The seventh episode of the NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!" (General TV, Sundays at 8pm and other times), starring actor Nakano Taiga, entitled "Desperate Castle-Building Strategy", was broadcast on February 22nd, and drew the attention of viewers when Nao, played by Shiraishi Sei, fell ill with a fever.
"Toyotomi Brothers!" is the 65th taiga drama. It is a success story of hope and dreams, depicting the miracle of the Toyotomi brothers, Hidenaga (Koichiro) and his older brother Hideyoshi (Tokichiro), who achieve the great feat of unifying the country with their strong bond.
In the seventh episode, Tokichiro (Ikematsu Sosuke) and Nene (Hamabe Minami) are finally married. However, on the day of the wedding, Nao says she wants to go back to Nakamura, leaving Koichiro (Nakano) confused.
Meanwhile, as Nobunaga (Oguri Shun) launches an attack on Mino, Tokichiro volunteers to capture the strategic Sunomata. Koichiro comes up with a secret plan for the attack, but to put it into practice he needs the cooperation of the Kawanami clan, who control the border between Owari and Mino. The two ask the head of the Kawanami clan, Hachisuka Masakatsu (Takahashi Tsutomu), and Maeno Nagayasu (Shibuya Kento), an Oda retainer who is on friendly terms with them, to act as intermediaries... and so the story unfolds.
One day, Nao staggers and collapses. When Koichiro returns home, he is shocked to see Nao in such a state. All Koichiro can do is pray for his recovery. Perhaps his wish is answered, as Nao wakes up. Realizing that he had caused him so much worry, Koichiro apologizes to Nao, saying, "I'm sorry for making you suffer all this time. I'm sorry I didn't realize it," and promises, "I won't die. I will definitely come back to you alive."
Nao burst into tears when Koichiro told him, "Don't go anywhere. Stay here. You are my home." Nao also revealed his true feelings, wanting to be with Koichiro, and the two embraced tightly.
On social media, viewers responded with comments such as "He's recovered safely," "Nao's recovered," "Nao-chan! Great!!," and "It's like a morning drama." On the other hand, as Nao is a "tragic heroine at the mercy of turbulent times," there were also comments expressing lingering anxiety about the future, such as "I really hope you and Nao-chan live happily ever after...," "Ah, I'm glad Nao-san is better. But the first love of the main character in a taiga drama never comes to fruition...," "What will happen to this mutual love...," and "Nao-san is a fictional character (right?), so we don't know what will happen... I hope they will be happy."
