REIWA JIGOKUHEN - Chaotic Disturbance of Reiwa Era

Chapter 54 - Bombing of the Political and Economic Centers

Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo: Prime Minister's Office

"Finally, the counterattack has begun."

Iida, the head of the Economic Affairs Division, was shouting as he glanced at the live TV broadcast. On the screen was a B-747A, carrying the nation's expectations on its shoulders, its outline half-melted in the darkness of the night as it slowly moved along the fantastically shimmering taxiway. Several planes were already circling overhead, and as soon as they were all in place, they will begin their march.

NHK broadcast the beginning of the bombardment across the Pacific Ocean in an unobtrusive manner, occasionally picking up the voices of social media users, but the commercial broadcasters were much more explicit. Turning the channel a bit, a group of singers was performing a new, strangely militant song against the backdrop of the special bomber squadron taking off.

"What the... hell is this?" Muto, the deputy head of the task force, reacted with dismay. "Wasn't this group just a little ago talking about love and peace?"

"Muto-san, they are just doing their job."

"Whatever, it's a popularity business."

"That's how it is. But... the bombing of the political and economic centers is a masterpiece."

"I hope it is a little redemption for the people."

Muto's expression softened and he was more than a bit proud. Just at the moment when the Disaster Response Headquarters began operating, a puzzling thought passed through his mind. Muto, who had intuited his true nature after PM Kato's words of encouragement, had put together an ingenious plan to bomb the political and economic centers of the enemy.

"To think that you would suggest that the bombing should focus on the bureaucrats, corporate executives, and scientists."

Iida, a bureaucrat himself, was amused.

"Muto-san, you never cease to amaze me."

"It's because of everyone's hard work that I was able to come up with that idea. If we suddenly lose a member of the task force, the country would panic. I thought the same thing could be said for the United States. And in fact, in the war against the Soviet Union, we crippled the enemy military at once by eliminating generals and general staff. It could be seen as an extension of that, since going after high-value targets is a fundamental part of warfare."

"In fact, it seems that the Soviet Union is now embroiled in chaos, with Moscow's bureaucratic corps and Communist Party regional organizations being lost in the bombing. A guardian angel on the battlefield is the devil from the other side. Exactly as the old adage goes."

Iida's words were, in a way, quite amusing. Muto wondered if he was Satan or something in the eyes of the Americans and Soviets. Muto thought about this, but he was also convinced that since his position was clearly with Japan, he must strive to appear more devilish to the other side.

"Regardless, let's wait for the fruitful outcome now."

Looking at the TV, he saw that the last of the B-747As had completed takeoff, and a lot of cheering was being heard. Iida spoke with a slightly worried look on his face.

"So, Muto-san, why don't you take a good night's sleep once in a while?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Washington State: Over Hanford

May 16, 1945, 02:30 GMT. That was the time the bombing began.

Pacific Standard Time was eight hours less than that, so the local time was 18:30 on May 15. The sun could still be seen from the stratosphere, and the mountainous, arid land was also tinged with madder colors. The Hanford Site, the first target of the bombing, was reflected in the landscape.