Chapter 115
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Mr. Sunset (2)
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Thump thump! The Washington Naval Conference! Wow!
Even after tasting the rock-bottom horrors of World War I, that hellish trench warfare, the neurons of politicians, bureaucrats, and military brass were still running on outdated OS from a bygone era.
The minds of the world's elite were hardcoded with the belief that "a nation must possess overwhelming military might to deter war." And since neighboring countries naturally thought the same, it sparked an endless arms race.
In truth, even a century later in the 21st century, that mindset hadn't changed much. But unlike the 21st century, where Pax Americana's unchallenged top dog—the United States—reigned supreme, the dominance of this era's leader, the British Empire, was already fading.
Yet contrary to what the higher-ups thought, the public was exhausted by this mad arms race.
"What? Build more battleships?"
"You think you'll win the election after that?"
"Surviving the last war was a miracle. War prep? Are you insane?!"
Thus, the Harding administration, with naval disarmament as its flagship promise, ambitiously gathered friends from eight nations: Britain, Japan, France, China, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. This was the Washington Naval Conference.
The core agenda was to curb the accelerating battleship race in the Asia-Pacific region, with each nation's leaders already buzzing with calculations of gains and losses.
The U.S. Navy's nightmare was fighting on two fronts across two oceans.
What if Britain and Japan allied, with Japanese forces striking in the Pacific and British in the Atlantic to bring the U.S. to ruin?
The Navy's smartest minds ran the simulations and came back with, "Yeah, we can't win." So America's goals became dismantling the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and "we're broke, so let's stop them from building battleships too."
Britain's nightmare was a global gang-up on the British Empire.
The Empire stretched across five oceans and six continents in every direction, meaning the seas they had to defend—North Sea, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Ocean—were ridiculously vast.
If war broke out in one spot, the world's strongest Royal Navy could assemble and unleash a Buster Call. But three or more? They'd get picked off one by one.
In actual history, this nightmare came true.
To block Nazi Germany's invasion, they controlled the North Sea while fighting Italians in the Mediterranean to hold Suez—and ended up losing all their East Asian colonies to Japan.
Japan's stance differed fundamentally from Britain and America's.
While Europeans slaughtered each other in trenches, Japan raked in cash and emerged as a true great power. Their goal: undisputed hegemon of Asia.
Japan needed to expand its navy from here on anyway. They wanted a treaty at an acceptable level, in exchange for recognition from other powers that Asia was their turf.
So, what could Eugene Kim possibly do in Japan?
How far should I carry out my assignment, and how should I maneuver for the futures of Japan, America, Korea, and Asia?
I agonized endlessly on the ship and finally had an epiphany.
The answer was simple: I have no idea!
They say Buddha, after years of asceticism, let it all go, accepted milk rice from Sujata, and attained enlightenment.
I'm no Buddha, but emulating him, I stopped my spinning mind, relaxed, and gained clarity.
The outcome wasn't clear, and I couldn't predict the butterfly effects of my actions.
Weaken Japan? Sure. But how?
For instance, point to the great independence fighter, the Shadow Liberation Army's Mudaguchi Renya, and say, "You have the aura of a great hero. Future Army Minister material." That might weaken them.
But would Imperial Japan actually promote Mudaguchi just because I said so?
On the contrary, post-Pacific War outbreak, they might purge him as "the guy Kim Eugene picked—must be in bed with the Yankee devils," or he'd face so much jealousy he couldn't achieve great feats like Won Gyun.
Deliberately teach them garbage doctrines? Yeah, right.
Even if a diplomat is a white spy, I have a clear official mission.
Botching the Japanese military could wreck my career, and if caught sabotaging a friendly nation—not even an enemy—I'd be done for.
Besides, even if I somehow weakened them for real, that'd be a problem.
Suppose I flap my gums and turn the Japanese military into utter incompetents. If they become too pathetic, Chiang Kai-shek turns them into paste, Chinese troops march into Keijo—what then? No thanks to a future Republic of China province called Chosen.
I pondered long and hard, but the future remained "unknown."
If Japan hit the lottery and pulled off ten Myeongnyang-level miracles, maybe. But with the overwhelming power gap between the U.S. and Empire of Japan, their Pacific War victory odds were slim.
Since I couldn't even guess my impact now, the best choice was to diligently do my job. Unless I sketched Little Boy blueprints for the Japs, the Pacific War ends with Tokyo fried anyway.
Decision made, my tangled mind settled.
This is a seal's job, huh?
Why should I work diligently?
No such ulterior motive. Nope, none at all!
"So, we just share our tank experience diligently and, as a bonus, hard-sell the cute M1917 tanks. That's it."
"That's really all? Nothing else?"
"Nope. Think of it as building experience."
Where the needle goes, the thread follows; where the gun goes, the bullets must too.
Crossing the Pacific with me was my dear friend with the shining name: Captain John Hodge.
"Overseas deployment looks good on the resume, right? Better than the Philippines?"
"Why does the Philippines pop up again? I'm no extortionist. Normally it's great, but with you, Major Kim, I feel like Japan will be a whirlwind too."
Look at those distrustful eyes. Who else embodies honesty and trust like me!
Trust me. This time, truly no drama. It's not bandit-infested China; no life-risking shootouts.
One unease: the Great Kanto Earthquake.
But from memory, that hits around 1925.
I'll be out of Japan before then. Relax.
Omens started when we stopped at Hawaii, the midpoint.
"Eugene Kim!!"
"It's Eugene Kim!!"
"Hooray for the hero of the yellow race!! Asia forever!!"
"Major Kim, your popularity's this huge? No one's here for me?"
"Doesn't seem so."
"Damn."
About a third of Hawaii's population is Asian, especially Japanese.
And from Hawaii onward, my fame pierced the skies. War fever's long faded—why?
Briefed by the Korean organization Syngman Rhee handed off, groundwork laid to smear the Hawaii Japanese community, procedures underway to relocate to the U.S. mainland from Hawaii. All perfect.
After sailing the remaining half of the Pacific, we finally set foot in Yokohama.
"Waaaaaaaaah!!!"
"Wh-what is that?"
A wave of people.
A wall of humanity.
An unimaginable crowd awaited.
Memories of Britain flooded back fresh.
That time too, I'd worried—but it was for Woodrow Wilson. No harm in checking.
"Anyone else arriving today besides me?"
"No, sir! All here to welcome the general!!"
Good lord.
What the hell was going on in Asia?
Amid brass bands and honor guards lining both sides playing music, I slowly stepped onto land, the Japanese home islands.
Something felt off.
The music's rhythm was weirdly off?
Now I see: two conductors, honor guards marching separately in different uniforms—
"Welcome! We heartily greet General Kin Eugene, friend of Admiral Togo!"
"Welcome! The Imperial Realm welcomes General Kin Eugene, proud hero of Asia's Army!"
Look at this mess.
They're glaring daggers—DVD-worthy. You couldn't even coordinate before calling me?
Situation clear.
They tried tying up loose ends before I arrived but failed spectacularly, resulting in this fantastical clusterfuck.
I could mock them for a refreshing laugh, but would master of the world Eugene Kim stoop so low?
"To be welcomed so warmly by the Army and Navy, pillars of the Japanese Empire—I'm deeply moved. And I'm no head of state... such lavish treatment."
"Haha, grateful you see it that way."
"As expected of a hero's demeanor. Now, if you'll follow us this way—"
"Nonsense. Come this way."
Hey, hey.
I smoothed things over nicely—don't make it worse.
Embarrassment was spreading. Even Hodge sensed something amiss.
No choice. Unleash the secret weapon I held back.
"Hodge. You okay?"
"Yes, no issues."
"Really? Seasick from the long voyage? You were queasy just days ago."
"When did I—"
"Shut up and say you're dying of seasickness. Quick."
This idiot wouldn't take the hint, so I whispered the answer kindly.
Finally, Hodge clutched his head and stomach, staggering.
"Ugh, urk. I... can't stand straight..."
"Sorry, my friend seems worn out from the Pacific crossing. Mind if we rest him at the embassy first, then proceed?"
"Ah, yes! Of course!"
"Let's go! We'll guide you!"
Last chance.
While we kill time at the embassy, hash it out among yourselves and report back.
Thus, we hurried to the U.S. Embassy in Japan, leaving the massive welcoming crowd behind.
With this grand courtesy, if they're not idiots, they'll sort it out.
No one was fool enough to miss that Eugene Kim gave them time knowingly.
With the guest showing such consideration, prioritizing inter-service pride would derail the schedule and tarnish the Imperial Realm—not just any embarrassment.
Thus, at the staff level, they miraculously compromised: split Army and Navy exactly half-and-half for all ceremonies.
Yes, Army and Navy.
"Why are the military making all decisions on their own?!"
Until the Home Ministry barged in and snarled everything.
"Domestic security is obviously police jurisdiction. The Foreign Ministry is displeased with the military's conduct too."
"General Kin is here as a U.S. military member for Imperial Army cooperation!"
"But he's also Admiral Togo's guest on a personal visit, isn't he? Not purely military, so police involvement is proper."
A bloodbath.
"With General Kin here, a meeting with our party leader must be on the schedule!"
"What nonsense. Why involve politicians? He's just a major!"
"A major my ass—he's a former general! Asia's great hero needs a photo with the ruling party leader!"
Spooning in.
Despite Eugene Kim's courtesy, things tangled worse.