REIWA JIGOKUHEN - Chaotic Disturbance of Reiwa Era

Chapter 47 - Confrontational Stance

Moscow: Kremlin

Since the sudden surprise attack by the Germans, the State Defense Committee has been in charge of guiding the Soviet Union's war effort. As the long and bitter Great Patriotic War was coming to a conclusion, the leading figures of the committee were discussing a number of new issues. The war against Japan, which was planned to end after the war against Germany, and the conversion of all of East Asia into communism were the most important issues. Recently, however, the winds have changed a bit. Suddenly, the Japanese began to trounce the American and British forces.

"Comrade Stalin, the Japanese troops have been running amok here and there recently," Nikolai Bulganin, deputy to the People's Commissar of Defense, explained. "After the recapture of Saipan, they bombed the Philippines, Burma, and other fronts with such ferocity that they frustrated the offensive by the Americans and British. Their naval vessels are so badly damaged that they can hardly approach the Western Pacific."

"What a shame."

Stalin sipped his vodka a bit and sighed heavily.

"For all their bluster about wiping Japan off the map, they are very sloppy. But they have delayed the establishment of a second front in Europe, which we have repeatedly demanded, so perhaps it is too late now."

"Indeed, Comrade Stalin."

"Then... Comrade Bulganin, I understand that the Japanese imperialists are gaining momentum in a strange way. What are you saying we should do, then? You are not suggesting that we cancel our participation in the war against Japan, are you?"

"Of course not, Comrade Stalin!"

Bulganin, not wanting his allegiance to be questioned, exclaimed in denial.

"The Americans and British are struggling. If that is the case, then our participation in the war will be of great significance. By defeating the troublesome Japanese, we will free the peoples of East Asia from the clutches of imperialism, and we will be able to demand a price for it from the United States and Britain."

"Hmm, I see... Comrade Molotov, have you conveyed to the Americans and the British that it is the Russian workers who shed blood and sweat?"

"Of course, Comrade Stalin. We will not tolerate any exploitation by imperialism."

Vyacheslav Molotov, the People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Party, affirmed.

"And now, Comrade Stalin, I have very good news!"

Bulganin again. He clenched his fist and continued confidently.

"Our Red Army heroes have conducted aggressive reconnaissance operations in various parts of the Japanese imperialist bloc and have discovered that there is no change at all in the military units in Manchuria, Korea, and southern Sakhalin... although some large aircraft activity has been observed on the Japanese mainland! Both the Kwantung and Korea Area armies have been drained and are left like emaciated dogs!"

"I see, they have let their guard down."

Stalin nodded in satisfaction several times and sipped some vodka again. A pleasant breath escaped him. He immediately praised Bulganin's foresight in ordering the intensification of reconnaissance activities against Japan, and went on to offer a few follow-up remarks. His words were not very substantive, but the value of the information he brought was immense.

"Thank you for your valuable report, Comrade Bulganin."

"I am honored, Comrade Stalin."

"Good grief, today's dinner is going to be a very good one... Well, that's something we can look forward to in a while, but do you all have any objection to our entering the war against Japan as planned?"