- Part I: Ideals and Encounters — Youthful Sincerity Blooming in Himeji
- Within the Kodera Clan — Between Ideals and Jealousy
- The Encounter with Hideyoshi — Naoto Takenaka Revives the Magic of “Hideyoshi”
- A Quiet Bond with Takenaka Hanbee — Between Wisdom and Kindness
- The Pillar of Family — His Wife Teru and Son Nagamasa
- The Kodera Betrayal — When Loyalty Shatters
- ✨ Epilogue — The Era Where Young Kanbee Planted Seeds of Sincerity
- On to Part II
Part I: Ideals and Encounters — Youthful Sincerity Blooming in Himeji
Junichi Okada plays the young Kuroda Kanbee.
His gentle manner and unwavering gaze leave a lasting impression.
Before he would ever be called “Gunshi”—
he was simply a low-ranking retainer of the Kodera clan in Himeji, pursuing his ideals from a humble position.
And yet, no matter the envy he faced or the obstacles placed in his path, Kanbee believed.
“I want to guide this nation with sincerity.”
It was during these formative years that destiny began to shift, through fateful encounters that would change everything.
Within the Kodera Clan — Between Ideals and Jealousy
The Kuroda family, as vassals to the Kodera clan, held no significant status.
Still, Kanbee—youthful, honest, and sharp-minded—sought to guide those around him.
But his brilliance soon drew jealousy.
The more sincerely he spoke of honor and loyalty, the colder the atmosphere became within the castle walls.
Junichi Okada’s performance during this period is masterful.
Behind his warm smile lies a fierce devotion to his ideals.
The viewer can feel that, even in his youth, the fire of conviction already burned brightly within him.
The Encounter with Hideyoshi — Naoto Takenaka Revives the Magic of “Hideyoshi”
The story truly begins to accelerate with Kanbee’s meeting with Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, played by Naoto Takenaka.
This casting brings a rush of emotion—
as Takenaka famously played the lead in the Taiga drama *Hideyoshi*,
his return as *that* Hideyoshi feels like a thread of history tying past and present together.
Hideyoshi’s disarming charm, boundless ambition, and undeniable humanity.
Kanbee sees through the façade, is drawn to him, and chooses to walk alongside him.
This bond of trust would later become the cornerstone of their shared destiny—a miraculous meeting that changed the course of history.
A Quiet Bond with Takenaka Hanbee — Between Wisdom and Kindness
Another figure who would change Kanbee’s fate is Takenaka Hanbee (played by Shosuke Tanihara).
A cool-headed strategist, sharp and calculating, sometimes even appearing cold.
But Kanbee alone sees the kindness that lies hidden behind Hanbee’s intellect.
Their first meeting—
a quiet moment where their eyes meet in silence—says more than words ever could.
Kanbee feels it instantly: “This is someone I can trust.”
It wasn’t just a tactical alliance, but a *resonance of souls*.
Later, Hanbee secretly rescues Kanbee’s son, Nagamasa,
who had been given as a hostage to Hideyoshi.
This quiet act of protection reveals the deep compassion hidden within the seemingly cold strategist.
It also explains part of why Kanbee never stops believing in others—
The Pillar of Family — His Wife Teru and Son Nagamasa
Supporting Kanbee is his strong, graceful wife Teru (played by Miki Nakatani).
She is far more than a behind-the-scenes supporter—
she understands his convictions and, at times, serves as a wise and calm “strategist” in her own right.
And then there is his son, Nagamasa.
When Nagamasa is sent as a hostage to Hideyoshi,
the look on Kanbee’s face—his smile hiding quiet tears—lingers in the memory.
A kind-hearted father, forced to offer his own child for the sake of an ideal—
It is a defining moment, where he accepts the cruel realities of war.
The Kodera Betrayal — When Loyalty Shatters
The lord Kanbee had trusted, Masamoto Kodera (played by Tsurutaro Kataoka),
eventually sides with Araki Murashige and betrays Nobunaga.
Then—he gives the order to Murashige: “Kill Kanbee.”
The shock of that single command is immeasurable.
How does one continue to live after being betrayed by someone they believed in?
This act of betrayal shatters Kanbee’s ideals,
and opens the door to the next chapter—*the descent into darkness*.
✨ Epilogue — The Era Where Young Kanbee Planted Seeds of Sincerity
In this first part, Kanbee is portrayed as a young man who has never questioned the power of belief.
His gentle voice, calm smile, and unwavering eyes—
these form the foundation of sincerity that will endure, no matter how violent the storms of the Warring States may become.
His youth begins in the light.
But soon, shadows will begin to cloud that light—
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