"Your Highness, Germany is the world's strongest power. Even the Royal Navy of the British Empire was defeated by their navy. So it is only natural that there is an enormous gap between us and them! The Imperial Navy has already begun to chase after them with all its might. Even if we cannot surpass the German Navy, we can still narrow the gap between us!" Seeing Crown Prince Hirohito's expression, Kato Takaaki knew what he was thinking and hurriedly tried to comfort him.
Hirohito nodded. "The Germans are indeed strong. But the Empire is not their only enemy. The Americans, the British, plus us. Once the German navy is spread thin, there will be nothing to fear!"
"Your Highness is absolutely right!" Seeing that Crown Prince Hirohito had not been intimidated, Kato Takaaki nodded in satisfaction. After all, these people also regarded Hirohito as the Island Nation's hope for the future!
The battleship Fuso, led by a pilot vessel, entered Wilhelmshaven.
Hirohito and Kato Takaaki descended the gangway and arrived at the docks. But to their embarrassment, Germany had sent only a low-ranking Ministry of Foreign Affairs official to receive them. Hirohito was nearly driven mad with rage.
Hirohito was young, at precisely the age when he was eager to compete and win. He believed that, as the Crown Prince of the Island Nation, he held an exalted status, and that traveling thousands of miles to attend Germany's Military Parade had already given Germany tremendous face. By all rights, Germany ought to have welcomed him with great ceremony! Yet they had actually sent only a nobody to receive him. This was clearly not taking him seriously, not taking the Island Nation seriously!
Kato Takaaki's expression was equally ugly. He believed Germany was plainly slapping them across the face. The