Under the fleet's escort, the Island Nation transport convoy hurried onward at full speed and finally reached the waters off eastern Borneo just after 5:00 a.m. on March 3.
"There's less than an hour until daybreak. We must seize every second! Ryūzaki, what happens next is up to you!" Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō said.
Before reaching eastern Borneo, the Island Nation transport convoy had already split up. The 28th Army headed for Sennah Port, while the 33rd Army made for Lahad Datu. Likewise, the Island Nation Navy's escort fleet split into two groups. The heavy cruiser Tone, the light cruiser Tenryū, and five Yūgumo-class destroyers would assist the 28th Army in landing at Sennah Port. The heavy cruiser Chikuma, the light cruiser Tatsuta, and five Yūgumo-class destroyers would assist the 33rd Army in landing at Lahad Datu.
"Your Excellency Lieutenant General, please rest assured. We'll give it everything we have!" Rear Admiral Ryūzaki Ryūkichi said.
Though the Island Nation's Army and Navy had no small amount of conflict between them, at this moment they were all in the same boat. For the future of the Island Nation, they could only fight with every last ounce of strength.
"Ōnishi, begin firing in five minutes. Clear the obstacles for the Army's landing!" Rear Admiral Ryūzaki Ryūkichi ordered.
"Yes, Your Excellency General!" Colonel Ōnishi Shinzō replied.
Five minutes later, the four twin-mounted 203mm Main Guns aboard the heavy cruiser Tone, along with its 127mm dual-purpose guns, began firing. The four 140mm main guns and 80mm secondary guns aboard the light cruiser Tenryū likewise opened fire wildly. Even the 127mm main guns aboard the Yūgumo-class destroyers joined in.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
For a moment, the roar of cannon fire thundered across the sea as shell after shell whistled toward the coast of Sennah Port.