Chereads / I am the commander in chief of the navy... / Chapter 23 - -Anti-Submarine Warfare and the X-Bomb-

Chapter 23 - -Anti-Submarine Warfare and the X-Bomb-

The enemy task force finally came within range of our main guns.

I raise the gun's altitude to its maximum and aim at the enemy. I don't think I'll hit it on the first shot, but I observe the impact and adjust it to ensure I hit it on the second shot and beyond.

"All turrets fire at once from the bridge!"

Gwah!!!

Yamato's main guns fired, causing shock waves to churn up the surrounding seas and making the glass of the bridge tremble.

"Bullet chauuuugh, now!!"

The floatplane can see nine huge columns of water rising around the enemy aircraft carrier.

"Hurry up and fix it and reload, we'll sink it for sure next time!!"

At that time,

Boom!!

Yamato shook violently from side to side.

"Bridge, air defense command center, what's going on!?"

"It was a torpedo attack. Four hits on the port side."

"Damage control here, 3 port compartments flooded, 21 casualties!!"

Nagato, which was guarding the port side, had withdrawn, and the enemy was less vigilant.

"Yamato to all ships, anti-submarine combat! There's only one target, take it down for sure!!"

"Water has been poured into the bridge and starboard side from the water injection and discharge control center. The list angle has returned to 1 degree."

Although they were struck by lightning, the water injection and drainage systems installed on the Yamato-class submarines functioned and the damage was not fatal.

"This is Atago, enemy submarine detected. Commencing depth charge attack."

Three or four objects resembling drums disappeared into the ocean from the stern of the Atago.

A few seconds later, a large column of water appeared.

"Have you taken down the enemy submarine?!"

"No, it's flooded, but not sunk. We will continue the attack."

A few minutes later, with the enemy submarine clearly sunk, the Yamato Fleet began its advance again.

- America Department of Defense The Pentagon-

Department of Defense The Pentagon The atmosphere was heavier than ever before.

The TV monitor in front of us showed a lone steel tower standing tall in the desert.

"I have received the President's orders. X-bomb, ignite!!"

Suddenly, a giant fireball appeared on the monitor and the screen went haywire.

What those involved were watching with bated breath was the "X-Bomb" - a weapon that would later be called the "atomic bomb."

The footage returned a few minutes later, showing sand dunes that had turned to molten glass and debris that appeared to be a pylon.

There was no trace of the 15-meter-tall steel tower, and there was just a vast expanse of flat ground.

Everyone's eyes widened at the unbelievable sight, and some of the scientists were in despair.

-The White House-

"President, the X-bomb has far more destructive power than we expected. With this, we think we might be able to wipe out all the Japs... We have two more bombs. Is it okay to go ahead with the first one as planned?"

"Of course. If the Hawaiian garrison is wiped out, do it."

"I've got it"

In the Oval Office, with his secretary gone, President Roosevelt noticed that his hands were trembling.

"We have created something that should never have been created. God forgive us..."

Dark clouds were looming over Japan.