A/N: There may be similarities in this chapter between mine and USTrooper's, so I give credits to him for the inspiration for this chapter and story. Also, I don't own GATE or anything in this story except for my own character.

Enjoy!

*insert opening theme (your choice)

Ginza District, Tokyo:

Minh's POV:

Here I am in the Ginza district of Tokyo, just minding my own business of finding some places to sightsee since I was on a two week leave from Hà Nội. Me, being the foreigner I am, ask for directions to the Imperial Palace. Since there was an police officer nearby, I decided to ask him for directions.

Me: Sir? Do you know where the Imperial Palace is?

By the way, I decide not to use Japanese here, since my Japanese vocabulary is limited and not as good as my English or Vietnamese.

Police officer #1: A foreigner huh? Well, the way to the Imperial Palace is this way-

As he was talking, I noticed strange people is Roman-like uniforms trying to disturb the peace. They looked about a good 300 yards from our location. I warn the officer to prepare himself.

Me (thinking): Cái đ*t...

Me: Sir, you better get ready, we have company up ahead, looks like invaders.

The police officer sees, widens his eyes, and gets ready his pistol out. I sneak into his patrol car and grab a R870 shotgun out of his car.

Police officer #1: Where did you get that from-

The police officer and I duck from a spear above our heads.

Me: Not now, we need to get the citizens out of the way!

I saw a few of the invaders in armor try to rush us, so I fired the R870 at them and killed all of them with one shot.

While this was happening, citizens all around us were scrambling to find shelter from the invaders. Then I yell to the police officer.

Me: Fall back! There's too much of them, we will not be able to hold them back further!

The police officer and I fall back to another location a few blocks down with another officer and citizen was about to get attacked. I was about to fire another shot from the R870 when-

Unknown man: (yells and tackles the invader to the ground, and punching him until he was dead.)

I help the unknown man up and tell him.

Me: You got some good moves there.

Unknown man: For a foreigner to say that, thanks.

I help him up. The police officers meanwhile are talking to themselves

Police officer #1: Hey man, you alright?

Police officer #2: Yeah, but how did that person get your R870?

Police officer #1: That doesn't matter now, since he just killed 3 guys in 1 shot, but we need to help that woman up. Also, we need to evacuate the civilians into the Imperial Palace!

Unknown man and me: Alright then, let's go!

A few moments later

Imperial Palace

Once the 4 of us got to the Imperial Palace, we saw many citizens in fear of what just happened. Luckily for them, they were guarded by riot police and a few SWAT members.

Riot Police officer to us: There will be some JGSDF units that will come assist us in about 10 minutes, for now though, we need to hold them off-

Me: Incoming!

The riot police and I start firing our weapons into the crowd of invaders who are trying to storm the palace. I manage to finish off about 4-5 guys in a few shots, but then I realized I was out of ammo.

Me: Sir, I think I can only defend that much for now, since I'm out of ammo for my weapon.

Riot Police officer: That's fine, gather up with the rest of the crowd.

I give the R870 back to the riot police officer, then go blend myself with the rest of the crowd, finding the unknown man in the process.

Me: Hey.

Unknown man: Hey. By the way, impressive shooting back there.

Me: Thanks, and by the way as well, there is a Japanese QRF heading our way, helicopters and tanks...and you get the idea.

Unknown man: Wait, how do you know the term QRF?

Me: I will tell you later.

When the helicopters and tanks arrived, man did they sure go full out with a bang. Literally destroying the horses and dragons of the invaders. The enemies who survived the hail of lead that was going through retreated into a full on rout, trampling over each other to get to the other side of whatever that portal was.

Me: Hell yeah! May nghĩ trước khi may định tân công một thành phố lơn (Think twice before attacking a large city)!

After that, the JGDSF and police started to go on the counter attack, driving the invaders into a tight circle. No one survived that, even the dragons that went on rampage just before. While that was going on, me and the unknown man introduced ourselves.

Unknown man: I going to start with me. My name is Yoji Itami, First Lieutenant, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. You?

Me: My name is Lê Văn Minh, Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps and People's Army of Vietnam.

Itami: Wow, how is it possible to be in two armies. I take you had experience in the Middle East?

Me: Cooperation program between Vietnam and the US, and yes, I was deployed to the Middle East 3 times.

Itami: Well that's nice. So I take that your also Vietnamese, considering the fact that you yelled in Vietnamese back there?

Me: Yep, Vietnamese-American.

Itami: Though I noticed your Vietnamese is different from the others?

Me: Oh that? That's because I was born in the capital of Vietnam, Hà Nội, hence why I have a northern accent, and not a southern Sài Gòn accent. Something you don't see everyday.

Itami: Well that's good to know.

We laughed and joked with each other, knowing that the path ahead was going to be a long and crazy one.

A few weeks later

To try to explain this all up, a ceremony was held to commemorate the victims of the what is now called the "Battle of Ginza". The portal that appeared out of nowhere was now called the "Gate" (totally no provocations there ahem). The ceremony also was held to award both me and Itami for our actions on saving Ginza that day. I was in the description of killing about close to 10 invaders while Itami was credited with saving hundreds of civilians. The ceremony had soldiers from 3 nations: the JGSDF from Japan, my 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines brothers from the US, and my 301st Infantry Division brothers from Vietnam. Along with that, all 3 nations' flags were flown side by side as a sign of friendship between the 3 nations. I imagine that the Vietnamese generals have waited a long time to be shown as the good guys, after the scars of the Vietnam war.

I looked to my side, Itami was looking a little down. I asked him.

Me (whispering): Man, what's up with you? You look like everything in the world just went to hell and back.

Itami (whispering): It was just....I was planning to go to a comic convention that day.

I mentally and physically smacked my hand on my forehead.

Me (whispering): Bruh, you have got to be one of the biggest a*ses in my life!

Itami (whispering): Hey, hey! I just joined the military in order to support my otaku hobbies!

Me (whispering sarcastically and rolling my eyes): Sure, I'm totally going to believe that... (laughs)

We were then promoted a rank for our actions, and were presented the promotion by the Japanese and Vietnamese chiefs of staff. I was promoted to First Lieutenant (Thượng úy) and Itami was promoted to Captain. We then gave speeches in front of all the soldiers standing there, and once we were done, they all saluted us. Kind of feel proud to be honest. Though the only question on my mind is, what's next?

3 months later (just before the Battle of Alnus Hill):

Me (thinking): It's about time..

Over the last 3 months, I was in charge of some of the planning that would go in this operation. For instance, I named Alnus Hill, Hill 001, for the sake of simplicity in logistics and a common Vietnamese habit. I was also made the US and Vietnamese military attache, along with being the US-Vietnamese senior advisor because of the combat experience and training I had with both armies during my time in the Corps and QĐNDVN. While during the time, I learned Japanese military formations, tactics, units, and command structure, and in the meantime got to know Itami better. I learned more about his otaku nature and since anime is usually associated with the younger people (like me, though I don't watch that much to be called an otaku or weeaboo), I called him "dân chơi" (A/N: Don't know what that is in English, so any Vietnamese viewers here, có thế viết xuống comment nhé, rất cảm ơn!). I put on my Marine MARPAT Woodland gear with my QĐNDVN patch on the left side and grab my AKM, since I was told to use older gear so that we can dispose of them if needed (and because I can điểm xạ (two-round burst) easier), and head out along with Itami.

A/N: QĐNDVN patch usually worn on the left side of the arm of Vietnamese soldiers.

A/N: Just imagine that the patch is on the left side of his arm, where the pockets open.

I see that the SDF soldiers were already standing in line and formation, and Itami and I do the same. We then wait for the Prime Minister to speak his speech to the soldiers.

A/N: Credits to USTrooper for the image.

Prime Minister Motoi: Today is a new beginning, and all of you carry the hopes of the Japanese people. You have all waited for 3 months to start the campaign, and you will get your wishes. The Japanese Diet and military command have authorized immediate action as of today for all of you to be the first to enter the other side of the Gate. Remember that this will be for your country, so I expect respect and to follow the laws of war in our world. Now, would I like to welcome Lieutenant Lê on the stage?

I go up to meet the Prime Minister on the stage.

Prime Minister Motoi: I would like to thank you, Lieutenant Lê, for serving alongside us as our military attache and senior advisor. I would also like to give thanks to both our allies, the US and Vietnam in giving us a very capable officer and giving supplies and support all the way.

Me: My pleasure, Prime Minister Motoi.

I salute him back and fall back in line for the briefing with Lieutenant General Hazama.

Lieutenant General Hazama: My name is Lieutenant General Hazama, and I will be your commanding officer during this campaign. Lets start the quick briefing. 4 weeks ago our scouts scanned the terrain that we will be entering shortly. We will take Hill 001 as our base of defense. Also, expect that we will be under fire from the enemy immediately when you disembark, since the enemy has positioned themselves close to the hill. We will be moving shortly, stand-by, and thank you.

The soldiers, Itami, and I double check our equipment, with me checking my ECH helmet, my plate carrier GEN 3, checked the ammo for my AKM (I counted about at least 8 AK mags, so I think I should be good, though I had to use my Vietnamese webbing for that), my MARPAT Woodland uniform, my radio, my backpack, and finally my AKM. All were in good order, with the SDF soldiers checking their Howa Type-64 rifles and their Type-74 tanks. Once everything is set and done, the general walked up to me and talked for a bit before we moved.

Lieutenant General Hazama: You ready Marine? I take that you're going with the first soldiers to enter the Gate?

Me: Yes sir. Our motto is "First to fight", so I am ready for what lies ahead.

Lieutenant General Hazama: Very well, good luck, God bless, and Việt Nam muôn năm.

Me: Dạ vâng! Ooorah! (I salute him)

Lieutenant General Hazama: Take care. (he salutes back to me)

Me: Everyone, move out!

I go into the lightly armored vehicle with the rest of the SDF infantry going into their respective vehicles as well. Soon, the tanks started to move forward, followed by the mobile artillery, and then us grunts in the vehicles.

Me: Alright listen up! Once we move onto the hill and get out of our vehicles, we are to take the positions surrounding the hill. Stick with you fireteams and get yourselves into some of the foxholes that have already been dug beforehand, providing you with cover. RÕ CHƯA?! (UNDERSTOOD?!)

SDF soldiers: YES SIR!

Me: I am very proud to be able to fight along with you. Now all of you stick to the plan that you were given before this operation, and you'll make it out fine. Cho tổ quốc! (For the nation!)

SDF soldiers: YES SIR!

We were all ready for the battle ahead. Let's just hope it turns out okay though...

*insert Gate ending theme

A/N: I hoped that you enjoyed this chapter!

Have a nice day!