1942 - June 7th
*fzz*
*-Today, Vale-news-network interrupts your normal morning program with a special feature on the situation with the "Japanese empire". A week has passed since the Japanese empire came into contact with the kingdom of Vale, at which point ambassador Shigeru Yoshida demanded the return of two Imperial army pilots while issuing an apology for the empire's intrusion into Valian airspace, citing it as, "An unfortunate misunderstanding due to the empire's unnatural predicament". While the kingdom of Vale responded understandingly to the empire's apology while issuing a slight protest against the Japanese warships, the kingdom of Atlas and the Kingdom of mistral responded extremely critically to the empire's supposed "mistake" stating that it was a clear attempt at "Imperialistic gun-boat diplomacy" and that Japanese force-commander Tadamichi Nagumo and army-colonel Mikawa Hattori were "Crooks that must be held accountable for their actions"-*
*fzz*
*- international interest in the empire is exceptionally high, however, travelers have been dis-allowed into this "New-world", as the Empire had issued a quarantine to all imperial territories due to "Concerns for the health and safety of the people of remnant" and a minor grimm invasion. However, experts worldwide doubt the empire's truthfulness, many stating that "A major Grimm incursion should be nigh-inevitable if a nation were unaware of the threat and without hunters" and that the empire should be getting swarmed by grimm right now. Yet despite what our experts believe, the empire has consistently declined all offers of help and intervention from fellow nations and hunts-men mercenaries, claiming that "the Imperial army has the situation under complete control" and that "The empire, as a sovereign, independent nation shall not allow foreign boots to tread their land freely"-*
*bzz*
*- as of now, the imperial delegation is going around remnant, guarded by the controversial "first-fleet" of the Imperial navy which had miraculously come into all port cities, completely unscathed by water-born grimm, causing Many to be bewildered at the fleet's assumed "luck" or that the Japanese have some sort of anti-grimm technologies. As of this morning, the delegation had finished their work in mistral, and are steadily making their way to the capital of menagerie, Kuo-kuana, who have yet to issue any official statements on the matter. Meanwhile, the terrorist group, the white-fang has shown hostility to the new nation in digital space-*
*Bzz* *Fzz*
*- Cyber-space experts speculate on the mysterious empire's true nature, with some convinced that the empire may have vastly sub-par technology compared to remnant's. Many have also seemed to have fostered suspicion against this new nation based off the actions of the nation at Vale, and it's military, which we have also been left in the dark for its capabilities nor intentions- "
1942 - June 8th
In the war room of the gargantuan Yamato, representatives from the two branches congregate for a lengthy discussion.
"I suppose it's quite the topic to call us here?"
Hattori inquires, and Nagumo nods. However, before he can stand up and speak, someone stood up with an audible clank of a fine pine-wood chair.
"Excuse me, but first I must make a couple of reports to all staff present. Firstly, at admiral Nagumo's request, I have confirmed with Tokyo that none of these grimm has been recorded invading our land yet. Imperial General Headquarters says that they will look into why we have not been attacked, but they request we gather information on this over here as well"
"Secondly, the "deceptive" information we have provided this world with… appears to be, on an international level, mostly accepted for now, with only some figures casting minor doubts. Imperial general staff HQ estimates that it will take, at the very least, three months to restore the rule of law, and a further 12–18 months to organize effective puppet governments in the occupied territories that we hold as of now. Until then, it is our job to keep the act up and convince this world that the empire is but a, quote, 'Technologically inferior coalition of four cities'"
"Finally, the request for permission to actively engage against the terrorist group "the white-fang" was denied by the civilian government on the grounds that it will lead to possible information leakages to the kingdoms"
"Any information on the unknown vocal translation effect between languages?"
Nagumo interjects the officer as he tries to get seated again. The officer simply shook his head.
"Hmph. Thank you officer. Now, onto business"
"…. In this contact, the delegation is instructed to come ashore in the IJN "Kirikaze" destroyer. It seems the general headquarters thinks very little of these "faunus". Nothing is specified in the sense of requirements we must meet. The delegation will consist of the usual members from all parties, as by instruction from Tokyo. While the captain of the Yamato commands the main fleet. All other protocols will proceed as usual. Any questions?"
Shigeru raises his hand.
"While I barely ever doubt your judgment, vice-admiral, I must express my concern with the "white-fang" on this occasion. While they are but some overgrown terrorists, From the talks I have had in the other kingdoms, they seem to be already responding quite critically of us. And now we are heading into their mainland, and landing our most valuable personnel with but a rather thin guard detail, from what the plans you have given out make it seem."
"You say you doubt our men's abilities, delegate Shigeru?"
Nagumo responds sharply and critically, but Shigeru perseveres in his standings.
"Oh, I do not doubt your men's capabilities in a one-on-one situation with an average terrorist colonel. I doubt their capabilities to combat an organized assault by these terrorists, and "hunters", Which the White-fang are suspected to possess in some capacity"
Nagumo and Shigeru stare at each other dead in the eyes, until Hattori breaks the ice.
"While I too do not doubt the SNLF's capabilities, vice-admiral, The delegate's argument is fairly reasoned. Perhaps they could use some backup if events do not necessarily develop to our advantage"
Nagumo takes a moment to think, and raises his voice again.
"... Colonel Hattori, I command you to select a company of army infantry to accompany the delegation. Preferably elites. The first fleet will provide transportation ashore, however all personnel are to stay on board the vessel during the time we reside in the port-city of Kuo-kuana unless the delegation is attacked, or if they are ordered otherwise"
"Understood, force-commander. I shall personally pick out a company by sun-fall"
"… Any other questions or requests?"
None dared to make even the slightest of a squeak
"Good, now get started with the preparations! "
—-
1942 - June 8th
"First order of business…finance Minister, Please"
Tojo says to the minister, who simply nods while making ready a bundle of documents.
"With the recently confirmed absence of all European nations and said nation's forces, trade routes to Indochina are, once again, traversable without the risk of massive losses. While it would still take a year for the Indonesian oil fields to become once again operational, shortages of materials such as steel and rubber have been resolved in the past few days, allowing for the production of war-material to be created in vast quantities"
"The second Sino-Japanese war is becoming costly by the day, as we are being forced to create infrastructure in the Chinese countryside. However, the work is being out-sourced to various Japanese firms, resulting in the Japanese economy being in a steady, solid growth phase for the first time in 20 years"
Everyone could hear the pleasant delight in the minister's voice as he talked.
(Only if all news were as good as this…)
Tojo remarked in his mind, all the while keeping a pleased look on his face.
"Delightful. Perhaps we could reconsider the annual budget allocation. However, Now we must move on to a more… "Pressing" question"
Tojo lights a cigarette and motions toward the foreign minister.
"The establishment of relations with the kingdoms of Vale, Atlas, Mistral, Vacuo has gone smoothly with the two air-service members and aircraft being released by the kingdom of Vale. Currently, the first fleet and the delegation are headed towards the settlement of Kuo-Kuana, inhabited entirely by faunus, which are humans that exhibit animalistic body parts. Very little has come up in terms of concerning news, barring the few times the fleet ran into "nevermore" type grimms, confirming that visual contact does cause grimm to be agitated by us. None seem to be catching on to our deceptive information"
"However, I cannot stress enough the need to be ever-vigilant in our efforts, for if the news of the empire lying to the world gets out, the diplomatic fallout will be irreparable. Furthermore, the diplomatic sector expresses concerns with the feasibility of the continued concealment of Japanese information, as there is no doubt that questions will begin to rise if we continue the quarantine excessively, therefore costing more and more political resources to keep us a secret as time passes. It should be unsaid, that we must keep global attention away from us to prolong our secrecy until the empire can be considered "re-organized""
"Now, onto Asian issues… refer to the documents passed"
As everyone finishes taking out files, the minister begins to explain. T
"We have finished preparations for the installation of various collaboration governments in Asia, as documented here. We have selected the most popular elites from each region and chosen the individuals listed there as the first prime-ministers of their respective nations. After they are given their independence, they will be given free-reign over how they govern their nation on the terms that they stay within the "East-Asian-Co-Prosperity-Sphere" and follow Japanese guidelines, while also keeping Japanese advisers in their governments and affording us certain powers over their nations that will not be made public"
"This, in theory, will allow us to maintain de-facto control over these regions while keeping resistance small and costs relatively cheap."
The minister takes a seat once again, while men around him murmur in approval of the work.
Tojo nods too, as he crushed out his cigarette
"... Well done, minister. Despite the small window of time your ministry was given, these plans are not only acceptably detailed, but they also cover all the fields requested and more. You have my go-ahead for the plans. "
"Thank you, prime-minister Tojo. We shall begin the reorganization of Asia at once"
—
late into the night, Tojo found himself at his desk with the room left in the dark, lost in thought.
The cigarette in his mouth burns away, and Tojo crushed it out with a sigh as if it were an wake-up call.
Even in the now pitch-black room, his hands have no difficulty reaching into the fine, Iwate-oak desk, his left-hand retrieving an Argentinian cigarette in a thought-less flow of motion, while his right-hand instinctively lights a Dupont-brand lighter.
As the flames engulf the tip of the cigarette, Tojo's face is illuminated in the pitch-black room.
"Keeping global attention away from us while distracting a population of 500 million, huh? Is that possible?"
Tojo said to the darkness.
Nothing happens, as the office room keeps quiet. Only the sizzling of the cigarette in his mouth kept the air vibrating in the room, ever so slightly. until...
"I suppose there are... quite a few ways… prime-minister…"
A dark figure emerges, just far enough from the desk, so as to not unmask himself. However, Tojo cared not for his face.
"One such… as this one"
Extending a pale, clenched hand, the figure opens his palm to reveal a magnificent red poppy, illuminated by the cigarette in the prime minister's mouth.
"Indeed an option…welcome back from Manchuria, I suppose then. How were the producers?"
"Enthusiastic… yet it seems they have different plans for… what is to come"
The pale hand passes a file, and after taking one look at them, Tojo spat out the cigarette with disgust onto the floor.
"Rabid dogs…! I want them pinned to the ground with nails! Continue your work, we must defuse this bomb before it kills us all!"
"What about… the 'poppy'… My lord?"
Tojo forces himself down to the earth once, and then calmly continues his orders.
"... I suppose all would need a shrimp to catch a red-snapper. It could double as that. Yes. Yes, You have a green light, but keep this secret well-kept. Especially from the emperor"
—
"-A pleasure meeting you, Chief"
Shigeru says while he extends his hand to Ghira with an affable smile on his face.
Soon after extending his hand, Ghira shakes it.
Blinding lights fill the area as reporters go for the million dollar shot.
"Likewise, delegate"
Here, the relations between the faunus settlement of Kuo-kuana and the Human empire of Japan were established.
—
"A moment of your time, sir! Please!"
"How did the fleet-"
The reporters swarm Shigeru and his bodyguards, who simply smiles back while waving his hand around.
As humans and faunus alike make way for the armed guards in fear, it took merely minutes for Shigeru to get back on the jeep, where Nagumo sat beside him, ignoring the people pointing their microphones towards him.
"Pleas-VROOM*
The diesel powered jeep made a loud noise and begins to slowly but surly speed up, eventually out running the hoard.
"I take you are not fond of the press here, commander?"
Shigeru asks as to where Nagumo just grunts.
Shigeru simply laughed at the admiral in bemusement
A moment of silence befalls, as to where Nagumo decided to get back to business.
"-So, did he take the offer?"
"Only the opening of relations and minor trade agreements. He probably won't take the military garrison, no matter what we say in our current predicament"
"Huh, well, it's not the worst of the expected, and the trade agreement can always be expanded later on"
"These 'faunus' are quite the skeptical ones, I must say. Even I, a civilian, could tell how useful even a single army battalion would be for this settlement"
"Quite. Say, do you have any idea of his reasoning?"
"Most likely pride and tryingto avoid appearing weak-"
The jeep turns a corner and comes to the docks, the destroyer "Kirikaze" comes into view, along with the transport ship "Tai-gei". The two men stop talking with each other for the scenery.
They saw peace made manifest.
A crewman flirting with a local young cat faunus, both sides with expressions as bright as the tropical sun that shined down.
Elite officers in their snow-white uniforms, trod the dirt-streets with style that the likes of which matched only by the famed German Wehrmacht uniforms.
A guard-duty SNLF trooper putting his rifle down and taking off his gas mask to play with children, almost -wait a minute
that isn't good.
"Beautiful…"
Nagumo gasped, as he mentally made note of the trooper's face in his simmering, hidden rage/disappointment.
"Indeed. Peace is so fragile yet so, unbelievably precious. Do you not agree, commander?"
Nagumo softly opened his lips to respond, out-coming the words- *KABOOM!*
The car next to them suddenly exploded, knocking out both men.
—
"We didn't get the admiral or the delegate, Adam! What now?!"
A white fang grunt shouted as masked soldiers in tan uniforms rushed over to the burning jeep, pulling out the admiral and the delegate for all of them to see. Alive and breathing.
"Get the admiral and the imperial delegate at all costs. If we can't capture them… then kill them both"
—
Apologies for the vastly late update! I had difficulties deciding where to take the story.
This chapter may have some mistakes, please point them out if you do find them.
Taking suggestions in comments for where to take the story.
Please leave a thought or two while your at it!Finally, thank you for waiting, and I will be going back on a 1-2 week cycle of updates.