Battle of Nagashino

Japan, 28 June 1578. Battle of Nagashino. Sunlight gleams off red armour and the tips of razor-sharp spears. The Takeda cavalry, the most revered horsemen in the land, stand ready, led by Lord Takeda Katsuyori. On the other side of the plains lie the Oda army, with 3,000 muskets. Lord Katsuyori orders the charge, and the sound of pounding horses fills the air. The command to fire is given and the Oda muskets mercilessly empty saddles. The Takeda pull back to reform as the storm clouds cover the sky. The retainers of the clan plead with Katsuyori to retreat, cut their losses. The young lord refuses, insisting that the rain will stop the muskets and the Oda cannot reload and fire at the same time. They charge again, the sounds of musketfire and dying men heard throughout Nagashino. Oda Nobunaga achieves continuous fire by alternating between those who have to reload and those ready to fire again. The entirety of the Takeda clan is wiped out in a foolish mistake by an incompetent leader. One man, in red and black armour, struggles to stand. The dying screams have stopped and the sound of the muskets echoes in his head. He alone survives this failure. He struggles to find meaning in his life but soon the whole of Japan will know his name: Sanada Yukimura, Japan's greatest hero.