The second attack wave, led by Lieutenant Commander Kusumi of the Kaga air group, encountered interception by F4F Wildcat fighters before the American mobile fleet could be spotted. Approaching the second wave were two formations of nearly 20 planes from two different directions. They were likely interception fighter squadrons dispatched by two American carriers.

Leading the charge against them were 15 Zeros from the air superiority squadron. The air superiority squadron split into two, boldly confronting more than twice their number of F4Fs. However, unable to prevent them all, several F4Fs broke through the air superiority squadron's defense and approached the second attack wave with the aim of destroying the D3As and B5Ns.

Witnessing this, the 15 Zeros from the direct cover unit immediately engaged the F4Fs, separating them from the attackers. In a nearly equal fight, the skilled Zero fighters had no trouble keeping up with the F4Fs. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Zero fighters, the D3As and B5Ns advanced without any losses. The dive and torpedo continued their flight in the direction where the F4Fs appeared, eventually spotting the American mobile fleet. Two carriers were visible within the circular formation formed by several medium-sized ships and nearly ten small ships.

"Shōkaku squadron, target the enemy escort vessels. Kaga and Hiryū squadrons attack the carriers on the front, while Akagi and Sōryū squadrons will aim for the carriers behind."

Issuing a clear and unequivocal order, Kusumi directed a total of 18 B5Ns from the Kaga's first and third squadrons to the port bow of the American carrier. The second squadron, led by Lieutenant Maki, had already arranged to approach from the starboard side.

Leading the vanguard were 27 D3A dive bombers from the Shōkaku squadron. The dive bombers separated into squads, initiating a rapid descent towards nine targets. Their mission was to eliminate the escort vessels forming the circular formation around the enemy and open a breakthrough for other units to reach the American carriers.

In response to this, cruisers and destroyers protecting the two carriers launched an anti-air barrage against them. Instantly, three of the D3As spewed flames or smoke, crashing into the waters around Midway. Although the bombers succeeded in their attempts, many of them were hit by the barrage during their retreat, and the Shōkaku bombers lost nearly 20% of their strength in a single attack.

On the other hand, 10 out of the 24 250 kg bombs that they dropped hit the target, and all of the nine escort vessels that were targeted emitted smoke and lost speed. The hit rate of just over 40% was slightly less than in the Battle of the Indian Ocean, but even so, the impact of breaking the enemy's circular formation was immensely significant.

Closing in on the port side of the American carrier, Kusumi observed the Hiryū squadron initiating their attack before the Kaga's first squadron even reached the torpedo firing position. The scene included numerous aircraft spewing smoke or crashing, but there was noticeably more explosive smoke rising from the flight deck of the American carrier. By the time the Hiryū squadron completed their attack, the Kaga's first squadron had already reached the position. The numerous 250 kg bombs from the Hiryū squadron likely caused damage not only to the flight deck but also to the anti-aircraft guns. The barrage launched from the enemy was visibly reduced, and there hadn't been a single aircraft shot down on the Kaga's first squadron so far. Having transitioned to the firing point, all aircraft successfully released torpedoes and began evasive maneuvers.

"It's a Yorktown-class."

At an extremely low altitude, seemingly scraping the surface of the sea, Kusumi desperately evaded enemy bullets, observing the merged silhouette of the bridge and the smokestack of a large carrier flowing from left to right.

"A water column on the port side! Furthermore, one, two, three—"

The report from the jubilant subordinate in the rear seat, however, remained unheard by Kusumi until the end. When escaping from the collapsing circular formation's center, machine gun bullets fired by an undamaged enemy destroyer directly hit Kusumi's plane.