On the evening of July 15, 1887, President Theodore Clay sat at his desk in the Oval Office, a thin veneer of calm masking the turmoil within. The news of Japan's war declaration against China had shaken the international community, and as the leader of the Republic, Clay found himself at the heart of mounting pressures. He was prepared for diplomatic maneuvering, but the Japanese delegation waiting outside had come with an agenda unlike any he'd faced before.
When his aide announced the arrival of Ambassador Takahiro Nakamura and his associate Hiroshi Tanaka, Clay composed himself, signaling for them to enter. The two men stepped inside with precise movements, their expressions betraying nothing. Both bowed deeply, a gesture of respect, though it felt laced with a subtle undertone of dominance.
"Gentlemen," Clay began, gesturing to the chairs opposite his desk. "What can I do for you?"
