Chapter 0836: Humiliation

"Your Highness, Germany is the world's most powerful nation. Their navy has even defeated the Royal Navy of the British Empire. Compared to them, we are at a tremendous disadvantage, and that is inevitable! However, our Imperial Navy has begun to catch up. Even if we cannot surpass the German Navy, we can at least narrow the gap!" Kato Takaaki, observing the Crown Prince's expression, quickly spoke in an attempt to comfort him.

Hirohito nodded. "The Germans are indeed formidable. But their enemies are not limited to our Empire alone. The Americans, the British, and us. Once their fleet is dispersed, they will no longer pose as great a threat!"

"Your Highness speaks wisely!" Kato Takaaki nodded in satisfaction, pleased that the Crown Prince was not intimidated. After all, they too regarded Hirohito as the symbol of Japan's future hopes.

The Fusō battleship, guided by a tugboat, entered Wilhelmshaven harbor.

Hirohito and Kato Takaaki descended the gangway and walked onto the dock. To their embarrassment, however, only a minor official from the German Foreign Ministry was sent to greet them. This caused Hirohito to nearly explode in anger.

Hirohito, still young and at an age full of ambition and competitiveness, felt insulted. As the Crown Prince of Japan, a position of great dignity, he had traveled a long distance to attend Germany's military review. He believed that this alone was a great favor to Germany, and that they should have extended a grand welcome. Yet, they had sent only a low-ranking official—an insult to both his personal status and the honor of Japan itself!

Kato Takaaki's expression was also grim. Although Japan had lost the previous war to Germany, they had not been utterly defeated. Their coastal cities had been destroyed, and in their desire to avoid further conflict, they had chosen to compromise. Japan was still one of the world's great powers, and the Germans' behavior was nothing short of humiliating.

"Your Highness, please be patient. We are in Germany," Kato Takaaki said.

Hirohito nodded reluctantly, understanding that Germany's power could not be challenged so easily.

The Japanese delegation was escorted to a train. While a naval review would take place in Wilhelmshaven, the event in Berlin was first, and all delegations would attend the military parade before proceeding to the harbor.

Once on the train, Hirohito's dissatisfaction could no longer be contained.

"Damn it! I am the Crown Prince of the Empire! The Germans should have sent someone of equal rank to greet me!" Hirohito fumed.

"Your Highness, the German Crown Prince is only four years old," Kato Takaaki replied.

"What about the Kaiser's brothers? Surely one of them could have come? But they still sent no one! This is an outright insult to the Empire!" Hirohito's anger was palpable. The Germans' disregard for Japan was something he could not accept.

"Your Highness, it is true that the Germans are being unreasonable. However, for the sake of the Empire's interests, it would be unwise to fall out with them," Kato Takaaki cautioned. Japan was still in the midst of a recovery period, and provoking Germany further could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Hirohito nodded, understanding Kato's words. He was still young, but he knew this meant putting such matters aside for the moment. Once Japan regained its strength, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle scores with Germany.

Upon arriving in Berlin, the German Foreign Ministry again sent only low-level officials to receive them. This further displeased Hirohito and Kato Takaaki, though they refrained from voicing their displeasure.

However, when it came time for lodging arrangements, rather than staying at the hotel assigned by the German Foreign Ministry, Hirohito insisted on staying at the Japanese Embassy in Germany.

Clearly, Hirohito's youthful temperament had flared. Kato Takaaki tried to reason with him, but Hirohito remained adamant. Reluctantly, Kato Takaaki had to negotiate with the German diplomats, and after some back and forth, the Foreign Ministry agreed to allow the Japanese delegation to stay at their embassy.

The German Foreign Minister, Wahit, reported the matter to Emperor QinTian of the German Empire.

"Hmph! That little brat seems to have some backbone! But who does he think he is, daring to behave like this in our Empire?" QinTian remarked coldly.

Indeed, Hirohito was still just a teenager, and it would have been beneath QinTian to engage in petty disputes with him. However, he had never had any goodwill toward the Japanese, particularly Hirohito, who, in another timeline, had committed unspeakable crimes. If not for the assistance of the Americans, Hirohito would have long since been tried by a military court. In this timeline, QinTian would not allow such arrogance to go unchecked.

"Your Majesty, should we teach these Japanese a lesson?" Wahit inquired.

Wahit, knowing of QinTian's disdain for Japan, had intentionally treated the Japanese delegation with neglect. Originally, he had assumed the Japanese would simply endure the insult, but instead, they had dared to retaliate. Wahit viewed Japan as a defeated nation, and if not for the vast distance between them, Germany would have long ago annihilated Japan.

"Let the meeting with the Japanese delegation be postponed until the very end," QinTian ordered.

As per the usual protocol, Germany welcomed the most powerful nations first. Japan, still considered one of the great powers, would have been at the forefront. But with a single command from QinTian, Japan was relegated to the very last.

Hirohito and Kato Takaaki waited in the embassy, anticipating their audience with QinTian. Hours passed, yet they were still not summoned. Even other delegations had already been received, while they were left in the dark, making both men increasingly uneasy.

Should QinTian refuse to meet with the Japanese delegation before the military review, it would send a clear and public message to the world that QinTian despised Japan. This would certainly provoke other nations to seize the opportunity to strike at Japan, plunging the nation into a precarious situation.

With no other choice, Kato Takaaki went to the German Foreign Ministry to request an audience with Emperor QinTian. The response was the same: wait for further notice. The uncertainty gnawed at the hearts of the Japanese delegation, and Hirohito bore the brunt of the mounting pressure.