The limited surface-combat value of Tenryu and Tatsuta

What combat value did Tenryu and Tatsuta retain in the Second World War, and what force could defeat them?

Their torpedoes kept them dangerous, but two modern destroyers or one capable heavy cruiser should defeat the pair.

Tenryu and Tatsuta were early prototypes for Japan's later fast light cruisers and carried only four 140 mm centerline guns. Their torpedo tubes could still make them dangerous, especially once Long Lance weapons became available. A pair of modern Fletchers or Tribals should be able to defeat them, while a single effective eight-inch cruiser could also prevail. A weak three-turret heavy cruiser would face more risk because it could not divide fire efficiently enough to stop both ships from closing to torpedo range.