"Shinano, where are your fighters?" Isaac asked.

"My sister has closed the distance to one hundred miles." Shinano said as Isaac nodded before checking the map and then their surroundings.

"Attention, slow down here and drop anchor. This is where we are going to hold the line and stop Yamato." Isaac spoke as he heard several splashes as all the ships under his current command dropped anchor in the opening to the island chain.

"How are things looking over there?" Isaac asked.

"He is still beating her. I can't get a shot without hitting her, because he is using her as a human shield." Shinano explained.

"Coward. That's fine. He will find out that there is more than one way to skin a cat." Isaac said, causing Shinano to pause and look at him with a look of confusion.

"What?" Isaac asked.

"What does that mean?" Shinano asked.

"You haven't heard it before?" Isaac asked.

Shinano shook her head softly.

"It means there is more than one way to get things done. Since we can't take him down from the air, we'll take him out during the raid. Simple as that." Isaac said.

"Hmm. It seems… a bit more brutal. Do all American sayings involve violence?" Shinano asked.

"Not all of them… but I guess a good number do." Isaac thought aloud.

"Not important, we're losing focus. Have you had any more dreams?" Isaac asked.

Shinano nodded.

"The pictures have become clear. They all pertain to my middle sister, Musashi. She seems to have freed herself. However, I cannot say where she is, all I know is she has left Tokyo Bay." Shinano said softly as Isaac petted her head between the ears.

"Good work. We can probably surmise that she is chasing Yamato. So we might be meeting both of them during this battle." Isaac said.

"We should tell Yamato. Maybe she can free herself as well?" Shinano asked.

"We could… but that would put her in danger. If the enemy commander learns that he has lost his leverage on her, he could kill her and take command of her vessel with the crew he has left. It may be cruel to keep her waiting on the news, but we have to think of her overall safety." Isaac said.

"You make a good point… but it hurts seeing her in pain like this, Isaac." Shinano spoke as she pressed her back and tails against him.

"I know. But she's only 100 miles away. The moment she's in range, the operation will begin. You'll be reunited before you know it." Isaac said.

"I can't wait to show them Yume." Shinano said excitedly.

Isaac smiled.

"That's right. You're the first of your sisters to have a child. I wonder how they will react." Isaac said.

"Musashi saw her in a dream. Yume tends to get bored… so she wanders around. She found Musashi, which I think was the inspiration she needed to finally break free." Shinano said.

"You and Yume are both very interesting, you know that?" Isaac asked.

"I would hope so, my love." Shinano said with a small giggle.

"Amagi." Ben spoke as he walked over to where Amagi and Michael were standing on the bow.

"Ben? What can I do for you?" Amagi asked.

"Who is she?" Ben asked as he pointed over to Kashino's vessel, where Kashino was sitting on the bow of her vessel, motionless.

"That would be the supply ship Kashino. Why do you ask?" Amagi asked.

"She looks a bit different from the other Sakura in the Admiral's fleet." Ben spoke.

"But of course. She is the only bovine Kansen that the Sakura navy has. And despite her lack of heavy weaponry, she is very strong." Amagi said.

"Why is she here?" Ben asked.

"She has her pride to defend." Amagi said.

"How so?" Ben asked, now genuinely curious.

"Kashino carried all 9 of the guns for Yamato during her construction. She also helped transport parts for Musashi during her construction. So she was of use to both of the Yamato Class Battleships. She feels like she needs to help them in this crisis. So, the Admiral allowed her to come. Right now… I'm sure she is meditating, remembering her training from back home." Amagi spoke.

"She was trained to fight as well?" Ben asked.

"Yes. She isn't a master of the sword like the Takao class. Nor is she a perfect martial artist like Kirishima or any of our more physical fighters. But she received training in the sword and in the martial arts." Amagi said as Isaac and Shinano walked over to join them.

"What's going on in this neck of the woods?" Isaac asked.

"Nothing much, Admiral. Just watching her." Ben said as he pointed to Kashino.

"Ah. Kashino. She came to us in between the first and second battles of Australia if my memory serves me well. She is a very diligent worker for the fleet and the ground troops. The reason we were able to transport all of our gear and tanks is thanks to her incredible ability to transport material." Isaac said.

"I'm sure she would love to hear that sentiment, Admiral." Amagi said.

"I'll make sure to thank her for her hard work when we save Yamato." Isaac said.

"Yes. She is a very hard worker. But she is also timid. Right now… she is preparing herself to back up her anger. She tries to remain calm, but to see her Senpais abused, she will have none of it. So right now, she is meditating, squashing the fear and timidness inside her mind to prepare for battle." Amagi said.

Ben thought for a moment.

"Hey Admiral. You don't have a sword laying around do you?" Ben asked.

"I do. Why?" Michael asked.

"Could I borrow it? Maybe getting her mind off of it, and using her skills might help her get over her timidness." Ben suggested.

Amagi thought for a moment.

"That might work, actually. You could ask her to spar." Amagi said.

"Actually… I was going to have her teach me what she knows. I don't know how to wield a sword. America focuses on guns and knives." Ben replied.

Amagi and Michael looked at each other before Amagi nodded.

"Alright… but do not remove the scabbard. I'll tie it down for practice." Michael said as he disappeared into the superstructure of the Amagi.

"Calm down, and focus, Kashino. If the enemy sees your fear, they will have the upper hand." Takao's voice rang in Kashino's mind.

"I understand… but this is the first time I have to fight." Kashino thought to herself as she sat on her deck with her legs crossed and her sword on her lap.

"Big sis can be so grumpy. Just keep your breathing slow and deliberate. Your body will relax for you." Atago's voice spoke in Kashino's mind.

"Right. Breathe slowly." Kashino spoke as she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Your body isn't fully capable of being a swordsman. But, you can still wield a sword. Your… ample chest can get in the way if you use two hands at all times, so maybe strengthen your grip and use a one handed technique. With your strength, you can wield a Katana with the same effectiveness that Kirishima can wield a wakizashi. So maybe focus on one handed attack and defense." Maya's voice spoke sternly.

"Right. One handed attacks to accommodate my body." Kashino spoke as she slowly rose to her feet and hung her sword at her side. She held the scabbard in her left hand and gripped the hilt with the right. In a single lightning fast yet fluid motion, Kashino drew her sword, drawing on her strength to make the most of her draw. Kashino was snapped back to reality by the sound of someone clapping.

"Who's there?!" Kashino cried as she turned, swinging the sword in her hand. Ben barely managed to duck out of the way as the blade swung by him.

"Woah there, missy. Don't slice me up with that." Ben said as Kashino blushed bright red.

"I am so sorry!" Kashino cried as she took a step back before resheathing her sword.

"It's no problem. No harm no foul, right?" Ben asked with a shrug.

Kashino blushed further until she saw the sword in his hand.

"What's that for?" Kashino asked.

"Well. You look like you know what you're doing when it comes to wielding these things. We Americans never train with swords. We use guns and knives since we like to get real personal. But I think I'd like to learn how to use this." Ben said as he extended the hand with Michael's sword in it.

"You want to learn how to use a sword?" Kashino asked, thoroughly confused.

"Yep." Ben replied.

"From me?" Kashino asked.

"Why not? You seem pretty skilled and dedicated to the art. I'd rather learn from someone with a passion for the craft than a master, if you know what I mean." Ben said.

"But… Takao or Atago would be better candidates. They are true swordsmen of the Sakura." Kashino tried.

"And they would also take it far too seriously. You… I feel like you'd enjoy teaching someone what you know. What do you say? Will you teach me how to use a sword like you?" Ben asked.

Isaac, Michael and Amagi all smiled when they saw a smile appear on Kashino's face.

"Sure. I'll teach you what my senpais taught me." Kashino said with a big smile.

"I'm in your care, Master Kashino." Ben said playfully, causing her to blush.

"Well… first is how you hold it…" Kashino said, beginning the process of teaching Ben.

"Do you think it had the intended effect?" Isaac asked.

"I think so. She is relaxed and happy. I can only assume that she will be more calm and focused in the coming battle." Amagi said.

"Good. Ben seems to have had a good idea." Isaac said.

"The others are finding it humorous." Amagi said as she relayed the radio traffic.

"Well, if it works, it works. I won't shame them for it." Isaac said as he looked to the sea ahead.

"Besides. This battle is going to get ugly. So every advantage we can get, we will take." Isaac said.