Veneto sat on a high stool, swinging her little leather boots, and took a small sip of the coffee. She wasn't satisfied.
She frowned. "The grind is too fine. Too bitter. Your technique still needs work!"
Hikaru cast a glance at California's miserable state. He didn't dare contradict her, and with a placating smile said, "I'm still unpracticed."
Nearby, Vampire was working hard to clean the grinder. She tilted her head to look with reverence at Veneto—whose body was just as small as hers—but carried an aura of overwhelming authority and intimidation.
If only she could be that powerful.
While Vampire was lost in thought, two people walked briskly into the construction warehouse.
It was Helena with her generous chest, leading Yamato, who surpassed her even further.
Veneto instinctively tightened her grip on the cup.
The moment Helena spotted Veneto, she smiled gracefully—but before she could speak, Yamato spoke first.
"I heard the mighty battleship Veneto has arrived. Hikaru, where is Lady Veneto?" Her eyes fell on the girl in the tiny uniform. "This is the newly summoned destroyer? What's her name?"
This woman actually reached out, intending to pat Veneto on the head.
Yamato, oh Yamato… how blind you are.
No wonder the battleship Yamato was ignominiously sunk in history. Just like the whole island nation, their vision was too narrow, blind to the truth beneath the surface.
Crack.
The delicate porcelain cup in Veneto's hand split with fine fractures.
She set it gently back onto the tray, her voice soft—yet in Hikaru's ears it was like a thunderclap.
Yamato's hand came down to touch Veneto's head as she turned to Hikaru, saying earnestly, "You were right last night. I have indeed been blinded by my own prejudice, looking down on your naval district from the start. I apologize for my rudeness."
"Heh…" Hikaru's lips twitched violently. What could he say? He could only force a smile. "Of course, I accept your apology."
"That's good. I worried myself sick over it all night and couldn't sleep. And I especially want to thank you for selflessly helping Commander Takeyama by passing along that warning." Yamato thumped her chest with heartfelt gratitude, then bent down with a smile. "Little one, tell big sis—do you know where your sister Veneto is? And why are you drinking coffee? At your age you should add some milk, it'll help you grow."
Last night Hikaru had stayed up all night building, with the whole naval district bustling around him—after all, shipgirls didn't need to sleep. Yamato knew he'd be summoning new shipgirls, more than one even.
But this skinny little girl… something felt strange. Why were her shoulders trembling?
Yamato, careless as always, didn't think much of it. She turned her head—only to find everyone else watching with strange expressions.
Like they were staring at a disaster about to unfold.
What's going on?
Puzzled, Yamato glanced around. Her eyes landed on California, crouched miserably in the corner of the warehouse with a swollen, bruised face. Startled, Yamato asked, "Who did this to you, Cali?"
Then strength pressed against her hand. Looking down, she saw the little uniformed girl seizing her wrist, prying it away.
The white-haired, red-eyed girl flashed her a chilling smile.
"Hello. Battleship Veneto. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Ah~ no, I won't dare anymore~ aagh~!"
Screams rang endlessly from inside the warehouse. The cry startled the seabirds perched on the roof, sending them flapping into the sky.
Bismarck drew back her gaze from the horizon, frowning. "What's going on?"
Tirpitz was standing guard at the Commander's side—there shouldn't be any danger.
Even so, Bismarck's wariness rose, and she quickened her pace.
After only a few steps, she turned a corner and came into view of the warehouse interior.
Veneto was there, calmly wiping down the gleaming barrel of a silver cannon with a soft towel, her expression entirely at ease.
Hikaru sat comfortably in an armchair nearby, while Tirpitz rested peacefully behind him.
Nothing was wrong at all.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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