Chapter 36: Operation Angry Dragon (Part I)

The streets of Kyoto were bathed in brilliant sunshine. As the nation with the highest forest coverage in the world, it boasted an enviable abundance of lush greenery, clear blue skies, and crisp, refreshing air. Yet, as one of the world's wealthiest and most developed nations, this self-proclaimed most diligent of peoples constantly exhibited an atmosphere of frantic haste.

People hurried beneath towering skyscrapers and rushed along wide boulevards like swarms of busy worker ants. For decades, they had found happiness and contentment in this mundane, fast-paced life, while simultaneously feeling a touch of boredom in the long peace. Most believed the world was becoming increasingly ordinary and tranquil, and that nothing could ever happen to shock them.

Although politicians shouted about the dangers of war daily, most saw it merely as a tactic to secure votes and solidify their party's rule. Even when thousands marched in the streets, the general public dismissed it as the mindless behavior of people brainwashed by politicians. They felt that their most important task was to seek out trivial pleasures within this mediocrity, working hard only to earn enough wealth in an increasingly sluggish economy to provide for their families and futures, thereby sustaining this peaceful, if monotonous, existence day by day.

But that afternoon, they suddenly realized their assumption was wrong.

First, in the bustling Ginza district of Kyoto, bursts of gunfire and explosions erupted. A massive crowd of disheveled and panicked people stampeded out of the prestigious "Clear Sky and Drifting Clouds" Kabuki Theater. Screaming as if they had seen a monster, they fled in terror along the streets. Immediately afterward, similar sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed from the most luxurious nightclub owned by the Jiaolong Society. Soon, even the residence of the Jiaolong Society’s second-in-command, Kiyoshi Eda, was filled with shrieks, wails, and the deafening roar of explosions and gunfire.

Amidst the downtown bustle, the intense sounds of battle and the wailing of sirens shattered the peace of Kyoto.

"What is happening? Is it a terrorist attack? Or has war broken out?"

Just as people stared at one another in shock and confusion, the massive screens on high-rise buildings and shopping malls suddenly displayed footage that left them utterly stunned.

Mushroom clouds rising into the sky, billowing smoke, helicopters blown to pieces, corpses scattered everywhere, and a vast expanse of ruins by the seaside...

The sudden, shocking imagery assaulted their eyes and minds.

Soon, someone recognized the location. "Oh, Great Goddess Amaterasu! That is the fortress of Ken Fujiyama!"

Like a thunderclap on a clear day, the realization spread through the crowd like lightning. Those who heard it could not believe their ears, and those who saw the horrific footage could not believe their eyes.

Ken Fujiyama, the eighth generation leader of the Jiaolong Society, the biggest underworld boss in the entire Empire of Jiepeng, one of the ultimate power brokers of the nation's criminal underworld, and one of the most powerful figures in all of Jiepeng—his fortress had been blown to ruins?

How could this be possible!

But their doubts were quickly dispelled.

The television broadcasted urgent exclamations: "My God, ruins, nothing but ruins! The residence of Jiaolong Society’s eighth leader, Ken Fujiyama, has been reduced to rubble! Fujiyama is dead at the scene. According to the first witnesses, two A-S Cobra attack helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps were also caught in the explosion. May the Great Goddess Amaterasu protect the departed souls!"

"Boom!"

In that instant, Kyoto felt as if it had been struck by a powerful nuclear weapon. People no longer bothered to listen to what else the television was saying; a massive wave of clamor rose to the heavens.

It was actually true!

Before the stunned crowds on the streets could react, they suddenly noticed waves of ferocious-looking men pouring out of alleys, entertainment venues, repair shops, grocery stores, and even residential homes. Brandishing wooden clubs, machetes, and even handguns, they roared for "revenge" and to "kill them all," rampaging through the streets. With their menacing tattoos exposed, they attacked shops and nightclubs, smashing everything in sight and firing weapons.

"Crash!" went the shattering glass.
"Bang, bang, bang!" went the gunfire.
"Ah—!" went the screams of the wounded.

Blood and cries of agony instantly filled the streets. Someone started a fire, and smoke began to billow from a small shop. Soon, thick, rolling smoke engulfed entire blocks and districts, drifting between the high-rises.

The crowd stood paralyzed for less than five seconds before erupting into terrified screams, scattering in all directions. It was impossible to tell how many people had joined the violence, but everyone felt as if their surroundings had plunged into total chaos.

The fleeing masses began to crush and trample one another. Countless people fell, tripping those behind them. The wails of the trampled and crushed created a scene of utter devastation. Their panic worsened the gridlock on the streets, and the Yakuza, armed with blades and guns, began to target the crowd. Clubs and machetes swung down mercilessly, and blood sprayed across the roads!

...

Kyoto Police Headquarters Command Center.

Police Chief Masayoshi Takahashi’s face was ashen, his chest heaving with rapid, shallow breaths. Before him stood a row of large monitors displaying scenes of fire, gunfire, and blood. Behind him, on the electronic tactical map of Kyoto, the red zones representing large-scale emergencies numbered over 100, densely covering almost the entire map!

Takahashi had deployed every available officer. The deafening wail of sirens echoed in every corner of the city. Riot police and special forces had been sent out, and even the personnel guarding critical facilities had been pulled, leaving key locations dangerously vulnerable.

Yet, this had not stopped the situation from deteriorating. The blood-crazed mob continued to wreak havoc everywhere. According to reports, the number of rioters exceeded 200,000. In just half an hour, the police department had received over 200 reports of fatalities, and several officers had already been killed in the line of duty.

"Chief," the assistant police chief bowed, speaking urgently, "please carefully consider my suggestion to request military aid as soon as possible! Otherwise, if the situation spirals completely out of control..."

Looking at the ever-increasing number of red dots and the expanding red zones, Takahashi’s face turned ghastly pale. He knew that even if the situation didn't worsen, his police career was over. And it would end in an unprecedentedly humiliating fashion. From this day forward, he would be the laughingstock and the disgrace of Kyoto—and all of Jiepeng—forever condemned and mocked by future generations.

"You... you actually forced me to this point!" A look of ruthless determination appeared on Takahashi’s face. "Even if I am to die, I will drag you all down to hell with me!"

Masayoshi Takahashi took a few ragged, desperate breaths and reached for the telephone...