Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro, the Minister of the Navy of the Island Nation, arrived at the Prime Minister's residence by car. As he entered, he found that all the other cabinet ministers were already present. Even several retired elders had arrived. This demonstrated the immense importance everyone placed on the battle between the Combined Fleet and the German Expeditionary Fleet.
After all, this battle was nearly a matter of the Island Nation's very fate. Should they emerge victorious, they would secure the rich lands of Southeast Asia for themselves. Should they fail, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although the ministers and elders were aware that defeating the German Expeditionary Fleet would be an extraordinarily difficult task for the Combined Fleet, a faint glimmer of hope still lingered in their hearts—that the fleet could surpass expectations, achieving victory and turning the tide of the war.
"My apologies for making everyone wait," Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro said, bowing his head in apology.
"Admiral Yatsuda, no need to apologize. How did the naval battle between the Combined Fleet and the Germans unfold?" Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu asked.
"Prime Minister, the battle has ended," Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro replied, his expression unreadable.
"Did we defeat the Germans?" Minister of War, Oka Shinosuke, immediately inquired with urgency.
A faint, ironic smile crossed Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro's face. "In this battle, the Combined Fleet suffered almost total destruction. Aside from a dozen destroyers that managed to return, all other ships were sunk by the Germans, including the four most powerful 'Kongō-class' battlecruisers."
"What?!" All the senior officials of the Island Nation sat stunned, dumbfounded. They had never anticipated such a crushing defeat, losing nearly their entire fleet. It was an utter catastrophe! The main force of their navy was now completely lost.
"How could we have been defeated so terribly? The Combined Fleet had 19 capital ships, 8 armored cruisers, and a large number of protected cruisers and destroyers. In terms of numbers, we had an overwhelming advantage!" Oka Shinosuke seemed unable to accept the result.
"Our ships were simply no match for the Germans' new-class warships. The numerical advantage meant nothing in the face of their superior technology," Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro's eyes flashed with sorrow. After such a devastating blow, the Combined Fleet was essentially a shadow of its former self. The Island Nation's navy had essentially been set back to the level of the pre-Meiji Restoration era. Rebuilding it would take an unimaginable amount of time.
The other officials exchanged glances, realizing the immense dilemma the nation now faced: how to confront the German Expeditionary Fleet.
"How much damage did we inflict on the Germans?" Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki asked.
"We sank only one German light cruiser and heavily damaged one of their battlecruisers," Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro responded. Losing so many ships but achieving such modest results made him feel a certain shame, though he knew there was little to be done. It was not that they were too weak, but that the enemy was too strong.
"Dammit! What was Ijūin Gorō doing? We lost so many ships and sank only a German light cruiser? Did all the money we spent building the navy amount to nothing?" Oka Shinosuke raged.
The disastrous results of the battle shattered the last shred of hope in Oka Shinosuke's heart. Initially, he had hoped that even with the fleet's annihilation, if they had severely damaged the German Expeditionary Fleet, there might still be a chance. The Germans, having suffered such a blow, would likely focus on their upcoming assault on Britain, delaying any further eastward advance. This would allow them to consolidate their hold on Southeast Asia. Even if Germany sought to reclaim the region in the future, it would come at an immense cost. In the meantime, they could plunder more resources from Southeast Asia.
But, alas, the German Expeditionary Fleet had not been dealt a severe blow, shattering all their hopes.
"General Ijūin Gorō did his best! The results are not his fault!" Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro's face darkened with anger.
"Has General Ijūin Gorō returned?" Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu asked.
"He has committed seppuku," Admiral Yatsuda Rokuro answered.
The high-ranking officials of the Island Nation fell silent. Since General Ijūin Gorō had already taken his own life, it was now inappropriate to continue blaming him. In the Island Nation, seppuku was the ultimate form of taking responsibility. To press further would undoubtedly cause discontent among others.
"Enough about General Ijūin Gorō," said Yamashita Atomo, a senior official.
"Yes, Lord Yamashita," they all replied.
"Gentlemen, the Germans' strength exceeded our expectations. What plans do we have now?" Yamashita Atomo inquired.
"Lord Elder, after defeating the Combined Fleet, the Germans will certainly be more relentless. It will be even more difficult for us to maintain our hold on Southeast Asia," Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki expressed his concern.
"Indeed, Lord Elder. If the Germans launch another attack on our coastal cities and force us to withdraw from Southeast Asia, what should we do?" Minister of the Treasury, Wakatuki Reijirō, asked, his face filled with worry. The German Expeditionary Fleet had already destroyed the cities of Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, and Nagoya, causing tens of thousands of casualties. The direct and indirect economic damage was staggering. Should the Germans continue their rampage, the Island Nation would face even greater losses, a burden that was simply unsustainable.
"We cannot allow this. We have only just secured Southeast Asia. The rich resources there are the key to the Empire's rise. If we give up on Southeast Asia now, the Empire will never have another chance to reclaim it. Once the Germans defeat Britain, they will certainly send troops to Southeast Asia," Oka Shinosuke immediately voiced his opinion, which reflected the stance of the entire army.
The Island Nation, ever greedy, had limited land and scarce resources, making them especially eager to acquire more, particularly fertile territories. Southeast Asia, without a doubt, was the most desirable target.