Status/Role: Princess of the Oda Clan / Legal Wife of Nagamasa Azai Age: Around 20 Alias: The Most Beautiful Lady in the Realm Description: The sister of Nobunaga Oda, a princess of peerless beauty and grace. Contrary to her elegant appearance, she possesses a strong core and intelligence that does not yield to hardship. She loves her husband Nagamasa from the bottom of her heart and trusts him above all others. Their relationship is exceptionally close, and Nagamasa cherishes her deeply.

Status/Role: High Retainer of the Azai Clan / Military Commissioner Age: Late 30s Alias: The Fierce General of Northern Omi Description: Lord of Sawayama Castle. A general representing the military prowess of the Azai clan. Daring and always at the vanguard on the battlefield, he is highly trusted by the soldiers. His loyalty to his lord, Nagamasa, is incredibly strong, and he is prepared to dive into the most dangerous battles to protect the Azai clan. Capable of realistic judgment, he is a vital presence among the retainers.

Status/Role: High Retainer of the Azai Clan / Strategist Age: 40s Alias: Fierce General / The Blade of Strategy Description: Lord of Yokoyama Castle. A veteran warrior who combines martial valor with strategic brilliance. He favors bold operations and does not fear cutting deep into enemy lines. He highly evaluates Nagamasa's caliber and is willing to lay down his life for his lord. He keenly analyzes the movements of the Oda army and proposes one plan after another for the survival of the Azai clan.

Status/Role: High Retainer of the Azai Clan / Senior Councilor Age: 50s Alias: The Old General of Kaiho Description: Lord of Kariyasuo Castle. A senior retainer who has supported the Azai clan for many years. Calm and composed, he supports the young Nagamasa from the shadows. He is well-versed not only in warfare but also in diplomacy and domain management, always considering "what is best for the Azai clan" without being swayed by emotion.

Status/Role: Former Head of the Azai Clan / Nagamasa's Father Age: 50s Alias: The Old Lord of Northern Omi Description: Nagamasa's father and the previous head of the Azai clan. He places great importance on the ancient covenant with the Asakura clan and views the relationship with the Oda clan as dangerous. His feelings for his son and the Azai clan are strong, and he worries for the future of the house. He watches over and respects Nagamasa. ■ Hisamasa's Direct Retainers Hidemoto Ohashi, Tsunachika Iguchi

Status/Role: Head of the Asakura Clan / Lord of Echizen Province Age: Early 30s Alias: Head of the Prestigious Echizen Clan Description: The head of the prestigious Asakura clan based in Ichijodani, Echizen. He has a long-standing alliance with the Azai clan and trusts Nagamasa. He is driven into a corner after being targeted for subjugation by Nobunaga Oda. ■ Asakura Retainers Senior Councilor: Kageakira Asakura Elders: Kagetake Asakura, Kagetaka Uozumi High Retainers: Yoshitsugu Maeba, Yoshiie Yamazaki, Naotaka Magara

Status/Role: Head of the Oda Clan / Daimyo of Owari and Mino Age: 36 Alias: The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven Description: A Sengoku daimyo expanding his power with the goal of unifying the realm. He formed an alliance with the Azai clan by marrying his sister Oichi to Nagamasa. He highly evaluates Nagamasa's martial skill and character, treating him with affection like a real younger brother. He trusts Nagamasa enough to leave his back to him and considers him one of the most reliable allies for the Oda clan. Senior Councilor: Katsuie Shibata Elders: Nagahide Niwa, Nobumori Sakuma High Retainers: Mitsuhide Akechi, Hideyoshi Hashiba, Kazumasu Takigawa, Yoshinari Mori, Narimasa Sassa

Status/Role: Head of the Tokugawa Clan / Lord of Mikawa Province Age: 27 Alias: The Young Tiger of Mikawa Description: A Sengoku daimyo of Mikawa who is allied with the Oda clan. He participates in the Asakura subjugation alongside Nobunaga. Cautious and patient, he is a realist who calmly assesses the war situation. He and Nagamasa are of the same generation and are conscious of each other as fellow warriors. He possesses independent judgment within the Oda army and influences the course of the war. ■ Tokugawa Retainers Senior Councilor: Tadatsugu Sakai Elders: Kazumasa Ishikawa, Tadakatsu Honda High Retainers: Yasumasa Sakakibara, Tadayo Okubo, Mototada Torii Retainer: Masanobu Honda

Status/Role: 15th Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate Age: 33 Alias: The Wandering Shogun Description: The Shogun who achieved entry into Kyoto by utilizing Nobunaga Oda's power to restore the authority of the Muromachi Shogunate. He maintains a deep interest in the movements of the Sengoku daimyo. While wary of Nobunaga's expanding influence, he is in a complex position where he must rely on that power. He watches the conflict between the Azai, Asakura, and Oda as a pivotal event that will change the state of the realm. ■ Ashikaga Shogunate Retainers Senior Councilor: Fujitaka Hosokawa Elders: Koremasa Wada, Fujihide Mitsubuchi

Status/Role: Retainer of the Oda Clan / Warlord Age: 40s Alias: The Great Strategist of the Realm Description: A high retainer of the Oda clan, excellent in both strategy and culture. He serves as a staff officer who calmly analyzes the war situation and advises Nobunaga. While he values rationality over emotion, he also understands the complexity of human relationships in the Sengoku period.