Open the Gates, Free Trade

The Thousand-Hand Centipede had rampaged through Sakura Country for a week, throwing the entire nation into turmoil and leaving its people trembling in fear as the economy collapsed.

Two weeks later, having had its fill of fun, the Thousand-Hand Centipede plunged into the sea and disappeared from the public eye.

Even after the Thousand-Hand Centipede's departure, however, the chain of consequences it had set off continued to ferment.

The threat of sea monsters became the international community's focal issue. Their origins, numbers, strength, threat level, and more were laid before the think tanks of every nation, demanding serious preparations.

Around the world, people viewed sea monsters—especially the Thousand-Hand Centipede, which had destroyed Tokyo and ignored all conventional weapons—with fear, while others felt worshipful awe.

Through its string of destructive actions, the Thousand-Hand Centipede had become Blue Star's undisputed superstar. No celebrity could match its popularity.

For Sakura Country, the Thousand-Hand Centipede's departure finally allowed the entire population to breathe a sigh of relief.

Under Prime Minister Saionji Ito's command, Sakura Country's leaders announced the lifting of martial law nationwide. The entire country threw itself into production and recovery, repairing the destruction and trauma caused by the sea monster attack.

Yet at that very moment, someone did not want Sakura Country to have an easy time.

On December 25, 2032, a piece of news suddenly swept across the Asia-Pacific region.

<Jieko Group announced that, in order to safeguard navigation in the Pacific Ocean and prevent sea monsters from attacking ships and causing civilian casualties, it had specifically formed a Far East Task Force. The task force included the Irawaddy, Salween, and Manberamo, three Devourer-class Deep Submergence Cruisers, along with the corresponding destroyers, frigates, supply ships, amphibious assault ships, and landing ships.>

As the news spread, the Far East Task Force formed