A priestess of the Chigetsu Unit. On the outskirts of Hamamatsu, she spots Kirigakure Saizo, whom she believed had died. Knowing it leads toward despair, she pursues him to demand the truth of Oyuki's death and face her own feelings. Witnessing Saizo alive amidst the scent of chameleon plant, the smoldering embers in her heart reignite.

An Iga shinobi covertly embedded within the Hattori party under Hattori Hanzo. Reunited with Oboro who pursued him, he reveals that Oyuki took her own life. Ordered by Hanzo to execute Yukimura once Masayuki is assassinated, he secretly schemes to engineer Yukimura's escape to seize the Sanada clan's coveted "Clone Technique" ninjutsu scrolls.

The senior dance performer of the Chigetsu Unit. Troubled by Oboro's restless demeanor in Hamamatsu, she secretly shadows her through town and witnesses Oboro weeping before Kirigakure Saizo—the very man thought to have killed Oyuki. Stunned by his survival, she worries deeply for her vulnerable junior sister.

Supreme ninja commander of the Tokugawa house. Backed by the Tokugawa-Oda alliance, he schemes to eliminate Sanada Masayuki through local lord Muroga Yoshizumi. He coldly instructs his subordinate Saizo to execute Yukimura once Masayuki falls, but consents to Saizo's scheme to manipulate the boy for his hidden ninjutsu scrolls.

Second son of Sanada Masayuki. Residing in Hamamatsu as a hostage, he is questioned by Saizo about Oboro's affection. Discerning Saizo's mercenary nature, he dangles the key to the Mochizuki clan's secret "Clone Technique" ninjutsu scrolls hidden in Ueda, daringly turning the deadly Iga assassin into his unwitting tool for escape.

Conductor of sacred rites and official expedition director. Lodging at the Kanō-ya inn in Hamamatsu amidst the lanterns and welcoming fires of the Hatsubon festival, he surveys the bustling castle town from behind wooden lattices, exchanging affable greetings with townsfolk while calm and steadily guiding the priestesses' spiritual seances.

Sovereign lord of the Tokugawa house. To counter the explosive rise of Toyotomi Hideyoshi after Nobunaga's demise, he accepts the plea of a humiliated Oda Nobukatsu and forms an alliance. From behind the scenes, he sanctions and facilitates local baron Muroga Yoshizumi's covert conspiracy to assassinate Sanada Masayuki.

The second son of Oda Nobunaga. Once revered by Hideyoshi as a master, he burns with outrage after being expelled from Azuchi Castle and seeing his retainers subverted by the ascendant regent. His aristocratic pride wounded, he turns to Tokugawa Ieyasu, forging the anti-Hideyoshi alliance that triggers the Komaki-Nagakute campaign.

A local baron of Chiisagata District in Shinano. Promised the entirety of Sanada domain lands by Ieyasu if he successfully slays Sanada Masayuki, he resolves to betray his neighbor. Requesting reinforcements from Torii Mototada at Yamura Castle, he feigns outward subservience to Masayuki while waiting for his chance to strike.

The jovial innkeeper of Kanae-ya in Hamamatsu. During the Obon season, he opens the sliding door to consult Iori on meal preparations, exchanging pleasant banter about the mysterious spiritual rites of invoking ancestral souls—a cheerful merchant unaware of the deadly shinobi warfare swirling beneath his roof.

A white-haired priestess of the Chigetsu Unit. Serving as Yukimura's personal cook during his stay in Hamamatsu, she joins his flight disguised in mountain ascetic robes. When a bandit chief holds a blade to Oboro's throat at Aokuzure Pass, Shion unleashes a master-grade cross-shuriken with blinding speed, impaling his forearm and resolving the crisis in a single flash.

A consummate shinobi of the Agatsuma clan. Summoned back to Hamamatsu by Iori's dispatch, he acts on Yukimura's secret orders, donning deerskins to ambush the party at Aokuzure Pass as a fierce bandit chieftain to test Saizo. Though suffering an unexpected arm wound from Shion's shuriken, he successfully springs the trap to secure Saizo's capture upon reaching Ueda.

A breathtaking youth raised under Chiyome's tutelage (formerly Okama). Deployed as a female courtesan in the covert operation against Muroga Yoshizumi. Disguised as an exquisite beauty, he infiltrates Muroga's banquet, mesmerizing the host with seductive shamisen melodies and entrancing dance to lower his guard, sealing the traitor's doom.

Masayuki's sword-bearer. Completely oblivious to the fact that Okama is male, he falls madly in love at first sight and insists on escorting "her" into Muroga's lair. Blushing furiously and roaring "I will protect Lady Okama with my life!" he plunges into the fray with bared steel, fighting like a demon to shield his beloved.

A seasoned ninja of the Kōga Mochizuki clan. Sweating bullets watching Juzo fiercely protect Okama as an "older sister," he nonetheless joins the mission against Muroga to provide vital tactical backup. Ever the long-suffering chaperone, he ensures the covert raid succeeds without blowing Okama's secret.

Patriarch of the Sanada clan. Having caught wind of the Tokugawa-backed plot by Muroga Yoshizumi to assassinate him, he turns the tables with cunning brilliance. Staging a banquet of "mutual reconciliation," he dispatches Okama and his operatives to catch the Muroga clan completely off guard, annihilating the conspirators in a ruthless counter-ambush.

Senior general of the Tokugawa host. From Yamura Castle in Kai, he furnished Muroga Yoshizumi with official pledges and troops to orchestrate Masayuki's assassination. Upon learning Muroga was completely wiped out by Masayuki's counter-ambush, he stomps the floorboards in unbridled rage, swearing to march upon Ueda Castle in total force.

Supreme grandmaster of the Sanada shinobi. Detecting Muroga Yoshizumi's treasonous conspiracy through an intricate web of spies, he acts upon Masayuki's secret mandate. Deploying Okama, Juzo, Rokuro, and the Agatsuma clans, he orchestrates the banquet ambush and manor storming with flawless lethal precision, leaving zero survivors.

Eldest son of Sanada Masayuki. The young youth who once tasted raw battlefield terror at Takatō Castle has grown into a formidable commander garrisoned at Matsuo Castle. Launching a ferocious charge upon the exposed flank of the routed Tokugawa host retreating from Ueda Castle, he collaborates with his grand-uncle Yazawa Yoritsuna to drive the enemy straight into the roaring torrents of the Kami River.

A senior general of the Tokugawa host (Shichiroemon). Invading Ueda Castle alongside Torii Mototada, his advance is blocked inside town lattice gates under a rain of boiling water, stones, and matchlock volleys. Fleeing in disordered retreat, he is swept away alongside his warhorse in the muddy torrents of the severed Kami River dike, barely surviving the deluge.

Uncle to Masayuki and resolute warden of Numata Castle. Having fiercely defended Numata against relentless Hōjō assaults, he races to join the Battle of Ueda. Deploying alongside Nobuyuki along the Kami River bank, he crushes the flank of the routed Tokugawa soldiers streaming from the town, driving them relentlessly into the deep river rapids.

A chief shinobi of the Agatsuma clan. Awaiting Masayuki's signal, he carries out the critical mission of sundering the dammed upstream reservoir of the Kami River with heavy woodsman axes. A massive wall of mud and raging water crashes downstream in an instant, swallowing over a thousand retreating Tokugawa soldiers attempting to ford the crossing.

Leader of the Nonō priestesses. Returning home to Nezu from Hamamatsu, she tenderly watches over reunited Ohana, Oboro, and her girls. When young Ohana playfully mimics spiritual oracles, Chigetsu gently scolds her: "Sacred rites are not toys," while wrapping the growing maidens in maternal warmth and protective care.

A shinobi of the Hattori party. Infiltrating Ueda under Hanzo's orders, he confirms Saizo's capture. He assesses the castle town of Ueda, reporting to Hanzo that its intricate layout of waterways, dead-ends, and cranked corners forms an intentional labyrinth designed to ensnare and butcher invading armies, earning orders to map every street.

A young girl of the Chigetsu Unit. While practicing calligraphy inside the Nezu miko sanctuary, her habit of gripping the brush with her left hand suddenly triggers Oboro's memory that departed Oyuki was left-handed—serving as the decisive revelation that unmasks Oyuki's suicide. Her innocent presence continuously brings light into the sanctuary.

Daughter of Sanada Nobutsuna, grown into a master instructor of the ancient martial art Taoyame-buri. Learning of the impending Tokugawa invasion, she declares to Shino her resolve to enter Ueda Castle, bringing along Hatsune, Aika, Sho, and fellow sanctuary maidens. Cheerful greeted by betrothed Nobuyuki visiting Nezu, she rides beside him toward Ueda.

Chief martial instructor at the sanctuary. Nurturing her toddler son Sasuke as he takes his first stumbling steps, she continues instructing younger disciples. As Kiyone's cohort departs for Ueda Castle, Shino remains behind in Nezu to care for her infant, solemnly cautioning Nobuyuki: "Never underestimate war," entrusting Kiyone to his protection.

A senior councillor of the Uesugi house and warden of Kaizu Castle in northern Shinano. Charged with securing the Sanada clan's allegiance, he is deeply moved when young Yukimura personally arrives to offer himself as a hostage. Delighted by this stroke of diplomatic fortune, he warmly promises to broker Sanada's plea for relief troops to Lord Uesugi Kagekatsu.

The daughter of the executed traitor Muroga Yoshizumi. Brought before Masayuki following her clan's destruction, she desperately pleads to enter Sanada service, declaring: "If my petition is denied, I shall bite my own tongue and perish here!" Moved by her unyielding spirit, Masayuki takes mercy on the girl, employing her as a maid-in-waiting in Ueda Castle.

A white-robed mountain ascetic (Yamabushi) of the Agatsuma ninja. A slender, fair-skinned warrior of ethereal celestial grace with flowing dark hair, he is the grandmaster of Taoyame-buri who passed the art to Kiyone. Having supported Nobuyuki's assault on Tekomaru Castle, he utilizes his Echigo reconnaissance networks to guide Yukimura safely to Suda Mitsuchika.

A falcon huntress of the miko training sanctuary. Having grown into Kiyone's closest comrade and friendly rival, she rallies with the martial arts cohort to march upon Ueda Castle. Releasing her prized tiercel Kumoimaru into the skies, she prepares to intercept enemy carrier pigeons, cutting Tokugawa courier lines to protect the fortress.

The toddler son of Shino and Gemba, now one to two years of age. Taking his first wobbly steps around his mother's feet, he romps affectionately with his companion macaque Isamaru. His tender dependency becomes the primary reason Shino decides against marching to Ueda Castle, remaining in Nezu as a sanctuary of peaceful warmth.

A female agent (kunoichi) under Hattori Hanzo. Having infiltrated Ueda Castle, she whispers false rumors to her coconspirators: "The Sanada possess neither weapons nor firearms." Overheard and ambushed by Saizo, who cuts down her cohorts, Kasuga is overpowered and captured, subsequently dragged before Lord Masayuki by Aika and Sho.

Jujutsu instructor of the miko sanctuary's martial branch. Patrolling the interior of Ueda Castle alongside Sho, she overhears the treasonous murmurs of Tokugawa spy Kasuga. After Saizo dispatches the male agents, Aika uses her massive frame and grappling mastery to swiftly pin Kasuga, dragging the spy before Masayuki.

A lethal swordswoman of the sanctuary. Guarding Ueda Castle alongside Aika, she detects the covert gathering of the Hattori party spy Kasuga. Following Saizo's swift elimination of the guards, Sho uses her lightning-fast footwork to cut off Kasuga's escape route, exhibiting hardened martial competence in frontline warfare.

A ferryman plying the turbulent waters of the Hime River along the Echigo frontier. Facing Saizo and Oboro—whom he assumes are eloping runaway lovers—he stubbornly insists on an upfront fare of six mon coins. Refusing all haggling, he gruffly warns Saizo away from attempting to wade through the treacherous rapids on foot.

Vanguard scouts of the invading Tokugawa army. Below Maruko Castle, they are hailed by Saizo peddling Ueda tsumugi silk at the bargain price of fifty mon per bolt. Baffled by the sudden bickering between peddlers Rokuro and Saizo, they mutter: "We are on urgent patrol; we will browse on our way back," completely deceived by the ninja disguise.

The divine jade goddess of Koshi (the modern Hime River basin in Echigo) chronicled in the ancient Kojiki. Chanted in ancient verses by Oboro as she flees with Saizo, the goddess courted Yachihoko-no-kami, answering his ardent romantic pleas from behind wooden shutters with deeply passionate poetry, bestowing mythic grace upon their elopement.

A powerful manifestation of Ōkuninushi-no-Kami in the Kojiki myths. Traveling across vast wilderness from Izumo to woo the exquisite Nunakawahime of Koshi, he stands outside her shuttered lodge reciting burning verses of devotion. His ancient mythological pursuit casts a poetic reflection upon Saizo's rugged pursuit of Oboro's heart.

Grandmaster of Kōyō-ryū ninjutsu. On the eve of the First Battle of Ueda, he sits across from Masayuki inside the castle watchtower, playing shōgi throughout the night. Losing a promoted piece, he banters: "My piece is doomed; let's hope the Sanada don't end up the same," facing the seven-thousand-strong enemy host with unshakeable calm.

Shino's father and veteran Agatsuma shinobi. Concealed within the eastern temple district of Ueda town, he oversees the fire-raising squads. Receiving handmade sweet rolled omelets sent by Kiyone via Kumawaka, he exclaims with heartfelt warmth, distributing the treats among his men to forge unbreakable spiritual solidarity.

A young shinobi of the Agatsuma clan blessed with extraordinary foot-speed. On the eve of battle, he races like a howling gale between Toishi Castle and Ueda Castle's forward positions, swiftly delivering Kiyone's provisions and top-secret tactical dispatches to Warita Shimosa, binding the scattered defenses into a seamless web.

Eldest son of Yazawa Yoritsuna and cousin to Sanada Masayuki (known as Sanjūrō). During the First Battle of Ueda, he waits concealed at Yazawa Castle with Ideura Tsushima-no-kami. The instant smoke signals rise from the keep, he sorties with three hundred horsemen, unleashing a relentless pursuit upon panic-stricken Tokugawa forces fleeing toward the Kami River.

Hereditary chief elder retainer of the Tokugawa house. Favoring peace with Hideyoshi, he found himself increasingly alienated among hawkish Mikawa vassals. On November 13, Tenshō 13, he abruptly defects to the Toyotomi camp. Holding every intimate secret of Tokugawa military structure, his betrayal shakes Ieyasu to the core and forces the abrupt conclusion of the Ueda campaign.

The supreme high priestess of the Nonō miko, serving as vice-principal of the training sanctuary. She warmly blesses Chigetsu upon her retirement from traveling tours. Presenting the novice roster, she introduces Uzume as an "inscrutable enigma graded with lowest marks," orchestrating the fateful meeting between veteran Chigetsu and the vocal mimic prodigy.

A high-ranking lady instructor serving as second-in-command of the training sanctuary (Kenshitsu Kakumyō Daishi). Alongside Chiden, she oversees the educational curriculum. Informing Chigetsu that eccentric novice Uzume is the daughter of ritual priest Maruyama Sachū (Iori's cadet branch), she gracefully guides Chigetsu toward Shino's martial dojo.

Daughter of Maruyama Sachū, thirteen or fourteen years old. Named after the mythical goddess of entertainment Ame-no-Uzume, she is destined to become the wife of Yokoya Sakon. An incorrigible free spirit who hates bookish study, she possesses the supernatural gift to replicate any sound—ritual bells, beasts, insects, matchlocks, or human voices—captivating Chigetsu into recruiting her.

A consecrated priest (Shinji Mai-Tayū) belonging to Maruyama Iori's cadet house. Flamboyantly ambitious, he bestowed the grandiose name "Uzume" upon his daughter after the goddess of performing arts. True to his paternal hopes, she grew up endowed with extraordinary auditory and vocal mimicry.

The elder of two orphaned sisters brought back by Chigetsu from the Ryūō Shrine in Ōmi. Dispensing with the traditional Azusa bow, she wields a sacred azure jewel to command the Dragon King's rains, calling down downpours or clearing storms at will. Under retired Chigetsu's tutelage, she trains diligently alongside her sister Yuina.

The younger sister brought from Ōmi's Ryūō Shrine. Like her sister Aoi, she operates beyond conventional miko oracles, utilizing a luminous purple jewel to entreat the dragon spirits to manipulate atmospheric tides and rainfall. Loving and deeply affectionate, she hones her weather-shaping gifts under Chigetsu's gentle mentorship.

Supreme warrior of the Tokugawa house. To win the pivotal Sanada house, he proposes adopting his fifteen-year-old eldest daughter Komatsuhime to Ieyasu and marrying her to Nobuyuki. Confident that "Komatsu will inevitably choose Nobuyuki," he grabs the fleeing youth's arm like a colossal guardian deity, planting him firmly before the assembly.

Eldest daughter of Honda Tadakatsu, fifteen years old. A fiercely spirited, breathtaking princess. Parading through the great hall grabbing suitors' topknots to test their mettle, she is enchanted when Nobuyuki alone swats her hand away and strikes her brow with his folding fan, instantly declaring: "He shall be my husband!" She also joyously embraces reunited Ohana.

Lord of Fukashi (Matsumoto) Castle. Having followed the defector Ishikawa Kazumasa to Toyotomi allegiance, he visits Sunpu Castle alongside Nobuyuki as envoys to confer with Ieyasu. Involuntarily seated during Komatsuhime's suitor-testing spectacle, he watches her insolent taunts and wild antics in anxious sweat alongside other lords.

The Imperial Regent standing on the brink of unifying all Japan. Meeting young Yukimura accompanying Uesugi Kagekatsu, he takes an immediate liking to "the son of Sanada who humbled Ieyasu." Departing for the Kyūshū campaign, he assigns eastern security to Ieyasu while subordinating Sanada Masayuki under Ieyasu's command—setting the gears of political marriage in motion.

A little girl of three or four years, born of Hideyoshi and an unnamed maiden, adopted by Ōtani Yoshitsugu (later Chikurin-in). Entrusted to Yukimura during Yoshitsugu's Kyūshū deployment, she clings to Yukimura proclaiming: "I love you! When I grow up, I will be Lord Yukimura's bride!"—stirring fierce jealousy and ominous prophetic dreams in Shion.

A senior administrative commissioner of the Toyotomi house (Gyōbu-no-shō). Impressed by Sanada's victory over the Tokugawa, he forms a deep bond with Yukimura. Struggling to rear Hideyoshi's secret foster child Princess Aki, who remained distant from his household but took warmly to Yukimura, he entrusts the girl into Yukimura's care upon departing for the Kyūshū campaign.

A Kōyō-ryū shinobi operating the stew-shop "Kitchō" in Tanimachi, Osaka. He reports to Yukimura that Hideyoshi, having pacified Kyūshū, will stage the grand "Kitano Great Tea Ceremony" over ten days across Kyoto's Jurakudai district, offering sharp, humorous insights into the regent's theatrical grand strategy.

A colossal sectless warrior monk formerly in service to Matsunaga Hisahide. Striking a fast friendship with Saizo in Sakai, he visits Yukimura's Osaka residence to meet the hero who humbled the Tokugawa. Boasting of possessing the fabled "Hiragumo Teakettle," he chuckles that "heroes love romance" upon seeing Yukimura with Shion, petitioning to follow him to Ueda.

Grandson of Takanashi Masayori of northern Shinano Nakano and biological father of Shion. Severing ties with his ancestral house, he entered the service of Sanada Masayuki. Marching alongside brothers Nobutsuna and Masateru at the Battle of Nagashino, he fell in battle; the searing grief caused his young daughter Shion's hair to turn pure white overnight before she was placed in the miko sanctuary.

A renowned gunsmith of Negoro origin residing in the merchant port of Sakai. Operating through Saizo's brokerage and Yukimura's innovative concepts, he meticulously scrapes and polishes the interior bore with specialized scrapers to optimize bullet velocity, successfully forging three precision eight-shot short carbines ("Bājōzutsu") with reduced recoil.

The baby daughter born of Kirigakure Saizo and Oboro, around one year of age. Named after the Shinto god who rules the night. Blessed with fearless mettle, she giggles with pure delight watching the furious clash of blades between Rokuro and Saizo, instantly melting her deadly assassin father's hardened heart into adoring tenderness.

A senior councillor (Hyōjōshū) of the Hōjō clan. In February of Tenshō 17, he journeys to Kyoto as envoy representing Hōjō Ujimasa, who stubbornly refused to attend court. Seated with Masayuki in Hideyoshi's tearoom, he receives Hideyoshi's verdict: granting two-thirds of Numata to the Hōjō while preserving Nagukurumi Castle under Sanada rule.

The supreme grandmaster of the Japanese tea ceremony. Seated with Hideyoshi inside the Jurakudai tearoom, he inspects the wrapped treasure brought forth by Masayuki under the regent's command. Recognizing the fabled "Kotenmyō Hiragumo Teakettle" once coveted by Nobunaga, he swallows his breath, solemnly attesting: "It is without doubt the authentic masterpiece."

The Hōjō warden of Numata Castle. Tricked by Miyoshi Seikai's feigned allegiance and Nakayama Kyūbē's covert dispatch, he launches a surprise raid seizing Nagukurumi Castle in the absence of Suzuki Shigenori. Walking blindly into Masayuki's legal trap, he breaches Hideyoshi's universal peace edict, turning pale as his folly sparks the Odawara campaign.

A samurai retainer serving warden Suzuki Shigenori at Nagukurumi Castle. Entrusted by Juzo with the Sanada's secret plot to stage a feigned defection, his overly earnest anxiety gets the better of him. Panicking, he notifies Inomata that the castle is empty before Shigenori reaches Ueda, fatally ruining the operational timeline and driving his lord Shigenori to ritual seppuku.

A direct samurai retainer of Sanada Masayuki and warden of Nagukurumi Castle. Lured away to Ueda by Masayuki's deceptive summons, his absence is exploited when Nakayama Kyūbē prematurely signals Inomata Kuninori to seize the fortress. Devastated by the loss and unable to recapture his post, he takes full responsibility and commits ritual seppuku at Iwabitsu Castle.

Hōjō town magistrate of Hachiōji. Interrogating Rokurō's party arrested for unlicensed peddling, he readily believes Rokurō's manufactured cover claiming ties to the late Fujita Shigetane. Utterly bewitched by Okama's breathtaking beauty, he takes "her" into his household as an attendant concubine and permits Juzo to accompany her, showing his gullible soft-heartedness.

Second-in-command of the Hōjō Fūma ninja clan. Lurking like a phantom beneath the floorboards of the magistrate office, he overhears Muhen's interrogation of Rokurō. Instantly sensing: "Their tale is too seamless; it reeks of Sanada shinobi," he warns Muhen and dispatches his own agents to Ueda and Numata to uncover the truth.

The fourth daughter of Takeda Shingen (Princess Matsu). Following the fall of the Takeda, she fled to Hachiōji with the orphaned daughter of her brother Nishina Morinobu (Ogushi) and took Buddhist tonsure. Summoning Nonō priestesses tied to the Takeda, she weeps as she hears the spirits of her father and brother, inadvertently providing the Sanada with a foothold into Hachiōji.

A young ritual priest (Shinji Mai-Tayū). Having entered Hachiōji castle town ahead of the main party, he conducts spiritual performances with his miko troop. He briefs Rokurō on magistrate Hirai Muhen's personality and shares crucial intelligence regarding Shinshōni's presence, providing vital groundwork for the infiltration of Hachiōji Castle.

A Nonō priestess operating in Hachiōji castle town. Summoned to Shinshōni's hermitage, she performs sacred necromancy (Shinikuchi) to channel the departed spirit of Takeda Shingen to comfort the mourning princess. She relays every detail of the seance to Rokurō, providing critical clues for the Sanada infiltration.

A Nonō priestess operating in Hachiōji alongside Suzu. In response to Shinshōni's heartfelt plea, she channels the departed spirit of Nishina Morinobu, who met a glorious death at Takatō Castle, comforting Shinshōni and Morinobu's orphaned daughter Ogushi. She subsequently delivers extensive reports on local conditions to Rokurō.

Supreme matriarch of the miko sanctuary. Invited by Masayuki to attend Komatsuhime's wedding celebration at Ueda Castle, she gently asks the heartbroken Kiyone whether she wishes to attend. When Kiyone quietly declines, Chiyome silently respects her tender resolve, departing for the banquet alone to shield her spiritual daughter.

Daughter of Narita Ujinaga, lord of Musashi Oshi Castle. A martial princess of legendary beauty and valor. Confronting Kiyone in Hachiōji Castle, she witnesses Kiyone's miraculous body-evasion using a humble rice-paddle, instantly discerning her true mastery and sheathing her wooden sword. Conversing upon the ramparts, they share their vows to become lifelong sisters of the soul.

Formal consort of Hōjō Ujiteru, lord of Hachiōji Castle. Hearing of the tragedy of Takatō Castle from Kiyone—who was escorted by Shinshōni—she is moved to profound pity. Introducing Kiyone to visiting Kaihime of Oshi Castle, she suggests: "Why not test your skills together?" sparking the historic sparring match that unites the two heroines.

Lord of Hachiōji Castle and younger brother to Hōjō Ujimasa. A valiant and refined general of distinguished martial and artistic renown. Deeply enchanted by the exquisite flute melodies played by Okama, he gifts the youth his personal heirloom flute "Kumomaru" and keeps him in his personal retinue—unwittingly keeping a Sanada covert agent at his side as the Odawara invasion looms.

The fourth-generation head of the Hōjō clan, wielding supreme de facto authority even in retirement. Scorning Hideyoshi's campaign as the insolence of a "peasant upstart," he places absolute faith in Odawara Castle's nine-kilometer Sōgamae perimeter fortifications, his bottomless treasury, and massed samurai hosts, fiercely rejecting all counsel of surrender in favor of total siege defense.

The legendary fifth grandmaster of the Hōjō Fūma ninja clan. Based in the treacherous Kazama Valley beneath Mount Ashigara, he bolsters the Hōjō house with his monstrous, tengu-like physical stature and eldritch sorcerous ninjutsu. Alerted by Niguruwa Isuke regarding his mortal rival Kirigakure Saizo and suspicious peddlers, he focuses his baleful glare upon the Sanada shadows creeping into Hachiōji and Odawara.

The peerless tiercel falcon partnered with maiden falconer Hatsune. At Hachiōji Castle, when Kiyone is throttled by Niguruwa Isuke and faces certain death, Kumoimaru heeds Hatsune's desperate cry, stooping from the clouds like a whistling arrow. Ripping his razor talons into Isuke's face, the celestial hawk breaks the chokehold, single-handedly preventing the destruction of the Sanada vanguard.

Supreme commander of the Northern Army and lord of Kaga Oyama Castle, the famed "Yari no Mataza." Leading eighteen thousand troops alongside the Uesugi host, he convenes the war council at Kuragano. Overriding the impatient demands for frontal assault urged by Asano Nagamasa and Honda Tadakatsu, he adopts young Yukimura's bloodless psychological encirclement, demonstrating the magnificent depth of a true generalissimo.

Chief commissioner of the Toyotomi administration, dispatched as Hideyoshi's imperial envoy to the Northern Army. Snorting contemptuously: "If you wage war so leisurely, the entire Odawara campaign will conclude before you take a single keep!" he bristles at the veteran commanders' deliberate caution, imperiously demanding immediate frontal assaults and rapid glory.

Chief minister and commanding general of the Uesugi clan under Kagekatsu. Bearing his iconic helmet crested with the golden kanji for "Love" (Benevolence), he counters Asano Nagamasa's bloodthirsty pressure during the Hachigata council, calmly asserting: "Against a fortress as stout as Hachigata, we must not throw away precious lives in vanity," eloquently backing Yukimura's strategic siegecraft.

Lord of Hachigata Castle and younger brother to Ujimasa. Holding out with three thousand defenders inside his impregnable cliffside citadel, he is shattered by the fall of surrounding outposts and a devastating cannon bombardment directed by Honda Tadakatsu from Mount Kuruma. Sacrificing his own warrior status, he shaves his head to surrender the castle, pleading solely to spare the lives of his three thousand men.