HC: What Kennyo Would Think Of The Warlords If He Were Allied With Them – Pt. I: Oda Forces

HC: What Kennyo would think of the Warlords if he were allied with them – Pt. I: Oda Forces

Had fate played out differently and Kennyo allied with the Oda Forces, or joined the Takeda-Uesugi alliance without his brothers killed and Hongan-Ji razed first, or was simply a neutral party hanging out in either Azuchi or Kasaguyama Castle, this might be what he thinks of everyone (I guess it’s Kennyo’s “Another Ikemen Sengoku,” haha~):

[Pt. II: The Takeda-Uesugi Alliance]

The Oda Forces

Nobunaga still grates his nerves. Kennyo can’t stand his casual arrogance, and it doesn’t help that Nobunaga claims not to believe in the Buddha. However, he respects Nobu as a ruler who truly looks after his people, and as a keen and accomplished scholar. Underneath it all, Kennyo worries about the toll so much war is taking on Nobunaga’s soul. Some quiet nights, he seeks Nobu out to check on him and give counsel.

Masamune reminds Kennyo of Shingen at that age–but somehow, impossibly, more cocky and certainly more reckless. Expect much solemn head-shaking at Masamune’s wild shenanigans, but he’s smiling behind that cup of tea. Besides, like Shingen, Masamune is an admirably responsible ruler, and Kennyo tells him this–in the same breath as he scolds him for risking the well-being of his fief every time he insists on riding like a madman. He also can’t help but grin at Masamune’s lack of alcohol tolerance, though he offsets it with very disapproving stares for Mitsuhide.

Kennyo regularly praises Hideyoshi for his virtuous conduct, both because he genuinely holds Hideyoshi in high regard for his loyalty and altruism, and because Kennyo senses that the younger man could use the validation. Kennyo recognizes when someone just needs to be told that they’re good. He provides backup for Hideyoshi’s scolding, too–really, running in the hallways is dangerous.

Mitsunari would have made a good monk with his kindness and humility, and Kennyo worries that his spirit and talents are wasted on warfare. However, he recognizes that Mitsunari’s brilliance is crucial to the Oda forces’ ability to ultimately protect more lives. Kennyo enjoys Mitsunari’s positive presence and often joins him in studying, the two reading in companionable silence. Of course, he would contribute to the “Caring for Your Mitsunari” guide. Masamune would have to take the scroll away from him and Hideyoshi because they just can’t stop adding things.

Kennyo treats Ieyasu with solemn respect, seeming not to register the young man’s acerbic remarks. It’s not that he doesn’t notice, but he wants to afford Ieyasu his dignity. Kennyo recognizes how deeply bound up in grief Ieyasu is, and keeps an eye on him. Like with Mitsunari, Kennyo joins Ieyasu in silent studying, but with the hope that acclimating to Kennyo’s presence will allow Ieyasu to open up. (Predictably, all of this drives Ieyasu crazy.)

Like Hideyoshi, Kennyo openly disapproves of Mitsuhide’s more sadistic jests, though not as harshly. It comes from a similar place of worry, as he recognizes Mitsuhide’s self-loathing behind each taunt. He is quick to tell Mitsuhide that such games are unworthy of his intellect and talent as a diplomat, and urges him to be more forthcoming (especially to Hideyoshi) for the sake of his reputation, the Oda Forces’ unity, and most importantly, his own self-regard. Kennyo sighs heavily when Mitsuhide invariably dismisses him, but that doesn’t stop him from trying again.