side!
Kai: That's not what I meant. You're serving Hideyoshi, aren't you? Which means you're our enemy, isn't it?!
Masamune: So that's that you're asking. I've sent my retainer to fight on Hideyoshi's side. It's not a problem.
Kai: It's a huge problem! You're not going to get away with this! You and your clan will be eradicated!
Masamune: Imbecile! As long as I fight without letting them see me, it'll be fine!
Kai: You're the imbecile here! They'll definitely find out! Definitely!
Masamune: I'm not an imbecile, imbecile! You won't know for sure until you try it!
Masamune: Just like how a bear is not destined to be killed, my fate is not fixed. We decide our own fate, isn't that right?

Battle: Oshi Castle

Event: The fall of Odawara

Although Masamune had arrived to protect Oshi Castle, the Hōjō's main base, Odawara Castle, fell.
Subsequently, there was news of a large army coming to aid Mitsunari who had lost the battle.

Masamune: This is bad... I will distract the enemy. Kai, you should escape before the reinforcements are here.
Kai: Don't simply order me around! And you're the one in a tough spot, aren't you?! You should escape first!
Masamune: Don't be stupid! You'll die for nothing if you stay here!
Kai: I'll be fine, I'm staying here. This is the land my father and grandfather had protected for generations. There's no way I could leave.
Masamune: Imbecile! You can't do anything if you die! You'll only accomplish something if you live!
Kai: If we hand the castle over them, they probably won't take our lives. You should run. I'm entrusting my fate to this castle.
Masamune: You blockhead! I don't care what happens to you!
Kai: My lord, looks like I can't leave this land too. But he'll definitely continue moving up. Until he seizes the sky.

Event: Kaihime goes to Osaka

Masamune escaped from Oshi Castle. Kaihime's life was spared but she was captured and brought to Osaka Castle.
The Hōjō fell. There was no one who would draw their sword against Hideyoshi. The time of chaos had come to an end.

Tsunamoto: My lord, what are you irritated about? Is it because Hideyoshi has conquered the land? Or because Lady Kai was captured?

Masamune did not reply Tsunamoto. He silently moved a counter on a map of Japan, deep in thought.

Tsunamoto: Oh... you're looking for a way to Osaka. The Hokuriku road has the Uesugi, the Tousandou has the Sanada and the Toukaidou has the Tokugawa. You won't reach it easily.
Masamune: This is the world Hideyoshi has arranged with himself at the top. If the bottom does not fall, there is no way to change the top...
Tsunamoto: Even in these peaceful times, there must be others out there who still harbour their own ambitions like you, my lord. If we make use of them...
Masamune: Hmm... you mean the tanuki of Mikawa. Let's go talk to him.

Event: A secret agreement with Ieyasu

Masamune visited Ieyasu alone.

Masamune: Lord Ieyasu, I come to you with a request! We will soon be marching to Osaka with an army. I hope you can turn a blind eye and let us pass!
Ieyasu: What outrageous words! No, I must be mishearing things at my old age.
Ieyasu: The time of peace has just begun. And yet, I think I hear you saying that you will stir up trouble again and asking me to overlook it.
Masamune: You heard right! Of course, I will not trouble you at all. When I have defeated Hideyoshi, I will give you the land!
Ieyasu: Give me the land? What intriguing words. Not only is it dangerous, it also seems that you will not benefit from it at all...
Masamune: I am not interested in ruling the land! I think what's more important is the core of the land! You can rule the land however you wish!
Ieyasu: It's hard to understand how the younger ones think. But I can see that your intentions are honest. I believe you, Lord Masamune.
Masamune: As expected of Lord Ieyasu! It was worthwhile coming to visit you! You have my gratitude!
Ieyasu: I don't need your gratitude. The Tokugawa have no hand in this. Come to us when it is necessary.
Masamune: I understand! I'll definitely come to you with good news!

Event: Aim for the world

Tsunamoto: To think that Ieyasu will allow us to march to the capital... My lord, how did you negotiate with him?
Masamune: It was easy! All I had to do was offer him the land, and he was jumping at the chance!
Tsunamoto: O-Offer him the land? My lord, what about your dream?!
Masamune: Ruling the land has no meaning or value! It doesn't matter who's the one ruling it! What's important is whether or not I'm the one who made the core of the land!
Masamune: People often say that I was born too late. And there are others who say that I was born too far away from the capital.
Masamune: Indeed, compared to Nobunaga's march to the capital, from my base camp, the road from Tōhoku to the capital is long and harsh.
Masamune: But I have never thought that I was born unfortunate!
Masamune: I will triumph them, all who had thought that I, the Lord of Tōhoku, was a fool! And then, I will announce to the world that Tōhoku has a dragon that seizes the sky!
Tsunamoto: Is that what you're thinking, my lord... The path my lord walks is a violent one. My lord, I will gladly sacrifice my life for you!
Masamune: Don't simply throw your life away, imbecile! I'll be counting on you for a while more!
Masamune: On this violent path to defeat the ruler of the land, protect my back and stay with me all the way to Osaka! You are not allowed to die until I have created my world!

Chapter 4: The Lord of Tōhoku

Event: The Uesugi's attack

After completing the preparations to attack Osaka, Masamune's army was about to set off when urgent news came.

Tsunamoto: My lord, this is a serious matter! The Uesugi has realised what we're up to and are attacking us!
Masamune: What?! They're fast! Do we know who's leading their army?!
Tsunamoto: It is Naoe Kanetsugu.
Masamune: Kanetsugu... I've underestimated him. We will delay our march to Osaka. Let us fight the Uesugi first!

Battle: Yonezawa

Event: A man of honour: Naoe Kanetsugu

Masamune: Let us pass, Kanetsugu! I have to go to Osaka!
Kanetsugu: We are the losers here. If you tell us to give way to you, we will. However, must you go to Osaka?
Masamune: I am the dragon who will soar to the sky! Until I seize the sky, I will not stop!
Kanetsugu: Your determination is admirable. However, I do not think that you have a chance of winning. Starting with Mitsunari, Hideyoshi has the most outstanding generals in the land.
Kanetsugu: I, who have fought you, know best your ferocity in battle. However, it's impossible for you to defeat the large Toyotomi army and take down Osaka Castle.
Masamune: If everyone were to quietly back down every time they were told something was impossible, everything would have ended before the battle even began! My fate cannot be decided by something like that!
Kanetsugu: You charge ahead, even in the face of danger... What pushes you this far?
Tsunamoto: Based on how my lord has been recently... it must be love.
Kanetsugu: Love! If it's love then it can't be helped! For the sake of Masamune's love, I, Kanetsugu, will do my best to assist!
Masamune: I-Imbecile! You over-enthusiastic fool! You can't send out your troops for something like this!
Kanetsugu: It's all good! Love is the power that motivates us all! Let's go inside and you can tell me more!
Masamune: You're wrong! Let me go, imbecile!

And so, the Date and the Uesugi formed an alliance. Masamune was one step closer to Osaka.

Event: The final attack

Masamune led his army towards Osaka. Finally, they could see Osaka Castle.

Tsunamoto: The Toyotomi forces are concentrated at Osaka Castle. The size of their army is many times ours, maybe even ten times more than us!
Masamune: They're opening fire on us?! This means that their cannons can reach us even at this distance!
Tsunamoto: My lord, they'll hit us at this rate! We should retreat for now and rethink our strategy!
Masamune: You're right... Order the whole army to retreat.

The Date army retreated on Masamune's orders.

Tsunamoto: That was dangerous, my lord. To think that the Toyotomi army had such weapons... Wait, my lord?! Where are you, my lord?!

Masamune stood alone in front of Osaka Castle.

Masamune: Imbecile! Did you think I'll give up so easily?!

Battle: Osaka Castle

Cutscene:

Masamune: Despite such aggressive attack, I will move forward!
Kai: That's impossible! If you do that, you'll die!
Masamune: Shut up! Just stay there and watch me!
Kai: Masamune!
Masamune: Something trivial like this...
Kai: That's enough. That's enough, so... stop it!
Masamune: Imbecile! As if anyone would stop just because they're told to!
Masamune: I won't accept this… I’ll decide for myself where and when I’ll die. A person’s fate cannot be decided by someone else!

Event: The core of the land

Having won the battle, Masamune gathered his army and began to head back to Tōhoku.

Kanetsugu: Masamune, are you really going back? You, who have defeated Hideyoshi, can become the ruler of this land. You should stay at the capital.
Masamune: I'm not interested in ruling the land! It doesn't matter where I am when I'm building the core of the land! I will monitor the land from Tōhoku.
Kanetsugu: Well said, Masamune! You must really love Tōhoku! I, too, love my own province! That's why I understand! Everything begins from love!
Masamune: You're over-enthusiastic as usual...

Masamune ignored Kanetsugu and rode off.

Kai: What, so you're just going to go off now?
Masamune: What I do is nobody's business. What do you want from me?
Kai: I-I was going to thank you... You did save me after all...
Masamune: I don't need your thanks. I just saved you on the way to achieving my goals.
Kai: You really can't be honest, can you?! I'm saying thank you so you should be even a little bit happy.
Masamune: You're as noisy as ever... What do you plan to do now?
Kai: It's obvious, isn't it? I'm going back to Kantō. Everyone has a place they can't bear to leave.
Masamune: In that case, we're going the same way. Get on.

Masamune carried Kai and put her on his own horse.

Kai: Wait a minute, what are you doing all of a sudden?! You surprised me!
Masamune: Stop moving around! You'll fall off!
Kai: I-I'm sorry!

Scolded by Masamune, Kai fell silent.

Masamune: ...When you're quiet, you can be mistaken for a proper lady.
Kai: Hm, did you say something?
Masamune: I didn't say anything, imbecile!

-THE END-

Next one will probably be hmmmmmm maybe the Toyotomi story.