Chapter 0691: A Frightening Revelation

The Prime Minister's Residence, Tokyo, Island Nation's Capital 

Though the island nation had an emperor, his powers were largely ceremonial, serving merely as the symbolic head of state. Real authority rested firmly in the hands of the cabinet. This dynamic had only deepened after the death of Emperor Meiji, whose successor, Emperor Taishō, was known for his mental instability, further diminishing the emperor's influence.

In the Prime Minister's meeting room, Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu was joined by Foreign Minister Katō Takaaki, Army Minister Ōka Ichinosuke, Navy Minister Yashiro Rokurō, Finance Minister Wakatsuki Reijirō, and other cabinet ministers. They were gathered to deliberate a single urgent matter: how to address the precarious situation at hand. Despite Germany's current engagement in European warfare, with no warships or troops dispatched to Asia, the prospect of an imminent German victory had sent chills down the spines of these high-ranking officials. 

"Gentlemen, France and Italy have both signed peace treaties with Germany. It is fair to say that the war on the European continent has concluded, leaving only Britain struggling to hold out. However, the narrow English Channel cannot possibly withstand the German offensive for long. The formidable German Navy will undoubtedly escort their equally formidable army to land on British soil. Whether Britain can fend off the world's strongest army is hardly a question at all. Therefore, the challenge before us is clear. Our empire is at war with Germany, and we have seized their Pacific colonies. If we do not find a way to alter this situation, once Germany defeats Britain, their next target may very well be us!" Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu expressed his deep concern. 

"Your Excellency, there is no need for alarm. The German Empire is far too distant to pose a direct threat to us. If they dare to invade, they should remember the lesson they learned a decade ago!" Army Minister Ōka Ichinosuke replied confidently. 

The military was unwilling to relinquish the territories they had so easily acquired. As soldiers, their duty was to expand the empire's domains. Having gained these lands, they were unwilling to let them go, even though they had not expended much effort to secure them. 

"Germany's strength far surpasses that of Russia back then. While Russia was a powerful adversary, it was not the dominant global force that Germany is today. Comparing the two is simply untenable," Foreign Minister Katō Takaaki interjected. 

"Your Excellency, Germany's strength is undeniable, but their military commitments are numerous. The colonies they've taken from France and Italy will demand significant garrisons. Should they defeat Britain, its colonies will also fall into German hands, further stretching their forces. Under such circumstances, the empire's safety is assured!" Ōka Ichinosuke retorted. 

"And if the Germans send their navy to attack us, can our fleet withstand their onslaught?" Katō Takaaki turned to Navy Minister Yashiro Rokurō. 

At this question, Yashiro Rokurō couldn't help but grimace. Despite the navy's significant progress in recent years, the disparity in strength between the imperial navy and the world-leading German navy remained glaringly vast. 

"Your Excellency, the imperial navy harbors no illusions of grandeur against the German fleet. Among our principal warships, only the four *Kongō*-class battlecruisers are battleworthy. The rest are no match for Germany's formidable ships. Our *Fusō*-class battleships are still under construction; the lead ship, *Fusō*, is expected to enter service by year's end, while the second ship, *Yamashiro*, may not be ready until next year or even the year after. As for the earlier *Kawachi*-class battleships, they are merely semi-dreadnoughts, while the *Satsuma*-class and *Katori*-class ships are pre-dreadnoughts. Other vessels like *Iwami*, *Hizen*, *Sagami*, *Suō*, *Tango*, *Shikishima*, *Asahi*, *Mikasa*, and *Fuji* are all pre-dreadnoughts as well. In Europe's naval battles, pre-dreadnoughts are unfit to even set sail. Not long ago, the Germans sank 21 British pre-dreadnoughts near Le Havre, each comparable to our own. Germany itself still possesses 24 pre-dreadnoughts." 

The grim assessment caused the ministers' expressions to darken. Though they were aware of Germany's military might—its army the finest in the world and its navy victorious over Britain—they had lacked a concrete understanding of the disparity until now. The sheer scale of Germany's naval power was enough to obliterate the imperial fleet with ease. 

"Beyond their 24 pre-dreadnoughts, the German navy boasts 34 battleships comparable to our *Kongō*-class battlecruisers, with many even superior. Thus, even if they send only a fraction of their fleet, the imperial navy would be utterly incapable of resisting them," Yashiro Rokurō added. 

"Foolishness! Yashiro-kun, have you been frightened by the Germans? Where is your samurai spirit?" Ōka Ichinosuke bellowed. 

"This isn't fear—it's facing reality. To provoke a far superior adversary knowingly is tantamount to suicide! Such recklessness is sheer stupidity, and no one in the navy would stoop to such folly. Perhaps only the army harbors such individuals," Yashiro Rokurō retorted sharply. 

The rift between the army and navy within the island nation was notoriously acrimonious, far more so than the usual tensions seen in other nations. 

"Preposterous! Does the navy intend to surrender the territories we fought so hard to acquire? The army will never agree!" Ōka Ichinosuke declared adamantly. 

"Enough! Stop bickering, all of you," Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu interjected. "Given Germany's overwhelming naval strength, provoking them may not be the wisest course of action." It was clear that the prime minister himself had been shaken by the revelation of Germany's immense military power.