Conspiracy Theory

The Heiwa Grand Hotel was one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in all of Japan. With over one thousand rooms, three dozen restaurants, extensive amenities, and a four-hundred year old traditional garden, it was the pinnacle of Japanese opulence, even hosting many VIPs in the past, including various heads of state.

This grand symbol of Japan’s modern era was to serve as the venue of the Tokyo Conference. In a few days, Jian Wei, China’s minister of foreign affairs, was to meet here with Junichiro Akayama, the deputy prime minister of Japan, and decide the future of East Asia.

However, many preparations had to be made in the meantime. Not only was the hotel in an uproar to make sure each and every tiny thing was in place, but the security detail was also working overtime to make sure nothing went wrong.

Of course, Naoki and Yoji were also present, as they were the Ghost insurance, but as outside agents, they were excluded from the standard procedures. Yoji even tried talking to them on a few occasions, but he was quickly shut down.

But that didn’t stop him from doing his own rounds.

Over the course of a day, he scoured the entirety of the premises, looking for whatever holes he could.

But as the day was wrapping up, Yoji’s concerned expression, the one Naoki had seen the day they first learned of the mission, was still there. Curious, he finally asked, “So what’s the problem?”

Yoji let out a long sigh. “Something just isn’t right here…” Pulling out the documents. “See, look. There’s a gap in the security plan.” Yoji pointed on the map to the Imperial Lounge, a room designated specifically for high stakes meetings and the location of the conference itself. “We’re not supposed to be going in with them, but it doesn’t matter how tight the security is, if a Ghost attacks, anything is possible.”

“Surely you can just talk to someone about this, right?”

“I tried, but they just wouldn’t listen. Maybe Hamazaki can smooth things over, but…”

“But what?”

“Look… I know it’s a very serious political meeting, but…” Yoji looked away. “I think there might be another reason why they don’t want us inside…”

***

“Yeah, I already asked about that.” Hamazaki flipped through some files. “They said they can’t allow anybody other than the diplomats and their closest advisors in there.”

Yoji stood up, getting closer. “But didn’t you tell them how dangerous it is!?”

“Of course, but they said it didn’t matter.”

Yoji had asked Hamazaki about the security oversight. Unfortunately, Hamazaki had hit the same brick wall.

Yoji sat back down, frustrated. “You know, it’s going to be our fault if something goes wrong.”

“Well, it won’t be the SSU’s fault at least.”

“Ugh.” Yoji rubbed his eyes. “All right, all right…”

“Don’t get so worked up, Yoji.” Hamazaki leaned forward, looking right at Yoji. “There are things we can help and things we can’t. If it’s the whim of government officials to keep you guys out of that meeting then there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“I suppose so…”

***

It was a crisp, cool night, and Naoki was down by Tokyo Bay, waiting as he watched the ebb of the sea.

He didn’t think too much of Yoji’s concerns when he first heard them. Maybe it was just an oversight, but they kept gnawing at him, and once he received a certain text from an out-of-service number, he knew he had to come.

“You seem to be in good health.”

As he heard that familiar voice once again, Naoki turned around slowly. “Akemi…”

“Naoki.” Akemi walked closer. “Thank you for coming.”

But Naoki just silently stared.

“There’s a lot to discuss.” Akemi looked out into the ocean, almost mesmerized by the waves as they glistened in the moonlight. “But first… How do you feel about war?”

“War?” Naoki was almost taken aback by the unexpected question. “What is there to say? It’s a horrible thing.”

“But is it? Surely there are wars that have been good. Japan stands united today because of the many wars fought by Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The United States gained its independence and most of its territory through war.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I’m just saying the topic is more nuanced than most think. The gains made through wars are sometimes worth the sacrifices. However, oftentimes that’s not the case… At least not for the common man.”

“You know, I didn’t come here to listen to you pontificate.”

“Sorry, I’ll get to the point.” Akemi adjusted his jacket before turning directly to Naoki. ”The Japanese government is planning to go to war with China.”

“Pretty bad joke, even for you.” Naoki wrote it off as ridiculous, but a nervous twinge across his face said otherwise.

“It’s no joke. I don’t exactly know who's involved. It might be just the military or the prime minister could be masterminding it, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the Black Arms, a covert military organization, is currently planning an operation at the Grand Heiwa Hotel.”

“The Black Arms? Did you just make that up?”

“They wouldn’t be covert if you knew who they were… I have my sources, but they’re dangerous. They make the SSU look like mall cops. And most importantly… They can use demons too…”

“Another government organization can use Helel!? Are you insane!?”

“Like I said, you don’t have to believe me. But why else do you think they would separate you from the people you’re supposed to protect?”

Naoki scowled and looked away. He might’ve had doubts about the government, but this was just too far. “I knew I shouldn’t have come… You’re just trying to throw us off. Why would the Japanese government want to go to war with China anyway? What could they possibly have to gain?”

“Actually quite a bit…” Akemi took a few slow steps closer. “Do you know why Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea in 1592?”

“Didn’t he just want to conquer Asia?”

“Well, that was part of it, but the main reason was that Japan was filled with hundreds of powerful daimyo and hundreds of thousands of restless samurai. If even a small percentage of them decided to rebel then Hideyoshi’s entire regime would be put into jeopardy.”

“So you’re saying he did it all just to keep his own men busy?”

“Pretty much. Of course, he also wanted the land and prestige, but it was really just about securing his own power through diversion. Make problems abroad to distract from problems at home, if you will.”

“And what does this historical anecdote have to do with anything?”

“See, nothing has actually changed since then. There are millions of people dissatisfied with the current regime, and they have been rebelling. By manufacturing a war and sending them all to the mainland to die, the Ghosts disappear. They’re all busy fighting Chinese conscripts instead of the Japanese elites.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! If the people are so upset that they’re willing to condone and even become terrorists, do you really think they’re going to accept being sent to die on foreign shores!?”

“Likely not, but I’m just telling you the rationale of those in charge. Personally, I think such a scheme would ultimately backfire, probably taking the current regime with it, but not before the deaths of millions of men, women, and children.” Akemi looked Naoki dead in the eye. “That’s why I came to warn you today. Believe what you will, but I won’t stand by idly and allow such a massacre of not only the Japanese people but humanity at large.”

Naoki scoffed. “Whatever. I’m leaving.” Naoki stomped away.

“Naoki!” Akemi called out. “No matter what happens, just do what you think is right!”

But Naoki didn’t even look back.

Whether Akemi told him to or not, he would do whatever he thought was right.