Akagi was walking towards the HQ. Her walking pace was very slow. Each side of her were her sisters Amagi and Kaga. It had been over a week since the aircraft carrier had confessed that she was behind Shoukaku nearly being sunk by Taihou. The kitsune had been recovering from the injuries she had received from Zuikaku META. However, Akagi now wished that the META crane had destroyed her. Now that Akagi had recovered enough, she was to head towards the HQ. She was dreading having to go. John was going to order her to be disassembled for what she had done. Her plan to be rid of Shoukaku and take the white-cranes place next to him had horribly backfired. As the kitsune got closer to the HQ, she began to feel fear. Her life was coming to an end. Akagi wanted to run away, but she knew Amagi wouldn't let her run. Even if she did manage to escape, the KANSEN had nowhere to run too. John would more than likely have her hunted down, and she would be an easy target for the Sirens if they found her alone. Akagi knew she was finished no matter what happened.
The three kitsune stopped outside the HQ once they reached the building, Akagi completely froze up once she was outside. The aircraft carrier couldn't bear to go inside and face her commander who would be delivering her death sentence. Amagi could see that her sister couldn't move, so she gently ushered her along, "It's best we don't keep the commander waiting, Akagi. None of us are looking forward to this, I doubt he is either. But you crossed a line sister, others nearly died because of you. Please don't make this more difficult than it has to be." Amagi wasn't looking forward to losing her sister but knew that Akagi had to pay the price for what she had done. Unknown to anyone else, though, Amagi had an idea on how she could save her sister from being disassembled. The chances of it working were slim, but she hoped she could convince her commander to spare Akagi.
Akagi slowly nodded. She knew she had to face the commander. The aircraft carrier slowly walked towards the entrance with Amagi and Kaga behind her. The three entered the building and walked up the stairs towards John's office. Amagi knocked and "Who is it?" was asked from behind the door. "It's Amagi, Commander. I'm here with Kaga. We have brought Akagi like you wanted." Amagi replied to John, who was in the room. John was heard talking to someone else inside the room as well, but the three kitsune couldn't hear clearly enough to guess who he was speaking to and what was being said. After a few short minutes, John told the three to enter the room, and they did so. When the three sisters opened the room, they saw John sitting behind his desk. Sitting in another chair at the end of the desk was the man's wife, Shoukaku.
Amagi shut the door behind her and then looked towards John and Shoukaku, "It is good to see you are okay, Shoukaku. Words can not express how sorry I am for what my sister did. May I ask why you are here?" Amagi apologised on Akagi's behalf for what happened. The battleship was curious about why the white-crane was here, so she decided to ask. "I've returned to my duties as my husband's assistant, I didn't expect you to bring Akagi here today, I thought she would still be recovering in the medical bay." Shoukaku gave Amagi an explanation as to why she was here. "I see. And you commander, I already know what's going to happen to my sister. But before you...do what you have decided. Can me and Kaga talk to you and Shoukaku, please? I don't want Akagi to hear what we say." Amagi wanted herself and Kaga to speak to the pair in front of them without Akagi's presence in the room.
This confused everyone else. Nobody could understand what it was that the battleship wanted to speak about without Akagi herself in the room. John thought for a moment before replying, "Very well, Amagi. You and Kaga can speak to us. But I can't just leave Akagi on her own, I'll need her to be watched. I can not afford the chance that she will try to flee. Please give me a moment to call someone to guard her." John replied to Amagi that she and Kaga could speak to himself and Shoukaku, but he needed someone to keep an eye on the kitsune in case she tried to escape. John picked up the phone on his desk and dialled in a number. The phone then began to ring, and after a few seconds, a voice was heard on the other end, "Hello, master. it's Belfast. How are you doing?" On the other end of the phone was the head maid of the Royal Navy, Belfast. "I'm doing fine, thank you, Belfast. Sorry for bothering you, but I have something to ask of you. I need you and some other shipgirls to come to my office please. Currently, Akagi is in my office, and I need others to watch her while her sisters speak to myself and Shoukaku in private. Can you do that for me?" the man asked the head maid.
John waited for a few seconds until the maid replied, "Of course master. I'll bring over a few other members of the Royal Navy, and we will be there shortly." Belfast told John. The man thanked the maid and then hung up the phone. After the call, everyone waited until Belfast arrived with other KANSEN to escort Akagi out of the room, Amagi whispered something in Kaga's ear while everyone was waiting. Nobody knew what the battleship said, but Kaga's eyes widened, and she also then nodded. John was going to ask what Amagi told her sister, but before he could, a knock was heard at his door, "We are here master, can we come in?" Behind the door was Belfast. She had arrived. John told the cruiser to come inside. Belfast did so along with several other KANSEN. John looked at who had arrived with Belfast and could see Sheffield and several other KANSEN from the Royal Navy, "Good, Belfast knows she can't afford to take any chances with Akagi. At least with someone like Sheffield here, Akagi will think twice before trying any tricks of hers." John thought to himself.
The man was well aware of Sheffield's prowess in battle and respected the maid. Despite her small size, the cruiser was one of the few who could push the kitsune to her limits. Amagi also noticed Belfast had arrived and then looked towards Akagi, "Akagi, go with them. Don't even think about trying anything, Kaga will come and collect you when we are finished here. Do you understand?" Amagi told her sister to go with Belfast and the other KANSEN from the Royal Navy. The battleship also warned her it was best not to make the situation worse by trying to get into a fight or flee. Akagi didn't respond to her sister. The kitsune simply walked towards Belfast and the others. Before Akagi left with them, she gave a sad look towards John, then towards her sisters. The aircraft carrier believed this was going to be the last time she saw them. Akagi then left with Belfast and the other shipgirls from the Royal Navy to await her fate.
Once Akagi was out of the room, Amagi began to speak, "Now that Akagi isn't here, we can talk. Commander, Shoukaku, I understand that my sister needs to be punished for what she has done. I can not blame either of you for wanting that. But she is still my sister, and I want to protect her. If both of you are willing to listen to me, I have an idea on how Akagi can still be punished but can also redeem herself for her crimes. It can benefit us both. Can you please hear me out?" The battleship had an idea that could save Akagi from being destroyed and get her to redeem herself for her actions. John looked towards Shoukaku. The crane was still furious with everything the kitsune had done. The white-crane and Taihou had nearly been sunk because of her. Zuikaku META had also been injured due to Akagi as well. Shoukaku however wasn't heartless. She could understand Amagi wanting to protect Akagi. She would do the exact same thing for Zuikaku.
Shoukaku sighed before replying, "Very well, Amagi. Me and John will hear what you have to say. But understand this, I could have never seen John, Zuikaku, or Tsubaki again because of what Akagi did. I can't just let something like this go, we will hear you out, but we can't promise anything. John also has the final say, it's his decision on what happens to Akagi." Shoukaku replied honestly to the Battleship. While both were willing to listen to Amagi, only John could decide her fate, Shoukaku couldn't promise that he would spare her. "Thank you, both of you. But before I tell you my idea, there is something I want to know. It's about Zuikaku META, why is she here? We have known each other for years now, surely you can tell me this?" The battleship wanted to know more about the META crane that had appeared not too long ago.
John, Shoukaku, and Kaga were confused about why Amagi was asking about the META, none of them could understand. John and Shoukaku, however, looked at each other. In truth, they wanted to keep the META cranes origins a secret from everyone else at the Azur Lane. But Amagi had been a trusted ally since she and the rest of the Sakura Empire had re-joined the Azur Lane several years ago. Both of them nodded to each other. They knew they could trust the battleship. John then turned towards Amagi to tell her the truth, "Very well Amagi. I'll tell you and Kaga the truth. But what is said here stays here. No one else needs to know. Zuikaku META comes from a timeline in which the Azur Lane was destroyed by the Sirens. For years, she had to survive in a world where humanity was being hunted by those monsters. Every day for her was a struggle for survival, but she wasn't alone. In her timeline...Tsubaki also existed." John began explaining Zuikaku META's origins.
Amagi and Kaga were surprised that Tsubaki existed in another timeline, "That is very surprising, Commander. To think that your daughter exists in another timeline as well. But what happened to her? Why isn't she here along with Zuikaku META? Is she... dead? Did the Sirens...kill her?" Amagi wanted to know what happened to the half-KANSEN in the META cranes timeline. The battleship, however, feared the worst. If the META's Tsubaki wasn't here, it could only mean she was no longer alive. Especially if the Sirens had destroyed the Azur Lane in her timeline. John and Shoukaku both looked uncomfortable being asked about the other Tsubaki's fate, "We don't know. Zuikaku META said that the Sirens took her. That's why she is here. She wants to find her Tsubaki. So far, Zuikaku META has had no luck finding her, so she wants the help of the Azur Lane. She promised her sister before she was killed, she would protect Tsubaki. And so will me and Shoukaku. Her Tsubaki may not be the same as ours, but she is still our daughter regardless. We will do whatever it takes to find her and rescue her from those monsters." John was willing to do whatever it took to find the Tsubaki from the META cranes timeline.
Amagi glanced at the white-crane after John finished speaking and could see the look of determination on her face. She wanted to find the other Tsubaki just as much as John. If not more. "I can't imagine what that poor girl is going through right now. She lost her parents and was then taken by their killers. Tsubaki must be so frightened right now...if she's even still alive. But I can use this to my advantage, I can save Akagi as well as potentially find the other Tsubaki as well. I just hope this works." Amagi felt pity for the half-KANSEN that had been taken by the Sirens. The battleship, however, saw an opportunity that could be used to redeem Akagi for what she had done. If Akagi found and rescued her from the Sirens, John would certainly spare her.
Amagi decided to put forward her idea, "Commander, Shoukaku. I know neither of you might not like the sound of this, but please listen to me. Instead of destroying my sister, why not have her search for Tsubaki? It benefits everyone, Akagi makes up for her past transgressions, and Zuikaku META gets her niece back. If Akagi dies fighting the Sirens, then she gets her punishment. Please, both of you consider this idea." Amagi put forward her idea to John and Shoukaku. John looked at Shoukaku, the white-crane felt torn at the idea. While Shoukaku wanted the other Tsubaki to be found, she believed that Akagi needed to pay for nearly destroying her, Shoukaku also didn't trust the kitsune, "And how do we know that Akagi won't simply run away if we let her do this? Tell me Amagi, after what she had done, how can I trust her?" Shoukaku didn't believe that Akagi would look for the other Tsubaki. The white-crane was certain Akagi would flee given the chance.
"Me, Kaga, and several others who I trust will go with her. Akagi won't be able to run, I promise you I won't let her. Both of you have my word, if Akagi runs... then I will take her punishment instead." Amagi offered to take her sisters punishment if she fled. Shoukaku didn't agree with this. In her mind, Akagi couldn't be trusted. It also wasn't fair that Amagi should suffer if Akagi abandoned her mission. The white-crane looked to John, who was deep in thought. The man preferred this idea rather than having to disassemble Akagi. He knew Shoukaku wouldn't agree with what he was thinking, but the battleships idea had more positives than negatives. If Akagi found the other Tsubaki, then she had redeemed herself. If she died fighting the Sirens, then she got her punishment. It was a win-win situation for everyone.
"Very well, Amagi. I authorise this mission, but I have some caveats. One, Akagi, Kaga, and yourself, along with everyone else who you choose, are going to be posted alongside human fleets in one of our outposts. You will be with them for eight months. You will be under their command, not mine. Your main mission is to look for Tsubaki, but if they need your help on missions, you will obey them. Two, I expect weekly reports from you. But any major Siren activity you report to me immediately. And finally, three, if Akagi goes rogue or tries to harm any humans... you have to do what needs to be done. No exceptions, Amagi...am I clear?" John told Amagi what needed to happen and what she needed to do. Amagi agreed with John's terms. Shoukaku however wasn't happy with her husband's decision, but in the end, it was up to John to make the call. She just hoped the man wouldn't regret the decision he made to spare Akagi. Kaga was then ordered to collect Akagi from Belfast and the other shipgirls guarding her. After a few minutes, both of them returned, Kaga went to Amagi's side, and Akagi was left facing John and Shoukaku. The aircraft carrier was a wreck. She was shaking with fear. John looked Akagi dead in the eye before delivering the news to her, "Akagi, I'm sure you are expecting what your fate is going to be. Thanks to your sister however, you will not be disassembled." Akagi's expression changed when those words left John's mouth. The kitsune was expecting her life to be over. Thankfully, Amagi had somehow managed to convince those in front of her to spare her life.
John had more to say to Akagi, however, "Don't be too happy about this Akagi. I still haven't forgiven you for your actions. Amagi is taking you, Kaga, and several other KANSEN of her choosing on a very important mission for me. You will be based with personnel from human fleets at one of our outposts. Your sister will give you the details of the mission and how you are to conduct yourself." Akagi wasn't pleased that she would be away from the commander. In her mind, he was the only human who deserved to be near her. All other humans were trash. John then gave the aircraft carrier a warning, "Akagi, you try to hurt any humans or try to abandon your mission in any way, I promise it will be the end of you. You had better not make me regret this decision...am I crystal clear?" John had a very threatening edge to his voice. The man wasn't going to let the kitsune get away with anything else.
Akagi felt a chill hearing her commanders threat. The KANSEN could tell by John's voice that he wasn't going to give her another chance. This was her very last one. Seeing that the kitsune understood him, John then dismissed the three of them so Amagi could brief her sister on the mission and gather up other KANSEN that she trusted, they would be leaving for the outpost as soon as they possibly could once they had sufficiently prepared for their time away from the rest of the Azur Lane.
Once John and Shoukaku were alone, the man reached into one of the draws of his desk and pulled out a bottle of whisky and a small glass. He poured the alcohol in the glass and then downed it in one swig. This whole scenario had made him need a drink. John offered one to his wife, but the white-crane declined, Shoukaku wasn't in the mood for drinking, "John, I hope you don't regret this. I don't think we can trust Akagi, what If she runs or, worse, allies herself with the Sirens again? What then? The last thing we need is the admiralty back here. They won't let something like that go." Shoukaku told John her fears of what Akagi could do out of his sight. Akagi had allied with the Sirens in the past, and the kitsune could certainly do it again if she pleased.
"I trust Amagi will do what's right, Shoukaku. She has never let us down before. Even Amagi won't let her sister do something stupid. She knows the consequences if she let's that happen. It won't be just her that pays the price. All of us will, Amagi won't let that happen." John had faith that Amagi would keep Akagi under control. The battleship knew the stakes were too high to let the aircraft carrier go rogue. Shoukaku however wasn't convinced, while she trusted Amagi as much as John did she couldn't shake the feeling that Akagi would do something crazy, the kitsune had shown in the past and more recently that anything was possible with her. "Please let me be wrong..." is all Shoukaku could think as she watched John carry on drinking his stresses away...