Chapter 0835: The Prince of the Island Nation

A battleship, flying the Rising Sun flag, sailed into the English Channel. It was an immense warship, with a displacement of over 30,000 tons, appearing as if a small mountain were floating on the surface of the sea.

Although the main guns were obscured beneath gun covers, the thick, imposing barrels still hinted at the devastating firepower this battleship possessed.

This vessel was none other than the first ship of the "Fuso-class" battleships, the "Fuso" itself, the first ever dreadnought built by the island nation's navy. It was also the only remaining battleship in their fleet. The island nation's navy had lost all its other dreadnoughts in a decisive confrontation with the German Navy's expeditionary fleet. That battle had effectively set the island nation's navy back to square one. In order to safeguard its interests, the island had to work tirelessly to construct new warships, allowing the "Fuso" to be commissioned earlier than expected. The construction of the "Shinano" battleship was also progressing at a rapid pace.

Moreover, with the help of loans from the United States, the island nation had launched an aggressive naval construction program. The "Ise-class" battleships were already under construction. In its desperate bid to rebuild its navy and avenge the humiliation inflicted by the German navy, the island nation was pouring nearly all of its resources into this endeavor. If they lost the war, it would mean ruin, leaving them destitute.

A young prince stood on the deck of the "Fuso" battleship, gazing out towards Britain in the distance.

"Your Highness, the sea breeze is quite strong. Perhaps we should head back to the cabin," suggested Kato Takaaki, the island nation's Foreign Minister.

The island nation's royal family was notorious for its genetic issues, a result of close intermarriage. Emperor Meiji had suffered from uremia, Emperor Taisho struggled with mental health, and Crown Prince Hirohito, too, had issues, with his right hand's fingers not functioning properly, leaving him physically frail.

This boy was none other than Crown Prince Hirohito. Though only 14, his intelligence had already earned him the reputation of a future enlightened ruler in the eyes of the island nation's ministers. Many believed that the nation would only grow stronger under his leadership.

Of course, they could not have foreseen that Hirohito would ultimately lead the island nation to its demise. In another timeline, due to conflicts between great powers, Hirohito and his nation had narrowly escaped destruction. But in this reality, everything was different. The island nation would ultimately face annihilation, for the Emperor of the German Empire, Qin Tian, had no intention of allowing this nation to continue to exist.

"Sir, is that the British Empire over there?" Hirohito asked, pointing towards the northern horizon.

Kato Takaaki nodded, a slight smirk on his lips. "The once mighty British Empire. But now, it's merely the United Kingdom of England and Wales. The British Empire as it once was has ceased to exist."

Kato's words were laced with both regret and excitement. Regret, because if even the great British Empire had fallen to the Germans, how could other nations stand against them? The British Empire had long been the island nation's ally, and much benefit had been gained from their closeness. But there was also excitement, for the old British Empire had always looked down on the island nation, treating it as little more than a lapdog. Kato Takaaki, in particular, understood this better than most. Now that the British Empire had fallen, the island nation remained, which, in his eyes, made the island nation superior to Britain.

"The once mighty British Empire... now split into three by the Germans. Truly, the Germans have ambitions to rule the world!" Hirohito gritted his teeth.

He harbored deep hatred for Germany. Just months before, the coastal cities of the island nation had been obliterated by the German navy's naval guns, causing countless deaths. Even Tokyo had been devastated by German shellfire. His own palace had not been spared.

Hirohito would never forget the moment when German shells exploded in Tokyo, and he was rushed by his servants into the air-raid shelter. He had been pale, his body trembling uncontrollably, and even his loincloth had become soaked—not with sweat, but with urine! It was a humiliating memory that he kept locked away as his greatest secret. The Crown Prince of the island nation had been so terrified by German bombardment that he had urinated himself, a fact that, if revealed, would be an immense source of ridicule. And so, Hirohito's hatred for Germany was boundless.

"Yes, Your Highness. Germany has emerged as the greatest victor of this world war. They not only won the war but have gained the entire world!" Kato Takaaki said with admiration.

The island nation had tried to abandon Britain and shift allegiance to Germany, hoping to share in the spoils of war. Unfortunately, the Germans had refused them. Had they succeeded, they could have benefitted from the war's rewards.

"Sir, Marshal Tōgō believes that the Empire and Germany will eventually clash again. We lost the last time, but next time, we shall emerge victorious!" Hirohito said with determination.

"Yes, Your Highness, we will defeat the Germans and achieve victory!" Kato Takaaki affirmed.

From a young age, Hirohito had been indoctrinated with militarism. At the age of six, he entered the Royal Academy, where the headmaster was General Nogi Maresuke. Last year, Hirohito graduated and entered the Imperial University for naval studies, where the headmaster was Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō.

Under the guidance of such towering figures, it was clear what kind of man Hirohito would become. Yet, despite his upbringing, the thought of Germany's immense power still unsettled him. The "Fuso" battleship beneath his feet gave him some measure of confidence.

Although Hirohito had learned from Admiral Tōgō that the "Fuso" battleship's capabilities were somewhat inferior to Germany's most powerful dreadnoughts, the island nation's navy was constructing even more formidable warships. He was confident that the island nation's navy would grow stronger. Despite Germany's strength, they had too many enemies. In the event of war, victory would surely belong to them!

The "Fuso," carrying Hirohito, arrived at Wilhelmshaven on December 14th. As the battleship entered the naval port and the sight of Germany's enormous warships came into view, Hirohito's face turned ashen. The sight of the German navy's "Bavaria-class" battleships, "Kaiser-class" battleships, "Mackensen-class" battlecruisers, and "Derflinger-class" battlecruisers, each mightier than his own "Fuso," left him shaken.

"Amaterasu, is this what the greatest power in the world looks like?" Hirohito cried inwardly.