The Rise Of Australasia

"Damn it! What did you say? Our United Fleet has been utterly destroyed?" In the Island Nation Government's Meeting Room, Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro looked toward Navy Secretary Minami Mitsumasa with a face full of shock, asking in disbelief.

"Currently, we've lost contact with the United Fleet's Headquarters, and there's no request for assistance from Yamamoto Isoroku. Based on the reports from the few of our Air Force that managed to escape, the United Fleet had already suffered heavy losses two hours ago," said Minami Mitsumasa, his head hanging low, not daring to meet Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro's gaze.

"Impossible! That's absolutely impossible!" Konoe Fumimaro suddenly stood up, his eyes bloodshot as he glared directly at Minami Mitsumasa, and fiercely threw the documents from his office desk onto Minami Mitsumasa's head, grinding his teeth as he spoke, "Dispatch all the naval aviation units. I want to know the exact situation of the United Fleet."

"Wasn't that fool Yamamoto Isoroku confidently assuring that he could crush Australasia's navy? If the United Fleet has been defeated, both you and that idiot will have to commit seppuku!"

"Yes, sir!" Having received Konoe Fumimaro's orders, Minami Mitsumasa hurriedly picked up the scattered documents from the floor and swiftly exited.

Konoe Fumimaro was furious. If given the choice, Minami Mitsumasa would not wish to share a room with the enraged Prime Minister.

"A bunch of incompetents!" Inside the Meeting Room, Konoe Fumimaro's venting was far from over. After smashing a few decorative pieces in the office, Konoe Fumimaro grabbed the only phone left and dialed the number to contact the Imperial Palace, then abruptly said, "Please inform His Majesty the Emperor that I have an urgent matter to report."

The current Island Nation Emperor was not like the Emperor after World War II. While his power was not as vast as one might imagine, it was certainly substantial.

Especially due to the Island Nation's somewhat distorted faith, the Island Nation's military and civilians displayed an extremely fervent fanaticism toward the Emperor.

Simply relying on this faith and attitude was enough to allow the Island Nation Emperor to wield considerable political power within the government.

It was not without reason that Konoe Fumimaro became the Prime Minister. Although extremely reluctant to believe the news about the United Fleet's annihilation, the information seemed to be true at the moment.

This was bone-shaking news for the Island Nation. As the most esteemed service branch since the Meiji Restoration, the navy's total destruction was not only a blow to the Island Nation's Government but also an affront to the Island Nation Emperor.

Konoe Fumimaro's request was quickly granted, and he soon had an audience with the Island Nation Emperor.

"Prime Minister Konoe, what's this urgent matter you speak of?" The Island Nation Emperor, unaware of what had happened, was laying back in relaxation, being attended to by palace maids.

"Your Majesty, the Navy Ministry has reported that our United Fleet most likely has been utterly destroyed," Konoe Fumimaro organized his words carefully, enunciating clearly to the Emperor before him.

Bang!

The Emperor, who had been reclining in his chair, fell to the floor. Without time to straighten his clothes, he stood up quickly and strode towards Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro, demanding, "What did you say? Repeat yourself!"

With a sigh, Konoe Fumimaro had no choice but to repeat, "Your Majesty, our United Fleet most likely has been utterly destroyed."

"Damn! How could this be possible? We had so many primary battleships; how could they be completely destroyed in such a short time? We still have the Air Force, and we have Shore Defense Turrets. How could we possibly lose to Australasia's navy? Damn!

Is the Navy Ministry spreading false news? Prime Minister Konoe, tell me quickly, this is just fake news, some late April Fool's joke," in a half-crazed tone, the Island Nation Emperor rambled, unable to believe what he was hearing from Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro.

Observing the Emperor's frantic state, Konoe Fumimaro sighed again, his demeanor calmer than before: "Your Majesty, I've already ordered the Navy Ministry to send out airplanes for confirmation.

No matter what has happened to the United Fleet, we will have an answer soon. But we must be prepared, if the United Fleet has indeed been utterly destroyed, we will need to invest more military funds into the army, to ensure they can defend our territory."

The Island Nation had only the navy and army to begin with, with the Air Force existing as aviation units within the navy and army's structure.

If the navy has been utterly destroyed, then all the military funding will surely need to be invested into the army. Considering the current size of the Island Nation's army has already exceeded 4 million, increasing military spending may ensure that the territory can be defended.

"Right, we have a population of 70 million and a Colonial population of 30 million." The Island Nation Emperor, as if grasping at a lifeline, repeated eagerly, "I demand the government to stop Australasia's attack at all costs. Even if we have to risk the entire population of one hundred million in a glorious destruction, I cannot accept the Empire failing like this."

"Yes, sir!" Konoe Fumimaro nodded, responding.

The Emperor's command aligned with his own thoughts; even with only the army left, they had to steadfastly defend the Island Nation's territory.

The war with Australasia wasn't just a simple battle but a fight for the fate of the entire Island Nation.

If defeated, Konoe Fumimaro did not believe that the Island Nation, which had started the war without consultation, would have a good outcome. Especially since Australasia was not far from the Island Nation, the fate of the Island Nation could be dire, likely much worse than becoming a colony.