January 1582, a room in Azuchi Castle designed to welcome the emperor reminds Sasuke that he needs to hurry before his chances of becoming a lord vanish. Why he decides to accomplish more war feats. Soeki visits general Hosokawa to test his loyalty to Nobunaga. Sasuke visits the potter Katou Kagenobu and has him make a cruder version of an Ido teabowl. February, the Nobunaga's forces are out to subdue Takeda Katsuyori. One army led by Ieyasu and Hojo Ujimasa will attack Katsuyori, Oda Nagamasa will attack Fukashi Castle, one will attack Takatou Castle defended by Takeda's brother Nishina Morinobu. But the Fukuyou Castle near Takatou must be subdued with minimal troops. Sasuke volunteers to do it. Pretending the simple wares Katou made are masterpieces, he persuades the retainers to flee. March, Takatou Castle still stands when Oda's forces must soon assist Ieyasu's fight against Katsuyori. They will attack at dawn, but Sasuke goes and tries to persuade Morinobu once more. Dispatching crude wares to one guard, and poor intercourse to another, he manages to reach Morinobu, only to be kicked through the window as soon as he is in sight.
安土城に帝専用の御殿「御幸の間」が完成した。信長はみずから家臣からの祝い金と見物料を徴収。信長との謁見をおえた左介は数奇仲間である細川忠興と再会する。
