Year 1941, Nihon, Kitami-shi. War is clear, The Rossians are fighting the Ground Forces, whilst Kaiserland fights the air. Mapla, Nihon and the South East Asian Coalition handles most of the naval aspect of the fighting. Because of this, many men & women of Nihon marched into the recruitment camps. Every day more than a 40 people walk into the camps, each immediately sent to training camps, overworking military trainers to the bone. Due to the high numbers of intake, Nihon Military Officials were able to allow more specialized Units to be created, like the Teishin Shudan and the Special Naval Landing Group.

Warrant Officer Yoji Itami was one such person, having joined the Military due to peer pressure, despite his parent's wishes, he joined the 13th Radial Training Division, located at Kitami. He, unlike his peers who pushed him to join, actually had military talent in the form of Tactics. In a Tactics Theory class, he managed to outsmart one of his trainers, having pointed out that a pincer attack would be much more effective than an all-out assault as most Officers of the IJA tend to do. Angered, the officer challenged Itami and his Cadet Platoon to a skirmish in a similar situation. The battle was a Platoon of 44 Cadets against a Platoon of battle-hardened fighters of the first Karrak War. Naturally, the battle ended in Itami's favour, to the shame and disgrace of the Veterans.

This act garnered the attention of one Lieutenant Colonel Hazama Koichiro. Itami was dragged out of his platoon, into a prestigious Military Prep School in which he was once again belittled and looked down upon for being a commoner. Yet again, Itami proved them wrong, despite having missed roughly 3 months of curriculum, he still excelled at the top of the class and was able to complete his first year and second year exams in the span of a month. In the very next month, he completed his third and final exam, allowing him to graduate in 2 months of enrolling, shocking the eyes of many. The graduated with honours, being awarded the rank of Warrant Officer, simply due to the lack of experience. However, it was clear, that if Itami was to show his prowess in battle, he would get the promotion to 2nd Lieutnant immediately.

That time was not long as almost a week after graduation, WO Yoji Itami was sent back to his hometown of Kitami to help solve a rather peculiar problem.

Upon landing via Seaplane, he was greeted by a highly amused Lt. Col. Koichiro.

"So, back again so soon Itami? I don't know what you did but you sure as made mince of your peers." He said, a smile and a cigar in his mouth.

"Sir! I don't really know sir, you told me to do my best, and so I did, simply because you helped me get in there in the first place if anything."

"Hmm, well that's as good an answer as any, come follow me, local command has a little dilemma and wants your input on it."

Startled, they both started walking towards the Command Offices, Itami lagging behind a little as a sign of respect. "Sir…why would they want my input? I mean, I'm a freshly graduated officer, with no experience under my belt. Surely, they could ask someone better, like you sir." Itami question with hestitation.

"Hmm modest too, I like it! To answer your question my dear Warrant Officer, its because many here still doubt you and your ability. You have no military background, neither does your family. You, who outsmarted some of Nihon's greatest strategists and their sons. They want to see if you are for real, or just some propaganda scam of High-command to show that even commoner can become officers, not that we aren't recruiting enough people already."

"I…I see…then which shall I be, sir? Should I show what I can truly do, or tone it down, so they would not get too jealous of me?" Itami mused.

"Just be yourself, Itami. Remember to do your best, and that is all the country needs." Lt. Colonel Koichiro looked at the Office Door. "Well, it's your stop. Remember, be respectful and always do your best. Good luck Itami, I hope to see you lead a successful career." He says as he rounds the corner and disappear.

WO Yoji Itami stared nervously at the door. It was big and polished, clearly the work of a master artisan. He rapped his knuckles agains the door twice and turned the knob, upon hearing the call to enter. He stepped into the middle of the room and saluted at the man sitting behind the desk.

"Sir! Yoji Itami Jun-I, reporting for duty!" He semi-yells as he salutes.

The man lets his eyes roam on Itami for a while before resting on his face. "At ease, Warrant Officer. I am Colonel Mashihiro Sakaki, the Commander of the Kitami Defensive Regiment. Welcome back, I heard you left 2 months ago to become an Officer at the Rikugun Shikan Gakkō in Kyushu. I wasn't expecting so see you back for at least another couple of years."

"Colonel, I am honoured to meet you. I simply did as Lt. Colonel Koichiro told me to do, sir."

"And? What did he tell you to do?"

"He said that I should just do my best, give everything I can in each and every challenge that they give me, and I will be able to best them all."

"Yep, that sounds about right. Very well Warrant Officer, as of today you will be assigned to the 3rd mounted 'Rika' Platoon, under 1st Lieutenant Akiyama Sato, as a Junior Officer as well as a Tactics Officer. His Office in in the Officer's Block B, third floor, the blood red door numbered 084. Your own Office will be right next to it, with the red door numbered 085. Here's your key" The Colonel says as he places a key on his table. "You are dismissed."

Itami walks up to grab the key. He takes to steps back and salutes before walking back out the doors. Just as he rounded the corner, he was caught by Lt. Col. Koichiro. "You did good kid, you've gotten his trust, and from what I hear, you didn't actually have to handle the problem after all. I guess he wanted to spare you the agony."

That stopped Itami in his tracks. Now curious and somewhat suspicious, he peered into the Lt. Colonel's eyes. "Sir? What do you mean?"

Koichiro looked at Itami before sighing. "Ah, I've said too much…do you really want to know?" He watched as Itami slowly nodded his head, eyes now full of suspicion. Koichiro took the cigar out of his mouth, blew away the smoke, snubbed it and put it away for later use. He then turned to Itami. "Itami, your parents have been murdered."

End Chapter 1

Well there ya go, chapter 1 of the alternate or prequel to the GATE: World United. Please review if you enjoy, and I hope to see you in the next chapter.