Chapter 23: A warm welcome.

11:00 a.m.

The bus with representatives of the various sensha-do teams on board was traveling through the streets of Tokyo, and the girls marveled at the streets and buildings of the Japanese capital. Their amazement was motivated by the fact that they spent most of their time on school-ships, in constant navigation around the archipelago, and they went ashore only during the matches.

"Amazed, huh?" Kay asked, turning to Miho.

"Yes ... Also because it's the first time I set foot in Tokyo." She admitted.

"I've been there, sometimes."

"Really?"

The blonde nodded.

"I spend my holidays there."

"Ah understood."


After a quarter of an hour's journey, the vehicle arrived in the port area, where the Flugzeugträger B was anchored. Once they landed, the students walked towards the pier, divided by schools. Waiting for them on the pier was a group of girls in black uniform, with a red band on their arm with a white disk on top and a black swastika inside. It was about a dozen. Next to them were Hilda, who wore the same uniform used during the press conference, Göring and Himmler who wore gray uniforms.

"I welcome you to my school, Schwarze Sonne. I am Hilda Breisgau, and they are Himmler and Göring, my most trusted collaborators." She said, smiling benevolently.

Having said that, together with the other two, she set off to shake hands with her guests.


The first delegation she met was that of Kuromorimine.

"I am glad to make your knowledge, Maho Nishizumi. Your fame as an iron commander has reached Europe."

"My pleasure." The kuro replied, slightly flattered.

"You are Erika Itsumi, her deputy ..."

"How do you know my name?"

"I collected information while I was headed here. I guess you're proud to serve Maho, right? She is a good captain."

"The first in Japan!" She exclaimed, with a pride.

"The second, maybe ..." Said her interlocutor.

"It is second to none!"

"She is second to Miho, and she will be forever."

Irritated, Erika started to say something, but stopped herself. She did not want to trigger an argument, especially in this circumstance. Hilda for her part turned to Sheska, placing a hand on her shoulder. At that contact the brunette blushed.

"My dear Sheska ... I am really happy to see you again." She said cheerfully.

"Me... Me too, mein Führer!" She replied, embarrassed.

"Sheska! I remind you that now I am your commander! " Maho scolded her.

"True, but she's still a good friend of mine." Hilda stepped in, then winked at her ex-girlfriend and resumed her journey.


The second delegation was that of Pravda.

"Pleased to meet you. You got a good result in the last tournament." Hilda said, holding out her hand to Katyusha.

The latter, instead of squeezing it, turned to her deputy, calling her by name.

"Nonna!"

"Yes!"

The dark-haired girl carried it over her shoulder under the incredulous gaze of the trio.

"My pleasure!" Kat said.

Hilda stared at her uncertainly, then asked:

"I don't want to start on the wrong foot ... Whose of the two should I shake hands?"

Behind her, Himmler chuckled, while Katyusha looked annoyed by that question.

"To me, obviously ..."

The two blondes shook hands while Klara stared at Hilda with a hateful look. The latter, aware of the thing, returned the murderous expression with a mocking smile.


The third was the delegation from Anzio. Hilda was puzzled to see her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"You invited the main schools of the country ..." Anchovy replied, bewildered.

"And Anzio is not part of it. It never has, and I say never achieved noteworthy results. You are just inept."

A short distance from them Marie laughed heartily.

"Inept to us? Retires what you said right away!" Amaretto ordered her.

"Attention, wren... Nobody speak to my Führer like that!" Göring warned her threateningly.

"Amaretto, calm down!" Carpaccio asked her.

"And then what does that cloak mean? Do you want to imitate Superman?" Hilda asked, mocking.

"It is a symbol of command, it indicates that I am the leader of Anzio!"

" You are the least suitable person to command, not to say worse."

"Respectfully speaking, you have no right to treat us this way! We will not be up to Saunders, Pravda or the other schools, but we have always given our best on the battlefield, also achieving victories!" Pepperoni protested.

Hilda turned to her, and when she saw her, her eyes and mouth opened in a movement of amazement, which did not go unnoticed by the others present.

"But ... But you ..." She said, shocked.

"I what?" Pepperoni asked her, intrigued by her reaction.

"Nothing ... Forget it."

She started to walk but Anchovy called her.

"One moment! Can we get on board or not?"

"It would be rude to kick you out." She replied.

"Why did she look at me like this?"

"I have no idea, Pepperoni ..." Carpaccio replied.

Meanwhile Himmler thought:

Damn ... That girl ...


The fourth delegation was that of BC Freedom.

"I heard about your school ... In the last two tournaments you lost in the first round, right?" Hilda asked.

"Yes, the last match against Saint Gloriana." Marie replied.

"You really see that you are French..." She commented ironically.

It also makes the witty, the Nazi bitch...

Andou thought nervously as Ruka remained impassive.

"We will make up for the next tournament." Their captain said quietly.

"Who knows ..." Hilda replied.


The fifth delegation was that of Saunders, made up of Kay, Naomi and Helmet-chan.

"I am honored to meet you, Kay. Your charisma and your leadership skills have made you famous in our environment." Hilda said.

Flattered by those words, Kay embraced her, leaving her stunned.

"I too am honored to meet you!" She affirmed, enthusiastic.

"I see…"

After a few seconds Kay released the embrace and Hilda, embarrassed, left.


The sixth delegation was from St. Gloriana.

"Pleased to meet you." Hilda said, shaking hands with Darjeeling.

"The same goes for me. I follow with interest the European sensha-do championships, and I have seen some of your matches. You did very well, especially against Kursk, Sedan and El Alamein."

"It is no coincidence that we are among the strongest teams in Europe. But you are the only ones who have defeated Ooarai, right?"

"Exactly, even if it was a friendly match."

" Don't be arrogant, it takes nothing to beat beginners!" Göring intervened, making her superior turn towards her and leaving the students of St. Gloriana bewildered.

"Don't be so rude, Göring ... A win is a win."

"Excuse me, mein Führer."

"Forgive my deputy, she's a good girl, but she can't keep her tongue in check."

"We are not offended, and then she is right. Ooarai got the better of the best schools, thanks also to some luck. I am sure that if we faced them now, the odds of winning would be 50 to 50 for us and them."

"I appreciate modesty ... Nowadays it is a rare virtue, especially in this sport."


The seventh delegation was made up of three girls, led by Mika.

"I know you well of the Black Sun ... The European press describes you as invincible warriors." The latter affirmed.

"As I know you." Hilda replied.

"Really?"

"Exact. There is a rumor that you are thieves."

Neither Mika nor her companions liked that statement, who took on an air of annoyance.

"Unfounded rumors." She stated, clearly offended.

"I hope so ... Because if even a single object disappears during your trip on board, I will take drastic measures!"


The eighth delegation was the Chi-Ha-Tan delegation. On seeing her, Hilda was altered, so much that she slapped the hand that Nishi held out to her.

"Get out of the way! I don't want some incompetent like you on board my school! I am already irritated by having to host those stupid Anzio!"

Again insults ...

Amaretto thought, while clenching her right hand into a fist. She would have liked to punch that arrogant slut blonde, but she feared both her and her deputy, who would have torn her to pieces. Anchovy clenched her teeth next to her, as if to keep an unpleasant sentence, not at all happy with those insults, while Carpaccio and Pepperoni took on an angry expression.

Kinuyo for her part was amazed by that explosion of anger, so much so that she didn't know how to reply. Which was done by her deputy, Haru Tamada.

"How dare you?"

"Your school loses all matches, your tactics are shit! I don't want to deal with anything like you! You are worse than Anzio!"

"I kill her!" Amaretto exclaimed furiously.

She started to head towards her, but was blocked by her companions.

"Don't do crazy things, Amaretto! It's an order from your leader!" Anchovy ordered her.

Although unwillingly, the girl decided to let it go, also because Göring was waiting for her with a sadistic grin on her face.

"So we're not welcome?" Nishi asked.

"No! And now get out!"

"Mein führer?"

"What is it, Himmler?"

"Can I talk to you in private?"

"All right…"

The two girls took a few steps away, speaking in a low voice.

"Get them on board."

"Why should I do it?"

"If word gets out that we hunted one of the schools we risk triggering a diplomatic incident between Germany and Japan. Furthermore, this would make us appear as aristocratic and hateful in the eyes of the public, with all the consequences of the case."

"OK then…"

She turned to Nishi.

"I thought better of it, you and your companions can go up!"

Thank, Amaterasu…

The latter thought, breathing a sigh of relief.


The ninth delegation was that of the all-stars team, of which Hilda had already met the commander.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Alice-chan!" She said, in a friendly tone.

"Me too." The girl replied.

"While you're there why don't you introduce me to your companions?"

"Meet Azumi, former BC Freedom ..."

A girl with short brown hair and turquoise eyes waved goodbye.

"... Megumi, former Saunders ..."

"Hello!" Cheerfully she greeted a girl with long dark brown hair and blue eyes.

"... And finally Rumi, former Jatkosota."

"Nice to meet you." A girl with short gray hair and blue eyes, who wore glasses, said.

"The same goes for us. I hope you enjoy our hospitality. "

"We have no doubts about this." Alice reassured her.


The last delegation was that of Ooarai, led by Miho.

"Miho of miracles ... We finally meet." Hilda said smiling.

Miho blushed.

"I'm a huge fan of yours, I followed your every match. And let me tell you, you earned my admiration and respect. "

"Really?"

"May it burn alive if I say a lie! You led a newly formed team to victory against the strongest teams, from Saunders to kuro! Only an exceptional person could do this, and you are!"

"Thank you, I'm flattered." The brunette admitted.

"And I'm flattered to have you as a guest. Please, follow us. I will make you go to my school. " She invited them.

"Does this also apply to the others?" Hana asked.

"Obviously."

Murakami meanwhile stared at Göring with a mix of amazement and disbelief. That girl was identical to her, except for the color of her eyes. It was like looking in a mirror...