Ooarai vs. Bonple

"Yukari!"

Another shell was slammed into the Panzer IV's cannon and the hatch closed.

"Loaded!"

"Firing!"

Another shell zoomed towards Bonple's 7TPjw, and as usual, Hana's shot came true. A white flag was transposed against a sea of black smoke as the 7TP quickly ground to a halt and the Panzer IV moved past the wreckage.

"Good! Now target that other 7TPdw!"

"Ready!"
"Firing!"

Another shot, another kill. There were no more enemies in sight, so Miho asked for the status of the other commanders. Momo was off with Leopon Team trying to find the flag tank, the FT-17. Rabbit Team had been dispatched by Momo to go deal with a 7TP in one of the battlefield's forests, and last they had heard from them was that they were about to engage.

"Saori, ask how Rabbit Team is doing with that other 7TP in the forest!"

"On it! Rabbit Team, this is Ankou. How are things going over there?"

"This is Rabbit Team, there's more than one but- good job, Ayumi! Make that two 7TPs left!"

"They're engaged with three 7TPs, Miporin! They just took one out!"

"Alright, get Leopon Team!"

"Leopon, this is Ankou. How's that flag tank?"

"This is Ankiada, the plan's going great so far! We're luring that FT-17 and a couple other tanks to Commander Momo's position opposite the town. You can sit back and relax, we have this match in the bag! Plus, no engine breakdowns the whole battle! The upgrades really worked!"

"Great to hear! They're doing good, Miporin, all is going according to Momo-chan's plan!"

"Alright, switch to Turtle Team!"

Switching frequencies to Turtle Team, Saori asked Momo about her status. Momo's voice came as confident as ever, informing Saori that she was waiting for Leopon to come over and allow for her to fire straight into that FT-17. The battle was now winding down as Leopon fired shells behind them to see if they could get a hit on the FT-17, but it was eluding many of their projectiles. The same couldn't be said for the other two escorting TK Tankettes, as Leopon was able to knock both of them out, albeit with some difficulty.

The chase had now brought itself outside of the town into a field scattered with brush and hills west of the town where Turtle Team's Hetzer was waiting to deal the killing blow and give Ooarai a free ticket to the Semifinals.

Mallard, and Duck Team had been knocked out mid-way through the match when they were ambushed in the forest by several 7TPs, prompting Rabbit Team to attack the reported threats within the forest. Despite facing odds of 3-to-1, they managed to evade and knock out all three of their pursuers, and were now heading to rendezvous with Leopon Team to help with taking out the FT-17.

There was no need, however. Bonple had played itself right into Momo's hands.

The Porsche Tiger maneuvered itself into a collision course with the Hetzer, which had been covered with branches and other greenery to disguise itself. Now, with Leopon closing in at high speeds, rapidly closing the hundreds of yards between them and Turtle Team, the time had come to end this match once and for all.

"Yuzu, NOW!"

Yuzu slammed the accelerator and propelled the Hetzer forward. Leopon swerved to the right just in time. The FT-17, realizing its fate was sealed, desperately fired at the last possible moment, but its shell simply bounced off the Hetzer's thick frontal armor.

The Hetzer slammed with the force of thousands of newtons right into the FT-17, before Momo fired a shot straight into its turret. It was enough to knock it out, and win Ooarai the match.

"YEAH! NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"

"Good plan, Momo, you really have grown since the match with Continuation!"

Momo thanked everyone for their compliments and congratulated everyone on a splendid victory. Bonple wasn't as good of a school as the major ones, obviously, but they still gave Ooarai a bloody nose. After meeting with their opponents to thank them for a good match, the victors returned to the school ship to greet their newest tank and crew, excited to see what the T-44 was like.

With Ooarai defeating two relatively minor schools for their first two matches, they would begin to face the big leagues as they would face Saunders for the Semifinals.

Ooarai School Carrier - Afternoon

"Here it comes!"

"It looks so good!"

"And there's the crew as well!"

Everyone had gathered to watch the new T-44 roll on to the open grounds in front of the garage. Yukari, as usual, began excitedly spitting out the facts about the T-44 from memory the best she could. The T-44 was a Soviet medium tank which bore 120mm (4.7 inches) of armor and an 85mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun. It held a crew of four, and weighed 32 tons, and was originally designed to retain the high mobility of the T-34 and provide it with heavier armor protection against modern tank guns. It didn't see much combat in the Second World War, instead being used as a training tank. But, with good armor and a good gun, it was a welcome addition to Ooarai's tank roster. It's crew of four had been inspired to join the Ooarai Sensha-do team after watching their unexpected victory in the tournament and their close call with closure.

"The cavalry has arrived!"

"Continuation, B-E-WARE!"

"The new saviors of Ooarai are here!"

"Hey Miho, what'cha think?"

Arachnid Team had clearly prepared ahead. Ooarai's insignia was already painted on, and Arachnid's logo was a six-eyed sand spider with its eight legs wrapped around tank shells with tiny shrapnel representing the sand a sand spider usually threw up when digging itself into the ground, and, rather controversially, its fangs were sunken into a Tiger I bearing Kuromorimine insignia and the number 212, a reference to Ooarai's 63rd Tournament victory. Miho objected to this, given the possibility of fighting Kuromorimine and that they were getting into better relations, so the crew agreed to just make it a normal Tiger I with no insignia or number.

The four second-years introduced themselves as they each jumped out of the tank, meeting their excited peers and classmates, who were eager to finally have a full 10 tanks to field, which was the maximum requirement for the First Round and Quarterfinals matches. Soon they'd have enough to buy a new tank, though Miho was still trying to figure out which tank to pick.

"Hey there, all! I'm Managama, your new tank's commander!"

"I'm Goshamizu, loading shells since today!"

"Maetazoza, really excited to drive this bad girl around!"

"And I'm Bayanazu, don't expect any 'missed calls' from me!"

Everyone greeted their new team members with the customary greeting before moving to make them feel at home. The new rookies would have a day of rest to get adjusted before joining the others in practice the next day. Although they had little experience, they were confident in success, and they were eager to start helping Ooarai win its second consecutive tournament. They may have lost the Semifinals, but with the new Loser's bracket, they still had a chance to win it all, and further help Momo develop her abilities. With this new crew, no doubt Ooarai was going to dominate the next match, well, depending on their enemies, given it would be the Semifinals of the Loser's bracket they would face a 10vs15.

After a good amount of practice, the students returned to their garages where Anzu informed everyone that their next opponents would be Saunders University High School...again. They had won against St. Gloriana in the Quarterfinals. As for the other matches, BC Freedom defeated Maginot and would face Kuromorimine in the Semifinals. After the Semifinals would be the Finals which everybody predicted would be Kuromorimine vs. Ooarai since, well, they were both some of the best schools in Sensha-do. Whoever would win would get to fight Continuation in the Grand Finals, which was going to be the biggest event yet, with a projected attendance of over 10,000 spectators, arguably the biggest match in Sensha-do history, with a total of 25 tanks maximum for each side.

But, there was more.

"Hiya, Makashiza here with younger sister and fellow pro gamer Narashiza to join Anteater Team in its quest for high scores!"

"Yeah! We'll get the highest scores out of everyone in Ooarai! Just look at these screenshots of our highest World of SPG scores!"

Anteater, led by an ecstatic Nekota, ran excitedly to the two new kids who proudly displayed their high scores to their new tankmates, and began excitedly conversing about the games they played, sharing invites to servers and whatnot. They were siblings, although Makashiza, a second year, was older than her sister Narashiza, a first year. With two crews filling their crew capacity with new additions to the team, Ooarai was further invigorated with the prospect of success. They decreased the strain on their crews by filling in roles that those who already had a role also had to fill, but not anymore for Leopon and Anteater. Rabbit Team also got a new visitor, and they were the most excited.

There weren't even words, just excited noises by Rabbit Team (save for Saki as always) as they rushed to meet their new tankmate, who was equally excited to join the M3 crew. With the radio operator role left un-crewed and forced to be filled by Yuuki, the new crew member, Hagi, would reverse this and be the new radio operator for the M3 crew. There were no more applicants, but these were surely not to be the last. With three tanks crewed to full capacity, although it would take some getting used to, Ooarai now had better chances of success, obviously, and warmly welcomed the new recruits with open arms.

Continuation school ship - Sensha-do practice field

At first, the battle had been deadlocked. Each side was countering the other, but Jouko was gradually gaining the upper hand, wearing down Alice in a war of attrition. Most of the tanks had been knocked out early on save for Jouko, Linder, and Alice, who were battling it out in a fight of maneuvers, rapidity, speed, and unpredictability. So much was happening all at once that it was impossible to make out the details or strategy each side was employing by simply viewing it live without any slow-mode or frame-by-frame examinations. It was like a never-ending dance, a highly complex and elaborate ballet that only the most experienced and skilled of choreographers could coordinate, and here it was pure improvisation that was more than enough to stun and awe a most excited audience.

For Alice, it was load, fire, and never stop moving. For Jouko and Linder, it was the same with Alice, but coordinating with each other through the radio. This was the second-to-last time they could practice, for in two weeks' time would come the Grand Finals, and they were giving it their all. Inside Alice's tank, everyone was well-coordinated and it only took the little taps of Alice's foot to give orders for Alice's driver. The others knew exactly what to do, and there was almost no talking inside the tank at this stage. Conversely, Jouko and Linder's tanks were in a flurry of sounds of the human voice, full of commands, announcements, information, reports, and more. Linder was trying her best not to swear at all, and was getting quite good, though she was unable to prevent a couple of swears escaping her mouth.

"Come on, you stupid little piece of sh- I mean, nevermind... Keep chasing that tank! How's Jouko doing, Wilkman?"

"Nothing from her yet, Commander, it seems she's very focused."

"Well, so will we be too! Keep trying to get a hit on that T-34, Jouko wants to wear it down, let's win this war of attrition!"

Jouko's shells were all impacting the Centurion, but not penetrating thanks to last-second turns by Alice, and Linder's shots, although not hitting every time, were also helping in weaken the T-34's robust armor. Every impact wore down the tank, and Alice knew that full well. It was the same situation as the other matches. No matter how hard she tried, Jouko was just too accurate. Hours upon hours upon hours of practice had well refined her skills, and she had been doing this for over two years now, not to mention her previous experience sniping. The T-34's armor was not going to hold too long and the best she could hope for were a hit to Jouko's tracks, and the match was hers, and her gunner was getting close to hitting Jouko's tank.

"Commander, the driving stick is lodged!"

Without a moment of hesitation, Alice calmly gave a simple order.

"Stop us."

Pushing her feet against the brakes, the driver caused the T-34 to skiddle to a position where it was now facing the two incoming tanks, but the turret had been facing backwards from the fact the T-34 was running away and conducting a fighting retreat, meaning that it had to be turned, which the tank's gunner was doing her best to do. Jouko's Sturmi ground to a halt, but Linder was much later in slowing down, and ended up stopping right on the turret's sights. With no hesitation, the gunner stopped her traverse and fired just as the Panzer IV began to retreat. The shot rang true, and it was knocked out. Moments later, the tank was shaken by a blast into its ring, and it was knocked out, winning Jouko's team the practice match with only one tank out of twenty total left.

"Again, Linder, instinct. You're acting too slow. The most minute nanosecond can mean the difference between victory and defeat, you must train your instinct better."

"I'm sorry, Commander, I'll keep trying my best, I'm not as good as you, you know."

"Oh, don't beat yourself over it, what's done is done, and the more you learn, the better you'll get."

"Understood, Commander! I'll do my best to improve."

"That's the spirit! Now, gather your crew, its time for the debriefing."

Gathering everyone, even those who didn't participate in the training, together for the debriefing, Jouko outlined what needed to be worked on and the performances of each tank crew before closing with an announcement. Everyone was listening intently as Jouko did the debriefing and closed with some motivational remarks that Mikko excitedly wrote on her notebook to preserve it for all of history, unaware that there was a certain someone among them filming everything.

"Next week is our second-to-last practice week before the Grand Finals. I expect everyone to train and train hard. Not a moment should be wasted without training. This is especially so, because earlier today, and I don't know if you've heard yet, but due to Ooarai's low numbers the Federation has agreed to a new amendment to the tournament rules that allow other schools to assist a school with any problem regarding numbers should that school agree to it. This means that we will not just face Ooarai, we'll face some tanks from Kuromorimine, Saunders, Pravda, and several other schools that send help. It will just be like Ooarai's match with All-Stars, you could say, with a compound team against a juggernaut.

Don't let this news discourage you! You all have each other, and you have to support each other and help build each other's success! The victories of Continuation don't depend on me or Linder or anybody but you! You may say, 'But Jouko, you're the one who always won our victories!' No, it was your support that helped me win those victories. I credit you all as much as I credit myself with the victories. Not just on the battlefield, you support, you encourage, you're friendly, and that's what Continuation's like! Even with 63 consecutive tournaments of being knocked out early on, we never gave up, not at all, and look where we are now! We're standing on the shoulders of giants! It was the dedication of yourself, each other, and the students who fought before you that kept this great school going up to this moment, and now we have a chance to win the whole tournament because of ALL OF YOU!

When the match comes, I want each and every one of you to fight well, and fight very, very hard! We're facing very, very, very good opponents and no doubt most of you will get yourselves white-flagged in the first few minutes, maybe seconds of combat. If that is the case, then use every single opportunity that will be given you in that time, and make sure that you make a good contribution to the team before you are knocked out. Every contribution made means a bigger chance of victory! Every shell you hit is a closer step to winning us that Champions' Banner! Every dent you make in the enemy armor should count as a personal victory, so get as many as you can! No matter how minor of a contribution you give, Continuation High School is still grateful for what you managed to accomplish against your opponents, and you should be happy you made contributions no matter the size! A contribution is a contribution no matter how small!

When those schools come at us, go show them how we fight! Show them what Continuation is made of! SHOW THEM ALL THAT YOU ARE MADE OF STEEL HARDER THAN THE STEEL OF OUR TANKS!"

As the team erupted in a unified shout of, "Yes, Commander! We will show them!", one voice stood out among the rest that Jouko easily understood, throwing her off-balance a bit before regaining her composure shortly after. Sure enough, in the middle of the crowd was a fluffy-haired girl, holding a video camera, in Continuation gear. Surrounded by Continuation students, after looking at her surroundings, she pushed and shoved herself through the crowd as she made a break for it, and some tried to run to catch her, but Jouko dissuaded them, saying,

"Let her show her video. I'd like for Ooarai and the other schools to get some motivation as well."

Jouko's room - Continuation school carrier

knock knock

"Come in."

"Jouko-san, I apologize if I'm disturbing you in the middle of your Bible study-"

"Oh, there's no need. In fact, you said you wanted to ask me something?"

"Yes, well..."

"Don't be shy, Alice, I'm good to talk to."

As she took her seat next to Jouko, Alice spent several seconds trying to formulate the question needed to be asked in her mind. It was a tough question that ever since she discovered Jouko's faith, and had now grown in it, never left her mind. Now, with Jouko in front of her, ready to talk with her, she finally had an opportunity to spill the beans and find out why.

"Jouko-san... you say you're a devout Christian, right?"

Jouko nodded.

"Why is it you like the White Death so much, he killed so many people in war that, it almost seems... hypocritical of you."

Alice could see Jouko's face harden as she closed her Bible. She was right. Jouko, despite hating killing to the point of not wanting to hurt an animal for any reason, loved Simo Häyhä. She had had this same dilemma years ago, but it had left her mind before she could really find a solution. Now, with Alice jogging her memory again, she felt guilty of herself. How could she be a devout Christian who hated murder and love a man who killed over 700 people? Sure, he was a friend of her grandma and a good man, but admiring him meant admiring a murderer. But, he was one of many that had helped save Finland from a truly terrible regime, and if he was a murderer, he killed murderers too. But, violating the sixth commandment meant that you violated all the other commandments too, that's just how it was.

"Alice... you're right. As much as Simo was a good family man, according to my father's stories of him, he also killed other beings. Sure, they killed people too, but, oh, how much I hate war. It ruins so many lives and I can't bear to see things like it happening in the world. All because someone wants this, someone wants that, he did this, he did that, it's just all stupidity and nonsense that's all so childish, and it's sad that that's the state of the world today. The Sixth Commandment says that 'Thou shalt not kill', and admiring someone who did break this commandment is hypocritical.

Indeed, admiring a man like Simo and being a devout Christian really was, and is hypocritical of me, it's just that this spiritual battle of to admire or not to admire won't really die away. Simo was a hero, everybody knows that, he saved Finland from what would've been the worst period in its long history, but he was also a man who killed so many people who killed others who killed others, it's all just stupid and what else. I'm sorry if I'm, well, being a bit uncomfortable for you, Alice, but, I don't know right now. I'll just have to spend a lot of time in prayer to help soothe my soul, it's the only source of comfort for me. Just keep doing you, I know how much you've been studying as of late."

Alice was listening intently, and as Jouko finished, she took some time to fully comprehend her situation. Though it would seem Christianity was being a burden at first, Alice understood, from her previous days of vigorous study of the Bible at Jouko's behest, that prayer and more study would be a good source of comfort. The Bible had answers to everything, and it had helped with her dealing with the issues of her faith, so why not Jouko with this spiritual fight inside her? Alice reassured Jouko, which seemed to bring some comfort, and if Jouko was comfortable and happy, so was Alice. Sharing an embrace, Alice withdrew to her room to further study the Bible to see what she could help Jouko with, eager to give her new friend the guidance she needed in this holy book.

It was a rather surprising turnaround of the day. From giving a confident, morale-boosing motivational speech to being in a spiritual crisis, Jouko now needed help, and she found in Alice a good, much-needed source. Perhaps, she thought, God had given Alice to her as a source of comfort and a support in time of need. She probably didn't know it, but it was probably for this reason she joined Continuation High School, to give Jouko a trial to face, and to help her pass through the flames untouched. She was a daughter of encouragement, just like Barnabas to Paul, and a Barnabas was what Jouko needed, especially now, in this moment of conflict.

Yukari's house, Ooarai school carrier

"When those schools come at us, go show them how we fight! Show them what Continuation is made of! SHOW THEM ALL THAT YOU ARE MADE OF STEEL HARDER THAN THE STEEL OF OUR TANKS!"

"YES, COMMANDER! WE'LL SHOW THEM!"

"And they let you get away?"

"Mhmm. Heard something about 'giving Ooarai some motivation', looks like she intended for you to listen to her speech too!"

"Generic...but decent..."

"Oh, come now, Mako, that was a real good speech she made, right, Hana?"

"Yeah! Beautiful like my best flower arrangements, Jouko really knows her way with words."

Miho was taking in "giving Ooarai some motivation", as she didn't know whether that was a veiled threat, or, knowing Jouko from their several meetups, genuine. Saunders was in less than three days, and so far, the crews were working out quite well, though all the newbies had some getting used to. However, they had enough time to get more refining done before the match, and even being newbies they did fairly decently. Knowing Yukari, she probably had some skills to let in a few "minor changes" to the video to show the other students.

"Nishizumi-dono, why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're good at editing, right, Yukari?"

"N-Nishizumi-dono! I, I..."

"Come on, Yukari, Jouko said she wanted the speech to be heard, why don't you train your editing skills a bit?"

"Hana's right! You'll soon be a good editor with some good money to make with a hot content creator... oh, how I wish I were you, Yukari!"

"Umm... I'll try my best! I will make sure I won't disappoint!"

Bowing, Yukari extracted the tape and began hard at work editing on her computer, rerecording lines, attempting her best in imitating Jouko's voice in several takes, in full view of the others, who watched, rather bemused.

Ooarai practice field - School carrier

"Alright, all set! Just press 'play' and we'll surely invigorate the team!"

"Thank you so much for your work, Yukari, I don't know where we would be without you."

"N-Nishizumi-dono, it-it's a great honor to serve you!"

As the practice winded down, everyone gathered in front of the television that had been rolled out to listen to a speech that Jouko gave to Continuation, but had been edited by Yukari so it would better fit Ooarai. The mere mention of Jouko, however, sent chills down the spine of everyone, even the new recruits, as they too had heard how much of a menace Jouko was in the battlefield, but they were reassured that she was in fact a friendly person who was a great girl to be around, so that gave them some comfort. Without further ado, Yukari inserted her edited tape, and pressed play. The booming voice of Jouko was heard as everyone listened closely.

"I expect everyone to train and train hard. Not a moment should be wasted without training. This is especially so, because earlier today, and I don't know if you've heard yet, but due to Ooarai's low numbers the Federation has agreed to a new amendment to the tournament rules that allow other schools to assist a school with any problem regarding numbers should that school agree to it. This means that we will not just face Continuation alone, we'll have help from Kuromorimine, Saunders, Pravda, and several other schools. It will just be like the match with All-Stars, you could say, with a compound team against a juggernaut.

You all have each other, and you have to support each other and help build each other's success! The victories of Ooarai don't depend on Miho or Momo or anybody but you! You may say, 'But Jouko, you're the one who always won our victories!' No, it was your support that helped me win those victories. I credit you all as much as I credit myself with the victories. Not just on the battlefield, you support, you encourage, you're friendly, and that's what we're like! Even with many challenges throughout our existence, we never gave up, not at all, and look where we are now! We're standing on the shoulders of giants! It was the dedication of yourself, each other, and the students who fought before you that kept this great school going up to this moment, and now we have a chance to win the whole tournament because of ALL OF YOU!

When the match comes, I want each and every one of you to fight well, and fight very, very hard! We're facing very, very, very good opponents and no doubt most of you will get yourselves white-flagged in the first few minutes, maybe seconds of combat. If that is the case, then use every single opportunity that will be given you in that time, and make sure that you make a good contribution to the team before you are knocked out. Every contribution made means a bigger chance of victory! Every shell you hit is a closer step to winning us that Champions' Banner! Every dent you make in the enemy armor should count as a personal victory, so get as many as you can! No matter how minor of a contribution you give, Ooarai Girls' Academy is still grateful for what you managed to accomplish against your opponents, and you should be happy you made contributions no matter the size! A contribution is a contribution no matter how small!

When those schools come at us, go show them how we fight! Show them what Ooarai is made of! SHOW THEM ALL THAT YOU ARE MADE OF STEEL HARDER THAN THE STEEL OF OUR TANKS!"

The word changes were a bit janky as Yukari tried to imitate Jouko's voice in recording the audio, but nevertheless, it was still an inspiring speech, and everyone responded with an enthusiastic "YEAH!" After that, they dismissed to their own business, ready to face Saunders for the Semifinals.