This time it was a large-scale mobilization. That very day, a swarm of miscellaneous soldiers and Ashigaru began gathering at Nagano Castle, and there was even an unexpected unit—the Lord of Shoushan City, Oda Nobuaki, Oda Nobunaga's own third uncle, showed up without a word, leading his Household Retainers and Lang Faction in tow.
Oda Nobunaga issued order after order, and in the end, only Oda Nobuaki responded, making Nobunaga's opinion of this uncle skyrocket. He even felt a bit ashamed, recalling how he set fire to his uncle's stable when he was a kid. He hurried to throw a feast to welcome him, but once the troops and horses were assembled, Oda Nobunaga, valuing speed above all, didn't even bother to gather the Ashigaru to rally morale at dawn the next day. He simply took off at the head of his cavalry and young retainers, leading the charge out of Nagano Castle, following the course of the Otaigawa upstream.
