Konpeki no Kantai::Volume1 Chapter1

Konpeki no Kantai Volume 1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Suffering Heroically (The Years Before the War)

1

...Even in this world, the year Showa 14 was the prelude to the start of a war.

April first, the Tokyo evening sky was clouded over. Takano Isoroku left the Navy Department. The car headed for Shinbashi. The meeting place was in the restaurant Aika.

Making his assigned driver stop at a considerable distance from the place, Takano spoke to him,

"You can go home early. Go home early now and then to play with your children."

As he said that, passing him some money,

"With this for cookies..."

"No, this sort of thing..."

"Haha, children are our national treasure."

Takano laughed, "My return will probably be over there..."

"Your Excellency, please take care."

Saying that, his driver gave him a worried look, but,

"Haha, don't worry about the right wingers."

Having said that, Takano laughed and got out of the car.

The neighborhood around the Shinbashi Station was filled with people heading home from their jobs. At the bus stop there was a line of people waiting for the charcoal bus, and nearby stood a still brand new post-box made of concrete. In this world at this time, substitute goods were all over the country.

There was no steel, nor petroleum. Japan was a little country with few resources. He wondered how many years such a country as this could fight against that great nation, America. The outcome was clear to see. Nevertheless, the leaders of the homeland planned on making war with America. He was indeed angry...

Takano walked down the back streets towards the red light district. He greeted a geisha who crossed his path.

When he arrived at the flowered gate, Takano looked around. He had the feeling he was being followed by somebody.

He stood in the quiet entryway and the hostess showed her face at once.

"Everyone?"

"Yes. Everyone is waiting anxiously for His Excellency."

"Yes"

Nodding and taking off his shoes, he went down the polished corridor. The meeting room was far in the back, as always. All the members were seated around the table.

"I haven't made you late."

Takano sat with his back to the alcove. "I was about to leave when some members of the Veteran's Association dropped in to try and persuade me directly. They wore me out."

Takano faced their hostess and,

"I'll have my drink later. I want to meet for a while."

The hostess bowed once and closed the sliding door.

"Well then."

Speaking formally, Takano said "With this, how many times have we met now?"

"Yes sir, it's been eleven times now."

Answered their organizer, Navy Commander Genda Shingo.

"Is that so?"

Takano nodded and said, "As for us, rumors are starting to fly. In fact, even today army field officers were showing up from the early morning at my office to force a meeting with me. Showing up in turns, they were the usual annoying warmongers, but the lot of them threatened to accuse me of being to blame for the February 26th Incident."

Takano, as always, spoke in a manner easy to understand.

"I answered 'Even if there is a revolt, the country will not perish. But if we go to war with America, such will not be the case.' When it comes to those guys, they are only after blood and plainly do not have a calm perspective from which to observe the situation in the world around them..."

It isn't just the army doing this. There is also the right wing, the mayors of the cities, members of the Diet, and even various members of the women's patriotic groups. Everybody is saying one thing, as if they were all carried away by the energy. It's just like a recording. In one voice they say 'Attack America.'

Indeed, the current state is like an over-stretched rubber band. The unidentified monster called 'Nationalism' is having its way, and people have lost the ability to see reality.

"Don't they say that even in your Excellency's home town the right wing is scattering around unsettling letters?"

"Quite so, Genda-kun. The lot of them are saying things like 'Takano Isoroku is holding hands with the British and the Americans, going out to dine with them, watching movies at their embassies and thoroughly enjoying himself' ..."

"Indeed, that group is in the darkest of ignorance."

"However, a born fool is never cured."

"Though now and then we hear of assassination plots..."

That was real. There were even those who had been caught trying to plant bombs at the Department of the Navy.

"No, leave that alone."

Said Takano.

Removing the cover from his Kutani-ware tea-bowl, moistening his lips,

"Gentlemen, in any case, our investigative society may not be able to meet even as frequently as we have up to now. I believe, however, that it is finally the time to put our plans into action. Each of us must study well our responsibilities, and as we do what we can, recruit many like-minded people as we prepare for the destined outbreak of war."

"Will it come to war after all?"

"It will. I have spent a lot of effort up to now in hindering it, but already it seems I cannot halt the crowd. A fever is running through the country..."

"Your excellency, when do you predict that the war will start?"

"As things are, if the history of this world progresses as you gentlemen also know, well, it should be early in December of the year after next."

The men, seated all in a row, nodded all at once. So far, the predictions spoken by Takano to them had every one proved to be right.

"Therefore, we have thirty-two months left to us?"

"Exactly. And so, the realization of our plans must be concrete and quick."

Said Takano, closing his eyes after a bit.

Since they started, it had been two and half years. The society's name: The Deep Blue Society. They were studying out something called the '12-8 Plan.' It was all Takano Isoroku's idea.

Half the members came from the Naval Academy's field officer class, and the rest were technical officers and civilian technical experts.

"Gentlemen. In our meetings thus far, I have always said that in the unlikely event of the outbreak of war between America and Japan, we would lose. The reasons for this I have explained in detail. An attack on Hawaii by means of an aircraft carrier fleet†, that particular case of a surprise attack, would probably be a success. However, that would bring conceit and pride to government heads and civilian, and the result would be their tumbling down a steep road to defeat..."

† A mechanized unit in the earlier world, but in the future Japan called an aircraft carrier fleet (in addition Task Force in America & England, Mobile Einsatzgruppe in Germany). Please note there are other unique ways they may be named later in the new world.

"As Your Excellency tells us, so it will be."

Representing the members, Commander Genda. "When we get the results of simulations with all the conditions, for example, in the case where the war starts in early December of year 16, the result is defeat by September of year 20."

"Is that so? The results turn out that way?"

Takano once more folded his arms and closed his eyes.

(Even if we assume that I were to die in Bougainville in April of Showa 18, then the war is predicted to run for at least two more years...?)

"The problem will be securing petroleum. America will most likely prohibit all oil exports."

Continued Takano.

"In that case, Your Excellency, we will preempt them by occupying French Indochina, as the Army has planned for a while now."

"We will certainly go forward with the plans to attack the Southern Resource Region. It should happen next September. In this, it will be the same as in my previous life."

"What will happen with the Tripartite Alliance?"

"It will probably be concluded eventually. As things are..."

One by one, the members posed their questions.

"The German army's armored divisions will probably go into action this year."

Takano said. "Next year the Western Front will spring into motion. Conquering Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg, the German Army will strengthen its offensive and will drive the English Army from continental Europe. I expect that in June the German Army will conquer Paris without loss of blood. If they do that, the Army will have quite accomplished the Tripartite Alliance's desires. All of them will believe that a strong Germany will accomplish world conquest. For that reason, I have no doubt the plan for conquest of Asia will be carried out, so that we may obtain our portion of the world in what Germany calls 'The New World Order.'"

"Even so, from what can be seen in the fated histories, should we not avoid war with America?"

"That won't happen without great effort. That, it seems, is part of history."

Takano answered.

Continuing his words, "The biggest problem after oil is radar and communications technology, along with encryption. As I have said before, America's technology is progressing rather quickly. This development is urgent. We must move quickly."

"Yes. In accordance with your excellency's command, we are in the midst of secret research."

The one who answered was seated at the foot of the table. He was Lieutenant Murayama Satoru.

"Does it look like you'll make it?"

"Yes. Thanks to Kubo Seiichirou-kun's talent."

"It's like a new system, doesn't it?"

Takano asked.

"Yes. With regards to communications, we are considering methods that don't use vacuum tubes."

A civilian engineer replied.

"Will we be able to do such things?"

"We can. He says they're easy to understand, though you could say a crystal radio is high efficiency..."

"Hmph"

"With regards to encryption, we have a prototype electric calculator. If you use this, we can prevent the enemy from decrypting it, and however complex the enemy code, I think we'll be able to decipher it."

"Incredible."

Apparently pleased, Takano nodded. "After this, the war will be a war of intelligence. That aspect is decided. The Navy leadership, as always, believes in the doctrine of big warships with big guns, but this nothing more than a Meiji idea. No matter that I preach it until I get heartburn, it seems the Meiji head cannot understand reason."

"It is the same with regards to Your Excellency's plan for a decisive aircraft carrier battle. In their gun-shop heads, they probably have a hard time understanding Your Excellency's new thought."

Said Commander Genda as well.

"Okay then. With my power as vice-minister I need to make a budget somehow. I would like to develop technology that America will not defeat."

But whether the men of the excellent think tank 'Deep Blue' would be able to make any sort of movement in this next world, Takano Isoroku had no idea as yet.

2

In order to avoid public notice, they had broken up and scattered.

After eleven o'clock, having called for a taxi, Takano got up from his seat. But, when it was time to try and go out the door, a uniformed police officer called for Takano.

"Is His Excellency Takano here?"

"Yes, but who are you?"

At that moment, he felt blood lust behind him.

A young man in his prime clutching a short sword jumped out from behind cover. He dodged at once, but next came a single gunshot. Pain as from a red hot poker ran through him. Takano had been shot in the side.

The two men fled at once. The policeman, however, did not pursue them.

"The stupidity!" scoffed Takano.

His face flushed, Commander Genda jumped out from the door, but, "Hiding, you bastards!?" he shouted out.

The policeman, hiding his face with his arm, took off as fast as he could.

"Your Excellency, are you okay?"

"No worries."

When with a sigh he looked down to his feet, he found there a note written on paper in india ink: "Death and hell to traitors."

He was immediately taken to the hospital and received treatment, but by good fortune, his injuries were minor.

It wasn't reported in the next day's newspaper. It must have been censored.

And yet, word of the attempted assassination spread at once through the entire navy. A few days later the culprit and the police officer were arrested, and through back channels it was found they were from a group of army officers. That things had come to this was somewhat disappointing.

Anyway, the navy, which had tended to be overshadowed by the army up to now, saw in the matter of the assassination attempt a chance to surge ahead in a big way...

Three days later, Takano, having been discharged from the hospital, chose to spend a while recuperating at home. Commander Genda paid him a visit late that night, bringing a guest with him.

"This time, while of course they won't throw out the Army, I hear talk they will set up a board of investigation.", reported Genda.

"Would that turn out a blessing, or a curse?" Takano laughed, "I received an apology by phone from the Army Minister."

"It was rather late, don't you think?"

Genda was harsh. This Commander Genda Shingo, just like his fellow members in the Deep Blue Society, had only come to this world once.

"As a matter of fact, today I brought along with me somebody who thinks like us."

Genda introduced him.

"My name is Higashino Genichirou."

The person who said that looked about sixty-ish.

His extended business card showed him to be the president of the Taishan Aircraft Company, Inc.

"Hou... Your name for some while now..."

Takano looked at the other man. His gaze sharpened.

When you speak of Taishan Aircraft Company, in this world at present, they were developing groundbreaking technologies, one after another. The company was a rising star.

"Our company's employee, Kubo, owes much to Your Excellency's society." said President Higashino.

"He is a most excellent researcher."

"Yes. He must be exceedingly so. In fact, I wondered at such talent, that he could hit upon such new inventions, one after another. Wondering about it, I spoke frankly to him of my history."

"I see. So you were also...?"

Takano gazed at the other, apparently deeply moved.

"Even though the company I have made is successful in this world, I do actually have memories of the former world, and in fact, in the original world, I was the boss of a small village workshop."

"Well, it appears that besides yourself, people are coming here from truly varied backgrounds."

"By all means, your Excellency, could I not be received into the Deep Blue Society? By good fortune, my company has been profitable, so though it may be presumptuous of me, apart from the technical side, I feel we may be able to cooperate on the financial side as well."

When Takano fell silent,

"Your Excellency, President Hagashino is not your typical conglomerate wishing to gather work from the army. He is earnestly asking to cooperate with us..." said Commander Genda, putting in his recommendation.

"I understand, of course. But please be careful. If you are merely close to me, the right-wingers will feel free to target you."

"Then I will beg your forgiveness, your Excellency."

"Of course. It is not something I would ask of you, President Hagashino."

Takano proffered his rough and bony hand. The two exchanged a hard handshake.

In so doing, another prominent person was added to their Deep Blue Society.

Takano continued speaking.

"Having done this, and seeing that we have become comrades, let us speak openly of what is secret. We are currently moving forward on our project '12-8', and are implementing our plans, but it is a new type of fleet, based on a completely new tactical doctrine. In my previous life, I was able to succeed in the surprise attack against Pearl Harbor by means of a naval task force..."

"Yes, I remember well the occasion."

In his prior life, President Higashino had been the boss of a village workshop. "When I saw the newspaper December the 8th, my heart pounded with excitement."

"However, I realized it was insufficient. We succeeded in destroying the battleships of the Pacific Fleet, but America restored the sunken warships to the line of battle. Now, I regret that the attack on Pearl Harbor was very much an incomplete strategy."

"What do you mean?"

He looked at Higashino seriously.

"In light of what happened before, we are attempting to make a new fleet, that is, the Deep Blue Fleet."

"The Deep Blue Fleet, is it...?"

"That's right. As a fleet of mystery, they should run rampant over the Pacific Ocean."

"Incredible. By all means, please let me work with you."

President Hagashino bent forward.

"This speedy fleet, boasting the greatest offensive and defensive power, will be furnished with the best secret weapons and equipment that we can design."

"Has the construction of the fleet already commenced?"

"Naturally. But we have only barely started... In order to preserve secrecy, only a small number of Navy leaders know. No, even they should know only the outward face. Construction is carried out in secret at each shipyard, but the final fitting out is being done by our own hand. By all means, please lend us your company's engineers at that time."

Takano did not spell it out clearly. But, this Deep Blue Fleet would without a doubt be a revolutionary new fleet, leaping far beyond the standard of the times...

3

On August 23rd, Germany suddenly signed a non-aggression pact with the USSR. Without having received any prior notice, as far as the Army was concerned, it was a bolt out of the blue. As for the army, they expected Japan to wage war with Russia in the future, and that was the reason for the Triple Alliance of Germany, Italy and Japan. But if Germany and Russia were joining hands, then just about everything was getting reset to the beginning. The Army was dumbfounded, but could not find the voice to condemn Germany’s betrayal. With that, the thirst for blood and the chorus of criticism towards Takano Isoroku completely disappeared. Five days later, Hiranuma Naikaku resigned as prime minister.

A few days later Takano received a sudden phone call from Army Lieutenant General Ootaka Yasaburou.

And yet, he said he wanted to avoid public notice. Even as he puzzled over what it was about, Takano accepted the invite.

The location of their interview was a little traditional style restaurant in Kagaruzaka. Takano changed to civilian clothes and went down a side street to the business district.

"Please have a seat."

Deep inside, in a six-tatami room, the two of them sat on either side of a table.

In an instant, Takano understood the true nature of this Lt. General Ootaka: his own kind, virtually by telepathy.

"You too?"

"Yes. Has it been thirty years we've been here?"

Putting up their cups, the two gave a toast.

"From paying special attention to how you behaved from day to day, somehow I understood you to be like me. It's no trivial matter to predict things as accurately as you do."

"Well, it surprised me that even in the Army there are such as us."

In spite of it being the first time they'd met, it was as if the two of them were old friends.

"Word of the Deep Blue Society had reached my ears too. They said it wasn't just a strategy research society. As it happened, I was organizing a society along the same lines, but I was naming it the Blue Way Society."

"So you did?"

Takano was very much surprised.

"Speaking frankly, even our group calculated that in the unlikely event of war between Japan and America, the probability of defeat would be 100%."

"Of course."

"It's not just the difference between our industrial power, our resources or our overall power as nations. We are behind in everything. There is a failure in the culture of our military leadership... of that I am convinced. It's like we would be fighting a modern war with a Meiji mindset. Don't you think so?"

"That, Ootaka-san, would make you of the faction opposed to starting a war. Knowing we would lose, you would prefer we didn't get into a war," said Takano, then smiled.

"Yes."

Lt. General Ootaka nodded, but continued at once, "...And no. At first I was like that, but... we, in our own peculiar ways, have studied America. I have come to the conclusion that even if we attempt a diplomatic compromise, they will probably come to fight us."

"I see."

What had just been spoken openly were concerns that Takano himself had also feared...

"Asia would only be postponed for after Europe was put in order. Then slowly, the whole power of the White West would probably be applied to dealing with our country."

"In fact, I am frankly of the same opinion," said Takano.

"If we were to give in and retreat from China, I can see before me what would become of mainland China. If that came to pass, our country would be taken by the scruff of our neck and we wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. Because in their heart of hearts, America would join with the Chiang regime and transform China into a market."

"However, according to the history of the prior world, the year after next, December 8th, if we declare war, we will lose without fail. I am wondering: what you think of this, Ootaka-san?"

"...Sounds like it. We are in agreement."

Takano waited for the other's words.

"Then what should we do? Do you have any good ideas?"

Takano had heard what Ootaka had to say first.

"I don't have any definite ideas yet. But, by bringing in some new technologies, I think we will be better able to fight than before," answered Takano, carefully.

"I agree with you. But, let's suppose we could win over the current regime. Have you thought about that case?"

"...?" Sharply. Takano had the feeling he'd been lied to a little.

".........", he replied without words.

"I don't think that will work for the future of our country. Am I wrong?"

The question was freighted with meaning...

"Certainly not... with their leaders fallen into pride, if the Japanese were to win a war against America would become more and more arrogant. They would probably become Asia's, no, the world's most hated people.", answered Takano.

"I too, suppose our country won a war against America. Japan would become more and more arrogant, and I think that in its boundless pride would become an aggressor nation."

"It's already showing those signs. It is happening on the China front."

"Likewise in Korea. As for me, I have concluded that our country's assimilation policies are in error. Doing such things, we leave behind deeply rooted evils. It is my opinion that we must be on an equal footing with Asia."

"That has troubled me."

Takano murmured. "Whether we win or we lose, it will be difficult. What can we do?"

"There is an answer."

His eyes were clear.

"Oh?"

"I trust you, and I'm being frank with you, but I think we have no choice but to stage a coup d'etat."

"Are you serious?"

"I'm serious."

Takano crossed his arms and thought.

"We will stage a coup d'etat. But, I will want the Navy to work with us."

"Even so, it would be a daring plan."

"We have as an objective the reform of the old-school army leadership. If we don't make the stubborn leaders of the army retire, then the China Front will not be cut back."

"Is that truly our goal?"

Without thinking, Takano struck his legs.

"Yes. If we do not reduce the Kwantung Army we have posted out on the China Front, we will not be able to carry through the war with America to its end. So our study group concluded."

"Agreed."

Takano nodded too. "But, the army will not recognize this right away... No, definitely not..."

At which Lt. General Ootaka lowered his voice.

"I think you know this well, but this summer will be the Nomonhan Incident. The casualty rate among the 59,000 who marched, including those wounded in battle, was around 32 percent. In Komatsubara's division alone it turned out to be around 79 percent."

"Was it that bad?"

Takano's eyes widened in amazement. "It's the first I've heard those numbers."

It seemed the Army had tried very hard to consign those numbers to oblivion. It was important to reflect on one's mistakes, learn from your failures, and not repeat those same mistakes. It wasn't just the Army, but all the military leaders had this flaw in their makeup.

"Is the Kwantung Army the only one to blame for the defeats up to now? I think not. It was a military leaders that permitted them to run free. They allowed it to happen. If we assume this, then the first responsibility must be that of the high leadership. Don't you agree, Takano-san?"

His voice was strong. His eyes burned with anger, his tone was filled with sorrow.

"I agree with you."

Takano came to love the other guy from their first meeting. Amongst the obstructive upper level bureaucrat generals he'd seen lately, he was the exception. He admired this fellow: he had backbone.

"Specifically, I have concluded that the cause of our defeat was our inability to gather intelligence. The one who originated these strategies and rammed them through against resistance was Staff Officer Tsuji, but even he said he didn't think the Soviet Army would bring out to Mongolia all that much military force. When I thought that due to their incompetence nearly 8,000 officers and men died in vain, I decided that I would carry out a coup d'état."

"No, I understand your feelings well," said Takano, gazing strongly at the other.

The so-called Nomonhan incident stemmed from an accident in the Japanese-Soviet Border War. Against the Kwantung Army's attack, the Soviet Union responded with overwhelming firepower. That difference in firepower was big enough to be an issue.

It was proof of their inability to win by willpower. This was the reality of modern warfare. Nevertheless, Japan believed it could win a war of resources the way it always did: by force of will. No, it wasn't that they believed it. They simply didn't study it out. As the Soviet generals aptly put it, the Japanese soldiers were worthy and brave. But, their commanding officers were incompetent.

In the end we were beaten. It was an utter defeat. There were 7,700 killed in battle, a thousand went missing and 8,600 were wounded.

"In this, they never thought once about the front line officers and men. As for me, I think the Army Minister should have been the first to apologize with hara-kiri," said Ootaka.

But, rather than holding a court martial behind closed doors, they handed a revolver over to the guilty party so they could decide whether to kill themselves. Washing their hands of the affair, they decided to pretend ignorance of the matter. Using their influence, they sealed up the truth of the matter. Can such even be called military men? They've become the very embodiment of bureaucratized elite soldiers...

Ootaka continued severely: "The essential problem is that our country clearly didn't know that while they were approaching Germany, Berlin and Moscow were moving ahead with secret negotiations. They simply covered their eyes to their lack of ability in information gathering. Nor did Berlin inform us of their purposes. In this, are we not clowns? If we had been informed of these negotiations, not even the Kwantung Army would have behaved so rashly. With the threat of Germany fading, it was clear to see the Soviet Army was being shifted to the east..."

"I agree with you," Takano nodded. "We shouldn't make an alliance with such an untrustworthy Germany. That person they call ‘Hitler' feels devilish to me. I don't know when he will pull the rug out from under us. Nevertheless, what in the world are those army leaders doing, sending out their love calls? I can only think they are embracing their delusions."

"Quite so. The Army thinks that Germany's Third Reich will inevitably conquer in Europe. But this is an assumption. According to what you say, Takano-san, this is a delusion. It is simply a world war built on an uncertain foundation. They are a completely hopeless bunch."

"Either way, a coup d'etat is needed."

"We, of course, would not carry out a bloody revolution like the February 26th Incident. First of all, our motive is exactly the opposite. Ours would be a coup d'etat to rescue Japan from its downfall."

"Pardon me for asking, but after the political power is seized, how would the occupied territories be administered?"

"After sweeping away the Western forces, we would promptly grant them independence."

"We aren't moving to take possession of the South Seas Resource Territory."

"Correct."

"I have heard that in the secret plans, the decision has already been taken to convert Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and the others into territories."

"No, the coup d'etat administration won't go there. Thereafter, aiming for a new order of Asia, we will plan an alliance of friendship to bind us together."

"Understood. It is quite clear," Takano replied.

"The goal of the war is not simply one country claiming the right to exist. I think that would be terrible. The naked ego of this country troubles me."

In the world where Takano had lived before, Japan invaded the southern areas both to acquire their resources and to establish their "New Order in East Asia". The two goals of the war were used skillfully. The real and official reason for the attacks, they said, was to free Asia from foreign domination. While they had the edge, they issued propaganda about the New Order, and when they began to lose, they claimed it was a matter of defending their right to exist.

"Yes. It was a senseless war. Even had we managed to win, Asia would have come to hate us," Ootaka declared.

"When I think of the future prospects for Asia, that far country, all I can feel is something remarkably terrible."

"Your insight is frightening," said Takano.

"No, it's only natural when you know what the empire was like before," answered Ootaka.

Continuing his words,

"With regards to Asia, we vow the complete abolition of hegemony. We promise to implement, without fail, the means by which Manchuria and Mongolia may determine their own fate, and to call for the independence of Korea and Taiwan. For the sake of this great cause, I, Ootaka Yasaburou, put my life on the line."

"Understood. Shall we not put that promise down on paper, sign it both of us, and seal it with our own blood?" said Takano.

"You are giving me your approval."

"Yes. I, too, am stiffening my resolve. I don't think I would turn over custody of their precious subordinates to the incompetent, irresponsible, self-protecting head-in-the-clouds army leadership..."

Takano's voice got stronger too.

"Thank you very much."

"No, your anger is also my anger. Let us take each other's hand and do the best we can."

Looking each other straight in the eyes, they exchanged a firm handshake.

For a little while, they confided in each other about their previous lives, but in Ootaka Yasaburou's case, it appeared that he had left the world around the end of the year of Japan's unconditional surrender, a world where disease ran rampant.

"The war ended August 15th, Showa 20. Japan was utterly beaten. My wife was a victim of the war, and my children were lost at Guadalcanal."

"I left my earlier existence before the end of the war. Did the war reach the country itself?", he asked.

"No. The enemy made use of a terrible killing machine called the 'Atomic Bomb'."

He told him it was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hearing of the terrible spectacle of the explosions, Takano gasped.

"That was the end of the war we soldiers started. After the war's end, 600,000 were taken as prisoners of war by the Soviet Union. The prisoners were set to forced labor and suffered great hardship without cause. Starting with the capital, many of the cities of Japan were reduced to ashes by bombs, and civilian deaths rose to two million. Manchuria was miserable too. Many of the commanders of the Kwantung Army deserted, leaving behind great numbers of settlers. Some of them fled completely. This was the reality faced the whole time by the leaders of the Kwantung Army. And then there was Okinawa. Has there ever been such corruption of our soldiers up to now? I deeply regret that I, too, was one of them."

A tear lodged in the Lt. General Ootaka's eye.

"For that reason, Takano-san, let us not repeat those same errors in this new world."

Ootaka's resolution was extreme.

Takano was impressed.

---Several days after the secret meeting of the two great men, Takano Isoroku was suddenly designated as the Commander in Chief of the combined fleet. As before, there seemed to be a threatening presence on the hunt for Takano's life. The leaders of the navy took actions to prevent his assassination.

On September 1st, on the flagship Nagato at its moorings in Wakanoura, the flag of Director was transferred to Takano. The same day, the German Army started its invasion of Poland, and thus broke forth the Second World War.

Takano frowned when he received the information.

Hitler exists is in this world too. History is cruel. Takano was disgusted by him, an agitator and dictator who massacred great numbers of people.

I don't want to join forces with this man, no how, no way, he thought again.

Because if the German Nazi regime gained the victory, the world would for certain become their slaves...

4

As in the previous world, the German Empire joined hands with the Soviet Union and completed the division of Poland towards the end of September.

The European Front was quiet for a while afterwards, and that year came to a close.

The new year began. The Deep Blue Society gradually increased in like-minded membership.

The government, celebrated the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of the nation at a grand scale. There was a unity of thought throughout the nation. And yet, the people were not fools. Even if they were deceived for a little while, sooner or later, without a doubt, they would realize.

In May of Showa 15, the German Army invaded Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. The Anglo-French army abandoned the continent, evacuating from Dunkirk.

In June, the German Army occupied Paris.

In September, Japan occupied the northern part of French Indochina by force. The nominal reason was to cut off Chiang Kai Shek's supply route.

The same month, Takano's pleas yielding no fruit, the Japan-Germany-Italy tripartite alliance came into existence.

At last, the outbreak of war drew near...

Throughout Japan, mottos rationalizing the reckless plunge into war were published, and calling for austerity.

On the other hand, the war with China growing larger and longer, Japan was walking into a quagmire.

5

The new year Showa 16 started. Early in the new year, Takano met Ootaka Yasaburou in the halls of the Navy General Staff. Since their earlier meeting, the two had avoided deliberately meeting each other.

Ootaka signaled with his eyes and entered the washroom. Takano followed after. Standing side by side, they took care of their business. On the white tiles of the urinal Ootaka drew with his fingertip. Takano nodded wordlessly.

That night, Takano, changed into civilian clothes and went to the usual restaurant in Kagurazaka. Ootaka had arrived earlier.

The two of them exchanged New Year's greetings.

"What did you think of that 'Instructions for the Battlefield' that came out on the eighth?" asked Ootaka.

"It was as the Army Minister requested."

"So it was. It was 'Hagakure,' most likely," said Ootaka.

"For certain..."

Takano nodded. "It is a philosophy of death."

"According to that, 'Rather than living with the guilt of being held prisoner, die without the taint of crime.' Were you to simplify it, it means 'take your life so as not to be taken prisoner.'"

"I think it's an outmoded way of thinking. If they did it all over again, Japan would probably lose its men of ability one by one and be defeated," said Takano.

"If one becomes a prisoner, he may come back via an exchange of prisoners. Pilots, for example, cannot be created at a moment's notice. In the old Japan, we lost our experienced pilots one by one, and our downfall followed quickly after. Though for the Japanese, the science of death is an easy concept to accept, we didn't follow it even in the Edo period, and such idealism could not win us through a war in reality."

"In my case, I saw our cruel defeat in the old world with my own eyes. Even in the old world, though he had taught us from ‘Instructions for the Battlefield’, the Army Minister, together with the other supreme leaders, were arrested by the occupation army."

"Though they themselves were taught from ‘Instructions’ just as were the officers and staff, of course, that they should take their own lives," said Takano.

"No. At the time, the Army Minister who issued the directive was arrested when he failed to die. Though there were commanders who were able to die splendid deaths as military men."

"While commanding soldiers to die, could they not decide when they themselves should die?"

"They disgusted me."

In the end, these feudalistic ideas gave birth to the idea of the honorable defeat, and led to the idea of the kamikaze planes... Just then, at the end of the war, nihilism was widespread amongst those of the supreme command.

Takano spoke.

"Ootaka-san, as for me, I am thinking I want to drastically change the Navy's policy up to now of neglecting defense in favor of single-minded attacks."

"I see. This idea that the army and its soldiers are to be used as if they were disposable ought to be revised, don't you think?" said Ootaka.

"Even using Zeros with warships, we will not always be able to say they are high performance. In the beginning of the war we may win, but before long their lack of defensive ability will lead to a decline in pilot proficiency. It is the same with battleships."

"No, you can say that about army equipment too. Though they may spit machine gun bullets like torches, however many bombs they can load, however great their cruising range, they are defective machines."

The conversation these two had at this time would later have many meanings. Likewise in strategy.

• The Zero fighter plane's debut was in September of Showa 15, at the time of the bombing raid on Chungking, where 15 planes performed a perfect attack, destroying 27 Chinese planes without losing any of their own. Correctly read as "Rei-sen", it became famous as the "Zero-sen", known to the American armed forces as "Zeke", abbreviated by the soldiers as "Zero", which term was re-imported after the war. In addition, taking the '0' from the number of the year (1940, or 2600 of the Imperial Era), it was called the Navy A6M Zero Fighter.

"By the way, what we were talking about, how soon will it be carried out?" asked Takano.

"Selecting the day to do it is very difficult."

"If we fail in the timing, it will all come to nothing."

"How about the first of December?"

"I see..."

Takano folded his arms and thought for a moment.

"If it were to proceed in this world as it did in our old world, the Imperial Council would decide to go to war on December 1st."

"So it was. The next day I sent the telegram 'Climb Mount Niitaka 12 8.'"

"I believe the time spent deciding was one day and one evening."

"And those who have stood up?"

"Two divisions, over twenty thousand men. No, it may have been more. Every one of them came from the old world to the new as we did, so we are all in perfect agreement."

"Is that so? I, Takano Isoroku, shall stand together with them also."

"Because you, sir, will work together with us, we will no doubt succeed."

"Starting with the Navy General Staff, the core of the Navy is held by the Deep Blue Society."

"That is good."

"What is the schedule from here on out?"

"For the present, the Diet should not be shut down, but we should carry out a general election as soon as possible. We should explain our reasons for rising up to the general citizenry well, and ask for their understanding. And to the American government, so that they don't censure us over a surprise attack, we will present a clear declaration of war. Whether it be the Deep Blue Society or the Blue Way Society, I think it's like a clear, cloudless day in May... Takano-san, I think we want to fight this great war fair and square, not going with a cowardly sneak attack... Am I wrong?"

"No. It will be as you say."

With this, Takano finally came to a firm decision…

• "Instructions for the Battlefield" was a military code published to the entire army by Toujou Hideki on January 8th, Shouwa 16, in order to get them to fight harder. They were given it together with the field version of 'Imperial Rescript for Soldiers and Sailors', but towards the end of the war it was given out to the general populace to help them rationalize the idea of the glorious defeat. It is said that Shimazaki Tousou was entrusted with polishing the text.

Their private chat over, and because it looked like it might be the last time, they called for the geishas. They moved to different seats. A number of geishas appeared, and things got busy.

When Takano said, "No, I've already had enough sake. Excuse me, but could you get me some cider?"

"Cider, why cider?"

"That's no good."

"Damn. When you said 'cider' a cop shows up."

"Cider nonetheless."

"Cider is a leaping water, fry is the western sky, golf is a sort of lawn ball."

"You sound foolish..."

"Really. But, didn't the Stage Name Control Act come out last year? So we all changed our names."

It seems her name used to be Miyako.

"Is this about a ban on foreign words? Wouldn't that have nothing to do with you?"

"But, you know, being that I was by light of day Atsuta Miyako, I was accused of having a stage name making fun of the Atsuta Shrine, so I was made to change my name."

"It's true. By day I was Yoshino Miyuki, and they said it reminded them of Yoshino Gyouki, which was no good," said a young geisha girl as well.

Indeed, they had some amazing stories. The comedy duo Miss Wakana, the singer Miss Columbia, the actor Dick Mine, among others, had been exposed to ridicule.

Doing such things was childish. The leaders who did this were leading the country. Victory was not likely to be had in this way.

So called nationalism was a demon on the prowl. Japan was infected entirely by such narrow-mindedness. Thoughtful people were being suppressed, and Japan's freedom of speech was in lockdown.

6

He thought about the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, which would be signed in April, and the Kantokuen campaign against the USSR which would be launched in July. It would be a sort of special maneuvers, with a record-breaking plan requiring as many as 850,000 men of the Kwantung Army. Camouflaged as maneuvers, this plan's real intention was an invasion, starting with Vladivostok and the eastern provinces, and going north beyond the Amur River. There was great conflict in government and military circles between those in favor of proceeding north and those who wanted to move south.

However, the story of the central figure at the time of the Japanese-Soviet Pact, Foreign Minister Matsuoka, who was said to be an advocate of force against Russia, was utterly dumbfounding. He had neither fidelity nor morals. But such were the leaders of Japan, despicable and arrogant.

The attack on Russia suspended, the very same month, they started occupying French Indochina. This, because France had already surrendered to Germany, proceeded smoothly.

In August, all exports of petroleum to Japan were suspended.

In October, the cabinet of the warmonger Nanjou Hideki was established. Even had come to a state where war was inevitable...

On November 26th, the Takasugi Aircraft Strike Force secretly sortied from Hitokappu Bay, Iturup Island. Its destination: Hawaii.

And then, the new month started...

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