SW3 Empires Mouri Story Path translation
Yes, I finished it before 2013 :D
Edit: Yay, I finished the missing events before 2014 :D
Notes:
1. A lot of the recurring characters in this story are NPCs so I thought it might be helpful to have a list of who belongs to which faction.
Mōri clan:
Mōri Motonari, and his sons:
Mōri Takamoto - hostage to the Ōuchi
Kikkawa Motoharu - second son, became the head of the Kikkawa clan
Kobayakawa Takakage - third son, became the head of the Kobayakawa clan
Shiji Hiroyoshi - Mōri retainer who only appears once or twice
Ōuchi clan:
Ōuchi Yoshitaka - clan head
Sue Harukata - chief retainer
Hironaka Takakane - Sue retainer and Motonari's bff
Amago clan:
Yamanaka Shikanosuke - Amago retainer
(Three Amago clan heads are mentioned in the story though only one of them appears in a single event. They are, in order: Haruhisa, Yoshihisa and Katsuhisa.)
2. A rather important point, this translation does not cover the entire story mode. I have been unable to find recordings for some of the events in the second half of the story so about a quarter of the story is untranslated. However, as the Mouri story seems to follow historical events quite closely, I have tried to filled in the gaps based on the event names and info gleaned from wikipedia jp. If you know of any recordings of the missing events, I would appreciate links!
The translation is now complete!
3. As usual, if you see any mistakes or discrepancies, or have any questions, just let me know :)
4. Recordings: Part 1, Part 2, bits of Part 3 and Part 4.
Transcripts for events not covered in the recordings are here.
Chapter 1: Under the Ōuchi clan
Event: Sue Harukata's debut
During the Sengoku era, there were two powerful forces in the Chūgoku region; the Ōuchi of Suō and the Amago of Izumo. The weaker daimyō in the region were their subordinates.
Mōri Motonari from the Mōri clan was one of those weaker daimyō. He sent his eldest son, Takamoto, to the Ōuchi as a hostage and served under them. He was currently in his home castle, Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle, besieged by the Amago's large army.
However, the current head of the Ōuchi clan, Yoshitaka, and his close advisors hated fighting and stubbornly refused to send reinforcements. They had decided to abandon the Mōri clan to their fate.
Shiji Hiroyoshi: Lord Motonari... It looks like there will be no reinforcements coming from the Ōuchi clan. Shall we open the gates and surrender to the Amago or shall we let this castle be our final resting place...?
Motonari: Now now, you won't survive these chaotic times with that pessimism. It'll be fine, the reinforcements will come.
Hiroyoshi: The Ōuchi will gain nothing by mobilising a large army to rescue the Mōri. The head of the Ōuchi clan, Yoshitaka, and his close advisers have decided to abandon the Mōri. Isn't that so?
Motonari: He stands to gain nothing and everyone in his clan objects to it. But that is precisely why there is something he stands to gain by sending reinforcements... If he's indeed a smart person, he'll realise that.
Motonari: Tales of his honourable nature would only come in useful in the future. Besides that, if the reinforcements that no one thought would come really did turn up, we could easily crush the enemy's spirit.
Motonari: If he undertakes a great enterprise that everyone says is impossible, his reputation among his own clan would grow too, wouldn't it? This is a great opportunity for any man who strives to be a hero.
Hiroyoshi: I-I see... However, is there anyone over there who would realise this?
Motonari: It's probably impossible for those stubborn advisors. However, the young master of the Sue family should be of age soon. This should be an excellent chance for him to lead an army into battle.
Meanwhile, in the Ōuchi home territory of Yamaguchi, Takamoto - the Mōri hostage to the Ōuchi and Motonari's eldest son - was deep in thought.
Takamoto: The Ōuchi clan has decided not to send reinforcements... The only way out for the Mōri now is to surrender to the Amago and betray the Ōuchi!
Takamoto: However, as long as I remain here as a hostage, Father will be undecided... In that case, I will erase my existence with my own hands!
His decision made, Takamoto held a dagger against his throat. It was then that the Ōuchi's chief retainer and scion of the Sue clan, Sue Harukata, grabbed his arm and stopped him.
Harukata: Young master of the Mōri clan, there is no need for you to die. I will go. I will save you, your family, your castle, even your province!
Harukata: There is no need for you to kill yourself over those petrified old-timers obsessed with their own well-being. I will send reinforcements and rescue everything of yours!
Sue Harukata gathered his army and rode out to the Mōri's Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle as reinforcements.
Hiroyoshi: Lord Motonari! The reinforcements are here! Reinforcements for us are here from the Ōuchi clan! The commander is the scion of the Sue clan, Sue Harukata, here on his first battle!
Motonari: See? Now we can last longer than five minutes in this battle. We're all exhausted from this siege, let's take this victory as easily as possible.
Battle: Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle - Mōri vs Amago
Event: One million, one heart
The battle ended with the Ōuchi-Mōri side victorious. The Amago ended their siege on Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle and retreated.
After the battle, Sue Harukata visited Mōri Motonari's camp. He grasped Motonari's hand firmly and gazed squarely into Motonari's eyes as he spoke.
Harukata: These are the days of chaos and anarchy! What was common sense yesterday is thought of as ridiculous- nay, as evil today! There is no future for those who cannot adapt!
Harukata: We must be the ones to embrace change and to strive for it! In the Ōuchi clan, the only ones capable of this are you and I. Our victory in this battle proves it!
Motonari: Huh... As the saying goes, only 'you and I1'...?
Harukata: I will discuss with Lord Yoshitaka and his close retainers to allow Takamoto, who's currently being held hostage, to return to the Mōri. It's nothing much to speak off, just a small token of appreciation for those who have cooperated with me.
Harukata: There is no meaning to the past! We need to get rid of the old-timers who cling to the past. We will create new waves and a new order! Farewell!
Motonari: The past… History matters. It's part of the present and it is an invaluable guide to paving the road to the future...
Hironaka Takakane: You look troubled, Motonari. Judging by your personality, it must be hard for you to deal with someone like Lord Harukata.
Motonari: Aah, Takakane. It is indeed true that he is brilliant.
Hironaka Takakane was Motonari's old friend. He had asked Sue Harukata to be allowed to join the reinforcements to aid the Mōri.
Motonari: Not only is he incredibly capable, he also thinks highly of himself and is extremely confident. He is capable of opening up new avenues and that makes it easy for him to act on his own. According to history, this type of person tends to be the cause of their own downfall so one needs to be careful.
Takakane: There we have it, Lord Motonari's 'according to history'. It's been a while since I last heard that.
Motonari: ...Ah, you're right. I've been busy with the Mōri clan affairs lately, I haven't got time at all for my writing or for history...
Motonari: Anyway, I am warning you as a friend. You seem to take this scion of the Sue family lightly but he will come into danger, especially with those heroic tendencies.
Takakane: If he's in danger I need only to support him. This is why people like you and I exist, we are the ones who have the capability to support kings2.
Motonari: As you have said, 'one million, one heart'3. Somehow, when one immerses themselves completely in administration affairs, one turns evil and forget good words like these.
Takakane: Hey now, please don't forget them. That goes for history too. I'm sure they'll give you strength when you're suffering.
Motonari: I will hold my friend's words of caution close to my heart. Well then, Amago should stay low for a while now. We can take our time for now to increase our strength.
1 'You and I' is a fairly innocuous phrase but the way it's written, 君と余, is not common. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen 余 used to mean 'I'. This is likely a reference to the line Cao Cao says to Liu Bei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 'The only heroes in this world are you and I.'
2 王佐の才 or 王佐之才 in the original Mandarin text. Another phrase related to the Three Kingdoms. When he was young, Xun Yu was described by a scholar, He Yong, as 'someone capable of assisting kings'.
3 百万一心 (hyakkuman isshin). Literally 'one million, one heart'. There are two theories (afaik) regarding the origin of this phrase. One of them is, as shown in the above event, the phrase was said by Takakane when he aided the Mōri in the Battle of Yoshida Kōriyama Castle. The other theory is that when Mōri Motonari officiated the starting of the building works of Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle, he wrote this phrase on a stone monument which took the place of a human sacrifice. What it means is 'if everyone in the province works together, anything is possible'. For more information about the human sacrifice part, try looking up 'human pillar' and 'hitobashira'.
Edit: I initially thought that the phrase 'one million, one heart' solely references the first origin story I mentioned above but interestingly, the special building that is unlocked after completing the Mōri story in this game is a stone monument with the phrase carved on it.
Event: The great Amago subjugation campaign
The current head of the Ōuchi clan, Yoshitaka, commanded a large army on a huge invasion campaign. As the Mōri were under the Ōuchi, Motonari also joined in the campaign.
Motonari: Why are we launching a war campaign right now? We've only just managed to catch our breaths after defeating the Amago recently. He's working the weak daimyō too hard. I'm strongly against this.
Takakane: Now, now. Even disregarding that, there are a lot of daimyō pulled into this who are against it. If a genius strategist like you were to stir them up, the Ōuchi clan would be ruined.
Motonari: After the previous battle, some clans saw that the Ōuchi had the advantage and defected from the Amago to join us. I understand the urge to ride on that momentum but shouldn't we first strengthen these new alliances?
Takakane: I've said as much and tried to advise him...
Motonari: As I thought, this was young Sue's idea...
Motonari: Takakane, let me warn you as a friend. This war is dangerous. The supply lines are not satisfactory but we have already gone deep into enemy territory. We've overstepped ourselves...
Motonari: I don't want to think this way but if this is Amago's plan all along, then he may have planned for Kikkawa Okitsune, who's strong in battle but weak in loyalty, to plant the seeds of betrayal within this expeditionary campaign.
Motonari: When that happens, the game is over. The weaker daimyō will have enough of the Ōuchi and rush to join the Amago. If the Amago main force attacks then, we'll be trapped and finished.
Motonari: You must prepare for retreat. Someone like you should not die in a battle like this. If you start preparing now, you can still make it in time.
In the end, Motonari's predictions came true.
Kikkawa Okitsune, who was in the Ōuchi army, double-crossed them for the Amago. The weaker daimyō followed suit and defected from the Ōuchi. The invasion force was reduced in an instant.
Then, the Amago's large army came in pursuit. The Ōuchi clan and Mōri Motonari were in grave danger.
Battle: The First Battle of Gassan-Toda Castle - Mōri vs Amago
Event: Sue's dissatisfaction
Thanks to the Mōri army, the Ōuchi army narrowly escaped from the deadly battle against the Amago. However, that narrow escape came at a very high cost.
Takakane: My lord, you should eat.
Harukata: I don't need it! ...Our soldiers are starving. Give them my entire share of the rations.
Harukata: Takakane... I am mortified. Our soldiers fought desperately on the frontlines. They should be rewarded. So why do we not have enough rations? Why must they starve and shiver from all this humiliation?
Harukata: Why is the commander of the army, who should treat all these soldiers as though they are his own children and bear the responsibility of bringing them safely back to their homes, the first to safely escape from the battlefield?!
The commander, Ōuchi Yoshitaka, had earlier fled the battlefield with his close retainers. Harukata had remained with the other soldiers who had been left behind.
Harukata: Men! I feel hatred! They are cowards who know no shame! They are power-hungry selfish bastards who only know to manipulate others for their own gain!
Harukata: They sit warm and cozy at a safe distance, nonchalantly send all of you into danger and then just as nonchalantly leave all of you behind in danger.
Harukata: They will receive their just desserts for their arrogance! Those who are wounded, those who are suffering, those who have gone before us, I will take revenge for all of you!
Motonari: ...The blame for sending all these soldiers into danger for the sake of avaricious ambitions lies not only with a single person, young Sue. Who will you punish, who will you exact your revenge on?
Chapter 2: Becoming the hero of Chūgoku
Event: The Taineiji Incident
Sue Harukata rebelled. He attacked his lord, Ōuchi Yoshitaka, and his close retainers, and put a puppet lord in place. It would be known as the Taineiji Incident.
Motonari: Takamoto, looks like you're adamant that we should attack Sue Harukata. If we silently allow young Sue to go on his path of dishonour, the Mōri will lose what we stand for and we will lose our future.
Motonari: It is befitting a hero to stand up for honour. It is commendable conduct when it is a single person's action. But in the event that it involves clan vassals and commoners, one needs to take more into account.
Motonari: If we wish to oppose young Sue's dishonourable doings on top of protecting our people, the weak and powerless Mōri cannot be reckless. Are you prepared to dirty your hands to go against young Sue?
Motonari: If we side with young Sue, we will be forming a country that is founded on dishonour. But even if we should choose to fight against young Sue, it does not mean that we will entirely honourable. Even the most deplorable peace is preferable to the most ideal war, isn't it?
Takamoto: Father, if it is unavoidable for you to dirty your hands in order to kill Sue and if Heaven should punish you for it, then I am prepared to receive that punishment in your place.
Motonari: Just because you're prepared for it doesn't make it right, Takamoto. And that's not what I want to say...
Motonari: We will fight against young Sue. However, we won't make our move against them until we are about to win. Let's first strengthen our province.
Event: The Kikkawa-Kobayakawa takeover
Motonari began absorbing the neighbouring families into the Mōri clan, thus increasing their power. Firstly, he sent his second son, Motoharu, to the Kikkawa and had the head of the Kikkawa clan, Okitsune, retire.
On top of that, he took in the Kikkawa vassals, filled in the outer moat, assassinated the valiantly resisting Okitsune by buying over his close retainers, and then snapping his bowstring and crushing the blade of his sword.
Motonari's assassins swooped down on Okitsune. Okitsune struck the assassins with his bladeless sword, and shouted-
Okitsune: Motonari! You dastardly coward! You wish to take over my clan yet you are afraid to face me in battle! I'll never die in the hands of these lowly assassins! I'll fight you, Motonari!
However, without a weapon, even the valiant Okitsune lost the ability to fight back. In the end, he fell and the Kikkawa clan came under the control of the Mōri.
After his death, Okitsune's beloved dog refused to leave his grave and starved to death. It was said that the dog was protecting Okitsune's head.
Okitsune had betrayed his lords repeatedly and in the end was betrayed by his own retainers. Yet, the story of his loyal pet dog was his legacy.
Motonari had to take over the Kobayakawa clan as they had a navy. He assassinated a Kobayakawa vassal, forced the head of the clan into retirement, and installed his third son, Takakage, as the head of the clan.
Motonari: The end does not justify the means... definitely. ...All right, my hands are already so dirty, so why am I still thinking about these things...
The Mōri clan solidified their power and became the absolute ruler of the province of Aki. Motonari declared war against the Ōuchi clan, who had become nothing more than Sue Harukata's puppets. The war between Mōri Motonari and Sue Harukata began.
Event: The Battle of Itsukushima
Mōri Motonari advanced his troops to Itsukushima and built Miyao Castle. Itsukushima was a major point along the transportation routes and a vital economic center for the Sue clan. There was no way Sue Harukata could overlook his actions.
Harukata: To think that Motonari, of all people, would build a castle in such a foolish location. We'll set off at once! We'll take down Miyao Castle with a large army and take back Itsukushima!
Takakane: My lord, please wait! Itsukushima is narrow, a large army wouldn't be able to maneuver easily there! Please reconsider your decision!
Harukata: Even if Motonari suddenly decides to stir things up, he's nothing more than a weak daimyō. His soldiers are few. Thus, he must be planning to make us send our large army in successive teams so that he can defeat each one in turn. Don't be deceived, Takakane.
Harukata: There is another reason to send in a large army. The clans serving Motonari now do so because of his underhanded methods and he still does not have complete control over them.
Harukata: In this circumstance, if we invade with a large army, those clans will be flustered over Mōri's disadvantage and defect to join us!
Harukata: Look at this! This is a letter from Katsura Motozumi who was entrusted with Motonari's home castle, and he has wrote that he will betray Motonari to join me! While Motonari is away from his castle, he will be trapped between Motozumi and I.
Takakane: Aah, my lord! This is Motonari's trap! He will scatter hope and opportunities to lure you out and let you get carried away with your strategy!
Harukata: Takakane, why do you speak only of such ill-fortuned things before the start of the battle?! ...Come to think of it, you were an old friend of Motonari, were you not? Are you trying to stop me for Motonari...
Takakane: Such lamentable words...! Loyalty is the very core of a warrior's life! Why would I throw away my loyalty for personal feelings?!
Takakane: Aah, I will not say anymore. I will only fight on the battlefield and prove my loyalty for you to witness.
Motonari: So we managed to lure him out rather quickly... Young Sue, the you who had shown up as a gallant hero at Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle no longer exists...
Motonari: You gained control over the pirates and brought peace to the Setonai Sea. But now, the pirates are my allies. They will sink your navy and cut off your escape path.
Motonari: What you did was right. Even the Heavens will probably judge that justice is on your noble side. However, war is wrought by people... The advantage is not on your side when you turn your allies into enemies.
Motonari: Takakane, it seems that even with your capabilities, you were not able to stop young Sue. Fate and time are cruel... Even if it's something one already knows by studying history...
The war between Sue Harukata and Mōri Motonari to decide who will attain the seat of power in Chūgoku would begin at Itsukushima...
Battle: Itsukushima - Mōri vs Ōuchi
Event: Sue's death
The Mōri clan won the Battle of Itsukushima. Sue Harukata committed suicide.
Motonari: When we were retreating from the invasion attempt on Amago territory, you promised the soldiers that they would get their revenge. You kept the promise you made that day and pursued your revenge to the end... and it was also the end of you. This is what you deserved, young Sue.
Motonari's friend, Takakane, had sacrificed himself for his lord. Motonari treated his remaining family members well.
Motonari: You advised and admonished your lord and even when your lord ignored your words, you remained steadfastly loyal to him and faced your old friend on the battlefield... Stories like this are in abundance in history.
Motonari: There are those in the past who have borne this pain and sorrow... They share this feeling. ...But even after all that, their soul remains unbroken.
Motonari: History gives us strength. Takakane... what you said that day was true.
The Mōri clan destroyed the Ōuchi and Sue clans. The province of Suō fell into their hands. The Amago, who had been allied with the Ōuchi and Sue clans, began to attack the Mōri.
Motonari had decided on a decisive battle against the Amago. His next target was Izumo.
Event: The Amago's plans
It was to be the decisive battle between the Mōri and the Amago. Before final battle, an unfortunate thing happened to the Amago. The head of the clan, Haruhisa, died suddenly and was succeeded by his young heir, Yoshihisa.
Motonari took advantage of this weakness and schemed successively with the clans serving the Amago. He had them betray the Amago and join the Mōri, whittling away at the Amago's territory.
At the same time, he tricked the Amago clan head, Yoshihisa, into executing the Shingūtō, an elite squad of Amago soldiers led by Amago Kunihisa. Along with drastically cutting down the Amago's military prowess, this move also sowed the seeds of discord among the Amago.
Then, the Mōri army laid siege on Amago's home castle, Gassan-Toda Castle.
Takakage: Father, it was bad for the Amago but Amago Haruhisa died at the perfect time. Thanks to that, the only place left for the Amago now is this Gassan-Toda Castle.
Motonari: Hmm... I guess so...
Takakage: Ah! Father, there's another thing. This battle will be Takamoto's son's, Terumoto's, first battle. Terumoto!
Terumoto: Grandfather! Wait, no, my lord! I'm your grandson, Terumoto! Just as how you've taken care of Father for the past forty years, I'll like to beg of you to also take care of the inexperienced me.
Motonari: The Mōri clan has become quite lively. I see, 'one million, one heart'...
Motoharu: However, Gassan-Toda Castle is indeed a strong fortress. It won't fall so easily, Father.
Motonari: It's an immense fortress capable of sustaining a large army even in a siege. Well, if it has its advantages, it also has its weaknesses. We'll turn the tables on them using their large numbers. Let's attack their supplies.
Motonari: If we attack their supply lines, the impact would be large due to the size of their army. They'll immediately be troubled over the supply shortage and weaken.
As a result of Motonari's attack on the supplies, the castle inhabitants starved and morale fell. An important Amago retainer* used his own private funds to obtain supplies and distribute them among the soldiers. However, due to Motonari's schemes, he was executed by Yoshihisa.
*The unlucky dude is Uyama Hisakane.
Motonari: Well then, it's about time for us to attack. Let's go.
Battle: Izumo-Iwami - Mōri vs Amago
Cutscene:
Motonari: My sons, looks like you're all here. Takamoto, Motoharu, Takakage.
Motonari: Today, I'll like to talk about the core component of my strategies.
???: How dirty of you, Mōri Motonari! You rip apart our Amago clan with your schemes and destroy us with your words. I will never forgive you!
Motonari: One arrow can be easily snapped but if you hold three arrows together... can they be broken?
???: I am the Amago's surviving retainer, Yamanaka Shikanosuke! I swear on the moon that I will revive my clan! Regardless of what I have to sacrifice! Even if I am the only one left!
Motonari: Understood? It is essential that the three arrows are held together. There can not be a single defect.
Motonari: As long as we have that, the rest will fall into place somehow.
Shikanosuke: O moon! Bestow upon me the seven misfortunes and eight pains*!
*月よ！我に七難八苦を与えたまえ！ - Dramatic as it is, this line is actually drawn from historical records/ anecdotes. Here's an interesting article about Shikanosuke and his connection to the crescent moon, and this apparently famous quote of his.
七難八苦 (seven misfortunes and eight pains) is a Buddhist term. The seven misfortunes are fire, wind, floods, wars, punishments, demons, and thieves; the eight pains are birth, old age, disease, death, separation from loved ones, meeting with the uncongenial, unfulfilled desires, illness of skandhas.
The article linked above interprets it as 'he would gladly accept all of the 'seven troubles and eight pains' if it would bring relief to the Amago' but I've read another interpretation that's along the lines of taking the Mōri invasion as the 七難八苦 that Shikanosuke has to overcome, in other words, viewing it as a challenge rather than a disaster because a challenge can be overcome.
Chapter 3: The Amago's fight for revival
Event: The Amago's revival
Yamanaka Shikanosuke contacted Kuroda Kanbei and obtained the Oda's help to revive the Amago. He returned in high spirits.
Hanbei: Sigh, he went back so happily but he's just a pawn, isn't he? We only need him until the Oda's first step in stirring up the east is completed.
Kanbei: He is not incompetent. Surely he is aware that he has been promised a lot more than he was able to offer.
Kanbei: Furthermore, to demonstrate their usefulness, they are striving to give us what they promised by any means they can. We should make use of that as long as things are going well...
Hanbei: Once we don't need them anymore or once things go wrong, we can just throw them aside... right? He knows that and that's why he's trying even harder.
Hanbei: Well, we stand to gain a lot from those who are at their wits end but we can't keep that card in our hand forever. We have no choice but to throw that card one day, that's just how things go in the world.
Motonari: For the sake of the survival of his lord's clan, the Amago's surviving retainer, Yamanaka Shikanosuke, sent Amago Katsuhisa to the Oda and joined the frontlines in the attack against the Mōri.
Motonari: He's aiming to make our people feel uneasy by continuously plundering the Mōri territory, fanning the flames of fear and disturbance within the territory and stirring trouble from the back.
Motonari: Actually, we've been on good terms with the neighbouring Uragami clan for ages but it seems like they've lost faith in us and are siding with the Oda now.
Terumoto: This is not good! ...Ah, that's right! My lord, we can do the same to the Oda territory. How about we make their people feel unsafe and disturbed so that the Uragami will side with us again?
Motonari: Terumoto, a reign built on destruction and fear isn't the way to pave history.
Terumoto: However, we don't have a choice if we want to protect our country, do we?
Motonari: Our country exists because of the people. The people do not exist because of the country. There is no hope for those who, instead of protecting their fellow countrymen, choose to bring them harm and create fear and disturbance instead.
Motonari: After all, this is all just some meaningless fighting among the us lords. Even if our hands are all equally dirty, I hope to limit the extent of these dirty tricks to this narrow space between us lords.
And then Motonari outlined a plan. In order to convince the Uragami from the neighbouring Bizen province to go with their plan, Terumoto would replace his father as the Mōri head.
Terumoto: Oh, I see! As expected of my lord!
Motonari: Well, it's nothing more than a makeshift solution.
Event: The retainer surpasses the lord
A political change took place in Bizen. Ukita Naoie, a powerful retainer of the Uragami, rebelled against his lord, Munekage. He drove out Munekage and became the lord of the province of Bizen.
Naoie reversed on the Uragami clan's political measure of siding with the Oda clan and instead, allied with the Mōri clan. He adopted the stance of becoming close to the Mouri and going against the Oda.
Takakage: Father, we did it! With this, things in Bizen will calm down!
Motonari: Yes, although this will only help us for the time being. Ukita Naoie is a ruthless leader. He won't remain quiet for long.
Motonari: We should take this chance to take down Harima as quickly as possible. Yamanaka Shikanosuke will continue to cause trouble in our Mōri territory. In any case, we need to protect everyone from this terror.
Event: Araki Murashige's rebellion
Meanwhile, something happened in Settsu. The Governor of Settsu, Araki Murashige raised the banner of rebellion against Oda Nobunaga and was besieged in his home castle, Arioka Castle.
Hanbei: Isn't this great? This is the work of Mōri's grand schemes.
Kanbei: Evidently. In order to prevent the Oda clan from aiding the Amago's clan former vassals - Yamanaka Shikanosuke and the others - and in order to isolate Harima, they executed this plan.
Hanbei: But this means that the Mōri are carrying a live bomb. When the Oda attack Araki, what will they do?
Kanbei: Abandon him, probably.
Hanbei: It's not like the Oda clan can say anything about honour or gratitude, but it's not a good plan, is it? If they lose their trustworthiness, they won't be able to make allies out of enemies, and it'll be easy for their current allies to alienate them.
Kanbei: However, it will be hard for them to send reinforcements. If they go about it badly, this could deal a grievous blow to the Mōri. Araki's just a pawn after all. There is no way to compromise and not abandon him.
Hanbei: Huh? Surely Mōri can pull off such a feat. I'm looking forward to him executing an awesome plan to get through this. It'll be more exciting. That goes for us too, when we have to stop them.
Kanbei: Look forward to it if you like but it's troublesome to be made to look forward to it.
Event: The battle of Kōzuki Castle
Kōzuki Castle was an important point at the intersection of the three provinces of Harima, Bizen and Mimasaka. Yamanaka Shikanosuke and the other former Amago retainers who had come under the Oda clan intercepted the Mōri clan's Harima-invasion army at this castle.
Motoharu: We will win this battle, put an end to our war with the Amago clan and lead our territory to stability! Let's go!
The battle had begun.
Battle: Kōzuki Castle
The death of Yamanaka Shikanosuke
Kōzuki Castle fell. In the flames, Amago Katsuhisa and Yamanaka Shikanosuke had nowhere else to go to.
Messenger: Lord Shikanosuke! We can request the Oda clan to send escort troops to help you escape from here.
Shikanosuke: There's no point. We cannot lose the important Oda troops for this. Those troops are vital for the Amago's revival.
Katsuhisa: Shikanosuke, what do you plan to do?
Shikanosuke: I will surrender to the Mōri for now. Then, I'll again bare the fangs of our revival at them. No matter how many times it takes, even if it takes a million times, no matter what I have to sacrifice!
Katsuhisa: Shikanosuke, I thank you for making me the Amago's commander. I am thankful to you, and therefore I want you to live. I want you to value your life, Shikanosuke.
Shikanosuke: To value my own life is akin to acting like trash, wallowing in selfishness. Valuing your own life because of cowardice and regrets, indulging in your own avarice and selfishness, that is what a coward like Motonari would do… It makes me puke!
Katsuhisa: Shikanosuke, even to the end, you remain pure and noble. Even the laws of these chaotic times will not be able to accept Motonari's wickedness. I will not stop you anymore. Let's fight them until the very end.
Thus, Amago Katsuhisa took his own life and the Amago clan came to an end. Yamanaka Shikanosuke surrendered to the Mōri and was brought to Motonari.
Shikanosuke: Well, Motonari. Can you look me in the eye? There's no way you can understand me. There are questions you wish to ask of me, are there not?
Motonari: I've never thought that I could understand you, nor do I wish to. However, I've studied history and I can imagine what someone like you would say. So there's no point in questioning you.
Motoharu: Please wait, Father. I must question him. Why did you choose to act in such a way that brought terror to the people?
Shikanosuke: Because that is the only way for those inferior in strength to fight back against the people who wield the power of the state.
Motonari: Even if it involves those who are weak and innocent, who have never caused so much trouble to others?
Shikanosuke: Don't make me laugh with your fake righteousness. In your minds, all you know is that the weak should just be content with being ruled with those who wield the power of the state.
Shikanosuke: The Mōri who destroyed the Amago clan, their own masters, are evil! The Mōri who increased their strength through dishonourable methods and indulged in their own profits are evil! The Mōri who destroyed the Amago with a cowardly scheme are evil!
Shikanosuke: For the righteous sake of returning the Amago clan to how it should be, I will defeat this evil. The evil has no right to criticise the sole method that is open to me!
Motonari: I've learnt from studying history. There is no absolute good or evil in politics. The only thing there is is what is 'the better choice'.
Shikanosuke: That is merely an excuse! If that is not so, Motonari, if you're saying that you are not evil, then free me! And once again, face me in battle and accept the judgement from the heavens!
Motonari: There is no mistaking the fact that I am evil. I have no intentions of involving many others into something as foolish as war to prove something so foolish.
Motonari: All I'm doing is, just barely, continuing to pick the better choice. Take him away.
While under escort, Yamanaka Shikanosuke was assassinated by someone employed by the Mōri clan. However, the strife between the Oda and the Mōri had yet to end.
Chapter 4: The Demon King's shadow
Event: The Demon King's shadow
The daimyō of Bizen, Ukita Naoie, accepted the plan proposed by the Oda strategists, Takenaka Hanbei and Kuroda Kanbei. He broke off the alliance with the Mōri and served the Oda.
Motonari: Hmm, that's a brilliant display of the 'befriend to a distant enemy and attack those nearby*' strategy. This neatly drives a wedge into our backs. We're in danger of a pincer attack. This is rather serious...
Terumoto: M-My lord! What should we do?!
Motonari: Well, Ukita's betrayal is within my expectations so there is no need to panic. If we're troubled by their use of the strategy, we can do the same and make them feel just as troubled.
Terumoto: Which is to say?
Motonari: Let's ally with the Saika who are based in the province of Kii, behind the Oda. If we do that, it'll be easy for us to get in contact with Settsu's Araki Murashige. Our allies will be in a more advantageous position.
Terumoto: I see! In that case, let's hurry up!
*#23 of Sun Tzu's 36 strategems. Also mentioned in the Toyotomi story path as well as other events scattered everywhere.
Event: An emergency request for help
Urgent news came to the Mōri who had allied with the Saika from Kii province. It was a request for reinforcements from Araki Murashige. His home castle, Arioka Castle, was under attack by the Oda army.
Motonari: Looks like he's trying to forcibly break us apart in the middle... This is an unexpected move. Even if he succeeds, he'll be trapped between the Mōri and the Saika. The situation won't be good for the Oda...
Takakage: Perhaps his intention is to make use of the time after he breaks our alliance in the middle to destroy the Saika, then attack us?
Motonari: There won't be time. It'll only be a bad move that results in the battlefield being stretched out. If they do that, there won't be enough soldiers to protect Nobunaga.
Motonari: It is also possible that that is the intention of the Oda generals, and they might plan to assassinate Nobunaga when he has few companions with him...
Terumoto: That's it! That's it, my lord! In the first place, Araki was just a pawn to separate the Amago from the Oda. We have no more use for him, let's discard him!
Terumoto: If we do that, the Mōri will have all three things! Nobunaga's life, a way out from a dangerous situation and a land under the Mōri rule!
Motonari: You can't tamper with our strategy, Terumoto. Please, don't put your hopes on a Mōri rule. Didn't Takamoto tell you about my story about the three arrows?
Motonari: If we do as you said, we will lose the trust of the land. All the tens of thousands of arrows in the land will not align with each other and face the same direction. Even if we manage to save the Mōri, it will not serve us in the long run.
Terumoto: I-I'm sorry, my lord...
Motonari: You don't have to be so dejected, Terumoto. Your broad-minded nature is a good thing. You are one of the Mōri's important arrows.
Motonari: Anyway, I don't think Nobunaga's generals would make a foolish move. I'm not comfortable with this plan but let us save Araki Murashige.
Terumoto: I understand, my lord!
Battle: Arioka Castle - Mōri vs Oda
Event: A fated meeting with Nobunaga
The Oda army led by Nobunaga broke through the siege at Arioka Castle and retreated in order.
Motonari: Strange... this was over too fast. Did we overlook something...?
Terumoto: We did it, my lord! Yahoo!
Motonari: As the successor to the Mōri clan, you shouldn't be so overjoyed and crying out lot like a monkey.
Motonari: That's right! We forgot about Hideyoshi! We were so dazzled and overwhelmed by Nobunaga that we didn't notice he wasn't there.
Motonari: Nobunaga himself was the decoy. While he lured us to San'yōdō*, Hideyoshi will attack the Mōri home territory from San'indō.
Takakage: I see!
Motoharu: The vital point on San'indō, Tottori Castle, is defended by our vassal. He should be able to put a hold on Hideyoshi's advance.
Motonari: Hideyoshi is an expert on attacking castles. If we delay, we'll lose an important vassal. Everyone, quick! We're turning back!
*San'indō and San'yōdō are two of the seven circuits during the Sengoku period.
Battle: Tottori Castle
Cutscene:
Takakage: This victory was just like father's lesson about the three arrows!
Motonari: Ah... that, huh. If there are only three arrows, they can be broken.
Mōri kids: What?!
Motonari: The original story was from the Tuyuhun Kingdom section in the Book of Wei. In the story, they tried to break twenty arrows. Three arrows is a far cry from that. Therefore, we have to increase the number of arrows.
Motonari: Furthermore, the moral of the story is not about numbers. The point is to have everyone focused on the same goal.
Motonari: Hm, it's just like 'one million, one heart'.
Motonari: This responsibility belongs to all of you.
Takakage: Then, what about you, Father?
Motonari: I've already my entire life's share of work. Let me live out the rest of my days in peace while I devote myself entirely to writing about history.
*Note: Okuni's events are triggered by recruiting her, therefore they can happen at any point in the story. I've put them at the end, following the order in the event list.
Event: Unclean hands
Motonari was reading a book on history in his room which was over-strewn with books when Okuni burst in.
Okuni: Lord Motonari, again with your books?
Motonari: Mmm. It's about history. It really makes me think. Those who had wisdom that surpassed millions of others, those who had orchestrated peace, war and death, they were all so incredibly lonely.
Motonari: Even for them, there must be someone who could have been their friend in the thousands of years before or after their lifetimes. However, if those two were born in the same time and age, and if they met, they would be each other's nemesis, continuously defeating or being defeated by each other.
Motonari: On the other hand, if the two of them were to come to an understanding, 'one million, one heart', and heal the land, I'm sure an ideal time of peace would come to the land.
Okuni: By 'incredibly lonely', are you referring to yourself?
Motonari: Haha, no, I'm not that great. I have a friend in this lifetime too. Well, we ended up in a 'kill or be killed' situation at Itsukushima though...
Motonari: Hironaka Takakane. 'One million, one heart' was a phrase I learnt from him. He was a capable person. If it was him, he would have been able to see through my plans for the battle at Itsukushima.
Motonari: He could have thrown aside his lord, Sue Harukata, to survive on his own or he could have defeated me and ended up as the one still alive now. But he chose neither. He remained righteous and sacrificed himself for his loyalty.
Motonari: On the other hand, I, who have devoted my life to strategies, whose hands are dirty beyond help, am still alive.
Okuni clasped Motonari's hand in the palms of her hands and brought it to her cheek.
Okuni: I love this hand.
Okuni: There is no good or evil in this world. Everyone is just trying their very best to protect the ones they want to protect with their own hands, even if they can't see what's coming ahead.
Okuni: And when you have done your best, even if your hands are dirtied, when you feel that you can no longer bear the burden of those who had gone ahead, when everything is slipping out of your hands, when there's nothing you can do even no matter how much you worry and fret, I will bring you back to Izumo at any time. So, just do your best.
Event: A leisurely boat ride
A powerful family serving the Mōri had arranged for a boat ride. The young daughter of the family, Motonari and Okuni went out on the boat ride.
The girl was restless. She seemed to holding back on something and was distracted even while talking to Motonari.
When Motonari was talking to Okuni, the girl stood up as though she had made up her mind and jumped into the water.
Motonari: Ah…! Damn, so that's it!
Motonari undid his obi and re-tied it to his body, handed one end to Okuni, and jumped into the water to save the girl.
The girl took one look at the completely drenched Motonari and burst into tears. Without saying anything, Motonari gave the girl a gentle hug and had the boat return to shore.
Terumoto: My lord?! Are you all right?!
Motonari: Aah, I'm sorry for making you worried. I'm all right. The boat was rocking and I fell into the water. I ended up pulling this girl down along with me. I need to apologise to her parents...
Motonari glossed over the story of what happened. When everyone had left, Okuni began laughing at Motonari.
Okuni: Oh my, how kind of you.
Motonari: So you knew all along. That's mean of you.
Okuni: She was fidgeting a bit and it seemed cute so I thought I'll see what happens.
Motonari: In that case, you should have told me about it… I'm dense and didn't notice her crisis. I ended up doing that to her.
Motonari: Even as young as she is, she's still a girl. In front of a man like me, especially one who holds the power over her father's life, she was desperately battling against her body's need to go to the toilet.
Motonari: However, even after putting up a good fight, the time came when the floodgates opened. However, the girl rejected her fate and did not choose to just leave things to destiny.
Motonari: To hide water, you need water. Even if it costs her her life, the girl chose to hide her shame and threw herself into the water.
Motonari: She has dignity, values her family's honour, doesn't give in to fate, shows great intelligence, and can act courageously. Young as she is, she's quite an amazing girl.
Looking at Motonari, Okuni began to chuckle.
Motonari: Wh-What's wrong? Did I say something strange?
Okuni: No. Lord Motonari, you usually only say the worst things about your own abilities to strategise, but once again I thought that it's not something to belittle.
Okuni: You saw through that girl's plans and quickly responded accordingly. You lied and cleaned up the mess thoroughly...
Okuni: That you were able to understand the girl to this extent is due to your abilities to strategise. The saying 'the one with more plans, wins*' is not limited to battles, is it?
Okuni: Tactics or tricks, every ability is neither good nor evil. It all depends on how you make use of it.
Motonari: Thank you.
1. 謀多きは勝つ (the one with more plans, wins) - the full version of this saying is 「能や芸や慰め、何もかも要らず。ただ武略、計略、調略が肝要に候。謀多きは勝ち、少なきは負け候と申す」which comes from a letter Motonari wrote to Terumoto, telling him that while there's nothing wrong with being accomplished in arts and culture, it is also crucial to be good at strategy and military warfare. 'The one with more plans, wins; the one with less, loses'.
2. The entire event is a reference to a historical story. There is one version of the original story here and the main differences are:
- the girl’s parents were trying to get Motonari to take the girl as his concubine after the death of his wife (hence the invitation to the boat ride)
- Motonari really did end up marrying the girl (because of all the qualities mentioned in the event).
-THE END-
One more note on Okuni:
出雲の根の国 - Izumo (出雲) is a legit province but 根の国 (Ne no kuni) refers to its more mystical history. Ne no kuni literally means Land of Origin. It appears as 根の堅洲国 (Ne no Katasukuni) in the Kojiki, one of the oldest existing record of Japanese history and is a mystical realm associated with the land of the dead. The main reason why I'm highlighting this is because it shows that Okuni here is like in SW3Z where she's... what exactly, I'm not sure, sort of like a guide to the afterlife? This is why I choose to translate that part as 'bring you back to Izumo'.
Out of curiosity, I checked back the transcripts for Okuni's events in SW2E and SW1, and it seemed that Okuni's role as a guide to the afterlife was already pretty strongly hinted at in this SW2E event. In the SW2E event and this SW3E event, 出雲の根の国 is used in that event as opposed to just 出雲 in her true ending in SW1 and (afaik) in her battle chatter in SW3Z. In a way, I suppose her dialogue in SW1 sort of hints at her true role already.
Anyway, if you read this far, I hope you enjoyed it! This will be the last SW3E story mode translation from me unless I can find recordings of the other story modes. I love the Mouri story a lot for its complexities and the insight it gives us into Motonari's personality. This story is the longest, both in terms of word count and in terms of amount of time spent translating and researching.
1. This whole thing is about 8000 words long. (For comparison, Oda's story which I thought was long is about 5000 words.)
2. Tentative order of future updates: Tokugawa, Shimazu, Takeda, Uesugi
Edit: Yay, I finished the missing events before 2014 :D
Notes:
1. A lot of the recurring characters in this story are NPCs so I thought it might be helpful to have a list of who belongs to which faction.
Mōri clan:
Mōri Motonari, and his sons:
Mōri Takamoto - hostage to the Ōuchi
Kikkawa Motoharu - second son, became the head of the Kikkawa clan
Kobayakawa Takakage - third son, became the head of the Kobayakawa clan
Shiji Hiroyoshi - Mōri retainer who only appears once or twice
Ōuchi clan:
Ōuchi Yoshitaka - clan head
Sue Harukata - chief retainer
Hironaka Takakane - Sue retainer and Motonari's bff
Amago clan:
Yamanaka Shikanosuke - Amago retainer
(Three Amago clan heads are mentioned in the story though only one of them appears in a single event. They are, in order: Haruhisa, Yoshihisa and Katsuhisa.)
2. A rather important point, this translation does not cover the entire story mode. I have been unable to find recordings for some of the events in the second half of the story so about a quarter of the story is untranslated. However, as the Mouri story seems to follow historical events quite closely, I have tried to filled in the gaps based on the event names and info gleaned from wikipedia jp. If you know of any recordings of the missing events, I would appreciate links!
The translation is now complete!
3. As usual, if you see any mistakes or discrepancies, or have any questions, just let me know :)
4. Recordings: Part 1, Part 2, bits of Part 3 and Part 4.
Transcripts for events not covered in the recordings are here.
Chapter 1: Under the Ōuchi clan
Event: Sue Harukata's debut
During the Sengoku era, there were two powerful forces in the Chūgoku region; the Ōuchi of Suō and the Amago of Izumo. The weaker daimyō in the region were their subordinates.
Mōri Motonari from the Mōri clan was one of those weaker daimyō. He sent his eldest son, Takamoto, to the Ōuchi as a hostage and served under them. He was currently in his home castle, Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle, besieged by the Amago's large army.
However, the current head of the Ōuchi clan, Yoshitaka, and his close advisors hated fighting and stubbornly refused to send reinforcements. They had decided to abandon the Mōri clan to their fate.
Shiji Hiroyoshi: Lord Motonari... It looks like there will be no reinforcements coming from the Ōuchi clan. Shall we open the gates and surrender to the Amago or shall we let this castle be our final resting place...?
Motonari: Now now, you won't survive these chaotic times with that pessimism. It'll be fine, the reinforcements will come.
Hiroyoshi: The Ōuchi will gain nothing by mobilising a large army to rescue the Mōri. The head of the Ōuchi clan, Yoshitaka, and his close advisers have decided to abandon the Mōri. Isn't that so?
Motonari: He stands to gain nothing and everyone in his clan objects to it. But that is precisely why there is something he stands to gain by sending reinforcements... If he's indeed a smart person, he'll realise that.
Motonari: Tales of his honourable nature would only come in useful in the future. Besides that, if the reinforcements that no one thought would come really did turn up, we could easily crush the enemy's spirit.
Motonari: If he undertakes a great enterprise that everyone says is impossible, his reputation among his own clan would grow too, wouldn't it? This is a great opportunity for any man who strives to be a hero.
Hiroyoshi: I-I see... However, is there anyone over there who would realise this?
Motonari: It's probably impossible for those stubborn advisors. However, the young master of the Sue family should be of age soon. This should be an excellent chance for him to lead an army into battle.
Meanwhile, in the Ōuchi home territory of Yamaguchi, Takamoto - the Mōri hostage to the Ōuchi and Motonari's eldest son - was deep in thought.
Takamoto: The Ōuchi clan has decided not to send reinforcements... The only way out for the Mōri now is to surrender to the Amago and betray the Ōuchi!
Takamoto: However, as long as I remain here as a hostage, Father will be undecided... In that case, I will erase my existence with my own hands!
His decision made, Takamoto held a dagger against his throat. It was then that the Ōuchi's chief retainer and scion of the Sue clan, Sue Harukata, grabbed his arm and stopped him.
Harukata: Young master of the Mōri clan, there is no need for you to die. I will go. I will save you, your family, your castle, even your province!
Harukata: There is no need for you to kill yourself over those petrified old-timers obsessed with their own well-being. I will send reinforcements and rescue everything of yours!
Sue Harukata gathered his army and rode out to the Mōri's Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle as reinforcements.
Hiroyoshi: Lord Motonari! The reinforcements are here! Reinforcements for us are here from the Ōuchi clan! The commander is the scion of the Sue clan, Sue Harukata, here on his first battle!
Motonari: See? Now we can last longer than five minutes in this battle. We're all exhausted from this siege, let's take this victory as easily as possible.
Battle: Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle - Mōri vs Amago
Event: One million, one heart
The battle ended with the Ōuchi-Mōri side victorious. The Amago ended their siege on Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle and retreated.
After the battle, Sue Harukata visited Mōri Motonari's camp. He grasped Motonari's hand firmly and gazed squarely into Motonari's eyes as he spoke.
Harukata: These are the days of chaos and anarchy! What was common sense yesterday is thought of as ridiculous- nay, as evil today! There is no future for those who cannot adapt!
Harukata: We must be the ones to embrace change and to strive for it! In the Ōuchi clan, the only ones capable of this are you and I. Our victory in this battle proves it!
Motonari: Huh... As the saying goes, only 'you and I1'...?
Harukata: I will discuss with Lord Yoshitaka and his close retainers to allow Takamoto, who's currently being held hostage, to return to the Mōri. It's nothing much to speak off, just a small token of appreciation for those who have cooperated with me.
Harukata: There is no meaning to the past! We need to get rid of the old-timers who cling to the past. We will create new waves and a new order! Farewell!
Motonari: The past… History matters. It's part of the present and it is an invaluable guide to paving the road to the future...
Hironaka Takakane: You look troubled, Motonari. Judging by your personality, it must be hard for you to deal with someone like Lord Harukata.
Motonari: Aah, Takakane. It is indeed true that he is brilliant.
Hironaka Takakane was Motonari's old friend. He had asked Sue Harukata to be allowed to join the reinforcements to aid the Mōri.
Motonari: Not only is he incredibly capable, he also thinks highly of himself and is extremely confident. He is capable of opening up new avenues and that makes it easy for him to act on his own. According to history, this type of person tends to be the cause of their own downfall so one needs to be careful.
Takakane: There we have it, Lord Motonari's 'according to history'. It's been a while since I last heard that.
Motonari: ...Ah, you're right. I've been busy with the Mōri clan affairs lately, I haven't got time at all for my writing or for history...
Motonari: Anyway, I am warning you as a friend. You seem to take this scion of the Sue family lightly but he will come into danger, especially with those heroic tendencies.
Takakane: If he's in danger I need only to support him. This is why people like you and I exist, we are the ones who have the capability to support kings2.
Motonari: As you have said, 'one million, one heart'3. Somehow, when one immerses themselves completely in administration affairs, one turns evil and forget good words like these.
Takakane: Hey now, please don't forget them. That goes for history too. I'm sure they'll give you strength when you're suffering.
Motonari: I will hold my friend's words of caution close to my heart. Well then, Amago should stay low for a while now. We can take our time for now to increase our strength.
1 'You and I' is a fairly innocuous phrase but the way it's written, 君と余, is not common. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen 余 used to mean 'I'. This is likely a reference to the line Cao Cao says to Liu Bei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 'The only heroes in this world are you and I.'
2 王佐の才 or 王佐之才 in the original Mandarin text. Another phrase related to the Three Kingdoms. When he was young, Xun Yu was described by a scholar, He Yong, as 'someone capable of assisting kings'.
3 百万一心 (hyakkuman isshin). Literally 'one million, one heart'. There are two theories (afaik) regarding the origin of this phrase. One of them is, as shown in the above event, the phrase was said by Takakane when he aided the Mōri in the Battle of Yoshida Kōriyama Castle. The other theory is that when Mōri Motonari officiated the starting of the building works of Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle, he wrote this phrase on a stone monument which took the place of a human sacrifice. What it means is 'if everyone in the province works together, anything is possible'. For more information about the human sacrifice part, try looking up 'human pillar' and 'hitobashira'.
Edit: I initially thought that the phrase 'one million, one heart' solely references the first origin story I mentioned above but interestingly, the special building that is unlocked after completing the Mōri story in this game is a stone monument with the phrase carved on it.
Event: The great Amago subjugation campaign
The current head of the Ōuchi clan, Yoshitaka, commanded a large army on a huge invasion campaign. As the Mōri were under the Ōuchi, Motonari also joined in the campaign.
Motonari: Why are we launching a war campaign right now? We've only just managed to catch our breaths after defeating the Amago recently. He's working the weak daimyō too hard. I'm strongly against this.
Takakane: Now, now. Even disregarding that, there are a lot of daimyō pulled into this who are against it. If a genius strategist like you were to stir them up, the Ōuchi clan would be ruined.
Motonari: After the previous battle, some clans saw that the Ōuchi had the advantage and defected from the Amago to join us. I understand the urge to ride on that momentum but shouldn't we first strengthen these new alliances?
Takakane: I've said as much and tried to advise him...
Motonari: As I thought, this was young Sue's idea...
Motonari: Takakane, let me warn you as a friend. This war is dangerous. The supply lines are not satisfactory but we have already gone deep into enemy territory. We've overstepped ourselves...
Motonari: I don't want to think this way but if this is Amago's plan all along, then he may have planned for Kikkawa Okitsune, who's strong in battle but weak in loyalty, to plant the seeds of betrayal within this expeditionary campaign.
Motonari: When that happens, the game is over. The weaker daimyō will have enough of the Ōuchi and rush to join the Amago. If the Amago main force attacks then, we'll be trapped and finished.
Motonari: You must prepare for retreat. Someone like you should not die in a battle like this. If you start preparing now, you can still make it in time.
In the end, Motonari's predictions came true.
Kikkawa Okitsune, who was in the Ōuchi army, double-crossed them for the Amago. The weaker daimyō followed suit and defected from the Ōuchi. The invasion force was reduced in an instant.
Then, the Amago's large army came in pursuit. The Ōuchi clan and Mōri Motonari were in grave danger.
Battle: The First Battle of Gassan-Toda Castle - Mōri vs Amago
Event: Sue's dissatisfaction
Thanks to the Mōri army, the Ōuchi army narrowly escaped from the deadly battle against the Amago. However, that narrow escape came at a very high cost.
Takakane: My lord, you should eat.
Harukata: I don't need it! ...Our soldiers are starving. Give them my entire share of the rations.
Harukata: Takakane... I am mortified. Our soldiers fought desperately on the frontlines. They should be rewarded. So why do we not have enough rations? Why must they starve and shiver from all this humiliation?
Harukata: Why is the commander of the army, who should treat all these soldiers as though they are his own children and bear the responsibility of bringing them safely back to their homes, the first to safely escape from the battlefield?!
The commander, Ōuchi Yoshitaka, had earlier fled the battlefield with his close retainers. Harukata had remained with the other soldiers who had been left behind.
Harukata: Men! I feel hatred! They are cowards who know no shame! They are power-hungry selfish bastards who only know to manipulate others for their own gain!
Harukata: They sit warm and cozy at a safe distance, nonchalantly send all of you into danger and then just as nonchalantly leave all of you behind in danger.
Harukata: They will receive their just desserts for their arrogance! Those who are wounded, those who are suffering, those who have gone before us, I will take revenge for all of you!
Motonari: ...The blame for sending all these soldiers into danger for the sake of avaricious ambitions lies not only with a single person, young Sue. Who will you punish, who will you exact your revenge on?
Chapter 2: Becoming the hero of Chūgoku
Event: The Taineiji Incident
Sue Harukata rebelled. He attacked his lord, Ōuchi Yoshitaka, and his close retainers, and put a puppet lord in place. It would be known as the Taineiji Incident.
Motonari: Takamoto, looks like you're adamant that we should attack Sue Harukata. If we silently allow young Sue to go on his path of dishonour, the Mōri will lose what we stand for and we will lose our future.
Motonari: It is befitting a hero to stand up for honour. It is commendable conduct when it is a single person's action. But in the event that it involves clan vassals and commoners, one needs to take more into account.
Motonari: If we wish to oppose young Sue's dishonourable doings on top of protecting our people, the weak and powerless Mōri cannot be reckless. Are you prepared to dirty your hands to go against young Sue?
Motonari: If we side with young Sue, we will be forming a country that is founded on dishonour. But even if we should choose to fight against young Sue, it does not mean that we will entirely honourable. Even the most deplorable peace is preferable to the most ideal war, isn't it?
Takamoto: Father, if it is unavoidable for you to dirty your hands in order to kill Sue and if Heaven should punish you for it, then I am prepared to receive that punishment in your place.
Motonari: Just because you're prepared for it doesn't make it right, Takamoto. And that's not what I want to say...
Motonari: We will fight against young Sue. However, we won't make our move against them until we are about to win. Let's first strengthen our province.
Event: The Kikkawa-Kobayakawa takeover
Motonari began absorbing the neighbouring families into the Mōri clan, thus increasing their power. Firstly, he sent his second son, Motoharu, to the Kikkawa and had the head of the Kikkawa clan, Okitsune, retire.
On top of that, he took in the Kikkawa vassals, filled in the outer moat, assassinated the valiantly resisting Okitsune by buying over his close retainers, and then snapping his bowstring and crushing the blade of his sword.
Motonari's assassins swooped down on Okitsune. Okitsune struck the assassins with his bladeless sword, and shouted-
Okitsune: Motonari! You dastardly coward! You wish to take over my clan yet you are afraid to face me in battle! I'll never die in the hands of these lowly assassins! I'll fight you, Motonari!
However, without a weapon, even the valiant Okitsune lost the ability to fight back. In the end, he fell and the Kikkawa clan came under the control of the Mōri.
After his death, Okitsune's beloved dog refused to leave his grave and starved to death. It was said that the dog was protecting Okitsune's head.
Okitsune had betrayed his lords repeatedly and in the end was betrayed by his own retainers. Yet, the story of his loyal pet dog was his legacy.
Motonari had to take over the Kobayakawa clan as they had a navy. He assassinated a Kobayakawa vassal, forced the head of the clan into retirement, and installed his third son, Takakage, as the head of the clan.
Motonari: The end does not justify the means... definitely. ...All right, my hands are already so dirty, so why am I still thinking about these things...
The Mōri clan solidified their power and became the absolute ruler of the province of Aki. Motonari declared war against the Ōuchi clan, who had become nothing more than Sue Harukata's puppets. The war between Mōri Motonari and Sue Harukata began.
Event: The Battle of Itsukushima
Mōri Motonari advanced his troops to Itsukushima and built Miyao Castle. Itsukushima was a major point along the transportation routes and a vital economic center for the Sue clan. There was no way Sue Harukata could overlook his actions.
Harukata: To think that Motonari, of all people, would build a castle in such a foolish location. We'll set off at once! We'll take down Miyao Castle with a large army and take back Itsukushima!
Takakane: My lord, please wait! Itsukushima is narrow, a large army wouldn't be able to maneuver easily there! Please reconsider your decision!
Harukata: Even if Motonari suddenly decides to stir things up, he's nothing more than a weak daimyō. His soldiers are few. Thus, he must be planning to make us send our large army in successive teams so that he can defeat each one in turn. Don't be deceived, Takakane.
Harukata: There is another reason to send in a large army. The clans serving Motonari now do so because of his underhanded methods and he still does not have complete control over them.
Harukata: In this circumstance, if we invade with a large army, those clans will be flustered over Mōri's disadvantage and defect to join us!
Harukata: Look at this! This is a letter from Katsura Motozumi who was entrusted with Motonari's home castle, and he has wrote that he will betray Motonari to join me! While Motonari is away from his castle, he will be trapped between Motozumi and I.
Takakane: Aah, my lord! This is Motonari's trap! He will scatter hope and opportunities to lure you out and let you get carried away with your strategy!
Harukata: Takakane, why do you speak only of such ill-fortuned things before the start of the battle?! ...Come to think of it, you were an old friend of Motonari, were you not? Are you trying to stop me for Motonari...
Takakane: Such lamentable words...! Loyalty is the very core of a warrior's life! Why would I throw away my loyalty for personal feelings?!
Takakane: Aah, I will not say anymore. I will only fight on the battlefield and prove my loyalty for you to witness.
Motonari: So we managed to lure him out rather quickly... Young Sue, the you who had shown up as a gallant hero at Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle no longer exists...
Motonari: You gained control over the pirates and brought peace to the Setonai Sea. But now, the pirates are my allies. They will sink your navy and cut off your escape path.
Motonari: What you did was right. Even the Heavens will probably judge that justice is on your noble side. However, war is wrought by people... The advantage is not on your side when you turn your allies into enemies.
Motonari: Takakane, it seems that even with your capabilities, you were not able to stop young Sue. Fate and time are cruel... Even if it's something one already knows by studying history...
The war between Sue Harukata and Mōri Motonari to decide who will attain the seat of power in Chūgoku would begin at Itsukushima...
Battle: Itsukushima - Mōri vs Ōuchi
Event: Sue's death
The Mōri clan won the Battle of Itsukushima. Sue Harukata committed suicide.
Motonari: When we were retreating from the invasion attempt on Amago territory, you promised the soldiers that they would get their revenge. You kept the promise you made that day and pursued your revenge to the end... and it was also the end of you. This is what you deserved, young Sue.
Motonari's friend, Takakane, had sacrificed himself for his lord. Motonari treated his remaining family members well.
Motonari: You advised and admonished your lord and even when your lord ignored your words, you remained steadfastly loyal to him and faced your old friend on the battlefield... Stories like this are in abundance in history.
Motonari: There are those in the past who have borne this pain and sorrow... They share this feeling. ...But even after all that, their soul remains unbroken.
Motonari: History gives us strength. Takakane... what you said that day was true.
The Mōri clan destroyed the Ōuchi and Sue clans. The province of Suō fell into their hands. The Amago, who had been allied with the Ōuchi and Sue clans, began to attack the Mōri.
Motonari had decided on a decisive battle against the Amago. His next target was Izumo.
Event: The Amago's plans
It was to be the decisive battle between the Mōri and the Amago. Before final battle, an unfortunate thing happened to the Amago. The head of the clan, Haruhisa, died suddenly and was succeeded by his young heir, Yoshihisa.
Motonari took advantage of this weakness and schemed successively with the clans serving the Amago. He had them betray the Amago and join the Mōri, whittling away at the Amago's territory.
At the same time, he tricked the Amago clan head, Yoshihisa, into executing the Shingūtō, an elite squad of Amago soldiers led by Amago Kunihisa. Along with drastically cutting down the Amago's military prowess, this move also sowed the seeds of discord among the Amago.
Then, the Mōri army laid siege on Amago's home castle, Gassan-Toda Castle.
Takakage: Father, it was bad for the Amago but Amago Haruhisa died at the perfect time. Thanks to that, the only place left for the Amago now is this Gassan-Toda Castle.
Motonari: Hmm... I guess so...
Takakage: Ah! Father, there's another thing. This battle will be Takamoto's son's, Terumoto's, first battle. Terumoto!
Terumoto: Grandfather! Wait, no, my lord! I'm your grandson, Terumoto! Just as how you've taken care of Father for the past forty years, I'll like to beg of you to also take care of the inexperienced me.
Motonari: The Mōri clan has become quite lively. I see, 'one million, one heart'...
Motoharu: However, Gassan-Toda Castle is indeed a strong fortress. It won't fall so easily, Father.
Motonari: It's an immense fortress capable of sustaining a large army even in a siege. Well, if it has its advantages, it also has its weaknesses. We'll turn the tables on them using their large numbers. Let's attack their supplies.
Motonari: If we attack their supply lines, the impact would be large due to the size of their army. They'll immediately be troubled over the supply shortage and weaken.
As a result of Motonari's attack on the supplies, the castle inhabitants starved and morale fell. An important Amago retainer* used his own private funds to obtain supplies and distribute them among the soldiers. However, due to Motonari's schemes, he was executed by Yoshihisa.
*The unlucky dude is Uyama Hisakane.
Motonari: Well then, it's about time for us to attack. Let's go.
Battle: Izumo-Iwami - Mōri vs Amago
Cutscene:
Motonari: My sons, looks like you're all here. Takamoto, Motoharu, Takakage.
Motonari: Today, I'll like to talk about the core component of my strategies.
???: How dirty of you, Mōri Motonari! You rip apart our Amago clan with your schemes and destroy us with your words. I will never forgive you!
Motonari: One arrow can be easily snapped but if you hold three arrows together... can they be broken?
???: I am the Amago's surviving retainer, Yamanaka Shikanosuke! I swear on the moon that I will revive my clan! Regardless of what I have to sacrifice! Even if I am the only one left!
Motonari: Understood? It is essential that the three arrows are held together. There can not be a single defect.
Motonari: As long as we have that, the rest will fall into place somehow.
Shikanosuke: O moon! Bestow upon me the seven misfortunes and eight pains*!
*月よ！我に七難八苦を与えたまえ！ - Dramatic as it is, this line is actually drawn from historical records/ anecdotes. Here's an interesting article about Shikanosuke and his connection to the crescent moon, and this apparently famous quote of his.
七難八苦 (seven misfortunes and eight pains) is a Buddhist term. The seven misfortunes are fire, wind, floods, wars, punishments, demons, and thieves; the eight pains are birth, old age, disease, death, separation from loved ones, meeting with the uncongenial, unfulfilled desires, illness of skandhas.
The article linked above interprets it as 'he would gladly accept all of the 'seven troubles and eight pains' if it would bring relief to the Amago' but I've read another interpretation that's along the lines of taking the Mōri invasion as the 七難八苦 that Shikanosuke has to overcome, in other words, viewing it as a challenge rather than a disaster because a challenge can be overcome.
Chapter 3: The Amago's fight for revival
Event: The Amago's revival
Yamanaka Shikanosuke contacted Kuroda Kanbei and obtained the Oda's help to revive the Amago. He returned in high spirits.
Hanbei: Sigh, he went back so happily but he's just a pawn, isn't he? We only need him until the Oda's first step in stirring up the east is completed.
Kanbei: He is not incompetent. Surely he is aware that he has been promised a lot more than he was able to offer.
Kanbei: Furthermore, to demonstrate their usefulness, they are striving to give us what they promised by any means they can. We should make use of that as long as things are going well...
Hanbei: Once we don't need them anymore or once things go wrong, we can just throw them aside... right? He knows that and that's why he's trying even harder.
Hanbei: Well, we stand to gain a lot from those who are at their wits end but we can't keep that card in our hand forever. We have no choice but to throw that card one day, that's just how things go in the world.
Motonari: For the sake of the survival of his lord's clan, the Amago's surviving retainer, Yamanaka Shikanosuke, sent Amago Katsuhisa to the Oda and joined the frontlines in the attack against the Mōri.
Motonari: He's aiming to make our people feel uneasy by continuously plundering the Mōri territory, fanning the flames of fear and disturbance within the territory and stirring trouble from the back.
Motonari: Actually, we've been on good terms with the neighbouring Uragami clan for ages but it seems like they've lost faith in us and are siding with the Oda now.
Terumoto: This is not good! ...Ah, that's right! My lord, we can do the same to the Oda territory. How about we make their people feel unsafe and disturbed so that the Uragami will side with us again?
Motonari: Terumoto, a reign built on destruction and fear isn't the way to pave history.
Terumoto: However, we don't have a choice if we want to protect our country, do we?
Motonari: Our country exists because of the people. The people do not exist because of the country. There is no hope for those who, instead of protecting their fellow countrymen, choose to bring them harm and create fear and disturbance instead.
Motonari: After all, this is all just some meaningless fighting among the us lords. Even if our hands are all equally dirty, I hope to limit the extent of these dirty tricks to this narrow space between us lords.
And then Motonari outlined a plan. In order to convince the Uragami from the neighbouring Bizen province to go with their plan, Terumoto would replace his father as the Mōri head.
Terumoto: Oh, I see! As expected of my lord!
Motonari: Well, it's nothing more than a makeshift solution.
Event: The retainer surpasses the lord
A political change took place in Bizen. Ukita Naoie, a powerful retainer of the Uragami, rebelled against his lord, Munekage. He drove out Munekage and became the lord of the province of Bizen.
Naoie reversed on the Uragami clan's political measure of siding with the Oda clan and instead, allied with the Mōri clan. He adopted the stance of becoming close to the Mouri and going against the Oda.
Takakage: Father, we did it! With this, things in Bizen will calm down!
Motonari: Yes, although this will only help us for the time being. Ukita Naoie is a ruthless leader. He won't remain quiet for long.
Motonari: We should take this chance to take down Harima as quickly as possible. Yamanaka Shikanosuke will continue to cause trouble in our Mōri territory. In any case, we need to protect everyone from this terror.
Event: Araki Murashige's rebellion
Meanwhile, something happened in Settsu. The Governor of Settsu, Araki Murashige raised the banner of rebellion against Oda Nobunaga and was besieged in his home castle, Arioka Castle.
Hanbei: Isn't this great? This is the work of Mōri's grand schemes.
Kanbei: Evidently. In order to prevent the Oda clan from aiding the Amago's clan former vassals - Yamanaka Shikanosuke and the others - and in order to isolate Harima, they executed this plan.
Hanbei: But this means that the Mōri are carrying a live bomb. When the Oda attack Araki, what will they do?
Kanbei: Abandon him, probably.
Hanbei: It's not like the Oda clan can say anything about honour or gratitude, but it's not a good plan, is it? If they lose their trustworthiness, they won't be able to make allies out of enemies, and it'll be easy for their current allies to alienate them.
Kanbei: However, it will be hard for them to send reinforcements. If they go about it badly, this could deal a grievous blow to the Mōri. Araki's just a pawn after all. There is no way to compromise and not abandon him.
Hanbei: Huh? Surely Mōri can pull off such a feat. I'm looking forward to him executing an awesome plan to get through this. It'll be more exciting. That goes for us too, when we have to stop them.
Kanbei: Look forward to it if you like but it's troublesome to be made to look forward to it.
Event: The battle of Kōzuki Castle
Kōzuki Castle was an important point at the intersection of the three provinces of Harima, Bizen and Mimasaka. Yamanaka Shikanosuke and the other former Amago retainers who had come under the Oda clan intercepted the Mōri clan's Harima-invasion army at this castle.
Motoharu: We will win this battle, put an end to our war with the Amago clan and lead our territory to stability! Let's go!
The battle had begun.
Battle: Kōzuki Castle
The death of Yamanaka Shikanosuke
Kōzuki Castle fell. In the flames, Amago Katsuhisa and Yamanaka Shikanosuke had nowhere else to go to.
Messenger: Lord Shikanosuke! We can request the Oda clan to send escort troops to help you escape from here.
Shikanosuke: There's no point. We cannot lose the important Oda troops for this. Those troops are vital for the Amago's revival.
Katsuhisa: Shikanosuke, what do you plan to do?
Shikanosuke: I will surrender to the Mōri for now. Then, I'll again bare the fangs of our revival at them. No matter how many times it takes, even if it takes a million times, no matter what I have to sacrifice!
Katsuhisa: Shikanosuke, I thank you for making me the Amago's commander. I am thankful to you, and therefore I want you to live. I want you to value your life, Shikanosuke.
Shikanosuke: To value my own life is akin to acting like trash, wallowing in selfishness. Valuing your own life because of cowardice and regrets, indulging in your own avarice and selfishness, that is what a coward like Motonari would do… It makes me puke!
Katsuhisa: Shikanosuke, even to the end, you remain pure and noble. Even the laws of these chaotic times will not be able to accept Motonari's wickedness. I will not stop you anymore. Let's fight them until the very end.
Thus, Amago Katsuhisa took his own life and the Amago clan came to an end. Yamanaka Shikanosuke surrendered to the Mōri and was brought to Motonari.
Shikanosuke: Well, Motonari. Can you look me in the eye? There's no way you can understand me. There are questions you wish to ask of me, are there not?
Motonari: I've never thought that I could understand you, nor do I wish to. However, I've studied history and I can imagine what someone like you would say. So there's no point in questioning you.
Motoharu: Please wait, Father. I must question him. Why did you choose to act in such a way that brought terror to the people?
Shikanosuke: Because that is the only way for those inferior in strength to fight back against the people who wield the power of the state.
Motonari: Even if it involves those who are weak and innocent, who have never caused so much trouble to others?
Shikanosuke: Don't make me laugh with your fake righteousness. In your minds, all you know is that the weak should just be content with being ruled with those who wield the power of the state.
Shikanosuke: The Mōri who destroyed the Amago clan, their own masters, are evil! The Mōri who increased their strength through dishonourable methods and indulged in their own profits are evil! The Mōri who destroyed the Amago with a cowardly scheme are evil!
Shikanosuke: For the righteous sake of returning the Amago clan to how it should be, I will defeat this evil. The evil has no right to criticise the sole method that is open to me!
Motonari: I've learnt from studying history. There is no absolute good or evil in politics. The only thing there is is what is 'the better choice'.
Shikanosuke: That is merely an excuse! If that is not so, Motonari, if you're saying that you are not evil, then free me! And once again, face me in battle and accept the judgement from the heavens!
Motonari: There is no mistaking the fact that I am evil. I have no intentions of involving many others into something as foolish as war to prove something so foolish.
Motonari: All I'm doing is, just barely, continuing to pick the better choice. Take him away.
While under escort, Yamanaka Shikanosuke was assassinated by someone employed by the Mōri clan. However, the strife between the Oda and the Mōri had yet to end.
Chapter 4: The Demon King's shadow
Event: The Demon King's shadow
The daimyō of Bizen, Ukita Naoie, accepted the plan proposed by the Oda strategists, Takenaka Hanbei and Kuroda Kanbei. He broke off the alliance with the Mōri and served the Oda.
Motonari: Hmm, that's a brilliant display of the 'befriend to a distant enemy and attack those nearby*' strategy. This neatly drives a wedge into our backs. We're in danger of a pincer attack. This is rather serious...
Terumoto: M-My lord! What should we do?!
Motonari: Well, Ukita's betrayal is within my expectations so there is no need to panic. If we're troubled by their use of the strategy, we can do the same and make them feel just as troubled.
Terumoto: Which is to say?
Motonari: Let's ally with the Saika who are based in the province of Kii, behind the Oda. If we do that, it'll be easy for us to get in contact with Settsu's Araki Murashige. Our allies will be in a more advantageous position.
Terumoto: I see! In that case, let's hurry up!
*#23 of Sun Tzu's 36 strategems. Also mentioned in the Toyotomi story path as well as other events scattered everywhere.
Event: An emergency request for help
Urgent news came to the Mōri who had allied with the Saika from Kii province. It was a request for reinforcements from Araki Murashige. His home castle, Arioka Castle, was under attack by the Oda army.
Motonari: Looks like he's trying to forcibly break us apart in the middle... This is an unexpected move. Even if he succeeds, he'll be trapped between the Mōri and the Saika. The situation won't be good for the Oda...
Takakage: Perhaps his intention is to make use of the time after he breaks our alliance in the middle to destroy the Saika, then attack us?
Motonari: There won't be time. It'll only be a bad move that results in the battlefield being stretched out. If they do that, there won't be enough soldiers to protect Nobunaga.
Motonari: It is also possible that that is the intention of the Oda generals, and they might plan to assassinate Nobunaga when he has few companions with him...
Terumoto: That's it! That's it, my lord! In the first place, Araki was just a pawn to separate the Amago from the Oda. We have no more use for him, let's discard him!
Terumoto: If we do that, the Mōri will have all three things! Nobunaga's life, a way out from a dangerous situation and a land under the Mōri rule!
Motonari: You can't tamper with our strategy, Terumoto. Please, don't put your hopes on a Mōri rule. Didn't Takamoto tell you about my story about the three arrows?
Motonari: If we do as you said, we will lose the trust of the land. All the tens of thousands of arrows in the land will not align with each other and face the same direction. Even if we manage to save the Mōri, it will not serve us in the long run.
Terumoto: I-I'm sorry, my lord...
Motonari: You don't have to be so dejected, Terumoto. Your broad-minded nature is a good thing. You are one of the Mōri's important arrows.
Motonari: Anyway, I don't think Nobunaga's generals would make a foolish move. I'm not comfortable with this plan but let us save Araki Murashige.
Terumoto: I understand, my lord!
Battle: Arioka Castle - Mōri vs Oda
Event: A fated meeting with Nobunaga
The Oda army led by Nobunaga broke through the siege at Arioka Castle and retreated in order.
Motonari: Strange... this was over too fast. Did we overlook something...?
Terumoto: We did it, my lord! Yahoo!
Motonari: As the successor to the Mōri clan, you shouldn't be so overjoyed and crying out lot like a monkey.
Motonari: That's right! We forgot about Hideyoshi! We were so dazzled and overwhelmed by Nobunaga that we didn't notice he wasn't there.
Motonari: Nobunaga himself was the decoy. While he lured us to San'yōdō*, Hideyoshi will attack the Mōri home territory from San'indō.
Takakage: I see!
Motoharu: The vital point on San'indō, Tottori Castle, is defended by our vassal. He should be able to put a hold on Hideyoshi's advance.
Motonari: Hideyoshi is an expert on attacking castles. If we delay, we'll lose an important vassal. Everyone, quick! We're turning back!
*San'indō and San'yōdō are two of the seven circuits during the Sengoku period.
Battle: Tottori Castle
Cutscene:
Takakage: This victory was just like father's lesson about the three arrows!
Motonari: Ah... that, huh. If there are only three arrows, they can be broken.
Mōri kids: What?!
Motonari: The original story was from the Tuyuhun Kingdom section in the Book of Wei. In the story, they tried to break twenty arrows. Three arrows is a far cry from that. Therefore, we have to increase the number of arrows.
Motonari: Furthermore, the moral of the story is not about numbers. The point is to have everyone focused on the same goal.
Motonari: Hm, it's just like 'one million, one heart'.
Motonari: This responsibility belongs to all of you.
Takakage: Then, what about you, Father?
Motonari: I've already my entire life's share of work. Let me live out the rest of my days in peace while I devote myself entirely to writing about history.
*Note: Okuni's events are triggered by recruiting her, therefore they can happen at any point in the story. I've put them at the end, following the order in the event list.
Event: Unclean hands
Motonari was reading a book on history in his room which was over-strewn with books when Okuni burst in.
Okuni: Lord Motonari, again with your books?
Motonari: Mmm. It's about history. It really makes me think. Those who had wisdom that surpassed millions of others, those who had orchestrated peace, war and death, they were all so incredibly lonely.
Motonari: Even for them, there must be someone who could have been their friend in the thousands of years before or after their lifetimes. However, if those two were born in the same time and age, and if they met, they would be each other's nemesis, continuously defeating or being defeated by each other.
Motonari: On the other hand, if the two of them were to come to an understanding, 'one million, one heart', and heal the land, I'm sure an ideal time of peace would come to the land.
Okuni: By 'incredibly lonely', are you referring to yourself?
Motonari: Haha, no, I'm not that great. I have a friend in this lifetime too. Well, we ended up in a 'kill or be killed' situation at Itsukushima though...
Motonari: Hironaka Takakane. 'One million, one heart' was a phrase I learnt from him. He was a capable person. If it was him, he would have been able to see through my plans for the battle at Itsukushima.
Motonari: He could have thrown aside his lord, Sue Harukata, to survive on his own or he could have defeated me and ended up as the one still alive now. But he chose neither. He remained righteous and sacrificed himself for his loyalty.
Motonari: On the other hand, I, who have devoted my life to strategies, whose hands are dirty beyond help, am still alive.
Okuni clasped Motonari's hand in the palms of her hands and brought it to her cheek.
Okuni: I love this hand.
Okuni: There is no good or evil in this world. Everyone is just trying their very best to protect the ones they want to protect with their own hands, even if they can't see what's coming ahead.
Okuni: And when you have done your best, even if your hands are dirtied, when you feel that you can no longer bear the burden of those who had gone ahead, when everything is slipping out of your hands, when there's nothing you can do even no matter how much you worry and fret, I will bring you back to Izumo at any time. So, just do your best.
Event: A leisurely boat ride
A powerful family serving the Mōri had arranged for a boat ride. The young daughter of the family, Motonari and Okuni went out on the boat ride.
The girl was restless. She seemed to holding back on something and was distracted even while talking to Motonari.
When Motonari was talking to Okuni, the girl stood up as though she had made up her mind and jumped into the water.
Motonari: Ah…! Damn, so that's it!
Motonari undid his obi and re-tied it to his body, handed one end to Okuni, and jumped into the water to save the girl.
The girl took one look at the completely drenched Motonari and burst into tears. Without saying anything, Motonari gave the girl a gentle hug and had the boat return to shore.
Terumoto: My lord?! Are you all right?!
Motonari: Aah, I'm sorry for making you worried. I'm all right. The boat was rocking and I fell into the water. I ended up pulling this girl down along with me. I need to apologise to her parents...
Motonari glossed over the story of what happened. When everyone had left, Okuni began laughing at Motonari.
Okuni: Oh my, how kind of you.
Motonari: So you knew all along. That's mean of you.
Okuni: She was fidgeting a bit and it seemed cute so I thought I'll see what happens.
Motonari: In that case, you should have told me about it… I'm dense and didn't notice her crisis. I ended up doing that to her.
Motonari: Even as young as she is, she's still a girl. In front of a man like me, especially one who holds the power over her father's life, she was desperately battling against her body's need to go to the toilet.
Motonari: However, even after putting up a good fight, the time came when the floodgates opened. However, the girl rejected her fate and did not choose to just leave things to destiny.
Motonari: To hide water, you need water. Even if it costs her her life, the girl chose to hide her shame and threw herself into the water.
Motonari: She has dignity, values her family's honour, doesn't give in to fate, shows great intelligence, and can act courageously. Young as she is, she's quite an amazing girl.
Looking at Motonari, Okuni began to chuckle.
Motonari: Wh-What's wrong? Did I say something strange?
Okuni: No. Lord Motonari, you usually only say the worst things about your own abilities to strategise, but once again I thought that it's not something to belittle.
Okuni: You saw through that girl's plans and quickly responded accordingly. You lied and cleaned up the mess thoroughly...
Okuni: That you were able to understand the girl to this extent is due to your abilities to strategise. The saying 'the one with more plans, wins*' is not limited to battles, is it?
Okuni: Tactics or tricks, every ability is neither good nor evil. It all depends on how you make use of it.
Motonari: Thank you.
1. 謀多きは勝つ (the one with more plans, wins) - the full version of this saying is 「能や芸や慰め、何もかも要らず。ただ武略、計略、調略が肝要に候。謀多きは勝ち、少なきは負け候と申す」which comes from a letter Motonari wrote to Terumoto, telling him that while there's nothing wrong with being accomplished in arts and culture, it is also crucial to be good at strategy and military warfare. 'The one with more plans, wins; the one with less, loses'.
2. The entire event is a reference to a historical story. There is one version of the original story here and the main differences are:
- the girl’s parents were trying to get Motonari to take the girl as his concubine after the death of his wife (hence the invitation to the boat ride)
- Motonari really did end up marrying the girl (because of all the qualities mentioned in the event).
-THE END-
One more note on Okuni:
出雲の根の国 - Izumo (出雲) is a legit province but 根の国 (Ne no kuni) refers to its more mystical history. Ne no kuni literally means Land of Origin. It appears as 根の堅洲国 (Ne no Katasukuni) in the Kojiki, one of the oldest existing record of Japanese history and is a mystical realm associated with the land of the dead. The main reason why I'm highlighting this is because it shows that Okuni here is like in SW3Z where she's... what exactly, I'm not sure, sort of like a guide to the afterlife? This is why I choose to translate that part as 'bring you back to Izumo'.
Out of curiosity, I checked back the transcripts for Okuni's events in SW2E and SW1, and it seemed that Okuni's role as a guide to the afterlife was already pretty strongly hinted at in this SW2E event. In the SW2E event and this SW3E event, 出雲の根の国 is used in that event as opposed to just 出雲 in her true ending in SW1 and (afaik) in her battle chatter in SW3Z. In a way, I suppose her dialogue in SW1 sort of hints at her true role already.
Anyway, if you read this far, I hope you enjoyed it! This will be the last SW3E story mode translation from me unless I can find recordings of the other story modes. I love the Mouri story a lot for its complexities and the insight it gives us into Motonari's personality. This story is the longest, both in terms of word count and in terms of amount of time spent translating and researching.
1. This whole thing is about 8000 words long. (For comparison, Oda's story which I thought was long is about 5000 words.)
2. Tentative order of future updates: Tokugawa, Shimazu, Takeda, Uesugi