"I want to go watch! Watching battles also gives experience!"
California grew itchier the more she thought about it, begging Leipzig over and over.
"No way. This war has nothing to do with you." Leipzig gave her a side glance. "You'd better worry more about how you're going to pay me back."
At that, California's face crumpled again.
Last night, under Leipzig's relentless pressure, she'd been forced to sign an unequal contract—just to keep the six-star main gun inherited from Abyssal Barbarossa and to secure better gear.
For a whole year, all twelve months of her pay, benefits, and even any special rewards she might get from the Commander—like "companion coupons"—would have to be handed over to Leipzig for free.
Leipzig's reasoning was that while Tirpitz might be generous enough to gift California such a precious cannon, California couldn't take advantage of that kindness. She had to give back something material in compensation.
And Leipzig had also hinted that she had a big say in what equipment got assigned to California.
Five-star guns with golden AP shells… or just some shabby three-star cannons to scrape by with—it would all depend on California's "sincerity."
So even though California knew how harsh the deal was, she couldn't resist the temptation of five-star equipment. Dizzy with greed, she signed.
Now she regretted it bitterly.
Even with Abyssal Barbarossa's six-star gun, two golden Mk6s, and a five-star AP shell, she had no chance to use them!
In this kind of grand battle, she wasn't even allowed to step foot on the field. Not even cannon fodder duty.
So what was the point of having all this equipment?
She couldn't even eat Yat Sen's special cooking, because that was only for warriors heading into battle!
The thought made California feel even more aggrieved.
Just then, Glowworm burst in with excitement.
"She's here!" Glowworm shouted.
Vampire, Tirpitz, and the other shipgirls waiting nearby instantly focused their attention.
This summoning had gone on for over five hours already.
Who would it be?
As the prismatic glow that signified a six-star ship swirled and surged, a slender white leg stepped out.
Then, a tiny shipgirl emerged.
An elementary schooler's frame—short white hair cut to the ears, blood-red eyes, a slightly oversized military cap, long-sleeved white shirt, suspenders, shorts, and little boots.
She stretched her hand arrogantly toward Hikaru, who was just opening his eyes.
"I permit you, Commander, to kiss the back of my hand after this long-awaited reunion. But you must not comment on my clothes."
California gawked. "Wait, five hours of building… for an elementary schooler?"
Whoosh!
Those blood-red eyes instantly locked onto her.
In that moment, California felt death itself looming over her.
"Serves California right! That girl's always so clueless and arrogant. Hmph—she's the newest recruit in the base, the lowest junior!"
After hearing Vampire's report, Saratoga gloated with delight.
Helena turned back with a frown. "Why hasn't Veneto come over?"
Glowworm, a little envious, answered, "She's still pestering the Commander to personally brew her a cup of coffee—as an apology for being gone so long!"
Helena's expression hardened. "Call her Veneto onee-san."
Veneto's petite, childlike figure made it hard for destroyers to feel any respect for her as an "elder sister."
So Helena had to correct them.
"I don't think calling her that's necessary," said Prince of Wales from nearby, where she was repairing her gear. She opened her eyes with disdain. "Veneto doesn't act like an adult anyway."
She naturally didn't get along with Veneto. Veneto was from the Italian faction, so she never really clicked with the British girls in the base.
But Bismarck's brows relaxed instead. "With Veneto here, this battle just got a lot easier."
Yamato blinked in confusion. "Veneto's that strong?"
Of course Veneto was strong. Her Sacred Shield skill could completely nullify incoming damage, and her Italian Engineering skill granted a permanent +20 to Firepower. If she mounted four heavy guns, Veneto's Firepower could break 240!
For comparison, even with her full set of luxury gear, Tirpitz's Firepower didn't quite reach 200.
Granted, Veneto usually ran the standard three-guns-and-one-shell loadout, so her actual Firepower sat closer to 220.
But no matter how you calculated it, Veneto was one of the strongest shipgirls in the entire base.
A tiny frame carrying immense power.
Yet, faced with Yamato's question, Bismarck only shook her head.
"You'll see for yourself soon enough."
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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