Operation Night Raiders

"Ten-hut! Welcome to Ichida Island Naval Base! Honored Chiefs!"

"Salute, the Kiko Three!"

"Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!"

The ceremonial welcome for the arrival of the Kiko Three was a choreographed assembly that surprised even the three elderly men who was dedicated with the welcome.

"Hrm… These kids sure have energy to spare, huh?"

"Haha… I'm glad I already had a modern uniform tailored for me… Unlike some loser here who's totally looking out of place."

"Shaddup! This samurai armor is the pride of the Hikigaya clan! I will not be ashamed of wearing this to war!"

"Argh… You two idiots. Even here?"

Aoyama Takeshi was the first to disembark from the transport ship while wearing light armor plates on his vital areas over his new formal military uniform. Second came Fumikage Ryuujin, who was wearing the all-black military uniform of the Crows as he is considered as its founder and current official head. Last was Hikigaya Harunosuke, who garnered the most attention as the clanking and clinking of his full samurai armor stuck out like a sore thumb in the crowd.

"Aoyama-sama, Fumikage-sama and Hikigaya-sama… It is an honor to be led by you three in battle."

"The honor is on us. After all, how can we prove that we are the legends that we are considered as, if we don't show off every once in a while?"

"""Hahahaha!!!"""

The joke spoken my Aoyama Takeshi garnered the chuckles of the men as Nobisuke lifted his face and addressed the three elderly men casually as their nephew.

"Should we proceed immediately to the meeting room, or would you like to rest for a moment in the tearoom?"

"Argh! Don't tease us for our age, you brat. We might have been retired, but we can still break a spine or two!"

"I-I sure believe that, Uncle Harunosuke…"

The welcoming ceremony was broken up as quickly as it was assembled as everyone returned to their posts.

"I see… This island has changed since our last time of setting foot in here."

"Huh? I never heard about you three personally coming here before."

"Ah! Darn it… why can't you keep your big mouth shut, Hikigaya?"

"I-It just slipped out, okay?!"

Intrigued, I asked for more and it was Uncle Takeshi who answered me.

"We… used to slip out from Kiko when we are still impulsive brats and come here to get away from training and formal occasions. I can still remember how we staved off our boredom of living like warriors by coming here and showing off sometimes."

"We used to get in fighting bouts here and when we visit at the right time of the year, we sometimes even join tournaments of strength."

"Takeshi usually joins Kendo and Sojutsu spear competitions while I join stationary archery championships."

"I join mounted archery and horseback riding tournaments. All of us usually hooks a win here. Those were the times…"

I was surprised after learning such a thing. I used to see them as strict people even to themselves… who would've thought that they have such shared experiences of slipping out of their normal lives?

"So… does that mean that you are familiar with the place already?"

"Well… as I said earlier, those were the times. I think it's been 20 years since we last set foot here after we became the clan leaders of our respective families and some of us got married and had children."

"Argh… leaving me out, ain'tcha?"

"Yup."

"You two, can you stop being so hostile to each other for even just one day?"

"Don't hold your breath anymore, Takeshi."

"In your dreams…"

After uncle Ryuujin and Harunosuke replied negatively to Uncle Takeshi's question, the old man can't do anything other than just sigh in defeat and hold his head.

"A-Anyways… We'll discuss all of it inside so let's proceed."

"Got you."

"Lead the way, kid."

We arrived at the meeting room where all of the senior officers are already seated and conversing with each other. Once they saw us enter, all of them stood up and rose salutes towards us.

"Honored Chiefs, please be seated comfortably."

"Hmm… It does feel good in this seat."

"Is this padded for the back? Feels nice."

"Ah! Drat… I can't sit in this armor…"

"Tsk… Hey, can you hand this fool a uniform? I already told him to change into it earlier, but his stupidity is getting the better off of him."

"A-Ah! Y-Yes…"

"Darn it… I didn't want to remove this…"

"Just cooperate with us for once, will you? Now the meeting has to be delayed for your sake."

The bickering between the two chiefs made the other officers feel a bit awkward, but after a few minutes, Chief Hikigaya came back with a slightly loose military uniform while his armor was brought to his room.

"N-Now then… let's start."

"I'll spread out the map, sir."

The newly printed map of Mizuki Island was spread throughout the table. Being taken by a scout balloon just hours before the meeting, it was accurate and very detailed given that the improved camera device from Kiko came in the right time.

"There are three wharfs around the island that is considered by our analysts as hotbeds for the Arakami pirates' shipbuilding operations. There are several on-shore and off-shore mooring points here as well, further convincing us that whatever they are doing here, they don't want anyone to intervene or even get a good look in it."

I placed several wooden ship icons to the three points and small seashells around it to detail the specific structure in the flat map. I used my baton to push them in place and returned to my presentation.

"Presently, we hold Shouki bay as our sole naval entry and exit point to the inner islands. Cruiser Ashigara is standing by in there to guard the strait, but after losing an armada of ships in a sortie to reclaim the access point, we believe that the Pirates will be convinced to throw more of their men in there while we are still assembling ourselves."

"Oh, I didn't expect my son to be the one who has to defend the area."

"Don't worry, Chief Fumikage. Captain Ryuusui has set up a clean and indisputably efficient record during our operations. I set him and his ship in the bay since I've seen good promise with him."

"Aren't you just being nepotic? You specifically made your own cousin handle that important job."

"Please don't think of it in that way, Chief Hikigaya. If anything, it was his own peers and officers in the same rank that voted for him to have the post by himself."

"Really?"

The elderly man looked around and saw the other ship captains coughing awkwardly, not wanting to show that their true intention was just to not be handed such a troublesome operation far from the base.

"In any case, our first order of business and issue to resolve is how to stage a landing operation in the area. We are afraid that we would lose many people in our side if we went for the standard amphibious assault. We run the risk of having everyone killed once the naval and air force bombardment stops and the defenders recompose themselves back in order to fend us away."

"I see… Are you also thinking the same thing, Takeshi?"

"Yeah. I have heard about the new air force too and putting it in consideration."

"A cavalry charge from landing ships seems farfetched…"

The three chiefs looked at the map and the orientation of hostiles in the area. They seem to be thinking about something that we have been thinking too last night.

"Are you thinking about a slow but secretive landing, uncle?"

"Yeah… we can't just kick the front door and expect not to be killed immediately. So instead, I suggest a night raid during this week's new moon. What do you say?"

"Hmm…"

"I think we can do it, General. We can use our Sonar and Radar to navigate without the moonlight and stars."

"Yeah. And with that, we won't be alerting our enemies about our presence."

"I see…"

I spread our wooden icons and placed them at the point of the island that we bombarded before.

"Too obvious. They'll surely place a lot of their men there."

"I thought so too. Probably here, then?"

I moved the icons to another part of the sea and looked at the three old men.

"Hmm… I think that will work too. But I have a better suggestion."

I gave Uncle Hikigaya my baton as he halved the icons and had them placed in two separate places in the sea of the map.

"Hmm… This looks a bit dangerous, uncle."

"You may think of it like that. But look at the forces that I specifically included in each group."

I looked again and saw that at the group in the west, he placed our cruisers with minimal landing infantry while the group in the east had the bulk of the landing men.

"What… is this?"

"Hrm? Hehehe… Seems like our nephew still has some learning to have, isn't it, Takeshi?"

"Don't act so smug like that, Harunosuke. You look like a creep with that laugh."

"Argh… A-anyways… I halved our landing force and focused on the east because of this."

"A mountain ridge… Ah! I get it now."

They deduced that with the terrain advantage of the mountain ridge by the west of the island, the pirates will guard it heavily and ambush us as we pass. That's why they placed the Cruisers by this area to stage a fake landing attempt. On the contrary, the east of the island that has been relatively untouched would remain with just adequate forces, allowing our true landing force to secure a beachhead safely and give us the starting area that we needed.

"Right now, your enemies are focused with your big metal ships that looks so otherworldly to them and has defeated them again and again. Although our enemies are tricksters who would go to any extent just to win against us, they are also humans who are susceptible of losing their cool and logic about things."

"Take that in mind, young Nobisuke. You have to think of your opponent as a human as well."

"Thank you very much for the lesson."

We went on with the meeting as we discussed the specifics of the operation. It was settled that Cruiser Kuma will be the ship that will lead the real landing force along with Destroyers Hibiki and Fubuki. While Ashigara, Tenryu and Sagiri will continually bombard the west area and a few marines will conduct hit-and-run tactics by the beach before withdrawing back to their landing ferries.

"Well then, let's settle the minimum accepted beachhead extent. I propose that we secure a minimum of 6 kilometers in-land beachhead by the end of the day. With this, we have a reasonable amount of elbow space if ever we get attempts from the enemy to push us back to the sea."

"I say the same. But I propose a minimum of 8 kilometers. This is due to naval gun support if ever we get sudden offensives. About 8 kilometers will allow us to safely rain lead without harming our comrades."

"Hmm… A creeping artillery fire as we defend the line. Sounds practical. Any other concerns to raise or lower the minimum defensive beachhead?"

My question was met by silence which I took as an approval that everyone was satisfied with an 8-km long area to be captured as our primary objective.

"Well then, as the days go, we have to push further and further in land. Unlike us, our enemies are knowledgeable about the terrain and would surely try to block and attack us at any opportune moment. And the fact that we haven't neutralized their navy yet is something that we should also be wary about."

"Wait, why haven't you finished off the pirate fleet yet? I heard that you've already sank about a hundred of them."

After uncle Fumikage asked that, we looked at Captain Masuyo whose team was credited with that record-breaking attack.

"We only handled an armada that is trying to intercept the navy. We didn't expect them to number in the hundred. Still, as you can see in the map, Chief Fumikage… These harbors still have a lot of them."

"A whole lot indeed."

As the people of Fumikage domain has been known as people with commendable prowess in the sea, uncle Ryuujin seems to see something worrisome about the presence of the intact ships in the three main harbors.

"Is something bothering you, uncle?"

"Not really. I'm just curious about where they were placed…"

"Why?"

"Takeshi, Harunosuke… You know about these points too, yes?"

"Hmm… It does look familiar."

"Wait, aren't those places supposed to be beaches with shallow waters?"

Once the Hikigaya clan chief said those words, everyone looked shocked.

"Then… why there? Why are they making ships in places where they will be hard to get into the sea afterwards?"

"…Gentlemen."

"Yes, general?"

Instead of thinking about these things all by ourselves, I decided to ask for help outside our army.

"Let's visit a local village leader. He might know something."

We rode horses through the forest trail that I memorized from my previous visit. Although I was blindfolded, I kept a mental note of how far I went and where the sun was during that day.

"Stop! This is your last warning! We will-"

*Byak-!*

"AAAAAHHHH!!!"

The village's sentry man who was shouting at us atop a tree gave us a warning but knowing where the tree that they are staying at when they are waiting for me last time, I took out a Hiryuu rifle and shot its branch to make the village guard fall down to the ground.

"AARGGHHH!!!"

"You two, pick him up."

"B-but general, he seems to have hurt his side."

"Tell him to clench down his teeth and endure it until we get there."

""Y-Yes!""

Without any sign of remorse in my tone, I ordered two soldiers to pick him up and help him walk although he seems to be hurt on one leg from the fall.

"Oi, oi… Why do you sound so cruel, kid?"

"Please excuse me for now, Uncle Hikigaya. It's just that I have some bad impressions with these people."

We continued forward until we saw the faint smoke trail of the village and the loud crackling of dried branches and leaves in a fire. Unlike before, it seems like they are actively performing a ritual.

"You! Are you here to-"

"…"

The village leader who seems to be agitated upon seeing me stopped with what he was about to say when he saw a retinue of mounted soldiers behind me.

"S-S-Sound the bell!"

"Y-yes, Chief!"

He shouted an order that will alert everyone. With this, the women and children ran to their huts and houses as the men took whatever weapon they have to meet us by the village entrance.

"Line rifles!"

"Roger!"

The rifle platoon leader took initiative and ordered his men to line up with their guns in firing position to meet the villagers who initiated a response.

"Y-Y-You… What are you doing here?!"

"…"

Still on my horse, I went past the line of riflemen as the villagers who had hunting bows nocked their arrows and pointed them towards me.

"I have some questions regarding the Arakami Pirates."

"And what makes you think that I'll answer them, haah?!"

"…Aim."

*Ka-clack! Chik-!*

"W-W-Woah-!"

With my order, the riflemen pulled back the bolts of their guns to place bullets on their chambers. With this, the villagers became more agitated and anxious about us.

"Grrr!!!"

"I believe that I am being very reasonable here, chieftain. I don't desire to kill anyone in this quaint settlement of yours. But if you will not cooperate with me, I am more than willing to make you lose your own people rather than having me lose my own men."

""…""

Both sides were silenced after what I said. I was aware of how cruel it sounded, but I really have no intention of holding back on doing anything if it will bring me to the most favorable outcome.

I am willing to do anything… even if some people must die.

"Che! Alright, lower your weapons!"

"C-Chief…"

"You heard the chief… lower your weapons."

"…"

As they lowered their swords, bows and spears, I raised my hand to tell my soldiers to lower their guns as well.

"Well then… what would your questions be?"

"Bring the map to them."

"Yes, sir!"

A soldier brought the map to the other side where it gained the surprised expressions and exclamations of the villagers who was surprised with its clarity and accuracy.

"There are three shipyard areas in the central Mizuki island. I want to know why they are placed in the beaches that are too shallow to be made into harbor areas."

"…"

The village elder looked at the map and after some moments, gave his reply.

"I have only heard about this from the pirates before your army came and attacked them…"

"…"

"I heard something about an underground sea and a tunnel… I don't know what that is about, but it seems connected with the locations in this map."

"Underground sea and a tunnel…"

I pondered about what it may mean and kept note of it.

"Another question… what are you guys doing with that fire?"

"It's a ritual to the great Star goddess. Ever since we heard that your army has defeated the pirates and are starting to set foot in the main island, my people are beginning to fear that you will disturb the Star goddess' temple and incur her wrath."

"What?"

"We don't wish to be a part of your folly! We are praying for salvation so we will not be punished as well because of your mistakes!"

"…"

I see… So, they are also worshipers of that Star goddess… If that is so…

"Don't worry. We don't intend to impede on your religious beliefs. And we aren't callous enough to intentionally damage a religious site."

"…"

"Our only mission here is to eradicate the Arakami pirates and its constituent organizations. Nothing more."

Hearing my words about the subject seemed to calm the villagers that their spiritual beliefs will not be infringed. So, I tried to win them over more.

"I am well aware that you still have some hatred towards the pirates. As such, we want to ask if you are willing to lend a hand in our incoming offensive against them."

"…What do you mean?"

"We want someone knowledgeable in the main island to act as our guide."

"For what reason?"

"The specifics are confidential. But the gist of it is regarding espionage."

"…"

They were silenced for a moment before their chief gave me their reply.

"I will lead you to Mt. Akushou where the main temple is located. But that is everything that I can do. I may have grievances with the pirates, but I cannot risk my life too much and leave my people behind."

"That's reasonable. Come to our port by tomorrow noon."

"I will honor that."

With our conversation over, I asked for a wooden cask to be brought forward and presented to the villagers who was surprised upon being handed with it.

"T-T-This is-!"

"Rice, gold and fine silk!"

"T-This is wonderful!"

"…"

Even though his men were delighted with my gift, the village chief seemed to misinterpret what I intended to do.

"What is this for? Are you trying to bait us into-"

"It's nothing like that. That is just a payment for the service."

"Payment?"

"There's a common saying in Naka harbor ever since it became the trading hub that it is now… "Everything that has a price must be paid in due", since you have provided us with information and will act with us as a guide, it's only fair that I pay it back honorably."

We turned our horses around to leave as the women and children of the village approached the chest of items to peruse them.

"Paying him back isn't your only intention, isn't it, Nobisuke?"

"…Why do you ask, uncle?"

"I basically raised you. I know that there are always two sides in the things that you do when facing an enemy or stranger."

"Hehe… I sure can't hide things with you around, uncle."

"See? I was right."

I did want to pay back the favor with the items. But it was also my way to show the natives about our items with exquisite quality. Maybe we can revive the trading with the islands after this war?

Things became hectic after we arrived in the base. With the landing mission happening tomorrow, the ships were quickly brought into pristine condition. They were resupplied with diesel and armed with shells and bullets.

As for the army and marines, they performed firing drills and rapid landing exercises to prepare for the take-over of the beaches in the few hours that we gave them.

"Woah!"

"Those are the new guys, right?"

"Haha! The new Air Force is showing off, ain't they?"

The Air grenadiers also performed their own drills at the islet nearby using practice bombs to hit scaffoldings to illustrate the target that they will be hitting tomorrow to support the land attacks.

"Damn, are those mortar shells?"

"Not just mortar shells… It seems like they bundled some firebombs and using them as incendiary rounds."

Seeing the advancement and massive military prowess of this army overwhelmed me. To think that three or so years ago, the first battle that Iwasawa-sama led us to was won with swords, spears and muskets… and now, we have conquered the seas that we once feared and even the air that was only reached by birds and dragons before… it made me strangely proud and anxious as its leader.

"Nobisuke."

"Uncle Takeshi…"

While staying in my office and overlooking the base that was abuzz with the preparations and drills, I heard Uncle Takeshi entering and calling my name.

"You seemed a bit queasy since I first saw you earlier… Can I ask what happened?"

"It's… nothing. I am just feeling quite tired after all that happened since the start of the war."

"I see… Don't worry. That's natural."

"I am aware of that."

I sensed that there is still something that he wanted to say, so I asked for it to make him go straight to the point.

"Out with it, uncle… why are you here of all times?"

"Haha… I see that I can't hide things with you as well."

He approached me and patted me between my shoulder blades.

"You've grown… But I can sense the same childish hatred behind your actions and words."

"Was it quite obvious?"

"For us three who knows you well, it is."

"…"

I have told this story again and again. It was regarding my mother who caused us so much trouble and grief.

"Any news about where she is now?"

"I expected you to have knowledge about that. If you don't know, I don't know either."

"Then that's good."

"Huh?"

"I can't be distracted right now. It's better to not mind her until this war is over."

"…"

I have to focus on what is in front of me right now. I can't harm Iwasawa-sama's army that he entrusted to me just because my head is on another problem.

"I am quite relieved that you are not as affected as you used to be back then regarding her. But I still believe that there must be something that I could've done so you don't have to carry the burden of needing to finish her off."

"…"

"If only I was strong enough to forget that we were siblings and finish her off that day… You may already be happy in the arms of someone that loves you wholeheartedly."

"I…"

"Chiyo already has Hiroshi. I believe that both of them will be happy with each other and live fruitfully. That's why I am worried about you…"

Uncle Takeshi's words made me quite sad and hurt. I am aware of this and now that he told me about Chiyo and Iwasawa-sama's relationship, I felt a sense of envy and worry.

"I… I don't know what it feels to love, uncle."

"…"

"I have seen people throw themselves in the way of blades and bullets to protect those dear to them… I have seen people willing to do everything that they can to make sure that their family will be safe and happy… I have also seen people who became absolute monsters when their family died in front of them…"

I know all about these examples of people that I am aware has loved their families greatly. But I personally haven't felt anything like that before… therefore…

"Still, I don't know what it feels like to feel love towards someone… because I have come to be afraid and be estranged from it."

"And that bothers you?"

"It does now."

I am no longer sure if I am still a human being. There were times when I felt extreme zeal towards following my master's orders. There were times when I hid my actions beneath a façade of keeping law and order when all of it is just to get my own agendas to move forward. There are even times when I committed atrocities that even I am not sure is justifiable.

"Whatever love may be… I wish it is something that will make me feel something pleasing after all these years when I carried nothing but my sense of duty and my wish to fulfill my personal goal."

"…I wish the same, Nobisuke. And I will pray that you will get it soon before your heart becomes weaker, and you lose your will to live."

"Thank you, uncle."

Tomorrow quickly came, and with the loud blaring of the ships' horns by sunset, the landing operation was green lit.

"General, your words please."

"Ahem…"

I was led to a raised platform to give a short speech before we started our offensive.

"We are in the last stages of the war, my men! Victory is just an arm's reach away… All that you must do now is to grasp it and take it for yourself!"

"""Aye, General!"""

"For the Peace of Kiko!"

"""For the Glory of Kiko!"""

"Victory is with us!"

With that, the soldiers boarded their ships and after half an hour, the fleet moved into formation in accordance to the orders they were given.

"This steel ship is the real deal…"

"I told you, didn't I? These aren't "strange sea beasts"."

Dressed in casual clothes, I and my three uncles are at the bridge of Cruiser Kuma along with the village chief who will act as our guide.

"Chiefs… Are you really sure that you don't need more men to guard you?"

"Quit asking that already. I already told you, we can still break a spine or two even in our age."

"Y-Yes, Chief Hikigaya…"

The plan is to have us lowered into a boat while the landing is happening. With the attacks on both sides in early evening, no one would notice that we entered the island to gather intelligence about them and even sabotage some of the places that we will go through.

"General and Honored Chiefs. We are in position."

"Aye. Thanks for the lift, Captain Kidou."

"It's an honor, General."

We rode the wooden boat that we brought with us and had it lowered to the water as we paddled away from the fleet who went into the instructed coordinates for the operation.

"We have an hour before they begin the attack. Let's hurry up now, we still have 3 kilometers to sail before we get to the island."

"Heard you clear. Uncle Ryuujin and Harunosuke, here's the paddles. Uncle Takeshi, keep this lamp hidden from the direction of the island."

"Got it."

"Ah! Reminds me of how we snuck up here back then!"

"Yeah. Just like old times."

With that, we prepared to enter the heart of the enemy's land as our soldiers steeled themselves for the operation.

While at the boat and rowing to the land, I felt something buzzing in my ear and for a moment heard a voice that sounded familiar.

["Finally… You are here."]

"-!"

Hearing that… I remembered something that filled me with determination to move forward other than the duty vested in me.

"Yeah… I've come to see you, Rin."