In 1945, the greatest duo in history made its grand entrance: the pair universally known as Fat Man and Little Boy!
A combination like that could be found almost anywhere, much like Liu Ren and Lauren back in the day.
These two carefully prepared gifts thoroughly shattered Japan's plan of "One Hundred Million Shattered Jewels." Bowing to overwhelming deterrence, Japan officially announced its unconditional surrender on August 15.
And on the sixth, outside Tokyo Bay, the American fleet's formidable gunboats reenacted the "Black Ships" opening of Japan from decades ago.
As the first man to set foot on this soil, MacArthur wore an expression radiant with excitement. This was, after all, an undeniable proclamation of his "magnificent" victory.
Yet while MacArthur was reveling in his triumph, Liu Ren was busy preparing to "deliver gifts." Back then, he had promised those "gentlemen" that he would send them back to their homeland, so how could he possibly break his word?
What were benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust? They were the bedrock of humanity. If he said he would wipe out someone's entire family, he had to wipe out their entire family. Otherwise, out in the world, who would ever fear a man like Liu?
Riding in a military jeep, Liu Ren looked at the Japanese refugees displaced by the massive bombing campaign, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. "Damn it, I worked so hard manufacturing incendiary bombs, so how the hell are there still so many recalcitrant scum alive? What the fuck are the Army Air Forces doing? Are they useless? If you're that incompetent, say so earlier! I would've sent my own people!"
Watching the American military vehicles with faint dread, many of the refugees kept their heads bowed in terror.
Yet a second later, Liu Ren raised his hand, signaling the convoy to halt.
"What is it, Liu?" Howard and Forrest asked in bewilderment, exchanging puzzled glances.
*Clack!*
Kicking the door open, Liu Ren stepped down, his combat boots treading on the scorched earth as he strode forward. Fully armed soldiers moved in behind him, faces cold as they established a vigilant perimeter.
Walking over toward a nearby crowd, Liu Ren tilted his head and barked, "You, kid! Step out!"
Pointing at a youth among them, Liu Ren wore a dead-serious expression.
Following the direction of his finger, the surrounding people scattered in terror like startled birds and beasts. Right then, a boy was left standing directly before Liu Ren, glaring at him with seething fury and a deep, burning hatred.
Approaching him, Liu Ren squatted down. "You hate me, don't you?"
"Bastards! It was you! You killed my family! My parents, my little sister...!" the youth snarled furiously, lunging forward to sink his teeth into Liu Ren's hand.
*Smack!*
A backhanded slap slammed across the boy's cheek, sending him crashing to the ground.
Seeing this, the onlookers recoiled in terror, as the surrounding guards had already leveled their submachine guns.
"Ungrateful little mongrel! You're only alive because of me, you know that?" Liu Ren sneered in disgust, eyeing the youth. "Not that it matters. I'm a generous man! Come on, send him to be reunited with his dead parents and family!"
A cold smirk curled on Liu Ren's lips as he pointed at the boy.
Drawing his sidearm, the soldier beside him stepped forward and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
*Bang!*
Blood splattered across the pavement. Liu Ren glanced down at his combat boots and muttered speechlessly, "Brother, couldn't you drag him further away first? These are brand-new boots!"
Flustered, the soldier scratched his head. "Sorry, Boss!"
"I've told you a hundred times, use official titles in the military! Don't call me Boss, call me Colonel!" Looking at the young soldier in exasperation, Liu Ren turned away in irritation.
The Japanese patrol officers who came rushing over froze in their tracks the moment they witnessed the scene, keeping their distance and not daring to make a move. Even seeing the Americans and the youth crumpled on the ground, they knew better than to stick their noses into American business.
"Clean up this mess!" Liu Ren barked, pointing at the dead boy. He pulled open the jeep door and climbed back in, casting a contemptuous glance over the local rabble.
Only after the American convoy pulled away did the patrolmen finally scurry forward, shouting and cursing at the bystanders, warning them to be careful and never provoke their American masters—even if they were beaten, they had better take it with a smile!
***
Inside a dilapidated little house, Yoshii Kuribayashi was weeping over a letter in her hands. Her husband would never return from Iwo Jima.
Just then, heavy footsteps sounded outside.
*Crash!*
The weathered wooden door was kicked off its hinges, and Liu Ren stepped into the front courtyard.
Seeing him, Yoshii Kuribayashi shrank back in fright. "Who... who are you people?"
"Tell her what we're here for!" Liu Ren snapped, tapping the young man beside him with an annoyed grimace.
"Uh, madam, our Colonel is here to bring your husband home!" With that, the young soldier took out a parcel and unwrapped it.
Yet upon seeing the remains of the husband she yearned for day and night, Yoshii Kuribayashi felt no surge of relief, roaring in sheer outrage instead, "You monsters! What did you do to my husband?!"
As she shrieked, her children returned home. Seeing their mother in hysterics, the eldest son charged forward in a fury, only to be kicked flat onto the ground by the soldiers.
"No, please, don't! I beg of you, don't hurt—"
Before Yoshii Kuribayashi could finish, Liu Ren tilted his head and asked, "By the way, did I ever tell Tadamichi Kuribayashi that I'd wipe out his whole family?"
"I think... you did?" Forrest scratched his head, looking slightly dazed.
Liu Ren threatened to wipe out entire families so often that Forrest couldn't possibly keep track of who he'd said it to. But surely he must have, right?
"Good, then wipe them out! Haul these two girls away and send them to the barracks—don't let them go to waste!" Liu Ren snapped his fingers, his tone utterly nonchalant.
After all, in present-day Tokyo, if MacArthur was the supreme ruler behind the scenes, Liu Ren stood alongside him as a co-emperor! Navy admirals might not listen to Liu Ren, but Army generals certainly wouldn't dare cross him. He was the living will of the Silver Rock Group! Forget taking a few lives—even if he shelled the Imperial Palace, they would only praise his firepower!
Gunshots rang out, freezing Kuribayashi's sobbing daughters in their tracks.
"And get rid of the old one too!" Liu Ren said, gesturing dismissively toward Yoshii Kuribayashi. Turning around, he offered a cold smirk as gunshots echoed behind him.
A man had to be true to his word. Otherwise, how could he claim to embody "benevolence and righteousness"?
For the next two weeks or so, Liu Ren stayed busy tracking down his targets.
When MacArthur finally learned what Liu Ren was up to, he slammed the phone in a fury, bellowing, "Tell him to get to my office right now, this instant!"
Three days later, outside the residence of Isamu Cho, Liu Ren listened to the crackle of gunfire before casually flicking away his cigarette. "Now that's more like it."
"Colonel, General MacArthur is asking for you!" an orderly beside him reported.
"MacArthur? What does he want?" Liu Ren mused suspiciously before heading over to headquarters.
When he walked into the office, he found a short man bowing and scraping obsequiously.
"Ah, Liu, you're here!" MacArthur greeted him with an affable smile, showing none of the urgency from his phone call; the two men were clearly well acquainted.
Eyeing MacArthur, Liu Ren stepped forward. "What is it, General?"
"Well, it's about Mamoru Shigemitsu here..."
"You're Mamoru Shigemitsu?" Liu Ren's gaze turned dangerously sharp as he fixed his eyes on the man.
Sensing the menace, Mamoru Shigemitsu retreated in dread, sidling close to MacArthur as though that could afford him a sliver of safety.
With a cold, humorless smile, Liu Ren looked MacArthur dead in the eye. "Once I'm done wrapping up my business, I'll head back. In the meantime, stay out of my way. Understand? General..."
Watching Liu Ren turn and walk away, MacArthur drew a deep breath, his expression freezing over. If not for the man's formidable backing, a mere colonel who dared speak to him like that would have been sent to clear minefields on the front lines long ago!
"Fuck him! How dare he try to tell me what to do? Once I get back, I'll cut off your military supplies and see if that gets you talking to me on your knees!" Grumbling with distaste, Liu Ren strutted out of the building with swagger in his step.
Chapter 75