A/N: Azur Lane is not mine. If I do though, I will make Nagato the opposite way.

Jeorge opened the door to a gym that is built for the base he was appointed in. Dressed casually as this is an off day for most of the residents here, he carried a sword case as he had an appointment with someone to practice here with a certain blond he had a dance with in a party the week before. He arrived 5 minutes earlier so he might as well wait for her.

The party was quite huge as it is the first ever party for everyone in the world as together they celebrated their achievement; pushing back the Siren's and turning the tables against them and dealt a major blow that will render them powerless for quite some time.

Looking back at said party however, it was rather hilarious

The celebration party has not started yet, but even so the hall was filled with so many ship girls and commanders from around the world. Each and every one of them enjoying the party with their own way. Some conversing with each other, some by enjoying the musical play in silence with their companion, and others by playing a famous card game.

Jeorge did converse with some of the commanders though it is mainly about how their life went, but when they begun talking about their own secretaries who are enjoying the party by themselves, Jeorge begun to wonder when his own secretary will show up. Bismarck said that she will be ready in 5 minutes, but it has been 15 minutes. She is not the type to take a long time for dressing so this could be something else.

Excusing himself from the other commanders, he made his way to her dressing room. Half-way over there however, he finally met her in a hallway before the main hall, wearing a dress that fir her personality and carrying….a sword?

"My apologies for the delay, commander. I had to look for this sword because I was a tad careless"

"It is nothing to worry about, Bismarck…. Though I must ask"

"Yes, what is it?"

"…why must you bring a sword to a grand party?"

It took Bismarck few seconds before she caught his drift. It appears that she is amused by it

"This sword is a dull replica of Zweihander, commander.I brought it here because this is how I want to be seen. There is nothing to worry about"

"If you say so…but if anything, I was expecting you carrying that baton, in all honesty" He took her hand as a cue to go to the main hall together She took it and they began their walk into the lights.

"That baton is strictly for commanding fleet in battle, Commander…and I want to be free of such burden in this occasion"

Jeorge hummed in acceptance as the noise got louder, signaling that they are about to reach their destination soon "So that sword is merely for show?"

"I also train with it, when I have no duty to attend to. Considering how the war went, and the gift you received in the past, care to join me for a session, Commander?"

So here he is, sitting on a bench, waiting for Bismarck in the gym with his own sword he put beside him on the floor. The sword that he carry was a standard Katana that was given by Takao as a gift after being rescued in a joint operation where she was caught in an ambush by the Union's encirclement tactic. Oh how times have changed.

While he did practice with it for a long time, exploring the stances and the styles available for this sword by himself, he is curious of the German style swordsmanship. Because of that, Bismarck's offer was something he couldn't pass.

He took a glance at his wrist watch, and she should be arriving by n-

The sound of the door opening and as if on cue Bismarck has made it. She wears her usual navy attire and carrying a sword case. Judging by the shape, it must have been the very same Zweihander replica she carried to the party. "Ah, good morning Jeorge"

"Good Morning, Bismarck. For the first time ever I thought you will be late"

"Then I am sorry to say that such instance will never happen, Jeorge." Bismarck happily replied as she saw his sword case right beside him. "You carry the gift sword, correct?"

"Yep, and I have warmed up as well" He opened the case, revealing two sword sheathes with distinctive curve. He gestured Bismarck to the center of the gym as he said "If you want to, we can begin right away"

"I just have to ask though…is it the same dulled sword?"

"Yes, but I figure I carry the sharp one as well, it was lying about with nothing to do" She said as she pointed back to her own sword case. "But are yours a dull one or…."

"I got both actually, but same as yours"

"…I see"

'This will be interesting' she thought at how the event turned out.

Without much more talking, the two begun their way to the spot, and immediately facing each other.

Both unsheathe their respective swords after a brief nod from the commander. Jeorge wield his sword with both hands and positioned his sword in fron of him, pointed towards her. Bismarck mirrors the stance with her long sword.

Seconds passed and Jeorge made the first attack. He thrust the blade forward in a stabbing motion, only to be deflected to the side by Bismarck. Jeorge keep his composure, and tried to take to take a good look of what she can do with her sword as he slowly walks around her. Bismarck kept her sword as a barrier between her and her commander in response.

With a swift change of posture, he put his sword to his left side and attacked from below. A diagonal cut, she saw and deflected the attack once more, only this time she decided to counter attack right away with a horizontal slash. Jeorge avoid it, and was forced into a defensive position as she begun to attack relentlessly. He blocked a thrust with a side swipe, only to have himself in further defensive stances from her relentless diagonal attacks that definitely worked him out in this afternoon. And he enjoyed it.

She finally stopped attacking to size him up, a gentle smirk on her face. He saw it and made a remark "It's very unusual seeing you good at counter-attacks"

"And you are unexpectedly good at this" Despite his later start to swordsmanship, she knew from the moment she caught him practicing with that sword, he will be good. But so far, he is impressive.

"Oh, you underestimate me?"

"All things considered" she put a distance with her sword "It's only natural"

'Show off' He thought before he size her up again, this time he took the first stance he used in the battle, effectively also drawing a distance to her.

He is aware that with the right movement, she can use that longsword of her as a very effective shield, given the larger dimension the sword had. A hard dive is not an option for this one, so he decided to play the long game.

He made an attack, a horizontal cut from his right, and as he expected she instantly reacted to his attack. He then let his muscle loose, faint the attack in the process and caught Bismarck off guard.

He slashed upward from where he left off, and managed a hit on her stomach, and thankfully it didn't rip her clothes. Not stopping there, he went on to return the favour from her previous relentless attacks. The difference being, he hit her left shoulder once, both of her wrists once each, and her bare right thigh once.

Judging from how she fare after he slashed for the last time, he not only return the favour but also double it.

"I can see why you are so confident in your first strike" She said after a series of long heaves.

He said nothing to that as he instead asked after a moment has passed. He still want to see what she is capable of with her own sword and he wants all this in good spirit. He waited in order for Bismarck to catch her breath "One more?"

"Yeah, one more"

And the battle went on one last time, this time without any ounce of doubt, Bismarck went for the first strike. From the shape of his sword, she can put a good use of her replica sword to counter his aggressive flurry attacks. Unlike the last time she attacked when she went for multiple cuts, she went to break his stance with hard hits that will break his stance should he isn't careful with his defense.

Hopefully he did not mind.

The first strike got deflected, but it is clear for her to see that he had to work for it. The second hit, the same result. His face still has the intent to fight, but for how long? He already looks exhausted. He then avoided the third strike, having finally learned what she went for, but she won't give him any chance for a rest.

Jeorge continued to avoid the attacks until he is in safe distance for a counter strike. He then saw an opening. He dodged the next attack that comes from her right side, a diagonal cut from above, aimed for his left side. But instead of a step back, he avoid it with one step forward and put an end to the bout by putting his sword close to her neck. A check mate for him.

Unfortunately for him, she also did the same, having sensed that he will do something.

Both heavily searching for air as the two realized they are on a stalemate. Both sat on the gym floor.

"As expected from my commander, you really learn the rope rather quickly" to this Jeorge can only smile as he felt completely exhausted. The two sat in silence before the commander spoke up after a while.

"So...you don't mind if I join for the next session?"

"Of course. I will tell you when I will do it again. It is nice to see you are interested in something"

"What can I say? I don't want to keep myself tied to the office forever"

"I'm certain that should be my line as well. Honestly, a little break from papers are more than welcome, and I don't mind doing this with you" Bismarck smiled in contemplation before standing up, offering her hand to her commander "And since you were impressive, I will cook dinner for you"

"Then I am looking forward to it, Bismarck"