Chapter 572: Ceasefire Line
For East Africa, blockading the Miyako Strait was not a difficult task. The current expeditionary fleet was capable of doing it. At that time, the Miyako Strait wasn't a particularly busy shipping lane, so East African naval patrols frequently harassed Japanese ships trying to pass through. Many slipped through, but those caught were forced to pay heavy taxes—or have their vessels seized.
With the East African Navy now protecting the area, construction on the Southern Ryukyu Islands—which had nearly come to a halt—resumed rapidly. Especially on Miyako Island, the northernmost island, East Africa resumed maritime traffic to the mainland and began expanding and renovating its port.
The fleet couldn't remain at sea indefinitely. The three ironclads were set to return to East Africa, while gunboats and other utility ships would remain to defend the Southern Ryukyus.
"Now you Japanese war criminals—seventeen of your ships have been sunk. Most of you surrendered. Though you no longer carry your former arrogance, being defeated by the East African Navy is still something to be proud of."
Under the scorching sun, East African naval officers lectured the captured Japanese sailors. Not all enemy ships had been sunk, and East African forces had rescued many from the water. These prisoners were now critical evidence of Japan's use of disguised naval personnel in the attacks.
The East African garrison and workers on Miyako Island watched with interest as the navy drilled the prisoners under the blazing sun.
"Your lives have been spared, but punishment remains. Starting today, you'll begin construction on your own prison. You should be proud to help build the very place where you'll be imprisoned."
The instructor's words were cutting. Forcing prisoners to build their own jail—especially ones who had attacked East African forces—was harsh but not undeserved.
East Africa had practical reasons for this. Miyako Island's original prison didn't meet its standards and couldn't hold over a hundred new detainees. It had been a small Ryukyu Kingdom facility—now entirely inadequate.
And that line—"your lives are spared, but you won't escape punishment"—had a deeper implication. If Japan didn't care enough to negotiate for them, they might well be left to die. Whether they survived depended on Japan's willingness to offer something in exchange.
From East Africa's perspective, only Takamori Morita, the big fish, was likely to be ransomed—his uncle was a high-ranking official with influence in the Japanese government.
And Morita's bold actions might even be celebrated in Japan as heroic—facing down warships with fishing boats could easily be spun into a tale of valor.
The blockade of the Miyako Strait was soon reported to the Japanese government by the affected fishing and commercial vessels. Ozawa Seiji had already warned them about the East African fleet's arrival, but they hadn't expected a full blockade.
The Japanese government quickly summoned the East African ambassador.
"Ambassador Kade, is your country declaring war on the Empire of Japan by blockading the Miyako Strait? That is a natural sea passage and a historic fishing ground for our coastal people. Your actions are outrageous!"
Kade replied, "That's not what I've heard. We have solid evidence that Japanese naval personnel disguised as fishermen attacked and looted our commercial vessels. East Africa is merely retaliating. Your so-called navy acted like pirates—and now you dare play the victim? Frankly, our blockade is merciful. You're lucky we haven't shut down your entire eastern sea route."
"Ambassador Kade, don't slander us! The Imperial Navy would never disguise itself to attack merchant ships. And whatever 'evidence' you have must be fabricated."
"Hmph. We have eyewitnesses and physical proof. If you refuse to admit it, that's your problem. But unless you publicly apologize and compensate us for the damages, the blockade will remain. Don't expect East Africa to be lenient with a shameless nation."
Kade was finally getting some satisfaction. He hadn't forgotten the embassy attack incident. Now, seeing Japan embarrassed, he felt vindicated—like old scores had been settled.
The Japanese diplomat, scowling, said, "Your demands are excessive. We will never agree. The Sakishima Islands and Miyako Strait are vital national interests. Prolonging this conflict is not in your favor—it's a bottomless pit. As long as thirty million Japanese live, we will not abandon our homeland."
Kade scoffed, "Tsk tsk. Don't act so sanctimonious. We East Africans know our history. The entire Ryukyu archipelago was never part of Japan. Even if it wasn't independent, it was a vassal of the Far Eastern Empire. Your own ancestors bowed to the Han court during the Han dynasty. So if your thirty million people are so proud, why not all jump into the Pacific and return the land to its rightful owner?"
Kade's logic was twisted, but had a grain of truth. More importantly, it mocked Japan's hypocrisy.
East Africa wasn't innocent either. It had seized land from Africans and enslaved them—a ruthless nation. But East Africa at least admitted it, while Japan pretended to be noble.
The Japanese diplomat was fuming, but knowing their current disadvantage, he bit his tongue. "Ambassador Kade, what exactly are your country's terms?"
Kade replied, "Actually, it's simple. Didn't you propose a division of the Ryukyu Islands with the Far Eastern Empire? East Africa just helped you implement it. Now you want to go back on that? Let's not waste time. Let's draw the line at the Miyako Strait—split the archipelago in two."
East Africa had no interest in the northern Ryukyus, so the two-state division was acceptable. Japan had proposed it once, which showed they were open to the idea.
Of course, Japan's ambitions wouldn't disappear. But East Africa didn't mind—Japan wasn't ready for war, and a few years of peace would give East Africa time to solidify control over the Southern Ryukyus.
For now, the Miyako Strait would become the de facto ceasefire line.
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