Although the Kii-class battleships could be considered the best-performing battleships currently in service with the Island Nation Navy, they were, in essence, still fast battleships. Or rather, their entire design philosophy continued the previous emphasis on firepower and speed while neglecting defense.
This gave the Kii-class battleships formidable firepower, and their speed soared to an astonishing 29.75 knots. However, their armor protection was not particularly strong. If four Kii-class battleships were sent out at high speed to intercept the German fleet, they could indeed stop the German fleet. But without question, they would also face an Encirclement Offensive by the German fleet's eight Capital Ships. Given the Kii-class battleships' defenses, whether they could hold out was far from certain. They might even be heavily damaged or sunk.
The Kii-class battleships had originally been designed to operate alongside aircraft carriers. Battleships that were too slow simply could not keep up with carriers in combat. That was why the Kii-class battleships had sacrificed defense in pursuit of speed and firepower. However, this design philosophy meant they could gain no advantage at all in battleship duels and were even at a disadvantage.
Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo simply did not dare risk these Kii-class battleships. If they suffered further losses, he did not even know how he could win this naval battle. If the naval battle was lost, he would certainly meet no good end either. The only road waiting for him would likely be seppuku to atone for his crimes.
"What is the other option?" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo asked.
"General, with the other option, we can only organize the destroyers to launch torpedo attacks. We would rely on those attacks to force the German fleet to turn, or even break up its formation. However, the German fleet also has quite a few