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"Why not give this plan to President Ebert? If he can understand the details of the plan, perhaps he will refrain from making the foolish decision to betray the German National Defense Forces," Gustav Streisman whispered to Akado as they descended the steps.

Akado, donning leather gloves, continued down the stairs without looking back at Gustav Streisman. He spoke aloud, "If possible, I planned to unveil this strategy two years from now, as it was designed to counter a more formidable adversary. But unfortunately, due to Ebert's foolishness, I must deploy it prematurely."

"Formidable adversary? Are you referring to dealing with General Seekert?" Gustav Streisman frowned, his concern evident. "Despite his numerous political disagreements with you, he remains an honorable man. I don't believe he poses a significant challenge."

"Exactly," Akado nodded in agreement. "I intend to use this plan to curb the expansion of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party during the impending global financial crisis."

"The Nazi Party? You mean the group that's gaining momentum in Bavaria recently?" Streisman asked, puzzled. "I appreciate your foresight, but isn't it overly cautious to guard against such a nascent force? And, aren't you being too pessimistic about the global economic situation? The economy has been slowly improving since the war, hasn't it?"

"Time will prove everything, Gustav. Trust me," Akado replied with a smile. He then got into the car that had been waiting under the stairs for some time and said to the driver, "Drive."

As Akado's car drove away, Gustav Streisman remained on the last step, gazing after the vehicle in a daze. Behind him, a bearded man with a pockmarked face grumbled, "You don't intend to avenge President Ebert, who has always been loyal, do you? Are you going to support this ruthless adversary? Or are you intimidated by his pistol?"

"Shut up!" Gustav Streisman shot a fierce glance back at his subordinate. "Hand over the documents and leave by this afternoon! You are dismissed! I am in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs! That's final!" Having said his piece, he ignored the stunned look on the bearded man's face and briskly walked to his car parked nearby.

Akado did not head back to the headquarters of the National Defense Forces, where relations with General Seekert were strained. The two barely exchanged words now, and their relationship had deteriorated significantly. Seekert had even obstructed Akado's efforts due to personal biases and his stubborn views. For instance, after Akado officially assumed the reorganization of the 22nd Division of the National Defense Force, Seekert, acting on his own authority, appointed Colonel Nazmel as the new Director of the Transport Department of the German Wehrmacht. Colonel Nazmel, upon assuming office, dismissed the theories of armored force offensives advocated by Major Brauchitsch and Major Guderian. After reviewing the data and reports provided by Guderian, he contemptuously tossed the report aside and scoffed at the young officer, "Go to hell! What kind of fighting force do you call this? Armored soldiers? They might as well be distributing flour to my troops!"

Seekert's predecessor, General Chechwitz, who had been a staunch supporter of Seekert's decisions, was transferred to command the Second Division of the National Defense Force, a move intended to bolster Seekert's control over the forces.

Unlike Seekert's aggressive tactics, Akado was more restrained. He quietly accepted the reorganization rights of the 22nd Division and then arranged visits with old comrades of Marshal Hindenburg.

Later that day, Akado drove to the train station, not only to attend an urgent meeting with President Hindenburg but also to manage another important task. Outside the station, a young major, not yet thirty, stood waiting with an air of anticipation. As Akado's car approached, the major's anxiety was replaced by excitement and joy.

"Colonel Akado! Your loyal supporter, Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, salutes you!" Major Guderian called out as soon as Akado stepped out of the car.

Akado moved forward and shook Guderian's hand warmly. "Thank you for the data you've provided. Your efforts in Munich have not gone unnoticed. I'm aware of the situation with Colonel Nazmel. Reformers always face resistance from the old guard."

"Colonel, rest assured, I will not be deterred by that old stubborn man! During the exercises in Munich, I met a major who you would find intriguing. His name is Walter von Brauchitsch. He's remarkable and supports your theory on armored forces. He sends his regards and is ready to follow your command," Guderian enthusiastically introduced his new acquaintance.

"You've done well, Major Guderian," Akado said, pleased that his team was growing. He patted Guderian on the shoulder and smiled, "We should hurry to the platform; the train is about to leave, and we can't miss it."

The two made their way to the platform where two young men in trench coats, civilians by the look of them, stood with large boxes, seemingly waiting for someone. Akado and Guderian approached and warmly embraced the pair.

"Major Albert Kesselring, I've arranged for you and Captain Dick to study air combat command in Moscow. I hope you don't mind the assignment. While you're there, we won't be able to share drinks and stories," Akado said with a smile.

"This is an incredible opportunity! I'll be preparing the groundwork for the future German Air Force. When the time is right, this groundwork will ignite a flame that will spread across the continent," Kesselring responded with a grin.

"Then I entrust the German skies to you, Major Kesselring! And you, Captain Dick," Akado continued, turning to face the captain.

Dick nodded, "I understand why you've chosen me, and I know my position in the special aviation office is thanks to your recommendation. You've given me the chance to dream of flying again. From that moment, my life has been yours."

"Go then! Plant the seeds of our vengeance in the soil! And return with our hope and dawn!" Akado stood solemnly and saluted the two men, "Germany will bless you!"

The two did not return the salute but simply picked up their suitcases and boarded the train that was about to depart.

"We are about to become the hope of Germany! For the sake of Germany!" Kesselring declared, looking out the train window at Akado.

"For Akado? Rudolph!" Dick added, glancing at Kesselring then back at Akado outside.

Laughing heartily at the comment, Kesselring nodded, "Eastern civilization has a saying: women show their beauty for the men they adore, and warriors fight for the appreciation of their friends—then indeed, we should dedicate everything to Colonel Akado."

The train began to move slowly. Kesselring and Dick watched as Akado and Guderian appeared to recede in the distance. "For Akado Rudolph," Kesselring whispered softly.

That month, through Akado's arrangements, 70 pilots and air force commanders were sent to Moscow. Additionally, over 500 soldiers and officers anonymously traveled there for tank training. There were no official records of their departure, nor were their travel expenses logged.

Just days earlier, an incident at the German Air Force Training Base, secretly located 220 kilometers southeast of Moscow in the Ripatsk region, had resulted in the deaths of three German pilots. Their bodies, labeled as "spare parts," were shipped back to Germany in large wooden crates.

When Akado and his driver, Gore, arrived at the hotel later that afternoon, it was just past 2 o'clock. They felt overwhelmed by the day's events. They had attended a meeting at the president's office in the morning, sent Kesselring and Dick off at noon, and now had to rush to the hotel to meet a very important figure—Gustav Krupp.

Though he shared a name with the Foreign Minister Gustav Streisman, Gustav Krupp was a figure of a completely different caliber. If Akado was to revitalize the German Wehrmacht, it would be impossible without weapons, and producing those weapons would be impossible without Krupp. If Seekert was the leader of the National Defense Force, then Krupp was the titan of German industry.

The two met in a hotel room, and without waiting for Akado to speak, Krupp began, "Frankly, we've cooperated before, though we've never met face-to-face. You provided me with an emergency plan for the Ruhr Industrial Zone, from which I benefited. So, I trust your capabilities."

"Thank you," Akado replied with a smile.

"General Seekert's appetite for new weapons is too modest. He shows little interest in machine guns, rifles, cannons, armored vehicles—all the equipment that could modernize our forces. He seems to prefer bicycles and horses, which is very concerning for us in the German industrial sector," Krupp said bluntly.

He looked at Akado, admiration in his eyes. "I respect you because you're striving to truly modernize the National Defense Forces. You've replaced horses with trucks, bicycles with motorcycles, and you've even taken risks to equip the troops with armored vehicles. You've secretly funded my Krupp plant to design new tanks..."