Tokyo's first "barbecue" was all about making a spectacular debut.
A few hours after the bombing, a B-29 flew high above Tokyo and was stunned by the raging inferno below.
The captain even radioed the base, reporting the results of the bombing in the simplest, most succinct words:
"Tokyo is cooked!"
But Tokyo wasn't cooked—not completely, at least!
The "barbecue master" silently puffed on his pipe without a word, as stoic as ever, while everyone else was swept up in a wave of jubilation.
"No matter what, use as many incendiary bombs as possible,"
Pierre said, standing by his side.
"Even if there aren't enough planes or incendiaries, the houses on the ground make the best fuel, don't you think?"
Li Mei, pipe in mouth, nodded slightly, glanced at him, and asked,
"Was it you who had them bomb the Imperial Palace?"
"It was just an accident. After all, it's the US Army Air Forces—how could I possibly give them orders?"
