When leaving the Army Ministry, Nagata no longer had the urgency he had when seeking an audience with the Army Minister. He was even able to stop and exchange a few words with the officers who saluted him.

Captain Owada knew Nagata Tetsuzan had extensive connections, but he didn't expect Nagata to be able to call so many officers by name. He could even name some graduates of the Military Academy who hadn't passed the entrance exam for the Army War College and had instead become field officers through accumulated merit, chatting affectionately with them.

This moved Captain Owada somewhat. As Nagata got into the car, he said, "Could you take me to the Futabatei Restaurant first? If it's open, I'd like to get something to eat."

Captain Owada knew that Nagata Tetsuzan had been running around for so long with nothing but a rice ball and a bowl of kelp soup, so he hurriedly ordered the driver to change course. There were few pedestrians on the streets along the way. Most restaurants that usually operated until around 10 o'clock had closed, and the few that still had lights on had their doors pulled shut, making it unclear if they were open.

Arriving at the Futabatei Restaurant, they saw a waiter taking down the door curtain, looking like he was preparing to close up. Seeing Nagata arrive, he quickly bowed in greeting. Nagata chatted with the waiter for a few sentences, then turned back to Captain Owada and said, "Captain, it's so late, you go back first. I have guards with me, nothing will happen."

Captain Owada wanted to wait here, but seeing Nagata looked like he wanted to relax properly in the restaurant. Thinking of the fierce fighting Nagata had seen in Seoul, Captain Owada also understood that Nagata really needed to completely release his stress at this time. In fact, after sending Nagata to the Imperial General Headquarters, Owada had already noticed that Nagata Tetsuzan hadn't brought any money, and had reported this to Tanaka Giichi's adjutant.

The adjutant immediately approved a small sum for Owada and told him that if Nagata Tetsuzan wanted to relax, even if it was going to Yoshiwara, he must be taken there. The bill would be charged to the Army Ministry's account. So Owada ultimately obeyed Nagata's order and left first, not daring to disturb Nagata's mood.

Just as the car left, from behind the drawn curtains inside Futabatei, someone watched the car's movements carefully. Even after the car had left and was no longer visible, someone dressed in civilian clothes went out to stand sentry outside the door.

The owner of Futabatei welcomed Nagata at the door, bowing deeply. "Your Excellency Nagata, I read about your heroic deeds in battle in the newspaper and was exceptionally moved. I deeply regret that due to my age, I cannot go to the battlefield to kill the enemy under your command. I look forward to your active service, Nagata-kun. I will take my leave for today."

Seeing Nagata smile and express his thanks, the owner bowed again and left without lingering for a moment.

Nagata walked into the main hall of the Futabatei Restaurant. Many officers had already gathered here; every key member of the Futaba-kai who could come had arrived. The Futaba-kai was originally an organization of young field officers, but seven or eight Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels who had previously refused to formally join as peripheral members had also come. The crowd stood on both sides, and as soon as they saw Nagata enter, they immediately saluted. Nagata returned the military salute, then shook hands with everyone one by one.

The layout of the French-style restaurant customarily featured square tables covered with snow-white tablecloths. At this moment, the square tables had been pushed together to form a long table, covered with a single large tablecloth. The head seat was left empty, and the field officers clustered around Nagata as he took the seat of honor. Without needing waiters, officers acted as servers, pouring champagne into the arranged goblets. Nagata stood up, his expression devoid of arrogance. "Gentlemen, the Kwantung Army and the Chosen Army have been annihilated. Principal Kawai Misao committed seppuku. Let us observe a moment of silence for His Excellency Kawai Misao and the officers and men who died for the country."

The officers' expressions immediately became solemn. Everyone stood up one after another, bowing their heads in silence together with Nagata Tetsuzan. After a minute, Nagata Tetsuzan said, "Silence ended. Please be seated."

At this point, the officers were no longer overly excited, waiting wordlessly for Nagata's address. Nagata said, "Gentlemen. We are all aware of He-kun's talent; no one has ever dared to underestimate him. Even so, we still underestimated He-kun, leading to today's situation. The Northeast Government commanded by He-kun is already a confidant trouble for the Empire. Although the Northeast Government is a local government of China, this war is a national war for the Empire. Gentlemen, you will inevitably fight on the front lines. I will likely return to the Korean front very shortly. If you have any questions about the front lines, please ask them now. After this, I fear I won't have time to gather with you all like this again."

Many of the officers had wanted to express their admiration, but hearing Nagata speak so earnestly, they focused their attention on military matters. Obata Toshishiro, whose status in the Futaba-kai was second only to Nagata, sighed at this moment, "Nagata-kun has been greatly active on the front lines. The veteran generals in the army all highly praise Nagata-kun's command. I cannot hope to catch up to Nagata-kun. However, Nagata-kun fought bitterly on the front lines; did He-kun command personally? Which of the enemy generals left a deep impression on Nagata-kun?"

Although Obata Toshishiro spoke politely and indeed sincerely, Nagata didn't think Obata Toshishiro had truly extinguished his thoughts of contending for the leadership of the Futaba-kai. But Obata's question was indeed well-asked. Understanding the strength and characteristics of the opposing generals would indeed be helpful when encountering them in the future. So Nagata recounted some things he had observed about the Northeast Army generals.

Questions came one after another. Implicitly, Nagata Tetsuzan had firmly established himself as the core of the Futaba-kai field officers. The field officers were well-informed; news that Nagata would become the Chief of Staff of the Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army had been circulating for several days, and everyone had heard something about it.

From now until the end of the war, the vast majority of the Japanese Army would be incorporated into the Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army at some point. As the Chief of Staff of the Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army, Nagata Tetsuzan was no longer the star of tomorrow as before, but the flower of famous generals of the present.

The conversation lasted until very late. After finishing their discussions, some field officers stood up to take their leave. They had official duties and had squeezed out time to attend this meeting. But Nagata Tetsuzan signaled Obata Toshishiro and a few other field officers with connections to the Palace not to leave for the time being.

When everyone else had left, Nagata Tetsuzan ordered someone to check again that no one was listening in, then whispered, "I have a matter to ask of you all. Please facilitate a summons for me by the Crown Prince as soon as possible."

This request was not strange. Because the Futaba-kai itself was a group of young officers organized around the banner of the current Crown Prince Hirohito, with the righteous cause of sweeping away the domain cliques and reorganizing Japan.

Obata Toshishiro replied, "Please rest assured, Nagata-kun. We will certainly push for this with all our might. There should be a result within one or two days."

Nagata said seriously, "With the situation as it is, what I need is not just a summons to inquire about the war situation on the front lines. I also need His Highness the Crown Prince to host a banquet."

Hearing this request, Obata and the others couldn't help but look at him askance. Nagata was actually asking the Crown Prince to bestow a banquet; did this sound like a request a subject should make of his lord?