Neo Japan, also known as the Japanese Special Economic Zone, retained that name even after the Federation was established. Xiao Ran's appointment was related to this very place. He had returned once again to this somewhat independent region, much like another continent.
Originally, both military headquarters and the Federation had taken a very conservative approach to Xiao Ran's placement. After all, he had been absent for four years. Even if they intended to use him, they could not possibly hand him a major regional command right away. More people favored keeping Xiao Ran at military headquarters or sending him somewhere unimportant.
However, orders from the Federation's highest levels made it impossible for military headquarters to carry out their plans. After some back-and-forth, along with certain people pulling strings behind the scenes, Xiao Ran arrived in Japan, a place he had once commanded.
This place had four standard military bases, no war, and no rebel factions. There was not much to handle, and conditions in every respect were quite good. It was also far from the true mainland and possessed uniquely favorable circumstances. It was indeed an excellent place for Xiao Ran. The reason he had been "sent" here was entirely because Ribbons had returned to Earth and arranged it.
The three-day tour had greatly shocked Ribbons. It made him realize that even if he gathered every force in the Federation, he still could not contend with them. The two sides were simply not on the same level of power. Since resistance was impossible, the only option was obedience, securing greater advantages amid the coming upheaval. As for everything else, he would have to take it one step at a time.
When Xiao Ran stepped off the plane, Neo Japan's military commander personally led a large group to greet him. Xiao