Summary

The next chapter is titled “Fire.” The nurse introduces herself as Masako. Having no other option, she goes with Hideki and describes the horrors she has seen. She says they initially treated minor injuries that became increasingly severe with inadequate supplies. They reach the next Japanese command post, already abandoned, and search for food. Hideki is horrified when he looks through a window and sees Shuri Castle burning. He feels completely hopeless because of the loss. Masako finds canned fruit and they open them with bayonets and eat until Japanese soldiers arrive, confiscating the rest. The soldiers force them to “rejoin the army,” citing again the argument that the Okinawan people should be willing to fight. Hideki finds he hates the Americans for attacking, but also hates the Japanese for giving them a reason to attack. They arrive at another post...