"A-7," America guessed, hoping and praying that at least this time, he would finally get a –

"Miss."

"Oh, come on!" America pouted as his opponent merely smiled in response. "Japan, dude, I swear this game is totally rigged, bro."

"I assure you, it isn't," Japan said. "It's just equal part strategical guessing and luck."

"Yes, and obviously America lacks either – especially the 'strategical' part," England interrupted with a smirk as he watched the two players.

"Oh, shut up," America said, shooting a look at the Brit. "Okay, Japan, it's your turn."

Japan studied the game board for a brief second before responding.

"E-3."

America let out a groan.

"You just sunk my battleship," the nation whined. "And that's the last of them."

"So that means Japan wins!" Italy cheered with a wide grin. "Good job, Japan! You won again! For the tenth time in a row, too!"

"Oh, don't rub it in," America pouted at the bouncing Italian and the now-laughing England. "Seriously, Japan dude, how are you so good at this game? It's almost like you knew exactly where my ships were!"

"Well, that's what happens when you put all of your ships right next to each other, aru," China rolled his eyes as he looked over America's shoulder at his pieces. "Typical."

"Seriously, Cher Amérique," France shook his head. "When are you going to admit that Japan is much better at Battleship than you are?"

"N-no he's not!" the American quickly responded. "He just got lucky, that's all. Nobody defeats the hero!"

"Yeah?" England challenged, arms crossed. "Then prove it."

"I will," America said as he returned to face Japan.

"One more game?" the other nation offered.

"You got it."

The nations quickly reset the game board, taking the excess pieces out and repositioning their ships.

"All right, bro, this is war," America cracked his knuckles with a mischievous smirk. "And I'm gonna end this once and for all."

"I guess we shall see about that," Japan replied, glancing at the board. "C-4."

Suddenly, America stood up and forcefully flipped the entire table over in one motion, the Battleship board and pieces breaking upon impact with the floor.

"Bomb!" he declared with a smile.

Japan blinked, trying to understand what had just happened.

"…Bomb…?" he asked.

"Yeah! I bombed you!" America laughed triumphantly. "So that means I won!"

"You idiot," England scoffed at the American. "You can't just bloody well make up your own moves!"

"Of course I can," America replied. "It was war, and I said I was going to end it. And I did, because I won! The battle is over, for the hero has saved the day!"

"That doesn't even make any sense!" England said.

"I like it when things go boom," Russia smiled.

"Western nations," China sighed. "So immature."

"Wait, Japan got bombed?" Italy asked. "Is Japan dead? I don't want him to die! Japan, please don't die!"

Amidst all the chaos, Japan simply rubbed his temples and sighed.

"I give up."

Author's note:

On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped the second atomic bomb on Japan in the city of Nagasaki, resulting in Japan's unconditional surrender and effectively ending World War II. Although I've written this chapter in more of a fun and lighthearted way, the damage from the bomb was incredibly bad, and an estimated 60-80,000 people died.

Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you have a great rest of your day (or night)!

XOXO,

Cora