Kiriya Kitagawa
Field Marshal Sir Kiriya Kitagawa KG, GCB, CLE, DC, CMG, GEO, GOH (21 July 1965) is a Lucis Army officer.
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. Like his grandfather and father, He is recognised in the Erebonian Empire as the first and only foreign chancellor of Thors Military Academy where he served from 1992 to 2008. He remains headmaster through an honourary role.
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 91, 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.
Known for his ability to have Eidetic memory and to forsee and predict movements, he is considered to be one of the most sought after commanders among the Allies, gaining admirers, even from his enemies. 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 is 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. Unlike his father and grandfather who were born in Nihhon-koku, He was born in Toronto to Arata Kitagawa, A Brigadier 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. In his studies, many professors were impressed by his brains and wits, being described as one of the most accomplished students in the university. Her grandmother described Kiriya as having the brains and foresight of his grandfather. Because of this, Kiriya was given a special privilege to finish his studies for 3 years rather than the usual 5 years.
He graduated from the University of St. Georgius with a title of "Most Noble Degree" and was commissioned in the Lucis Army in 1984 at the age of only 19. He was assigned to the Tristanian Guards as a Lieutenant.
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 Kitagawa 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.
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. He also formed bonds with his counterparts that included Mevludin Abarronbašić, Bo Tae-sung, and Zeyar Thun.
Thors Military Academy Chancellor
From 1988 to 1992, Kiriya served as a professor when not in duty at the Thors Military Academy. Despite not having a teaching license, Kiriya possessed incredible knowledge that he inherited from reading and self-studying during his time in USG. The academy was low on professors and Kiriya's experience in the field, as well as his knowledge proved a vital asset for the academy. He was paid with a monthly salary of 700 Erebonian Mira, which was roughly more than the average salary of the professors, equalling that of a managerial salary.
In 1992, He was offered to become the headmaster for the Thors Military Academy by the board of directors on the advice of his father, Brigadier Arata Kitagawa, who was at that time involved on refining Erebonia's Army doctrine. Although it was first initially offered to him, Arata couldn't bear the duties of being a school headmaster, and so he referred his son, who was also a seasoned commander and tactician. He believed that Kiriya's young age would be of use for the academy's planned changes. It took some time before Kiriya 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.
As headmaster, Kiriya was in-charge of implementing a set of policies and rules. After the school's policy was handed to him, he had noticed that most of the academy laws favoured the upper classes. Hence forth, he called an election between the board of directors to amend the academy's constitution. While his efforts had faced opposition, especially from nobles, those who wanted to alter the constitution won by majority. As a result, Kiriya made certain changes that included:
- The removal of racial and class segregation in the academy and the permanent acceptance of transferees and foreign students.
- The implementation of extra co-curricular activities through academy clubs such as fishing, shooting and airsofting, gardening, cooking, and other regular daily activities.
- Home Economics were made mandatory for both men and women. The study of theology was to be made mandatory along with the imperative electives that include Erebonian History, Military Science, Art, Orbal Science, Political Economics and Combat Studies.
- Political meddling and the involvement of nobles in the academy's institution was made illegal and punishable according to the judgement of the Supreme Court of Erebonia.
- The amendment making provisions on turning the Thors Military Academy from a Private-funded University and Academy into a Government-owned University and Academy. Resulting in entry and yearly fees seeing a massive reduction.
- The baseline for passing were wholly revised, in a sense that the passing mark was lowered down to remove academic strain on the student.
Although the changes did not turn the Thors Military Academy into Erebonia's Premier University, nor did it surpass the University of Heimdallr, but it drastically improved student life and quality education into the academy. This resulted into the transformation of the Thors Military Academy from a Private and Privileged Military Academy and University for the upper classes into a Public Research Military Academy. Kiriya also laid the foundation of the framework on the opening of a new branch of the Thors Military Academy in Fort Daidoji Kitagawa. But the idea wouldn't be implemented until 8 years after his resignation by Olivert Reise Arnor as a result of political meddling. Kiriya's idea behind the new branch was to welcome more students from foreign countries and the lower classes. But the nobility meddling delayed its implementation, which greatly upsetted Kiriya.
Apart from his role as a headmaster, 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. He also served as professor and mentor to prominent Erebonians like Irina Rainford, Mary Artheim, Priscilla Reise Arnor, and Olivert Reise Arnor. He also served as professor to his future TF 141 members, Waldemar Fegelein and Sarah Valestine.
He served until 2006, in which he was the longest-tenured headmaster of the Academy, after being reelected thrice by the board of directors until his voluntary resignation due to his reassignment to the UK.
In addition to his command of the Thors Military Academy from 1992 to 2006, He also served as one of the field commanders of the Special Air Service until 2010. 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. In 2010, he was awarded the title of the Honourary Chancellor of the Thors Military Academy for his achievements and improving student life and quality of education in the academy. Up to today, He still makes frequent visits to the Thors Military Academy, being given the privilege to speak in front of many classes.
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 late 2025, 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.
Throughout the war, Kiriya waged war against both the Imperials and the Neocons through the Partisans who crippled the war effort of the two sides. As a result, both sides never uncovered that Kiriya had been largely responsible for the various crippling operations that slowed the advances of both sides. Kiriya also largely rescued Abdul Rashid and his family from being captured by the Neocons in mid-2026. He knew what it meant when Rashid was captured. As a result, he obtained some of the most vital information that he could use to wage war against the Imperials and the Neocons. Despite obtaining the information about the Seleucid artifacts and its limitations, Kiriya allowed the Neocons to obtain the major artifacts that would allow the Neocons to gain a significant advantage. However, this would became a part of his plot to trap the Neocons into a false sense of security as he knew that once the Imperial threat had been taken care of, the Neocons would target Heimdallr next.
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
In the events prior to the Neocon War, Kiriya remained an active commander of Task Force 141, as well as remaining as chancellor of the Thors Military Academy. Yamato had returned and his family became complete once again. However, the threat of the Neocon forces loomed across the Heimdallr forces. In 20 March 2030, the Neocons suddenly launched a preemptive invasion of the Democratic East Europan Union. However, Kiriya had already foresaw the invasion and had advised Prime Minister Friedrich Albricht to prepare pockets of resistance and wage an endless partisan warfare across East Europa, which Albricht carried out.
Kiriya, upon hearing the planned invasion of Taoyuan and of the rest of the Southeast Asianna islands was unable to make preparations for its defence. Despite this, he was joyed to see that the Taoyuanese Government under President Tsai Mei-Ying had successfully escaped the Neocons and fled for the safety of Zanarkand before reaching the United Kingdom. Being aware that the Heimdallr Forces were outnumbered, Kiriya organised a massive preparation across the Heimdallr nations to conduct guerilla and partisan warfare in order to cripple Neocon war effort whilst allowing the Heimdallr forces to regroup.
In 2033, the Neocons moved to the second phase of their war plans, which was the subjugation of key Heimdallr nations which were out of reach of Heimdallr. Kitagawa received word that the Neocon 5 were preparing to strike a deal with the neutral nations of Guadosalam Federation and Ingelmia. The reason being that should Guadosalam and Ingelmia join the side of the Neocons, then the latter would be able to strike a blow behind the Heimdallr forces by means of invading Archadia-Archedes, Rhodeia, Basel-Ebel, Archadian Arithea, Zanarkand, New Akiba, and Nihhon-koku, thus imparing the Heimdallr's ability to sustain a prolonged war.
As he had foresaw this, he immediately opened communications with Guadosalam President Alberto Alejandro Mancini and aged Ingelmian leader Julius Junios. The former was willing to cooperate with Kitagawa while the latter still had doubts. Ingelmia had waged war against both Zanarkand and New Akiba from the last war. However, the country was racked with a crisis that caused the economy shrink over 10 years. Although the Neocons promised economic support for both countries, they had doubts on the sincerity of the Neocon's promise and opted to listen to Kitagawa. Through Group 7B2, Kitagawa managed to crack the truth behind the Neocon's promise of economic support, which was a false agenda and that in truth, the Neocons had eyed to plunge the two countries into a debt trap and incite a rebellion to install a puppet government within the two countries. Horrified by what Kitagawa had revealed, the two leaders immediately accepted Kitagawa's cooperation.
In late 2034, Neocon delegates and leaders met with both Guadosalam and Ingelmia's leaders and their respective cabinet ministers at the Meeting at Hanoi. Mancini and Junios made extortionate demands to the Neocon 5; which included massive tons of shipment of arms, supplies, and men to aid the respective invasions mentioned in the 2nd Phase of the War plan, a simultaneous attack on all the nations listed in the 2nd phase, the turnover of Archadia's territory to Guadosalam, and the Ingelmian control of Oceanian countries, Rhodeia, Archadian Arithea, and Basel-Ebel, and a massive economic support to relieve their critical economic and military situations.
The meeting lasted for seven hours. Both Pan Nam-seon and Robert Starkweather had assured that they can be able to carry out the economic support as was seen with their puppet state of Taoyuan. Despite the 5 Neocon leaders counteroffers, the demand by Mancini and Junios was seen by the five leaders as too exorbitant for the Neocons to accede to, despite having the capability, and the fact that if they complied, then they wouldn't have any resources left to wage war against the rest of Europa, Amerigonna, and Africanna. Both Mancini and Junios had followed Kitagawa's strategy in order to keep both Guadosalam and Ingelmia out of the war and remain neutral. As a result, the Neocons were unable to carry out the 2nd Phase and immediately moved to the 3rd Phase, which was Operation Total, the Neocon Invasion of the Erebonian Empire.
As a result of Kitagawa's continuous crippling of the Neocon war machine in East Europa through the partisans, the invasion of Erebonia was delayed to 12 July 2035 in order to bring in reinforcements, supplies, and munitions pulled out from other fronts. In addition, certain artifacts were taken in preparation for the invasion. Although the invasion went smoothly for the Neocons at the first months, this led to the Neocons in believing that the Heimdallr forces were not capable of waging a massive war on all fronts and as a result, Operation Absolute, the Neocon Invasion of the Republic of Calvard was launched. But only by September. However, all of these went according to Kiriya's plan that by October, the Erebonian Winter had begun.
Kitagawa, being fueled by Rashid's knowledge and research, had correctly predicted during the Chalcedonic War that the Neocons would use a Seleucid artifact known as the Chronodotic Tablet in order to turn the Erebonian Winter into Spring to make it easier for the Neocons to maneuver in the Scandinavian landscape. Although they were able to halt winter in October; The vastness of Scandinavia, coupled with the artifact's use in the simultaneous Neocon invasions of Calvard, Liberl, and Erebonia became too much for the artifact to unleash its powers. As a result, the tablet's powers were abused to the point of no return, resulting in the tablet falling into disuse and plunging much of Scandinavia into a vast ice age-like period that became known as the 2035 Scandinavian Frost, which became the worst winter ever recorded in Eordis history with temperatures dropping to a −30 °C and lasting until mid-2036. Although the Neocons made certain preparations for Winter, they were unable to foresee the disaster, which halted their advance just short of Heimdallr. Kitagawa capitalised on this and ordered Heimdallr forces to launch the Allied Winter Counteroffensive of 2035-2036, which forced the Neocons to retreat.
In the following year, the Neocons made a final attempt against the Heimdallr forces with Case Violet, planned by Joyonghean General Chang Gwan-mook, which called for a Neocon invasion of Western Erebonia to capitalise on controlling Western Erebonia's vast heavy water production and invading the rest of Erebonia from there. Kitagawa did not foresee the incoming offensive but was flexible at reacting to the situation. He and his former student, General Erwin Neithardt launched Operation Herald, which slowed and prevented Neocon incursions into the Telemark region and to contain the Neocons at Kongsberg. Kitagawa immediately ordered Marshal Thiệu to conduct guerilla warfare, which successfully scattered 2 Neocon Army Groups. By November, Kitagawa launched the counteroffensive and forced the Neocons back into Kongsberg.
Kitagawa's strategy had saved much of Western Erebonia and prevented the fall of its most vital heavy water plants to the Neocons. By late-January 2037, the remaining pockets of Neocons surrendered to Heimdallr, marking it as the first surrender of a Neocon force in the war. Kitagawa had outsmarted the Neocons by preparing ahead of the capacity of war and the weakness of waging a continuous offensive war during harsh climate, which became one of the biggest mistakes by the Neocons committed during the war.
Later in the war, Kitagawa's life was the target of the Neocon's most ambitious operation, Operation Downfall which was the plan to bring a swift end to the war by assassinating him, toppling Heimdallr governments, and forcing the Heimdallr forces to surrender. Kiriya and Thieu's old colleague, Gallian General Harold Shepherd Roth was bought again in the picture with him serving as a suboordinate role. However, Roth was becoming disillusioned with the war as the Heimdallr forces as they could not gain the upper hand. Roth believed that the only way to end the war was armistice with the Heimdallr forces 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 Neocons through General Chang Gwan-mook.
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 Szasa served as Chang's direct contact to Roth and Benedict from that point on. Chang would point Benedict, Roth, and Lupo as important contacts for assassinating Kiriya.
Unbeknowst to them, Kiriya largely knows Szasa as being a staunch backstabber in both business and in life. This was the case when Szasa 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 2037, 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 Chang as evidenced when he planned an "operation" in Aurucolia, with his forces meeting against Task Force Nicator and Roth's Shadow Company. 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. Kiriya knew that Roth was in the league. He 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 Szasa, 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 Szasa 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 late of March 2038. On 21 March 2038, Task Force Nicator "assassinated" Kitagawa, not knowing that he had deployed a double in his place and that he was really in Trista at the time the assassination took place. Immediately, Fort Daidoji Kitagawa was placed on high alert, with Task Force Nicator being classified as terrorists.
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 Rumania where they were to sign the instrument of unconditional surrender. Chang and other Neocon Generals and guards were present. However, to the shocking surprise of everyone in the summit, Roth was killed after William 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. Following this event, Kitagawa would commence several counteroffensives against the Neocon forces, ending in the closing days of Operation Landslide, the final attempt of the Neocons to subjugate Scandinavia.
Following this event, Kitagawa would formally turnover command of Task Force 141 to his eldest son, Yamato Kitagawa after promoting him to Brigadier, whilst his 2nd son, Naoto Kitagawa became a Chairman of Thors Military Academy. With that, the Kitagawa's became one of Erebonia's most influential families, having 3 Kitagawas to hold high positions of power. In addition, Kitagawa was dubbed as the Saviour of Heimdallr by Emperor Eugent Reize Arnor III for his counteroffensives.
In the last years of the war, Kitagawa would warn Rashid not to go after the Kataibatic Tablet, which was considered as the most powerful Seleucid artifact that ever existed. Rashid would keep his word to Kitagawa. But soon after, he began to possess the feeling that it would be right to go against the advice of letting the neocons obtain the most powerful Selucid artifacts being in possession of the Heimdallr Council, making the Neocons thinking twice of an operation to retrieve it. As a result, Rashid, without Kitagawa's permission, sent Detachment K to obtain the tablet. However, Task Force Nicator, along with a handful of Seleucid descendants would prevent them as Ziyaad managed to activate the Tablet's powers against them, nearly obliterating most of Detachment K. In the early hours following the failed operation, Yamato managed to confront his old friend, Gabrielle Reuter into revealing the operation, causing him to warn his father of Rashid's operation.
Kitagawa immediately demanded all of the Heimdallr Task Force personnel to assemble by the briefing room. When Rashid and the surviving members of Detachment K arrived, they received a massive scolding from Kitagawa, saying that he had caused the Neocons to now be on their foot against them and that he had ruined his plans for a surprise operation against them. Rashid and the members of Detachment K tried to reason out but Kitagawa would turn their arguments against them. After much intense scolding, Kitagawa made his conscience clear and announced his resignation as the Commander of the Heimdallr Task Forces on the spot, which deeply upset many personnel, including most of the Big 6. Kitagawa would however remain as commander of the Lucis Commonwealth Armies in Erebonia and Chancellor of Thors Military Academy but would no longer meddle in the affairs of the Task Force personnel, seeing as the men that the had trusted the most would go against his most important order and believed that his orders were beginning to fall on deaf ears. He designated his son Yamato as his successor.
After Kiriya had left, a short power struggle ensued with Thieu acting as Yamato's adviser. Upon hearing the news, Ziyaad immediately moved to activate the powers of the Kataibatic Tablet, unleashing the Kataibatic Event, which caused members of the Big 6 to scold Yamato as Thieu defended him. Kiriya would be impressed by Yamato's refusal to launch any operations against Ziyaad and the Neocons, knowing that his son knew that Ziyaad would activate the powers of the tablet and plunge the world into a cataclysm. Following the first cataclysm, the Big 6, with the exception of Thieu, doubted Yamato's command and plotted to remove him out of office. However, Yamato had ordered most of the Heimdallr Task Forces to move out of Erebonia and head to Gallia, causing the Big 6 to unable to possess any force against Yamato.
Following the second activation of the tablet, as Ziyaad felt that Kitagawa was no longer after him, Kiriya gave a signal to Yamato to trail Ziyaad by sending his men near Karakul Lake. From there, Yamato would only order his men to go to Karakul Lake to lie in wait for Ziyaad and those of Task Force Nicator who were still loyal to him in an ambush. Yamato led the Task Forces in the field during Operation Dawnlight as he bought time for Kasimira and the others to face Ziyaad at Karakul Lake. Following Ziyaad's death and the prevention of the activation of a 3rd Cataclysm, Kiriya felt that Yamato had now become responsible enough to lead without his guidance. Following this operation, Yamato would win the trust of the Big 6, fulfilling his vision for his eldest son.
Post War and Retirement Life
Following the war, Kitagawa, along with the Big 6 were reunited to serve as prosecutors for the Neocon War Criminals during the Randgriz Trials of 2040-41. Following the trials, Kitagawa would finally retire from all of his appointments and designating Yamato as his successor. In Thors Military Academy, he was subsequently succeeded by his youngest daughter, Katsuragi Kitagawa as Chancellor of Thors Military Academy, being the first woman to do so and the second foreigner after her father to serve as Chancellor of the academy.
In the Post War period, Kiriya opened a Coffee House in Erebonia; opening branches in Trista, Heimdallr, and Leeves. He remained physically active and was known for running his business' everyday operations. His wife joined him in retirement and runs the branch at Leeves. In their spare time, they hosted coffee chats in their Heimdallr branch and were often invited as motivational speakers for Thors Academy students.
Personal Life
What began as a teacher-student relationship blossomed into romance when Kiriya started dating his former student, Aurelia Le Guin, with Kiriya being 6 years her senior. Aurelia developed a strong relationship with him as a result of his abilities in combat, which many considered to supersede Aurelia's skills in combat. Aurelia became pregnant in December 1992. She gave birth to their first son, Yamato Kitagawa born in 1993. She married Kiriya during her 2nd pregnancy. Their second son, Naoto Kitagawa was born in 1994. The couple later had 2 daughters, Yukari Kitagawa (born 1996) and Katsuragi Kitagawa (born 1998).
Kiriya's natural hair color is brown. But when he was in his teens, his hair began to turn to grey prematurely due to genetics. As a result, he often dyed it brown 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. His sons, Yamato and Naoto would inherit it as well. While Yamato kept his white hair, Naoto dyed his.
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 gray 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.
Personality
Kiriya is known to be very loyal and generous to allies and friends, but would always get vengeance if betrayed. He was also a very loving and caring father and husband to this family. Kiriya valued family above all else. He also treated those under his command as his family, often knowing the status and conditions of men who were under his command, even when he served as a leading commanding officer of the SAS. He is very smart and logical as a tactician and strategist, always knowing when to take the move or not, and how to go around it or so. Kiriya was described as having the foresight of a master chess player, able to predict the ramifications and possible opportunities from seemingly random events years in advance and was known to use reason to solve problems and using violence as a last possible resort. Kiriya was also shown to be a great adviser to Yamato after he took over. Kiriya is also a master shooter and a weapons expert.
Kiriya viewed egotists who humiliated those beneath them out of a need to feel powerful as stupid, insecure, and recklessly creating enemies everywhere. Although he could be cold with those who had offended him, Kiriya never lost his temper. Although when triggered, Kiriya can turn into a different person, one whose anger cannot be provoked. His daughter, Yukari describes him as a man on the loose whenever he threw a rage. This had multiple effects: it made his enemies vastly underestimate what he was capable of, but it made allies conversing and planning with him easier.
That said, Kiriya is coldly logical, and was decisively ruthless when carrying out operations. He knew when to act too quickly for his enemies to respond, but he also possessed the enormous patience to quietly bide some time for his enemies to let their guard down, he also showed willingness to lose ground to enemies to lure them into a false sense of security. When faced with a problem, Kiriya never allowed anything to get between him and a solution. Not many know how capable Kiriya is when crossed, which by that time, it was too late to react, as seen during the Deseleni War, when Abdul Rashid plotted his elimination in order for Deseleni Spec ops get the upper hand and greatly weaken the Allies, only to be sent into panic when Kiriya survived, having outsmarted him and the entire Deseleni operatives, including the potential assassin, Medusa. This cold intelligence and calculating ruthlessness would be inherited by both Yamato and Naoto.
Kiriya was a man who never let himself be controlled by others, having grown up under a family with a proud military heritage. He viewed Yamato as a potential general while Naoto as a diplomatic man who can one day be a Prime Minister. He was also easily grief-stricken upon the news of Yamato's betrayal during the Imperial Crisis. Although the courts heeded a death sentence, Kiriya used his connections to spare Yamato of the death penalty. Stating the reason why, he only mentioned that he is his son, no matter what he has done. He is emotionally overjoyed when he and Yamato reunited and reconciled. Despite his sins, Kiriya still looked at Yamato as his successor, hence why he became willing to surrender TF 141's command to him. As for Naoto, he viewed him as a man who was more powerful that Yamato, being able to create relationships to his advantage and possessing the same calculating ruthlessness he possessed. Although he was shocked when Naoto refused to be a lawyer, he was nonetheless proud of Naoto's achievements in the field, often possessing leadership traits amongst the men in the field.
As viewed by Allied and Enemy personalities
"My friend is blessed by the gods of the future." - Marshal Phùng Minh Thiệu
"Thank God I'm his friend, otherwise he'd have me by the time I'm having my morning chai." - Marshal Mevludin Abarronbašić
"He is one of the most reliable and intelligent military commanders out there, maybe equaling Marshal Cheon Sang-ji." - General Bo Tae-sung
"Without a doubt, the greatest commander in the modern era. Not only can he command special forces, but also our own land formations regardless of the climate and terrain." - General Yonaharu Susaya
"His grandfather was saved us Erebonians from the Imperials. The father revised our infantry doctrine. And now the son has served our Emperor and Country with his deeds. He could have been easily mistaken for the most patriotic Erebonian to live. " - General Olaf Craig
"A gifted and talented officer, His tenure as Headmaster of the Thors Military Academy from 1993 to 2006 was considered by many to be the golden age. He removed political meddling, social class and racial segregation, and introduced common university studies like economics, chemistry, history, business, and other courses. He essentially turned Thors Military Academy into a breathable research university, from which we are still proud of." - Current Headmaster Otto Vandyck
Awards and Honors
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