While Killian was in Osaka negotiating with the Emperor, Chōshū, Satsuma, and Tosa steadily advanced their forces, trading blows with the shogunate army.
The domains were not particularly close, but when faced with a common enemy, cooperation came surprisingly easily.
Objectively, the shogunate still held the advantage in strength, but once momentum shifted, such differences could be overturned in war.
The anti-shogunate faction began to hope that this might truly be their chance to destroy the shogunate.
But that hope did not last long.
Reports soon arrived that British warships were heading toward Osaka.
The rising momentum was immediately extinguished.
The lords of Satsuma and Chōshū, Shimazu Nariakira and Mōri Takachika, convened an emergency council, while their retainers debated fiercely.
"Are the British planning to intervene? Killian is Tokugawa, so he will naturally support the Shogun."
"But even if he is Tokugawa, does he have the authority to bring in foreign forces?"
Among them were two young men already recognized for their ability despite their youth.
Saigō Takamori and Ōkubo Toshimichi.
Ōkubo spoke first.
"If Britain intervenes, we must attack that point. This becomes a matter of selling the country to foreign powers."
Saigō nodded.
"If he truly intends to help as family, then he should come alone."
"But if the Shogun approves it, the situation changes."
"The Emperor's approval is required for foreign diplomacy. And His Majesty is known to be conservative. He will not accept this easily."
Ōkubo's logic was sound.
Even if it could not stop Britain, it could shape the narrative.
They could accuse the shogunate of selling the nation.
If they spread this among the daimyō, more would join them.
"If all domains rise, even Britain cannot win."
They planned to pressure while leaving room for negotiation.
But before they could act, news arrived.
The Emperor had already approved.
And a declaration followed, stating that Killian had deployed forces to protect the young Shogun in accordance with the wishes of Tokugawa Ieyoshi.
The alliance was thrown into chaos.
"This cannot be! His Majesty would never approve foreign intervention!"
"This is a forged decree!"
Others hesitated.
"If the Emperor approved it… can we really win against Britain?"
"Should we negotiate now?"
Some even suggested persuading Killian himself.
But such ideas were quickly rejected.
"Do you think he would betray the Tokugawa?"
Debate raged.
But the conclusion was inevitable.
"We cannot turn back now. To retreat is death."
Saigō's voice was firm.
Shimazu supported him, and Mōri Takachika agreed.
The alliance committed to continue the war.
They reframed the situation.
The Emperor would never support the West.
Therefore, the decree must have been manipulated.
The shogunate was selling the nation.
That became their justification.
Yet one man remained uneasy.
Ōkubo Toshimichi.
Something did not add up.
The speed of the decree's arrival was too fast.
If the Emperor had been coerced, it would have taken time.
"Did the Emperor… agree willingly?"
He could not dismiss the thought.
If so, then Killian had already influenced the Emperor.
"…What kind of man is he?"
Curiosity mixed with unease.
Balancing between the Shogun and the Emperor had been expected to be difficult, but things proceeded smoothly.
The Emperor wanted to escape being a ceremonial puppet.
The Shogun wanted stability and security.
Ordinarily, satisfying both would be impossible.
But Tokugawa Iesada lacked ambition.
He feared defeat more than anything.
That made persuasion easy.
Japan's political culture was simple.
Strength determines loyalty.
Win, and others follow.
So long as the war ended in victory, everything else would fall into place.
Remove the corrupt retainers.
Surround the Shogun with pro-British figures.
Then the system would run on its own.
The Emperor required even less effort.
He had been treated so poorly that the promise of a constitutional monarchy was enough.
"Under such a system, my authority would be defined by law?"
"Yes. And protected by it."
"So it is not a chain, but a safeguard."
"Exactly."
He understood.
Or believed he did.
"Then we must reform everything."
"Yes. Without reform, those who seek power will return."
If reform came from outside, resistance would be fierce.
But with the Emperor's support, it became legitimacy.
Opponents could be labeled traitors.
Removed.
Cleanly.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing."
"What is it?"
"The military must be restrained."
"…Why?"
"If those who command armies act freely, they will dominate the state."
History had proven that.
Japan's future danger lay there.
"And how do we prevent that?"
"Simple. Issue an imperial command."
He leaned forward.
"To suppress the domains that misuse your name."
That was the key.
Crush Satsuma and Chōshū.
Break their power completely.
Then select what remained.
And rebuild Japan—
into something useful.
***
After receiving the Shogun's approval, Britain formally began procedures to evacuate its citizens.
"To Canada?"
"Only for those who wish to go."
"And those who want to return home, or stay?"
"They will pass through Shanghai or Hong Kong. But priority goes to those heading to Canada."
There were few complaints.
Crossing the Pacific required far more preparation, so it was natural to focus there.
Most British merchants in Japan had no connection to Canada, so few chose that path.
But the ships were far from empty.
"I want to go to Canada too!"
"Not everyone can go. Only those who pass strict screening under the agreement between the Shogun and His Highness Killian."
Unlike voluntary migration seen in places like Ireland or Germany, this was different.
No state willingly allows large-scale population extraction.
So officially, only a limited number were allowed.
But rumors spread quickly.
"Taxes are cut in half?"
"They even waive them at first."
"They give land if you settle it."
"Impossible."
"No, it's true. The Yamada family went and said life is better there."
The idea of Canada as a land of opportunity spread rapidly.
It was not paradise.
But compared to life under the Edo system, it was close enough.
"Wouldn't we be looked down on by Westerners?"
"Not if we go together."
"And isn't Canada ruled by His Highness Killian? A Tokugawa by blood?"
"…Then maybe it's not so bad."
For many, the decision was simple.
Remain and struggle under heavy taxes.
Or leave and try for something better.
"I want my children to live differently."
That was enough.
Then came another push.
Rumors of forced conscription.
"If the new government wins, we'll be drafted."
"…Really?"
"They say refusing makes you a traitor."
Fear spread.
War, taxes, uncertainty.
Canada became an escape.
"Then let's go. At least we won't die in war."
Requests surged.
Still, the process remained "strict."
Only those who had "cooperated" with Britain qualified.
"State your contribution."
"I gave water to a British merchant last summer."
"Approved."
"I sold food at a discount."
"Approved."
"I gave directions."
"Approved."
Nine out of ten passed.
Even that one failure came from admitting no connection at all.
Soon, everyone realized the truth.
Passing was easy.
Invent a story.
Say anything.
"Approved."
"Approved."
"Approved."
The numbers grew rapidly.
Ports filled.
Transport ships became insufficient.
But that was expected.
They could be sent in waves.
As for the backlash—
It was buried under something far larger.
The Emperor.
For the first time, he stepped forward openly.
A proclamation spread across the land.
He declared that Japan stood at a critical crossroads, that the strong devoured the weak, and that he would personally guide the nation.
He affirmed his trust in Killian.
He confirmed the Shogun's support.
He condemned opposition as treason.
And most importantly—
He ordered the suppression of Satsuma and Chōshū.
He declared the British fleet not as invaders, but as defenders of the realm.
The impact was immediate.
Domains that had supported the rebels turned overnight.
Neutral forces rushed to declare loyalty.
"Punish the traitors!"
"Shimazu must commit seppuku!"
"Mōri must answer!"
The anti-shogunate alliance collapsed into chaos.
Some doubled down.
Others defected instantly.
"We were misled!"
"We follow the Emperor!"
No one wanted to die for a losing cause.
Daimyō flocked to Osaka, lining up to pledge loyalty.
Even the Emperor was stunned.
"Your Highness… I did not expect this."
"This is how it should be. You are the ruler."
"…So this is power."
For the first time, he felt it.
Authority.
Real authority.
"This is because of you."
"No. Without your support, I would be nothing more than a foreign invader."
That was true.
Legitimacy came from him.
"But when you leave…"
"They will change again."
"…Then we must change the system."
Exactly.
Reform must follow.
Immediately.
"I agree. Proceed with the constitutional system."
He accepted fully.
Without hesitation.
"And appoint those you recommend."
"Are you certain?"
"You have given me real power. No one else has."
The seal was placed.
Authority confirmed.
Outside, the lines of daimyō stretched endlessly.
Inside, the Emperor smiled.
He had tasted power.
And he would not let it go.
Not now.
Not ever.
From this point on—
he would sink deeper into it.
And once fully immersed,
there would be no escape.