Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1074 Rough Waves

Deep in the Mitsui family's house in Kyoto's Sanban district, a dim oil lamp flickered in the room. This was a specially modified secret room, with thick soundproof walls to ensure that no one outside could hear any movement.

"Hiss..." Otto gasped as the medic was removing the shrapnel from his arm.

"Don't move," the medic operated the tweezers attentively, "there are still two fragments."

At the other end of the room, Klaus was bandaging the wound on his leg. It was a scratch from the submachine gun of the Uncut Jade Agent during the retreat. Although it was not deep, blood was still oozing out.

Elante stood by the window, looking outside through the gaps in the blinds. The sky in the distance was turning pale, and dawn was coming. From time to time, the roar of military vehicles could be heard on the street. It was obvious that the Fuso military was searching the city for their traces.

"Victor," Elantra turned to look at the communications expert who was fiddling with the radio in the corner, "Have you contacted the base camp?"

Victor adjusted the radio knob, and heard bursts of electricity in his headphones. He skillfully sent a series of signals in Morse code and waited for a response.

"Yes," Victor suddenly stood up, "the front-line command is waiting for our report."

Elante walked to the radio station and took the microphone from Victor. He took a deep breath and began to report in code:

"Falcon calling the nest, Falcon calling the nest. The target has been cleared. Repeat, the target has been cleared. Operation codenamed 'Headless Snake' has been successfully completed. Our casualties: two minor injuries, no deaths."

There was a rustling sound on the radio, followed by a deep voice: "Nest received. Confirmation that the Prime Minister's Office operation was successfully completed?"

"Yes," Elant continued to report, "Tojo Yuei has been executed. Now the whole of Kyoto is in chaos, and the military is searching the city for our traces."

“Understood,” the other party paused, “Stay hidden and await further instructions. Remember, this is only the first step.”

"Got it," Elante gripped the microphone tightly, "but we need supplies. We have used up more than half of our ammunition and are running low on medical supplies."

"The Mitsui family will be in charge of this part," the other party said, "Their underground network in Kyoto is very reliable. Your task is to stay in shape and be ready to execute the next stage of the plan at any time."

"clear."

After the call ended, Elante turned to the team members in the room. Under the light of the oil lamp, everyone's face was tired, but their eyes were still firm.

"Brothers," Elante said solemnly, "this is just the beginning. The next mission may be more difficult, but I believe that we can accomplish our mission."

Kyoto, Army Ministry meeting room.

At one o'clock in the morning, an emergency cabinet meeting was held in a depressing atmosphere. The meeting room was filled with smoke, and the faces of the military and political leaders attending the meeting were livid. The news of Tojo Takehide's death was like a heavy hammer, smashing the power center of the Fuso Empire to pieces.

Watanabe Motoyasu sat in the chief seat, his uniform straight and the medal on his chest flashing under the light. As the Minister of the Army, he was the strongest representative of the military at the moment.

"Everyone," Watanabe Motoyasu looked around and said in a low and powerful voice, "Prime Minister Tojo was assassinated. This is not only a major blow to us, but also a provocation to the entire Fuso Empire!"

"Baka!" Navy Minister Isoroku Yamamoto slammed the table and stood up. "This is a great shame! The God's Punishment Special Forces dared to assassinate our Prime Minister in Kyoto. What do they think of the Fuso Empire?"

"Calm down, Yamamoto-kun," Watanabe Motoyasu raised his hand to signal, "The most important thing now is to stabilize the situation. His Majesty the Emperor is seriously ill, and the Prime Minister was assassinated. If we have internal disputes again, it will only give those enemies who covet Fuso an opportunity to take advantage of us."

Chief of Staff Seishirō Itagaki nodded in agreement: "Minister Watanabe is right. The most urgent task is to establish a new leadership core and stabilize the morale of the army and the people."

"I propose," said Home Affairs Minister Shimizu Kenkichi, standing up, "that Minister Watanabe take over the post of Prime Minister temporarily. He has the highest prestige in the military and is familiar with government affairs, so he is the most suitable candidate."

The meeting room was silent. Everyone looked at Watanabe Motoyasu, waiting for his statement.

Watanabe Motoyasu stood up, his eyes firm: "If you think I can take on this responsibility, I am willing to take it. But I have one condition - we must strengthen our war against China!"

"The death of Prime Minister Tojo was obviously a conspiracy by China. They sent the Divine Punishment Special Forces to assassinate our Prime Minister in order to shake our will to fight. But," Watanabe Motoyasu's voice suddenly rose, "they are wrong! This will only make us more united and more determined!"

"That's right!" Several generals from the General Staff echoed.

"Considering the Emperor's physical condition," Watanabe Motoyasu continued, "I suggest that the Cabinet first decide to grant me the power of temporary Prime Minister. I will meet with the Emperor again after his condition improves. The most important thing now is to stabilize the situation and strengthen defense!"

"But Watanabe-kun," Cabinet Minister Sato Shinichi said hesitantly, "our war reserves..."

"What's the point of talking about reserves at this time!" Watanabe Motoyasu interrupted him, "Do we have to wait for the Chinese special forces to rush to the palace? We must make them pay the price!"

There was a chorus of approval in the meeting room. Watanabe Motoyasu looked around and saw that most people were nodding. He knew that he had the situation under control.

"Then, it's settled," Watanabe Motoyasu said solemnly, "Immediately order martial law and strengthen the protection of important institutions. We must not let such assassinations happen again! At the same time, I will personally command the war against China and let them know the price of assassinating our prime minister!"

"Hi!" the participants responded in unison.

Watanabe Motoyasu walked to the window and looked at the dawn in the east. A fierce look flashed in his eyes: Tojo Takehiko's death gave him this opportunity. Now, he can finally lead this war according to his own will.

After the meeting, Isoroku Yamamoto walked alone in the corridor of the Army Ministry. The corridor was dark at night, with only a few lights illuminating the way ahead. From time to time, explosions and gunshots could be heard in the distance, indicating the riots that were happening one after another in the city.

"General Yamamoto!"

There were footsteps behind him, and Vice Admiral Inoue Shigemi quickly caught up.

"What's the matter, Inoue-kun?" Yamamoto Isoroku stopped.

Inoue Narumi looked around and made sure that no one was around, then he lowered his voice and said, "Why...why don't you fight for the position of interim prime minister? With your prestige in the military, you are fully qualified."

Yamamoto Isoroku gave a bitter smile: "Do you think this position is tempting?"

"But......"

"Listen," Yamamoto Fifty-roku walked to the window and pointed at the flashing fire in the distance, "There are riots everywhere in the city, and outside the city, China's four ace divisions are constantly launching attacks. The entire Kyoto is like a shaky and dangerous building."

A huge explosion was heard from a distance, and the windows shook slightly.

"The death of Tojo Yuhide was not accidental," Yamamoto Isoroku continued. "The fact that the Divine Punishment Special Forces were able to sneak into Kyoto and assassinate the Prime Minister shows that our defenses have long been riddled with holes. Perhaps..."

He paused, his eyes deep: "Maybe before dawn, Kyoto will fall."

"You mean..." Inoue Narumi gasped.