Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 267 : It’s Official

January 6, 1898.

The world was holding its breath.

As news of Japan's military preparations spread, so did the looming shadow of war. The Russian Empire, unwilling to lose its hold in the Pacific, had begun mobilizing troops along its eastern borders, reinforcing naval bases in Vladivostok and deploying warships into contested waters. The message was clear: Russia was ready for a fight.

In the heart of the Imperial Palace, the war council convened again, their expressions darker than before.

Emperor Yoshihito sat with his hands folded, his expression unreadable as reports were delivered to him. General Yamagata, his top military strategist, had just returned from a tour of Japan's defenses. His face was grim.

"Our navy is ready," Yamagata said, his voice low and serious. "We have reinforced the fleet in Sasebo and Yokosuka. Every battleship and cruiser we have is armed and awaiting orders. But there is a problem."

Minister Takamura, still wary of an all-out war, narrowed his eyes. "What problem?"

Yamagata exhaled sharply. "We are still outnumbered. If Russia deploys its full might, we cannot hold our positions for long. We will need the element of surprise, or we risk annihilation."

Yoshihito tapped his fingers on the table, considering the weight of the words.

"What about diplomacy?" Takamura asked, though he already knew the answer. "Is there any chance this can be avoided?"

Silence.

The Emperor finally spoke. "The Russians are moving their fleets toward our waters, and their troops are gathering at our borders. They do not want peace."

Takamura clenched his jaw.

Yamagata stepped forward. "We cannot be seen as weak. If we do not fight, we will be swallowed. The world must know—Japan will not kneel."

Yoshihito slowly nodded. "Then we will stand. But we will not strike first. If Russia wants war, let them take the first step into the abyss."

Thousands of miles away, Tsar Nicholas II sat at the head of his grand war room, staring at a massive map of the Pacific Theater. His ministers and generals surrounded him, their voices filled with barely restrained eagerness.

"We have Japan trapped," Grand Duke Alexei, the head of the Russian Navy, declared. "If they move first, we will crush them. And if they hesitate, we will force their hand."

Tsar Nicholas narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

Alexei smirked. "We send our fleet into Japanese-claimed waters. We test their patience. We block their trade routes and harass their convoys. If we can get them to fire first, the world will side with us."

General Fyodor Kazakov, the commander of Russia's eastern army, nodded in agreement. "The West will not support an empire that acts as the aggressor. If Japan takes the bait, we will be seen as defenders."

Nicholas took a deep breath, gripping the arms of his throne. "And if they don't?"

Alexei's smile was razor-sharp. "Then we strike anyway. But history will remember that they forced our hand."

The Tsar nodded slowly, a cruel satisfaction in his eyes.

"Then let the games begin."

Back in Amerathia, Matthew Hesh was growing more restless by the hour. The tension between Japan and Russia had reached a dangerous level. If something wasn't done soon, there would be no turning back.

Collins paced near the large conference table, flipping through the latest intelligence reports. "The Russians are already making their move," he muttered. "They're probing Japan's defenses, sending warships dangerously close to their shores. It's only a matter of time before someone fires a shot."

Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose. "And Japan?"

"Still holding their ground. But they're ready. The moment Russia crosses a line, they will respond."

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The President exhaled sharply, his mind racing. He needed to act fast. If this war erupted, it wouldn't just be Japan and Russia fighting—it would send shockwaves across the world.

"We need to intervene," Matthew finally said, his voice firm.

Collins arched an eyebrow. "How? We already said we wouldn't commit troops."

"We don't need to send troops," Matthew replied. "But we do need to remind both sides what's at stake. If this war begins, it won't stop at Japan. It won't stop at Russia. It will tear apart the entire region."

Collins sighed. "You want to mediate?"

Matthew shook his head. "No. I want to make them think twice."

He turned to General Hastings, Amerathia's top military mind. "How quickly can we deploy a naval presence to the region?"

Hastings hesitated. "If we move now, we can have a fleet stationed near the Philippines in less than two weeks."

"Make it happen," Matthew ordered.

Collins shot him a look. "That's risky. If either side sees it as an act of aggression—"

"Then let them," Matthew interrupted. "We're not taking sides. But we are making it clear that we are watching."

Collins ran a hand through his hair. "This is a gamble."

Matthew's expression hardened. "So is war."

Days passed, and the world braced itself.

In the Sea of Japan, Russian and Japanese fleets circled each other like predators, waiting for the first sign of weakness.

Tokyo was silent but burning with unspoken fury.

Moscow was quiet, yet filled with anticipation.

Then, on January 10, 1898, the moment came.

A Russian warship, the cruiser Pyotr Veliky, entered waters claimed by Japan. Admiral Togo, Japan's most seasoned naval commander, sent warnings—but the Russian vessel ignored them.

Then it happened.

A single shot rang out.

No one knew which side fired first.

But it didn't matter.

Because within moments, the sea exploded into chaos.

The war had begun.

Matthew sat at his desk, the urgent telegram clutched in his hands.

"Sir," Collins said, his voice grave. "It's official."

Matthew slowly looked up. "Say it."

Collins exhaled.

"Japan and Russia are at war."

The room fell into silence.

Matthew Hesh closed his eyes, the weight of history pressing down on him.

He had done everything he could.

But war had come anyway.

And now, the world would burn.

"Okay…let's prepare for whatever's going to happen in this war."

"Yes Mr. President."