Chapter Seventeen In Okinawa (1)

  Naha, the capital of Okinawa, is located on the site of the ruins of Shuri Castle, the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. As early as the mid-14th century, it was a trading port and is now the largest political, economic, and cultural center in the Ryukyu Islands, located on the southern west coast of Okinawa Island, facing Naha Bay on the East China Sea, the only gateway to Okinawa Prefecture. It has regular shipping lines with overseas countries and is also an important aviation hub, the largest industrial center in Okinawa Prefecture.

  "Miss May, where is today's newspaper?"

  Shigeno glared at Jerry in May, then stuffed a pile of Asahi Shimbun over there. She was now somewhat bewildered - had this little guy come to be a hostage or to enjoy himself?!

  He was finicky about food, finicky about sleep, and even when going to the bathroom, he needed someone to hold a lantern for him. And after the initial panic, this guy hadn't shown a single hint of fear. Was he really that bad at being a terrorist? Fifteen-year-old Shigenobu couldn't help but doubt himself.

  Jerry took over the newspaper and didn't forget to yawn, "Miss May, remember to heat up the milk in the morning! Warm milk is more comfortable to drink!"

  After finishing speaking, Jerry jumped down from his stool with a thud, then grasped his newspaper and slowly walked towards his "prison cell".

  "You little rabbit!" Ilich Ramírez Sánchez slammed his military dagger into the table.

  Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, alias Carlos the Jackal, Marxist-Leninist communist, world's most wanted assassin, notorious terrorist, perpetrator of the 1975 Vienna OPEC raid, long-time activist in the Palestine Liberation Organization and close friend of Red Army Faction leader Siegfried Haag.

  "Carlos, watch your emotions."

  "Miss May, your mother didn't ask me to come to Japan as an au pair! I couldn't possibly do such a thing!"

  "So, what do you want to do?"

  "Call that woman named Tanaka Nana! Tell her, I've kidnapped her son and if she wants him to leave safely, come alone to the place! I don't have time to play games with that rabbit!"

  "Hey, interrupting your conversation!" Jerry leaned against the door with his body tilted and knocked on it.

  "Do you understand our conversation?"

  "Of course, I can understand it, but Mr. Carlos's English is really poor! Hey~ Mr. Carlos, I was just joking, you don't have to get so excited, do you? Hey~ put down your knife!"

  "Alright! Listen up, you two respected terrorists! Do you really think that kidnapping Kanako will make the Japanese government back down?"

  Irich gripped the military sword, ceaselessly swishing it on the table surface, the "ka-cha" sound sending shivers down one's spine. His eyes gleamed with a hint of ferocity, as if he might pounce at any moment. "If not for this, what did we come to Japan for?"

  "No, no, no, Mr. Carlos! You are wrong, even if you capture Naoko, the Japanese government will not compromise! In 1970, hijacking Japan Airlines Flight 'Yodo', in 1972, attacking Israel's Tel Aviv airport, in 1973, hijacking Japan Airlines Boeing 747, in 1974, attacking Shell Oil Company in Singapore, occupying the Japanese Embassy in Kuwait, in 1974, attacking the French Embassy in The Hague, in 1975, hijacking the US Consulate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1977, hijacking a Japanese DC-9 airliner, in 1986, kidnapping the manager of Mitsui & Co. in Manila, and this April, the Naples nightclub car bombing incident... Do you think that after acquiring SAT, terrorist incidents can be repeated in Japan? (SAT: Special Assault Team, established by the Japanese police in 1977)"

  "Of course!"

  "No, you're wrong! The Japanese government will not compromise! Do you know what other identities Tanaka Nana has besides being a national idol? Well, I'll tell you - a staunch supporter of the women's liberation movement and a close ally of the Japan Communist Party. You think the Liberal Democratic Party would let such a woman off the hook easily just because she's a big fish in the net? No way! They'd be delighted to see the Red Army and the Women's Liberation Organization at each other's throats! The metaphor isn't quite right, but I'm sure you get the point. Even if the Liberal Democratic Party were forced to make concessions due to pressure from the people, the US, standing behind the Japanese government, would never agree to it! You've threatened American interests in the Middle East and in Japan, the Communist Party is eyeing the ruling position, and the Red Tide has always been a hidden menace under America's nose. Eliminating the Red Army organization while taking out the leader of the Women's Liberation - this kill-two-birds-with-one-stone situation is something Americans would never refuse!"

  ……

  "If you really want to achieve the purpose of rescuing Maruoka through this means, I suggest you choose the US Embassy! The lives of Americans are far more precious than those of Japanese people! You must know that once American lives are threatened, the roar of the American people can overthrow the entire US government! Under pressure from the US government, it's easy to imagine how the Japanese government will react! However, for now, I think the Asian 'Anti-War Democratic Front' should be more worthy of your attention!"

  ……

  "Times are changing, but unfortunately the Red Army's means of struggle remain unchanged! Don't you know what it means to keep up with the times? Pure terrorism will only drag innocent civilians into a deep abyss of suffering. Have you forgotten your leader Chairman Mao..."

  "Don't mention that shameless guy to me!" Roughly interrupted Jerry's words by Jiei in May.

  The current Red Army is no longer the youth student army of the 60s and 70s. In April 1971, Nixon visited China, Mao Zedong personally met with him and shook hands, which was widely publicized by the Liberal Democratic Party. The United Red Army, with Mao Zedong as its spiritual leader, collectively collapsed. Between 1971 and 1979, countless left-wing Japanese youths lost their spiritual source and committed suicide in despair!

  "No, you're wrong! Armed struggle is not the only way to fight, politics and economy are also means of struggle! Let me tell you something else. Do you know about the huge aircraft carriers of the United States? Do you know about Mao Zedong's art of fighting against American aircraft carriers? You don't know! Fighting against American aircraft carriers is not just a matter of brute force, nor is it a matter of refusing to compromise. One must wage a good political war, avoid getting into an all-out war with the United States, win in local wars, grasp the soft underbelly of the US on the main front and hold on tight, and attach importance to the development of one's own strength! This is his art of struggle! And what about you? You only see the traditional battlefield struggle, you only see the war that must be fought with bloodshed."

  ……

  "The rule of law is being gradually established, in an era where nuclear deterrence dominates the world, the main means of struggle has shifted. Do you think it will be successful to rely solely on terrorism? The Palestinian independent war line has been going on for so long, how many innocent civilians have been sacrificed, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or millions? You want to create an independent state for them, but take their lives with guns and cannons, is this reasonable? Don't tell me it's some kind of holy war necessary sacrifice! If that's the case, then why don't you, and you, go become human bombs?"

  ……

  These words, spoken from the mouth of an eight-year-old child, brought a shocking force that directly impacted Carlos's worldview. The jackal sprang up and then pinned Jerry's neck against the wall, "If you dare to say another word..."

  The bayonet is already pressed against Jerry's eyeball!