The Samurai’s Tale Epilogue
After Harutomo saw his dead lord, and the many years he worked for to become a retainer gone, he was reunited with his love, Aki-hime and loyal servant Yoichi. The trio then discreetly left to live in a faraway village near the mountain range. Just after they had settled in, Aki-hime and Harutomo received a baby boy, and they named him
Gorodaiki. Gorodaiki wanted to be just like his father, and that was just what Harutomo feared. Harutomo spent countless nights praying to Lord Buddha that what happened to him wouldn’t happen to Gorodaiki when he was woken up by Aki-hime.
“Harutomo! Lord Oda Nobunaga is here.” And in the hour of the rat, Harutomo was gone from the small sheltered village that he so loved and went with Lord Oda
Nobunaga headed toward Iwamura castle.
When Harutomo reached his destination, he was about to ask Lord Oda Nobunaga why he wanted him when Lord Oda Nobunaga answered the question before he could say it.
“Harutomo, I brought you here to bring peace to me, and Japan. You might not know how to, but I know that within your soul, you can do it.” Lord Oda Nobunaga told
Harutomo.
“But, Lord, how I am to do this? I know not how to bring peace to all of Japan!”
Harutomo asked.
“You said yourself, ‘In the raging fire of the world there is no peace. Yet that is not altogether true, for in the love between two human beings, that fire may be quenched, and that peace may be found.” Lord Oda Nobunaga quoted.
“Yes, yes I know.”
“Good. You will return tomorrow with your love, and maybe the words that have come out of your mouth will become true.” Lord Oda dismissed Harutomo.
Harutomo returned to his lonely town and told Aki-hime what had happened. Akihime was very upset, and very worried.
“Harutomo, what will happen to Gorodaiki?” Aki-hime asked.
“Yoichi can take care of him. I trust him.” Harutomo said convincingly.
“Okay, go saddle the horse.” Aki-hime ordered, and Harutomo did so. That day the two set out to Iwamura castle.
Once Harutomo and Aki-hime reached Iwamura castle, they were greeted by Lord
Oda Nobunaga.
“So, the great Murakami Harutomo and his love have returned. I hope you have the peace I have waited so longingly for.”
“We hope that we can bring what you need. We have brought ourselves, is that not enough?” Harutomo asked.
“It’s very much enough.” Lord Oda Nobunaga replied, “So can you bring peace to
Japan?”
“Yes, Lord Oda Nobunaga.” Aki-hime answered.
“Oh, good to hear from you, now what is your name?”
“Aki.” Aki-hime shyly spoke.

“Now, go and bring me a jarful of peace by tonight.”
“Lord, peace is not tangible, but is a thing in your heart that you must hold and treasure. Do you understand?” Harutomo preached.
“Do I understand? Do not talk to me like that peasant!” Lord Oda Nobunaga was outraged, “If you can not deliver the peace, I will declare war with Lord Takeda
Katsuyori!”
“Lord! There is no way that peace will be brought to Japan if all you Lords continue to be so ruthless!” Harutomo yelled.
“Ah, I suppose you are right. I am so lonely; my anger gets out of hand.”
“But, you have many servants, don’t you?” Aki-hime asked.
“Yes, but they don’t matter to me! I don’t enjoy them! I pity them! I don’t even know why I own them! I want peace! I want happiness! Not this! No, not more of this!” and Lord Oda Nobunaga broke out crying, so Aki-hime and Harutomo slipped away to find Lord Oda Nobunaga a soul mate.
The couple traveled many miles, until they came across a woman sitting behind a small cart. As the two glanced at her, she answered their gaze, then shamefully hung her head. This caught Aki-hime’s attention, as well as Harutomo’s.
“Would you like to come with us?” Aki-hime asked.
“No, she can not leave!” the cart owner talked for her, “She has been trying to steal from me for very long, and I do not trust her.”
“So you let her stay by you? Won’t it be better if you can just work, and we can take her far away? We have someone she might like to meet. Lord Oda Nobunaga, that is.” Aki-hime stated.
“Yes, yes of course. Take her if you must.” And without hesitation, the woman rose and followed Aki-hime and Harutomo back to Iwamura castle.
“Lord Oda Nobunaga. We have someone for you.” Harutomo said.
“Who is it? Is it a wife for me?”
“Yes.” And Lord Oda Nobunaga ordered a wedding to be set up immediately.
“Harutomo, I can not thank you enough. This will bring peace to all Japan, for the next few years, until I die. So, what did you mean by, ‘In the raging fire of the world there is no peace. Yet that is not altogether true, for in the love between two human beings, that fire may be quenched, and that peace may be found.’?”
“Well, it could mean many things. Even though there is war and hate, the feeling and true love and determination between two people can withstand any obstacle, if it is truly a strong connection.” Harutomo answered.
“So, if my wife Amiasuka and I truly are in love, nothing can defeat our bond?”
“Yes.”
Harutomo returned home, and found Gorodaiki lying alone. It turns out Lord
Takeda Katsuyori had killed Yoichi, sparing Gorodaiki, like how Lord Akiyama had spared Harutomo.
“Welcome to the beginning of the Heian period, musuko.” was the greeting
Harutomo gave his son.