Hetalia: The Fifty Stars

Chapter 9: Treaty of Portsmouth

New Hampshire. The 9th state is forgotten most of the time due to his similarities with Canada (and Vermont). As big as any patriot, he lives free or he dies (not literally hopefully). But other than his contributions toward the American Revolution, he's rarely remembered in history. Yet surprisingly he played an important role that led to stopping a war.

Between 1904-1905, Russia and Japan had been fighting due to territorial disputes. Russia in the later phase of the war was struggling to continue fighting, losing humiliating defeats to Japan while economically suffering and dealing with political turmoil at home. Despite hating the thought of an embarrassing peace from this unpopular war, the losses had been too great. In a desperate attempt to end the fighting, Russia had to rely on America to help negotiate with Japan for a treaty.

Thus, America was given the task to settle the Russo-Japanese War. Out of all the places in the world to hold these negotiations, he chose his own. How humble of him. And out of all the places to choose in his large home, he placed New Hampshire in charge of holding these meetings. Such a privilege to hold! If only New Hampshire felt the same way...

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"Wait?! Why me?! Why me out of all places?!"

I was terrified to say the least. America had given me an assignment to meditate discussions between two powerful nations. And instead of picking the usual Paris for treaties, he for some reason chose me. Me out of all the states! Portsmouth, New Hampshire! Sure! Why not?!

Who cares about New York! Who cares about D.C.! You know what, screw it! Let's place a map of the United States on the wall and throw a dart at it! Wherever that dart lands, that's the state to hold peace negotiations between two warring countries. Yep! Great plan!

"You can't be serious. There's no way I can handle this!" I was beginning to have a panic attack.

"Dude! Get a hold of yourself!" America snapped, however, his disheveled demeanor didn't help me in the slightest to calm down.

"What about you?! Aren't you even nervous at all?!" If the negotiations fail, then this is all his fault. He should've stuck with Paris if he just paid more for the trip.

"I am nervous!" The young man exclaimed, "My boss is counting on me, and I really don't want to face his Big Stick!" I don't think he said it as a sex joke...

"Paris!" I waved towards the window in the direction the City of Love would've been, "Paris, France! You could've asked Mr. France for the job! Why me?!" Knowing little about France, I at least know he was a seasoned diplomat compared to me. Yet here I am becoming a negotiator.

"Russia was counting on me! Okay?!" America admitted in his defense. "Plus, my boss thought it was a good place since your house is currently cooler than D.C.'s!" The negotiations will be taking place in the summer, so it would be uncomfortable to host meetings in the warm weather of the capital. Still, he may as well chose New York. Or even Massachusetts and Connecticut for that matter. Instead, he chose an unfamiliar state like me.

I skeptically eye the young nation, giving an ounce of doubt for his lame excuse. Gazing at my disappointed face, America breathed out a tired breathed, knowing full well if the excuse was true, a meeting in Portsmouth was still an odd decision to make.

"Look," America stated, "The conference is tomorrow, and all I need for you to do is entertain our guests while the negotiations take place in Maine."

'Maine? She's a part of this too! Since when?'

"Couldn't you pick Maine to do the job then?" Like, why ask for my help?

"Maine is bad in negotiations!" America stammered out a total lie.