U-511 holds up a half done sketch and shows it to Bismarck who leans to take a closer look at U-boat's best attempt to describe. She narrows her eyes and focuses on the drawing, but the best thing she can sea is a snake-like creature. U-511 grabs a black crayon and drags it across the paper, coloring the drawing from top to bottom.
"Snake? I can't really tell. This morning you showed me a whale with six eyes and four flippers"
The best guess Bismarck can think of is a serpentine creature seeing it as a legless creature with rows of venomous fangs rather than a pair of fangs. Rather than a normal snake, it's more of a mutated one.
"Sea monster. The humans I met said they saw a monster while fishing" U-511 explains
"A sea monster? You mean an Abyssal?"
"Nein. Like a really big sea snake...octopus...fish thing. They said it's made of black steel and shoots laser beams"
From what U-511 is describing, it's like from a "Kaiju" show she likes to watch once in a while. While Abyssals vary in forms, there is no encounter of a gigantic sea monster.
"Ah! That's a cute drawing, Yuu-chan"
I-400 passes by and run towards U-511 when she sees the timid U-boat proudly showing her drawing to Bismarck. U-511 then shows it to I-400 who also leans closer to examine the strange and imaginative sketch.
"This is the rumored sea monster"
"You mean the one Iowa-san and the others saw in the Bermuda. The submarines in other fleets are hearing rumors of the sea creature reappearing"
"So this sea monster looks like a sea serpent that shoots lasers?" Bismarck scratches her head again
"Iowa-san said the monster looks like a sea snake dragon thing but recently some submarine packs said they saw a dragon with multiple heads. I heard Perth-san saw it and had to go through a week or therapy because of how scary it was" I-400 laughed
"Huh? A sea dragon with multiple heads?"
"It may sound like a mythical creature but Nelson-san said she doesn't remember sea dragons shooting lasers and launching warheads" U-400 tilts her head
"It may be just an Abyssal we never faced before. If they say it really does exist' I want to see it to believe it"
Even if some shipgirls are believing the rumor, Bismarck remains skeptical of a mythical sea serpent with lasers and missiles. It sounds more ridiculous than any Abyssal she fights.
"Maybe it's like the one Iowa-san and Atlanta-san saw four months ago. I heard it was really big and scary" I-400 looked intrigued
"It's just a giant Abyssal and I'm sure of it"
Bismarck crosses her arms, believing that there's no such thing as sea dragons, especially the ones that have destructive weaponry. I-400 and U-511 look at each other, dropping their shoulders since Bismarck doesn't believe in an existence that belongs in a fairytale.
Meanwhile...
Nagato is looking through the reports of an unknown creature that have been making several appearances somewhere around the Bermuda triangle. There's no solid proof such as images but shipgirls testify to have a brief encounter with an enormous creature larger than an American aircraft carrier or the Yamato class battleships.
"This just came in. A fleet investigating the Atlantic reported encountering a large creature. Fletcher, one of the witnesses, said she briefly saw a giant fish-like dragon"
Mutsu hands over the most recent report about the unknown creature that shipgirls have been seeing all over the world.
"A what?" Nagato raises an eyebrow
"A monster of some kind. At least that's what Fletcher reported. In the South Pacific, CarDiv 01 saw something similar but they didn't stick around to find out" Mutsu shows the report
"Why?"
"It was large and instantly shot down all their planes. Their communications had been jammed as well so they had to flee""Is this some sort of Abyssal we never heard of?"
"I'm not really sure myself" Mutsu sighs
Nagato compares the recent reports, including the one from a patrolling American fleet and the CarDiv 01.
"Just as originally planned. We'll send a fleet in the Bermuda triangle to investigate. The admiral already assigned a fleet"
"Is it really true? A sea monster is really there?"
"It was first spotted four months ago. It reappeared again about two weeks ago. Saratoga's fleet encountered it while on a different mission four months ago while it was a Russian fleet who spotted it recently"
Nagato spreads out a map on top of a table then uses a marker to mark the exact location while explaining. She draws a cross within somewhere within the Bermuda triangle. She then grabs the report of the American fleet during that mission and places it beside the mark in the map.
"Everyone saw the unknown creature back then but the higher ups refused to believe such thing, right?"
Mutsu stands beside Nagato and points at the report of the fleet from four months ago. Even with the testification of all shipgirls back then, their navy dismissed their claim.
"Iowa and Atlanta both described it as larger than an actual warship and probably made of steel. They say it couldn't possibly be an Abyssal since the sea monster fired energy projectiles" Nagato crosses her arms
"Like the rumors going around. Some of our submarines heard rumors of a sea creature shooting energy from its mouth" Mutsu places her finger on her cheek for a second
"Speaking of that, didn't they say an unknown cruiser was present there?"
"The Kriegsmarine confirmed that none of their cruisers were present within the Bermuda during that time. It was strange since Iowa described the cruiser as having the same equipment as the Admiral Hipper class but neither Eugen nor her sisters were at the Bermuda four months ago"
Nagato then grabs a single page which contains the report of the mysterious German cruiser. Mutsu takes a closer look at the report and reads it for herself.
"Vanguard said an unknown shipgirl appeared in Italy four months ago, about a few days before the incident in the Bermuda triangle. The cruiser had an equipment not belonging to anyone in the Regia Marina according to Aquila"
"So they could be the same person?" Mutsu raises an eyebrow
"That's what Vanguard thinks but it's not easy to identify an unnamed German shipgirl. We don't even know if it's an allied shipgirl or not"
Nagato sits back down, thinking both about the sea monster in the Bermuda triangle and the mysterious German cruiser. No one knows who the cruiser is or what the connection to the rumored creature but Nagato is suspecting a possible threat in the shadows.
"We're sending a fleet to the Bermuda tomorrow right? I wonder if that cruiser might show up" Mutsu giggles at the thought
Mutsu reviews the fleet that's going to take sortie in the infamous Bermuda triangle after the rumors starts surfacing lately and there are already cases of sighting an unknown creature attacking indiscriminately. On the other hand, Nagato is nervous and intrigue when thinking about the rumors.
The next day...
A single surface fleet lead by Nelson with several other escorting ships heads towards the Bermuda triangle.
"The breeze feels so good~" Shimakaze spreads her arms
"Did a sea dragon really showed up?" Tashkent asks the others
"CarDiv 01 spotted a dragon-like creature with multiple heads while the incident four months ago described it as a creature with a single head" Nelson responds
"Those are two different things?" Shoukaku is confused
"One thing's the same: both creatures are said to be capable of firing energy beams of some sort and shoot missiles from their back" Nelson responds
"I heard not even battleship shells can penetrate its armor" Bismarck wants to confirm
"Not even heavy bombs was able to scratch it. At least that's what the reports said" Nelson furrows her eyebrows
None of them had encountered the sea creature before and only speculated based on what other shipgirls have witnessed when they encountered it some time ago. As they continued to sail towards the cursed sea, they have already been spotted by unknown Sirens.
"Tirpitz is in no good state to come out herself, so the menial tasks are left to me" The Siren Omitter crosses her arms
Through the projected screens in front of her, she accurately tracks the movements of both shipgirls and Abyssals. If it's her, she would challenge them head-on and toy with them if she believes she can win, but a task is a task.
"Moon and Sun have been eliminated thanks to Fool, but what would she need their cord? This is the first time she assimilated other Sirens"
The Siren Omitter toys with the screens, visibly bored that the two sides have yet to clash. It would be better if they end up eliminating each other, but it's too early to let certain shipgirls die.
"...?!" Shoukaku gasps
"Shoukaku-nee?"
"My aircrafts have been shot down. All of them...at once!"
"What?! Tch! We've been spotted! An Abyssal fleet is heading to our direction. One of our favorite troublemakers is here as well"
Shoukaku in shock as an unknown enemy manages to shoot down their aircrafts within a minute or two. They couldn't identify the culprit they speculate Abyssals shoot down Shoukaku's aircrafts when Zuikaku's aircrafts spot an incoming Abyssal fleet.
"Shoukaku, Zuikaku, launch the preemptive strike!" Nelson tells the two
Before the two sides can get on each other's firing range, the two aircraft carriers launch torpedo and dive bombers to intercept and scramble the enemy for the surface fleet to deal with them easier.
"How annoying. There are shipgirls here!" Battleship Princess grits her teeth
"You again? You never learn after we sent you running countless times. We sent you running six months ago" Bismarck immediately recognizes her
"You shipgirls are in our way. We won't let you find the mysterious power source!"
(Power source? What is she talking about?)
Bismark faces off with Battleship Princess who still bears a grudge against her from the last battle a few months ago. It appears that the Abyssals are after a "power source" but Bismarck has no clue to what Battleship Princess means so breaks off from the formation and faces Battleship Princess.
"Bismarck!"
Nelson joins the clash since one shipgirl can't match against a Princess class Abyssal but they can hold their ground if it's the two of them.
"It was you damn humans, isn't it? Those fake Abyssals. You brought them here!"
"They're called Sirens and we didn't bring them here! It's not our fault you Abyssals were used" Bismarck yells back
"Now you want this unknown power source for yourself? I won't let you get in my way! Once I get my hands on it, no damn shipgirl will be able to take me down! Now even that Grey Ghost!"
"She's after something in the Bermuda. Did the admiral tell us something about a power source?" Nelson isn't sure what Battleship Princess is talking about
"All we know is there's a supposed monster here. Maybe that's what they're looking for"
Bismarck barely dodges an incoming barrage when she replies to Nelson. Bismarck retaliates with a salvo of her own but the monstrous rigging covers with Battleship Princess with its two huge hands.
"Sink! Sink, all of you!"
Battleship Princess is still visibly furious due to their last clash and unleashes the full power of her cannons on them. The mindless monstrous rigging roars loudly and fires on command. All Battleship Princess needs is to stretch out her hands and point to open fire.
"Maybe the sea monster is because of these Abyssals? They're making the story so we'd stay away?" Bismarck speculates
"Who knows? Abyssals are sea monsters on their own" Nelson somewhat agrees
"Anyhow, we have to eliminate her. She grows stronger with each battles she survives"
"Easier for you to say. We're outnumbered and overpowered because she's here"
The others are dealing with the escorting Abyssal ships. Shoukaku and Zuikaku's aircrafts are supporting with the large number of Abyssal ships Tashkent, Shimakaze, and Iowa have to deal with.
"They really are flocking in the Bermuda. What's up with that?" Ark Royal wonders as she launches another squadron
"Something's coming. One of my aircrafts spot a large object swimming to our way!" Zuikaku reports
"This isn't good. There's another enemy coming!"
Shoukaku's aircrafts spots a black fin creating a wake as it swims right towards the direction of the battle. Unknown to them, it is the creature that responds due to the disturbance they are causing.
"Nelson, something is coming our way! It's bigger than a blue whale and it's certainly not a warship!" Iowa informs Nelson
"It seems you invited more of your friends" Bismarck clicks her tongue
"What are you-"
A large and sudden splash interrupts the two sides. A large alien-like whale creature bursts out to the surface and snaps a Ta-class battleship in half when it catches the Abyssal between its gaping jaws. Due to its enormous size, biting off an Abyssal in half is no different from swallowing a piece of candy
"That's huge! What in the world is that?" Bismarck couldn't believe what she's seeing
"I think I've seen that before. Maybe it's a cousin of that sea serpent!" Iowa immediately recognizes the sea creature
"So it's real, huh. To think...something like this exists" Bismarck swallows her breath
"This thing again!" Battleship Princess grits her teeth
The battle between the shipgirls and Abyssals turns into a three-way battle when the creature seemingly shifts its three pair of eyes towards the shipgirls and the Abyssals.
"The rumored sea monster is real after all. It's not a snake, but it's certainly not a regular whale!"
Just a day ago, Bismarck asserts she wouldn't believe at the existence of a sea monster until she sees one for herself. A twist of fate changes that when the actual sea monster appears right before her, roaring and shooting at both sides.
"It's not good. Shells aren't working on this thing!"
Nelson fires a full salvo but it does no damage. Her shells directly lands on the creature but even when it explods on impact, it doesn't dent its metallic armor protecting the entirety of its body. The enormous whale bigger than a modern ship dives back, disappearing from the surface in seconds despite its size.
"I've never seen that before" Bismarck shakes her head in disbelief
"Neither do I" Nelson is as shocked as Bismarck
"No time to be frozen about it. That thing might jump out again!" Iowa shouts at the two
For a creature that massive to be invisible in their sonars is completely unbelievable. Even one normal submarine would be detected by any of them. Both the Abyssals and shipgirls have become prey for a mechanical creature that can swallow a house with little effort.
"It's coming. I can feel it" Nelson swallows her breath
After a whole minute of dread, the enormous whale's shadow below the surface encompasses a large area...just a split second before it emerges with its gaping mouth wide open. Fortunately, none of the shipgirls have been swallowed this time by they are nearly thrown off balance by its wake. The Abyssals aren't so lucky since more of them have disappeared into the creature's mouth.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Curse that...that corpse!" Battleship Princess screams at the top of her lungs
"What are you yelling at this time"
Bismarck opens fire seeing how distracted Battleship Princess is with the enormous creature creature large waves in its wake. Battleship Princess narrowly avoids the attack, but even the two shells that land on her barely scratched her resilient body.
"You and that battleship! You must have brought that thing here...because you're both battleships" Battleship Princess desperately blames them
"What are you talking about? I never met this thing my whole life" Bismarck points at the whale
"Liar! She knows you, so you clearly know her!"
The two are interrupted when a whale makes a jump, almost causing a tidal wave and a brief rain on everyone present. This separates Bismarck and her current enemy further a large wave splashes on them like they're mere insects.
"My plan is ruined again. Next time, I'll prepare for that nuisance as well next time!"
The shipgirls are both occupied with the remaining Abyssals and the whale surfacing from time to time. Strangely enough, it possesses compartments for various rockets and missiles and even equipped with large caliber guns yet its hostility is only in the form of annoying them rather than eliminating them.
"We're not done yet! Hey, don't you-"
Bismarck attempts to pursue Battleship Princess who abandons the rest of the Abyssals, but another wave splashes on Bismarck, causing her to nearly collapse on the surface. She's completely drenched with sea water now, but her she's more annoyed how Battleship Princess used the opportunity to make a successful escape again.
"It's going after them?" Iowa scratches her head
The ragged steel whale with three pair of eyes shift its attentions to the fleeing Abyssals who follow the furious Battleship Princess. It completely ignores the shipgirls attempting to bypass its steel armor and turns its slow body towards the direction of the Abyssals. The wave is creates slaps the shipgirls away and forces them to stop pestering it with futile attacks
"Just who is she talking about?"
Bismarck is left more confused about an unknown person Battleship Princess is referring to rather than the abnormal steel beast that almost swallowed them twice. The other shipgirls are certainly displeased being drenched by waves rudely slapping at them that they might have swallowed some sea water throughout the strange encounter.
Somewhere in the South Pacific...
The air eeriely blows while the certainly living Tirpitz etches the peaceful scenery of gentle waves in her memory. The fresh air may carry a certain feeling of heaviness, but Tirpitz is ignoring what could be danger in the horizon, aiming to read even for just a day.
Tirpitz!
Bismarck furiously yet desperately calling her out more than once rings in her thoughts no matter how much she repeatedly attempts to bury that memory. She couldn't breathe for a moment and gasps for air upon realizing her senses are growing numb and her body ceasing to function.
"Ah! I let my guard down. Six months after I've been put back together...and it's still not okay" Tirpitz pants
Her body has indeed been destroyed six months ago when the energy consumes her to her very core. Tirpitz suffers an excruciating death like she's being torn apart yet she carries an unknown sense content back then. She warmly smiles even with the heat clawing at her body and disintegrating her in the process.
"I still don't regret it. I did what I had to do..."
Over and over again, she justifies her own action even after her death continues to scars her for the past six months. The memory remains fresh as if she's repeatedly suffering the consequences of her actions. She grits her teeth when the image of Bismarck horrified of her choice to kill herself cries out her name.
[Tirpitz]
A call through a thin rectangular device that's practically only a screen with its shell on the back rings and echoes her name. Thankfully enough, this snaps her back to her usually calm and cold composure. Tirpitz steadies her breathing as she picks up the object right beside her.
"King George V. What's the matter?"
Tirpitz clears her throat and replies in a way King George V wouldn't sense that she couldn't even maintain her own emotions in control all the time.
[It's been confirmed now. They came earlier than expected though]
"What happened?"
[A mixed fleet with Mikasa leading them is planning to head there. Their preparations are almost done so they'll be heading there]
"So they're coming, huh..."
[Yeah. There are several of them and they managed to reconstruct one of trashes the Sirens thought they dismantled]
Tirpitz shows little concern compared to King George V being slightly anxious at the unexpected turn of events. Although, Tirpitz is still concerned since confronting them directly isn't an option unless she resort to a detestable method.
"You said there's a mixed fleet? Who are they?"
[...]
"King George V"
[...She went to Iron Blood and somehow convinced Bismarck to join with her trip]
King George knows Tirpitz would freeze upon learning that the one person she doesn't want to meet is part of the group searching for a certain Siren faction. Tirpitz almost loses her grip, both displeased and guilty at the thought of her own older sister, who has to watch her destroy herself months ago. An unknown quaking sensation courses through her veins, causing her tremble without any signs of fear.
"Bismarck is coming too, huh..." Tirpitz's fingers twitch
[Luckily, they will bring me along too. Akagi is coming, so I'll have to be extra csrefl]
The others aren't even the least of her concerns, just Bismarck. She makes Bismarck believe she has perished six months ago by killing herself and senses Bismarck wouldn't be too pleased to discover she is truly alive. If anything, Bismarck might not accept the fact Tirpitz is alive and would even be furious that she "fakes" her death.
[Mikasa showed a recording from one month ago. As soon as Bismarck saw you in it, she didn't hesitate to join]
"I admit that I was careless thinking Bismarck wouldn't find out about me"
Tirpitz grunts when she realizes it herself that this is only possible because she has been careless and confident that no one in Iron Blood would discover she survived her own death, specially Bismarck.
[They will also track down Ghost and they might free that thing once they get there thinking Ghost is just a victim imprisoned by Sirens]
"That's impossible since the key is with that Arbiter. Unless she helps them on a whim"
[Essex and I will inform you since they unknowingly decide to bring us along]
"Then I'll leave the tracking of their movements to you and Essex. I have other matters to take care of..."
[Huh. It sounded like you're not too bothered...]
To King George V's genuine surprise, Tirpitz barely displays the fear of encountering Bismarck again. In fact, Tirpitz may have been preparing for the eventuality knowing very well she wouldn't be able to avoid Bismarck forever.
"Sabotage them if you could. My focus is on another matter right now"
[I'll do what I can. I'll contact you again if there's an update]
After ending the communication with a gentle press of her thumb, Tirpitz breaths a sigh of relief. She doesn't have any sign of panic even if their inevitable meeting is around the corner. Rather, Tirpitz laments the fact that Bismarck may feel betrayed if she tells her than she killed herself without informing her of a contingency plan.
"It looks like it's inevitable for us to meet again, my dear sister..."
Overwhelmed by the sudden news of the group searching for troublesome Arbiters which includes her sister, Tirpitz sits by the concrete and shakes her head. She still couldn't accept that she has to inevitably face her own sister and possibly fight her if she decides to get in her way.
"I need to buy time as much as possible..."
Tirpitz clutches her chest, frustrated that she has to both focus on her plans and handling her certainly stubborn older sister. She couldn't care less about the goals and affairs of Sirens unless it conflicts with her. Lacking the power to stand against the Sirens who plays a hand in bringing her back, Tirpitz only grows frustrated and tightens her grip on her chest.