"Four cruisers and about ten destroyers are heading towards us!"
Immediately after destroying the last American battleship, in response to the lookout's report resembling a scream, Vice Admiral Itō immediately ordered a separate detachment to counterattack. The American surface strike force consisted of 12 cruisers and more than 32 destroyers. In response, the First Fleet intercepted them with four Takao-class heavy cruisers from the 4th Cruiser Division, four Myōkō-class heavy cruisers from the 5th Cruiser Division, and a torpedo squadron led by the heavy cruiser Aoba. However, their numbers were less than half of the American force, and it seemed impossible to contain all the enemy.
Under Itō's command, seven destroyers led by the heavy cruisers Kumano and Tone moved away from the battleship formation and faced the approaching swarm. The two heavy torpedo ships, Isuzu and Kitakami, which had completed their torpedo attacks, also joined the defense. Although Isuzu and Kitakami had depleted their torpedoes and their firepower was significantly reduced, they still had a few anti-aircraft guns and machine guns. It was believed that they could inflict some damage on destroyers, if not sink them.
Meanwhile, the seven Yamato-class battleships formed a line, turning their undamaged port sides towards the American ships. Despite receiving numerous 40 cm shell hits, none of the battleships suffered damage below the waterline, and all of them maintained full maneuverability. Yamato, Musashi, Shinano, and Kii each had sixteen 12,7 cm high-angle guns, while Owari, Suruga, and Ōmi could aim sixteen 10 cm high-angle guns on one side. In case the separate detachment was breached, these 112 high-angle guns, along with the 46 cm guns, would be the last line of defense for the Yamato-class battleships.
Contrary to such considerations, the battle between auxiliary vessels quickly became obscured by gun smoke and the haze of fires caused by hits. Despite requesting the spotters above to report the situation, the reply indicated that visibility was poor due to the dense smoke. After a brief wait, reports from the spotters reached the First Fleet headquarters, indicating that American cruisers and destroyers were withdrawing to the south. It might have been a temporary retreat due to the neutralization of all their battleships and the prevention of a close-range assault by cruisers and destroyers. Soon after, the cruisers and destroyers of the First Fleet that had finished the battle began to gather around the Yamato. All the ships were heavily damaged, showing the toll of the intense battle.
"Those are all that's left...?"
In response to the unexpectedly low number of survivors, someone in the headquarters moaned. Of the 4th and 5th Cruiser Divisions and the torpedo squadron that was first ordered to intercept, only the Takao and Myōkō that returned. The situation was even worse for the torpedo squadron, where the flagship Aoba was sunk, and almost all of the twelve destroyers were lost. Among the survivors, only the Yukikaze remained operational without navigation issues. The separate detachment also engaged in a fierce exchange with American cruisers and destroyers. Both Kumano and Tone sank, and even the Isuzu, which fought to the end after using all torpedoes, did not return. Only two destroyers, Ushio and Akebono, from the original seven survived. The cruisers and destroyers of the First Fleet achieved their objective of keeping the enemy's auxiliaries at bay while the Yamatos fought the heavy hitters, but the cost was too great.
While expressing gratitude for the efforts and dedication of the fallen soldiers, Itō ordered the rescue of survivors and decided to advance toward Okinawa. After having come this far, there was no way they were going to turn back after such a great sacrifice, and they had no intention of going back.
After the rescue, the First Fleet reorganized for the advance. The seven Yamato-class battleships took the center, with the three destroyers, Yukikaze, Ushio, and Akebono, forming a modest anti-submarine alert in an inverted V-shape in front. To the right of the battleships were the Takao, and to the left were the Myōkō, with the Kitakami positioned as the rear guard. The remaining F1Ms took turns providing air cover or vigilant scouting, keeping an eye out for American submarines lurking beneath the surface.
"There are only thirteen ships. However, Americans or Westerners fear that number as the unlucky number. Perhaps the First Fleet is not blessed by the gods, but by the luck of the devil."
With a wry smile in his heart to avoid being insensitive, Itō gazed ahead.