Kiriya Kitagawa
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Kiriya Kitagawa | |
|---|---|
 Kiriya in 2020 | |
| Nickname(s) | Kiriya-sensei Old Man (by Sarah, in her drunk mode) |
| Born | 21 July 1961 Toronto, Ontaria, Rubrum |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  Lucis Army |
| Years of service | 1983 - Present |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards Task Force 141 Task Force 142 King's Military Academy of Manchester (Headmaster) |
| Commands held | Special Air Service Tristanian Guards Thors Military Academy (formerly Headmaster, currently Honorary Chancellor) |
| Battles/wars | Post-War of Lorican Aggression Crisis
The Troubles X924 (1998) Second Lucis Civil War Imperial Crisis Chalcedonic War Neocon War Deseleni War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Military Medal Legion of St. Georgius King's Volunteer Reserves Medal King's Commendation for Valuable Service Badge of Honor National Medal Erebonian Awards: Grand Knight of the Order of Heimdall Erebonian Armed Forces Deployment Medal Emperor's Medal for Outstanding Civil Service Legion of St. Olav |
| Relations | Daidoji Kitagawa (grandfather) Maggie Arseid (grandmother) Angus MacDonald (friend and former classmate) Karl Kretschmann (friend and former classmate) Belgen Gunther (friend) Roald Kankkunen (friend) Georg von Damon (rival) Caroline Redfield-Kitagawa (spouse) Yamato Kitagawa (son) Naoto Kitagawa (son) Yukari Kitagawa (daughter) Katsuragi Kitagawa (daughter) Victor Arseid (2nd cousin) Laura S. Arseid (later revealed as his second niece) Phùng Minh Thiệu (friend) |
Field Marshal Sir Kiriya Kitagawa KG, GCB, CLE, DC, CMG, GEO, GOH (21 July 1961) is a Lucis Army officer. He is the latest general to attain the rank of Field Marshal, The highest rank in the Lucis Army. He was commissioned in 1983 and served in the Post-War of Lorican Aggression Crisis that lasted up to 1986 in the Erebonian Empire under the Tristanian Guards. He is also the current headmaster of the King Military Academy of Manchester as well as being the first and only foreign headmaster of Thors Military Academy where he served from 1993 to 2000. His students included Erwin Neithardt, Irina Rainford, Mary Artheim and others. He is the grandson of famous Lucian EWII general Daidoji Kitagawa, who was known as one of Erebonia's Honorary Heroes and only Lucian General in the Imperial Army of Erebonia.
Kiriya would also be the oldest and longest serving military commander in history, retiring by the age of 94, three years following the Deseleni War. The newly-erected Trista Army Barracks located near the original Thors Military Academy was renamed to Kiriya Kitagawa Army Barracks & Intelligence Office in his honour following the war. Kiriya was present at its christening.
His sense of instruction and remarkable advice and command effectiveness made him one of the most admired and most celebrated Lucian commanders of the 21st Century and was commonly called "Kiriya-sensei" by many of the Commonwealth Army personnel as well as Gallian, Erebonian and Alterian personnel.
Early Life
Kiriya is of Lucian, Nihonnese and Erebonian Descent. He was born in Toronto to Souma Kitagawa, A Major in the Lucis Army and Elizabeth Wilkins, An Erebonian alumnus of the Thors Military Academy. His is also a grandson of famous Lucian EWII General Daidoji Kitagawa and his wife, Maggie Arseid; the sister of famous Erebonian EWII General Karl L.K. Arseid. He is fluent in English, Erebonian, Nihhonese, and French.
At the age of 10, his family moved to York, where spent his time learning about military history. Kiriya was not aware of his grandfather until they met in 1972, when he had found out his family's military heritage, with his grandfather, Daidoji being the most recognized. At that time, Daidoji was the most recognized and awarded field marshal in the Allied armies and the young Kiriya ought to follow in his footsteps.
He graduated from the University of St. Georgius with a title of "Most Noble Degree" and was commissioned in the Lucis Army in 1983. He was assigned to the Tristanian Guards as a Lieutenant.
Early Military Career
Hoping to achieve his grandfather's achievements, Kiriya first served with the Tristanian Guards and fought in the Erebonian Empire during the Post-War of Lorican Aggression Crisis. He was among the troops to make up the joint Lucian-Erebonian Task Force of sweeping the rest of the territory for any Pro-East Europan Groups. Kiriya gained his commander's attention when he defended a farmhouse and a church with only 150 men with himself as the only commanding officer. His timing allowed the Lucian and Erebonian Forces to reinforce their position. For this, He was awarded with the Military Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross. He was then recruited into the Special Air Service. Kiriya and his grandfather, Daidoji were present during the 1981 opening and christening of the Leeves Garrison Fort, which was renamed to Fort Daidoji in his honour and service to the Erebonian Army. He was knighted in 1986 for his contributions during the crisis.
At this time, He was outshining his commanding officers because of his battlefield strategies. He was recommended for a rank of Honourary Captain in the Erebonian Army. Though he turned down the offer, He nonetheless continued to serve the High Command and was promoted to Colonel in the Lucis Army and eventually, commanded the SAS himself. In 1993, He agreed to become the headmaster of the Thors Military Academy in Trista, Erebonian Empire and up to this day, He is the first and only foreign headmaster of the Academy. He also became the history, commerce and military studies head professor in the academy and noted that his favorite student was Erwin Neithardt. His bond with the student resembled an Uncle-Nephew relationship and would always rely on Erwin for new discoveries from time-to-time.
Military Career
In addition to his command of the Thors Military Academy from 1993 to 2000, He was also the commander of the Special Air Service until 2007, making him the longest serving commander assigned to the SAS. He was not only recognized in the UK and Erebonia, but also in other Commonwealth countries. He became a privileged commander of the Erebonian Special Air Service, The counterpart of the Special Air Service in Erebonia. Up to today, He still makes frequent visits to the Thors Military Academy, being given the privilege to speak in front of many classes.
He has formed many friendships that included two of his closest friends, Karl Kretschmann and Angus MacDonald; Belgen Gunther, Roald Kankkunen, including the King himself. He, however, despises Georg von Damon for him attaining the rank of General without his own skills and using connections to his advantage he once said in an interview:
"I would rather prefer to be working with a Porcavian than that dastardly bastard who relies on nothing more than his own colleagues and that he wouldn't even make a great commander"
Kiriya is also close friends with Quenminese General, Phùng Minh Thiệu and the two had been fighting alongside since 1985 during the Post-War of Lorican Aggression Crisis; more specifically, during the Southern Borderlands War in battles such as the Siege of Chiang Madao.
Second Lucis Civil War
During the Second Lucis Civil War, Kiriya was in Erebonia and played little part during the conflict. Although he was active in the ESASR, often sending Erebonian units to the UK to support the government. It was also during this conflict where Kiriya would recognise Sgts Richard Philip Todd and Klankain Auchinleck IV, both of which are members of the Zanarkian Special Air Service. From the two men, he also formed an early prototype of a multinational Allied Task Force that mostly consisted of Lucians, Zanarkians, New Akibanders, Rubrumians, and Erebonians.
In the later part of the war, Kiriya's efforts were recognised, especially that of his task force that he created. As a result, he was requested by the Allied High Command to form and test specific formations that not only served as Special Operations units, but also a unit that can handle multitasking from espionage, subversion, to surveillance. He would later base these experiences to form one of the most recognised multinational Allied Task Force in the later part of his life.
Imperial Crisis
Kiriya was one of the leading Lucian commanders during the Imperial Crisis. He, along with his friend, General Phung created one of the first allied task forces, namely Task Force 141 and Task Force 142. Being one of the most capable commanders the Commonwealth has to offer, Kiriya is among the most active commanders of the war to receive numerous praises for his command.
In mid-September, He was relieved of command by General Georg von Damon after the latter filed a case against him about him using a Valkyrian in the battle (using Valkyrians in battle was against the law in the Lucis Army). Riela Marcellis was taken away and this was the first time that Kiriya was out of command. The case was supported by Gallian Prime Minister Maurits von Borg. However, Gallian Regent Lord, leader of the opposition and a friend of Kiriya, Leon Thomas Theron filed a reversal case to reverse von Damon's take over and prove Kiriya's innocence. Leon believed that Kiriya (with he, himself and Leon knowing Reila's valkyrian blood) was innocent and never used any Valkyrians in battle.
On October 3, The Gallian and Lucian courts ruled in favor of Kiriya and Leon thus, Kiriya was proved innocent and received his command of Task Force 141 and 142 back with him as overall commander again.
In early 2017; After the Lunar New Year Offensive that pushed the allies into retreat, Kiriya masterminded and launched Operation Plumber in March 17 to retake lost territories from the Quenminese and Bethausian rebels. The Operation was a success and the Allied Forces took back at least 3/4ths of the lost territories. This resulted in Kiriya being promoted to Field Marshal.
Eurasianna War
In the years leading to the Eurasianna War, Kiriya was tasked with investigating the news with regards to an Imperial plan to start a pandemic. He inserted the a small force led by Richard Philip Todd and they confirmed the presence of such a plan but they were unfortunately captured. The Allied High Command, despite his pleading to commence a rescue mission, refused his request to go after and find their whereabouts. This led him to be tagged as a fugitive, hence his disobedience. Following this, the two major Commonwealth bases; Makihiro Sagisaka Commonwealth Base at Bai Bien Ngao and the Roy Peterson Joint Operations Headquarters Command, as well as the Okita Hanamura Barracks were closed. However, his close friend, Phùng Minh Thiệu arranged for his flight to Erebonia, where he set up TF 141 and 142s new official headquarters at Fort Field Marshal Daidoji Kitagawa Army Headquarters in Leeves. From here, Kiriya directed his force's movements. In June 2025, Kiriya finally located the whereabouts of Richard (who was known as Prisoner #173) in a Lorican Gulag. He was immediately rescued by TF 141 operatives, supported by TF 219 operatives.
In 2026, His close friend, Marshal Thiệu was convicted for helping Kiriya, who is a known fugitive tagged by the now Neocon ruled Allied High Council and was recalled back to Quenmin. Fearing the worst, he ordered his close friend, Vladimir Federov Pavlov, the CEO and a co-founder of Pavlov & Craig, to pose as Thiệu's attorney under the guise of Dmitri Alexandrovich. The reason for such is for Pavlov to smuggle him and the remnants of his task forces out of Neocon controlled territory and into Erebonia. During the trial, the jury found Thiệu guilty of all charges. However, his work with Kiriya had granted the Neocons the opportunity to raid the Imperials. As a result, his sentence was lightened and was forced to relinquish his command of Task Force 219, Task Force 853, and Group 7B2.
However, Pavlov managed to convince the Neoconservative jury on shipping him and the members of his task force who were still loyal to him to a Lorican Air Base at Retlava, which was 75kms from the Imperial Border on the grounds that Lorica recognises Thiệu as one of the legal Quenminese commanders who can travel to the country without a visa, as a nod to his efforts during the Imperial Crisis. Respecting Lorican law, the jury granted the request. Thieu and the remnants of his former forces were transferred immediately to Lorica the following day at Retlava. Pavlov used his contacts in Lorica to send in a replacement force of Lorican Guards to take over command of Guard Duty from the Quenminese. The replacement force was led by one of Pavlov's close friends, Colonel Oleg Antonovssky. Close to midnight of the same day, Antonovssky immediately woke up Pavlov and Thiệu to remind them that it was time to leave. The same Lorican force also shook Thiệu's troops awake. Under the cover of darkness, Thiệu, Pavlov, and the members of TF 219, 853, and Group 7B2 escaped unharmed and flew immediately back to Erebonia. They would arrive the following morning.
Prior to Thieu's departure from Erebonia, Kiriya wrote a letter to his friend, Erebonian Prime Minister Victor S. Arseid to grant asylum to Thieu and the remnants of 219, 853, and 7B2, which he automatically granted. During the flight, Thiệu had found out that he and the rest of his forces were granted automatic citizenship for their services. Kiriya and Vladimir would also arrange for the smuggling of Thiệu's family from Quenmin to Concordia, and from there, a clandestine RAF plane would fly them out to Gallia before finally getting to Erebonia.
In 2029, Kiriya was reunited with his son, Yamato Kitagawa after finding out that Yamato had been the informant who was helping him and the Gneisenau Circle and that his son had been begging for his forgiveness. Kiriya would forgive Yamato and would reinstate him as part of TF 141's core commanders in the field. Yamato would eventually show himself to be a cunning and resourceful commander as his father once was in his early years.
Neocon War
Kiriya, in his 70s by 2031, still served as an active commander of Task Force 141 and Task Force 142 despite his old age. However, he still wanted to retain responsibility and management of his force. With regards to operations, He had already turned over the command of his 2 forces to his eldest son, Yamato Kitagawa but he still remained as an advisor.
Deseleni War
Kiriya remained behind the curtains for the latter half of the Deseleni War. By 2041, Kiriya was already in his 80s and was heading to close to retirement. Kiriya was the one of the two remaining out of his best friends that included, Angus MacDonald, Karl Kretschmann, and Phùng Minh Thiệu that still had not retired by that time. The other being Gallian General Harold Shepherd Roth. He finished his duties by 2042 and returned to Lucis later that year.
However, the situation for the Allies during those years was weighing heavily with the Allied forces losing the entire war on all fronts. Hence, he was immediately requested by Allied High Command not to retire and to once again serve in the Allied High Command as a Commanding officer of the Special Forces. By this time, his Task Force 141 was already under full command of his son, Yamato. He would not reveal that he was coming out of retirement until 2046. In the span of 4 years that he was away, Kiriya had been meddling with Allied plans and orders planned for Yamato and the Task Forces in order to regain the upper hand. This worked successfully when the Task Forces retook Nihhon-koku without much bloodshed. There was already a series of growing discontent within Selucid-controlled territories and Kiriya sought to use this to their advantage.
When the news of Alice Janggok's betrayal reached him, he eventually revealed to his force that he has not, and will never retire as long as the war raged on. Along with the veterans of Task Force 141, 219, and 853; they were called again to active service. Kiriya also managed to convince his best friend, Phùng Minh Thiệu to step out of retirement. Despite Thieu being in his 90s, he decided to wear his uniform once again. The news of their comrades betrayal, coupled with Brigadier Kushineda's health tips, Thieu regained his strength and will that he had years ago.
In 2048, Kiriya and Thieu had found out that their old friend, Paek Kyung-soo had ratted them out, hence the reason why Deseleni Spec Ops continued to gain the upper hand against them. Hence they moved immediately to find his whereabouts. It took some time before they finally managed to find out his location and moved to assassinate him. Kyung-soo was later assassinated but not without their forces suffering casualties. It is Kyung-soo who also ratted them to Abdul Rashid. He found this out when it already became too obvious that Deseleni Spec Ops were moving against him and Thieu.
In 2049, Kiriya and Thieu's old colleague, Gallian General Roth was bought again in the picture with him serving as a suboordinate role. However, Roth was becoming disillusioned with the war as the Allies still could not gain the upper hand. Roth believed that the only way to end the war was armistice with the Allies surrendering unconditionally. Driven by his motivation to avenge the loss of his best friend, Georg von Damon, who Kiriya had relieved and imprisoned during the Imperial Crisis, he made his move and began to open surrender terms to the Selucids through Abdul Rashid. Roth would explain that Kiriya was the reason why the Allies successfully managed to invade Joyonghea and Quenmin.
Rashid would later realise that the reason why the Deseleni Spec Ops could not prevail against them was because of Kiriya himself. Roth planned out Case Silver, which was his plan to arrest Allied leaders and install Selucid Puppets, assassinate Kiriya and Thieu, and end the war in favour of the Selucids. While Rashid did not trust Roth, he continued to open his door to Roth as a way to get closer to assassinating Kiriya.
Kiriya's nephew, Benedict Kitagawa was the godson of Roth and was largely close with him. Benedict had been dreaming to become a commanding officer as his cousins and Roth would use this to his advantage and make Benedict his pawn. Roth used Benedict to continuously rat Kiriya out and gain information for Rashid to assassinate Kiriya. Roth's cousin, Johnny Lupo served as Rashid's direct contact to Roth and Benedict from that point on. Rashid would point Benedict, Roth, and Lupo as important contacts for assassinating Kiriya.
Unbeknowst to them, Kiriya largely knows Lupo as being a staunch backstabber in both business and in life. This was the case when Lupo coveted sums of cash from his clients, causing Kiriya not to trust him, and to become alert of him and Roth.
As early as late 2049, Kiriya was becoming wary of his nephew's actions, as well as Roth's "awkward" moves. Kiriya knew that Roth was ratting him out to Rashid as evidenced when he planned an "operation" in Bethausia, with his forces meeting against Deseleni Spec Ops. He saw this when Roth asked for the entire details of the operation. Kiriya wanted Roth to feel comfortable so he continued to give him information he wanted.
Not wanting Roth to suspect that he knows everything, Kiriya sent his second son, Naoto Kitagawa to move against them. He warned Naoto that Roth would move against either him or Yamato first, then he'll be vulnerable enough to be assassinated. He gave Naoto the advice that if anyone he was close with was associated with Lupo, then he would be the traitor.
Despite that there were moves by both the Allies and Selucids puppet states during that time to negotiate, Kiriya knew that Roth was in the league. Kiriya was distraught at the fact of his own close friend whom he trusted would betray him. However, he decides to make Roth think that they still have a healthy relationship, but only as a ploy to find out who Roth paid to who will set him up.
Naoto continued to talk and be close with Benedict, using Benedict's guillable personality to his own advantage. When Naoto asked Benedict if he knew Johnny Lupo, he denied. However by New Year's Eve, Naoto would discover Benedict's role in the plot when Benedict would inadvertently mention to his close friends that he and Johnny Lupo were in Gallia and went to a strip club together, contradicting his statement that he and Lupo knew each other when Naoto asked. Later that New Year's Day celebration, Naoto confronted his elder cousin, which Benedict runs in fear of his life. Benedict's betrayal would sent Kiriya heartbroken, as he was his favourite godchild, and was one of his grandfather's favourite grandchildren. This finally confirmed Kiriya's true suspicions about the plot against his life. However, he wanted nothing to happen to Benedict Roth was dead or the war was finished.
Kiriya was fully aware that Roth was gonna put his plan into play by the 115th Anniversary of the start of the Second Europan War and the 15th Anniversary of the start of the Deseleni War, with him being assassinated prior to him signing the surrender terms. On 15 March 2050, Roth's clandestine special forces operatives captured and held several allied leaders into custody, prompting Rashid to make his move. The following day, Rashid sent Diamantina Sarkatou, also known as Medusa to assassinate him and Thieu. However, both men were ready, with Kiriya having a double as a stand in for him. Most of TF 141 and 219 were aware of the plot, so they acted as if they were taken by surprise. Medusa successfully "killed" Kiriya and managed to escape unharmed with minor casualties.
After the smoke had cleared, the headquarters suffered minor damage, which the Erebonian Army and the Fort Daidoji Staff managed to mend in a matter of days. Kiriya now immediately moved with his plot to assassinate Roth. Roth and his staff were in Hotel Gandia in Selucid Rumania where they were to sign the instrument of unconditional surrender. Rashid, Medusa, and other Selucid General's Staff and guards were present. However, to the shocking surprise of everyone in the summit, Roth was killed after Marcus Hoang shot him with a sniper rifle just prior to 141 and 219 raiding the hotel. They managed to successfully complete their mission with minor wounds.
After this, a chain of events took place as rebellions and insurrections finally rocked the Selucid-occupied territories. Rashid would eventually realise that Kiriya outsmarted him, and this would be distraught at the fact that Medusa failed to carry out her goal. Rashid wanted another attempt at Kiriya but at that point on, Kiriya and Thieu already knew how he directed and moved his actions, and that it was pointless if he continued to try to pursue them. Kiriya would later order Yamato to exert an aggressive stance as they switched to supporting Arabian and Militesi rebels to revolt and rebel.
Personal Life
What began as an actress-fan relations with Kiriya Kitagawa blossomed into a real-life romance when Kiriya started dating with Caroline in 1988. They married on September 17, 1989. They had four children, 2 of which are decorated military men in their own way, Yamato Kitagawa (born 1990) and Naoto Kitagawa (born 1991). As well as 2 daughters, Yukari Kitagawa (born 1996) and Katsuragi Kitagawa (born 1999).
Kiriya's natural hair color is white but had it dyed when he was in high school because he was teased about being 'too young to be old'. Every now and then, Kiriya dyes his hair with black or brown. He is also known for his handsomeness from his college life to his 50s. However, He refused to go out with someone until he graduated and mentioned that Caroline was his first girlfriend. Despite his age of 50, He is named as one of the most handsome military generals. His grandmother, Maggie Arseid often described Kiriya as somewhat bearing a very close resemblance to his grandfather.
Kiriya is often called "Old Man" by some Task Force 141 members because of his white hair. Often times he would dye it to escape being called one. Despite it, he retains his youthful appearance. He carried habits such as drinking tea, eating raw vegetables, and other healthy practices from EWII Veteran Brigadier Tsukuyo Kushineda. Kiriya's wife would cook low calorie meals and would enjoy organic wine every dinner. His morning routine consists of working out and having morning tea with eggs. He enjoys drinking milk, a habit which he had picked up from his grandfather. Kiriya does not smoke and often meditates. However, he still enjoys drinking but mostly organic wine.