The next morning, Zero hour.
The clock alarmed, Kurogane gets up from his bed. Squeezing his forehead, he feels relieved since the nightmares at least be mercy with him at this day. Taking the coffee can at the top of his bed, Kurogane has a small sip, its bitter helped him passing the early drowse. After got dressed, he leaves the room and walk on the people-less hall, just like him...
South-West of Kyoto, rural area.
It's the day for the battle to choose who will represent Japanese Senshado to the high sea, so this is the reason why this battle had attracted such intense attentions from all people of Japan. The advertising companies and the supporters are also here, but all of their cameras only sticking to commander Oda of Kyoto Academy. Walking idly without any notice from the outsiders but the crews in the team, Kurogane sees his crew, fully gathered before the "Minotaur" Tiger who eagerly waiting for battle. Ken speaks loudly:
-What's took you so long, asshole?
Kurogane smirks:
-The schedule is on my hand, it's nonsense when spinning up the rope, we will only have to wait!
Maybe, only Ryukou makes his sense of appearance with the Okinawan crews, when Kitagawa approaches:
-Ryukou! We're having a small change in the chain of command. Someone volunteered to lead the wing!
-So who's showing the money?-Kurogane a bit surprised.
Vice President didn't reply, instead falling backward. From behind, it's Kawachi? To the recent Taichou, that guy proposes!
-Taichou Ryukou! I can't bear standing and watching you guys battle against the enemies. So, I hope I will be with you!
Kitagawa supports for Kawachi:
-He'd taken charge in Kyoto matters for numerous times before your command! His experience with Kyoto is up above me!
Kurogane frowned for thinking. Such with Kawachi he had some petty grievances, but enough for spoiling the chain. But, if Kawachi has knowledge about Kyoto, means the chance of victory will be more certain. Seeing Oda still being swarmed by the reporters, he says:
-Stick with me, and waiting for orders!
Kawachi had broken into joy after hearing this. As he saluted Kurogane repeatedly with a thank:
-Arigatou, Taichou!
Then, he whispers into Kitagawa ear:
-Please help me doing this thing...
The Zero hour is coming close, commanders of both academies have a small meeting together under the supervision of the judges. But, a small change happened at Okinawa Academy, since Kawachi had made his stand in the middle of Kitagawa and Ryukou, which surprised Motoko, as she had hoped Kurogane will lead this battle. On the loft, Ruko is also spectating the meeting. Seeing the camera pointing to Kawachi, she feels somewhat curious.
-LET'S HAVE A FAIR BATTLE!
Both commanders of two teams saluted each other as the traditions. Sitting on the Ho-Ha Type 1, Kawachi with his "subordinates" return to the Okinawa deployment zone. At the same time, sitting with her male comrades, Oda secretly smirked.
The terrain of Kyoto was being used to the roots any plain for urban planning, so the organizers had cleared a patch of 16x18 kilometers forest as the battlefield, as they'd feared about the possible destruction to the ancient relics of this old capital caused by tanks tracks and cannons. At the rendezvous point, Kurogane points to the tactical map under the eyes of his wing commanders:
-Our mission is to destroy the hostile flag tank, also covering the ass of our flag before the enemies! We will take into four wings! Kitagawa takes the West and South-West, I will take the rest. Watch the high grounds where the enemies could ambush. Kawachi's flag, stick with me!
"Hai!" The commanders replied, then stormed back to their positions. Gets into the turret, Ken feels dissatisfied with the sudden change of the team's command:
-I'd got no idea! Wasn't that you win Kawachi for command?
Kurogane shook his head with a slight smile, leaving the explanation to Soujirou:
-It's just a ruse, Ken! Kawachi is just a curtain to hide Kuro-kun from the suspicious eyes of the enemies. In fact, the tactics, all in our commander's mind!
"I see!" Ken nodded, as he'd realized that he had blamed his friend wrong. Looking to Kawachi's flag tank, another Tiger, Kurogane says:
-Just calm yourself, Ken! This time, I will sink Oda deep into her humiliation. As your retribution!
"BATTLE STARTED!"
The announcement sounded, the tanks started rolling. Spectators are thrilling to see the progress, also the reporters eagerly for the result. But strangely, the place Ruko is sitting...Okinawa Academy, with casual clothes? Seeing two flanks, she slowly put her hand into her pocket...
To the designated point, Kitagawa orders his team to halt for observation. No signs of enemies detected, he reports:
-We're at the spot. Negative activities!
Kurogane then orders:
-Watch the flanks. Giving some lights up for the bait!
"Roger!" Kitagawa replies. At the same time, Kawachi says into the radio:
-Kyoto Academy is at best in ambush and swift mobilization! They're mostly amass Te-Ke Type 97, Type 97 and Ke-Ni Type 98 for ambushing and point capturing, while Chi-Nu Type 3, Chi-Ha Type 97 and Chi-To Type 4 will be the rib cage. Possible ranged supports from Ho-Ni Type 3 and Ho-Ri!
"Good!" Kawachi's experience will help much for Kurogane in battle, as he comments:
-What a pure Japanese tanks academy!
Then, he calls to Kitagawa:
-Any hostile activity?
At Vice President's side, he's watching around on the top of his SU-152 cupola. Seeing at the North-East, birds frightened, he replies:
-Enemies mobilizing at North-East, B7!
At the same time, Kawachi reports:
-Commander! Enemies at the North!
"They'd started!" Kurogane thinks. Then he orders:
-Stick their movements! Hold your fire till my order!
"Roger!" Two commanders replied. At the cupola, the Okinawan commander had spotted 3 Te-Ke. One commander at Kurogane's wing requests his Taichou:
-Permission to attack, Taichou!
Ryukou halts. Turning to Kawachi's flag tank, he says:
-You go for a bait!
-Are you nut?-Kawachi shocked-We will end up everything into the oatmeal when my tank out cold!
"Just do it!" Kurogane pushes, then Kawachi has to do as the order. The flag Tiger shows its face, but three hostile tanks keep staying without any shot fired, then retreats in line. Orders the flag to halt, Kurogane observes the scene. Many birds from the forest going up and wet their feathers, he then orders Kawachi:
-Now you can go back!
BOOM!
As the word finished, the ground before the "Minotaur" Tiger bursted high. At the spot where three Kyoto light tanks located, a platoon of Chi-To and Chi-Ha points their guns into Okinawan flag tank. Calmly calls Hajime to make a diamond stance (World of Tanks' term meaning turning the hull to the impenetrable degree) to protect both Kawachi and the "Minotaur" himself, Kurogane orders Soujirou and the subordinate commanders:
-Top priority to the Chi-Ha!
"Roger!" The line answered. BAM! BOOM! A full salvo of shots fired, knocking out several Chi-Ha inside the aim, also stopping the advance from the Chi-To. At this time, Kitagawa reports:
-We're under attack by 10 Kyoto tanks! How's your situation?
-Engaging!-Kurogane answers while seeing the battlefield-15 tanks, Chi-Ha, Chi-To and Chi-Nu advancing! Kawachi's flag spotted. There's a high probability of Kyoto main battle wing will concentrate to this!
The air and the soil being plowed by multiple shells and explosions, nearly enough for making the ears bleed. After taking a dirt shower given by a misdirected shot, the Okinawa Taichou continues:
-Hold your line! When the hostiles retreat, keep pushing them! Making their main line being ambushed, thus blocking their advance!
"Affirmative!" Kitagawa responses. Gets inside the turret, Kurogane opens the reserve ammo rack, orders to Soujirou:
-Taking down the fire from Chi-To and Chi-Nu!
-Roger!
The gunner answered. Turning the scope to the nearest target, he pulls the trigger.
BANG!
The hot casting popped, while the tip charged into that designated Chi-Nu. WHAM! That tank shakes in smoke and a white flag. Loading instantly another shell, Kurogane says:
-Ute!
Seeking another hostile, an attacking Chi-To, Soujirou continues his duty. BAM! That vehicle was so near for the echo being sounded in time. Another down, but the hostiles keep rising their numbers and a few Okinawan lightfoot K.I.A. Covering behind the "Minotaur" Tiger, also covering from behind, Kawachi says:
-Taichou! Kyoto surely will push their attack! We must regroup to Kitagawa!
-Fuck!-Kurogane shouted-If we're leaving the battlefield, we will all dead! No withdrawal without my permission!
Taking his familiar R.U.S.E cards, strangely, only four cards appeared on the hand. So, where are the two remaining cards? Better not this time, as Kurogane draws the "Mountain" and orders to his flank:
-Stick together, and pin them down!
...
At the main Kyoto line rendezvous point, their flag tank, an O-I Super. In World War II, only two experimental versions made, with a swarm of Chi-To, Chi-Nu, Ho-Ni I, Ho-Ni III and few Ho-Ri. Seeing the surviving tanks retreat back from the South-West, merely a half of it and didn't healthy. Knowing what does it mean, on the top of the gigantic tank, Motoko orders:
-Prepare at the South-West!
In a minute, the Kyoto main line formed up, every from the smallest to the biggest calibers pointed into the invisible enemies. Hiding deep inside the forest and away from the Kyoto's range of fire, Kitagawa slowly spectates that formation, and reports to Ryukou:
-Kyoto main battle line spotted, with an O-I Super as the flag! 23 tanks: 1 super heavy, 13 mediums, 6 destroyers and 3 lights!
Kurogane, slowly gaining advantage upon the hostiles thanks to the thick armors and strong firepower. The battle was still hot, but he's still keeping himself calm for commanding:
-Diverse them! Keep your casualties low and wait for my next order!
Kitagawa nodded. Back to his wing, 17 tanks left and damaged with any levels. It's hard but he had to recognize how elite the Kyoto Academy was, with a small army but enough to cause damages upon the bigger squad. He's then worrying about Ryukou and his wing, where Kawachi is making his presence.
...
WHAM! BAM!
The gunfire was calm at Kurogane's front, as the Kyoto Academy retreats with only a handful of wounded survivors. Exchanged for the least casualties by proper defense strategy, it's the first step to victory. On the cupola, the Okinawan commander orders his team:
-Regroup and march! We must provide Kitagawa his needed support ASAP!
"HAI!" The tank commanders answered the call. The tanks which still in action quickly regroup, leaving behind the smoking wrecks of both their allies and the hostiles.
...
At Kyoto's main line, high smokes and survivors had signaled Motoko the result of her attacks. At time, her cellphone ringing, with a message from Ruko:
"Onii-chan is making an enclosure to you!"
Oda smirked, she then orders:
-Team! To the South-East!
Executing the order, the Kyoto formation scattered and heading to the designated point.
BOOM! WHAM!
Suddenly, the gunfire from the forest shocked them off, including Motoko. To the source, she'd spotted Kitagawa along with his teammates appeared, with two cards "Thunder" and "Darkness" on the Vice President's hand. Under the stressing fire from Okinawa Academy, the Kyoto starts taking casualties. Keeping her calmness, Oda responses:
-Regroup and defend!
Inside the "Minotaur", all the words from Motoko were going straight into Nihou's ears clearly. Using the spare radio, he talks to his commander:
-Kitagawa was in the battle!
Kurogane smirked satisfyingly, he compliments:
-After this battle, I will give you a party!
-What about me, bro?-Ken joins.
-Me too!-Soujirou is also.
-Ok!-Kurogane nodded-We will have a big one!
The Tigers team under Ryukou's command pushing forward like a wind with a respectable speed: 42 km/h while the others following from behind under the opening of the T-34-85s.
...
Back to the fiery battle, even under suppression, Kyoto Academy still fiercely up against the Okinawan hostiles. With concentrated firepower, they'd caused severe casualties to Kitagawa, making him worried if Kurogane didn't make it in time. Orders the light tanks pulling back, he along with 2 other SU-152 advances forward. Aiming three cannons toward the O-I, he shouts:
-UTE!
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
Three quaking gunfire which had made everyone think about an earthquake at this battlefield. But then, Kitagawa shocked, when that super tank was still survived even two shots into the hull and the rest is taken by another Chi-To who'd put himself in vain for the flag. Turning all three turrets toward the enemies, the O-I fired.
BOOM! BANG! BANG!
When Kurogane and his comrades meet the wing, the thing he only sees is Kitagawa stays silent on his SU-152's cupola with a white flag popped, caused by a horrible shot from the super flag tank. Can't leave the battle on the flow of the water, Ryukou calls:
-With the remaining tanks from Kitagawa, staying still!
"Roger!" The vice commanders had shown their willingness to win even their wing still only 10 tanks left. Forming up at the forest, the T-34-85s and Panzer 38(t)s stormed into the hostile tanks, few was down before the strong response. But shortly, they were made it between the Kyoto gaps.
BOOM! BAM! BANG!
In the nick of time, the Ho-Ni with fixed turrets were shot down while Chi-To and Chi-Nu can't dare their teammates firing those "flies", which also confused Motoko. At the other side, it's made some time for Kurogane preparing his fire column which will be imminent after the Kamikaze tanks end up their action.
WHAM! KREECH! BAM! BAM!
The track of Panzer 38(t) was shot, thus ending up his duty after many shots taken from Kyoto Academy. But, with the kill rate 1:1, the light tanks from Okinawa Academy had made its school proud. Taking even the smallest chance for the upper hand, Kurogane shouts:
-Kogeki!
WHAM! BAM!
His wing fired, killing all the remaining survivors. But, the top target, the flag O-I was still in one piece. In her desperate move, Motoko restrains herself. Spotted Kawachi's flag, she orders:
-Aim the Okinawa's flag tank!
BANG!
The super tank fired with a strong cyclone dashed through Kurogane's hair. Looking behind, a tree trunk sliced in half, at least it'd taken for Kawachi. Immediately, he orders:
-Kawachi. Fall back!
BOOM!
Another shot from O-I, which bursted the soil up. Can't standing for being a prey, he commands:
-Scatter and approach the O-I! Unadvised for head-on contacts!
"Hai!" The crews agreed, then started approaching the super tank from two sides. With three guns, the gigantic behemoth had killed multiple enemies. But, what's done has to be done, the tanks from behind had finally reached the ass of the O-I.
BOOM! BAM!
They'd fired, but only the bounces coldly replied. Seeing the teammates desperately trying to penetrate the super tank, Kurogane says to radio:
-Don't waste the shells, just trap it!
The crews responsed by squeezing the O-I like stuffed sandwich. As it was effective even the lightest tank from Okinawa was above 10 tons. Following the forest, Kurogane seeks for the O-I's weakspots, before his teammates scattered before the overwhelming weight of that super tank.
WHAM! BANG!
Two cannons from the O-I fired into that Tiger, but missed thanks to Hajime's skills. Turning the gun toward that big enemy, Kurogane orders Soujirou:
-Test the hull!
-Hai!
BANG! BOOM!
The tank fired multiple shots, thanks to Kurogane's assistance. But, they're didn't even scratch the O-I. Thinking a way to penetrate it, Kurogane orders Ken:
-Ready the Sabot!
Then, he calls to Hajime:
-Stop the tank!
The driver then brakes abruptly which pushed everyone forward. The commander continues:
-Can you drift behind the O-I?
-Only a half of it if you want the tracks safe!-Hajime warns.
-Do it!-Kurogane pushes-We will have the same act like I did yesterday!
Seeing the Tiger staying still while the shots waiting to be loaded, Motoko whispers:
"At least he's now fighting straight!"
Three seconds later, the Tiger charged into the O-I. Looking through the cupola, Oda commands:
-Ute!
BANG! WHAM!
Two guns from the super tank responsed, but Hajime had driven the "Minotaur" out of danger. After a turn to the left, he's then push the brake pedal, thus turning his steering. The tracks screeching on the soil hurt the ears, which had nearly made Kurogane thinking about a possible breakdown. When the connection gap between the fuel tanks and the hull inside the scope, the commander orders:
-Ute!
Soujirou executed the order. BAM! BOOM! The shot from the Tiger was the HE, causing the massive explosion of both the fuel tanks on the O-I yet burning the tank itself. Taking any chance, Ken loads the Sabot into the caliber. A small drift more, and finally the Tiger was at the burning ass of the super tank, whose guns were here at the same time.
BAM! BOOM!
Two gunfire sounded. Both the crews and the spectators with Ruko on the lofts broken into silence. When the fire going off to the wind, on the top of the O-I, a white flag, while its retaliation pierced the right ammo rack of the Tiger, forcing it to leave the battle. At that time, the announcement.
"KYOTO ACADEMY'S FLAG TANK HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT! VICTORY TO OKINAWA ACADEMY!"
The joy of victory quickly broken on the faces of the Okinawan crews. From the cupola of the O-I, Motoko emerges to see the aftermath. Then, she jumps down, walking to Kurogane's crew, meeting the victorious Taichou, she says:
-We'd lost!
-Does it necessary to report to me face by face like this?-Kurogane asks.
Smiled, Oda answers:
-Maybe my biggest mistake is too underestimated you! The thing I didn't mention, is facing the opponent who's also know the stratagem "Wind", "Forest", "Fire", "Mountain", "Darkness", "Thunder" like you!
-Gaining victory is my responsibility!
Kurogane responsed coldly as he was scratching his head. Motoko smiles, even having suffered the defeat, which gained the respect from the Okinawan commander. Shaking the hands, Oda continues:
-If we have chances, we will meet again. Furthermore, I'll see you at the Shogunate!
-Maybe!-Kurogane nodded.
Then, the girl bowed respectively before leaving the place with her crews. Back to his crew, Kurogane shows his joy:
-Who's want a hotpot party?
"WE!" The crew cheerfully answered.
...
Back to the dressing room of Kyoto Academy...
Ruko makes way into the room after being the spy for her academy. Seeing Motoko, she says:
-Sempai!
Turning back, Oda replies:
-Ruko-chan?
Standing before the President, Kurogane's sister apologizes:
-I'm so sorry for not helping much for you and our Academy!
-You don't need to blame yourself like that!
Motoko soothed Ruko with the kind behavior, with only two girls:
-Your messages to me, it'd worked well in damaging the Okinawa battle lines! But, we lose, which the reason doesn't all blaming on you! Because, your brother, had fought, with the spirit of a true Samourai champion!
Ruko can't get it. Yesterday Motoko had seen Kurogane in hatred and contempt. But today, she'd changed my mind, only for three days. As it had shown to be a question, the commander answered:
-Only the Samourai knows each other, Ruko-chan!
Those words are truly enlightened, which Ruko needs time to feel it, for long.
...
While the hotpot party as the celebration for Okinawa Academy continues...