TL Discimer:

  This is an unofficial fan transtion of the original series 戦国小町苦労譚, written by 夾竹桃 (Kyōchikutō) and published on Syosetsu. I am simply a devoted reader and admirer of the story, and I transte it out of personal appreciation for the world and characters the author has created. All rights to the original work—including its story, characters, illustrations, and setting—belong entirely to Kyōchikutō.

  This transtion is shared here to make it easier for fellow fans to read and to help others discover the series through NovelUpdates.

  If you’d like to stay updated or have any questions, you are warmly welcome to join me on Discord: discord.gg/sYRjCxkcrU.

  Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I have.

  Eighth Year of Eiroku — The Time When Lord Nobunaga Met

  How happy would one be if they could meet a figure from history?

  Even as a child, I was not so na?ve as to believe such a dream could ever come true.

  Yet, I could never fully deny the thought of "what if."

  At times like that, I would write endlessly in a notebook, content simply to imagine.

  From the outside, it might be dismissed as a “delusional diary.”

  But from today onward, that notebook has become unnecessary.

  Because――――――

  “You there, who exactly are you?”

  I have slipped through time.

  ――――――

  (Wh-Wh-Wh-What is going onーーーーーーーーーーー!)

  In panic, I looked at the person standing before me, then at my own situation again and again.

  (Let’s see... I was helping Grandpa with the farm work, then I was given some harvested crops and seeds... After that, I was on my way home carrying Grandma’s simmered dish when my sister called me on the phone…)

  I repyed my actions in my mind, but there was no clue as to why I had traveled through time.

  In fact, I did not even understand how or why the time slip had occurred.

  (I bought some military books because my sister forced me to… The bag was heavy, so I took a shortcut through a forest trail behind the house…)

  I gnced left. Then right. No matter which way I looked, all I saw was a dense forest.

  Moreover, the types of trees growing there were unlike any near my home.

  “Child, I have little patience.”

  Just as I was about to panic again, a voice from above brought me back to my senses.

  Trembling, I turned toward the voice and saw a man, about thirty years old, with veins bulging on his forehead, calling down from horseback.

  “I’ll ask again. What is your name?”

  The man’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and I knew who he was.

  A man I was never supposed to meet, yet here he stood.

  “Oda Kazusanosuke Saburōhei Ason Nobunaga…?”

  At that moment, I heard a sharp ripping sound.

  Instinctively sensing danger, I focused all my energy and leapt sideways.

  “You… I see no need for your life!”

  The man who had struck out spoke through clenched teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

  His murderous intent was unmistakable; he was determined to kill next time for sure.

  (Eekーーーーーー!! Oh, right! In the Sengoku era, you’re not supposed to say someone’s real name!)

  During the Sengoku period, the names of daimyo were complex and confusing by modern Japanese standards.

  For example, Oda Nobunaga’s full formal name was Oda Kazusanosuke Saburōhei Ason Nobunaga, though it changed over time.

  Oda was his family name.

  Kazusanosuke was a kind of title, often self-assumed, akin to an occupation.

  Saburō was a generational name, used by parents to call their child—simir to a modern given name.

  Taira represented the cn lineage, often assumed for prestige.

  Ason was a hereditary title denoting a connection to the Imperial Court.

  Finally, Nobunaga was his personal name.

  This personal name is called a imina—a “name one refrains from calling.”

  The reason for this avoidance was that in the Sengoku period, a person’s imina represented their true character.

  Out of respect, it was considered polite not to speak the real name.

  Conversely, being addressed by one’s imina by a subordinate—like me—was deeply insulting.

  In other words, I deserved the strike I almost took.

  “I-I-I’m so s-so s-sorry! Lord Kazusanosuke! Please! Please forgive meーーー!!!”

  In such cases, men should be addressed by their official title or rank, with appropriate honorifics.

  In dramas, manga, and anime, you often hear Hideyoshi calling Nobunaga “Nobunaga-sama,” but in reality, doing so would earn one an immediate, no-nonsense blow.

  The imina was used only by people far above Nobunaga in rank or in formal imperial documents, where the full court title “Taira Ason Nobunaga” would appear.

  “… Normally, I would have cut you down by now, but your ridiculous attire intrigues me. This is your third warning. What is your name?”

  Veins still bulging, Nobunaga sheathed his sword with clear irritation.

  I understood this was my st chance—any wrong move now would mean death.

  My lips trembled as I spoke.

  “Shizuko... Ayakōji Shizuko.”

  I bowed deeply—more like prostration—and gave my name.

  Nobunaga studied me closely, then thought to himself.

  “A strange outfit. I have never seen such clothing… Then, you must be a Namban.”

  He could not tell if I was friend or foe, but if I were a spy, I was remarkably clumsy.

  I was terrified and moving slowly enough to be easily disposed of.

  “Namban people possess advanced technology. If I can use that, it would be beneficial…”

  “Shizuko, you say… Where is your country of origin?”

  “Huh? Country of origin? Ah, where I was born? Umm… Tokyo Prefecture.”

  “Tokyo?”

  Hearing an unfamiliar name, seeing my strange appearance and possessions, Nobunaga concluded I was a Namban.

  Instead of killing me, he thought it better to use the technology I brought to build a prosperous country.

  “Such a strange name. Very well, your business here is done. You may go.”

  “… Huh?”

  Yet Nobunaga did not believe I would obey so easily.

  Since I was alone, he presumed I belonged to no faction.

  My foolishness made it unlikely I was a spy.

  “Did you not hear me? Leave at once. I will soon return to my castle.”

  “U-um… um, wait!”

  Alone, without protection, one cannot survive the warring age.

  Nobunaga figured I would seek protection from someone if anxious, given he appeared to know who I was.

  “It’s sudden, but may I accompany you?”

  “No.”

  “Gah!”

  “What benefit would I have in bringing along a strange person like you?”

  “Uh, well, um…”

  Flustered, I scrambled to find some merit.

  Nobunaga smiled, lips curling upwards as he observed me.

  (This girl holds the key to Namban technology. With that, I can build a nation strong enough to challenge the world.)

  “Oh! Y-yes! I studied agriculture… so I can be of use!”

  “… Hoh, crops, huh.”

  (Not bad. I am not interested in food, but improving food self-sufficiency will strengthen the country. It might also prevent peasant uprisings.)

  In the Sengoku era, peasant uprisings were a constant concern.

  If an uprising occurred, productivity plummeted.

  This meant a decline in the amount of tax rice paid.

  “Very well. Use your abilities to serve me. Remember—when you part from me, it will be your death.”

  “Yes!”

  That was also a warning: “If you betray me or make mistakes, I will kill you.”

  Yet, my mind was only focused on the present and I did not realize this.

  (Today is a good day. I have obtained Namban technology. Now, how do I convince Saru and Kanō…)

  Carrying my bag on my back, I followed Nobunaga on foot.

  He did not offer to let me ride his horse.

  (I want to throw away my sister’s book… but if I don’t have it when I return, she’ll kill me…)

  My tyrannical sister had called me just to ask for that very book—A Complete List of Weapons from Ancient Times to the Present.

  She was a military fanatic and had made me buy two other simir books, all of which were stuffed into my bag.

  (I have several seeds Grandpa gave me. I must use them to surprise Nobunaga…)

  According to history, Nobunaga had a short temper.

  One small mistake could get someone cleaved in two.

  But on the other hand, among Sengoku warlords, he was a rare innovator.

  Rather than shunning the unknown or strange, he was curious and eager to study them.

  (Sweet potatoes came to Japan via Satsuma in the Edo period… so for him, sweet potatoes would be “unknown fvors.”)

  Should the sweet potatoes sprout after soaking, I could pnt them.

  They had strong vitality and could grow even in volcanic ash soil.

  They were weak against cold, but since Nobunaga was in Mino or Owari Province, the climate was suitable.

  (Owari is in western Aichi Prefecture along the Tōkaidō Road. The climate is ideal. Pumpkins, tomatoes, and komatsuna require little care, are nutritious, and produce a good yield. Sweet corn needs water but I can manage. And above all, sugarcane—Japan imported sugar heavily at this time, so having sugarcane would be a major advantage.)

  Tomatoes and sweet corn stood out for their vibrant colors; sweet potatoes and pumpkins for their yields; and sugarcane was especially valuable.

  For Nobunaga, these were all “unknowns,” along with the Namban Westerners themselves.

  (Unlike imported goods, these vegetables have been selectively bred using 21st-century science and agriculture techniques—overkill knowledge for this era.)

  My knowledge was effectively advanced scientific technology in Nobunaga’s time.

  I expected Nobunaga to exploit me for this.

  However, one problem remained.

  (This era does not allow women to stick their noses in…)

  The Sengoku period was a time when women were despised for speaking up.

  To put it pinly, women had no rights.

  Political marriages were the norm; marrying for love was a distant dream.

  (To survive, I have to earn Nobunaga’s favor. But if I achieve too much, I’ll earn the hatred of his retainers. Difficultーーーーーーーーーー!)

  I had to strike a delicate bance.

  Nobunaga needed to think I was “too valuable to lose,” but if I became too favored, his retainers would resent me.

  According to my sister, “There are two terrifying enemies for soldiers: disease and hunger.”

  If I could improve food supply conditions…

  Instead of directly proving myself in battle, I would boost the soldiers’ strength from behind the scenes.

  In short, I had to make myself someone “not necessary, but if present, the soldiers become stronger.”

  (I have no idea how to return home, so I just have to survive!)

  I clenched my fists firmly, resolved.

  I would live through this warring age and definitely return to the present.