Boom... Boom... Boom!!!
An explosion erupted right alongside the aircraft carrier JS Izumo. The pressure from the blast sent violent tremors through the helicopter destroyer. It was a near miss-or more accurately, a deliberate one. Several shells from a World War II-era cruiser had been fired toward the Izumo. It was the handiwork of Prinz Eugen.
"Eugen!!! One of our own ship girls is right next to her. Are you stupid or what?!" Admiral Hipper snapped.
"Hehe... It's just a little 'Iron Blood' welcome for a foreign ship. We don't know if she's friend or foe yet, so a small greeting is perfectly fine," Prinz Eugen replied with a soft chuckle.
Meanwhile, Izumo, who had instinctively lowered her head, was being comforted by Ayanami at her side. They were still gliding across the water's surface. Ayanami let out a long sigh.
"Senior Eugen again..." she muttered.
Ayanami helped Izumo to her feet.
"The sound of those cannons from up close... that was terrifying. A little closer and we would have been sent back to the other world," Izumo said, catching her breath.
Up above, at the forward edge of JS Izumo's flight deck, Laffey, Javelin, Nimi (Z23), Jolley, and Akaneko stood watching. Nimi's face was flushed with irritation from the sudden shock, and she immediately scanned for the culprit. "I knew it," she muttered. She took a deep breath, and then...
"SENIOR EUGEN, YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Nimi's scream was so loud it reached the three Iron Blood ship girls waiting ahead.
"Hehe... our cute little Destroyer has successfully completed her mission," Prinz Eugen mused.
The five ships continued at full speed toward the central command, passing the three Iron Blood girls. Ayanami took a moment to speak with the powerful Iron Blood trio.
"Ayanami reporting. I have returned safely with Javelin, Nimi, and Laffey. We have brought a guest from afar. She was also pulled into this dimension, but unlike us, she comes from a world where our factions are known by different names," Ayanami explained.
"Very well, I shall report to Senior Bismarck," Admiral Scheer (Graff Spee) said, activating the radio comms at her ear. "The observation team has returned, Senior Bismarck."
"Understood. I will pass the word to the other faction leaders," a voice replied through the radio.
"Well then, welcome, ship girl... err... what was your name?" Graff Spee.
"Izumo. JS Izumo, DDH-183. A Helicopter Destroyer. I come from Japan-in your world, that's the Sakura Empire. I also came from another world and took this form. I arrived with Sweet Jolly and Akaneko, who are currently on my ship back there with Laffey, Javelin, and Nimi," Izumo said, pointing to the convoy moving away, as she extended her hand.
Prinz Eugen took her hand, but her grip was firm. She leaned in closer, her left fingers "walking" up Izumo's arm like a pair of legs. It sent a shiver down Izumo's spine. Eugen then pulled Izumo's arm close, hugging it against her chest.
"Don't be so tense, Izu. Welcome to Azur Lane. We of the Iron Blood will treat you well. Don't be shy. Oh, by the way... do you like baking? I could use a partner in the kitchen," Eugen teased.
"Uh... er... Ayanami, help," Izumo pleaded, glancing at Ayanami, whose cheeks were turning red at Eugen's antics.
"Senior Eugen, she only just met us. At the very least, let's welcome her to the headquarters first. We need to report to the faction leaders and share information. Talking at the port is much better than in the middle of the ocean," Ayanami explained.
"Fine, fine," Eugen conceded. "But welcome. Don't let your guard down, or I might just kidnap you to my kitchen. Hahaha!" She ran her fingers through Izumo's long silver hair, letting it slide slowly through her grip as she glided away toward the command center.
"Perverted idiot," Admiral Hipper grumbled. "Anyway, Izumo, let's go to the headquarters. The port is better than out here. Graff Spee, lead the way."
"Hmm..." Graff Spee nodded, taking the lead and catching up to Eugen. Izumo was still being pulled along by Ayanami, as she hadn't yet mastered moving across the water with her limited energy.
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The Azur Lane Command Port
The port was situated on a massive island with a mountain peak at its center. The complex consisted of tall buildings-headquarters, dormitories, sports arenas, warehouses, and canteens-all designed like an academy with a lush park in the middle. At the docks, hundreds of ships lay at anchor, neatly moored.
Izumo spotted her own ship docked on the other side of the harbor, escorted by the four destroyers. She saw Javelin waving at her from the pier. Izumo smiled and waved back. While Ayanami helped her to the dock, the three Iron Blood girls moved to a separate pier. They "un-engaged" their rigs, and their massive Iron Blood heavy cruiser hulls appeared in the water as they dropped anchor. The girls then jumped onto the pier and headed toward the dorms. Prinz Eugen looked back at Izumo and winked, making Izumo shiver again.
"Izumo-nee, come with us. Bring Jolley and Akaneko too. You need to meet the faction leaders: Senior Enterprise, Senior Elizabeth, Senior Nagato, and Senior Bismarck. They're in the command building," Javelin said, taking Izumo's hand.
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Izumo's Monologue & POV
I looked at this complex; it was exactly like the game I played. It's circular, with buildings serving different functions. I never realized how vast it was-I'd only ever seen the miniature models in-game. I can't believe I'm actually inside it.
There are so many ship girls here. It seems quite a lot of them are trapped here, though it looks like only four factions are present, even though I know there are many others outside of Azur Lane and the Red Axis.
I scanned my surroundings as I followed Javelin. Jolley followed behind, and Akaneko held my other hand. A few meters ahead, I saw two girls dressed in kimonos of different colors, each sporting several fox tails.
"Akagi and Kaga," I whispered.
Akagi had long, jet-black hair that fell straight down. Her eyes were a piercing red, and she had fox ears and nine large, dark brown-almost black-tails. She wore a modern kimono dominated by red, black, and white, paired with thigh-high black stockings. Beside her was Kaga, with short silver-white hair and bangs covering part of her face. Her eyes were a calm but sharp ice-blue. Like Akagi, she had fox ears and nine tails, but hers were pure white. Her kimono was dark blue, white, and gold, giving off a "cold" impression that contrasted perfectly with Akagi. She wore white stockings.
"And their... 'assets' are huge," I thought, but the words accidentally slipped out of my mouth. Javelin turned around, curious.
"Is something wrong, Izumo-nee?"
I shook my head vigorously. "No, nothing! Just some senseless mumbling," I said quickly. Javelin nodded and continued guiding me toward the main headquarters.
Eventually, we drew level with Akagi and Kaga, who were chatting. I looked toward them and gave a small smile, followed by polite nods from Jolley and Akaneko. The two fox sisters stopped their conversation and looked at me. They smiled back but gestured for us to stop.
"Hold on a moment. I feel as though I'm seeing a different kind of fox here," Akagi said, opening her fan to partially cover her face. She looked me up and down. "What is your name? You must be the foreign ship my little sisters encountered."
"Nice to meet you," I said, bowing before standing tall again. "I am JS Izumo. A Helicopter Destroyer, or perhaps more accurately here, a Light Carrier."
"A carrier? But you don't seem to be from the Sakura Empire, even if your features are typical of our carriers," Akagi noted.
"I am from another dimension, trapped in this form in this world. In my world, the Sakura Empire is called Japan. And you two are the legendary seniors of Japan's past era," I said, dropping to one knee in a knightly salute before standing again. "Your names from that era are admired even in the new age. I never expected to meet you in another world, Senior Akagi, Senior Kaga."
Akagi giggled behind her fan. Kaga watched me with a serious expression.
"Hehe... so you are our 'Junior' from your world. Junior Izu. I hope you enjoy your stay here, and I hope you can share much with our leaders," Akagi said, before she and Kaga walked away.
"Come on, Izumo-nee, let's keep going," Javelin urged.
"Right," I replied. We continued toward the command center.
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Narrator's POV
Izumo, Jolley, and Akaneko finally arrived at the headquarters-a five-story, dark brown building. As they entered, they saw several maids cleaning the hall. They were from the Royal Navy faction. One of them approached; she seemed to be their leader.
"Welcome, ladies. You must be the one the faction leaders mentioned. If I recall correctly, your name is Izumo. Allow me to introduce myself; I am HMS Belfast," she said with a graceful bow. "I am the Head Maid here. You are expected in the briefing room." She glanced at Javelin. "Javelin, the leaders are waiting."
"Understood, Senior Belfast!" Javelin replied, leading Izumo toward their destination. They climbed the stairs to the second floor. The room was at the very end of the corridor.
Izumo felt the tension rising. Her heart was pounding at the thought of meeting the "Seniors" of the Azur Lane factions. She had played as these characters in the game, but meeting them in person was an entirely different story. Seeing Izumo nervous and breaking into a cold sweat, Javelin took both of her hands.
"Relax, Izumo-nee. They are all good people. We've already told them you're a friend over the radio. Don't worry," Javelin said with a sincere smile.
Izumo's heart melted at Javelin's kindness. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them with resolve.
"I'm ready."
They finally reached the door. Javelin pushed it open slowly, revealing a round table where the four faction leaders sat in their respective chairs.
USS Enterprise. HMS Queen Elizabeth. IJN Nagato. KMS Bismarck.
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To Be Continued.
Next Chapter 4: Past and Future, We Who Live Together