Chapter 272: Tokyo Sleepless Tonight

Masao Sano stepped aside, slipped on a pair of smart glasses, and dialed a number.

“Mr. Takehara, we’ve had a building collapse here with six dead, twelve injured, and nine missing. Additionally, there’s something else I need to report.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Dr. Shimizu attempted to remove Canister Number Three and got trapped in the process. We just rescued him, but he succumbed to his injuries before he could reveal the canister’s location.”

“Damn it, who allowed him to go after Canister Number Three? Haven’t you found it?”

“That area has collapsed again so it’s inaccessible. I think it’s best we bury the site completely to prevent any breach of Canister Number Three and leakage of its contents…”

“Right, your suggestion is sound. I’ll arrange for someone to handle it as soon as possible. Evacuate everyone from your office.”

“Understood, I’ll send them home and wait here for the people you’ve sent.”

Masao Sano gathered everyone and advised them urgently to go home as professional personnel would soon arrive to manage the site.

Ongoing aftershocks made it dangerous to continue any digging.

Displaying clear leadership, Sano bid farewell to his colleagues with either handshakes or pats on the shoulder, leaving them touched by his personal care before departing.

In truth, everyone was in a hurry to leave; after such a massive earthquake, there were concerns about their own homes and the safety of their families.

Watching the crowd disperse, a loquacious Sano suddenly felt an uncomfortable tickle in his throat and coughed a few times.

Sano waited until two in the morning, shivering with cold, before the personnel sent by Chairman Takehara arrived.

After exchanging a brief greeting and pointing out Dr. Shimizu’s location, he collapsed.

Despite continual aftershocks, many parts of Tokyo looked to be returning to normal, thanks to the government’s active disaster relief efforts.

Currently, city center’s giant screens broadcast news that the earthquake originated within Tokyo Bay, less than 30 kilometers from downtown Tokyo, at a surprisingly shallow depth of only 7 kilometers.

The magnitude was a staggering 9.1, and its proximity to the densely populated Tokyo prompted a preliminary death toll of over 32,000 people.

Ichiro Fujino, having left the institute, didn’t head home. Working alone in Tokyo, his family was far away in Hokkaido.

He kept to his routine of drinking after work, even on the evening of the earthquake.

Luckily, buildings in the bustling district remained largely intact, and some businesses continued to operate—typical of the resilience of the people of Japan.

But tonight’s quake was substantial, and many were wary of staying indoors, opting to gather on the streets or in open squares instead.

The hardest hit areas were the suburbs, especially near Tokyo Bay.

Conversely, the sudden surge of people in the downtown area actually boosted business.

After a drink, Fujino walked out into the cold night air and couldn’t help but sneeze several times.

Passersby glared at him with disdain, muttering about his lack of manners; some younger men even seemed poised to teach him a lesson.

“Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were there,” Fujino quickly apologized and bowed to the group, defusing a potential altercation.

Staggering towards the subway station, Fujino noticed the electronic street display broadcasting live rescue efforts on the other side of the city, close to Tokyo Bay. The noise was deafening as many were busy trying to rescue those buried under collapsed buildings.

The golden 48 hours after an earthquake are critical for rescue efforts.

Having just experienced disaster at the institute, where some colleagues had perished, Fujino found himself drinking heavier than usual tonight.

He watched the electronic screen intently for a moment before moving on, only to be stunned by a sudden change in the footage.

The rescue site had lost power, relying only on the great spotlights of the rescue team for illumination.

Located approximately 1000 meters from Tokyo Bay, the illuminated area suddenly shimmered like rippling water.

Then, panicked shouts erupted, “My God, the sea is coming up! There’s a tsunami!”

The frontline reporter urgently told the cameraman, “Let’s get out of here, it’s going to be submerged…” Yet before the sentence ended, the screen captured an onrushing flood and then went dark.

All around – those w

ho had paused to watch – now faced a blank screen, their hearts tightening for those affected.

A shiver ran down Fujino’s spine; the death toll from this earthquake would be significant.

Wrapping himself in his coat, he sneezed again and pushed through the crowd, rushing toward the nearby subway station.

The night deepened, and aftershocks continued unabated.

The streets grew busier as people discussed the night’s substantial tremors and the frequent wail of ambulance sirens cut through the air.

The rumble of helicopters occasionally pierced the night sky.

The city’s heartland parks were crammed to capacity.

Rumors swirled through the crowds, spread by the internet.

“There’s been a tsunami near Tokyo Bay, the sea has surged six kilometers inland, and many couldn’t escape. Who knows how many will perish.”

“Have you heard? The military has sealed off the area around the East Sea Nuclear Power Plant. Entry is restricted – isn’t the plant in trouble?”

“We’re not facing a fault like the ones in California, are we?”

…

At the Prime Minister’s residence.

“Sir, this is Professor Hiroji Iwata from the Tokyo University’s Department of Geology. He has some unique insights into this earthquake, and I believe he should report directly to you.”

The chief cabinet secretary, Mizukawa Kazuhide, brought a short, white-haired elderly professor to the prime minister.

The prime minister smiled warmly at Iwata, saying, “Professor Iwata, what is your perspective? I am keen to hear it.”

Iwata seemed focused on his research and not adept at small talk. Without exchanging pleasantries with the prime minister, he stated loudly, “Mr. Prime Minister, our nation faces an unprecedented disaster. We must start evacuating the population immediately!”

The prime minister’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he gestured invitingly, “Please, sit down, Professor Iwata, and discuss your reasons.”

Sitting down, Iwata eagerly began, “I’ve been monitoring the activity between the Pacific Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

Last year, I secured national funding for sensors along the Pacific coast, creating a monitoring network.

Tonight’s quake rocked the entire substructure of the Japanese Archipelago, raising the risk of collapsing strata in certain areas.”

The prime minister immediately asked, “Can I see this monitoring network’s data? I want to know where these strata collapses you mentioned could occur.”

As Iwata opened his laptop, he responded, “Let me show you right away, sir.”

Today is the first day of March. A little boost with your monthly tickets, perhaps?