On the aircraft carrier Ibuki, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo stood on the deck, looking out over the South China Sea beneath the night sky. Since departing Subic Bay, the fleet had been traveling at high speed.
To ensure their own safety, before sunset, the Island Nation fleet had remained beyond the strike radius of German Air Force bombers. Therefore, after sunset, they needed to increase their speed so they could reach the waters north of Borneo around midnight and launch an attack on their designated target. They would then withdraw before daybreak. At that time, the Zero fighters taking off from the four aircraft carriers would provide the fleet with air defense. Otherwise, the Island Nation would face the fate of being attacked by German Air Force bombers.
"Commander, the wind is strong here. Please return to your cabin!" Major General Ryunosuke Kusaka, the Fleet Chief of Staff, walked over.
Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo shook his head. "Any intelligence on the German fleet? Perhaps the German fleet has already arrived in the South China Sea. With the fighting in Borneo having reached such a fierce stage, it is impossible for the Germans to remain inactive."
"Commander, we have not yet received any intelligence concerning the German fleet. Perhaps they have not come to the South China Sea. After all, although we suffered grievous losses in the last naval battle, the Germans did not fare well either," Major General Ryunosuke Kusaka said.
"That is impossible! The German fleet must have appeared in the South China Sea. We simply have not found them yet. Tell General Takasu Shirō that he must keep a close watch on the German fleet. I have a feeling that the German fleet will definitely appear tonight. Therefore, our fire support for the army may not proceed smoothly,"