Taisho Nobunaga

""I don't know if I can still escape here alive, or maybe die in the hands of my fellow countrymen. But— I am at peace.""

- — Taisho Nobunaga

Taisho Nobunaga (Japanese: 大正信長 Nobunaga Taisho) was a Japanese soldier who fought in the Imperial Japanese Army and is a side character of the Aether storyline, more particularly in the Proditione Fracture. He is a lieutenant held captive as prisoner by Division 9 before the arrival of Takeo Masaki in the island.

Taisho's letters appear as minor Easter Eggs on Shi no Numa in Call of Duty: Black Ops, and later on he makes his actual appearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops III's Zetsubou no Shima.

Early life and service
Born from a wealthy family, Taisho is a descendant belonging to a clan of samurais. On 1935, he enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army, wherein at that time he was still a young man. When the second World War broke out, Taisho was assigned to fight and lead his men throughout Peleliu and later on returned to Okinawa, as to continue to fight against the Americans who have tried to break through the Japanese resistance.

Becoming a prisoner of Division 9
In the Prodition Fracture, the Emperor was pleased with the eventual results of the site from the swamps. Because of this, the success of the Rising Sun Facility bring forth the moving of Division 9's plans to a second phase and their alternate base was then built. The Emperor ordered for at least another soldier to be used for experimentation for their further researches, whom chose Taisho for it.

On October 15th, 1945, the Japanese forces abducted Taisho and sent him to Pohnpei Island where Division 9's research base lies. There he was immediately used as a test subject, exposed to harmful elements in which they have invented especially for mutation. Taisho was then completely imbued with the chemicals they used on him, mutating him with the other metamorphosed plants that almost made his body deteriorate. Takeo was already present during both his stay and days of being experimented on the island and was still overlooking of Division 9's works, however, Takeo did not know of his presence as test subject until he was also taken as prisoner.

Final days in Division 9
The Primis crew arrives in Pohnpei Island in October 15th, 1945. They fought through the undead, and have cured Takeo who firstly mutated into a giant Thrasher. However, Taisho gradually believed that he will no longer make it to return to his own nation, as his body was already badly mutated with various harmful elements and lethal plants. Primis Takeo as kaishakunin beheads his future self to gain his soul for the summoning key, then noticed along with the rest of the crew of Taisho, peacefully laying on the ground of his cell that was facing front of Ultimis Takeo's. He bids his final words to Primis Takeo and Yamamoto, before he wrapped himself with mutated moss, flowers and vines all over his body to "sleep".

Letters
""September 10 - 1944 The foreign devils keep on coming around the perimeter. It's been months or maybe even almost a year since I've been here in this island, looking out for my men on the battlefield in awareness the enemies might break through our resistance. I'm not called Lieutenant for nothing, and I have to show it as a leader that we must keep a strong hold of where we have occupied. For the glory of our nation and for the Emperor.""

- — Taisho Nobunaga ""April 30 - 1945 I have returned to Okinawa under the orders of the higher officers, in order to keep a hold of our territory against the enemies of our nation. It felt different, but I continue to plunge myself of the cruelty of war wherever I am positioned to fight. With all my might, I will bring honor, for the sake of the Nobunaga clan.""

- — Taisho Nobunaga

Personality
Taisho among those under him was described as a fierce warrior with a strong sense of honor, though he secretly held a compassion among those around him. He mostly shows a strong behavior to keep his control among his men, but his merciful personality often prevails even with the presence of his own enemies, actually treating the wounded from the opposing side and prevent them from fighting any further without any signs of brutality unlike how his fellow soldiers were against who they fight. Taisho is very quiet, and will only talk if it's necessary or when he must command.

When he was experimented by Division 9, Taisho's mind was almost entirely broken, showing a more mellow-like personality and became more vulnerable the longer he stayed there. His quietness remained, described as "neutral" among those who have experimented on him. Even though he then discovered it was actually the Emperor's orders to use him as test subject, he showed no form of aggression, but instead believed it was his fate and it is to be embraced by him truthfully.

Gallery
TBA.

Trivia

 * His name, Taisho, is derived from Emperor Taishō Tennō, the 123rd Emperor who formerly ruled Japan.
 * Taisho's last name Nobunaga came from Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese daimyo and is one of the leading figures during the Sengoku period.
 * His name means "great righteousness".
 * Taisho was a sniper, though it was said he also preferred to be on close combat using a katana.
 * He has a soft spot for children and those who were more younger of him, making him a fatherly figure to those he looks out of.
 * In one of the radio messages, Taisho hums the tune of Battotai.