The week passed in a blur of gunpowder, smoke, and endless, agonizing repetition.
Day One was disassembly. Taking apart the arquebuses piece by piece until Kazuki could do it blindfolded, until his hands knew every spring, every screw, every tolerance. Mendez watched with critical eyes, correcting the smallest, occuring mistakes.
"Precision," the Portuguese captain repeated constantly. "One misaligned component and the weapon becomes a hand grenade."
Day Two was loading and firing. The ritual of it, measure powder, pour down the barrel, add wadding, seat the shot, prime the pan, adjust the match, aim, fire. The first time Kazuki pulled the trigger, the arquebus kicked back harder than he'd expected, the explosion deafening, smoke billowing.
The shot punched through a wooden target fifty paces away.
"Again," Mendez said.
They fired until Kazuki's shoulder was bruised, until the motions became automatic. Load, prime, fire. Load, prime, fire. Twenty shots each, then forty, then sixty.
Honda proved to be a natural marksman. Hattori's shots grouped tighter than anyone else's, the ninja's patience translating perfectly to careful aim.
Day Three was gunpowder. Mendez took them to a secure area away from the ship and showed them the three ingredients, saltpeter, charcoal, sulfur. The ratios were specific, critical. Too much sulfur and it burned too fast, unstable. Too little saltpeter and it wouldn't ignite properly.
"Seventy-five parts saltpeter, fifteen parts charcoal, ten parts sulfur," Mendez explained, measuring carefully. "Mix it dry, then add just enough water to make a paste. Dry it in cakes, break it into granules. This is the secret the Chinese discovered centuries ago."
Kazuki committed every detail to memory. Takeshi already knew the chemistry, potassium nitrate as the oxidizer, carbon as the fuel, sulfur to lower the ignition temperature. But seeing the practical implementation, the grinding techniques, the moisture content, the granule size, that was invaluable nonetheless.
Day Four was maintenance. How to properly clean the weapon after firing, scrubbing out the fouling that built up with each shot. How to protect the mechanism from rust and corrosion. How to replace worn springs, damaged pans, cracked stocks.
"A well-maintained arquebus can fire thousands of times," Mendez said. "A poorly maintained one will fail after dozens. The difference is discipline."
Day Five was tactics. How to use firearms in battle. Mendez had fought in India, in Africa, had seen Portuguese soldiers defeat larger forces through disciplined volley fire.
"Swords require individual skill," he explained, drawing diagrams in the dirt. "Guns require collective discipline. Three ranks of shooters. Front rank fires, falls back to reload. Second rank steps forward, fires, falls back. Third rank fires. By the time they reload, the first rank is ready again. Continuous fire."
Kazuki absorbed it all. This was the future of warfare, not individual heroics, but coordinated firepower. The tactics that would make ashigaru as deadly as samurai.
Day Six was metallurgy. Mendez took them to meet a local smith who'd been trying to replicate the Portuguese barrels. The man showed them his failures, barrels that had burst, had cracked, or warped under heat.
"The steel must be perfect," the smith explained. "One impurity, one small weak point, and the explosion easily finds it. I have made twenty barrels. Only three have survived further testing."
Kazuki examined the successful barrels closely. The wall thickness, the bore diameter, the quality of the steel. Takeshi's engineering knowledge supplied the theory, this required high-carbon steel, carefully forged, with consistent grain structure throughout.
Muramasa can do this, he thought. With our coal-fired forges, with the right techniques, we can match this quality. Maybe even exceed it.
Day Seven was everything at once. A final test of all they'd learned.
Mendez set up targets at varying distances. "Show me you can actually use these weapons properly now. Not just understand them, but use them in combat conditions."
They loaded and fired under time pressure. Disassembled and reassembled weapons with Mendez calling out commands. Mixed gunpowder from raw ingredients and tested it. Demonstrated volley fire tactics with all three of them coordinating.
By the end of the day, Kazuki's hands were blackened with powder residue, his ears rang from explosions, and his shoulder ached from the recoil.
But he could field-strip an arquebus in under two minutes. Could load and fire six shots in five minutes. Could mix gunpowder that burned clean and hot.
And more importantly, he understood everything. Not just the theory that Takeshi had always known, but the practical reality. The tolerances. The techniques. The thousand small details that separated working weapons from expensive failures.
Mendez watched their final demonstration with arms crossed, his weathered face unreadable.
When they finished, he nodded slowly.
"You learn fast, young lord. Faster than any students I've previously taught. In one week, you've absorbed what takes most men months." He paused. "But understanding and manufacturing are different things. Making one arquebus is craft. Making a hundred requires industry. Making a thousand requires an entire economy devoted to it."
"I know," Kazuki said. "But we'll get there eventually. One step at a time."
"I believe you might." Mendez extended his hand again, Western style. "Our deal is complete now. Three weapons, ammunition, powder, and knowledge. You've paid well and learned well. But remember our other agreement, when you need more weapons, you come to me first."
"I will. And when you need a safe port in Kyushu, you come to Karatsu first."
"Deal."
They shook hands.
That evening, Kazuki sat in his room at the inn, carefully packing the three arquebuses. Each one wrapped in oiled cloth, protected from moisture and damage. The gunpowder barrel sealed tight. The ammunition secured.
One thousand two hundred ryo. Seven days. And now he had not just weapons, but knowledge too.
The alibi was complete. When he returned to Karatsu and started producing firearms, no one could question how he knew. He'd studied with the Portuguese. He'd learned from foreign masters.
Perfect cover for the modern knowledge he'd always possessed.
Honda appeared in the doorway. "We leave at dawn. Daichi says the weather looks favorable."
"Good. The sooner we're home, the better."
"Worried about what we'll find?"
"Always. My brother has had over a week to work against me. My father has had more than a week to decide I'm just a reckless fool. The domain has had a week to fall apart."
"Or," Honda said, "everything is fine and you're just borrowing trouble."
"When has that ever been the case?"
Honda smiled. "Fair point. Get some rest. Tomorrow we sail."
After Honda left, Kazuki pulled out his journal, writing in English by the candlelight.
WEEK ONE COMPLETE - TANEGASHIMA MISSION SUCCESS
ACQUIRED:
- 3 Portuguese arquebuses (matchlock, smooth-bore, effective to 100 paces)
- 300 lead shots + wadding
- 1 barrel gunpowder (approximately 50kg)
- Complete technical knowledge of operation, maintenance, manufacturing
- Alibi for future production ("learned from Portuguese")
KEY LEARNINGS:
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
- Barrel metallurgy critical - high-carbon steel, consistent thickness
- Gunpowder ratios: 75% saltpeter, 15% charcoal, 10% sulfur
- Volley fire tactics: 3-rank rotation for continuous fire
- Maintenance essential - fouling builds up fast, corrosion kills mechanism
- Manufacturing tolerances tighter than Japanese standard - will need precision training
MANUFACTURING PLAN:
- Show samples to Muramasa - explain as "Portuguese techniques"
- Develop barrel forging process using coal forges
- Set up gunpowder production - need reliable saltpeter source
- Train ashigaru in volley fire tactics
- Target: 10 arquebuses within 3 months, 50 within 6 months
COST ANALYSIS:
- Portuguese price: 500 ryo per gun (unsustainable)
- Manufacturing cost estimate: 50-75 ryo per gun (materials + labor)
- Breakeven point: 20 guns produced = recoup initial investment
- Revenue potential: Sell to allied domains at 200 ryo per gun
RISKS:
- Ryuzoji will want them (can't refuse without being crushed)
- Nobuyuki will try to seize control of production
- Other domains will attempt to steal/copy
- Manufacturing failures likely until we perfect process
NEXT STEPS:
- Return to Karatsu (survive journey)
- Deal with political fallout (Father's anger, Nobuyuki's schemes)
- Begin production immediately
- Keep Portuguese relationship active for future purchases
The future of Japanese warfare is in my pack. Now I just have to survive long enough to use it effectively.
He set down the brush and closed the journal.
Tomorrow, they'd leave Tanegashima. Returning to whatever chaos awaited them in Karatsu.
But they wouldn't be returning empty-handed.
They were bringing the future.
The morning departure was quiet. Mendez and a few crew members saw them off at the dock, the Portuguese captain looking almost regretful.
"You know, young lord, I've dealt with many Japanese lords these past weeks. Most of them treated me like a useful barbarian, necessary but distasteful. You treated me like a real partner." He smiled. "I appreciate that. And I will remember it."
"Good partnerships benefit everyone," Kazuki replied. "This is just the beginning."
"I hope so. Safe travels. And try not to let pirates steal those weapons I just taught you to use."
"I'll do my best."
They boarded Daichi's fishing boat, which looked even smaller after a week on the massive Portuguese carrack. The three arquebuses were secured below deck, wrapped and protected. The small crew looked nervous, word had spread about the foreign weapons, and everyone knew they were now carrying valuable cargo.
Lord Tokitaka appeared on the dock as they prepared to cast off.
"Lord Matsudaira," he called. "One final word of advice."
Kazuki paused.
"You're returning home with weapons that will make you powerful. But power attracts enemies faster than anything else. Be very careful who you trust. Be even more careful who you show those weapons to."
"I will. Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Tokitaka."
"And thank you for being interesting. Tanegashima sees many merchants. Few visionaries. Come back someday and tell me if you've changed the world or just gotten yourself killed."
"I'll do that."
The boat pushed off from the dock. The sail caught wind, and slowly Tanegashima began to recede behind them.
Kazuki stood at the stern, watching the island disappear. One week. Seven days that might change everything.
Now came the hard part.
Getting home alive.
They were two days north of Tanegashima when the ships appeared.
Three vessels, flying familiar flags. Matsuura colors.
Honda tensed immediately. "Pirates. Again."
But Kazuki recognized the lead ship. "Not pirates. Gorou."
Sure enough, as the ships approached, a familiar booming voice called across the water.
"Well, well! The young lord returns! And I'm guessing successfully, based on how nervous your crew looks!"
Daichi maneuvered their small boat alongside Gorou's vessel. The massive pirate captain appeared at the rail, grinning.
"You actually did it," Gorou said, sounding impressed. "Went to Tanegashima, bought foreign weapons, survived to tell about it. I'm starting to think you might not die young after all."
"The day is still young," Kazuki replied. "But yes, we succeeded."
"Show me."
Kazuki hesitated. Showing the weapons was a risk, Gorou could simply take them. But refusing would destroy the fragile business relationship they'd started.
Trust had to go both ways.
He nodded to Honda, who carefully brought up one of the wrapped arquebuses. Unwrapped it partially so Gorou could see.
The pirate's eyes widened. "Thunder-stick. An actual thunder-stick." He looked at Kazuki with new respect. "You're either the bravest or the craziest lord I've ever met."
"Why not both?"
Gorou laughed. "Why not indeed. Alright, young lord, you've proven you're serious. So let's talk business properly."
"Here? On the open ocean?"
"Best place for it. No witnesses, no official records, just honest talk between businessmen." Gorou gestured to his ship. "Come aboard. We'll share some wine and discuss this arrangement of ours."
Kazuki looked at Honda and Hattori. Both were tense but ready.
"Just me," Kazuki said. "My men stay with our boat and cargo."
"Fair. Though if I wanted to take your weapons, young lord, your two warriors wouldn't stop fifty of mine."
"True. But you won't."
"Oh? Why not?"
"Because you're smart enough to know that one-time theft is less profitable than long-term partnership. And because if you kill me, you lose access to everything I'm building in Karatsu. The coal. The iron. The port. And eventually, more of these weapons."
Gorou studied him for a long moment, then grinned. "You know what? I like you. Come aboard. Let's talk."
Kazuki climbed onto the pirate ship. It was larger than their fishing boat but still modest by warship standards. The crew watched him with undisguised curiosity, the young lord who'd negotiated instead of fighting.
Gorou led him to a cabin below deck. It was surprisingly well-appointed, stolen furniture, expensive sake, maps that showed intimate knowledge of Kyushu's coastline.
"Sit," Gorou said, pouring two cups of sake. "Let's discuss our arrangement."
Kazuki sat. "Twenty-five percent of profits on goods transported. Coal at cost. Protection services negotiable."
"I remember. But now that I've seen you actually have valuable cargo, let's add some specifics." Gorou leaned back. "You're going to make more of those weapons. Eventually, you'll want to move them. Sell them. Distribute them. That requires ships and men who won't ask questions to authorities."
"True."
"I have twelve ships. Not as big as that Portuguese monster, but fast. Good for moving cargo quietly. And I have two hundred men who know these waters better than anyone."
"Also true. What's your proposal?"
"Exclusive contract. All your smuggling needs, I will handle it. Weapons, gunpowder, anything you don't want Ryuzoji or other lords knowing about. In exchange, thirty percent of profits and priority access to your coal and iron."
"Twenty-five percent," Kazuki countered. "And I want safe passage guarantees. Not just for me, but for any Karatsu vessel traveling these waters."
"That's a big ask. My men don't usually discriminate about who they rob."
"Your men will if it's more profitable not to. Every Karatsu ship you protect is one that keeps trading, keeps generating revenue, keeps buying your services. Rob them once, and the revenue stream ends."
Gorou considered this, sipping his sake. "You think like a merchant for a lord."
"I think like someone who wants to keep his head and make a profit. Same as you."
"Fair enough. Twenty-five percent, safe passage for Karatsu vessels, and I get first right of refusal on any transport contracts. If you need goods moved, you ask me before anyone else."
"Agreed. But I need one more thing."
"What?"
"Information. You sail these waters constantly. You hear things. I need to know what's happening in Kyushu. Which lords are making alliances, which domains are weak, where threats are emerging."
Gorou's eyebrows rose. "You want me to spy for you?"
"I want you to share information that helps us both. If Ryuzoji is planning military action, that affects trade routes, which ultimately affects you. If the Shimazu are expanding, that creates new markets, which benefits both of us. We share intelligence, we both survive longer."
"You're not just building a domain, are you? You're building a network."
"I'm building whatever it takes to survive the current time. Are you in or not?"
Gorou stared at him for a long moment, then suddeny laughed, loud and genuine.
"In. Definitely in. You're going to either conquer Kyushu or die spectacularly, and either way, it'll be quite entertaining to watch." He raised his cup. "To business."
"To business," Kazuki echoed, raising his own cup.
They drank.
"One more thing," Gorou said. "Since we're partners now, I should warn you ahead. Word has spread about your trip to Tanegashima. Other domains know you bought foreign weapons. The Ryuzoji are particularly interested."
Kazuki's stomach tightened. "How interested?"
"Interested enough that they've sent people to watch Karatsu's port. Also interested enough that they're already asking questions about your coal mine, your finances, your resources." Gorou leaned forward. "Young lord, you've made yourself very visible very quickly. That's dangerous."
"I know. But staying invisible means staying weak. And weak domains don't survive the storm."
"True. But visible and unprepared is just as bad. You've got what, five hundred samurai? The Ryuzoji could crush you with a fraction of their forces."
"Which is why I need these weapons. And why I need allies like you."
"Allies like me can't stop an army, young lord."
"No. But they can help me move weapons undetected to where they're needed. Can help me establish trade that makes Karatsu too valuable to destroy. And they can help me build up my power faster than my enemies expect."
Gorou smiled. "You've got it all planned out, don't you?"
"I have a basic direction. Plans change all the time. But the goal stays the same, survive, grow stronger, take control of your own fate."
"Ambitious."
"Necessary."
They finished their sake in silence.
Finally, Gorou stood. "Alright, young lord. Get back to your boat and get back to Karatsu fast. Start making those weapons. When you're ready to move cargo, send word to any port town. My ships will find you."
"Thank you, Gorou."
"Don't thank me yet. Thank me when we're both filthy rich and alive in five years. That'll mean we actually pulled this off."
Kazuki climbed back to his own boat. As the pirate ships pulled away, Gorou called out one more time.
"Hey, young lord! One piece of free advice!"
"What?"
"When you get home, deal with your brother first. A knife from within your home kills faster than any enemy from outside!"
The pirate ships sailed away, leaving Kazuki's small vessel alone on the ocean.
Hattori emerged from the shadows. "He's right about your brother, you know. Nobuyuki has had more than a week to work against you. We should expect certain consequences."
"I do expect consequences. The question is whether they're manageable consequences or catastrophic ones."
"Optimistic as always," Honda muttered.
The boat continued north, carrying them toward home.
Toward whatever awaited them in Karatsu.
Kazuki touched the wrapped arquebuses below deck, feeling their weight, their promise.
I have the weapons. I have the knowledge. I have allies, however unconventional.
Now I just need to progress while utilizing them.
The coastline of Kyushu appeared on the horizon as the sun began to set.
Tomorrow, they'd be home.
And the real work would begin.