AZUR LANE'S ELEMENTAL HERO (BOBOIBOY X AZUR LANE)

by Jikdot

Boboiboy, an elemental hero from Earth finds himself in an unknown world where humanoid female embodiments of real-life warships called 'shipgirls' combat the evil forces of the Sirens and take back ownership of the seas, eventually finds himself amid a split between the major camps of Azur Lane, forming the Crimson Axis. How far can he survive in this unknown world all by himself?

8. Chapter 7

Location: Unknown Island

Infiltrating the sleeping heart of the Sakura Empire was a daring move, but one that Sheffield and Edinburgh, two elite Royal Navy maids, managed to pull off with remarkable precision. However, the real challenge began when the entire Sakura Empire was on their tail, determined to hunt them down.

To make matters worse, the Iron Blood, the Vichya Dominion and the Sardegna Empire; the entire Crimson Axis had joined the fray, their fleets converging on the area with alarming speed. It seemed excessive, of course, four fleets were dispatched, to capture three.

Yet, the reason behind this massive enemy's fleet gathering wasn't because of an ordinary matter, it was because the three had stolen something of immense value - the Black Mental Cube.

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The once-thriving massive island where they now hid had long since been abandoned, its population decimated by Siren attacks many years ago. The city, once full of life, now stood as a ghostly relic of that tragic day, a haunting reminder of the devastation.

Thick mist enveloped the island, obscuring it from view and providing some cover from their pursuers. Yet, the Sakura Empire's relentless search continued.

High above, two fighter planes, their wings emblazoned with the unmistakable Sakura Empire's insignia, sliced through the misty skies. These planes belonged to Zuikaku, and their purpose was clear - to find the intruders.

Sheffield, ever vigilant, watched the planes as they passed overhead. She sighed in relief as they continued on their way, oblivious to her presence.

From her vantage point, she could see the ocean below, teeming with Sakura Empire shipgirls and Siren mass-produced ships patrolling the waters, forming an impenetrable blockade around the island. Satisfied that she had gathered enough information, Sheffield decided it was time to return to the others.

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Back at the shelter, a derelict building, Edinburgh was preparing tea, her hands steady despite the tense situation.

Meanwhile, Akashi, ever the curious engineer, was focused on the Black Mental Cube that was placed on the table. She had been examining it for hours, trying to unlock its secrets. She touched the cube again, her expression a mix of frustration and fascination.

"Hmm... This is a mystery, nya," said Akashi as she registered her heads to all sides of the cube.

"Are you sure that you have no idea, Akashi? This is the Sakura Empire's secret weapon, isn't it?" asked Edinburgh.

"How could I know, nya? I'm just a repair ship, nya. B-B-B-But... To think that they obtained it secretly from the Sirens is seriously bad stuff. I'm scared, nya~" said Akashi before her legs turned to jelly, cowering in fear and began to sob quietly.

The Royal Navy's Town-class light cruiser maid could do nothing but feel sorry for her. It wasn't until Sheffield entered the shelter, that her presence brought a slight but noticeable shift in the room's atmosphere.

"I have returned," said her.

"Welcome back, Sheffy. How was it?" asked Edinburgh.

"The skies are clear, at least, for now, but they're still out there, clearly figured out that we're hiding on this very island," she said, her voice low but steady.

This, of course, was something that the two didn't want to hear about.

Edinburgh poured a cup of tea and handed it to Sheffield, her usual cheerfulness dampened by the gravity of their situation.

"Let's just hope we have enough time," she said softly.

"The longer we stay here, the more likely they'll find us,"

Sheffield nodded, taking a sip of the tea.

"It was lucky that the base already knew our situation after I managed to secure communication with them for a moment. Now, all we need to do is wait for help to arrive," said Sheffield.

"With that being said, I doubt that the Sakura Empire would sit idly by," added her, in which she received a concerned 'hmm' from Edinburgh as she took a bite to calm herself down.

Akashi blew on her tea several times to cool it down before she took a sip, only to find the beverage was still searing.

"Nya! Too hot, nya!" she yelped in an overreacted demeanour as her tongue burned.

"Drink it slowly, you muppet..." Sheffield mumbled upon Akashi's yelping.

"Err... Sheffy, do you think they might just let us go if we gave this thingy back to them?" asked Edinburgh as she fearfully and awkwardly poked the Black Mental Cube.

"WHAT!? NO WAY, NYA! THEY'LL SKIN ME ALIVE TO MAKE A SHAMISEN, NYA!" Akashi exclaimed fearfully.

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Outside, the blockade formed by the Crimson Axis fleets remained active, but as time passed, the crews grew restless, frustrated by the lack of results. Patrols continued, the tension palpable, but no one had yet managed to penetrate the island's misty defences.

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Location: Sakura Empire - Siren blockade fleet

The scene transitioned towards a pair of Sakuran battleships of the same class notable for their rather tall pagoda masts that seem like they're about to touch the sky with their six twin 356 mm naval guns trained towards the island.

On board one of the battleships, Shoukaku can be seen studying the inclement coast of the island as her bottomless eyes slowly move across the landscape, missing nothing. There was an unease expression painted across her face.

"Are these Siren ships? Won't they take them back in control or something?" asked Shoukaku, concerned about the presence of the mass-produced Siren warships.

"According to Akagi, because Orochi is their host, chances for us to lose control over them are zero, Nee-sama," said Zuikaku as she too views the sight of the ruined island while sending more of her fighter planes for a scouting mission.

"I see... But Zuikaku-nee, what is exactly Akagi plotting with this scheme?"

"Eh? What do you mean, nee-sama?"

"Nothing... It's just that I am super uncomfortable around those sinister types,"

This causes Zuikaku to shrug it off by nervously laughing.

The scene, once again even though on board the same ship, transitioned this time, facing the lead ship of the Takao-class heavy cruiser herself.

She can be seen wearing a frowning expression while closing her eyes and holding her katana, full of determination, and probably a bit of frustration.

Releasing a sigh and opening her eyes, Takao went into a deep thought as she reminisced about the incident that occurred two days ago.

"I cannot believe that I have failed and the enemies escape. To clear my name out of this..."

"Oh, Takao. You've got that frown again," a voice called out along with a poke on Takao's left cheek, which snapped her back to reality.

"EH!? ATAGO!?" Takao yelled upon realizing that it was her sister, Atago, hugging her from behind.

Atago is a tall woman with a slender figure and a large chest. She has long, waist-length black hair tied with a white ribbon and black wolf ears on top of her head. She has brown eyes and a beauty mark under her left eye. She wears a white military uniform with a high collar and yellow buttons, a white pencil skirt with side slits, black thigh-high stockings, white high heels, and white gloves.

"See how tense your muscles are around here?" asked Atago as she gave her sister a massage on both of her shoulders and then the rest part of her body.

"Hey, Atago-nee, wait! Stop!"

Takao began to resist the affectionate massage given to her as it started to become tight, uncomfortable and inappropriate. As Atago did so, she noticed that Ayanami was staring at them.

"Hmm? Oh, Ayanami-chan. Would you like some, too?" asked Atago, offering her the same massage treatment.

"Erk. Never mind, I politely decline it," said Ayanami.

"Oh, seriously, Atago! What are you doing!?" Takao exclaimed in irritation as she pushed her sister away.

Atago almost stumbled backwards but was able to gain her footing.

"We're on a mission. Please take this seriously, Atago!" said Takao.

With a dejected sigh, Atago replied, "Yes, ma'am..."

"Hold on... I think I found something," Zuikaku called out as she squinted her eyes shut, focussing on the Zero fighters that she sent to perform a reconnaissance mission on the island.

"Eh? You finally found them? Among the ruins?" asked Atago.

"Not really but... I sense that they're hiding in a ruin that's practically built for hiding," explained Zuikaku.

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On top of one of the six turrets that housed the twin 356 mm naval guns, Furutaka can be seen chatting with the lead ship of the Fusou-class super-dreadnought battleship - Fusou.

Fusou is a tall woman with a slender frame and a large bust. She has semi-long black hair tied in a low-side ponytail by a red band, she has blue eyes and a pair of cat ears on top of her head. She wears a black kimono with brown-trimmed red emon and has a floral print over a white haneri and hakama skirt, a black sask with a red obi is wrapped around her waist, she wears white thigh-high socks, black boots and blue butterfly hair ornament on the right side of her head.

"We can't get impatient, Furutaka-san. Let's wait for the scout planes to find them," said Fusou.

"But, Fusou-san. I'm anxious about the whereabouts of Akashi. She got kidnapped by those two Royal Navy maids... Tch, how could this have happened? We can't just wait around," said Furutaka.

"Ouch!" a Sakuran shipgirl nearby yelled, which caught the two's attention.

As they registered their heads towards the source of the sound, they saw Yamashiro, who was rubbing her back after she slipped off from her pole by accident.

"Yamashiro, are you alright?" asked Fusou.

"I'm all fine, Fusou-nee!" she responded.

Yamashiro, in contrast to her taller sister, has a shorter slender frame and a medium bust. She has short bob cut-styled hair, she has red eyes and a pair of cat ears on top of her head. She wears a black kimono with red outlines and a floral print, red stitches on the shoulder blade and a red & black ribbon with a floral print & a white shimenawa wrapped around her upper abdomen, a black & red sash wrapped around her waist, two cat-bells with a red ribbon and straps dangling at the end of the kimono, black skirt, white thigh-high socks, black boots and wears a wolf mask with a red ribbon on the left side of her head.

"Fusou!" Kako called out as she ran towards the two.

"What is it, Kako?" asked Fusou.

"Report from the Iron Bloof fleet!"

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Location: Iron Blood's fleet

Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, the Iron Blood dispatch fleet maintained its guard. The air was thick with tension as the minutes dragged on, but the situation just escalated.

"Eugen, multiple contacts in sight! 2-7-0, 9 miles and closing fast! Zero angle on the bow! It's a fleet!" exclaimed Z23 as she held her binoculars and checked her surface radar.

"Coming here? Can you identify the ships?" asked Prinz Eugen.

"It's a... It's a Nevada-class battleship, followed by a King George V-class, an Atlanta-class light cruiser, two County-class heavy cruisers, and a Renown-class battlecruiser! No doubt, it's the Azur Lane!" said Z23 after she finished recognizing the warships.

"Ja, I'm certain with you, Z23," said Koln of the Iron Blood's Königsberg-class light cruiser as she too lowered her binoculars.

Koln is a girl with semi-long brownish-grey hair tied in lower twin tails, she has purple eyes and wears glasses. She wears a maroon cropped long-sleeved military jacket with yellow lined black cuffs, yellow trimmings and a golden aiguillette attached on her right shoulder over a black thigh-length dress with the middle white, metal plate below her chest with six yellow metallic buttons, black thigh-high socks with metal plates, red pumps, black gloves and black navy round hat.

"The Azur Lane, eh? Heh! They're merely lowly animals full of nuisance! Especially those so-called high-classes Royal Navy! It's just another battle that will end in our victory! As expected of a superior ship like me! It is only natural that I win. It should be over in 5 minutes, tops," said an Iron Blood heavy cruiser next to her, carrying a hint of arrogant, a bit of cocky and of course, selfish.

This Iron Blood heavy cruiser has long streaked black hair with a red highlight in her bangs and a white highlight in her left sidelock. She has bright blue eyes and on her head is a black peaked cap with a band of cloth fake teeth and goggles on it. She wears a double-breasted white shirt and a long black coat with red lining over it. On her left arm, she has a red armband with an iron cross. She wears black lace-up boots with red soles and a noticeable heel. She has red armoured and mechanical gloves.

Deutschland

"Mind your manner, Deutschland! Remember what Lord Bismarck said?" an Iron Blood light cruiser next to Koln called out.

"Yeah, yeah. Like I forget about it, and mind your business, Mainz!" said Deutschland.

Mainz is portrayed with long white hair, blue eyes, and a sizable bust size. Her default outfit is a white military uniform comprising a white jacket with Juliet sleeves, black belt, black gloves, Iron Cross ornaments on her cuffs and red straps, cross earrings, black hairband, black cape, black pleated skirt, black garter straps, white thigh highs, and rudder footwear.

"A Renown-class battlecruiser? Z23?" another Iron Blood heavy cruiser asked.

"Ja, Admiral Graf Spee. A Renown-class battlecruiser was among them," said Z23.

"Oh, Scheiße. Could it be Renown?" said Admiral Graf Spee, realizing how unfortunate she was.

Admiral Graf Spee has short streaked white hair with a red highlight and blue eyes. She wears a black dress with a notable underboob cutout, a sewn-on toothy grin, red frills, and white belts crossing over the front. She has a red scarf with a derivative of the Iron Blood war ensign on it, black kneehighs and black boots.

"Hey, Eugen! What do we do? Should we take them out first?" asked another Iron Blood destroyer.

"Negative, Z1. Our job is to watch the island. We'll just leave that to the business of the Sakura Empire," replied Prinz Eugen.

Z1, the ship of the Type 1934-class destroyer, is a girl with a petite appearance. She has a short silver tie in a side tail and has pink eyes. She wears a white double-breasted buttoned dress top over a black sleeveless tailed coat with a sharp collar, a white ascot and a golden aiguillette with black, yellow & red ribbon and an iron crass motif attached on a red & black armband on her left shoulder. She wears white gloves, dark-blue sock garters, grey & red pumps and a dark-blue soft hat.

As the shipgirls cautiously watched the Azur Lane warships from such a distance, another two Iron Blood shipgirls emerged behind Prinz Eugen from her port and joined the group.

The Admiral Hipper-class noticed their arrival and greeted them.

"As usual, you two. The Eagle Union and the Royal Navy,"

"Heh... Let the Sakura Empire handle the Eagle Union. The Royal Navy is ours to fight with, Eugen,"

The first one is portrayed with very long pink hair, blue eyes with an eyepatch on her left eye, and large breasts while the outfit consists of a red-black garrison cap, double-breasted black dress with underboob cutout, black thigh-highs with hull pieces, and high heels.

As for the second one, she is described as having long, flowing light purple hair and wearing a stylish, militaristic Iron Blood outfit. She has glasses with red frames that give her a sharp, intelligent look. Her outfit comprises a black and red uniform with gold accents, featuring a short jacket, a form-fitting top, and a short skirt revealing thigh-high black stockings. She also wears a red and black beret that adds to her authoritative appearance.

These two are none other than the 'Ugly Sisters' of the Iron Blood - Scharnhorst and Gneisenau of the Scharnhorst-class battlecruiser/battleship (designated as battleship by the Iron Blood, as battlecruiser by the Royal Navy and the others).

"Ältere Schwester, the Royal ladies must be thinking that with the help of the Eagles, they can easily win against us," said Gneisenau as she licked her lollipop.

"I see... Then let's give them some 'education', should we?" said Scharnhorst, agreeing with her sister while her voice hinted at an arrogant undertone.

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Location: Kaga's Bridge

"/Understood, Eugen. Keep your eyes on the Azur Lane's fleet. If there are any updates, please let us know quickly. Out\" said Kaga, putting the receiver in its place as the scene quickly transitioned towards the bridge of her vessel.

Behind her, out of sight, someone speaks.

"So, they are here - the Azur Lane,"

With a gloomy sigh, Kaga turned towards the one who was talking to her.

"Yes, Musashi. They are here,"

Stood before Kaga was Musashi, the second ship of the Sakura Empire's fearsome Yamato-class battleship.

She is depicted as a kitsune with fox ears and tails, with very long dark purple hair, brown eyes, facial marks, and large breasts. Her outfit is a traditional black kimono with a black skirt, black thigh-highs with fur trim and a very low neckline, blue printed obi, and possessing a magatama necklace, big purple gemstone in the middle prayer beads, and giant magatama on the beads.

"Kaga, while I am not going to question our mission's top priority, which is to reobtain the Black Mental Cube from the Royal Navy spies, I heard that Akagi's intention to send this massive fleet was because of... A boy. Is it true?" asked Musashi.

"Yes, Musashi. A boy... You won't believe what I am going to tell you but this boy... A mere boy... With superhuman abilities that... Only God knows," said Kaga, finding it hard to explain.

"A boy? With superhuman abilities?"

With a nod, Kaga proceeded to tell Musashi.

"His power is beyond my, no, beyond our understandings... While I know that you possess the immense power of thunder thanks to the 'Watatsumi', this boy is on another level - earth, wind, lightning, fire, water and leave... It's as if he was 'blessed' by the Gods of Dojin, Fūjin, Raijin, Suijin, Kaya-no-hime... You get the idea of what I am trying to say?"

Musashi was a bit flabbergasted by Kaga's explanation, initially dismissing it as a jest before she did capture the hint, yet it was filled with doubt.

"Are... Are you trying to say that this boy... Is capable of manipulating the elements of nature?" asked Musashi.

Kaga nodded, her face was full of seriousness.

"I... I hate to make you angry but... Isn't that a bit far-fetched? A boy is capable of manipulating the elements of nature? I think that Yorktown-class carrier must've hit you too hard on the day you and Akagi-sama attacked the base,"

"No, I am not, Musashi! I saw it all with my own eyes! He even easily defeated Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Ayanami, Prinz Eugen and Z23 on the next day after the attack on the base!" Kaga raised her voice in anger.

The Yamato-class battleship was taken aback by the sudden outrage but instantly regained her composure.

"Really? Could that explain why I noticed that Ayanami had bandages all over her, and Zuikaku scratching herself badly before she was given a proper bath by Shoukaku-sama?" asked Musashi.

Kaga sighed as she calmed herself down but was still able to give a nod.

"...Now I am convinced that you're kidding, Kaga. You just described a person who possesses the power of Mother Nature! Not a single being is capable of wielding such power!"

"Yes, Musashi, but he did,"

"... I still can't believe you, Kaga. And let's say what you're saying is true... He's just a child! Meaning that he's inexperienced and weak. I do not see how he could rival me in any way,"

"No, he's not, Musashi! I've seen it with my own eyes! He's more than meets the eyes!"

"You can bring him in front of me, then I may start to believe you, Kaga... Or do you expect me to believe that a weak young human is a being with elemental power rivalling us ship girls? Is he a prodigy? Yet, even if he is indeed a prodigy, I doubt that he can rival a ship of my calibre,"

Kaga started to grow even more irritated with Musashi's constant denial and what's more, this was the first she ever quarrelled with Musashi as most of the time, she would get into a fight with Akagi, and as usual, Amagi would be the one that settled them aside.

"Yet, you know what, Kaga? Even though I don't believe your story, my presence here at least would give a favoured psychological impact and deterrence against those Eagles and Royals shipgirls,"

"/Kaga. Do you read me, over?\"

Ayanami's voice crackled through the radio transmission, which caught the attention of the two as their fox ears perked up.

"/Yes, Ayanami. This is Kaga speaking. Go ahead\" said Kaga as she took the receiver and answered the call.

"/A good news and a bad news - the fleet from the Sardegna Empire has arrived but as for the girls from the Vichya Dominion, they're under attack from the Iris Orthodoxy and had to turn back\"

"/I see... Quite unfortunate for those Vichy girls... At least the fleet presence right now is more than enough, I suppose...\"

"/Understood. Ayanami, out\"

"/Roger. Over and out\"

As Kaga put the receiver, she clenched her fist and contemplated while closing her eyes and gritting her teeth in fury.

"Brat. I'm serious. If you ever show up, I'll make sure that if everyone else fails to stop you, I'll be the one that'll sink you to the depths of the ocean..."

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Location: Azur Lane's Rescue Fleet

On board the Nevada-class battleship, Helena, San Diego and Oklahoma can be seen viewing several captured images of the now-ruined island thanks to Helena's Curtis SOC Seagull floatplanes that performed reconnaissance missions while being equipped with Fairchild K-20 Aerial Camera, thus providing them with a real-time analyzation.

Helena, ever the calm and analytical one, surveyed the pictures in Oklahoma's hand.

Oklahoma is pretty tall with a slender figure and a medium bust, she has short white hair with an ahoge on top and blue eyes. She wears a brown collared-sleeveless crop top with white leather strips on the shoulders, a white buttoned topless shirt with a brown belt dangling on her waist, brown Native Eagle Union side slitted skirt with white leather trips, brown boots with white striped bands and pink heels, brown detached sleeves with white strips, brown gloves and a small headgear on top of her head.

"There's a whole lot of buildings on such a small island," said Oklahoma.

"I think it used to house large numbers of residents back then," said Helena.

"Geez, you two are seeing this? Those buildings are totalled," said San Diego as she gazed at the aerial photos.

"There are high chances that the island was once abundant with human activities before the Sirens attacked, thus turning it into a mere ghost island," explained Helena.

"Ah? Really? I... I see..." said San Diego as her voice turned sombre.

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Meanwhile, on top of the deck of the said Renown-class battle cruiser, we can see three Royal Navy shipgirls hanging out beside the rails with their eyes fixed on the distant waters, waiting for any sign of movement from the rescue operation.

Two of these girls belong to the County-class heavy cruiser - Norfolk and Suffolk.

Norfolk is described to be a short girl with a slender frame and a flat chest, she has short brownish-blonde hair tied in short twin tails and purple eyes. She wears a red hood with buttons and clips, it has two holes which let out her pigtails and a black ribbon on top, she wears a white long-sleeved coat with a red collar, red-buttoned cuffs, black wide trimming with yellow buttons over a white frilled shirt which are all underneath a black capelet with furred trimmings, brown skirt, brown thigh-high socks and brown boots with straps.

As for Suffolk, she has a slender frame and a large bust, she has back-length pink hair tied in low pigtails by a white fluffy scrunchy and blue eyes. She wears a black & white sleeveless, buttoned maid frilled dress that reaches her upper thighs with a frilled apron wrapped around her waist with heart brooches & fluffy balls attached on each side, and a white garter with anchor straps dangling on her back, white frilled thigh-high socks with brown garters and white frilled ankles, black shoes with a red brooch, black elbow gloves with fluffy bands, a heart-motif headband with brown lop ears and a cowbell with ribbons attached on a collar around her neck.

"Ah, hi there, pretty seagulls!~," said Suffolk as she waved towards a flight of seagulls that were passing by.

"As if we don't have enough enemies already..." said Repulse.

She is described as having a slender frame and a medium bust, she has short brown hair tied in a short ponytail and blue eyes. She wears a black & white jagged capelet held by black lace wrapped around her neck, she wears a white crop top with grey & yellow trimmings and an anchor brooch, a blue pleated skirt with white linings and a brown garter, white thigh-high boots with a blue band, white detached sleeves with yellow trimmings and blue cuffs over white gloves, and grey headband with ship head motif.

"Eh? I-Is something wrong, Ms Repulse?" asked Norfolk.

"Don't you see, Norfolk? What are we exactly doing right now? Humans against humans?"

"Oh... I see..."

"Hey, Norfolk,"

"Hmm?"

"I heard that we have a boy on our side who was said to have superhuman abilities. Care to explain?" asked Repulse.

"A boy? A boy? Ah, yes! You're right, Ms Repulse!... There's indeed a boy... On our side who possesses a Herculean power!" exclaimed Norfolk.

"Eh? Boy? Superhuman abilities? Who?" asked Suffolk.

"His name is... If I am not mistaken... Boboiboy,"

The two blinked their eyes in puzzlement.

"Bobo-what?" asked Repulse.

"His name sounds like... 'Bo-Bo-Boy'," said Suffolk.

"Hmm. That is his name. He said that he is from Rintis Island and he lives with his grandfather, who was the owner of a Hot Cocoa Stall,"

"Bo-Bo-Boy. Boy Boy Boy... Nah, never mind. I guess just calling him 'Boy' would be enough for me. Now, Norfolk, explain to me about his superhuman abilities,"

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On top of the mast of HMS Prince of Wales, Cleveland and Wales can be seen scanning the view with their binoculars.

"Mass-produced Siren Warships... Not common at all, we've encountered them many times... And what we've got here? Oh, Fusou and Yamashiro are here as well. They took the upper hand, as it seems, Wales," said Cleveland.

"What is for sure, there is no doubt that they are hiding on that island," said Wales.

"So, what's the plan for the rescue mission? It wouldn't be easy to break through that blockade,"

"If we asked for Boboiboy's help to use his 'Earth Punch', there are likely chances it would be an advantage for the Crimson Axis to use it as a natural barrier while they rained their shells upon us.

"Therefore, it is better for us to not take any unnecessary risks to endanger them," explained Wales before she went with a question.

"I wonder what Belfast had come up in her mind in this situation?"

"But most importantly, Wales. Given that we're bringing Boboiboy along with us, there are also high chances that they're going to capture him or worse... Eliminate him..." said Cleveland.

Wales' eyes darkened slightly at the thought.

"I know. That's why we need to be smart - we need to find a way to turn the tide without putting him or anyone else in unnecessary danger,"

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"You're quite calm today, Belfast," said Enterprise.

"Excuse me?" said Belfast.

"Aren't you worried? I thought the ones on the island were your sisters,"

"Yes, Sheffield and Edinburgh. The two served under the Queen as well,"

"I see..."

Enterprise then can be seen putting her hand underneath her chin.

"Strange, isn't it? We're ships, but for the past 24 hours, we've been talking lots about this and that, mostly about maids, queens and that boy and his adventure back in his original world especially... It's as if we're imitating..."

"Imitating humans, you mean? Is that what are you trying to say?"

"Uhm, no. Not exactly..."

Enterprise's voice trailed off as she looked out to sea.

The calm waves lapped against the hull of the ships, a gentle rhythm that contrasted with the tension in her thoughts before her gaze was adverted towards Boboiboy Earth, Javelin and Laffey, who were chatting with each other at her anti-aircraft guns on the port of the flight deck.

Belfast, standing at her side with her arms folded, regarded her with a steady gaze.

"Then what is it, Miss Enterprise?" Belfast pressed gently, her calm demeanour unshaken.

"If not imitating humans, then what do you mean?"

Enterprise let out a soft sigh.

"I guess... what I mean is that we talk about these things, relationships, memories as if we aren't who we are - warships. We've been built for battle, forged to fight, yet here we are, discussing life as though we were just like any ordinary people. It's almost... strange. We're not like humans, after all,"

Belfast smiled, her eyes softening.

"Perhaps it's not as strange as you think. While we are ships, we are both alive and have hearts. It's the experiences that shaped us. Battles are just one part of us, but our relationships, our thoughts, our feelings - those are also part of what makes us who we are. We carry more than just cannons, armour or planes,"

"Feelings, huh?" Enterprise mused, her brow furrowing slightly.

Belfast then turned towards the rows of SBD Dauntless and Vought F8U Corsair on board Enterprise's flight deck.

"We possess immense strength, which comes with great responsibilities,"

"Yes, Belfast. It's to defeat our enemies,"

"Yet, that's never enough, for we must continue to provide proof,"

"Hmm? Proof? What kind of proof?"

"Proof that we are more than just weapons of war," Belfast replied softly, her gaze returning to the horizon.

"Proof that we carry with us something greater. Duty, yes, but also compassion, understanding, and... humanity. We were made to fight, yet we have learned to care. That is what makes us special. We endure, we grow, and we form bonds.

"No matter how difficult life becomes in this world, we can live a proud, noble life - we must serve as an example for people who have lost their way. As for that, we must always be elegant,"

Belfast then performed her signature maid bow.

"And the job of a maid is to assist in achieving elegance in all aspects of life,"

Enterprise watched as Belfast bowed, her movements precise and graceful, as always.

It was so natural for her, this elegance that she spoke of, as though it was second nature, woven into the very fabric of her being. Enterprise couldn't help but admire her for it, even if she didn't fully understand it.

"You talk as if elegance is the answer to everything," Enterprise said, a soft smile forming on her lips.

"But I don't think I could ever be as elegant as you, Belfast. That's not how we think in the Eagle Union,"

Belfast rose from her bow, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement.

"Of course. That is why we, Azur Lane, must assist each other - the Royal Navy, the Eagle Union, the Dragon Empery, the Iris Orthodoxy, the Northern Parliament..."

"As well as the Iron Blood, the Sakura Empire, the Vichya Dominion and the Sardegna Empire... In the past, Belfast. In the past..." said Enterprise, giving Belfast an earnest reminder.

Belfast's smile faded slightly, her expression turning solemn.

"Yes, in the past. But even enemies can learn to understand one another. And perhaps, one day, we will no longer see each other as foes, but as comrades united by something greater,"

Enterprise looked at her, pondering the weight of Belfast's words. The tension between their past and present hung in the air like a heavy mist for a moment.

Before either could say more, Earth's voice called out from across the deck.

"Hey, Enterprise! Wind and Lightning have just returned from their reconnaissance mission!" said Earth as he pointed towards the two elements that landed on her flight deck.

Previously, both Wind and Lightning were strapped with Fairchild K-20 aerial cameras and performed an aerial reconnoitring mission within the proximity of the island and its surroundings.

Thanks to the abilities that they have in common - fly, and lightning speed for Lightning, not even a single of the Crimson Axis shipgirls noticed their presence.

Enterprise glanced at Belfast, who smiled knowingly.

"Perhaps the two might bring something that could lighten the mood," Belfast suggested as her tone lightened.

"Shall we?"

Enterprise sighed but allowed a small grin to form on her lips.

"Alright," she said, her voice softening.

"Gather the fleet," Enterprise ordered.

"Everyone who can reach us, meet in my briefing room. It's time for a debrief."

.

.

Inside Enterprise's briefing room, the mood was tense as the aerial photographs taken by Wind and Lightning were spread across the table and viewed by Enterprise herself, Belfast, Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Hornet, Illustrious, Hood, Arizona, Northampton and Ning Hai.

"This... this is not what I expected," Warspite murmured, her voice low as her eyes flicked over the photographs of what appeared to be the warships of the Sardegna Empire.

Hornet then snatched the photo from Warspite's hand.

"Hey!" Warspite exclaimed.

"Let's see what the Sardegnan are up to today," said Hornet as she squinted her eyes, trying to identify the ships.

Warspite then jumped and snatched back the photo.

"Mind your manner, young lady," said Warspite with a glare, only for the photo to be snatched by Northampton.

"Seriously? You, too?" asked Warspite in disbelief.

"Let's see... three battleships, three heavy cruisers and four destroyers," said Northampton before Queen Elizabeth grabbed her hand and took the photo from her.

"Hey!" said Northampton.

"What? What's the matter with the 'Hey!'?" asked Queen Elizabeth with her arms akimbo.

"Err... Nothing,"

"That's what I thought," Queen Elizabeth replied, before noticing Belfast offering her a cup of tea.

"Some Jasmine Tea, Your Majesty?" asked Belfast.

"Yes. Thank you, Bel," said Queen Elizabeth before she politely received the drink from her but never took her eyes off the picture that she put on the table.

"The Sardegna Empire, the Iron Blood and the Sakura Empire. It's a bit odd that the Vichya Dominion doesn't show up," said Arizona as she passed a picture to Illustrious.

Enterprise stood beside her, arms crossed while frowning at the sight of the massive Crimson Axis fleet.

"Souryuu, Hiryuu, Shoukaku, Zuikaku..."

Enterprise's gaze narrowed as she noticed an aerial image that depicted a Sakuran aircraft carrier whose design looked foreign to her just by judging the size of its flight deck and the position of the smokestack.

"Lightning... You are not joking with us, right?" asked Illustrious as she held the picture of what looked like a massive Sakuranese battleship.

"No, I'm not. After all, I found that the Sakuranese battleship parked about several hundred meters away from the island alongside the aircraft carrier Kaga," explained Lightning.

"Uish, seriously?" asked Earth.

"Ha'ah. It's way even larger than Kaga! Its size is just like..."

"Like what?" asked Wind.

"Like... Like a Blue Whale!" said Lightning.

Disc scratch sound effect followed by the chirping noises of crickets

Nearly everyone inside the briefing room stared at Lightning with varying degrees of exasperation.

"Lightning, are you even serious?" asked Earth with his arms folded.

"Yes, I am serious!" said Lightning.

"Servant! This isn't the right timing to pull a joke!" Queen Elizabeth reprimanded him.

"I know... I... That's just a..."

Enterprise's eyes narrowed slightly, and she leaned forward, placing her hands on the table.

"Enough," she said firmly, cutting through the tension.

"This isn't the time for jokes, okay? We're facing a threat, and we need to focus,"

Lightning straightened up.

"I apologize, everyone. But I wasn't exaggerating - it's a massive ship, possibly larger than anything we've faced before," said Lightning.

"It's true what you're saying, Lightning," said Hood, which caught the attention of Lightning, Earth and Wind.

"Eh?" The three elementals said simultaneously.

"Lightning, the aerial image of this Sakuran battleship that you caught next to Kaga is Musashi, the sister ship of the Sakura Empire's legendary Yamato-class," explained Hood.

"Musashi? Yamato-class?" asked Earth, intrigued.

"The Yamato-class,"

Arizona then began to explain a bit about the battleship.

"They are the largest and heaviest battleship ever constructed in the world. Displacing nearly 72,000 long tons at full load, the class too carried the largest naval artillery ever fitted to a warship, nine 460 mm (18.1 in) naval guns, each capable of firing 1,460 kg shells at the estimated maximum range of nearly 42 km,"

The description itself was enough to make everyone in the briefing room shiver down their spine but as for the three elements, it sounds like a new foe has appeared, precisely an approaching challenger.

"And how about my estimation of comparing her with a Blue Whale?" asked Lightning.

"Your estimation is far from what you think, Lightning. To compare a Blue Whale with Musashi is like comparing an ant with a human; she's nearly nine times longer and is vastly heavier, with a displacement over 350 times that of a blue whale," said Illustrious, expressing her uneasiness.

The three were shooketh by the revelation.

"That large and heavy, huh?" said Wind.

Before the conversation could continue, Queen Elizabeth shifted her gaze to Illustrious, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous thought.

"That reminds me of The Ship That Launched Herself," she said.

Illustrious stifled a giggle.

"Your Majesty, I wouldn't mention that too loudly. You know she has a habit of appearing out of nowhere,"

"You are correct, Miss Illustrious... I should be more careful," Queen Elizabeth whispered back with a smile.

.

.

Location: Royal Navy's Territory

"Achoo!" An Illustrious-class aircraft carrier suddenly sneezed.

"May God bless you, Ms Formidable," said a Dido-class light cruiser as she handed her a tissue.

"Thank you, Charybdis. I bet someone must be talking bad about me," Formidable mused.

"About how hea—" Charybdis started to say, but quickly stopped when Formidable's gaze sharpened.

"How what?"

"N-Nothing, ma'am!"

.

.

"And speaking of large and heavy, the Yamato-class, aside from their massive size and guns, required large amounts of fuel and rarely saw action against the Eagle Union, hence gaining the monicker 'The Floating Hotels' by us!" said Hornet in a joking tone.

This, of course, causes a burst of laughter from Earth, Wind and Lightning, catching the hint of Hornet's joke.

"Hahaha... That's awesome," said Earth while giving a thumbs up.

"True true true!" said Wind.

.

.

Location: Musashi's Bridge

"Achoo!" Musashi sneezed.

"Did someone bad-mouthing about me and my sister?" she grumbled, her eyes narrowing slightly.

.

.

The mood lightened, but the threat remained ever-present as Enterprise stepped forward with her gaze steady and filled with determination.

"We have a rescue mission and a battle ahead of us. Let's prepare. We'll show them just how strong Azur Lane truly is,"

With that, the meeting proceeds, discussing the most effective offence, defence and rescue strategy with each preparing themselves for the task ahead.

Suddenly, Boboiboy raised his hand, grinning.

"Hey, since we're about to face so many enemies, I could just split myself and help all of you."

His suggestion caught everyone's attention, and a collective wave of curiosity swept through the room.

Queen Elizabeth smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"Now that, servant, is an idea worth considering..."

Northampton raised an eyebrow, sceptical.

"But Boboiboy, you can only split into three forms. How are you going to cover everyone?"

Boboiboy chuckled confidently.

"Who said I'm limited to three forms?"

Without warning, his Power Watch began to glow, and with a dramatic flair, he raised his arm, summoning forth five distinct elements: Earth, Wind, Lightning, Fire, and Water.

"Boboiboy Penta-"

His battle cry was abruptly cut short as he leapt into the air, only to slam headfirst into the low ceiling with a loud thud before he collapsed.

"Ouch... That's... Awful-some," said Boboiboy as he appeared to be dazed.

"Y-Y-Young Master..." said Belfast as she struggled to stifle a burst of laughter.

The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into laughter.

"Well, that's one way to break the tension," Warspite quipped, still chuckling.

Enterprise smiled wryly.

"All right, enough antics. Let's get ready, everyone. The Crimson Axis won't wait for us to stop laughing,"

The team shifted back into focus, with everyone readying themselves for the impending operation.

.

.

On the port side of Enterprise's flight deck, both Javelin and Laffey are cautiously observing the view.

"I wonder if Ayanami is here," Javelin mused, her voice soft.

"Maybe..." Laffey replied, pulling out a bottle of Coke seemingly out of nowhere and taking a sip.

"If I see her again, I..."

"Boboiboy Penta Split!"

The shout from behind them cut Javelin off, and both girls turned to see Boboiboy executing his technique flawlessly this time, splitting into five elemental forms - Earth, Wind, Lightning, Fire and Water. Each form took up a stance, ready for battle.

"Wow," Javelin said, her eyes wide with amazement.

Laffey nodded, still sipping her Coke.

"That's... pretty cool,"

The five Boboiboys grinned, their confidence radiating off them as they prepared to join the others on the flight deck.

Javelin couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"With Boboiboy's help, we might just have a chance,"

Laffey glanced over, her expression as calm as ever.

"Yeah, but we still need to be careful... Ayanami might be out there too among the enemies,"

Javelin's smile faltered as her thoughts turned to her new friend who turned out to be on the wrong side.

"I hope we don't have to fight her... but if it comes to that, I'll do what I have to,"

Laffey nodded, finishing her Coke.

"Same here... Let's just hope for the best,"

.

.

"Bel, inform the rest of the fleet," Queen Elizabeth ordered, her voice authoritative.

"Be ready, for this will be an exciting rescue mission,"

Belfast nodded along with a bow.

"Yes, Your Majesty,"

"I'll get my planes ready. This is going to be one hell of a fight," said Hornet.

Illustrious stepped forward, her tone serene but with steel beneath it.

"We will not falter. May the holy light and the power of the Royal Navy guide us through,"

As the others moved to carry out their tasks, Enterprise glanced at Belfast, who stood beside her quietly and gave her a soft smile.

.

.

"Alright, listen up you four!" Earth said with authority, as the five elements gathered in a tight circle.

"We are going to carry out a special mission to rescue two Royal Navy shipgirls who were stranded on that ruined island after carrying out a spying mission on the Sakura Empire, but we have a problem,"

"What's the problem?" asked Water before he felt something leaning over the Water Sphere he was sitting on.

"Eh?"

Upon turning around, he saw Laffey resting her head next to it.

"Comfy..." said her before she shut her eyes and fell asleep.

"Laffey, wake up! This isn't the right time to sleep! Come on! Please move your lazy butt!" said Javelin as she pulled her right arm.

"Okay... Let's ignore that real quick," Earth said, trying to brush aside the awkward moment.

"The problem is that it's not just the Sakura Empire that was after them, but also the Iron Blood and the Sardine Empire are here," said Lightning.

"Sardegna," Wind corrected swiftly.

"Not Sardine,"

"Oh, yeah. My bad," Lightning replied sheepishly.

"Really? All of them?" said Fire as he raised an eyebrow while the heat simmering beneath his voice.

"Ha'ah. I even wondered what caused the entire Crimson Axis to go after them, but I assume they were expecting us to come here aside from the Eagle Union and the Royal Navy shipgirls," said Earth.

"That's no good, but hey, that doesn't mean that we're going to back down easily!" said Fire with a burning determination.

"Hmm! The fact that Zuikaku is here as well, I thought that Leaf's 'Itchy Blade' is enough to teach her a lesson, it turns out that she truly needs to taste what a 'Lightning Blade' feels like," said Lightning.

"And the fact that you mentioned the Iron Blood is present, I bet that heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen is here as well - she's in for a fiery surprise. I'll make sure she knows what real firepower feels like!" said Fire with a furious tone while he formed a fiery knuckle.

"That's it, you two! Put aside your grudge and focus on the fact that we're on an important mission! Not for a personal vendetta!" Wind reprimanded.

"Ha'ah, it's true what Wind's saying. After all, who knows if maybe they will be friends with Azur Lane and us one day? As for now, we have a job to accomplish," said Earth.

The group fell silent, processing Earth's words. They and the shipgirls of the Azur Lane had their differences with the Crimson Axis, but Earth's reminder of potential future alliances kept them grounded.

"Alright, what's the plan?" Water asked, now fully alert.

"We'll split into teams," Earth explained.

"Fire and Water, you two will follow Queen Elizabeth, Illustrious, Warspite, Hood, Kent and several other Royal Navy destroyer shipgirls to deal with the shipgirls of the Sardegna Empire. I don't want you two to get into a quarrel, understand?"

Earth took a moment to gauge the expressions of Fire and Water, noting their cautious but resolute nods.

"I understand," Water replied, his tone calmer than before.

"Got it," Fire said with a faint smirk.

"No quarrels - just business."

"Good," Earth said, exhaling slightly in relief before continuing.

"Lightning and Wind. I want both of you to become the additional vanguard for the fleet in case the Sakura Empire send their aircraft. If, I repeat, if... If any of them try to ambush our forces, you two will need to act quickly. Keep them at the bay and make sure no one gets through," Earth continued, his tone serious.

Wind and Lightning nodded in unison, their expressions serious.

"I've got this. Any Sakura planes that come near us, will be grounded by a bolt of lightning before they even know what hit them," said Lightning confidently, cracking his knuckles.

Wind nodded in agreement, his eyes sharp and focused.

"I'll make sure to clear the skies. No one will catch us off guard,"

"And what about you, Earth?" Javelin asked, curious.

"Ha'ah. How about you?" asked Water as Laffey tightened her grip on the Water Sphere he was sitting on, not wanting to let it go even though Javelin was already pulling her.

"I'll be taking care of things on the ground," Earth replied firmly.

"After all, Sheffield and Edinburgh are still on that island. We'll need someone to extract them quietly while the others keep the enemy busy."

Javelin perked up.

"You mean you'll be going alone?"

"Not quite," Earth said with a faint smile.

"Belfast and I will sneak into the island and secure our targets while Enterprise will send her planes for aerial cover. The same goes for Hornet, as she also acted as a decoy in case Shoukaku and Zuikaku intended to go after Enterprise,"

Earth then slammed both of his hands onto the flight deck of Enterprise and exclaimed, "Earth Gloves!"

Instantly, his hands were covered with soil and rocks that formed his gloves.

"Whoa..." said Laffey, half-awaken.

"Those gloves look tough enough to deal some serious damage," Javelin said, admiring the sight.

"It makes sense that I'm going to fight against the Iron Blood ladies," Earth said, nodding while flexing his newly formed gloves.

.

.

.

Location: Sakura Empire - Siren blockade

"This is getting boring," Yukikaze sighed, her ears twitching irritably.

"Yeah," Shigure groaned, stretching her arms.

"We've been sitting here for hours and haven't seen a single latest update received. What's the point of this blockade if nothing happens?"

"Not to mention I accidentally finished all my rations..." Yuudachi added, picking at her teeth with a toothpick.

"You what?!" Shigure spun on her, eyes wide with disbelief.

As the trio bickered atop the pagoda mast of Fusou, Ayanami stood off to the side, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

There was a quiet stillness to her as she contemplated the uneasy atmosphere surrounding the Siren blockade. But her thoughts were soon interrupted by a familiar voice approaching from behind.

"Are you troubled, Ayanami?" Atago asked gently, her voice carrying a soft warmth.

She drew closer with her usual grace, her arms slightly open in a gesture that hinted at her typical "Ara Ara Onee-sama" affection.

"If there's anything on your mind, I'd be happy to listen," Atago continued, her smile inviting and her tone soothing, clearly aiming to comfort the younger shipgirl.

Ayanami flinched, a flash of a disturbing memory involving Atago and Takao crossing her mind. She quickly backed away, pressing herself against the railing.

"Atago... I... I'm fine. No need for a hug," Ayanami stammered, trying to compose herself.

Atago, slightly taken aback, softened her approach.

"You don't have to be so cautious, Ayanami-chan..." she reassured with a gentle smile.

"But honestly, ever since we arrived here, you've seemed worried. It makes me wonder - are you having second thoughts about this fight?"

Ayanami's grip tightened on the railing as she hesitated, her internal conflict evident in the way her eyes wavered. The silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken fears and doubts.

Finally, Ayanami broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I... I don't dislike fighting,"

"But you don't like it either?" Atago asked softly, her eyes filled with understanding.

Ayanami bit her lip, struggling to put her feelings into words.

"I... I care deeply for everyone in the Sakura Empire. They're my precious friends, but..."

"But?" Atago prompted gently.

Ayanami's mind flashed back to her time at the newly constructed Azur Lane base. While conducting a spy mission, she had unintentionally forged bonds with the shipgirls there - especially Javelin, Laffey, and Unicorn. The memories of their laughter, their kindness, and the camaraderie they shared weighed heavily on her heart.

"It's the same on the other side," Ayanami finally admitted, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"They have friends too, just like I do. They laugh together... care for each other,"

A single tear trickled down her left cheek as she spoke, her emotions laid bare.

Atago reached out, gently wiping the tear away with her thumb.

"You've grown attached to them, haven't you?" Atago said gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ayanami slowly nodded, wiping another tear with the back of her hand.

"It's hard, Atago-san. On one side, my duty to the Sakura Empire is to everyone who believes in me. And on the other... There's the friendship I didn't expect to find. I don't want to hurt them... but I don't want to betray us. It feels like I'm being torn in two,"

Atago sighed softly, pulling Ayanami into a gentle embrace despite the younger shipgirl's earlier protests.

"War is complicated, Ayanami-chan. We fight because we're told to, but that doesn't mean we have to lose our humanity in the process. It's okay to care, to be conflicted. It shows that your heart is still in the right place."

Ayanami hesitated at first but eventually allowed herself to relax and enter Atago's embrace. The warmth and comfort eased the knot of tension in her chest, even if only slightly as she rested her head on her bosom.

"But... what if that makes me weak?" Ayanami whispered.

"What if I can't do what's necessary when the time comes?"

Atago held her tighter, her voice filled with a quiet strength.

"Compassion is not a weakness, Ayanami. It's what separates us from the machines, from the Sirens. Never forget that. And when the time comes, I believe you'll know what to do,"

.

.

.

Location: Unknown Island

Every 60 seconds (in Africa), a minute passes. (Together we can stop this. Please spread the word. Thank you for your attention)

It felt like an eternity for the trio - Akashi, Edinburgh, and Sheffield. They remained hidden within the shadows of an old, dilapidated building, its crumbling walls offering just enough cover to keep them from the prying eyes of the Crimson Axis forces. Despite the relentless patrols, their enemies had yet to pinpoint their location.

But that delicate balance was about to be shattered.

Sheffield made her move with cold precision.

In a flash, she sprang from their cover, her guns trained on the sky. One by one, the Crimson Axis fighters patrolling overhead were torn from the skies in fiery explosions.

Sheffield's calm focus, however, came at a cost - her attack had given away their position.

Once the last fighter was down and the coast seemed temporarily clear, Akashi and Edinburgh hurriedly emerged from their hiding place, urgency in every step.

"As it seems, our location has been compromised," Sheffield remarked coolly, brushing dust off her sleeves, her demeanour unchanged by the rising threat.

Edinburgh, on the other hand, was wide-eyed and jittery, her nerves frayed.

"Th-Then... wh-what do we do now!? W-We have to get out of here, fast!" she stammered, her hands trembling as she fidgeted with her riggings.

"B-B-But the island is surrounded, nya!" Akashi's ears twitched with anxiety, her voice rising in panic. She cast a desperate glance around, her mind racing to find a solution.

Sheffield's gaze remained steady as she scanned the horizon before she found a gap between the blockade, small but just enough for the three to easily slip away.

"No, you two. This is the best time to escape!" said Sheffield.

"After me, you two!"

With no time to argue, Edinburgh and Akashi nodded, falling in behind Sheffield as she led them toward the opening.

.

.

.

Location: Iron Blood's Fleet

"Eugen, report! The Sakura Empire has found the target!" said Koln.

"Well, I guess it's time to put in some serious effort, isn't it, you two?" said Prinz Eugen as she stretched her arms while asking Scharnhorst with a teasing tone.

Scharnhorst cracked her knuckles, her expression fierce.

"About the damn time. Let's get this over with. Schwester?"

"Hmm," Gneisenau nodded as she adjusted her glasses with red frames while pulling out another lollipop.

"So they've found the Royal's lowly animals, eh? I'm going to enjoy mopping them all up~," said Deutschland.

"Ja! Agree, here! It's going to be a piece of cake!" replied Z1.

"Well... I hope you're right, Z1. Reports from Frau Hakuryuu's reconnaissance planes stated that more shipgirls of the Azur Lane are emerging out of the thick fog," said Z23.

Prinz Eugen's grin widened as she clapped her hands together, eyes alight with mischief.

"Oh, now that makes it interesting. I wonder if that 'Junge' is among them,"

.

.

.

Location: Azur Lane's Rescue Fleet

Through the thick, grey mist, the shadowy forms of the Azur Lane fleet emerged, like ghostly spectres cutting through the water with quiet grace. The ocean, typically restless and churning, seemed to still as if it, too, was waiting for the clash that was about to unfold.

The Azur Lane fleet swiftly moved into a practised formation.

Battleships, battlecruisers, and heavy cruisers aligned into a formidable blockade, setting their sights on the island. Aircraft carriers remained at the rear, protected by a screen of destroyers and light cruisers, ready to fend off any aerial threats.

At the forefront of the right flank, Repulse stood with an air of quiet determination. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, her usually calm expression hiding the fierce resolve burning within her.

"All right, time to get sharp, Repulse," she muttered to herself, puffing her cheeks out in a brief moment of focus before turning her full attention to the task ahead.

Her A, B, and X turrets - each housing two of her powerful BL 15-inch Mark I naval guns - trained to the port side, elevated toward the blockade. One by one, the ships behind her followed suit, their guns aligning with precision.

The battle lines were drawn.

Repulse raised her left hand, forming her fingers into the shape of a pistol, a playful habit she had kept since her training days. With a determined glint in her eye, she whispered, "Aim... and pow!"

"All guns, fire at will!" exclaimed Wales with a sword on her left pointing towards the island, so do her 2 × quadruple, 1 × twin BL 14-inch Mk VII naval guns that roared to life.

"/Who's Will, by the way, Wales?\" came Hornet's mischievous reply over the communication system.

"/Oh, Hornet! Can you bloody silence, please!? You're ruining my moment!\" Wales snapped back with a hint of exasperation. She could almost hear the grin spreading across Hornet's face from the other side of the line.

A hearty chuckle rippled through the fleet. Even amidst the chaos of battle, the lighthearted banter helped maintain morale.

"/Sorry, sorry! I couldn't resist the urge to make a joke outta that order!\" Hornet teased.

"Fire!" exclaimed Oklahoma.

Thunder roared as countless guns fired, their combined power shaking the very ocean beneath them. Shells screamed through the fog, leaving glowing trails of destruction in their wake as they hurtled toward the Siren blockade. Some struck true, detonating in brilliant flashes of light, while others plunged into the sea, sending towering plumes of water into the sky.

.

.

.

Location: Sakura Empire's Fleet

"The Azur Lane is making their move," Fusou called out, her voice calm and composed, even as nearby shells roared through the air, narrowly missing their ships. Both she and Yamashiro braced against the relentless waves, preparing for the inevitable clash.

"Finally! Some real action!" Shigure yelled with glee, weaving through the spray of another near miss. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, eager for battle.

"Hah! Let them come! They'll soon realize that Yukikaze the Great is truly invincible!" Yukikaze proclaimed boldly, her proud grin never wavering as her ship cut through the turbulent sea.

"Leave the destruction to me! Breaking things is my speciality, poi!" Yuudachi chimed in with her trademark mischievous smirk, earning side glances from Shigure and Yukikaze.

"Poi?" the two thought simultaneously, still baffled by Yuudachi's carefree attitude.

Meanwhile, Takao stood at the centre of the formation, her posture unshaken despite the chaos swirling around them. Her sharp gaze cut through the smoke and fog as she calmly assessed the situation.

"This isn't a full-fledged assault," Takao observed, her voice steady, but laced with an undertone of command.

"Their firing patterns suggest this is only a distraction,"

Atago nodded in agreement.

"They must be using the fog and confusion to cover their real goal - rescuing their allies."

Fusou, narrowing her eyes, scanned the distant horizon, her senses heightened.

"If this is a diversion, something far more dangerous must be lurking in the shadows. We can't afford to be complacent."

Yamashiro gripped the mast tighter, steadying herself against the relentless barrage raining down near her ship.

"I don't like this," she muttered.

"There's too much smoke... too much noise and..."

A wave splashed upon her.

"Too much water..."

Takao's tone remained firm, even amidst the chaos.

"We can't rely solely on Iron Blood. We need to take control of this situation ourselves."

Turning her gaze toward Ayanami, Shigure, Yukikaze, and Yuudachi, Takao called out sharply.

"You four, we're moving out! Prepare to engage!"

"Yes, ma'am!" they answered in unison, their energy and resolve apparent as they prepared for the next phase of battle.

"Takao," Atago interrupted her voice calm yet filled with concern.

"Even if this is a diversion, we can't ignore the enemy fleet. We need to deal with them now before they get too close,"

Takao nodded thoughtfully.

"Agreed. We'll deal with the diversion first and ensure they don't slip past us. Atago, you take the left flank with me. Shigure, Yukikaze and Yuudachi will take the right. Ayanami, support the centre. We'll sweep them away and secure the battlefield,"

With orders given, the six sprang into action as their riggings began to take shape, breaking apart to engage the enemy forces.

Watching the six enter the combat zone, Zuikaku quickly secured a communication line with Souryuu, Hiryuu and Hakuryuu.

"/Listen up, you guys! There is a high chance that the Grey Ghost is among the Azur Lane's carrier fleet. Try to pinpoint her location and zero in on her!\"

"/Roger, Zuikaku\"

"/Wilco!\"

"/Understood!\"

As Zuikaku ended the communication, she clenched her fist and contemplated while looking towards the attacking fleet as shells rained upon the blockade.

"Grey Ghost... This time, I will win, for good! Even if you had that 'Boy Boy Boy' on your side, I have a special 'gift' for him,"

.

.

.

Location: Unknown Island

Navigating through the narrow gaps between the ruins of the island, Cleveland, Javelin, Laffey, and Belfast sailed forward in their riggings.

Boboiboy Earth clung tightly to the smokestack of the Town-class light cruiser, his hands within the Earth Gloves gripping it firmly as he balanced himself on Belfast's back.

"The bombardment has begun!" said Belfast.

"Then we should hurry, too!" replied Cleveland.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, the ruins towering ominously around them, casting long shadows over the water. Despite the eerie surroundings, the group pressed on, their senses alert for any signs of danger.

"Stay close, everyone. We don't know what might be lurking in these ruins."

Javelin nodded, her expression serious yet determined.

"Right! We'll make it through, no matter what!"

Laffey, half-awake as usual, yawned but kept her weapons ready.

"If anything tries to stop us... I'll take care of it... after a nap,"

Belfast, calm and composed as always, glanced back at Boboiboy Earth.

"Hold on tightly, Young Master! This journey is far from over,"

"Hmm!" Boboiboy Earth nodded, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

He could feel the subtle vibrations of Belfast's movements as she manoeuvred through the water with the grace and precision of a seasoned warrior.

As they continued deeper into the island's maze-like ruins, the sounds of the naval guns firing slowly grew nearly silent as the distant waves crashing against the rocks echoed eerily.

The air grew colder and the fog began to roll in, obscuring their path.

"The fog is getting thicker," said Boboiboy Earth as his eyes darted here and there, watching for any signs of hazard.

Visibility was quickly becoming a challenge.

Cleveland frowned, her instincts telling her something dangerous was awaiting them.

"Everyone, stay sharp! We might be walking into a trap hidden among these fogs!"

Suddenly, about two or more 8-inch shells rained and exploded in front of them, which halted their advance.

"It's an ambush!" said Javelin.

"Not good..." Laffey muttered, her sleepy eyes narrowing.

"Cleveland, watch out!" exclaimed Earth as he noticed a figure leaping above them.

"What!?"

Cleveland looked up just in time to see Takao, the Sakuran heavy cruiser, descending upon them. Their eyes locked, both filled with determination. With the grace of a falling cherry blossom, Takao landed on a nearby wall and lunged at Cleveland, her katana poised for a powerful strike.

The blade narrowly missed Cleveland, sending a massive splash of water that knocked her backwards.

"Cleveland!" Earth shouted as Belfast manoeuvred closer.

"Laffey! Javelin! Split up, now!" Cleveland ordered.

The two destroyers quickly veered off in different directions, their movements swift and precise.

"Takao!" Atago's voice called out as she approached, her ears twitching with concern.

"Couldn't have picked a worse time..." Cleveland muttered under her breath.

A tense standoff ensued, but Cleveland soon noticed that Atago's attention was shifting toward Boboiboy Earth.

"Ara~ Who do we have here?" Atago's voice took on a fond, almost playful tone as she gazed at Boboiboy Earth, her stance relaxing slightly.

Earth and Belfast were caught off guard by the sudden change in her demeanour.

"Oh no... She's with the Crimson Axis, but she doesn't seem hostile, at least," Earth thought, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Who is this boy?" Takao asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him.

Earth, still perched on Belfast, met their gaze with a mixture of resolve and uncertainty.

"Uh... Hi, my name is Boboiboy. I'm just here to help my friends... Ehehe..."

Cleveland shot him a deadpan look, while the atmosphere grew tense.

"Boy Boy... What?" Atago asked, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"Boy Boy Boy? That name sounds familiar..." Takao murmured, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Suddenly, her eyes widened in realization.

.

.

Flashback

Takao's mind flashed back to a conversation with Zuikaku.

"You're not serious, right, Zuikaku?" Takao had asked, disbelief evident in her voice.

"I'm not joking, Takao-san! That 'Boy Boy Boy' has some kind of psychic ability tied to the power of nature! Look at this!" Zuikaku had pulled down part of her kimono, revealing a burnt scar in the shape of a crane on the back of her neck.

"What...? Where did you get that scar?" Takao had asked, stunned.

"From his so-called 'Lightning Dagger,'" Zuikaku had replied grimly.

End of Flashback

.

.

The eerie fog continued to thicken as Takao's flashback played out vividly in her mind. The thought of her fellow carrier, Zuikaku, having been caught off guard by such a strange power unnerved her.

She hadn't expected a boy to be capable of such feats but here he was, perched on the back of the elegant Belfast, staring up at her and Atago, seemingly harmless yet carrying a mysterious aura.

Shaking off the shock, Takao locked her gaze back onto Cleveland, determination burning in her eyes.

"So... you're the one with nature's power. Interesting. But that won't save you from the wrath of the Sakura Empire!"

Cleveland and Belfast stood their ground, aiming their guns rigging as the two prepared for Takao's next move.

"We'll see about that, ladies," said Belfast.

Atago, noticing the rising tension, sighed with mock exasperation, her lips curving into a smile.

"Takao, dear, don't get too carried away. Our orders were to ambush, not to start a full-scale battle - though a little fun wouldn't hurt, would it?"

With a swift movement, Atago joined her sister at the ready, her cannons primed and eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Realizing that the situation couldn't be helped anymore, Earth whispered to Belfast.

"Belfast, do you think that it is a good time for me to intervene?" asked him.

"Young Master, patience," Belfast whispered calmly, her gaze never leaving the enemy.

"Timing is everything. Trust me; when the moment comes, you'll know,"

Earth bit his lip, uncertain yet determined to contribute.

His Earth powers simmered beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed, but Belfast's composed demeanour reassured him that rushing in might make things worse.

They just had to be patient.

Takao shifted her stance, her grip tightening around her katana as the wind howled softly through the dense fog. The silence was eerie, the tension thick enough to cut through.

Suddenly, Takao dashed forward with blinding speed, her katana gleaming as she charged straight at Cleveland.

Cleveland met the attack head-on, her twin cannons firing off rapid salvos in an attempt to force Takao back. The rounds whizzed past Takao, narrowly missing her as she twisted and turned with graceful agility.

Atago, meanwhile, focused on Belfast, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"I've been wanting to see if the Maid Corps' legendary skill is as impressive as they say,"

Belfast's eyes narrowed, her voice cool and confident as Earth quickly dismounted from her.

"Then allow me to demonstrate," In a flash, Belfast's rigging sprang into action, cannons roaring as she deftly parried Atago's shots.

The Takao-class heavy cruiser then pulled her katana out of its saya and lunged towards Belfast and instantly, the Town-class light cruiser blocked the deadly blow with her metal gauntlets.

Sparks flew, illuminating the foggy surroundings. The force of Atago's attack pushed Belfast back slightly, but she held her ground with unwavering poise.

"You have quite the spirit, don't you?" she teased, her voice filled with admiration.

"But let's see how long that spirit lasts,"

"It's a maid's duty to remove any obstacles that would hinder one's life, even if it means sacrificing herself,"

Cleveland, meanwhile, had recovered from the initial attack and was engaging Takao from a distance, her cannons firing rapidly. She knew she couldn't match Takao in close-quarters combat, but she was determined to keep the heavy cruiser at bay.

"Earth, I need help here!" Cleveland shouted, trying to create an opening.

"Alright! Here I come!" Earth exclaimed before he slammed the ground beneath the water.

"Earth Barrier!"

Instantly, the ground between the two cruisers elevated, forming a tall barrier that protected Cleveland just in time before Takao could even slash her.

"Hah!?" Takao yelped in bafflement.

She was unable to stop her forward momentum, and slammed herself into the earth wall, taking several steps back and stumbling as she caught her footing.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized that Earth created a barrier between her and Cleveland, preventing her attack from landing. She came to a stop, looking at the barrier with a slight frown on her face.

"Heh! Surprised?" asked Earth.

"Thanks, Boboiboy!" said Cleveland before she, in the blink of an eye, reappeared on the other side of the wall and quickly landed a roundhouse kick onto Takao.

The impact sent the heavy cruiser staggering back, her eyes blazing with shock and fury. Takao gritted her teeth, quickly regaining her balance.

"You'll regret that!" she hissed, her gaze locking onto Earth.

"Wanna fight? Here, come close!" said Earth, forming a battle stance while provoking her.

Takao's frown depended on his words, clearly irritated, and with her katana still at the ready, she moved in closer.

"Wait! Young Master!" Belfast cried out as she tried to break her attack with Atago but failed to do so.

Once she was within what she felt to be striking range, Takao moved to swing at him with her katana, aiming for his torso. However, it was also a feint, a distraction, as Takao disappeared from that spot and reappeared behind him, her katana poised to strike at his back!

"Hah!?" Earth yelped.

"Boboiboy! Watch out!" Cleveland exclaimed at the top of her lungs.

A smirk of satisfaction formed on Takao's face, she was certain she had bested him.

"Dripping water wears away the stone... My sword has been trained over a long period... There's nothing it can't sever!" She spoke in a low, cocky voice.

Instantly, Earth blocked the attack with the Earth Glove on his right hand with his heart beating at a tremendous speed while anxiously thinking that he might be losing a hand.

Yet, things changed as the blade came in contact, and instead of slicing through the glove, shattered on impact due to the tremendous force exerted on the katana.

A moment of shock paused the battle as the four watched the shattered pieces of katana fall into the water.

Takao was too shocked to react to her katana shattering. A stunned look adorned her face, staring at him and the Earth Gloves. She took a few steps back, clearly caught off guard, and took a breath, trying to steady herself for the next confrontation. But she was rattled...

Her katana, broken? Like it was nothing, from some simple gloves...?

"Phew! That was close," said Earth as he rubbed his right fist.

Takao let out a sigh as she gripped the remnants of her blade in her hand, looking completely dumbfounded.

"How... On earth... Did you break my katana?!" asked her with half-teary eyes and anger.

"Here, touch my gloves and you'll find the answer," said Earth.

She reached out hesitantly, tapping the gloves with her fingers, confirming their solid, earth-like hardness. It felt like a rock – no wonder her katana broke.

"You broke my katana... with... that?" Takao's voice trembled with both awe and frustration.

Earth rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.

"Heh, sorry about that. These gloves are stronger than they look,"

Atago let out a lighthearted chuckle, stepping forward with a graceful sway.

"Ara. It seems our mighty Takao has met her match in an unexpected form. How cute."

Takao shot Atago a glare, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"This isn't over, however!" she exclaimed through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, her 10 × 20 cm/50 3rd Year Type No.2 naval guns (5x2) raised towards him.

"EH!?"

"Like I'm going to easily forgive you after what you've done to my katana!" said Takao angrily as the guns roared to live simultaneously.

Unable to avoid the shelling, Boboiboy was thrown from the impact, flying through the air before landing with a splash into the water. The force of Takao's barrage was so immense that it sent shockwaves across the surface, causing ripples to extend far and wide.

"Young Master!" Belfast's voice rang out, concern etching her usually calm features.

She dodged Atago's attack with an elegant twist, her heart racing as she watched Boboiboy disappear beneath the waves. Atago's amusement shifted to a more serious expression as she stepped back, reassessing the situation.

Cleveland, gritting her teeth, swiftly moved to cover the area where Boboiboy had fallen. Her cannons roared once again, this time with a vengeance, forcing Takao to retreat for a moment.

"Earth! Are you okay? Answer me!" Cleveland shouted, her eyes scanning the water's surface desperately.

For a few tense seconds, there was only silence - the eerie quiet of the fog-covered battlefield. But then, the water began to churn violently.

A loud rumble resonated from the depths, growing louder and louder until, with a mighty surge, Earth emerged from the water with little to no scratches, wrapped in an aura of swirling rocks and stones that formed pillars that remained suspended mid-air.

"I'm fine!" Earth shouted, his voice filled with renewed determination. His aura rippled outward, shaking the ground beneath Takao and Atago.

"But now, it's time I fight back properly!"

Takao and Atago, startled by the sudden display of power, exchanged glances.

"You've certainly got some tricks up your sleeve," Atago mused, her voice tinged with curiosity as she watched the boy rise from the water like an elemental force.

Takao's eyes narrowed as she raised her guns again.

"Let's see if those tricks are enough to stop us!"

But before she could fire, Earth made his first move.

"Rock Toss!"

In the blink of an eye, the rock pillars were tossed towards Takao at a tremendous speed which caused her to stumble upon a wall, creating a loud crash.

"Takao!" Atago shouted when Cleveland fired High Explosives towards her to create a distraction.

The heavy cruiser's expression shifted to one full of glare.

"Grr! I'm not letting all of you get out of here that easily!" yelled Atago as she formed a battle stance while getting ready to pull her katana out.

However, Belfast elegantly jumped behind her and threw two canisters of smoke grenades.

"Smokescreen!" she yelled as the canisters generated a shroud of thick smoke that blocked the heavy cruiser's view.

"Ugh! I can't see a thing!" said Atago before suddenly...

"Earth Grab!" Earth exclaimed and instantly, Atago was captured in a mound of earth and stopped her from moving an inch.

"Ah!" she yelped.

When the smoke cleared, the three had already disappeared from her sight.

.

.

"Phew! Glad that we managed to escape from those two..." said Cleveland as they sailed out of their sight.

Belfast couldn't help but agree as she let out a soft sigh as Earth settled on her shoulder.

"Are you alright, Young Master?" asked Belfast.

"Eh? Me? Yes, I am alright, Belfast. Just some small scratches," said Earth as he adjusted his cap.

Belfast gave him a gentle smile.

"You were brilliant, Young Master. But remember, this mission is far from over,"

Cleveland walked over, her expression softening as she looked at Earth.

"You were pretty impressive out there, Boboiboy. I didn't think you'd be able to manipulate the terrain like that. You know, the rock toss was probably the part that caught me off-guard,"

Earth rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"It wasn't easy... but hey, I just wanted to help,"

"You did more than that," Cleveland said with a grin.

Earth smiles sheepishly before his expression fades which is followed by a sad sigh.

"Eh? What's the matter, Young Master?" asked Belfast.

"Nothing... It's just... I felt bad for breaking her sword. My feelings told me that... What if that sword was something very precious to her? What if that sword was the only sword that she had?"

Belfast's expression softened as she placed a comforting hand on his knee.

"Young Master, in battle, things are often lost. But what matters is that you protected your friends,"

Cleveland nodded.

"Exactly. Don't worry too much about it. We've all had to make sacrifices. You did what you had to do,"

Earth sighed, his guilt lingering but tempered by their reassurances.

"Yeah... I guess you're right,"

As the fog began to lift, revealing more of the ruined island, the group knew that their mission was far from over. Somewhere in the distance, the threat of the Crimson Axis still loomed, and they would have to be ready for whatever came next.

"Alright, everyone, let's move forward," Cleveland commanded, her voice filled with renewed determination.

"We've still got a job to do."

With Belfast leading the way and Earth alongside her, the group pressed on through the ruins, their resolve stronger than ever.

.

.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, both Javelin and Laffey stood close to each other, lost amidst the thick fog.

"I can't see a thing," said Javelin, firmly grabbing her javelin.

"Same here," said Laffey, before hearing someone walking towards them.

"Someone is coming," she added before the two noticed the silhouette of a shipgirl.

"Who goes there!?" asked Javelin, pointing her weapon towards the direction of the shipgirl.

Much to their surprise, the person that emerged out of the fog was Ayanami!

"A... Ayanami," said Javelin.

"Javelin, Laffey... We meet again," said Ayanami, as her right hand reached for her katana.

However, there was a moment of hesitation for her to withdraw it out of its saya.

.

.

.

Location: Azur Lane's Rescue Fleet

The Azur Lane's Rescue Fleet continuously rained their shells, inflicting further damage on the mass-produced Siren warships, but none of them even hit the warships of the Crimson Axis based on the agreed discussion, the Crimson Axis' shipgirls are to meet with minimal damage as much as possible.

The deafening roar of the mighty guns shook the air violently each time they the massive fireballs and the booming sound of the guns was awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Aboard the battleship Oklahoma, she stood tall amidst the controlled mayhem, scanning the battlefield. The constant rumble of her 14-inch/45 calibre guns reverberated through the deck, their Mark 8 armour-piercing shells crashing into Siren warships with brutal force.

"What a way to begin the day!" shouted Wind, his voice barely audible above the roar of battle as he clutched his ears, trying to block out the overwhelming noise.

Lightning stood nearby, his eyes narrowed against the haze of smoke, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Well, it's not exactly what you'd call peaceful, but it sure does wake you up. After all, we don't always get the front-row seats for this 'special event',"

Oklahoma chuckled, her expression calm as another volley thundered from her guns.

"At least we're keeping them at bay. That's what matters right now,"

Yet, even as the Rescue Fleet fought to maintain control, there was an unsettling shift in the atmosphere. Oklahoma becomes aware of the sound of distant aircraft. Everyone peered up into the sky while the bombardment ensued.

"You hear that, Okie!?" asked Lightning.

"Of course, I do! Enemy planes, incoming!" yelled Oklahoma.

At that moment, Wind spotted the distinctive low-mounted, elliptical wings that were long and slender with a slight dihedral angle of the Sakura Empire's wave of Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes and Yokosuka D4Y Suisei as they picked up speed, diving towards the fleet.

Tracers streak the air as the anti-aircraft guns on full alert, shining brightly as they are followed by a dozen Grumman F4F Wildcats, F65 Hellcats, and Vought F4U Corsairs that slam in to disrupt the enemies' flight formation.

Oklahoma braced herself, knowing that the next few moments would be crucial. The Sirens may have been their primary target, but the Sakura Empire's sudden aerial assault had thrown a dangerous wrench into their plans. Every shipgirl's heart pounded with determination as they prepared to defend their fleet and each other.

"Lightning! Do you think that this is the right time!?" shouted Wing, his voice barely audible above the intense anti-air artillery barrage.

"I think so! But to provide an instant cover might be too risky!" yelled Lightning before a sudden realization hit him like a jolt of electricity.

His eyes shot to the east, beyond the flurry of AA fire. The enemy planes were shifting their focus, breaking away from the main fight and moving towards something more vulnerable.

"The carriers!" Lightning's voice rang out, panic edging his usually calm demeanour.

"They're going for the carriers!"

Oklahoma's expression hardened. The fleet's carriers were the heart of their operation, their ability to launch air cover was critical. Losing them would be a devastating blow.

"Everyone, stay sharp!" Oklahoma barked, her voice resolute.

"We can't let them reach the carriers!"

The Rescue Fleet immediately shifted formation, tightening their defences around the precious carriers. Oklahoma's guns pivoted, her crew working feverishly to prepare for the next barrage. Above, the Wildcats and Hellcats fought with renewed ferocity, determined to hold off the incoming bombers and dive-bombers at any cost.

But even as the fleet fought back valiantly, more and more planes broke through the defences. The situation was escalating, and fast.

.

.

.

Location: Rescue Fleet's Carrier Flotilla

Meanwhile, on the Rescue Fleet's carrier flotilla which consisted of Lexington, Saratoga, Langley, Hornet and Long Island, the screen of destroyers and light cruisers was now on high alert.

"/All hands, be advised\," came Helena's calm but firm voice over the communication system, reverberating across the fleet.

"/We have 20 seconds remaining before the Sakuran bomber wave arrives. Their main targets are our carriers. If we fail to protect them, it's over for all of us!\"

Her SK-2 air-search radar was already lighting up with signals—enemy bombers closing in fast.

On Saratoga and Lexington, the RCA CXAM-1 early warning radar confirmed the same—numerous bandits inbound. The shipgirls braced themselves as anti-aircraft batteries swivelled toward the sky, locking on to the unseen threat. Guns primed, shipgirls ready, the tension was palpable.

Meanwhile, Long Island's deck buzzed with activity as Vought F4U Corsairs and Grumman F6F Hellcats roared off the flight deck, climbing into the sky to meet the incoming enemy.

The shipgirls were strategically positioned, creating a web of crossfire that would shred anything attempting to breach the fleet's defences.

San Diego grinned, her fingers twitching with excitement as she gripped the trigger of her guns.

"Here they come, girls!"

Within moments, the Sakuran bombers burst through the clouds, their sleek, deadly forms reflecting the sun's glare. Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes accompanied them, diving in with lethal precision. Their roar filled the air as they began their attack runs.

"Let's give them a show they won't forget!" Lexington shouted, her voice carrying through the din of battle.

"Purge them!" San Diego exclaimed.

Instantly, the anti-aircraft batteries erupted in a storm of fire, tracer rounds slicing through the sky toward the approaching bombers.

Saratoga followed suit, unleashing her full barrage into the heavens. Explosions began to pepper the air as flak bursts detonated around the enemy planes, forcing them to swerve and break formation.

"Keep up the pressure!" Helena ordered, her eyes never leaving her radar screen.

"Don't let them near the carriers!"

In the sky above, the Corsairs and Hellcats closed in on the enemy formation, engaging the Zeroes in a deadly aerial dance. Gunfire streaked across the sky as the fighters wove in and out of combat, each side trying to gain the upper hand.

Long Island's voice came through the comms, steady and reassuring.

"/Our fighters are holding them off, but those bombers are relentless. Everyone, stay focused!\"

The cloud of Sakuran fighters and bombers spread like an unending oil slick, but a trickle of them slipped past the crossfire and began to attack.

"/Beavers! Enemy planes are dead ahead! Concentrate your fire!\" yelled Charles Ausburne, who was among the destroyer groups that were blanketing the sky with AA tracers.

Instantly, the Little Beavers - Charles Ausburne, Thatcher, Aulick, Foote and Spence adjusted their fire towards the Sakuran warplanes that managed to slip the crossfire.

The anti-aircraft gun barrels of the Azur Lane's shipgirls glow like hot ulcers, as they throw a pulverizing barrage against the Sakuran warplanes.

Suddenly, one of the Sakuran bombers broke through the flak screen, diving directly toward Langley and Lexington. The two watched in horror as the bomber hurtled closer, its payload ready to release.

"Not on my watch!" Saratoga shouted, unleashing a well-placed salvo from her secondary batteries.

The rounds found their mark, tearing through the bomber's fuselage and sending it spiralling into the ocean with a fiery explosion.

"Nice shot, Sara!" San Diego cheered.

But there was no time to celebrate. More bombers were coming, and the battle had only just begun.

With the skies ablaze and the ocean churning beneath the weight of war, the Rescue Fleet's survival hung in the balance. Every shipgirl knew that failure wasn't an option—not today, not ever.

As the enemy pressed harder, Lexington's calm voice broke through the chaos, her tone sharp with determination.

"Let's finish this! No one gets past us!"

.

.

.

On the horizon, Zuikaku and Shoukaku had broken away from the chaos, moving with stealth and precision. As the Rescue Fleet's main forces engaged the aerial assault, the two carriers slipped beneath the focus of the heavy guns. They glided in the distance, shadows on the glimmering ocean, scanning for their prize.

"Grey Ghost..." Zuikaku whispered, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the distant figures of the fleet.

"We've come all this way, and yet..." Shoukaku murmured beside her, her calm demeanour masking her focus.

Zuikaku smirked.

"We'll find her. She can't hide forever,"

The two sisters remained poised, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. They knew that the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier Enterprise, the Big E, the Galloping Ghost and the Grey Ghost, had eluded them before, but this time, they were determined to finish what they started.

.

.

As the battle raged on, Renown and the others focused on keeping their fleet intact. Every second counted as the shipgirls fought to maintain their defence.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a shadow slipping through the waves. It was Shoukaku and Zuikaku, stealthily approaching beneath the cover of the firefight. The heart of the Royal Navy's battlecruiser skipped a beat as she realized what was happening.

"Norfolk! Suffolk! We've got a company here!" yelled Renown.

The two heavy cruisers immediately sprang into action, standing proud as they armed their guns and aimed toward the advancing aircraft carriers.

"The enemy seems strong!" Suffolk's voice trembled slightly, but she steadied herself.

"I... I'll do my best!" Norfolk added, her determination trying to push past her nerves.

Both shaken by the presence of the Shoukaku sisters, they opened fire blindly, their BL 8-inch Mk VIII guns roaring. The shells sailed through the air, but their lack of precision left them wanting.

Shoukaku and Zuikaku, skilled and graceful in their movements, dodged the incoming fire with ease, their sleek forms cutting through the sea like predators in the deep.

"Focus, you two!" Renown commanded, her voice sharp but reassuring.

"Don't just shoot blindly - watch their movements!"

No matter how hard they tried, the two carriers of the 5th Sakuran Aircraft Carrier Division easily passed them and as an act of mockery, Zuikaku used her katana to create a large wave that swept the two Royal Navy's heavy cruisers aside, leaving them soaked in seawater.

"Sorry, girls~ We don't have time for you!" Shoukaku can't help but taunt the two girls.

"Those bloody turkeys..." Renown cursed under her breath as she watched the two passing by.

.

.

As the Crane sisters moved through the ranks of their ships, their eyes were drawn to the skies, where Eagle Union aircraft swarmed like a storm. Wildcats, Hellcats, and Corsairs sliced through the air with precision, their engines roaring as they intercepted the Sakura Empire's formations. Fighters and dive bombers scattered in disarray, chaos unfolding among their ranks.

Zuikaku's gaze sharpened as she watched the battle above.

"Those planes... I knew it! The Grey Ghost is here!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with a mixture of determination and thrill.

In a swift motion, Zuikaku turned to starboard, her eyes locking onto the distant silhouette of the Rescue Fleet's Carrier Flotilla. Her heart raced with anticipation, the thrill of battle surging through her.

"Zuikaku, wait!" Shoukaku called out, her tone urgent and filled with concern.

"You can't just rush in without a plan—"

Before Shoukaku could finish her sentence, the sky suddenly lit up with a brilliant flash of lightning followed by a lightning dagger that tore through the heavens, striking the ocean's surface with a thunderous crash. The impact sent a massive spray of water high into the air, the sheer force of which halted Zuikaku's advance.

Zuikaku stopped in her tracks, momentarily stunned by the violent eruption. Shoukaku hurried to her side, her eyes scanning the horizon for the source of the sudden disruption.

"What in the world...?" Zuikaku muttered, her expression tense.

"Zuikaku!" Shoukaku said, her voice firm.

"How many times do I have to remind you? Recklessness will only get you in trouble!"

As the sea calmed and the storm clouds loomed ominously above, two figures appeared before the Crane sisters—Wind and Lightning, standing amidst the waves.

"Well, well," Shoukaku said with a mix of disbelief and amusement as she recognized the pair.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Zuikaku clenched her fists, a spark of irritation crossing her face.

"You two again!" she growled, her frustration evident.

Lightning smirked, arcs of electricity crackling around his right hand.

"Looks like we're destined to meet, Shoukaku and Zuikaku," he said, his voice carrying a hint of playful menace.

"Didn't think you'd be so eager for a reunion,"

Zuikaku scowled.

"Tch! Don't think we're going to back down this time," she snapped, her fighting spirit igniting once more.

"We'll take you both down!"

Before she could act, Wind spoke calmly, her voice carrying the power of a looming storm.

"Careful, Zuikaku. The winds of battle aren't always predictable. Sometimes, they turn against you,"

Lightning let out a low chuckle.

"Ha'ah. Besides, Zuikaku, I thought that Leaf's 'Itchy Leaf Blade' would be enough to teach you two or three lessons for messing with the Azur Lane. Would you like to have another blade, hmm? Zuikaku?" Lightning said with a mocking tone.

Zuikaku's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"Grr! You boys will regret making me scratch my whole body for straight four days!" she retorted, and it didn't help either as the two struggled to stifle their laughter.

"Stop! Stop laughing at me!" Zuikaku exclaimed angrily as she stomped her feet.

Shoukaku placed a calming hand on Zuikaku's shoulder, her tone was soft but serious.

"Enough, Zuikaku. Don't let them provoke you. We have a mission to complete, and we won't be distracted by petty taunts,"

Zuikaku huffed, her frustration still evident but somewhat quelled by her sister's words. She nodded reluctantly, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

Wind's eyes narrowed as she observed the Crane sisters.

"Shoukaku, always the calm one. But even the calmest of seas can be disrupted. Don't forget that we're not here just for games,"

Lightning grinned, sparks still flickering around his hands.

"Exactly. This isn't a playground - though it's starting to feel like one with all this banter."

Shoukaku straightened, her gaze turning steely.

"Then let's skip the games and get down to business. This battle isn't just about pride; it's about protecting those behind us,"

Zuikaku, now composed, took a stance beside her sister, her gaze fierce once more.

"Exactly. We're not running away. We fight for our fleet, our comrades, and our duty!"

Lightning smirked, his eyes flicking towards Wind.

"Looks like they've made up their minds, Wind. Shall we see what they're made of?"

Wind nodded, his demeanour still calm but with a subtle tension building in the air around her.

"Very well. But remember what Earth said, Lightning—we aren't here to destroy them. We're here to remind them of the forces they're up against,"

Wind's statement, however, made Zuikaku chuckle a bit.

"The forces they're up against, you say? Too bad that I brought along us the forces strong enough to deal with both of you!"

"A force-"

Before Wind could even finish his sentences, something powerful landed behind them, causing both Wind and Lightning to be thrown aside. As the two struggled to stay steady, a menacing female voice did sound.

"So... These are the brats that you mentioned, huh? Zuikaku?"

As the two raised their heads, they saw a tall woman, while resting an oversized odachi over her shoulder, with long grey hair, grey eyes, large breasts, and mismatched horns with her left pointed up and right pointed to the side. Her outfit consists of a black pleated dress with a side slit, black jacket, black gloves, thigh straps, and knee pads.

Hakuryuu

"Yes, they are, Hakuryuu,"

As Wind and Lightning regained their footing, the imposing presence of Hakuryuu loomed over them like a storm on the horizon. Her sharp gaze assessed the two with cold indifference, sizing them up as if they were insignificant obstacles in her path.

Hakuryuu's voice dripped with contempt.

"I must say, I expected more from the forces of Azur Lane. These two don't seem like much of a challenge." She smirked, her oversized ootachi resting easily on her shoulder.

Zuikaku, now emboldened by Hakuryuu's arrival, couldn't help but grin.

"You hear that, brat? You've bitten off more than you can chew!"

Wind's calm exterior wavered slightly, her eyes narrowing as she met Hakuryuu's gaze.

"So, you've brought reinforcements. But don't think that means we'll back down!"

Lightning crackled with energy, his frustration evident as he clenched his fists.

"I don't care how strong she is. We've faced worse, and we're not going to let you waltz through this battle!"

Hakuryuu's smirk grew wider while she remained unshaken.

"Bold words, but let's see if you can back them up,"

With a swift motion, she pointed her oodachi toward the two, the blade gleaming menacingly.

"Come, then," she said, her voice steady and filled with authority.

"Let's see if you can withstand the fury of a White Dragon,"

"Quite an arrogant person, huh!? Let's battle it out! Lightning blades!" said Lightning as he brandished a pair whose surface is more of a shiny metal with yellow patterns and flashes slightly sparking around it.

"Hmm! Wind Spheres!" said Wind as he produced small clumps of tiny wind balls in mass quantities, ready to attack her.

With that, the battle resumed. Wind and Lightning charged forward, their abilities surging to their fullest potential as they unleashed a barrage of attacks.

But Hakuryuu was ready.

With a graceful yet powerful movement, she swung her odachi, slicing through the air and sending shockwaves that countered their attacks. The sheer force of her strikes caused the very ocean to tremble beneath them.

Wind darted to the side, dodging one of Hakuryuu's powerful slashes as he prepared another counterattack. His wind spheres spiralled toward her, but Hakuryuu countered with a wide swing of her blade, dispersing the wind projectiles effortlessly.

Lightning, meanwhile, continued to clash with her, his electrified blades dancing through the air as sparks flew with every parry and strike.

"I have to admit," Lightning grunted as his blade met Hakuryuu's odachi in a fierce clash, "you're much tougher than I thought."

Hakuryuu merely smirked.

"Flattery won't save you, boy,"

Zuikaku and Shoukaku, meanwhile, took advantage of the distraction, manoeuvring toward their original goal. The Grey Ghost was still out there, hidden within the chaos of the battle. Every moment was precious, and they knew they couldn't afford to be delayed any further.

"Shoukaku-nee, let's go," Zuikaku called out, her voice filled with urgency.

"Hakuryuu-san can handle them. We need to focus on Enterprise!"

Shoukaku nodded in agreement.

"Right. Let's finish this once and for all,"

Lightning spotted the two sisters slipping away between the ships as they continuously bombarded the mass-produced Siren warships. His premonition stated that they were after the carriers.

"Wind! You've gotta stop those two from reaching our carriers!" exclaimed Lightning.

"Okay! But how about you!?"

"Don't worry about me; be worry about our carriers and those that were defending them! I'll keep her occupied!" exclaimed Lightning as he swiftly blocked Hakuryuu's odachi from striking his head.

At first, Wind barely hesitated before he propelled himself to pursue the aircraft carriers of the 5th Sakuran Aircraft Carrier Division using his 'Wind-Surf'.

"Is this all you've got, brat?" Hakuryuu taunted, her voice dripping with disdain as she pushed the blade further and closer to Lightning's dagger that nearly touched his cap.

"You can't hope to match me with such paltry attacks,"

Lightning clenched his fists, his lightning blades crackling with renewed energy.

"Grr! I'm not done yet!" he growled, charging forward with an intensity born from sheer determination.

"Lightning speed!"

Instantly, he devoted lightning powers to his feet and moved quickly behind her in no time.

"Hah!?" Hakuryuu exclaimed in bafflement.

"Takes this! Multi Lightning Blades!"

Multiple Lightning Blades are produced before they begin to converge on the White Dragon, crackling with electric energy.

Hakuryuu spun around just in time to see Lightning's blades converging toward her from all sides, crackling with electrical energy. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she took a step back, readying her odachi for defence.

"Impressive speed," she admitted, her voice low.

"But let's see how fast your lightning is!"

With a swift and fluid motion, Hakuryuu swung her odachi in a wide arc, her blade cutting through the air with a sound like thunder. The massive sword met Lightning's attack head-on, slicing through the bolts of electricity with precision. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed, illuminating the stormy sky in a brilliant flash of light.

For a moment, Lightning was pushed back by the sheer force of Hakuryuu's counterattack, but he quickly regained his footing, his face twisting with frustration. Hakuryuu, on the other hand, remained eerily calm, her eyes gleaming with an almost predatory focus.

"You can't overpower me with brute force alone. You'll need more than that, brat!" she said, her tone as sharp as her blade.

Quickly, she launched a wave of Yokosuka D3Y Myojo from her split flight deck rigging in an animalistic style containing her 100 mm twin DP mounts.

"Now, show me what you're capable of to challenge the mighty Hakuryuu, brat!"

As Hakuryuu's planes soared into the stormy skies, their engines roaring like a fierce beast awakening from slumber, Lightning's resolve hardened. He glanced at the approaching aircraft with a grim expression, electricity still crackling around his body.

He knew the odds were stacked against him, but retreat was never an option. With a quick flick of his wrist, his lightning blades shimmered with renewed energy.

Hakuryuu's smirk widened as she watched her planes approach the battlefield. The Myojo dive bombers swooped down like birds of prey, their payloads ready to rain destruction on Lightning. However, Lightning wasn't about to let himself be overwhelmed.

"Damn it! Time to get serious!" he muttered, his voice filled with determination before his hand generated a lightning arc.

"Lightning Umbrella!"

Instantly, instead of a lightning dagger, a flash of lightning in the shape of an umbrella emerged from his hand and took form. The moment the ordinances were dropped, the lightning umbrella, small in size but surprisingly strong enough to withstand the explosion of the 800 kg TNT of the bombs.

His face was etched with determination as the shockwaves from the blasts rattled the battlefield. For a brief moment, it seemed as though Lightning had successfully weathered the storm of Hakuryuu's aerial assault.

Hakuryuu, observing from afar, narrowed her eyes in a mixture of mild surprise and amusement. Her planes circled back for another attack run, undeterred by Lightning's resourcefulness.

"Not bad, brat," Hakuryuu called out, her voice carrying over the roaring wind and thunder.

"But you're only delaying the inevitable. Let's see how long you can hold out!"

Lightning gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He was running out of time - his energy was waning and he knew that the umbrella wouldn't be able to hold much more of the explosives. Yet, the lightning in his eyes hadn't dimmed.

He knew this battle wasn't just about survival; it was about buying time for the others.

He couldn't let them down.

.

.

.

Location: Rescue Fleet's Carrier Flotilla

Meanwhile, Zuikaku and Shoukaku pushed forward through the chaos, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the Grey Ghost.

Shoukaku's brow furrowed with worry as she glanced over her shoulder.

"I hope Hakuryuu-san can handle those two long enough for us to reach Enterprise," she muttered, her voice tinged with concern.

Zuikaku smirked confidently.

"Don't worry, Shoukaku-nee. Hakuryuu's strong. She'll be fine,"

But just as Zuikaku finished speaking, a sudden gust of wind sent a chill down her spine. Her instincts kicked in, and she dove to the side just in time to avoid a barrage of wind spheres that spiralled towards her.

"I knew you'd try to slip past," came Wind's calm yet deadly voice from behind.

He hovered above the ocean, his arms raised as swirling gusts of air surrounded him.

"You didn't think I'd let you reach your target that easily, did you?"

Zuikaku sprang to her feet, her eyes locking onto Wind.

"Tch! You again! Can't you just leave us alone for once?"

Wind smirked, shaking his head.

"Afraid not. Your mission ends here-"

Just before Wind could even finish his words, an A6M Zero appeared out of nowhere nosedived and performed a strafing run on him.

"Opocot mak kau hijau!" Wind startled. It was lucky that he managed to get out of its line of fire.

The Zero pulled up and began to climb, revealing the presence of two more Sakuran shipgirls — Souryuu and Hiryuu — who had entered the fray.

"Shoukaku!" Souryuu's voice rang out, full of urgency.

Shoukaku turned to see her fellow carriers approaching, relief flooding her features.

"Souryuu, Hiryuu! You're just in time."

Hiryuu nodded, her gaze locking onto Wind.

"So this is the boy that you've been talking about to us, eh? He looks harmless after all," her voice carried a tinge of combative and eagerness to fight.

"Harmless, huh?" Wind echoed Hiryuu's words, his tone slightly mocking.

"You'll regret underestimating me,"

Zuikaku, now bolstered by the arrival of their allies, clenched her fists, determination burning in her eyes as she pulled her katana out of its saya and slammed its handle to her flight deck rigging, causing the Zero fighters to collide with the sword's blade and producing a scorching effect that glowed in bright and vivid orange.

"Let's finish this quickly! We can't afford any more delays!"

"Huh! It's not that easy! You have to face me first!" said Wind as he summoned more of his Wind Spheres.

Souryuu adjusted her glasses with a small, unimpressed huff, her expression as steady as the ocean before a tempest.

"I expected someone more... formidable. You're just a breeze compared to the storms we've weathered,"

Hiryuu chuckled, twirling a strand of her white hair as she eyed Wind.

"Well, don't disappoint us then," she teased before her expression turned serious.

"We're in a hurry, after all,"

Instantly, Souryuu and Hiryuu brandished their Hanafudas whereas Shoukaku prepared to blow her shinobue flute.

While the girls indeed looked intimidating, Wind, however, suddenly, burst into laughter.

"Eh?" Shoukaku said, taken aback by his sudden change in mood.

"What's so funny, brat!?" Zuikaku growled in irritation.

"No... Nothing... It's just... Seriously? You two bunny girls are going to attack me with cards?" asked Wind before he proceeded to laugh even louder.

Determined to prove him wrong, Souryuu and Hiryuu exchanged a glance, their resolve hardening. Souryuu's eyes sparkled with a mix of annoyance and challenge.

"We'll see if you're still laughing after this,"

Hiryuu nodded, her tone serious as she formed a battle stance, prepared to launch an attack.

"Prepare yourself, brat! We're not just here for a show!"

"Hahahaha! Whatever! What are you waiting for? Come on!" said Wind, taunting her.

Hiryuu then made her rather cocky first move.

"Alright! Cherry! Blossom... Umm... whatever, Hiyah!"

"I had hoped to avoid meaningless battles with a brat like you..."

The two Sakuran bunnies threw their Hanafudas and in an instant, the cards transformed into waves of dive and torpedo bombers, and so did Shoukaku who blew her Shinobu to summon her D4Ys.

As for Zuikaku, her swift and resolute action saw her launch herself into the air without the slightest hesitation, drawing her katana with the intent to deliver a decisive strike against Wind.

"Die, brat!" yelled her.

Wind, meanwhile stood in stoic silence, observing his opponents' calculated move to capitalize on him. A smirk suddenly tugged at the corner of his lips as he collected the power of the wind around him.

"Whirling Wind!"

In an instant, a powerful protective whirlwind surged around him, deflecting the incoming attackers. The wind shielded him from the onslaught, creating a dazzling display of swirling air.

Zuikaku struggled to stay steady amidst the intense turbulence, but eventually succumbed to the force of the wind and was violently tossed away, spinning out of control into the void of sea.

Shoukaku, Souryuu, and Hiryuu's attacks backfired when their warplanes were slammed into them in a kamikaze-style assault. The Sakuran shipgirls were thrown off balance as their forces turned against them.

Wind's laughter echoed across the battlefield, growing louder and more manic as his Power Watch sparked with electricity. The whirlwind around him intensified, growing larger and more chaotic.

"Ahaha! My stomach hurts from laughing at how you all thought you could beat me! Planes, cards — all useless!"

But just as his laughter reached its peak, two 8-inch High Explosive shells pierced through the whirlwind, slamming into Wind with explosive force. His mocking laughter cut off abruptly as he was thrown back, his protective wind faltering.

The battlefield fell silent for a moment as Wind struggled to regain control, shock flickering across his face.

From the distance, a Sakuran shipgirl emerged - Kako.

"Kako!" Hiryuu called out.

"Are you guys alright?" asked her.

"Yes, we are!" said Shoukaku.

"Kako, I thought you're supposed to stay with..."

Kako abruptly cut short Souryuu's question.

"I know, but I'm not going to just let the carriers go into a battle without some naval gun support! And speaking of support, I brought a company with me,"

It turns out that the mentioned company consisted of Shigure, Yukikaze and Yuudachi!

"Eh? I thought you three had been assigned to your respective positions?" said Shoukaku.

"Yes... But Shoukaku-sama, we don't find anything to fight with," said Shigure.

"And too bad that I don't find anything to eat!" said Yuudachi before one of her ears was twisted by Kako.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" she cried.

"You keep yourself busy thinking about eating, don't you!?" asked Kako angrily.

"Anyway, who we're going against? Hurry up! Yukikaze the Great is too energetic right now and can't wait any longer!" the Kagerou-class destroyer exclaimed enthusiastically.

The four Sakuran aircraft carriers pointed towards Wind.

"Eh? Why's everyone pointing at me?" asked him.

"Ha? A boy?" asked Shigure.

"That's not an ordinary boy, Shigure-chan. That's 'Boy Boy Boy'!" said Zuikaku as she clutched her katana firmly.

Disc Scratch Sound Effect

Everyone except for Shoukaku and Zuikaku blinked in puzzlement.

"I'm sorry... What did you call me?" asked Wind.

"That boy's name is... 'Boy Boy Boy'?" asked Kako.

"BuoBuoiBuoy?" asked Souryuu as she experienced difficulty in pronouncing his name.

"Seriously, kiddo? Is that your real name or your nickname?" asked Hiryuu, scratching her head in confusion.

"Boy Boy... sudden realization... Hey! So you're the 'Boy Boy Boy' boy that Ayanami talked about!" said Yuudachi.

"What are you chattering about, girl? My name is not 'Boy Boy Boy'! It's B-O-B-O-I-B-O-Y! Boboiboy!" Wind corrected.

Zuikaku couldn't help but groan at the confusion caused by her slip of the tongue.

"Alright, alright! We get it now, 'Boboiboy'!" she exclaimed, waving her hand dismissively.

"It doesn't change the fact that you're standing in our way!"

Wind, having regained his composure, chuckled again.

"You're a lively bunch, I'll give you that. But it's going to take more than names and guns to stop me!"

As Wind began to summon another powerful gust, Kako stepped forward with determination gleaming in her eyes. She raised her arm, signalling to Shigure, Yukikaze, and Yuudachi.

"Destroyers, form up! We'll create an opening!" Kako commanded.

Shigure nodded quietly whereas Yukikaze, ever enthusiastic, flashed a grin, while Yuudachi let out a small "poi" in agreement, despite still rubbing her sore ear.

With precise coordination, the destroyers rushed toward Boboiboy, darting through the chaos with agility only destroyers could manage. Their movements were swift, zigzagging across the water's surface, forcing Wind to redirect his focus.

"Let's give a warm welcome to our foolish foe~!" said Shigure.

"Yukikaze-sama nanoda!"

"It's time to turn you into junk floating in the Solomon Sea, Boboiboy!" exclaimed Yuudachi.

As the destroyers engaged him from multiple angles with their guns, their rapid manoeuvres forcing him to unleash smaller bursts of Wind Spheres to keep them at bay, Kako charged forward, her cannons blazing.

"Kako! Now!" Shoukaku shouted as she, Zuikaku, Souryuu and Hiryuu seized the opportunity.

They unleashed another wave of dive bombers, their aircraft diving toward Boboiboy with renewed ferocity. This time, their coordination paid off as they aimed to overwhelm his defences with sheer numbers.

"Let me show my true strength, boy!" roared Kako.

Each shell was aimed with precision, and despite the protective whirlwind that he summoned just now, he found it harder and harder to deflect all of their attacks.

Wind gritted his teeth, raising his arms to summon a defensive ability.

"Wind Blast!" he yelled.

The wind howled around him, pushing back against the incoming bombers. Yet, even with his immense power, the constant pressure began to wear him down.

At that moment, Zuikaku dashed in from behind, her katana gleaming as she swung it with precision, aiming for his head. Seeing her approach, he barely managed to evade the strike, but the Fortunate Crane's blade grazed his left cheek, causing a superficial cut.

Gritting his teeth in pain and anger, and though he was momentarily stunned, Wind managed to recover just in time to return a blow to Zuikaku.

Clenching his fist, he shouted, "Typhoon Uppercut!"

With a heartful punch, he delivered a powerful gust that was accompanied by a shockwave that sent Zuikaku outward, throwing her off-balance but at the cost of his remaining energy.

Panting, he hovered in the air, clearly exhausted.

"You... No, all of you are strong. I didn't expect this much of a fight,"

Zuikaku, landing beside her sister and the others, smirked as she held her katana at the ready.

"You're tough too. But this fight's not over yet, brat!"

.

.

.

Location: Sardegna Empire - Siren blockade

Meanwhile, outside of the intense battle zone, the serene waters on the far-northern east side of the island are deceptively calm as shells and bombs from the shipgirls of the Royal Navy fly overhead as they return fire against the shipgirls of the Sardegna Empire.

"Warriors of the Royal Navy, fight for glory!" said Queen Elizabeth in a commanding tone while holding her royal sceptre as her BL 15-inch Mark I naval guns riggings roared to life.

"Feast your eyes before the Empire's prowess, you Royal ladies!" said the head of the Sardegna Empire's fleet, Vittorio Veneto, a Littorio-class battleship as her Cannone da 381/50 Ansaldo M1934s repulsed while pointing her sabre towards the attacking Royal's fleet.

She is described as an elegant Sardegnan woman with long, flowing silver hair and wears an elaborate outfit with a red and black theme. Her attire includes a short skirt and a detailed top with gold accents and a high collar. She wears thigh-high black stockings with gold designs. Her outfit is complemented by a red and white cape or cloak that has a dramatic flair.

"Ah, Littorio~ Surely you haven't forgotten that night at Taranto?" Illustrious teased from afar, her voice light yet filled with a mischievous tone as her Fairey Swordfish bombers soared overhead, their engines purring as they sought their targets.

"You dare bring that up, you– you pezzo di merda!" said Littorio, the lead ship of the Littorio-class battleship, flushed and embarrassed at the same time as she struggled to shoot down the warplanes sent by Illustrious.

Littorio is best described as a tall and fine Sardegnan woman with long green hair and wears a crown-like headpiece. She is dressed in a white and gold outfit with a high collar and black stockings. Her look is completed with a green cape that has gold accents. Her overall appearance is a mix of regal and military aesthetics.

"It's just between you and this Grand Old Lady, Giulio Cesare!" yelled Warspite while rolling up her arm sleeves.

"No, it's just me, corgi!" exclaimed Giulio Cesare as the two dreadnoughts prepared themselves for hand-to-hand combat even though their size and height didn't even match.

Giulio Cesare, a Conte de Cavour-class dreadnought, wears a form-fitting white uniform with gold accents, complemented by a fitted black jacket. The outfit is paired with thigh-high black stockings and stylish heels, giving her a commanding and elegant presence. Her hair is light grey and styled in soft waves, and she sports a naval cap that adds to her authoritative look.

"Come on, everyone! We are born winners!" said Trento as she, Zara and Pola focused their fire on Hood.

Trento, the lead ship of the Trento-class heavy cruiser, is a young woman with long, flowing lavender hair that cascades down her back. Her eyes, a striking shade of violet, are framed by long, dark eyelashes and seem to hold a hint of mischief. She wears a military-inspired outfit, consisting of a white coat adorned with intricate gold embroidery, a dark jacket with a high collar, and a short skirt. Her legs are clad in black stockings and knee-high boots.

Zara, the lead ship of the Zara-class heavy cruiser, is a young woman with medium, fiery red hair. Her eyes, a striking shade of crimson, are framed by long, dark eyelashes and seem to hold a hint of passion. She wears a military-inspired outfit, consisting of a dark green jacket with gold accents, a white blouse, and a short skirt. Her legs are clad in black stockings and high heels.

As for Pola, a Zara-class heavy cruiser, is a young woman with medium, dark purple hair. Her eyes, a striking shade of red, are framed by long, dark eyelashes and seem to hold a hint of determination. She wears a similar outfit to her sister Zara with the exception that her breasts are less revealing.

"Victory and defeat are commonplace among those who fight, and it is we that have all the time in the world!" exclaimed Hood as she returned fire onto the heavy cruisers.

Just as the combined fire from the three heavy cruisers seemed to be closing in on Hood, a sudden surge of water swirled upward.

"Water Shield!" exclaimed Water and in an instant, a rectangular shield made out of water emerged to guard against attacks, which somehow managed to slow down the shells from impacting Hood.

Hood glanced at Water with a nod of gratitude.

"Well-timed, young one," she acknowledged with her signature poise.

"Hehe... Thanks, Lady Hood," Water sheepishly replied.

From a distance, Trento's eyes widened in awe at the display of power.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, her admiration for his superhuman ability evident.

Pola, her lips curling into a cheeky grin, added, "Well, well, looks like the Royal Navy has a few tricks up their sleeve. No matter, we'll just have to break through that shield next time,"

Her eyes glinted mischievously, though, beneath her playful exterior, her focus remained sharp.

Zara, though impressed, remained focused.

"The boy is indeed an unexpected ally for the Azur Lane from what I heard... but we cannot let this stop us. Keep pressing the attack!" she called out to her fellow cruisers, her voice firm but supportive.

Realizing that they were reorganizing their attack, Water quickly dissipated the 'Water Shield' and performed another powerful blow.

"Water Pressure!"

With that, the water surface beneath the three shoots out multiple columns of water and blasts them at high pressure, causing them to be thrown off the surface of the water.

"Ahh!" The three exclaimed in shock as the water blasts sent them flying into the distance.

"That's... Quite unnecessary, however," said Hood.

"Hehe... Awesome," said Water as he gave a thumbs up.

In the meantime, Fire can be seen having absolute fun chasing and bullying the four Sardegnan destroyers with his Multiple Fireballs.

"Wah! Leave us alone you arsonist!" cried Vincenzo Gioberti, an Alfredo Oriani-class destroyer.

"Whoa, whoa! I'm gonna lose to that handsome but bad boy...!" A Sardegnan destroyer, Attilio Regolo of the Capitani Romani-class large destroyer squealed helplessly as the fireballs rained upon her group.

"Ahh! Dammit, I didn't have time to snap an incriminating pic!" another destroyer, Alfredo Oriani, who happened to be the lead ship of her class exclaimed as she struggled to take his picture.

"Mwahahaha! Where are all of you going to run, huh?" exclaimed Fire as he laughed like a maniac.

That's when he noticed Water and Hood assisting Queen Elizabeth in her fight against Vittorio Veneto after helping.

"Give her everything you've got, my loyal servant!" exclaimed Queen Elizabeth as she concentrated her attack on the Sardegnan battleship.

"Your wish is our command, Your Majesty!" said Water and Hood in unison as the two went into action.

"Glory to the Royal Navy!" Hood declared as her guns thundered once more.

"Twin Water Eels!" Water called out, summoning two serpentine streams of water that shot forward, their sheer force cutting through the waves like torpedoes aimed straight at Vittorio Veneto.

Vittorio Veneto, sensing the danger, quickly repositioned herself, her elegant form gliding through the water as her riggings unleashed a defensive barrage.

"You'll need more than water tricks to stop me!" she declared confidently, her sabre glinting as she directed her cannons towards Water.

"More than water tricks, you say? Why don't you mention it earlier?" said Water before he leapt to the sky and summoned a super-sized Water Ball that quickly formed the shape of a whale.

"Take this! Water Whale Sphere! Hiya!"

As the massive Water Whale Sphere formed in the air, Water grinned confidently before hurling it toward Vittorio Veneto. The colossal sphere of water surged through the air, its enormous size casting a shadow over the sea as it descended toward the Sardegnian battleship.

Vittorio Veneto's eyes narrowed with awe and determination as she braced herself.

"Impressive... but not enough!" she muttered, swinging her sabre in a wide arc. The Cannone da 381/50 Ansaldo M1934s on her rigging roared to life, unleashing a thunderous barrage toward the incoming water whale.

The 50-calibre 15-inch shells fired from her riggings collided with the massive water sphere, causing it to momentarily ripple and distort. But Water's attack wasn't so easily overcome. The whale-shaped water sphere absorbed the energy from the shells, its shape undeterred as it continued its descent.

"Impossible...!" Vittorio Veneto exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief as she struggled to hold her ground. The force of the water whale bore down upon her, threatening to engulf her.

As the colossal whale surged forward, its shimmering body glistened amidst the foggy battlefield. The sheer power of the Water Whale Sphere sent ripples through the air as if the very atmosphere quivered in awe.

Fire watched the thrill of the battle with his eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Fuiyoh! That's awesome! The Water Whale Sphere can even withstand such an attack! I wonder if a combo attack with it would help to do more damage on her?" said Fire before two fireballs ignited from both of his hands.

Merging the two fireballs, he formed an even larger one.

"Maximum Fireball!"

"How about a bit of fire to heat things, huh? Hiya!" Fire shouted with a wild grin, as he released his blazing projectile that rapidly surged forward towards Vittorio Veneto.

However, as the fiery projectile blazed forward, something unexpected happened. Water, Hood, and Queen Elizabeth stood frozen in shock as they realized the trajectory of Fire's Maximum Fireball was set to collide with Water's giant Water Whale Sphere.

"Oh no..." Hood gasped, eyes wide with panic.

"If those two hit each other—"

"They'll evaporate quickly!" Water finished Queen Elizabeth's assertion, quickly calculating the most possible outcome.

The massive Water Whale Sphere and the Maximum Fireball collided in mid-air with a deafening explosion, the clash of elements creating a sudden and violent reaction. Steam erupted from the point of impact, billowing out in thick clouds as the battlefield was momentarily engulfed in a swirling fog of vapour.

For a moment, everyone on both sides paused, staring into the mist of the aftermath of an epicly failed attack, with the Royal ladies watched with a deadpan expression.

"Well... that escalated quickly," Hood remarked dryly, fanning away some of the steam with her gloved hand.

Her expression, though calm, betrayed a hint of relief that the explosive combination hadn't caused more damage than anticipated.

"Fire! What were you thinking?!" Water yelled, glaring at his elemental counterpart with frustration.

"Heh, whoops? I just got a little too excited, you know? It was gonna be epic!" Fire responded sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head with a grin.

"You know what? It's okay, just let me handle this situation from here on,"

Moments after Fire summoned a pair of Fireballs, Water threw a pair of Waterballs at him, which also extinguished them as well.

"Hey!? Why did you put my Fireballs out!?" asked Fire.

"You asked me why? You're the one responsible for evaporating the Water Whale Sphere beforehand!" Water retorted.

It was at that moment that both the Royals and the Sardegnans realized the two elements were about to form their hands into fists.

"Wow... How the turntables..." said Alfredo Oriani as she took the chance to snap a photo as the two went with their heated argument.

"This is going to be... Interesting," said another Sardegnan destroyer named Maestrale.

"How dare you! Next time, don't summon that Water Whale Sphere! Let me perform my attack first!" Fire shouted, his temper flaring.

Water, equally frustrated, shot back, "You ruined my attack, and now you're blaming me?"

As the tension reached its peak, Queen Elizabeth intervened, her voice cutting through the rising chaos.

"Enough of this nonsense! We are in the midst of battle, not a playground! Compose yourselves, both of you!"

Both Water and Fire froze, their fists hovering in the air, as they met Queen Elizabeth's stern gaze.

"Your Majesty, you've seen it just now, right? I already created the Water Whale Sphere to attack Veneto, and then he ruined it with his fireball!" Water explained, his voice laced with frustration.

Fire, not one to back down, retorted, "I was aiming for Veneto too! I just thought a combo attack would do the trick, but it was blocked, and poof, our attack was destroyed!"

Before Queen Elizabeth could respond, a new voice cut through the tension. It was Littorio, who had been observing the unfolding drama with a mix of amusement and irritation.

"Enough with the childish squabbles, you two," she said, her tone commanding yet tinged with exasperation.

"We're here to fight, not bicker like children,"

Vittorio Veneto, regaining her composure, nodded in agreement.

"Mia sorella ha ragione. If we're to decide this battle, we must focus on the real enemy - the Sirens, and not each other,"

This, of course, caught them off-guard.

"EH!?" The three exclaimed.

"Wait for a second... Aren't we supposed to combat against each other? What's the matter with this sudden intervention?" asked Hood.

The two registered their gaze to each other, nodding before Littorio gave a command.

"Tutti quanti, fateli saltare in aria!"

Out of the blue, the Sardegnan shipgirls trained their guns towards the Siren warships and blew them to smithereens with everything they'd got from the massive calibres of the battleships to the torpedoes of the destroyers.

The sudden action from the shipgirls of the Sardegna Empire left the Royals and the two elements speechless.

"Littorio... What does all this mean?" asked Illustrious.

Vittorio Veneto then stepped forward, followed by the three heavy cruisers and the four destroyers.

"Your Majesty... And the esteemed warriors of the Royal Navy, hear ye, hear ye. I, Vittorio Veneto of the Sardegna Empire's Littorio-class battleship and the leader of the Sardegna Empire, hereby would like to declare our nation's defection from the Crimson Axis, and hereby too, announce our sincere wish to fight alongside the Azur Lane against the Sirens and the Crimson Axis,"

There was a moment of stunned silence on the battlefield. The declaration rang out across the water, echoed by the thunderous silence of both the Royal Navy and the Sardegnan shipgirls as the tension of battle evaporated, replaced by the shock of the unexpected alliance.

Queen Elizabeth straightened, her royal sceptre still raised.

"A defection? In the middle of a battle?" Her voice was regal yet laced with scepticism.

"Is this some sort of ruse, Vittorio Veneto?"

Vittorio Veneto held her sabre high, the blade gleaming under the sun.

"This is no ruse, Your Majesty. The Sardegna Empire has grown weary of the senseless conflict between the Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis. We have come to see the Sirens as the true threat, and we are willing to fight alongside you to ensure the survival of all mankind,"

Hood, always poised even in the face of sudden turns, allowed a small smile to grace her lips.

"Well then, this certainly changes things. It's not every day you gain new allies, especially in the heat of battle,"

Illustrious hovered nearby, her Fairey Swordfish returning to her side after their last sortie.

"Perhaps this could be an opportunity for us all. As it seemed, I sensed that the holy light had prepared something unexpected ahead of us all for this rescue mission,"

"Hmph... There she goes with her 'holy light' thing again..." Warspite mumbled as Giulio Cesare helped to recover her sword.

Meanwhile, as the Sardegnan shipgirls reoriented themselves to the new alliance, Fire made his way over to the four destroyers he had been tormenting earlier.

Vincenzo Gioberti, Attilio Regolo, Alfredo Oriani and Maestrale watched his approach warily, their expressions a mix of lingering annoyance and curiosity.

"Hey there!" Fire called out with a sheepish grin, trying to appear non-threatening.

"Sorry about all that chasing and, uh, fireballs. Got a bit carried away, you know?"

Vincenzo Gioberti crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing.

"Carried away? You nearly turned us into roasted Sardegnans!"

Attilio Regolo, still flustered from the earlier chase, glanced at him and huffed.

"Handsome or not, you're still a troublemaker!"

Alfredo Oriani, ever the opportunist, quickly pulled out her camera and snapped a photo of Fire, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Well, at least I got something good out of it. You'll look great on the front page of the Sardegna Empire's newsletter!"

Fire chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

"I guess I deserve that. But hey, we're on the same side now. How about we start over?"

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.

.

Location: Rescue Fleet's Carrier Flotilla

Every 60 seconds (in Africa), a minute passes. (Together we can stop this. Please spread the word. Thank you for your attention)

The Rescue Fleet found themselves in dire straits - the battle had tipped overwhelmingly in favour of the Crimson Axis. Their progress was stalled, locked in a brutal exchange that felt more like survival than a true fight.

The destroyers, light cruisers and even the carriers too were running on morale.

Exhausted and battered, they had been fending off wave after wave of relentless Sakuran dive bombers and torpedo planes, their formations struggling to stay intact.

"Sis! Stay with me! We can survive this mission - together!" Saratoga shouted, cradling her drained sister Lexington in her arms.

Lexington chuckled softly, her voice weak.

"Saratoga... Do you think now's the right time for one of my songs? Maybe I could lift their spirits just like how I did at the Coral Sea,"

Her words made Saratoga's heart tighten. She forced a smile, brushing away the single tear that slipped from her eye.

"You bet, Big Sister. Once this mission is done, we'll head back, repair, and have the best rest of our lives,"

"Ah, Long Island has become... Tired Island..." added Long Island as she shut her eyes.

The skies above were filled with the shrill roar of engines, the piercing whine of bombs, and the thunderous booms of exploding shells. Every attack pushed the Rescue Fleet closer to the edge of collapse. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, they had endured, though not without cost.

Wind had been their saving grace.

His ability to manipulate the elements had deflected some of the most devastating blows, and his swift interventions had created crucial openings for the fleet to regroup, even if only for a few precious moments. Without his intervention, the fleet might have already been sunk beneath the waves.

"/Hold steady!\" Helena's voice rang out over the radio, trying to rally the battered shipgirls.

"/We've made it this far. We're not going down without a fight!\"

As she spoke, Wind, despite being tired and wounded, darted through the air, his form blurring with speed as he intercepted a fresh wave of incoming torpedo bombers.

"Flying Tornado!"

With a sweeping motion of his hand, he summoned a powerful gust, scattering the formation of planes like leaves caught in a storm.

In the distance, the previous four Sakuran carriers - Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Souryuu and Hiryuu alongside the heavy cruiser Kako and the three destroyers Shigure, Yuudachi and Yukikaze watched with a mixture of determination and anticipation as they knew, a bit more push and Boboiboy Wind would collapse for good, thus carving the path for the main prize - the Grey Ghost herself.

"Let them struggle a little longer," Hiryuu said coolly, shuffling her Hanafudas.

"We'll have our victory soon enough,"

She stood nearby with a sharp gaze and observed the battlefield with an air of confidence. In contrast, Souryuu, adjusting her glasses with a cool and calculating demeanour, glanced at Shigure, Yuudachi, and Yukikaze.

"That was a good fight, considering how they suck " said Shigure with a mocking tone.

"I heard there's going to be a ton of meat promised by Kaga-san once we're done! I can't wait any longer!" said Yuudachi enthusiastically.

"As it seems, losers like them, especially Boboiboy, should hurry up and scram! Wa ha ha!" Yukikaze chuckled evilly.

"Hmm... I couldn't help but to agree with you, Yukikaze-chan. Seems like the situation has taken a turn for the better!" Zuikaku exclaimed confidently.

"They've been putting up quite a fight," Shoukaku mused, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them.

However, not all of the defenders were standing down.

"/Justice will prevail! \" Charles Ausburne screamed as she fired straight into the nose of an attacking Zero.

She and the rest of the Little Beavers weren't able to hear the shout and command from Helena as a deluge of Suisei dive bombers poured upon their heads.

The crackle of lightning guns white out when the explosion of a bomb sounded through the area.

A lucky bomb dropped by one of the Suiseis hit its target and erupted with a deafening roar, shattering the tranquillity of the sky.

Its force rippled through the air, a violent burst of energy that sent shockwaves in all directions. In its wake, the once serene skies transformed into a chaotic scene of destruction as it revealed that Wind was struck.

"Boboiboy!" The defenders that noticed this screamed hopelessly as they watched his unconscious body fall into the sea.

Souryuu adjusted her glasses once more, her expression calm but pleased.

"It appears our work is finally done. The boy has been defeated."

Hiryuu, usually stoic, couldn't help but chuckle.

"He fought well, but even he couldn't stand against the might of the Sakura Empire,"

Shigure grinned, leaning back with a satisfied expression.

"I almost feel bad for him... Almost,"

Yuudachi wagged her tail excitedly, eyes gleaming.

"Does this mean we're one step closer to that feast Kaga promised? Meat! Meat!"

Yukikaze puffed out her chest with pride.

"Of course! Yukikaze the Great knew this would happen!"

But Zuikaku and Shoukaku exchanged glances. Their confidence remained, but beneath the surface, they knew that he was defeated but not entirely, and it was either he back down from supporting the girls and giving up, thus giving them room to take down Enterprise...

Or...

He transformed into Leaf, making their mission more difficult...

Or...

He transformed into something that they'd never anticipated just like nature itself...

Something... Like a brewing cyclone...

.

.

.

Location: Azur Lane's Rescue Fleet

On the opposite side of the fleet, the battle unfolded with fierce intensity.

Hakuryuu, towering and formidable, unleashed her prowess with unmatched skill. Her presence was as commanding as her swordsmanship was deadly, as she pressed her relentless assault against Lightning, Prince of Wales, Repulse, Arizona, Northampton, Norfolk, Suffolk and Langley, who willingly broke from her formation to assist him.

Her long grey hair billowed in the wind, each strand catching the light as her calm, grey eyes locked onto her adversaries with unnerving precision.

"Divine retribution befalls all of you!" she exclaimed.

Every swing of her oversized odachi left shimmering arcs of energy trailing behind, slicing through the air with devastating power. Her attacks were swift and calculated, each strike designed to overwhelm her opponents.

High above, her fighters and dive bombers descended from the clouds, their engines roaring as they released a barrage of bombs aimed at the Rescue Fleet.

The explosions lit up the battlefield, sending shockwaves through the sea as the shipgirls fought desperately to hold their ground despite how critically damaged are their riggings.

"Repulse, get up! The fight isn't over yet! Pull yourself together!" said Wales as she pulled the fatigued battlecruiser.

"I... I can't, Your Highness! The enemy was so persistent that I'm starving now... There's no way we could've won like this..." grumbled her.

"I knew we couldn't win that easily... She's too strong... Not even Lightning can defeat her..." Northampton panted as Arizona rested her head on her shoulder.

"Yes... But... We're not even done, yet..." whispered Arizona.

Hakuryuu smiled, sensing their resolve.

"You all cling to hope, but hope is nothing without power!"

Switching to her animalistic-style split flight deck rigging, she unleashed multiple blasts of energy fireballs that blasted the remaining adversary within her vicinity.

Each blast streaks with devastating force as the air crackles and roars with the intensity of her attacks, lighting up the battlefield in a tempest of destruction.

"Ahh!" Norfolk, Suffolk, Langley and Lightning cried out in unison as the devastating attack struck them, their voices blending in a chorus of pain and desperation.

The clash between Hakuryuu and them was a spectacle of raw power and skill. What's more? Her single-handedly battle was even witnessed by Fusou, Yamashiro and Kako from afar.

"Yay! We've won!" Yamashiro cheered, her voice carrying over the din of battle as she stood proudly atop her mast.

"May thy lost souls return home in peace," Fusou offered solemnly, her eyes cast downward in reverence.

"To think that she could do this much... I suppose that we can offer her a word of praise," Kako acknowledged a note of admiration in her voice.

As the smoke began to clear, revealing the battered and weakened shipgirls, one figure stood out amidst the wreckage. Despite his injuries, Lightning knelt, his body trembling with the effort to remain upright.

His eyes, however, remained locked on Hakuryuu, filled with a determination that refused to be extinguished.

Hakuryuu raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his tenacity.

"You still stand, brat? Impressive... but futile,"

Lightning, his voice hoarse yet resolute, responded as he tightly gripped his Lightning dagger, "I won't give up... not while there's still a chance..."

Hakuryuu, sensing his resolve, turned her gaze towards him, her lips curling into a slight, almost mocking smile.

"Your persistence is admirable but futile," she said, her voice carrying over the battlefield like the chilling wind.

"Do you truly believe you can stand against me?"

Lightning's eyes flared with a spark of determination.

"As long as I can still move... I'll fight. For my friends... for everyone...!"

Hakuryuu let out a soft chuckle, her amusement barely masked by the threat in her voice.

"Brave words of yours, brat... But they won't save you now. Prepare yourself!"

With a swift movement, she raised her odachi, its blade gleaming ominously in the dim light.

"It's time for this blade of mine to turn you into fine filets!"

With a swift movement, Hakuryuu brought her odachi down, intending to finish him off once and for all.

"Boboiboy, no!" Langley exclaimed.

But Lightning was already moving.

With a burst of speed, electricity crackled around him as he charged forward, closing the distance between them.

With a roar of defiance, he leapt into the air, his dagger crackling with power as he aimed to intercept Hakuryuu's strike.

The clash of their weapons sent a shockwave rippling through the air, the force of the impact shaking the very sea beneath them. Lightning gritted his teeth as he struggled to hold back Hakuryuu's immense strength, his body pushed to its limits.

Hakuryuu's eyes narrowed as she exerted more force, trying to overpower him.

"You're strong, brat, but not strong enough!"

Lightning's muscles strained as he fought to keep her blade at bay.

"I won't... let you win...!"

Lightning seized the opportunity, summoning every last ounce of his strength. With a fierce cry, he pushed back against Hakuryuu, forcing her to take a step back.

Surprised, Hakuryuu frowned, her gaze snapping back to Lightning.

"You...!"

But before she could react, everyone noticed that something strange was happening to Lightning. Suddenly, red electrical charges started to surround him as he broke the Lightning Dagger in his hand.

More red electrical sparks started to shoot out from Lightning.

Hakuryuu's eyes narrowed as she noticed the transformation.

"What is this...?" she muttered, a hint of unease creeping into her voice.

Prince of Wales, watching in horror, called out to him.

"Boboiboy! What's happening to you?!"

But there was no response.

As Lightning's gaze turned to Norfolk and Suffolk, his eyes now a terrifying shade of scarlet that seemed to pierce through their very souls.

The two heavy cruisers yelped in unison, clutching each other in fear.

"What's happening to him?!" Suffolk cried out, her voice trembling.

On the spur of the moment, the lightning symbol on his power watch transformed from its signature yellow to crimson, which caught the attention of Norfolk.

Northampton, shielding her eyes from the blinding crimson light, could only manage a fearful whisper.

"Something's wrong... I can feel it..."

Then, with a blood-curdling scream, Lightning was enveloped in a blinding red light, the intensity of which lit up the entire battlefield. The light surged outward, causing the very air to crackle with energy as the ground beneath them shook violently.

"What... what is this power?!" Langley gasped, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief.

Prince of Wales tried to approach, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Boboiboy! Stop! You'll destroy yourself!"

But Lightning didn't respond.

Hakuryuu felt a surge of unease.

The boy was no longer the same. This new energy - wild, untamed, and monstrous - was something she hadn't anticipated. But she wasn't one to back down.

"You think you can intimidate me with this spectacle, brat?" she sneered, tightening her grip on her odachi.

"I've faced countless Sirens in my battles under the banner of the Sakura Empire. If this is your final act, then allow me to finish it!"

With a fierce cry, Hakuryuu charged forward, her odachi gleaming as she aimed for Lightning's heart. She swung with all her might, the air humming with the force of her attack. The blade cut through the red light, intending to slice through him.

But in a flash of red lightning...

"Thunder Blade!"

Boboiboy summoned a double-bladed crimson sword with a grip in the middle that blocked Hakuryuu's blow with one of the blades.

Hakuryuu's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible!" she gasped, her voice faltering. She pushed harder, but Lightning's grip held firm, the crimson electricity dancing along the blade's edge.

"You've underestimated me more than you anticipated," Boboiboy growled, his voice low and dangerous.

As the red subsided, everyone was shocked to see that Lightning's appearance had transformed.

He now possesses scarlet eyes and is clad in mostly red and black. He wears his signature cap in a common style where the bill is at the front. The cap is fully black minus the three white 'horns' decorating the top, neon red lining adorning the rims of the bill, and his signature red lightning bolt insignia rests on the centre of the cap.

His vest which he zips halfway up is black as well, with dark red linings on the hoodie, and neon red jagged lightning-like patterns on either side on the front. He wears a red shirt underneath the vest and its sleeves are 3/4 long with black cuffs. Fully black pants and shoes that are a mix of red and black to complete his attire.

"And you have gone too far, Hakuryuu!"

With a surge of strength, he pushed back against Hakuryuu's blade, forcing her to retreat. She stumbled back, her composure shaken for the first time.

Hakuryuu barely dodged, the red lightning singing the air where she had stood. She regained her footing quickly, but there was no denying it - this Boboiboy was far stronger now than before.

From the sidelines, the other shipgirls watched in awe.

"What... what is happening to him?" Arizona whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"I don't know, but that power... it's terrifying," Northampton replied, her eyes wide with concern.

Suffolk and Norfolk were still clutching each other in fear.

"We need to do something, Norfolk!"

"I know, but... how do we stop him? How do we stop this?"

Boboiboy noticed the two's conversation as he walked towards Hakuryuu.

"There's no stopping to this, however, you two and everyone..."

"EH!?"

"I will make sure my friends who were injured due to your actions get the justice they deserve. For I am..."

He raised the double-bladed crimson sword to the sky, and with a fierce shout, unleashed a surge of red lightning that tore through the heavens. The energy crackled ominously, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

"Boboiboy Thunderstorm!"

The sky darkened as crimson lightning continuously flashed, which caused Kako and Yamashiro to cower in fear as they hid behind Fusou.

Meanwhile, the other shipgirls watched in stunned silence. Arizona, Northampton, Wales and Repulse exchanged worried glances, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"What in the world!?" Oklahoma, who was on board her vessel, watched the unfurling and terrifying event.

Norfolk and Suffolk were paralyzed with fear, unable to comprehend the power they were witnessing.

.

.

.

Location: Kaga's Bridge

"Such a powerful burst of energy!" exclaimed Musashi, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and concern.

She gripped the railing of the bridge tightly, her gaze locked on the source of the blinding light. The radiant glow was unlike anything she had ever witnessed.

Kaga, at first shared the same expression with Musashi, instantly narrowed her eyes as an instant realization hit her like a brick.

"That brat..."

.

.

.

The other shipgirls around the island shared similar reactions, their expressions ranging from shock to fear and awe.

"What could cause such phenomena?" asked a worried-looking Atago, adjusting her binoculars to get a clearer view through the haze.

"Whatever it is, it's not good news for us," added Takao, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

"We need to be ready for anything. That 'Boy Boy Boy' and the other shipgirls of the Azur Lane remained at large,"

.

.

.

Location: Rescue Fleet's Carrier Flotilla

Shigure's breath hitched as she stumbled back.

"S-such power!" she gasped, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.

"Woof! Please, not him again!" Yuudachi groaned, her tail wagging anxiously as she shifted from foot to foot, her dog-like ears twitching at every crackle of energy in the air.

Souryuu, typically calm and collected, was visibly flustered.

"All planes, prepare for takeoff! No... wait!" She fumbled with her Hanafudas, her composure slipping as the shockwave from the rising cyclone rattled her.

"Prepare to strike!" she commanded as her instincts as a carrier sharpened by the growing threat.

Zuikaku, her grip tight around the hilt of her katana, took a steadying breath.

"Let's hope this doesn't compare to Mikasa's hellish training," she muttered under her breath, though the nervous tension in her voice belied her confident stance.

The Sakuran shipgirls braced themselves as a massive cyclone erupted before them, spinning ferociously between them and the Rescue Fleet's carrier formation. The winds howled, and the very air buzzed with raw energy, electricity snapping in the atmosphere from where Wind had once stood. The sheer force of the storm was overwhelming, threatening to tear apart everything in its path.

Hiryuu's sharp eyes narrowed, her mind calculating.

"This is no ordinary storm..." she murmured, her voice low and deadly serious.

"Someone's controlling it,"

Shoukaku, standing nearby, clenched her fists as she peered into the whirlwind.

"Could it be... Boboiboy?"

Suddenly, manic laughter echoed from deep within the cyclone.

There was no mistaking it. The air itself seemed to pulse with the sound, and a shiver ran through the ranks of the shipgirls. Even before they saw him, they knew.

"It's him," Shoukaku whispered, dread creeping into her voice.

"B-Boboiboy!?" San Diego, Lexington, Saratoga, and Long Island all exclaimed in unison, their disbelief evident.

They stared at the swirling vortex in shock, unsure of what they were witnessing.

Helena, standing nearby, cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted over the roaring winds.

"Boboiboy! Can you hear me!? Are you alright!?" But her voice was swallowed by the storm, drowned out by the growing, twisted laughter.

And then, out of nowhere, something shot forth from the eye of the storm. A sleek blue hoverboard zoomed out of the cyclone, followed by a figure in dark blue, riding it with effortless control. The figure looked almost like Boboiboy Wind, but the differences were unmistakable—the figure's attire was darker, with storm-like patterns decorating the white sleeves. His eyes glowed an eerie blue, and his jacket had transformed into something more imposing—a Stormbreaker jacket.

The figure launched himself from the hoverboard, landing gracefully in front of the stunned shipgirls, the wind still swirling around him. He raised his head, a confident smirk spreading across his face.

"I am... Boboiboy Cyclone!" he declared, his voice carrying over the storm.

A moment of stunned silence followed as the shipgirls processed the sudden transformation.

Hiryuu was the first to break the silence, her mouth twitching as she tried to hide her amazement.

"This... just keeps getting better," she muttered dryly, her eyes locked on Cyclone.

Souryuu, still struggling to regain her composure, adjusted her glasses with a shaky hand.

"Well, this certainly something that I didn't expect..."

Zuikaku's grip on her katana tightened as she stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at the new form of Boboiboy.

"Whatever form you take, it doesn't change the fact that you're in our way, Boboiboy!"

Cyclone's smirk only widened.

"Oh, I'm more than just in your way," he said, his voice brimming with confidence.

"I'm the cyclone that's going to sweep you all away!"

To Be Continued