July 7, 1942, 3:30 p.m.
Inside Tokyo, people were rushing out of the city with their families.
They wanted to leave this bustling international metropolis and escape the terrible, dark, and bloody flames of war...
A roar echoed across the sky as dozens of fighter jets swept past, turning the entire sky red.
"May the Emperor protect us!"
"Mom! Don't leave me!"
The children cried and clung to their mother's legs, wanting to go with her.
But it was no use; their parents had no choice but to abandon them in the same place.
"Da da da da—!"
Me-262 jet fighters strafed the Japanese civilians on the ground, firing a barrage of scorching bullets. Some cowards were killed instantly, their blood splattering on the walls and lampposts, and even landing on children.
"Run!" a woman cried out in terror, shoving her husband forward.
She had already lost her most important son; if her husband were to die, there would be no point in surviving...
"You woman, have you gone mad?" the old man roared, pulling his wife's hand back. "Run! If you don't run, you're dead!"
However, as he pulled his wife to leave, a bomb struck the spot where he had just been standing.
The explosion was deafening, smoke filled the air, dust flew everywhere, and the two-story building collapsed instantly.
The old man's eyes were wide open, and blood was spilling from his mouth.
He collapsed to the ground, his body convulsing for a few seconds before stiffening...
"Uncle Sang—!" His nephew rushed over and knelt down beside his body.
"Husband! Husband!" The woman's shrill scream ripped through the silence of the night, echoing through the streets and alleys: "Help! Someone, please save us!"
Such tragic scenes occurred in every household.
A sense of despair enveloped everyone.
The sounds of desperate cries, shrill curses, and vehement rebukes mingled together...
Inside Tokyo, the Japanese anti-aircraft firepower was suppressed by the National League for Democracy's air force, and a large number of soldiers and artillery were destroyed. They didn't even have a chance to resist.
The sky was now filled with fighter jets, which blocked out the sunlight, bringing extreme darkness, like the end of the world, and making people feel suffocated.
Everywhere there was the whistling of bullets, explosions, cries... and burning debris.
...
In the conference room on the top floor of the Tokyo Imperial Building, a group of people were working busily.
They were either deep in thought, exchanging glances, or whispering... The whole space was exceptionally quiet and still, but the atmosphere was very heavy.
Suddenly, the conference room door was opened.
With a loud bang, everyone in the room was startled. They all looked up at the door and saw Prime Minister Umetoku Tojo, Army Minister Korechika Anami, Navy Minister Mineo Ōsumi, Home Minister Genki Abe, and others filing in.
Everyone quickly stood up straight and bowed: "Hi!"
"Please have a seat, everyone," said Tojo Umetoku, then walked to his seat reserved for the Prime Minister and sat down.
The others also took their seats.
After a moment, Tojo Umedo nodded to Home Minister Abe Genki, indicating that they could begin.
Genki Abe took out a folder and placed it on the table, then pulled out a report from it: "Gentlemen, today, I stand here with a heavy yet resolute heart."
"We are facing an unprecedentedly severe situation. The National League for Democracy's offensive is sweeping in like a storm, and our homeland, every familiar blade of grass and tree, is in grave danger in this war."
"However, at this critical moment, we must unite as one, live and die with the eastward advance, and fight for our future."
"We must remember that we are part of Tokyo, and we share a common destiny with Tokyo."
"At this critical moment, we cannot back down or give up. We must face the relentless attacks of the National League with an iron will. Every citizen of Japan and every soldier must shoulder the important mission of protecting our homeland and defending our dignity."
“Each of you is someone I trust and rely on the most. You are the country’s strongest defense and the nation’s most resilient backbone.”
"History tells us that every great nation and every victory is inseparable from the unremitting efforts and joint struggle of all its people."
"Today, I promise you that I will stand with you to face the challenges ahead and defend our dignity and honor. No matter what lies ahead, no matter how difficult or arduous the road may be, we will not waver or retreat."
"For the land of cherry blossoms, for our children and grandchildren, for the land that nurtured us, let us take up arms and fight alongside Tokyo to the death! Let history remember this day, and let the future be proud of our courage and fearlessness!"
"Soldiers of the Empire! Let us march together toward victory!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a third of the Japanese officers stood up and shouted, "Yes, sir!"
"Bangzai! Bangzai!! Bangzai!!!"
The Japanese soldiers shouted and raised their samurai swords in unison, saluting Tojo Umetoku.
“Alright.” Tojo Umetoku nodded with a smile, then turned to look at the other male minister sitting on his left—
The man in the gray-blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses was none other than Army Minister Korechika Anami.
"Anan-kun, how many troops have entered Tokyo now?" Tojo Umetoku asked.
"According to current statistics, our troops number over 100,000. When we add the nearby garrison, students, military police, and police, our total strength reaches 210,000!"
Anami Korechika said in a deep voice, "Because the enemy's advance is very rapid and they have cut off the roads to the west and south, we still have more than two million civilians who have not been able to evacuate in time, and the situation is very bad."
"well."
Tojo Ume sighed.
He knew that the empire was finished. Even if all the Southeast Asian and Chinese expeditionary forces were to attack and invade northern Vietnam, what difference would it make?
If they can't even deal with the National League Army outside, how can they possibly deal with them on other people's turf?
However, having already chosen to live and die with the empire, he would do everything in his power, even knowing that the hope was slim.
"Notify the military police in Tokyo to immediately evacuate ordinary residents, gather all property and concentrate it in the Imperial Palace, and not leave any property for the enemy, let alone a single bullet or a grain of food."
Tojo Umetoku took a deep breath, her eyes icy cold. "I will make every house, every table, every brick in Tokyo the empire's strongest shield and armor!"
"Yes, sir!!!" Army Minister Korechika Anami, Navy Minister Mineo Ōsumi, Home Minister Genki Abe, and others responded in unison, as they also sensed the seriousness of the situation.
Under these circumstances, the empire may have no choice but to fight a desperate battle with its back to the wall.
Tojo Umetoku looked out the window; countless people were fleeing.
He shook his head dejectedly, thinking that this was truly the tragedy of the empire. As the empire was on the verge of collapse, no one was willing to step forward to save it; instead, everyone was thinking only of escaping and hiding.
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