Dungeon Refrigerator 150.2

Test

New Year's Day

[(Byuuuuuuuu! Gooooooo!)] Oh, I'm currently in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture! Cough Cough! Th-this is! We're currently experiencing a tremendous blizzard, but early this morning, [(Byuooo!)] it's reported that a fire broke out suddenly on the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier occupying Sado Island, and it sank!]

[Tachibana-san, are there any movements from other Chinese naval vessels in the local Sea of Japan?]

[Byuuuuuuuu! Byuooooooo!...]

[Uh, Tachibana-san! Can you hear me!? Tachibana-san!?

"[Byuoooooo! Bubububobob!]

[...Uh, it seems the communication with the local area is poor. At around 6:30 this morning, it appears that an aircraft carrier belonging to the Chinese Navy occupying Sado Island suddenly exploded and sank, with flames rising for about 30 minutes. Now, let's take a look at the footage again.]"

"[Byuuuuuuuu! Byuooooooo!... Kyuuum!... Doooon!... Goooooo...]

Three people woke up and casually turned on the TV while drinking something warm. However, the news playing on the TV had footage with enough impact to shatter the New Year's mood completely.

"""..........."""

And all of them were left speechless.

The footage showed the dark pre-dawn sky, with the Sea of Japan side getting battered by a fierce blizzard. In the distance, Sado Island could barely be seen, along with the shadowy Chinese warships floating in the sea. One of them suddenly exploded without any warning, sending a high pillar of fire into the air.

Due to the distance and the blizzard, it was impossible to determine if it was indeed an aircraft carrier as the newscaster mentioned. However, with the explosion followed by a delayed sound, it was understood that they were probably filming from a distant location.

"Furthermore, the Self-Defense Forces have stated, 'We are currently only conducting vigilance and surveillance operations against the Chinese military and deny any connection to the explosion of the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier.'"

"Coach... (Kyu!)"

"Egetsu-san"

"Hmm..."

Normally, aircraft carriers loaded with air power get heavily protected by destroyers and cruisers. This is because even a single fighter jet costs tens of billions of yen. Some aircraft carriers carry 20 or 30 of them, or even more. Therefore, the loss of such a precious asset would be a severe blow to the Chinese Navy.

Could it be a single-point submarine attack, sneaking through the destroyer surveillance network...?

Not likely from the Maritime Self-Defense Force of Japan.

Currently, the government is attempting negotiations with China. If they escalate the situation, it could endanger the residents of Sado Island who are getting held hostage. In such a situation, the Maritime Self-Defense Force wouldn't aggressively carry out operations.

In that case, it could be the US military...?

Perhaps it was part of a test for the latest nuclear-powered submarine, specifically targeting the Chinese Navy's vessels. Since the US tends to test everything in Japan as long as they don't get caught. It's not out of the realm of possibility.

No, but the most suspicious party would be Russia.

The US has learned the inconvenience of military intervention in other countries due to the Middle East issue, albeit recently. So, they have been showing a cautious attitude and refraining from poking their noses into the current Japan-China issue.

However, while China was taking military action against Japan, Russia also showed signs of military action against Japan. The result was the invasion of Ukraine, which has received harsh condemnation from EU countries. To divert attention from that, it would be very convenient for Russia if Japan and China clashed vigorously...

Hmm? I see! All the mysteries have been solved! The culprit is Russia!

Damn you, Russia! Not only did you instigate the conflict between Japan and the US by planting spies in the past, but you're also planning to escalate the conflict between Japan and China by setting this fire!

Damn it, Russia is just like Date Masamune, loving to add fuel to the fire.

"I'm getting hungry. Should we have dinner soon?"

"Oh! Then maybe I'd like some garlic ramen after a long time!"

"Ehh, Mami-chan, that'll make your breath stinky."

"It's okay, it's okay♪ Egetsu-san will still kiss me, right!"

"Hm... Kiss? Oh, anytime."

"Alright, it's decided! Let's get ready and go out♪"

Huh, what was I thinking about?

I wonder what it was. Oh well, no matter when or how garlicky it is, if a beauty asks for a kiss, I'll gladly accept it!