Mission 5: Nagasaki Landing. Part 1.
(Five Months Before. June 21, 2015. Tokyo, Japan.)
...
(Naruto POV)
(sigh)... On that day I realized why brother-in-law deserved the nickname of "Zac Efron", dattebayo… Him and everyone else. I cannot complain, because, at least for a single moment, I was a part of this staging. Let's still pretend we're a happy, one piece family to everyone else outside our normal ground…
― Shit!― I said, seconds later of opening my eyes on that morning. When I realized it was already morning, I jumped out of my bed in such a hurry that I realized that I did not had even the proper wearing for the cold on my bedroom: nothing but the cotton briefs I was wearing. ― Wait… there's still 45 minutes… (sigh) Fuck. ― That was my reaction when I looked at the clock and realized I had time for a proper wake up.
I pressed my hands on face to realize how much I was tired, together with the ever-increasing pressure in my mind and my eyes. Even until today I'm slowly realizing my adulthood has come too quickly, in a way I'm now sure I wasn't ready.
I came to the bedroom to wash my face and make the rest of my body wake up. Before I could even turn the water tap, I could not stop looking at my face, tired from waking up so quickly and early. I kept staring on my face, seeing how much has happened since I met the gaijins, prior to Valahia's attack. I won my maturity and adulthood at the same time I lost my innocence. I just want to know why our enemies hate us so much…
I was finally under the shower, feeling the warm water throughout my body in the cold weather. In an instant, I felt all the stress go in a way full of ecstasy. Once it was flowing to my back and throughout my torso, I remembering raising my head, placing against the water's flow and groaning by such a moment. I didn't remember to be touching myself to reach such a thing, neither wanted on that one moment. I… just... everything changed too quickly for me…
Soon I left in another instant, and in another, I was already finishing wearing my clothes: a black suit, a red tie together with a pair of both black closed shoes and gloves. Of course, not the best for a wedding, much less a Christian and Western wedding.
Only Naru is excited for it… The little girl inside her is jumping of excitement just because this kind of wedding is simply the biggest party my family will ever see. My brother-in-law and his relatives say this kind of wedding happens all day and always has such a big party. I fail to understand the necessity of all of this. To realize that my own sister and Angelo-san's parents are pushing us into this makes us lose all the excitement.
But then… I realized what I care for. I finished clothing when I turned my attention to the nightstand. Everything stopped when I looked at the picture that was laying on it. A picture of my sister and Hinata together, years ago after hanging out at the shopping mall. No big changes from where me and Hinata started dating, and was just sometime before Naru met her future husband.
I held that in my hand and kept staring it. When I looked at that picture, soon all the embarrassment and annoyance that my sister's childish behavior disappeared, replaced by the love and affection I always paid her for always cheering me up and being the only person who never left me… I remember I always done everything and will still do everything for her because she's my family, the people I most love and care…
The same would be for Hinata… I'm only acknowledging her love too late to ask for her forgiveness. I was such a fool to leave her alone throughout our childhood, while she was always behind me, caring for me… My Guardian Angel… and I never realized how easily I could lose her… I love her so much… and I'll move earth and heaven to guard her…
What I done next was to show and to make certain that the prankster and the street fighter boy had grown up to be a soldier in a moment of need. I stored the picture in my wallet and I guarded it on one of my blazer's pockets. I then looked for something else I won as a "gift", something like a man like me shouldn't leave it's home without it, even on one of the safest countries in the world, like Japan. In the first drawer, between some documents and papers, I kept my M1911 stored together with a silencer and an extra cartridge. I took the gun and the cartridge, but not the silencer, as I thought that if I really had to use it, I wouldn't need it anyway. That was the last thing I remembered before I headed for the wedding. At least, I was sure I wouldn't be the only hitman or Yakuza there…
…
(Present Day. November 4, 2015.)
…
Today is a day we've been waiting for weeks, our official counter-attack against the occupied Home Islands. Ground Defense Force, Air Defense Force, Maritime Defense Force, all we have concerning the Self Defense Forces are eager to get at least a city of the mainland. By myself, there was something else stored that I was asked to see. A new gear for me and Sakura-chan in the Hangar.
― What's the hurry for such a thing?― I asked, while Ero-Sennin took me to the hangar. I could understand that the operation time was getting near. However, I believed I should get the into the briefing before all this hype. Moreover, I came without Sakura-chan so I couldn't understand what would happen.
― Something new for you. You didn't expected you would fight the entire war in a plane old as me, did you?― Ero-Sennin said, as we came at the door which was the entrance of the Main Building to the hangar. And, I could feel my eyes bright on the moment I saw what was stored for me.
There was my new plane waiting for me, an F-15 fighter, of the "E" model, usually named "Strike Eagle". I remained speechless as I looked around it, noticing its cosmetic features, which were buying my attention more than the fighter's capabilities. I noticed the Hinomaru covering the roundels on the wings and a new, unique symbol on the back. It was a bird, from the Raj's ancient mitology. I guess the name was…
―… Garuda? Hindu and Buddhist mythology, isn't?― I asked about it.
― (giggle) I'm impressed. Sincerely, you being smart is not easy to get used to. ― Ero-Sennin said to me, on something it was quite evident. Not that I was completely stupid, but… Yes, maybe a little but I wouldn't had gone through the High School if I was completely idiot.
― I don't know what to say. Thank you, I guess. ― I said, feeling thankful for such a gift. But curious at the same time. ― But, where are the others?― I asked again.
― Of course, it wasn't expected to be so easy. Naru was in the galley doing what the rookies always try to do: trying to swallow with a nice dose of sake. Not the first time I see. And you?―
― I'm okay with this. What this craft have to offer will ease up my new necessities. ― I answered, still amazed by my new aircraft. It is a model of known reckon in the world, with a fame that precedes it. My own father can demonstrate it with the craft he's so pleased to work with.
However… the idea of not only being on my own, but also leading others isn't very easy for me to digest. I… I'm not exactly ready for it. My dad already had left at that time, but there was someone else I could "make things clear". At least, if he haven't left yet…
…
(1156 hrs.)
…
― We're about to start the mission contents. After a long wait, we finally rounded up enough troops and intelligence to fully retake the Home Islands from North Korea. Soon the Self-Defense Forces will initiate an operation to retake the island of Kyushu. What its left of our forces in the mainland, after weeks and months of guerrilla warfare, grow more exhausted as each day passes. If we don't act soon, they will be wiped out completely. Our bridge for disembarking troops will be establish at the Port of Nagasaki, on the main beachhead of the city. We'll be sending units by sea and air, and its going to be a large scale operation. This mission will be divided in multiple units: Two hovercraft regiments, each one comprising 60 MSDF Marines battalions, will bring them to shore, and what is left of the Maritime Self Defense Force to attack the enemy from the sea. The Marines will need support in order to carry on the landing operation and for taking over key areas on the ground. The MSDF will need support to carry on artillery support to the landing units, close to the sea or the nearby oil fields. It would be of advantage if you could run to several operation points and take them out before your allied units could handle them. Accuracy and speed will be crucial to the success of the operation. You are dismissed.― That was what Grandma Tsunade said to us in our briefing yesterday.
Dad and "Zac Efron" weren't coming with us on that mission. The key of our Day-D would resume on a single idea: A quick deception. Sasebo lay neighboring the city of Nagasaki, although most of Akatsuki's Korean People's Army units were laid on in our landing target. In the other hand, the nearby Korean People's Army Air Force's bases were all concentrated in Sasebo and the further far away city of Fukuoka, leaving Nagasaki quite empty of air cover.
Their plan? Do what they do best: hit them hard, dragging as many North Korean bastards with them. Cleaning the skies and the way to Sasebo as quick as possible. Compared to my job, a piece of cake. They were going to leave sooner than us for obvious reasons, but if I hurried I could catch him before he left.
There he was, and he has been quite giving quite some time for that. Like I expected, he was there, meditating and even seemed in a coma while on that Buda position. Not even the slight movement on that room, which it's bamboo surrounding made it identical to a temple's room. (How convenient…)
― Come. You know you can come if you want. ― He said, realizing I was there. Obviously, by the respect I had over the sacred room, I didn't made any disturbing noise, so… I guess, like my dad does, he "felt" me coming.
― I know we're a little busy. Shikashi, I know I can't pull that…― I said coming closer to him, but then.
― Naruto. Stand on ahead of me, please. Again, you can sit if you want to.― He said, in such a calm that I felt my hair spiking. I then walked in and stood ahead of him as he asked. ― You're nervous. Don't think of it as a burden, since we are already carrying many more. Think about a gift to show yours. It is your first mission as a high officer, and your friends count on you as well. Don't let yourself be afraid, Naruto.―
His intentions are good, but… still… I'm not my father, neither him or André-san. How I will be able to lead the others, if I can't even lead myself? And, to make things even more confusing to me… He put his hand on his neck, and took his SDF necklace. He then closed his hand and… gave it to me.
― Onegai… (Please)… Don't you think you're taking too far?― I asked him.
― In a country I don't know, you're my teacher now, Naruto. Now, I'm so experienced as those who you will lead. If you still think you're going alone, think of me as your first follower. ―
… (sigh)… I just didn't know how to answer to that… much less the courage to say "no" to him. How I would say "no" to the humble tone of his voice now? There's… I guess there was no more use in arguing now. Moreover, my time was nearly on the end on that day, and I had to move now. Why would I keep bothering on something that couldn't be worked.
― One last thing. You looked over her for almost 18 years, while I took care of her during only one. You'll be a more patient teacher than I. ― He said, when I was already opening the door. I just looked at him for a moment, before I left.
I had another surprise when I turned ahead as my sister was there, like it was waiting for me. Naru was acting on her usual 'immature girl' attitude, but it was acting like she was also trying to ask a favor. Hum… no matter how bad things may be going, she still smiles like a child.
― Hum… what is it, dattebayo?― I asked, a bit confused.
― Oniichan, can I go with you?― She asked me, on that… voice tone. Fuck, she was acting like we were going to the mall or to the theater. Doesn't she realizes how serious… Right, never mind. NEVER MIND.
― Uh… what, what you mean?― I asked, trying to understand why she was still so happy about it.
― Angel-chan said I could go with you! He said stuff that his team and dad's had to be stuff like "quiet and professional", but he said you would need everyone to help you! So… can I go with you?―
―... Um… okay, arigatou… Uh, look we're gonna be late so I guess we shoud be going―
She interrupted me on that exact moment, with an act that made me remember who she was on my life. She hugged me, very tenderly, showing how much she was kind and grateful of me always watching over her. I also like to add the weight on my consciousness every time she does that to me. Kishinaide… (happy sigh)…. All I cared on that moment was that she didn't released me until we reached the hangars…
…