Submarine: Ruthless Battlefield, Okinawa - 12

[verdantgrove]

 

Location: Ryokan for use by ES Idols

Kuro: Kanzaki. It’s not like I got the same order as Hasumi, so if ya got any doubts about your judgment for any reason, just throw them my way. I got your back, at least. 

Souma: Kiryuu-dono, it would be acceptable by anyone’s standards if you were to decide our course of action and order us to implement it, you know?

Kuro: Huh? Don’t let an idiot like me make the important decisions. Not my place to use my head like that and make everything a mess.

Besides. Whether it’s an order or a secret order, if it’s somethin’ like “Let Kanzaki decide AKATSUKI’s course of action”— 

If I’m the one to choose, that’s when we’re out.

And if we get punished for disobeyin’ those orders, it’ll get real difficult for us to win in this ruthless battlefield that is Okinawa that’s got nothin’ but strong competitors. 

Don’t ya think so?

Souma: Kiryuu-dono, I do not think you are as unintelligent as you say you are. 

Kuro: Haha. I’ve been thinkin’ like crazy to make up for my lack of wisdom. I’ve just been lyin’ on the futon aaall day, so I’ve had a lot of free time. 

Souma: Hmm. In that case, I should learn by observing you, whom I cherish and respect, and devote myself entirely to squeezing every ounce of this lacking wisdom from myself that I can. 

I know, I know… I’ve prepared myself. I will try to think “like crazy.”

Keito: Ah, good luck. I’ll help you as much as I’m able to, and I’ll do whatever you order me to. 

Kuro: Haha. Make him do hara odori1 for no reason, Kanzaki. Chances like this don’t come along often. 

Keito: Kanzaki wouldn’t order me to do something like that—I trust him. 

He’s a good kid. 

Souma: …….

Mm. I’ve decided. 

Hasumi-dono. Kiryuu-dono, as well—once you have returned to good health it will not be an issue, but—from tomorrow on, let us continue to entertain the veterans of the office. 

Keito: What are you saying?

Souma: And then we shall gain their favor, and work at their beck and call. 

Kuro: What are you talkin’ about, Kanzaki? Just ‘cause Hasumi’s not givin’ you any more orders you wanna go and wag your tail for some big shot?

Keito: Well, hold on, Kiryuu. Let’s just listen to what Kanzaki has to say. 

You’re not saying we simply flatter the higher-ups and then take advantage of them, right—Kanzaki?

Souma: Of course I am. What we are aiming for is much like a retainer supplanting his lord; it mirrors the way of life of the Viper of Mino2. 

We shall become but one wielder of the great power and influence that is sweeping across Okinawa, and act while utilizing their strength to the greatest extent.

To begin with, the veterans were also quite concerned at the time of our audience with them today—

We shall overthrow those who are associated with the other offices that have been deployed in this region, particularly those in the CosPro office, who hold just as much influence and power as the veterans of our office.

Keito: Hmm. At this point in time, the veterans at RhythLin and the people at CosPro hold roughly the same amount of influence, and it seems like they’re in a state of rivalry with one another. 

Is it your intention to upset that balance of power with the support of the former?

Souma: Yes, we shall tip the scales. Though we are but a small force, it is feasible for us to do that much, depending on the way in which we conduct ourselves. In order to do as such, we introduce a third power that is not associated with the other two—

The powers of StarPro, founded by Ryuseitai, and NewDi, as well as those of the local idols in Okinawa, must be mobilized arbitrarily. 

Keito: Let me handle the coordination with Ryuseitai; I’ve got an intermediary. That is to say, I thought he might be of some use, so I contacted him in secret earlier today. 

I didn’t want to end the incident that happened today with just a simple “it’s nice that we ran into people we know.” So if you want to talk to Ryuseitai, you can go through me, Kanzaki—I won’t make it any worse. 

Souma: Understood. This is just as I would expect of you, Hasumi-dono—you are always thinking ahead.

Keito: That’s just because I fuss over the details of things. Ah, no—it’s because I’m a worrywart.

Kuro: Hmm. From what I’ve heard, I get the feeling that Ryuseitai’s well-liked by the local idols for tryin’ to stop the fightin’…

Which is exactly why they were beggin’ me for help earlier.

If we can go through a middleman to get to Ryuseitai, maybe we can make them set some of the local idols in motion too.

Keito: Hmm. Well, at best, they’ll be of help to us.

Souma: This conversation is a villain in itself…

In any case, we shall do as such—first of all, we will cut down all powers other than RhythLin.

And then, in the end, we shall stand as the sole victor at the very summit of RhythLin, and obtain all the spoils of war!

Keito: Exactly as though you’re overthrowing the higher-ups. You were saying something about vipers earlier, but now you intend to turn this into the Tale of a Stolen Country3?

Though maybe you’d have to do something as bold as that to get us to win the preliminary rounds.

This is quite difficult. We’ll have to act while ensuring that the higher-ups don’t pick up on our plans for rebellion, then, sooner or later, we catch them off guard. 

If they discover our true intentions, it would be the end of the line for us, and we might be made to do the dirty work they order us to do.

I can’t say I mind that, but is that alright with you, Kanzaki?

Souma: A foolish question. Though you and Kiryuu-dono like to keep me clean, to be painted in blood is a blade’s honor. 

Rest assured. I, Kanzaki Souma, am a man who can do more than just simply wield a blade.

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TL Notes:

1: Hara odori is a type of Japanese dance done at festivals in which the face is covered, and a comedic face is painted onto one’s stomach to act as the head as the person dances. It is often used for comedic purposes in Japanese pop culture. Here is an example image:

2: The “Viper of Mino” is the alias given to samurai Saitou Dousan who was known for his ruthless battle tactics.

3: The Tale of a Stolen Country is a 1965 novel written by Shiba Ryoutarou (later adapted into an NHK period drama) that chronicles the lives of Saitou Dousan and Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. There are very few English sources on the novel itself, so I recommend looking into Oda Nobunaga’s history with the Saitou clan if you are interested in learning more.