Chapter 104: The Second Landing (Please Support the First Subscription!!)

Not long after the moniker "Godzilla" entered the public consciousness, protest marches bearing large banners appeared on the streets, with crowds chanting slogans declaring Godzilla a god. In Japan, the role of a powerful perpetrator seems to attract a surprising number of fans.

The protests were not limited to the island nation; environmental and animal rights activists across the Western world also responded from afar, waving flags and cheering for Godzilla. They demanded that the authorities do not harm the monster, claiming that "a monster's life is a life, too," and the demonstrations grew increasingly intense. While many were merely watching the spectacle or seizing the opportunity to profit, high-ranking government officials were busy preparing for combat and managing the aftermath, having no time to entertain them.

Simultaneously, the detailed Japanese government defense strategy against Godzilla was delivered to the Katahara family's shelter. Godzilla clearly did not seem like the type to gather intelligence, so the general combat plan was broadcast directly on television. However, the version detailed enough to include tank counts and missile models was not meant for the general public. Although Tokita Ohma did not qualify to receive this plan based on his assets or influence, his status as the Vice President of the Kengan Association still carried significant weight. Japan had intentionally sent a copy to him as well.

"Heh... so, the focus of the defensive strategy is entirely on the capital region and the Kanto area?" Katahara Metsudo asked with an amused smile, flipping through the pages of the plan.

"A rational decision," Ohma, sitting to the side, said while reading at an incredible speed. "Tokyo accounts for 17% of Japan's total GDP, and the Kanto region accounts for more than 40%. If this area collapses, there is no need to think about any plans to resist the monster; Japan might as well declare bankruptcy immediately."

"It seems that defending the entire country is too difficult," commented Yakushiba Hisayasu, who was sitting nearby listening in, shaking his head.

On the third day after Godzilla’s initial appearance, it reappeared on the coastline of Kanagawa Prefecture after a three-day disappearance. Its physical form had changed so drastically that it was unrecognizable from the footage left behind. Its height had nearly doubled, reaching 118 meters. Its skin resembled black rock that had cooled after flowing like lava, appearing uneven, jagged, and grotesque. Seemingly to support its massive weight, Godzilla’s lower limbs were disproportionately thick. A giant tail, longer than its body, swung slowly behind it, held constantly above its head. A tail capable of such movement under that self-weight suggested muscle tissue strong enough to level a mountain with a single strike. Its slightly opened mouth revealed a row of jagged teeth. The original Godzilla had no forelimbs, but the one that appeared now had grown a pair of small, deformed, stunted arms.

"Is... is this another Godzilla looking for its kin?"

In the combat command room, the Minister of the Environment stared at the screen, swallowing hard as he questioned Serizawa. The moment Godzilla appeared, the information reached the Japanese government, and a meeting was convened in the command room.

"No, this is not another one; this is the same one that left three days ago." Even the knowledgeable Serizawa was shocked by the rapidly growing beast. He stared at the screen with a furrowed brow and sighed, "It grew... it grew too fast!"

The atmosphere among the ministers at the conference table turned dismal. According to internal Monarch organization data shared by the United States, an adult Godzilla of this height is a monster capable of withstanding nuclear weapon strikes with little effect. Could their own weaponry even penetrate its defenses? Yet, they had to fight, regardless of the odds. If the people at the pinnacle of Japanese power lost the platform that was Japan, how high could they possibly stand? Thus, if only to secure their own power, they would not sit idly by and wait for death. Besides, the United States had promised to help!

"Although the data suggests it is terrifying, we must intercept it. Otherwise, given its current size and mass, even if it only stays on land for half a day, the capital region will be completely crushed!" A minister took a report from his aide and stated his position.

Another followed up, "According to Monarch's research, this Godzilla subsists on radioactive materials. If nuclear-related facilities are attacked as a result, the situation will become even more troublesome than Godzilla itself!"

At this point, under the pressure of the ministers, the Prime Minister had few choices left. Prime Minister Okochi, a man of great dignity, first looked at Professor Serizawa, who remained transfixed by the images of Godzilla.

"Professor, what is your take?" Because Monarch was a United States-led organization responsible for highly classified projects regarding monsters, he had to take his opinion seriously.

"With Japan's current firepower, we cannot hurt it at all," Serizawa said bluntly. "But if the goal is merely to make it change course... we might as well try."

The Serizawa family revered Godzilla, but they revered the *other* Godzilla and the laws of natural balance she represented. In the eyes of Serizawa, who had seen her form, this Godzilla, which had clearly mutated, was not natural at all. Previously, he had blocked Kayoko from delivering the blueprints to Japan mostly out of fear that if the coagulant in those plans were manufactured and used to freeze Godzilla, it would enrage *her*—whose attitude remained unknown—and cause the small island nation to suffer the attacks of two monsters. That would have been a truly hopeless situation. Now, however, given that he didn't believe the Self-Defense Force's firepower could inflict any effective damage, he didn't much care.

"Then, all units! Begin the operation!"

As the order was issued by the Prime Minister, a large number of waiting Self-Defense Forces moved into the city with various weapons, preparing the Kawasaki side as the interception battlefield. They began bombing the Tama River in Kanagawa Prefecture, while armored units lined the opposite bank, their tank barrels pointed toward the advancing Godzilla.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Even from several kilometers away, the monster's footsteps were enough to shake the dust beneath the feet of the Self-Defense Forces. After nearly half an hour of movement, Godzilla finally stepped onto land and walked toward the designated battlefield. This brought a measure of relief to the ministers in the command room. If this Godzilla's movement speed were comparable to the other one documented by Monarch, it would have already reached Tokyo within those thirty minutes. Its current sluggish behavior was, without a doubt, a good omen.

"If only it were as lacking in other areas as it is compared to the data," the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said with hope.

He was immediately interrupted by Yaguchi Rando, whose expression was grave. "Blind confidence and misjudging the situation are precisely the reasons why many tragedies occur." The young politician bowed to the minister to apologize for his rude interruption, but his tone remained cold and sharp. "Please, maintain your composure and observe the battle."