Funny thing about people, they trip over the same rock again and again. Doesn't matter how many times they see it coming, they still manage to land face-first. There's even a proverb for it:
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me thrice, well... maybe I'm just the idiot.
Why does it happen?
Sometimes it's forgetfulness. Sometimes curiosity.
A lapse in focus. Or that stubborn itch to do things our own way. And then there are the thrill-chasers—the ones who march right back into the mess, convinced each time will be different.
There are all kinds of fools who keep repeating the same mistakes.
…So.
Are you also a Fool, Stranger?
How many times did it take before you learned from your own? More than three? Five? Ten? That's not what matters. What matters is that you learned. That makes you someone wiser, someone with enough humility to grow.
The greatest fool is not the wanderer who falls, but the soul who refuses to learn.
They hoard curse of knowledge, harvest of treasury, slip of luck, chance of time, and even the gift to shatters shadows once and for all. Yet with all this, they do nothing. They remain bound, unmoving, trembling before their own fear.
So they linger, broken and blind. Forever lost. Alone. In the dark.
And when a single ray of light rises to guide them home, they turn their face away. They walk to embrace the endless night, warping kindness into grief, twisting compassion into pain.
Compassion itself cuts like a blade to them, and so they cast it aside.
Again. And again... and again.
That is the fool in their truest form.
————————————————
「Azur Lane Academy (?)」
"Easy now… no need for those wide eyes. I'm only watching, not biting." 「Observer」
A moment earlier, Saratoga had opened her eyes inside the Command & Center—the very room she and the senior officers used to issue orders and monitor the tides of battle.
But instead of being welcomed by her comrades or her Commander, her awakening came with the face of an Elite Siren hovering inches away. An enemy she knew all too well, the one she was supposed to fight, not find leaning over.
"Fresh air might do you good, shall we?" 「Observer」
Strangely enough, Observer made no move to attack.
Her words, her mannerisms—everything about her was suspicious, as always.
Yet the Siren even went so far as to explain why she had no intention of fighting.
That alone was reason enough for Saratoga to feel a trap lurking beneath the calm. When Observer invited her to take a short walk, Saratoga couldn't shake the thought that there's more to it.
Her mind kept circling back to the great battle she thought was still raging, and to the unsettling question of why she and the other high-ranking officers had collapsed in this very room.
"Once you try anything funny…" 「Saratoga」
"Be at ease. According to the agreement, I'll be your Navi girl. For now." 「Observer」
"Agreement…? I don't recall signing any new contract—not even for some Navi girl." A flicker of memory surfaced in Saratoga's mind. "Unless… you mean the one where I agreed to let my Commander die. Ha… haha…"
"Ahh~ That one piece of paper." 「Observer」
The Commander's Execution Form—Saratoga could still picture the paper, her own signature scrawled at the bottom. She had her reasons, her purpose, even convincing the other Factions Leader to sign as well.
And yet, deep inside, the unease gnawed at her.
"I know about that form," Observer continued softly. "But tell me… why did you ship girls choose a path that allowed your Commander to die a second time? Was once not enough for you?"
"For someone who let us get raped, butchered, and torn apart… what the hell kind of reason do you have for sticking your nose in now? Don't tell me you've cooked up another scheme to mess with us?!" 「Saratoga」
"Oh? You still cling to your hatred of us Sirens. Yet there are greater enemies now, threats far more pressing than your grudges. Such a narrow, caged way of thinking." 「Observer」
"Yeah, yeah. Doesn't mean we forgot what you did, Siren." 「Saratoga」
"Huhu… how fiery. Or perhaps… just vengeful." 「Observer」
Everywhere Saratoga looked, something felt off as she wandered through the Academy.
She found her comrades scattered across the grounds, unconscious where they'd fallen—on the field, by the pool, on the rooftops, even sprawled in the middle of the streets. The silence around them only made the sight more unsettling.
"Enty and… Kaga? What the hell happened for those two to end up knocked out, side by side, like they're taking a nap in the middle of campus?" 「Saratoga」
"Hoo… Code G looks almost harmless like this. A little more approachable." 「Observer」
"But they were supposed to be at the frontline… fighting. And over there—An Shan and the other Dragon Empery kids who were firing the cannons—why are they lying here too? None of this adds up..." 「Saratoga」
To a Siren, the scene of Saratoga tried to remind something was almost amusing.
"Then try harder to remember. I've no patience for dragging explanations out the way. I'll wait right here," Observer lowered herself onto Enterprise's unconscious body, crossing one leg over the other as though she's a lounge chair.
What Saratoga noticed boiled down to this:
Those who had been at the Shallow Waters or on the Frontline, along with the girls stationed in the Academy and the Backline, were all mixed together now—strewn across the grounds, lying unconscious in complete disarray.
"As far as I remember… the Commander's position was already confirmed. That bastard Yulijer called and threatened me, and then Akagi decided to go there alone," rubbing her neck, Saratoga recalled the desperate look on Akagi's face.
And it wasn't just her comrades lying unconscious.
The Academy itself looked wrong. Infrastructure she remembered being blasted apart was somehow whole again. Parasols and curtains she had seen shredded were now perfectly intact.
"This place should've been flattened by the magic artillery… South Dakota couldn't block it in time. Then Laffey and the others were fighting off a System User that had infiltrated the Academy, but… and yet, here they are." 「Saratoga」
Those who should've been far at the front, or safely in the rear, were now lying here together in the Academy, all unconscious. And in the middle of it all was Observer, the Elite Siren who pulled out of the Academy as if it were her own home.
The Academy itself looked untouched, unscarred by battle. Yet Saratoga could still remember—clear as day—the Hanging Garden of Babylon looming over the horizon.
"Albacore… how the hell did the submarine girls end up here too? No, more like… how are they sleeping so soundly in the Academy of all places? Normally they'd be roaming around pulling tricks and pranks like I usually—khuum! Back to the problem." 「Saratoga」
As she muttered, her gaze fell on them.
The subs girls were sprawled across the floor, unconscious yet tangible, sometimes twitching with strange little laughs. The sight made her chest ease for a moment—even as her mind knotted in confusion.
It almost looked like some chaotic sleepover, the kind the girls would throw whenever they had a victory to celebrate. And for Saratoga, the only victory fresh in her memory was…
"The battle was over. After that showdown with Yulijer—the one calling the shots—we fought, and we won. The survivors we dragged back and locked up in the Commander's office… just like he ordered." 「Saratoga」
Her steps carried her toward the place she spoke of, intent on proving her own words true.
But when she arrived, there was no one there—not the Commander, not the prisoners she swore they had taken. Only Belfast and Taihou lay inside, unconscious and unmoving.
"That's… that's what happened…" Saratoga murmured, her voice faltering. "They looked so damn scared when the Commander stared them down—yet in the fight with us, they were all swagger and arrogance."
Frowning, she pressed a hand to her chin, then turned back toward Observer, who was still lounging idly as if nothing mattered. And yet, something still felt just out of reach for her memory.
Like a fragile thread of light dangling in the dark, waiting to be pulled. If she could just grasp it, perhaps it would unravel the haze and lead her back to the truth. So, she glanced at the Siren.
"Hey, give me dibs." 「Saratoga」
"Hmm? So the little carrier finally admits she's lost?" Observer's lips curved into a mischievous smile as she slid off her seat. "Fine, fine. If you want a hint… then let me dangle one in front of you. Surely you've heard of the Mirror Seas, yes? Those delightful little playgrounds of ours."
"…This place… it's inside a Mirror Sea…?" Saratoga whispered.
"Bingo~! This place is a Mirror Sea, yes… but not the usual kind. With your Commander's little adjustments, it became something new altogether—a Mirror Dimension Generator. Sounds almost like science fiction dressed up as reality, doesn't it?" Observer's smile lingered, sly and knowing.
"Another secret job… so the Commander really had a hand in this, huh? Then why the hell didn't he tell me…" Saratoga muttered, unease twisting in her chest. Her eyes narrowed at the Siren. "And you—why the hell are you acting like that?"
"What way?" Observer tilted her head, her grin faint but unnerving. "I'm simply savoring my first collaboration with your Commander. Among humans, creations like this are often called… a child, aren't they?"
"There's… no way in hell it could be that," Saratoga shot back.
At least one riddle had been solved.
Now that Saratoga knew what this place truly was, she moved on—searching for the next place she could use. Her first step was to head back toward the beach, where she focused and tried to manifest her rigging.
It worked.
The familiar weight of her gear settled into place, and she found she could even sail across the sea as if nothing had changed. Only then did her gaze shift toward the device Observer held in her hand.
"Yeah, I've pretty much figured out how this place ticks—and maybe even how to crack it. But first, I need answers. What's going on outside this Mirror Sea, or Dimension, or whatever the hell this is? Why'd you dump us all in here?" 「Saratoga」
"You make it sound so easy, tearing this place apart. But do you really think I'd stand by and watch? Have you already forgotten what I truly am—and the power this child embodies!?" Observer's eyes flashed with dangerous light.
"My Navigator," Saratoga retorted, eyes narrowing. "You said it yourself. And don't kid me—that was never a child to begin with."
"Ahh… so I did say that, didn't I?" Observer replied, her tone lilting with amusement.
The tide swept around Saratoga's feet, but she barely noticed.
Her focus was on the Siren—watching, waiting, unwilling to let a single word slip by. She had dragged Observer here on purpose; if this turned into a fight, she wanted no hesitation.
She alone could at least hinder Observer until the others wake up.
"…So? What's really happening outside that we had to be caged in here?" Saratoga's voice cracked with anger. "The battle with the Users—it was over! The Commander came home, and we were getting ready to celebrate—so why this!?"
"Hoo… seems like you remember, then?" Observer's voice carried that faint, teasing lilt.
"Of course I remember! That was exactly the moment we'd been waiting for! After all that time, we finally got to see our Commander, hold him, and talk to him! How could you even—" Saratoga's emotions bubbled up, threatening to overflow.
"Hmm… now, where should I even start…" 「Observer」
Gently holding the generator of this dimension, she let her gaze sweep between Saratoga and the Academy. Her expression was still sly and charming, as always—but this time, there's something different.
————————————————
.....
....
...
With the evening drawing in, a chill wind whipped against their faces.
"All ships, battle stations!" 「the Commander」
A surge of glacial power swept across the sea, freezing the waters as if the ocean itself sought to swallow them whole. Yet in the next heartbeat, the ice was cleaved apart by the man standing at the very front.
The sun's setting light flashed along the steel as it split the frost, sundering the glacier in a combo of shattering light. Ice shards rained down, glittering like crystal stars—a sight so mesmerizing it almost stole the Ship Girls' focus.
"No point in backing down now. Forward and vanquish our enemy!" he shouted.
He gripped his sword tightly, raising it high.
If there had been music—something brooding, like Bury the Light—his aura would have rivaled Vergil's. But even without it, the sight of him was enough to leave them stunned, his opening strike lifting their spirits higher than any rallying cry.
"Hopefully Vergil doesn't mind I borrowed his sword just now." 「the Commander」
And there he stood, the one human they were sworn to protect now stood before them, defying the turmoil of this world with a strength that felt impossible.
For many, it was a staggering sight. Most had only ever seen their new Commander buried in paperwork behind a closed office door. But for others, panic struck instead.
"He really charges forward alone!?" 「New Jersey」
"This is... that Commander you're talking about...?" 「Kaga」
"What did I tell you? Commander is strong." 「Enterprise」
"Escort formation!" 「Musashi」
Shattered chunks of ice plunged into the sea, sending waves crashing at their feet.
Tension rippled once more across the battlefield as they pressed forward. Since no matter how dazzling his display had been, they would never allow their Commander to stand alone at the front.
The fleet locked into a diamond formation, the Commander secured at its center.
He remained steady, unshaken by the sudden shift. Flagships relayed their reports, voices sharp over comms, each detailing the toll of the last engagement.
The fleet leaders, who had carried the heaviest burden, addressed him directly once more.
"Once again, nice to meet you." 「the Commander」
There's New Jersey, friendly and confident; Tirpitz, silent as the north she hailed from; Littorio, carrying herself with effortless grace; Warspite, the veteran whose presence commanded respect.
Alongside them stood Kaga, sharp-eyed and stoic; Friedrich der Große, imposing as a cathedral; Enterprise, steady as always; Sovetskaya Rossiya, fierce and resolute; Dunkerque, calm amidst the storm; and Musashi, a mountain of strength at her side.
Everywhere he turned, familiar faces were there.
So much so that the enemy he'd seen just moments ago was already out of sight.
"...Musashi? Could it be you who leads this Combined Fleet? Then I'll be counting on you whenever I falter. The same goes for the rest, I expect your cooperation." 「the Commander」
"That's not the case, Commander. We only gathered and reassigned ships from other divisions that survived the last battle. These sixty additional Ship Girls are commanded by about ten flagships, myself included." 「Musashi」
"Oh, I see. So this isn't a fleet under one Flagship, but six impromptu fleets under their own leaders," the Commander nodded. "If that's the case, then I'll leave it in your hands. From the fire in your eyes, I trust each of you can manage without much interference from me."
"What are you saying, Commander?" Musashi countered, her tone firm yet respectful. "You're the one who should hold the reins. At the very least, you must shoulder the responsibility for our victory. And… if I may admit it, I find myself looking forward to seeing it."
"Haha… I suppose you're right. After making such a bold declaration, it would hardly do for me to retreat to the rear and hide behind you," the Commander admitted with a faint smile.
"That's only half true." 「Warspite」
While he spoke and built rapport with the flagships, a few of the Ship Girls up front kept sneaking glances back at their Commander, their curiosity fueled by high morale and trust.
"Hey… why's the Commander just wearing a T-shirt? Where's his navy uniform?" Noshiro muttered.
"It's with that girl over there—the one with the black lance," Baltimore answered. "He gave it to her to cover the tear in her back. Not that it'll do much besides cover the bare minimum."
"But... why purple?" 「Noshiro」
"T-That... I'm not really sure." 「Baltimore」
"Hmph. I suspected that human liked being half-naked," Hindenburg scoffed.
"…It should've been me… IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!" Roon suddenly erupted.
Meanwhile, those further back often found themselves watching the Commander's back instead. Interactions like this somehow eased their tension—and he, in turn, seemed to enjoy it.
"Haha, do you want this t-shirt instead, Tirptiz?" 「the Commander」
"Don't mind her, Commander. We're used to cold," Tirpitz said calmly. "That's… pretty usual."
"Yeah, I figured as much. Remind me to buy you drinks later," The Commander's grin turned wry. "Now then! Let's stack the odds even further against us, so you can hurry and back home to the warmth of your couch. Astra, command insert."
Done with casual emotion, he moves with more tempered one.
Clapping his hands together, he summoned a black sphere that returned to orbit around him, the tiny lights within it glinting like starlight as they circled closer to his frame. Yet that was not what held the Ship Girls' gaze.
It was the way he stood.
His gaze stayed fixed on the enemy, steady and unflinching.
"Not a shred of fear, huh?" 「Sovetskaya Rossiya」
It was a sharp turn from the joking tone he'd had just moments ago. The sword he once carried was gone, yet he carried himself as though the strength of his body alone could carve a path through anything in his way.
To the Ship Girls watching, it was as if he no longer wielded steel—he had become the steel itself.
Steel that knows no fear.
Steel that knows no doubt.
When faced with the enemy, steel does not hesitate.
It just does what it's supposed to do.
"It'll take some time before I can call on heavy hitters like that sword," the Commander admitted, his tone calm despite the chaos. "For now, I'll give you simple support. It might feel like someone's tickling your ears, but don't worry—just relax and fight."
He was not the flawless image of a Commander to be idolized. Not exactly the perfect image of a Commander, no. He was more like another soldier in the ranks—just like them.
"Buff implement, numerous targets. Body of Effulgent Beryl. Fly. Bless of Magic Caster. Infinity Wall. Magic Ward - Holy. Life Essence. Greater Full Potential. Freedom. False Data - Life. See Through. Paranormal Intuition. Greater Resistance. Mantle of Chaos. Indomitability. Sensor Boost. Greater Luck. Magic Boost. Draconic Power. Greater Hardening. Heavenly Aura. Absorption. Penetrate Up. Greater Magic Shield. Mana Essence. Greater Magic Seal." The Commander
Each word pulsed, the air around him humming with a strange energy.
The light within that little black sphere began to shift, changing bit by bit. But what really caught the Ship Girls off guard wasn't the sphere at all—it was how easily he said it all, not tripping over a single word.
"C-Commander?" 「New Jersey」
He gave no reply, too focused on the cascade of buffs pouring from his lips.
Not even the pain etched across his bloodied face could break his concentration.
Just as they had grown used to the cold and the crashing waves, he had grown used to pain and loss. Wounds or no, he pressed on until a gentle hand closed around his arm. It belonged to that New Jersey.
"…I don't know what you're pulling, but keep it up!" 「New Jersey」
Then in that instant, it happened. A surge of power raced through the fleet, coursing into every Ship Girl. The murmurs of worry died at once, replaced with the sudden clarity of understanding.
But as the last wave left him, a hollow ache clawed at his stomach.
"Haaah… I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." 「the Commander」
A horse-eared ship girl twitched nervously at his side.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander. I'm unworthy of this opportunity I've been given to serve you. I'll endeavor to satisfy you to the fullest – please, do not hesitate." 「Daisen」
"Nice to meet you too, Daisen-kun. Thanks for the follow up." 「the Commander」
"…Follow… up? What's even up there to follow, poi?" 「Yuudachi」
"…W-Which Yuudachi are you now?"「the Commander」
She tilted her head skyward, squinting like there might actually be something worth tracking.
"And what's these feelings!? I feel like stronger than before!" 「Yuudachi」
This was what he had meant.
Strength welled within them, greater than ever before. Muscles felt lighter, weapons sharper, senses keener. Once again, the Commander had shown them something they never expected him capable of.
Trust deepened. Affection grew. The pull toward him tightened. And yet, behind all of it lingered a quiet fear—fear that he was pushing himself too far, that his battered body might finally give way.
"Surely… you could fix your body first before doing this. Right, Commander?" Tallin asked.
"Aren't you afraid your vessel might break? Power on this scale always demands a price, " Monarch warned.
As he had felt before, their concern was overflowing. Although this is also a proof of how closely the Ship Girls watched over him, how unwilling they were to let his suffering pass unnoticed.
He wasn't used to it.
"All of you… we're still in battle, you know. There's no time for useless reasoning," the word useless slipped out like a blade, and every gaze snapped toward him at once. "I-I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me."
"What a stubborn man," Hiryuu muttered under her breath.
"Besides…" The Commander's eyes flicked toward the enemy lines. "Do you really think they enjoy watching us stand around, getting along so sweetly? And uh... New Jersey, can you let my arm go already?"
Of course, once their enemies prepared, the System Users did not sit idly by.
Across the farthest reaches of the sea, they were but dots upon the horizon, faint and fragile to the eye. Yet within those small forms stirred a power vast enough to sway the fate of nations, to unmake the world itself.
They were the System Users.
As agreed in their little game, repeated once more, Katchia was given the opening strike—an all-or-nothing blow. The result: no damage, no merit gained. And so, what followed turned into a contest—a rumble to see who could rack up the highest kill count.
Julian, Katchia, and Suzuko each unleashed their powers.
Chakra roared to life, torrents of energy wrapping their bodies, while an eerie presence spilled into the air around them. High above, only Yulijer stayed calm, watching with serene detachment.
The three could hardly wait, itching to throw themselves at the fleet of Ship Girls standing in their way. It was like carnivores spotting meat piled high, and for once, they weren't planning on holding back—they were going all in from the start.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu! COME—tailed beasts!" Suzuko bit down hard and slammed her palm against the ocean's surface, and in an instant, smoke billowed wide, swallowing the horizon.
When it finally drifted away, the sight froze all who looked on seven gigantic beasts born of chakra. Two Tails, Three, Four… all the way to Eight, each monstrous tail lashing in a shape of its own.
"Destroy them all," Suzuko commanded, her voice edged with venom. "Leave nothing behind!"
A ripple of unease spread.
Suzuko had never been able to perform this jutsu before.
The Reality Anchors, those hovering nodes, suppressed any attempt to alter the structure of the world within their range. Yet now, with many destroyed and the rest positioned too far to matter, their stabilizing effect was gone.
Without anchors to hold reality firm, distortion became possible, and Suzuko seized that chance.
"Oh? So, you've brought out everything up to the Eight Tails. Guess the One Tail really is useless, huh? From what I remember, you're only missing the Nine Tails. Don't tell me catching Naruto was really that hard?" ☆Yulijer☆
Suzuko's lips curled in irritation. "Tch. In my world, Minato's still alive. That bastard never stopped slipping from my grasp. Even after I thought he'd break—after I made Kushina suffer right in front of him—he still endured. Damn him…"
The Tailed Beasts—Bijuu.
In their world, they were living forces of nature, vessels of immeasurable chakra. Each one loomed as massive as a kaiju, and to face them was to court disaster. Few shinobi, few humans at all, could ever hope to stand against them.
"!!!" 「Eight Tails」
"Huh?" Suzuko turned lazily toward it.
With a roar, the colossal beast tried to strike her down.
Yet its movement froze in place, as if invisible chains bound its limbs.
"You still struggle?" Suzuko sneered. "Idiot. You missed B that much?"
Feared as natural disasters, these creatures had laid waste to nations.
Only one or two in a generation could rival their might. And yet Suzuko had summoned not one, but six of them, standing chained and controlled at her command.
"That's your targets, not me." ☆Suzuko☆
The creature roared, thrashing wildly, bending the air with its unnatural fury.
Then Suzuko's eyes flared, Mangekyō Sharingan spinning.
The beast's own eyes shifted to match his crimson gaze, and like obedient kaiju, they charged forward, a storm of destruction unleashed upon the battlefield.
Suzuko's Susano'o unfurled, wings of spectral armor carrying her skyward. From on high, she loomed over the battlefield, gazing down like a cruel god toying with her creations.
"She really can't handle close combat, can she?" Yulijer chuckled, drifting upward until he floated just above her. "But give her something to slice—or let her play doctor—and she lights up like it's her favorite game."
He always had to be higher. Even with his own comrade, he wouldn't accept being below.
At the same time, Katchia also stirred.
Her voice was little more than a whisper, but the power curling in her hands carried across the field.
"Two-Quirk Combination: Decay and Electricity Generation. New Quirk forged… Lightning Rot," pale lightning cracked and hissed in one hand, while a corrosive field shimmered in the other.
She lifted her opposite palm, a calm smile tugging at her lips. "Two-Quirk Combination: Metal Manipulation and Suicide Bombing. New Quirk forged… Metallic Self-Explode."
"Heh… that's one of Katchia's trick. She can mash quirks together and spit out something new—uglier, deadlier. And on top of that, she's sitting on All For One," Yulijer leaned back like he was watching a stage play, not a battlefield.
"She's fortunate she's already got Eri chained down. That girl's her one true weakness. Wait… wasn't Eri sent into the factory? Hm. No matter. I'll wring the answer out of her later."
A Quirk was more than just power in My Hero Academia's world—it was identity. To strip someone of their Quirk was to strip them of who they were. And All For One was the Quirk built to do exactly that.
"Although the quirks she fuses burn out after a few minutes… well, she listened to me and built herself a factory, so the supply won't ever run dry. Still, what a waste…" Yulijer's voice dropped, the smirk fading for just a moment.
"To think the pure girl I once knew would end up like this. What an innocent and stupid girl."
But Katchia didn't merely seize All For One for herself—she pushed it further.
She built a breeding ground, a factory to mass-produce new Quirk bearers in her world. From that grotesque assembly line, she could harvest even more power.
Her strength now… might very well surpass the original All For One. And with it came the weight of her karma—for taking, twisting, and exploiting the lives of those who had once lived free.
Just like her companions, each rotting in their own way.
"Yuli? Did you say something?" Katchia's voice was light, almost sing-song.
"No, nothing. Just… if you overheat, I'll be the one dragging you home. You always brush off healing quirks as boring but maybe give them a second thought." ☆Yulijer☆
"I don't think I will~ See you later!" ☆Katchia☆
In her bright blue eyes, she saw only freedom. In his crimson gaze, there lurked something else entirely—a claim, a hunger, a twisted devotion she would never notice until too late.
The girl with the same white hair as him flashed a quick smile before slipping ahead, weaving into the chaos of the rampaging Tailed Beasts. Everyone's eyes were locked on the destruction, hard to notice her closing in.
Her aim remained unchanged: the ship girls with white hair.
As for Julian, the Sword Art Online fanatic…
"…What're you staring at?! All I've got are these swords and these wings!" ☆Julian☆
Some things never change.
He still dual-wielded like it was his religion, fairy wings fluttering behind him like a bad MMO cosplay. Yet in combat, he turned absurdity into terror. Flying, weaving, and chaining blades in combos sharp enough to carve down anyone who underestimated him.
He launched himself just enough to hover, gaze narrowing on the one who had escaped him—L'Indomptable. Like a dragonfly skimming water, he streaked forward, the sea splitting beneath his passing wings.
"Good thing the SAO world he landed in never reached the Alicization arc. Besides, he went and killed Kirito on a whim, so that whole storyline's off the table anyway. Still… if he'd ever learned the Underworld commands, he'd be terrifying." ☆Yulijer☆
And with that, round two of their battle began.
On the System Users' side stood three humans wielding godlike powers, seven kaiju capable of leveling cities with ease, and their hidden ace—Yulijer, likely stronger than all three combined.
"I'll be laughing if you lot get your asses kicked with this much," Yulijer drawled.
Facing them, the Azur Lane World mustered around sixty ship girls, each reinforced with otherworldly buffs, and a Commander not of their world. On paper, the match looked even.
Quality versus quantity.
But in reality, it wasn't even close.
The System Users wielded strength surpassing the protagonists of countless tales, aided by coincidences carefully woven into their paths through the phantasmal program granted by god.
"Helena, tell Akashi to fire on the coordinates I've marked." 「the Commander」
"Understood!" Helena's reply was sharp, decisive.
Still, the fight wasn't over.
They hadn't drawn their last card. And as for the Commander? Sure, he had god-like powers too—just… more of the "discounted bundle" variety. Divine, but with sale tags still hanging off the box.
...
....
.....
Ocean, sky, water, air—even the mountains felt alive, quivering with the moment.
"Fuwa... Fuwa... Fuwa... Fuwa!"
"We're about to fire this cannon! It's dangerous up there! Get down!" An Shan shouted.
Then, far beyond the Azur Lane Academy, past even Rite City itself, the earth gave a shuddering roar as the ground began to quake.
Stone and soil ground against each other as the earth split apart, an opening yawning wider and wider until a colossal shape pushed through. A weapon rose from the depths, towering as tall as twin 7/11s glued together.
Metal groaned and gears screamed as the hidden monster awakened—BFG-999, its core glowing with the sickly fire of a false green star.
The mountainside split like a wound, jagged rock tearing loose as the massive barrel thrust upward, its shadow crawling across the land. Birds scattered, the earth convulsed, and tremors rippled for hundreds of meters around.
Within the cockpit, sharpshooters tracked every movement from their seats. Their sights stayed locked, steady as the supporting tech and mechanical frameworks hummed around them, managing the colossal weapon.
"Lock & loaded!" 「Fu Shun」
Strangely enough, a stray furball had made its way to the very tip of the colossal cannon's barrel. No one seemed concerned—it was simply there, clinging to the steel like some bizarre mascot.
For now, their focus locked on the firing sequence of the massive weapon.
"We're good here," Chang Chun reported, voice steady.
"…All that's left is your signal, An Shan," Tai Yuan added.
The sharpshooters, the ones entrusted with the colossal weapon were none other than the four cardinal beast ship girls—An Shan, Fu Shun, Chang Chun, and Tai Yuan.
Seasoned in missile combat, they had stood guard since dawn, their vigilance steady as the day bled toward dusk. And now, as the clock struck five p.m., the moment they had been waiting for was finally upon them.
At Akashi's first signal, the crew loaded two full rounds into the BFG-9999, the colossal cannon already thrumming like a caged beast. Its metal skin vibrated, gears whining as power surged through every fiber of the weapon.
Only when the coordinates arrived did they hoist the cannon fully above ground.
All that remained was a target—something worthy to be the target, a canvas for the devastation pent up inside, ready to be painted in green-glowing ruin.
And then, at last, the coordinates arrived.
"Drop-off position confirmed! Prepare to fire Cannon One! After a ten-second pause, fire Cannon Two at the same coordinates. Understood?! And no friendly fire allowed this time!" 「An Shan」
"Yes!/ Let's goo kaboom!/ G-Got it, big sis!" 「Fu Shun, Chang Chun, Tai Yuan」
The countdown began, and the girls manning the cannon braced themselves.
"Fire!" An Shan and Fu Shun shouted in unison.
A pulse of concentrated energy surged forward, released as a single, blinding ray of green light.
The blast thundered like a laser but with a violent, unstable force, shaking the ground in waves that rippled outward like a miniature earthquake.
Yet somehow, the strange furball still clung up above—until the shockwave finally blasted it who-knows-where. It had been told it was dangerous to hang around up there, so Fuwa really just got what it deserved.
"FUUUWAAAAA!"
Hmm, who cares.
...
....
.....
"…Fire support has been launched!" Helena's voice rang out.
"Stand by me! Keep the buffs on these girls," the Commander ordered, bringing his hands together. "Add barrier-type abilities to the vessels," he muttered, like someone gathering strength.
His mind echoed with a familiar warning: [Your stress level is approaching dangerous levels.]
"I'm always stressed, let's get started." 「the Commander」
[Command activated. Abilities of Kekkaishi and Barrier Masters—containment, offense, platform creation, motion locks, forcefields—have been temporarily registered.]
"All ship, brace for impact! It'll happen in three... two-" 「the Commander」
But the countdown never finished.
The beam struck first—a colossal ray of green plasma tearing across the sea in a straight, merciless line. The horizon split with blinding light, waves erupting into clouds of boiling mist as the ocean itself was carved open.
Anything caught ahead was simply erased, swallowed whole by the torrent of energy.
"Commander!" 「Enterprise」
"The ocean!?" Helena gasped.
"Was that… an orbital cannon?" 「Essex」
"Not quite," the Commander replied grimly. "That thing's fired from the ground."
Tailed beast, glaciers, oceans— even the last shadow of life itself—vanished, erased without a trace the moment they touched the blast of BFG-9999. No screams, no ruins, only silence spreading outward, as if the world itself had been reset.
Hands still pressed together, the Commander let out a long breath.
Fortunately, he had moved in time, shielding them from the chaos.
A cube-shaped barrier enclosed them, holding back the calamity outside. Those caught unguarded, however, had no such mercy—swept away by the sudden annihilation.
"You...BASTARD!" ☆Suzuko☆
Her Susanoo was not in complete form anymore, it's been shattered.
Only half of her left side remained, flickering with broken fragments of power. Even so, she hurled herself forward, desperate to bring her ruined body crashing down upon the ship girls.
"There's second." 「the Commander」
"F-Fucking wha—?!" Suzuko's eyes widened—then the heavens split once more.
A second colossal ray of green annihilation descended, tearing through her along with everything the first blast had failed to erase. The beam carved across the battlefield, vaporizing several tailed beasts on contact, while others managed to slip away at the very last moment.
Julian too escaped, saved by sheer speed.
But Katchia—and Suzuko—were not so fortunate.
For them, there was no escape. Not once, but twice, the second green ray of the BFG-9999 swallowed them whole, erasing both body and will beneath its merciless glow.
By all rights, they should have been nothing more than scattered particles drifting on the wind.
And yet… they still breathed.
Whether by sheer stubbornness, twisted resilience, or the absurd safety net of plot armor packed into their very existence, they clung to life—however broken, however impossible.
"Damn it... I really used it... Izanagi..." ☆Suzuko☆
The devastation layered upon itself, each burst of ruin complementing the other.
Although this was the BFG-9999—not the legendary BFG-10000—the difference in destructive power was negligible, a reduction so minuscule it might as well not exist.
Even Yulijer, momentarily forgot he had risen from his throne as he stared at the spectacle.
"Anti-planet?" ☆Yulijer☆
The waves and currents unleashed by the strike tore outward, as if the sea itself had been split in two. The sheer force rippled far beyond the horizon—at such a scale, even the moon might not survive unscathed.
Such was the might of weaponry born from another world, one advanced enough to wage war not just across nations, but across planet and space themselves.
"Hmm? Ah… my body's bleeding so bad. I need to fix it." Katchia's voice was sing-song, though her breaths came ragged. "Mama isn't here to help me anymore… I have to do it right this time."
Blood streamed down her body as she scrambled to mend herself, yet time was slipping away.
With no choice, she kicked off the ground and shot toward the sky.
Below, the tailed beasts fared no better. Snared by waves that surged and folded in on themselves, dragged into spiraling maelstroms that clawed at even their colossal forms.
And if one looked closely, it was clear: their numbers had already begun to thin.
"!?" 「Three Tails」
"!!" 「Five Tails」
"??!" 「Seven Tails」
"!!!" 「Eight Tails」
Unlike the ship girls, who were safely shielded inside a transparent cube, their enemies were pitifully exposed. Being dragged into a whirlpool in the middle of the ocean was anything but pleasant.
To think their Commander had been hiding a trump card like this.
Only now did they understand why Command & Center never used it near the academy—one blast could have torn the ecosystem there apart. And once again, it proved their Commander could always pull something unexpected, always finding a way to shock them.
"Hit on impact... confirmed for both fire support." 「Helena」
"Let's see…" the Commander's voice carried a cold calm. "Two Tails, Four Tails, and Six Tails—gone. Black-haired girl struck down, white-haired girl crippled, and that Gilgamesh wannabe got rattled. Dual-wield slipped through both beams—what a surprise."
From the second strike, confirmation came: Suzuko had taken a direct hit.
Most likely, she'd fallen into the sea—her Susanoo no longer floated in the sky.
And yet… strangely, the tailed beasts she had summoned still remained. By the rules of Naruto's world, a summoner's defeat should've unraveled their summons instantly.
Which could only mean one thing—Suzuko was still alive. Somewhere. Somehow.
"It instantly took her out..." 「Kaga」
"No—only the beasts," the Commander corrected. "She's still alive, though her strength has dropped sharply. She's no longer a real threat. Enough about her—break formation! Those I call, raise anchor and set sail for the target!"
At his command, the shimmering cube that had shielded them from the cataclysm dissolved. The calm inside vanished, replaced by the sea's fury. Waves crashed against their hulls—wild, relentless, yet not enough to sweep them under.
The ocean felt both familiar and alien, a battlefield shifting under their feet.
"Le Terrible, Shimakaze, Harbin, Eldridge, Takao, Glowworm, Mogador! Support L'Indomptable against the swordsman. Keep pressing him even on the air! When his blade glows, don't hesitate—either evade or counter with your strongest strikes!" the Commander
The Flagships exchanged glances, quietly weighing his method. Normally, he could've simply ordered each Flagship to take the lead, rallying their fleets into battle. That was the straightforward path.
Yet why he calls them individually? They'll keep watching for now.
"Don't be a loser for the second time, Monika-san." 「the Commander」
"…Who's Monika?" L'Indomptable blinked, tilting her head.
For a second, his brain froze—wrong battlefield, wrong girl. Her voice had tripped something, echoing the tone of a woman he'd once heard in another world: Monika from Granblue Fantasy.
Not that one from literature club.
But instead of dwelling on it, he just throws a grinning wide.
"…Someone who enforced order, I think. Now go." 「the Commander」
The Ship Girls exchanged puzzled looks but didn't pry. They'd seen stranger things from him already—though a few looked like they were just waiting for the right time to interrogate him.
The seven Ship Girls sailed through the waves, evading deadly currents and steering clear of the Tailed Beasts. L'Indomptable lagged a step behind, still riding the weight of her Commander's words.
But that moment shattered when she sensed Julian hurtling toward her like a bullet, cutting past the others without a glance. Whatever weighed in her heart, she forced it down in that instant.
Now, all that mattered was strength in her arms.
"This time will be different." 「L'Indomptable」
"Nice to see you again, little wombsack! I'll definitely take you home!" ☆Julian☆
"By my Commander's will, I'll break you—body and blade alike!!" 「L'Indomptable」
Steel met steel, sword clashing against lance, and sparks erupted across the waves.
The Commander's orders rang out again. "Rodney, Yuudachi, Cygnet, Hiryuu, Bulldog, Dunkerque, Sovetskaya Rossiya, Hermione, Tallinn, Joffre, Downes, Marseillaise, Brennus, Fargo, Mainz, Drake, Kearsarge—focus on the injured girl. She's unstable, but more dangerous than she looks."
"Be careful. One touch and she could end you. I've faced her before… shouldn't I be included in that fleet, Kommandant?" 「Tirpitz」
The Commander exhaled, "Fine, if you think that's best. The rest of you—if you've got objections to your assignments, speak now. I don't know everything about how you fight, as each of you do. So—hmm? Wait… why are you still standing here?!"
Some of the Ship Girls froze in place, wide-eyed. They never imagined the Commander would even remember their names—especially when some of them had never met him before.
That small acknowledgment lit a spark of joy, yet it left them unsteady.
For them, the word Commander still stirred old nightmares, reopening wounds that had never healed. Their past pressed down on them, each step faltering as doubt tangled with their feet to move forward.
"Move it, Bulldog! You know damn well you can handle this! Same goes for you, Cygnet! And you—Downes! You rascal, you think I don't see you standing there pretending to be invisible?!" 「the Commander」
"U-Uh... no, but... you... know about me? ...About us?" 「Downes」
"I was thinking the same. I mean… we're basically background characters." 「Bulldog」
The Commander narrowed his eyes. "Then speak up. What is it?"
After trading glances with the others, Bulldog was the one who finally started walking toward her Commander—slow steps, but steps all the same. She's just a little Destroyer, with blank expression, small body, and rigging not exactly impressive.
Still, she had guts. Enough to say what was on her mind.
And for her, this might be the only chance she'd ever get.
No matter his strength or the impossible feats he'd shown, there were still Ship Girls like Bulldog. They're still hesitant, unsure if this Commander was truly worth trusting.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" 「the Commander」
"May I… ask you something?" Bulldog's voice was soft, but steady enough to reach him.
"Thought you wanted a restroom break or something." 「the Commander」
"Are you an idiot, Commander?" 「Bulldog」
For her, if she was going to entrust her life to him, then she had to at least do this much.
This battle could cost them everything. Before laying down their lives, they wanted a reason—an answer strong enough to silence their doubts.
Several of the other Ship Girls held back, as if deliberately allowing the exchange to unfold.
"It seems you've got some weird expectations of us, Commander. If we fight out there—against monsters like them—we're definitely going to die. Are you an idiot? Or is that really how you see us? Just tools you can throw away whenever you want." 「Bulldog」
"…Then I'm no different from them, am I?" 「the Commander」
"Be serious, Commander. Do you even realize how long I've wanted to ask this?" Bulldog's voice wavered, but her eyes didn't. "Since the very first day you arrived at the academy. Back then, so many of us wanted to see you—to speak to you."
"Yeah, I've heard of it. So, what kind of question?" 「the Commander」
A blast from his past slammed into him.
He remembered—right after he rescued the Ship Girls from Yulijer's first clutch, he had buried himself in his office, pulling strings, restoring order, rebalancing the world.
To him, it felt like playing a city simulator, shifting resources, fixing infrastructures, upgrading defenses. The Academy itself had been rebuilt and even improved, stronger than ever.
But in the process, he had left something vital untouched.
The girls he had saved—their lives, their feelings, their need for him. The bond between them hadn't grown at all. The world had become brighter, the Academy taller, but the distance between him and the girls remained the same.
"You restored our bodies, fixed our minds with those dream therapies, but you never asked anything from us while repainting our home. And now, you even fight at our side in this battle. Do you understand the meaning behind my words?" 「Bulldog」
"What I truly want from you girls, is that it?" 「the Commander」
"...Are you really an idiot, Commander? Or just pretending to be one? Your answer now will shape the way we all see you. So focus, and give a reply that's true to yourself." 「Bulldog」
"True to myself, huh? Haha… you're not being very honest either, little Bulli." 「the Commander」
The man turned for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the movements of the tailed beasts and the System Users. Luckily, they were still in complete disarray. It was the perfect time for an ambush.
The tailed beasts were still being dragged by the spiraling currents.
Yulijer lingered above on his floating throne.
Suzuko's whereabouts remained unknown.
Katchia hovered in the sky, her wounds severe, her attempts at healing clumsy and desperate. Compared to the others, she was easy to spot. The only one truly putting up a fight was Julian, locked in combat with the ship girls.
"There's time, Commander," Bulldog pressed, her eyes unflinching. "Please—stop dodging."
"Hmm… explaining everything… it'd take too long," the Commander admitted, his voice softer. "So I'll just say it. Everything I've done—it's for something I call... spectacular happiness."
The words seemed out of place amidst the chaos of battle.
Several Ship Girls blinked, caught off guard. To them, it didn't sound like a commander's answer at all, but like a child stubbornly clinging to a fantasy. A few even stifled laughter, unable to stop themselves.
"Spectacular happiness? Pfft—Seriously, what kind of answer is that?" 「Bulldog」
He laughed at himself, shaking his head. "I know. It sounds stupid. Corny, yes. Words like happiness, love, dreams—they're embarrassing to say out loud. But it's the only way I know how to put it."
"I'm sorry, Commander, it's just… I thought you were some kind of dependable adult—an idiot and a pervert sometimes, sure—but to hear you say something so childish… even I didn't see that coming." 「Bulldog」
"I see… well, I'm glad at least you girls aren't angry about it, which means my efforts weren't in vain after all," the Commander replied, smiling faintly. "Laughter itself—that's proof you've found happiness, even if you don't notice it yet."
Bulldog frowned slightly, confused, "Us… happy? How did you come to that conclusion?"
"The presence of happiness has become so commonplace for you," he said quietly, "that you don't even recognize it anymore. That's another reason why my words sounded foolish, because I treasure what you treat as ordinary."
Bulldog's lips parted, but no words came. Her earlier smile had already vanished.
Meanwhile, he sank to one knee, seawater soaking into his trousers.
Slowly, he lifted a cold hand to Bulldog's cheek.
She flinched at the sudden chill.
"You asked why I fight for you," the Commander said. "The answer is simple: it's for that stupid and fleeting thing called happiness. And I've seen it here, in this moment. That's why I'll protect it—the happiness that blossomed in this place."
"Why won't you just... be happy on your own?" 「Bulldog」
"Haha. I never got happiness. I've watched others have it, though, so I'll put my life on the line for them. If that can turn their joy into the brilliance I've been chasing, then that's enough for me." the Commander
Bulldog's breath caught. "Then you'll never be happy, Commander."
"But you will?" 「the Commander」
With his cold hand, a face marked with blood, and a smile far from handsome, the man revealed the reason he stood among them. A motive only a fool could carry in such a cruel world.
Slowly, the ship girl took hold of his fingers and eased them away from her cheek.
"A fine reason… but selfish, too. As expected, you're an idiot, Commander." With that, Bulldog powered up her rigging, ending the talk on her terms. "…Thank you, for telling us. Let's go."
"One more thing — I'll make sure none of you die." 「the Commander」
"Yes... I'm sure you will." 「Bulldog」
Whatever she was thinking didn't show on her face, her expression barely moved as she spoke. Still, she seemed satisfied enough with his answer to move on.
"What the two of you doing? Focus." 「Bulldog」
"Y-Yes! " 「Cygnet」
With that, she and the others—those who had hesitated to step forward when called—finally set sail, rigging steady as they pushed ahead. Their course was clear: towards that white haired girl, Katchia.
They were gone now, not even sparing a glance over their shoulders.
Meanwhile, the ones who stayed lingered in silence, waiting for someone to give the word. Strangely enough, a few of the Ship Girls began drifting closer—so close they almost bumped into each other.
"W-Whoa! Sorry, my head just went blank for a second." 「Baltimore」
"P-Please don't mind it… I was spacing out too." 「Noshiro」
It was getting harder for him to keep pretending he didn't notice.
"NJ, what are you sneaking around for?" 「Enterprise」
"I can't help it! To think he's that kind of person! What's wrong with hugging him from behind?!" New Jersey shot back, cheeks pink.
Enterprise made no move to stop her, though she did warn her friend that their Commander probably wouldn't be too thrilled about it.
"Helena, your comms still on?" 「the Commander」
"Y-Yes! U-Um, is… is there a problem with that?" 「Helena」
He sighed, shoulders sinking. "…So they all heard it, huh? The girls in the Command Room."
A sudden weariness washed over him.
He pressed his palms together again, steadying himself as he prepared to give the next order.
But when he glanced around, the Ship Girls were pressing in a little too close. Their cheeks were faintly flushed, eyes glinting. With a weary flick of his hand, he motioned for them to back off and give him at least a little space.
"All submarines! Fire all torpedoes to take down that round three Tailed Beasts! Sorry, I can't call every name, just keep attacking while that turtle swims around." 「the Commander」
"Bhuaah! But you knew about me—ghuah?!" 「Albacore」
This time he didn't bother with niceties. He shoved Albacore's head back under the water piece she'd popped out of. No theatrics. He didn't want another dramatic scene right now.
Even if they weren't as noisy as the fleet rushing across the surface, the ones darting beneath the waves carried their own presence. Like a tide advancing in silence, the submarines swept forward.
Shadows streaked beneath the water, gliding as one, their movements sharp and deliberate. Each ripple they left behind quickly faded, as if the sea itself conspired to erase their passing.
They were hunters cloaked in stillness, and the ocean was their camouflage.
"Hmm… to think you'd call each of our names as if you were taking attendance." 「Musashi」
"Ah—was that improper? I just thought it was the fastest way. As I thought, I should've left it to you all to manage instead." 「the Commander」
Musashi gave a quiet laugh. "Hehe… the fastest way is one thing, but the right way is another. And what I said still stands, Commander. I'll leave the reins in your hands. This is… a novel experience."
"Novel experience? Why?!" 「the Commander」
"Because the previous Commander would never have bothered to call our names," Musashi replied calmly.
Chunks of ice bobbed to the surface, swaying gently as the submarines slipped past beneath them.
Moments later, the sea erupted—torpedoes broke through with violent bursts, geysers of foam and spray clawing skyward. Contact had been made with the Three Tails.
What followed was a relentless dance.
The Submarine Girls weaved and kited, circling the beast in coordinated arcs, loosing torpedo after torpedo. Their only task: outpace the monster, carve through its defenses, and drive each strike into its weakest points.
"…Lena, how many submarines do we have in play?" 「the Commander」
Helena tapped her console, the glow of data reflecting in her eyes. "From Command's records, there are fifteen confirmed submarines. They are—Albacore, Archerfish, Cavalla, Dace, Flasher, I-168, I-26, I-56, I-58, U-37, U-47, U-73, U-522, U-31, and U-96."
"Alright. Five Tails can hover and strike from above with its horn, but its underside is vulnerable. Prioritize targets with mobility and firepower against that goat. Friedrich, Warspite, Roon, Baltimore, Noshiro, Daisen — engage and be careful." 「the Commander」
"Order received." 「Warspite」
"You can leave it to us, child. Should we butcher it as well?" 「Friedrich der Große」
"Just subdue it, and I'll finish the rest. They're nothing more than summoned beasts — once I deal with that black-haired woman, they'll vanish. Musashi, Essex—San Diego, would you please drop that seaweed already?! Kaga, Cleveland, Essex, Hiryuu, Carabiniere — move out." 「the Commander」
"You picked us because it can fly, right?" Musashi asked, half-smirking.
"Roger that! But… may I bring Enterprise-senpai along?" Essex added eagerly.
"Enterprise is already assigned," the Commander cut in. "She's with Monarch, Kronshtadt, Ulrich von Hutten, Oklahoma, Littorio, and New Jersey. Their task is the last one — the beast with eight octopus tails and the bull's face."
"What about security for honey—I mean, for Commander?" 「New Jersey」
"No need. Helena will be my comms link to Head Base. And trust me — I'll handle that black-haired woman alone. That's it. All ships, engage your assigned targets." 「the Commander」
"Absolutely not. No way. Helena for comms, fine—but you are not going in alone. Take Ulrich and Enterprise as escort. End of discussion." 「New Jersey」
"I'm a little surprised you didn't list yourself." 「the Commander」
"I-I'm thinking about your safety more than… our relationship right now!" 「New Jersey」
"Sometimes I wonder why you worry so much. Relax. I'm an Enmity build — the closer I get to dying, the stronger I become. So… that's how it works," the Commander replied, shrugging as if stating a boring fact.
"WHAT?! Don't you care about your life?!" 「New Jersey」
But then again, the ship girls weren't wrong.
His face, worn down by exhaustion and soaked by the sea, looked almost dire under the slanting rays of the evening sun—or so New Jersey thought. He seemed like he could collapse at any moment and finally let his eyes close.
And there was that strange habit of his: always pressing his palms together.
"The eight tails… Musashi's already sharing it with Warspite. They won't last long like that. New Jersey, time is running out… if this keeps up, casualties will come faster. We got a window just now—mere minutes—but that chance won't come again." the Commander
He understood why the ship girls acted this way, but he tried to ignore it. No matter how hard he forced himself to forget about affection, there was one thing he could never forget—his enemy.
And one of them have appeared before him.
"Tsk...playtime over! Get your ass ready!" 「Ulrich van Hutten」
"Behind me." 「the Commander」
"Like I said… it's you who's supposed to be behind us!" 「New Jersey」
Hostile located.
The ship girls moved into formation, riggings ready as they moved to wall off their Commander from the threat.
That woman—black hair, red eyes—suddenly revealed herself, only a few steps away. Her clothes hung in tatters, her left eye pale and clouded, yet she carried herself with unnerving confidence.
"Sigh… you looked my eye, didn't you." ☆Suzuko☆
"Ah. Now that I think about it… that was a bad move." 「the Commander」
He could see the Mangekyō Sharingan clearly—five-star shuriken pattern—but strangely, he wasn't shocked or impressed. Suzuko, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with energy.
"Too late for regrets! I didn't even consider it at first—rarely try it while using Susanoo—but did you know? My eye can trap enemies in an illusion!" Suzuko announced, eyes blazing.
The Commander yawned lightly. "Oh… sure, sure. I'll leave it to you, simp."
"…With you in that state, you tried to trap us in one, huh? Is this your last-ditch effort? Because no matter how fast you build your avatar," Enterprise said, nocking an arrow, "this one's faster."
"Not exactly. Besides, I'll live more than a few hundred years! No way I'm dying here. And oddly enough, you Ship Girls seem immune to my Sharingan genjutsu. Even tried it several times in our fight earlier." ☆Suzuko☆
"Well, even trying to use that on me was a mistake." 「Littorio」
"Sure, sure. Think or thank whatever god of machinery you believe in… but how about your Commander over there? Surely he's not protected, is he?" ☆Suzuko☆
That was when they noticed. Their Commander had become like a statue, lost in a daze. Not a flicker of light remained in his eyes, and even when his body was shaken, he didn't move.
"Commander? Commander?!" 「Oklahoma」
"There you go. Bad news, huh? And did you know? My illusion is… a bit extreme. Itachi just pierces the opponent's body until their soul shatters. Me? I prefer tearing their body apart completely." Suzuko
"You're insane." 「Kronshtadt」
"Then? As long as we kill you, he'll be freed, right? Do it, Enterprise." 「Monarch」
"Not exactly. The trauma will remain even after the genjutsu fades. He might survive… but as a cripple. Honestly? Better him dead than living as a broken man. Don't you agree?" ☆Suzuko☆
Fed up with her nonsense, Enterprise unleashed two pairs of arrows of light from her armaments. Both struck Suzuko squarely in the chest—but she didn't fall.
She was still alive, though blood now trickled from her mouth.
"I feel a bit sorry for Yuli—his prey's already mine!" she spat, crimson streaking her lips. "But… you've really gotten distracted, haven't you? Ghuk?! Lucky you care so much for your Commander! OI, you Tailed Beasts! DO IT NOW!"
Suzuko pressed her right index and middle fingers together. The massive beasts roared and surged, their bodies heaving in rebellion, ready to tear through everything in their path.
"!!!" 「Three Tails」
"What?! What's that?!" 「Albacore」
"!!!" 「Five Tails」
"W-W-W-Wait!? What is that huge thing?!" 「San Diego」
"!!!" 「Seven Tails」
"Senpai! It's aiming towards you!" 「Essex」
"!!!" 「Eight Tails」
"Kh! Regroup!" 「Musashi」
A high-pitched, piercing sound, making even the ocean itself feel tense.
When they looked, the four Tailed Beasts, previously distracted by their comrades, suddenly broke through the formation, each carrying a black, spherical object in their mouths.
Using their bodies and writhing tentacles, crashing through aircraft, tearing into the wolfpack's nets, leaping over the Ship Girls—they began gathering energy as they advanced.
"Tailed Beast Bomb!" Suzuko shouted.
It was none other than one of the Tailed Beasts' ultimate techniques—gathering chakra into a single point, concentrating it, and firing it like a bomb.
The Tailed Beast Bomb.
"Die, all of you, along with that son of a bitch! Learn this well before you perish! How dare low-class creatures like you wound me so!" ☆Suzuko☆
"You're even willing to sacrifice yourself just to do this?!" 「Enterprise」
"Die with all of you? Use your goddamn head! How did I survive that green ray? Why do you think I can't do it again?! Now die! Begone, all of you trash!" Suzuko shouted, veins throbbing with fury.
"Ever think about the next green ray, you poisonous bitch?" 「Monarch」
"…Hah! And I said, I can still survive even if you fire it again." ☆Suzuko☆
No matter whether their master was near or not, the four Tailed Beast Bombs shot forward. Glowing spheres of light streaked over the waves, cutting through the ocean toward them.
The combined explosions of the four bombs could rival a nuclear blast. Suzuko was certain that the Ship Girls wouldn't escape unscathed—even if they survived, injuries were inevitable.
"...!!! Commander!" 「Bulldog」
The Ship Girls raced against time, desperate to return or shield their Commander. Every second and every step stretched endlessly. In that moment, they were ready to be swallowed by the explosion—so long as he was safe.
Yet the very person they were risking their lives for… was shockingly calm.
"Why all the drama? You've forgotten my buff? Hachoo!" The Commander sneezed, still pressing his palms together. "No need to hold back, Ulrich, Kronshtadt. Kick back."
"...Heh, with pleasure." 「Ulrich van Hutten」
"If you said so!" 「Kronshtadt」
Four giant, glowing spheres of light hung in the air, ominous and charged with energy.
Using only their legs and rigging, the two Ship Girls managed to deflect the incoming Tailed Beast Bombs. At first, even they couldn't believe it—how could something so enormous and radiant be held at bay?
"Hmm? That wasn't so hard?" 「Kronshtadt」
"This is..." 「Ulrich van Hutten」
Then reality hit.
The tailed beast bombs detonated far out in the ocean, and the sea erupted into towering plumes of foam and fire. Shockwaves rippled across the waves, slamming into the hulls of nearby ships and throwing spray high into the air.
The sound was deafening, making their ears ring and their chests press against their ribs.
"How could they... gh! Once more!" ☆Suzuko☆
"No. Just once is enough." 「the Commander」
"You?! How did you!?" ☆Suzuko☆
Amid the churning waves, she had intended to fire another Tailed Beast Bomb.
But her action froze the moment she realized the Commander was right in front of her. Even the Ship Girls only now realized their Commander had moved—impossibly fast.
A flick of his hand, and he gripped and twisted her finger with terrifying ease.
"Ghhaaaah?!" ☆Suzuko☆
She hadn't expected that even her Mangekyō Sharingan couldn't influence him.
Humiliated and enraged, she thrashed against his grip—but it was useless.
"Let go!" ☆Suzuko☆
"No, this is the end of you." 「the Commander」
A feather drifted down, landing softly right before her eyes.
The glow around the woman faded, and her body fell, floating atop the ocean. With that, one of their enemies—Suzuko—had been defeated. The battle ended almost instantly the moment their Commander touched her.
"That's one monkey down." 「Als」
No one heard him.
"Do whatever you want with her, end it there." 「the Commander」
The ship girls soon realized that the tailed beast they had been chasing no longer seemed ferocious. They stood silently, staring at Suzuko floating calmly, showing no sign of resistance to the ship girls.
BUT, as they approached their Commander, the ship girls instantly went back on high alert.
"Finally… thank you, human." 「Eight Tails」
"It can talk?! The octopus… it talked?!" 「Warspite」
"Return to your world quickly. My fight isn't over here yet," the Commander urged suddenly.
"If you like, we could offer a little help." 「Eight Tails」
"No need. You tailed beasts need rest for now. But if you insist, all I ask is for you take care of your world and restore it. That way, perhaps I'll visit someday." 「the Commander」
The ship girls were once again taken aback, or perhaps just exhausted from being surprised by their Commander's unusual behavior. At least, they felt a measure of relief knowing they wouldn't have to battle those giants any longer.
"...Make sure to remember your word." 「Eight Tails」
With that, another cloud of white smoke erupted, and the tailed beasts vanished from sight. The ship girls gathered once more around their Commander, curiosity bubbling over.
"W-Where did the turtle go just now? Hey, Commander?" 「Albacore」
"Prepare for another fight," the Commander responded calmly.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" 「Albacore」
————————————————
"As you said, you won. Operation Heavenly Blue succeeded. The six enemies identified as System Users from a Different World—you defeated them all. Your memories of it? They're not fabricated. They're as real as they feel." 「Observer」
"So… what happened after the operation?" Saratoga asked, cautious.
"You just said it yourself, didn't you?" Observer tilted her head, eyes glinting as she studied her. "You and your Commander, getting all cozy. Cuddling, hugging, even sleeping together… wasn't it like that?"
"N-No! It wasn't anything like that! Besides, I never said anything like that…" Saratoga stammered, cheeks heating as the words tumbled out. "We've only been… kissing, that's all—so far."
The ship girl's face flushed deeper, and Observer's gaze lingered, sharp and unblinking, as if she were dissecting every flicker of emotion with unnerving precision.
"I don't know all the details about you girls. After claiming victories on both sea and land, I was summoned to meet your Commander once more. Through your little green cat friend, he asked me to use this generator while you… were enjoying yourselves." 「Observer」
"Wait… Akashi? So the tasks the Commander usually gives her were connected to you?! No wonder she never told me—despite being the same ship girl who's always close to him." 「Saratoga」
"Both of you have different duties as Secretaries," Observer replied smoothly. "That green cat manages equipment, weapons, supplies, and R&D. You? Representation, observation and reports, diplomacy with HQ, and office management."
In the actual Azur Lane games, Secretary Ships never had duties this complicated.
Feeling the conversation drifting too far from the point, Saratoga took a breath, gathering herself, and turned her attention back to the Siren.
"After this Mirror Sea… or Dimension… was created, what did the Commander do next?" 「Saratoga」
"The generator activated, and you all fell asleep after your Commander released some kind of glowing feather. Then he moved you here, according to his arrangement. His next operation began with selected members." 「Observer」
"He moved us himself? That's… kind of cruel, leaving someone on a rooftop or in a tree," Saratoga said, raising an eyebrow, feeling both exasperated and amused by the Commander's mischievous streak. "This next operation… was it called Magia?"
"You know about this too? How much did you know?" 「Observer」
"I've only ever heard him say the name of the operation. I don't know the details, but I knew that after our Heavenly Blue, this Magia Operation would come next. So… now that it's happening, how far along is it?" Saratoga asked, brows furrowed.
"Early stages, I'd say. They only just had their first clash." 「Observer」
"Clash?! Another fight in this operation?!" 「Saratoga」
"Well… fight, yes," Observer said smoothly, eyes glinting. "But at the same time… it could be called a performance. A fight where the ending has already been written. That is exactly what this Operation Magia is."
"Oh… I see. So, the Commander just planned this fight to win in the end." 「Saratoga」
Observer didn't respond.
"Yeah… he's going to win easily. He's too strong!" she added, trying to sound confident.
Still, the Elite Siren remained silent.
"He'll come back to the academy once he's done with this secret operation… the one where he locked us up like we didn't deserve to know anything about him," Saratoga continued, her tone hardening.
This time, Observer reacted—a simple, slow smile.
But instead of feeling reassured, Saratoga's unease deepened.
Her rigging flared to life. Fighter planes and artillery cover were ready at her command.
"Get us out of here, now. We're going to meet him." 「Saratoga」
"You're not allowed. You have to stay hidden here," Observer said, her voice soft but firm.
"Hidden!? From who? Those System Users are already defeated. And the old people at Naval HQ? The Commander can silence them too. So… who exactly are we hiding from now? You?!" 「Saratoga」
"You… truly yearn for your Commander, don't you?" Observer's grin curved, sly and unnerving. "But maybe that's exactly why he'll slip away… because the more you want him, the further he'll leave you all behind~"