"If the navy exerts all its strength, is there no chance of victory?" asked Yamashita Atomo.
"Lord Yamashita, the German fleet's superiority is simply overwhelming. Even if the Imperial Navy exhausts every resource, there is little hope. If luck favors us, perhaps we could defeat the Germans. However, the likelihood of that is no more than thirty percent," Admiral Hachida Rokurō replied.
Yamashita Atomo's brow furrowed in concern. He understood that the navy's words were not born of cowardice, but of the stark reality of their situation. To order the navy into battle now would be tantamount to sending them to their deaths.
Though Yamashita hailed from the army, he knew well how difficult it had been for Japan to build a strong navy. Before the First Sino-Japanese War, Emperor Meiji himself had set an example, eating only two meals a day to save money for the navy's expansion. The entire nation followed his example, and it was this unified effort that had allowed Japan to defeat the decaying Qing Empire and emerge victorious. From that moment, Japan had entered a path of rapid development.
Now, though the navy had grown in strength, its enemies had grown stronger still. The German navy was the most formidable in the world. Even a single German expeditionary fleet surpassed the combined might of the Japanese navy. The disparity in power was enough to leave Japan's naval officers despairing.
"Gentlemen, what should we do?" Yamashita Atomo asked. He, too, could think of no viable solutions. Protecting the navy while simultaneously expelling the German fleet seemed an almost impossible task.
"We must expose the Germans' vile actions to the world and seek condemnation from all nations!" Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki suggested.
"While that might earn Japan sympathy, no other nation will go to war with Germany for our sake. It would be little more than a symbolic gesture," Yamashita Atomo replied, shaking his head.
"The only way to resolve this crisis is to defeat the Germans. Only then can we lift this threat. As for anything else, it would be of little use," said Okamura Shinzo.
Everyone knew this was the best course of action, but it was also the least likely to succeed. If the Imperial Navy had the strength to defeat the German fleet, they would have already set sail to confront them. Who would refuse a chance at glory? But if it was a suicide mission, they would have to think long and hard.
"Lord Elder, gentlemen, if the navy must sail to engage the Germans, we shall do so. But victory is uncertain. We will give our all to defeat them," Admiral Hachida Rokurō declared.
There was no response. Once spoken, the command would be tantamount to ordering the navy to their deaths. If the navy succeeded, all would be well. But if they failed, or worse, were utterly destroyed, those who had sent them would bear the blame. The consequences could be catastrophic. Even the highest-ranking elders hesitated to speak.
"Report! Prime Minister, gentlemen! Hamamatsu has been attacked by the German fleet!" the Prime Minister's secretary exclaimed, drenched in sweat.
"What?" The room fell silent, all present stunned that, after destroying Shizuoka, the Germans dared to attack Hamamatsu.
"Damn it! The Germans truly intend to destroy all our coastal cities!"
"We cannot allow the Germans to continue! If they attack our cities again, the cost will be far greater!"
"Hamamatsu leads directly to Nagoya. If the Germans destroy Hamamatsu, what will happen if they target Nagoya next?"
"No, we must evacuate the people from our coastal cities. If we do not, the very foundation of the Empire will be shattered by the Germans!"
"Damn Germans, why can't they just go to hell!"
Shouts of anger filled the room. The entire Cabinet was in turmoil due to the German attack on Hamamatsu.
"Admiral Hachida, the navy must immediately set sail. Prepare for a decisive battle with the Germans! We have no other choice," Yamashita Atomo commanded.
"Yes, Lord Yamashita!" Admiral Hachida Rokurō replied, before turning and leaving the room to make preparations.
"May Amaterasu-sama bless us with victory over the Germans," Inoue Kaoru murmured.
"The Germans will burn in hell! We will defeat them!" Matsukata Masayoshi vowed.
Admiral Hachida Rokurō returned to the Navy Ministry and informed Admirals Shimomura Sokuo and Ijuin Gorō of the Cabinet's decision. Both knew that, at this point, there was no turning back for the navy. They could not allow the German fleet to ravage Japan's coasts. Though the army was powerful, it was incapable of combating the enemy's fleet. The navy alone was their hope.
"Well then, it seems our only choice is to fight the Germans to the death. Let us hope we can defeat them," Admiral Shimomura Sokuo said.
"I will immediately order the fleet to prepare. We will set out tonight, and tomorrow we will face the Germans. If Amaterasu-sama blesses us, we might win. If not, we will fight until the last man, and perish together," Admiral Ijuin Gorō declared.
That evening, the bad news came again. After destroying Hamamatsu, the German fleet had begun shelling Nagoya. Though the residents had evacuated, many had refused to leave their homes. Under the bombardment, Nagoya was reduced to rubble. This was one of Japan's largest cities!
That night, the Imperial Navy's combined fleet left Tokyo Bay, passed through the Uraga Channel, and entered Sagami Bay, beginning their search for the German fleet. With no other options left, they were ready to fight to the death. The destruction of three major cities had filled the sailors with righteous fury. Like wolves, they howled, eager to confront the Germans.
But as the Combined Fleet's commander, Admiral Ijuin Gorō, looked on, his heart was heavy with foreboding. He knew this battle would be a suicide mission. Defeating the German fleet was extraordinarily difficult, near impossible.