"What was that huge explosion just now, and that fire over by Senso-ji? What on earth happened?"
"Is it a fire, or did a chemical plant explode? I've never seen a fire this big in my life..."
"Even the Self-Defense Forces and tanks have gone into Asakusa. Something major must have happened."
Quite a crowd had gathered on the eastern bank of the Sumida River, just across the water from Senso-ji, pointing at the blaze rising from the temple and taking photos and videos on their phones.
Behind the crowd, a corner of the closed curtains in a high-rise apartment in Sumida Ward was pulled aside, and someone clung to the window to peer down.
After the Self-Defense Forces moved into Asakusa, sealed off almost half of Taito Ward, and evacuated tens of thousands of residents, a military operation on that scale could hardly escape notice. It had long since become the talk of the city.
For Tokyo's residents, the past two days had been nerve-racking.
First, rumors that the Great Mount Fuji Eruption might affect Tokyo had caused an uproar.
Then all sorts of rumors of uncertain authenticity had spread online, claiming that a barrier had appeared on Mount Fuji and countless monsters had escaped from the mountain to eat people.
Not even two days after the Great Mount Fuji Eruption subsided, another serious incident occurred: the Self-Defense Forces imposed martial law in Nishi-Asakusa.
All of Tokyo was instantly on edge.
Many residents who had no idea what was happening drove out of the city to wait things out in the countryside. Long lines of cars fleeing Tokyo overnight clogged several expressways and national highways completely.
But among Tokyo's population of over ten million, only a minority chose to seek refuge and wait. The vast majority still had to