Ch. 52: Aritomo's Game
10:44 AM, November 13th, 1921, International Settlement, Shanghai
Zero, now freshened up and wearing a clean uniform, was being escorted in his personal car to the Black Army's HQ. Once the car parked itself in front of the building's entrance, Zero exited the vehicle and entered the building. Upon entering various Black Army staff members and officials personally congratulated him on his safe return. Kim Gu and Dietrich, who were waiting in the main entrance, then approached him.
"Zero, it's good to see you once again. Everyone here was concerned about you 24/7." Kim Gu said as he shook his hand. "I always feared what would happen to us if you were to disappear completely."
"You shouldn't have to worry about that. You've been doing a terrific job maintaining everything during my absence." Zero replied.
"Thank you Zero. Those words mean a lot to me." It was then he saw Zero had a few cuts and bruises on his hands and face. "It looks like you got pretty roughed up while hanging out in Tokyo."
"Fortunately these were the worst injuries I got over there. Had to evade various gunshots and endure a chaotic car chase during our emergency departure."
"And what about the status of the Zero Division?"
"Kae was seriously injured during our escape. She got shot in the shoulder. We managed to stop the bleeding and perform a makeshift surgical procedure on her to extract the bullet. However she still needed professional medical attention, which is why she was immediately transferred to the hospital when we arrived earlier. As for the other members of the Zero Division, they are doing fine and enjoying some time off." Zero explained.
"Well I give you, Kae, and the rest of the Zero Division my thanks for your bravery to willingly undertake such a risky operation."
"I will relay that message to them Kim."
"Zero, while I congratulate you on your safe return, I would like to hear the details of your recent intelligence gathering mission." said Dietrich.
"Very well. Follow me to my office."
Kim Gu and Dietrich followed Zero into his office. Zero then sat down at his desk and requested the door to be shut.
"The first order of business I would like to discuss is our codes. Apparently the Japanese authorities managed to crack one of our codes and by intercepting my telegraph lines found out I was communicating with the Black Army and the Provisional Government. This unexpected turn of events forced me to evacuate Japan immediately."
"They actually deciphered our communications?" Dietrich said with disbelief. "I can't believe it. The cryptologists insured me that the odds of someone managing to decrypt them were extremely low."
"Well it doesn't matter now does it Dietrich. The Japanese have somehow cracked it despite the odds. It's obvious we have to abandon that code and use a whole new set." said Kim Gu.
"That's what I was going to say. Dietrich I want our communications to switch over to Cipher #5. Meanwhile I want the cryptology department to create a whole new cipher to replace the one the Japanese deciphered." Zero replied.
"I will have that immediately arranged sir."
"Onto second order of business, I actually managed to have a personally conversation with Crown Prince Hirohito and some of his associates while undercover."
"You actually got to meet him in person?" Kim Gu and Dietrich yelled out with amazement.
"Indeed I did. It was at a funeral reception for the late Prime Minister Hara." Zero replied.
"So did you find out anything interesting?" Dietrich asked.
"As I told you in a report I sent back a two months ago, I had found out from his associate Kojima that Hirohito is planning to have a Regency declared, effectively and legally making him Emperor in name. As to why, we still don't know. However, when I met him he indicated that he wanted Japan to have more of a role in stabilizing China. He also was claiming the great powers of the world are trying to restrict Japan's growth, hence why he was distressed about the international conference in Washington D.C.
Another interesting observation made by Kae, who was with me at the reception, was that a Chinese general by the name of Yu Jingyi attended as a representative of the Chinese government. According to information she retrieved, the General is a close ally of Zhang Zuolin and was invited due to heavy pressure by Prince Aritomo."
"So you're suggesting that this General Yu is planning something with Hirohito and his allies?" Dietrich asked.
"Precisely. We already know Japan is funding the Manchurian-based Fengtian Clique. If Japan is going to start making moves in China, it's most likely going to start there. That's why I want more investigation done on this General Yu. Will that be any problem?"
"It shouldn't be Zero. All we have to do is reallocate more resources to our Chinese intelligence networks." Dietrich answered.
"Then do that then."
"Very well Zero." Dietrich said as he exited the office.
"What do you think Hirohito is planning to do next Zero?" Kim Gu asked.
"I don't know exactly. But I fear the moves Hirohito will make in the near future are going to be bigger and have way more consequences."
12:00 PM, November 29th, 1921, Privy Council, Tokyo Imperial Palace
Wearing suits and military uniforms, the Privy Councilors were all seated at the meeting table. The one thing that was different about this meeting was that the seat reserved for the Emperor was vacant.
Aritomo proceeded to stand up and clear his throat. "Thank you all for coming. As President of the Privy Council, I have called this meeting in regards to the current status of His Majesty the Emperor. It has been known that His Majesty has become more reclusive and less interested in his duties as the days gone by. There is also no doubt the increasing problems this Empire is currently facing is putting more strain on His Majesty's health and exacerbating his current condition."
Everyone in the room simultaneously nodded in agreement.
"Taking this information into account, I therefore, in accordance to Imperial Household Law, call for a declaration of regency be made in the name of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince." continued Aritomo as he looked to Hirohito, who was seated right next to him. "I hereby give the floor to anyone here who either supports or opposes this decision."
Aritomo sat back down in his seat. Viscount Takahashi Korekiyo, the newly appointed Prime Minister, stood up and voiced his opinion on the decision.
"His Majesty has clearly shown no interest in the current political and economic situation. His mental and physical health has negatively affected his ability to rule. I think it would be in the best interest of the Empire to declare him unfit to rule."
The Prime Minister sat back down once he was done speaking. All the other Privy Councilors, which included the other members of the Prime Minister's Cabinet, Prince Sadanaru, Prince Kotohito, and the Marquis Matsukata, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, voiced their approval of the regency declaration.
"With no opposition, this Privy Council, in accordance with Imperial Household Law, hereby proclaim His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince as Regent of the Greater Japanese Empire." announced Aritomo.
Everyone in the room rose from their seats and applauded the newly declared Regent.
"Gentlemen I thank you for making this tough decision. This decision is also hard on me as well. I nevertheless will carry out my father's duties to the best of my ability and make Japan a more safe and prosperous nation." Hirohito replied.
The meeting was then adjourned and everyone started to exit the meeting room. Hirohito immediately proceeded to shake hands with all the other Privy Councilors as each one personally congratulated him. Once everyone except for Aritomo, Kotohito, and Sadanaru had left, Hirohito led the three men back into the meeting room.
"Now that we've gotten that done with, it's now time to start preparations for the second phase." he replied.
"I recommend using your new authority as Regent to mobilize the Kwangtung Army stationed within the South Manchurian Railway Zone. If we combine the Kwangtung Army with General Zhang's forces, then the Fengtian Clique will have no problem bringing unity and order back to China." suggested Kotohito.
"While I admire your enthusiasm Kotohito, we mustn't rush into this too fast. If our actions start to look overly aggressive, I assure you we will have the whole international community against us. Isn't that right Aritomo?"
"Correct your Highness. According to my sources from within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the negotiations at the Washington Naval Conference are not in favor as we would like them to be. The Americans have heavily stressed on preserving the Open Door Policy in China. Our diplomats are continuing their efforts to try to convince the Americans along with the British that increased Japanese influence in the region will bring political and financial stability to the region, yet the opposition has not shown any signs of budging."
"And they are not alone. Members of our government have also shown support for supporting the Open Door Policy in hope of maintaining positive relations, especially those regarding trade, with America and the other Western powers." Sadanaru added.
"Nevertheless, we can still send over the new weapons we've developed so far to the Fengtian Clique. If the weapons are sent to them via Kojima and the other zaibatsu we've allied with, then surely the Western powers can't accuse us of directly intervening in China." Kotohito replied.
"That is true. However if we send too much to Manchuria, then it will be impossible to deny our intervention. Besides, whether you like it or not, but our trade with the United States is extremely important and must be overall maintained to keep ourselves afloat for the time being." Hirohito said. "The best choice of action we can take to increase our influence in China without risking our commercial relations with the United States is to convince them that our intervention would be in their interests as well."
All the men in the room nodded to one another upon hearing Hirohito's plan.
"Besides, once Zhang brings all of China under his influence, we will have no problem apprehending Zero, the Black Army, and the Provisional Government in Shanghai that backs him."
"But even if the Fengtian Clique brings all of China under their control, the Black Army and the Provisional Government will still be untouchable. The Black Army is based in the International District while the Provisional Government is based in the French Concession." Aritomo explained.
"That's why I want you to contact your friends in Washington D.C. I want them to add something else to the negotiating table."
4:30 PM, January 27th, 1922, Black Army HQ, International Settlement, Shanghai
Inside the main meeting room, all the key members of the Black Army were sitting at the long table in the center of the room.
"It's been a while since Zero has called a general meeting." whispered one Black Army colonel.
"I was surprised myself he didn't call one immediately after his arrival from Japan." replied General Donahue of the Irish Squad.
"There must be a good reason why it took him so long to call one." added Gang.
"But this meeting was categorized as an emergency. Wouldn't one assume that would mean something unexpected came up?" asked Minister Yoo.
Suddenly Zero, followed by Kim Gu and Dietrich, entered the room. Everyone stopped talking and rose out of their seats. Once Zero took his seat at the end of the table, the other key members sat back down.
"I thank everyone for taking to time to attend this meeting at such short notice. As you know, me and the Zero Division have been in Japan the past few months gathering intel on Hirohito and his inner circle. Overall I believe it was a success. We managed to find out that Hirohito's intention was to have a Regency declared, which as you all remember happened two months ago. Now we aren't exactly sure what he intends to do with this new position, but we do have an idea."
Zero then turned his head towards Dietrich and nodded his head.
"According to the information Zero gathered in Japan, we believe Hirohito and his associates are planning to make their next moves in China. We base this on the following reasons:
1. Hirohito mentioned that he believes Japan should have a role in bringing order to China
2. Prince Aritomo, close associate of Hirohito, communicating with General Yu Jingyi, a high-ranking commander within the Japanese-supported Fengtian Clique"
"Excuse me but how is this information relevant to Hirohito wanting to declare a Regency?" asked Foreign Minister Won.
"I initially asked myself that question and instructed to focus or intel gathering resources on General Yu. It was then I received a report yesterday from one of our informants within the General's staff. Apparently he found a letter from Prince Aritomo ripped up in a wastebasket. Fortunately he managed to reconstruct most of it from the pieces he managed to retrieve."
Dietrich then pulled out a copy of the reconstructed letter out of his pocket and read it.
"Dear General Yu,
I will like to thank you and Commander Zhang Zuolin for your cooperation and assistance. As you know, my nation has expressed great interest in bringing order to China and end the rampant factionalism. Me and my associates believe that the Fengtian Clique is in the best condition to achieve this goal. Also we are aware of the growing tensions in Peking. The forced resignation of your ally Premier Liang Shiyi yesterday by General Wu Pelfu of the Zhili Clique is obviously a severe loss of influence for the Fengtian Clique. Due to the their anti-Japanese sentiment, this gain by the Zhili Clique is also a threat to us as well.
That is why I would like to tell you that my associates are ready to convince my government to preparing to mobilize the Kwangtung Army guarding the South Manchurian Railway Zone and to send in additional forces to assist you in countering the growing influence of the Zhili Clique. However, due to increasing criticism from other nations regarding my government's aid to you, we have so far been hesitant to do so in fear of economic retaliation.
That is why I am in the process of preparing a report to present to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who will then relay it to the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. Once it is presented at the Naval Conference, the other great powers will have very little opposition to our deployment. As a result you should have no problem of taking over Peking and overthrowing the Zhili Clique.
-Field Marshal Prince Yamagata Aritomo"
"Dear god, if Aritomo manages to get the other powers directly involved, then we're absolutely done for." General Rozhkov said.
"Dealing with Japan is one thing. Dealing with Japan in addition to the United States, Britain, and France is a whole new game." replied General Park.
"We do however have friendly ties with Soviet Russia, the Zhili Clique, and the Kuomintang. Surely they could counter any additional power the Japanese manage to get on their side." added Foreign Minister Won.
"The aid and support they give to us is more ideological than material." said one of the Colonels. "Any material support we do receive from them is minute at best."
Everyone at the meeting table immediately began to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the report just read to them.
"Everyone calm down!" Dietrich yelled. "While we don't know what's the content of this report, we do know that Aritomo has yet to present it to the Japanese plenipotentiaries in Washington. Therefore we still have an opportunity to intercept it."
"Dietrich is correct. This report is extremely important for it could potentially give Japan a legal reason to expand and spread more of their influence into China and the rest of Asia. Therefore it is a priority for us to intercept it." said Zero.
"So you want us to go back to Japan, the place we just barely escaped with our lives?" Kae asked with disbelief.
"Fortunately for you and the rest of the Zero Division, you won't be needed for this mission. I already have someone special arranged for this mission."
"And who would that be Zero?" asked Kae.
"Due to his importance and high value in intelligence, I am simply going to refer to him as "WARLOCK". Agent WARLOCK, who is on his way to Japan as we speak, has already received a series of instructions regarding Aritomo and his report."
"Zero, the fact that you have never mentioned this "WARLOCK" character before makes me slightly uneasy. The outcome of this operation could determine the fate of Asia. Are you absolutely sure we can trust this guy?" asked Gang.
"Gang, WARLOCK is someone I know we can rely on. In fact I would trust him with my life if I had to."
Upon hearing Zero's response, Gang vocally gave his approval to the operation. Everyone else in the room then nodded their head in approval. The meeting was then adjourned and everyone proceeded to leave the meeting room.
As Zero and Dietrich were walking out of the room, Kim Gu approached them and asked them to come to his office for a second. The three of them then walked towards and entered Kim Gu's office. Once they were inside, Kim Gu made sure the door was closed shut all the way.
"I'm sorry for interrupting you Zero, but as Deputy Chairman and your closest ally, may I ask you who is this Agent WARLOCK is?"
Zero then looked at Dietrich, who nodded his head in approval. "I guess someone of your ranking who has supported me from the very beginning has the right to know. Agent WARLOCK is actually me."
"Wait a minute did I hear correctly?" asked a bewildered Kim Gu. "Did you just say you are WARLOCK?"
"That is correct Kim. Zero proposed the idea when I reported to him the ripped up letter found in General Yu's office." Dietrich explained.
"First of all why are you doing such a dangerous operation by yourself, especially after what happened the last time you were there? Second, why conceal your role in this operation from the rest of the Black Army?"
"I am doing this by myself because bringing the Zero Division or any other entourage would attract too much attention. Remember, the last time I went to Japan was to attract the attention of the elites in order to bring them into my circle. Local Japanese and Korean civilians living in the area will assist me if necessary."
"And what about keeping it hidden from the others?"
Dietrich cleared his throat. "That decision was made with the intention of preserving stability and to provide a cover for Zero."
"Stability and cover?"
"If everyone in the Black Army knew Zero was going back to Japan, the very land he just escaped with his life, there would be much concern for him and his safety. That emotional concern could harm morale within the Black Army. As you saw in the meeting before, the smallest uncertainties and unknowns can affect an individual's psyche. Also Zero needs to enter Japan without attracting any attention, including that of his own followers."
"Those are some good points you make Dietrich." said Kim Gu. "However I am still confused on how you plan to intercept Aritomo."
"I have already arranged a plan to do so." Zero replied. "Thanks to newly established ties with Korean and Japanese sympathizers in Japan, me and Dietrich have received word that Aritomo is not in Tokyo but at his personal residence in Odawara."
"I see, and when will you be departing?"
"Tomorrow morning. Dietrich has already prepared a cover for my absence."
"Ok. As Deputy Chairman, I am slightly disappointed I wasn't made aware of this plan until this moment. Nevertheless, my faith and trust in you is still preserved."
"I apologize Kim. I wanted to keep the number of people aware of my role in this at an absolute minimum. Only told Dietrich because I needed him to make the arrangements for this mission. I thank you though for still trusting me despite leaving you in the dark."
"It's ok. You obviously had a good reason to do so." Kim Gu replied. "I guess the only thing left to do is wish you the best of luck and to return alive."
"I'll do my best." Zero said jokingly.
Both Zero and Dietrich then exited Kim Gu's office and went their separate ways.
11:29 PM, January 31st, 1922, Odawara, Japan
Aritomo, dressed in his kimono, was kneeling on the tatami mat floor of his traditional-styled Japanese bedroom and silently praying at the small household Shinto altar hanging on the wall next to his heavily decorated military uniform. Once he was done praying, he got up and headed to bed. As he was about to turn off the lights, he heard a faint creaking noise in the background. He immediately looked over his shoulder upon hearing it.
"Strange...thought I heard something. Must've been my imagination." Aritomo thought to himself as he turned off the light.
As he turned around and walked to the futon laying on the floor, the sliding door leading out into the main hallway suddenly opened. Immediately turning around, Aritomo saw the silhouette of a figure standing in the doorway.
"WHO ARE YOU! HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO EVADE SECURITY?!" the elderly prince said as he jumped back slightly, nearly tripping over his traditional Japanese desk.
"Field Marshall Prince Yamagata Aritomo, distinguished veteran of the Boshin War, former Prime Minister, and now President of the Privy Council, surely you remember me when we met at the funeral reception."
It was then that the silhouetted figure flipped the light switch, thus illuminating the room. With now a clear view, Aritomo could see the figure standing in the doorway was Lelouch Lamperouge, who was wearing a cheap overcoat, suspenders, and a cap. Aritomo instinctively prepared to reach out for his ceremonial katana displayed on it's stand.
"I wouldn't consider moving from your spot if you value your life." Lelouch said as he pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Aritomo.
Aritomo withdrew his arm immediately upon seeing the pistol. He then sat down on the floor when Lelouch instructed him to do so.
"Surprise to see I'm alive your Grace?"
"Honestly not." the elderly prince calmly replied. "After the explosion occurred, the authorities dug through all the debris in hopes of finding your body. It was then we discovered the building sat on top of a sewer line that led directly to the bay. We figured you must've fled via there."
"Is that so. The fact there was seemingly no signs of an investigation regarding me after I did my little stunt indicated to me that you guys thought I was dead."
"We were intending to continue investigating, but the Crown Prince insisted we concentrate on other more important matters."
"Oh, you mean like having a Regency declared?
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Don't play games with me Aritomo!" Lelouch yelled. "Me and you are both aware Hirohito wanted a Regency declared, something he got a few months ago. Now I am here to figure out what he is planning to do with the power granted to him with this declaration."
"Playing games? Strange hearing that accusation from a man who created a false persona out of fraud and deceit." Aritomo sarcastically replied.
Lelouch immediately gritted his teeth upon hearing Aritomo mocking him.
"Do you realize I have already put you in check? With one move I can put you into checkmate." said Lelouch as he continued to aim the pistol. "One of my associates saw you talking with a General Yu Jingyi from the Fengtian Clique. I am also aware of a report you are planning to send to your nation's representatives in Washington DC. All I want to know is what is in that report and where it is."
Aritomo immediately started to laugh to himself. "Mr. Lamperouge, if such a report were to exist, why would I tell you? If you think it's because you have a gun pointed at me then your are in for some disappointment. I'm 83 years old and have lived a long, well-fulfilling life serving the Empire. At my age, death stares at you constantly. Therefore I am not afraid of death and am willing to take whatever knowledge I possess to the grave."
"I figured you were going to say something like that." Lelouch replied as he quickly took off his contact lens in order use his glass. "Now tell me what was in that report and where can I find it."
Aritomo's pupils immediately gave off a faint, reddish glow. "The report I prepared explained that the chaos in China is a huge threat to the interests of Japan and the other great powers. Similar to what happened during the Boxer Rebellion and the Russian Civil War, my report suggests that all the great powers should jointly send in forces to bring order and ultimately defend the interests of the individual great powers. I also included a promise from General Zhang that if he gains power of all of China, he would respect all trade treaties already established. Therefore under the guise of acting in an international coalition, Japan would be able to use it's full force in China instead of just simply supplying them with arms and equipment. To increase the odds of the great powers approving, I even written in false reports on foreigners being attacked by Chinese soldiers. As to where you can find it, it's in a safe in the closet to your right."
"And how would I unlock this safe?" Lelouch asked as the geass symbol glowed in his eye.
"You would use the key located in my desk drawer."
Lelouch, satisfied with the information, put his contact lens back in, causing the reddish-glow in Aritomo's pupils to fade away.
"What the...? What just happened?" asked a confused Aritomo.
"What just happened you asked? If I recall you were saying how you are not afraid of death because at your age it stares you straight in the face constantly." Lelouch then walked closer to Aritomo as he aimed the pistol at his head. "After hearing that, I was wondering how much of that was true."
Aritomo, still trying to not show any fear, immediately start to shiver and slightly as the barrel of the pistol got closer to his forehead.
"Don't you realize if you kill me, the knowledge I have that you desperately want will be gone forever?"
"Fortunately I know about the key and the safe in your closet."
"W-w-wait a minute! How do you know about that safe? No one knows about that safe except for me. It's...it's impossible..."
"Your Grace, nothing is impossible, for I am not simply Lelouch Lamperouge, I am Zero, the Man who Makes Miracles."
"He's Zero?! He can't be! The man this Empire has been searching day and night for was right in front of us this..." Aritomo quickly thought to himself.
It was then Zero pulled the trigger of his pistol, causing a loud "BANG!" to echo throughout the house. All the life in Aritomo was suddenly extinguished as his body slumped over onto the floor. A puddle of blood could be seen starting to form around his head.
Putting his pistol away, Zero took out a small lapel pin displaying the Black Army's symbol. He then bent over and placed the pin on Aritomo's partially blood-stained kimono. He then walked over to the desk, opened the drawer, and took out the key.
With the key in hand, Zero opened the closet door. Right below the empty shelf where the futon would normally be stored in was a large metal safe. After inserting the key into the keyhole in the safe, Zero proceeded to turn it until he heard a faint "CLICK" sound. Once he heard it, he pulled on the safe's door handle and opened it. Inside were various papers, batches of Japanese yen notes, and a few small, priceless statues. Pulling out and examining the papers, he eventually found the report Aritomo was planning to send to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As he put the report away in his pocket, he noticed a box labeled "MILITARY PLANS - CONFIDENTIAL". Wanting to know what was inside it, Zero took it out and examined it's contents. Inside were maps, photographs, reports from various military commanders, and several film reels titled "PROTOTYPE EXERCISE #1", "#2", "#3", etc. Interested with the contents, he proceeded to take the box with him too.
With everything in hand, Zero exited the bedroom and headed towards the front exit. On his way he passed several guards and household staff members. However, because he had geassed them earlier to completely ignore his presence, they didn't take notice of him and continued with their normal tasks. Once he was outside, he walked down the driveway towards the large traditional Japanese wooden gateway that led to the main street. The guards at the gate, who were geassed earlier to let anyone in and out regardless of who they were, opened the gates for Zero.
Once outside of the grounds of Aritomo's house, Zero approached a car waiting for him on the other side on the road. To alert the driver, he knocked slightly on the window. The driver, who was sleeping, awoke all of a sudden and unlocked the car upon seeing it was Zero.
"So was your mission a success Agent Warlock?" asked the driver.
"It was." replied Zero as he got into the car. "Now take me back to your hideout near the train station. I'm going to need to board the earliest one."
The driver then proceeded to start the car and drive into the night.
Author's Note: So with Prince Yamagata Aritomo now dead and his special report taken away, the plan to intervene in China under guise of preserving stability for the international community is severely hindered. The question now becomes how this will affect the Black Army's activities in China along with how Japan reacts to these turn of events.
Chapters might now take longer than they normally have due to the fact I have gotten a full-time job. Nevertheless I will continue writing and release the next chapter as soon as possible and I thank everyone for their patience. Also if you have any questions, feel free to PM them to me and will answer them as soon as possible.