August 6, 2013, Japan
Due to the turmoil in China, Japan was also experiencing unprecedented upheaval. Television broadcasts depicting the destruction of Japanese goods and the burning of the Japanese flag provoked extreme dissatisfaction among the arrogant Japanese populace. Various protests followed one after another. There was only one demand: cross the Yalu River and occupy that fertile land with the formidable military strength of the Japanese forces. Plant the Japanese flag on Chinese soil, just as the previous generation had done...
Consequently, the Japanese Diet convened once more. Parliamentarians from various regions gathered to discuss the specific details of the next phase of the invasion plan. It was referred to as the next phase because no one believed Japan's aggression would cease. South Korea was merely an appetizer before Japan's grand banquet.
Within the vast Diet hall, several hundred men clamored. This was a unique Japanese characteristic—argumentative deliberation. Their debating prowess was truly admirable, lasting from eight in the morning until eight in the evening without a moment's respite. If hunger struck midway, they could order top-tier sushi takeout. If thirsty, they could have a pot of chilled sake delivered as well. The benefits of convening were manifest here. All expenses were reimbursed from public funds.
After a full day's meeting, nothing substantive was concluded, so the conference would continue tomorrow. The feasting would also persist...
Exiting the Diet hall, reporters outside frantically snapped photographs. At this moment, the boorish parliamentarians from the meeting hall reverted to their refined appearances, each resembling a sage more than the last.
When reporters stopped a parliamentarian from Osaka and inquired, "Your Excellency, how are the discussions progressing?"
The halted parliamentarian stood erect and replied, "The discussions are proceeding smoothly. We have determined the general direction, though some discrepancies remain regarding the details. Naturally, adhering to our responsibility towards the people, we will strive to avoid even the smallest error. Please rest assured, trust me, and trust our government. We shall provide you with the best possible life..." Having spoken, he departed courteously.
Only a group of moved reporters remained, praising his noble sentiments to the camera. Had they known that this parliamentarian, due to his tardiness, was entirely unaware of the day's discussion topic, they likely would have fainted on the spot.
Japanese parliamentarians were indeed the world's finest "parliamentarians." Thus, despite the continuous exposure of high-level scandals in Japan, the populace remained remarkably stable. Everyone believed that, apart from those exposed, all other parliamentarians were the most incorruptible "idols"...
They boarded their respective luxurious sedans, heading towards their destinations. It seemed Tokyo's nightclubs were poised for another windfall tonight. Speaking of which, a ludicrous situation prevailed throughout the nation. Parliamentarians enjoyed convening, the people favored the parliamentarians convening, and reporters liked that the people favored the parliamentarians convening. Tokyo's economy eagerly hoped for daily meetings. Regardless of who convened, or what meeting it was, major or minor, everyone applauded...
Perhaps the only one who disliked convening was Shinta. Every time he presided over a meeting, it felt like being a male kindergarten teacher. A slightly harsh word, and accusations of restricting speech, limiting freedom of discussion, hegemonism, and dictatorship would all surface.
Who could comprehend Shinta's plight?
Returning dejectedly to his office, he found his savior already waiting. His previously downcast face regained vitality.
"Your Excellency Aota, please rescue this humble servant!" Shinta pleaded, bowing deeply to the elderly man seated in his chair. Such an attitude constituted fundamental respect...
"Are you troubled by the plan for the next phase?" Ryuichi understood his predicament without needing explanation.
"Indeed. Recently, due to some anti-Japanese movement erupting in China, our country has also become agitated. The populace clamors for an invasion of China, and those fools in the Diet echo the sentiment. Fortunately, you are aware of their demeanor during meetings. Even if consensus is reached, don't expect any conclusion before they've met for a full 30 days..." Shinta was unsure whether to laugh or cry.
"Invade China?" Ryuichi mused aloud, "Actually, this proposal isn't bad..."
"Your Excellency!" Ryuichi's single sentence nearly caused Shinta to collapse in fright.
"Hehe, I was jesting," Ryuichi rarely revealed a smile.
Shinta, however, was wiping away cold sweat in relief.
"Objectively, judging by the current circumstances, invading China is undoubtedly the optimal choice..." Ryuichi unfurled the paper fan in his hand, "Observe China now; it can be described as a flickering candle in the wind. The populace's chaos is nearly destroying this superficially powerful nation. And as the nation closest to China, we merely need our troops in South Korea to cross the Yalu River to easily conquer China at this juncture. Even encountering resistance, relying on the might of the Beasts and poison gas is sufficient to handle them..."
Ryuichi's words brought sudden enlightenment to Shinta. Merely imagining occupying this land coveted by his ancestors filled him with anticipation. He would surely be lauded by the populace and become Japan's new generation spiritual leader. In other words, he would be Japan's national hero. The grand aspirations unfulfilled by generations of predecessors would be realized by him...
"I shall go cancel the Diet session immediately! What is there left to discuss? Just issue an order, and it's done!" Shinta was nearly leaping with excitement.
"However..." Ryuichi's words seemed unfinished. With a flick, the paper fan closed again in his grasp, "These are merely superficial phenomena. If another individual were commanding China, perhaps I would proceed thus. But the one truly controlling China is 'him'!"
"Your Excellency refers to..." Shinta knew whom Ryuichi meant, but dared not confirm.
"It is him, the Supreme Commander of China's Special Service National Defense Force, Nie Adam!" Ryuichi uttered the name he himself was reluctant to mention.
"Are you concerned about the agreement with him?" Shinta failed to perceive anything special about him.
"Such agreements are fundamentally useless. In the current world, only the weak adhere to agreements made with the strong. Yet, his role on the world stage remains unclear to us," Ryuichi analyzed calmly, "Present-day China is effectively Adam's domain. Any detriment directly impacts his future hegemonic strength. Therefore, he should be acutely aware of the latent dangers within China. Although controlling the Chinese people's hatred towards us is difficult even with preventive measures—it is, after all, a historical legacy issue, a century of animosity not easily quelled by one person—it is still too abnormal." Ryuichi shook his head slightly, "With Adam's intellect, even if prevention is impossible, effectively controlling the situation is certainly not difficult. Minimizing damage to the nation is a principle known to all. Observe his current actions—or rather, complete lack thereof. It's as if he's allowing his own limbs to stab his body with knives. He would never commit such an act..."
Pondering carefully, Shinta also detected the peculiarity.
"There is only one conclusion," Ryuichi unfurled the paper fan once more, "He is luring the enemy! Using China's current state to entice us into turning China into a battleground. That is his ultimate objective!"
"There's no reason? Even so, if we invade, considering China's current national condition, it would be difficult for them to resist our attack, wouldn't it?" Shinta noticed the inconsistency.
"You... simply fail to grasp the global situation," Ryuichi sighed, "In the present world, no country is easily dealt with. Because everyone possesses trump cards from the Noah civilization. Without knowing the opponent's capabilities, who dares to act rashly? The reason for choosing South Korea as the first step of invasion was precisely because we knew definitively that their ultimate weapon was incomplete. Look at China now: the Special Service forces are surfaced, 13's dedicated SEED is surfaced, even the most enigmatic Special Service commander has appeared. It gives the impression of standing completely exposed before the world. Yet, who can know what he still conceals beneath the surface? Can a nation possessing weapons of mass destruction truly reveal itself so nakedly?"
Shinta's cold sweat beaded again, "Your Excellency means, China still possesses undisclosed strength?!"
"This is not speculation, but certainty. Only now do I comprehend that Adam's appearance wasn't forced by 13, but part of China's hegemon plan. Using the most exposed posture to attract a pack of greedy wolves, then dispatching them with hidden guns. Truly an ingenious and meticulous plan!" Ryuichi exclaimed in admiration, "He has practically calculated against every nation on Earth. A moment's carelessness, and one gets devoured by this young man..."
"But watching this fat prize without taking a bite seems rather regrettable..." Shinta still entertained the idea of gambling.
"You wish to partake?" Ryuichi asked quizzically, "Actually, someone desires this fat prize more than we do..."
"You refer to the United States?!" Shinta immediately understood this time.
"Correct! America covets this land far more than we do. No, no..." Ryuichi shook his head again, "He desires every piece of land on Earth. Including our Japan. Normally, regarding this invasion, the America of the past could have invaded our homeland under any pretext. Do you know why they haven't?"
"I do not understand..." Shinta spoke truthfully.
"Because he views us as bait, bait to lure China into revealing its true strength. Once China's final trump card is understood, I dare say both China's and our fate is conquest." Ryuichi's deduction was accurate; at least, this was indeed America's thinking.
"Then what should we do now?" Shinta was troubled.
"No action is needed. Maintain the status quo. Let the Diet continue discussions, intensify the assimilation plan in South Korea. And the pursuit of Snake must not slacken!" Something flickered in Ryuichi's eyes, "Once we possess Snake, capable of prying into everyone's secrets, we need not fear any nation. Whether bait or genuine fat prize, Japan can boldly swallow it."
Thus, everything fell into Adam's calculations once more. China's current state was genuine, yet humanity's suspicious nature caused this group of greedy individuals to miss the prime opportunity. In Adam's words, the greediest are also the most timid. They can conjure a heap of nonsensical excuses for their cowardice, even deeming it wisdom. When everyone witnessed Adam quell the turmoil with lightning speed, regret became a superfluous emotion...
Meanwhile, Hideaki in South Korea harbored fewer concerns. He merely needed to track Snake's whereabouts. The intelligence secretly returned from the trackers daily was actively processed at the secret base. The destination prediction narrowed step by step.
Over one hundred thousand troops were deployed. Upon successful positioning, they could instantly encircle the target. Even if they sprouted wings, escape would be impossible. The remaining Beast legion had completed adjustments. In the upcoming battle, they, along with the two thousand Beasts and Yamata units transported over, would assume the role of assassins...
Even so, a sense of melancholy lingered in his heart, impossible to dispel. It concerned his feelings towards Ryuichi. What should have been absolute hatred grew increasingly strange. Especially when faced with his awkward words of concern. He found himself yearning intensely to call him 'Father'.
While lost in thought, the former intelligence agent stood beside him...
"Report!" The loud report nearly startled Hideaki.
"Through analysis, their destination has been largely confirmed. Please observe..." He presented a document to Hideaki.
After careful examination, the hand holding the document clenched into a fist.
"Excellent," Hideaki stated excitedly, "Issue immediate orders: deploy troops to garrison the cities surrounding this location via detour. Absolutely no information leakage is permitted. Violators will be executed immediately! The entire Beast legion is to remain on standby at the airport. As soon as Japanese reinforcements arrive, immediately integrate them into the ranks, board the aircraft. I want rapid aerial deployment onto the battlefield once combat commences."
"Yes, sir!" The intelligence agent replied loudly, swiftly departing to arrange Hideaki's orders.
"13! Let's see if you don't perish by my hand?!" Hideaki clenched his fist triumphantly. For this final decisive battle, Hideaki had made a momentous decision: he would personally resolve the matter with his own hands.