Crossing the azure as a black dragon

"What kind of exercise is this?"

Black Dragon looked down at Yuudachi, who was leaning against her, and then at Eugen.

"The commander this time is quite troublesome. He requires a joint exercise with the same type of ship to be conducted first, and then the joint exercise can proceed."

Eugen paused for a moment before speaking.

They received a notification last night explaining the format of today's exercise, and the selection of participants for each faction was finalized. The docks are now selecting individual players like Black Dragon who haven't joined any groups.

"Both sides of the same ship type can compete against each other and learn from each other. Isn't that a good thing?"

Black Dragon thought it was good.

"That's fine too... You'll see when you watch the game."

Eugen shook his head slightly.

The exchange ended there, about half an hour later, when the warships at the dock started up and headed out to sea.

"Let's go, I'll take you to watch the game."

Eugen opened his eyes and looked at the black dragon.

"Okay, wake up, Yuudachi."

Black Flying Dragon looked at Yuudachi, who was sleeping with her head on her lap, and gently shook her.

"Its daybreak?"

Yuudachi struggled to open her eyes and sit up.

"Its daybreak."

Black Dragon answered.

"Ah! Is the exercise over?"

After a moment of confusion, Yuudachi suddenly came to her senses, blinked, and looked at the black dragon.

"It hasn't started yet, let's go."

Black Dragon smiled, took Yuudachi's hand, and followed Prinz Eugen, who had already left.

"Sister Long is so warm, I fell asleep without even realizing it."

Yuudachi stuck out her tongue beside him.

"fine."

Black Dragon didn't pay any attention.

The three arrived at the dock. Most of the ship girls who had been gathered there had left with the warship; only a few remained.

.

"This way."

Eugen waved and led the two into a warehouse-like building built on the dock.

"Eugen, why are you only arriving now?"

As soon as Black Dragon stepped through the gate, he heard Bismarck's voice. It wasn't a question, but a normal conversation.

"We encountered two lost little cuties, which delayed us a bit."

Eugen answered flippantly.

"Come on, the destroyer duel is about to begin."

Tirpitz's voice also came over.

"kindness."

Eugen responded and led the Black Dragon and the other man into the building.

The outside looks like a warehouse, with a lot of things piled up at the entrance. But from the middle onwards, it transforms into a place resembling a war room. Two large screens are mounted on the innermost wall, and directly opposite the screens is a conference table, where Bismarck and Tirpitz are currently sitting.

Tirpitz was sitting in a chair with a steaming cup of tea beside him and a book in his hand.

Bismarck was standing under the screen watching the scene on it—destroyer squadrons standing on both sides, each squadron consisting of fifteen ship girls. At a glance, Black Dragon could see three ships with the same name.

"sit."

Noticing the three of them enter, Tirpitz put down his book and spoke to the black dragon.

"Sorry to bother you."

Black Flying Dragon lowered his voice and pulled Yuudachi to a chair to sit down.

"You don't need to be so formal."

Bismarck did not turn around, his tone indifferent.

"Tea."

After the two were seated, Tirpitz went to the tea cabinet on the side, took out two cups, and poured two cups of tea for Yuudachi and Black Dragon.

"Thank you."

Black Flying Dragon accepted the tea and expressed his gratitude.

"What about mine?"

Eugen tapped the table beside him, sounding somewhat annoyed.

Tirpitz glanced at Eugen, then turned around and poured himself another cup of tea.

"Thank you for your help~"

Eugen accepted the tea with a smile.

Just then, the two teams on the screen started to move. Neither side rushed to fire, but instead moved in a certain direction. In front of each of those directions, there was a buoy with a small red flag.

"Is this a speed contest?"

Black Flying Dragon frowned.

"Yes, this exercise was very detailed. It not only covered combat capabilities, but also included competitions in many aspects such as speed, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, reconnaissance, containment, and escort."

Prince Eugen took a sip of tea and said.

"So troublesome?"

Black Flying Dragon frowned.

This method of competition has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it can intuitively distinguish the strengths and weaknesses of the participating ship girls' various data. The disadvantage is that it is too detailed, and it would be troublesome if it were leaked.

"Was this rule personally set by that commander?"

"Black Flying Dragon asked."

"It was an instruction from a senior military officer who said that we needed to collect as much data as possible, analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and then proceed with the development of shipboard equipment."

Tirpitz explained.

"I see."

Black Flying Dragon was relieved. Since it was his old superior, there was definitely no problem with information leakage.

While they were chatting, the destroyer in the port area on the screen had already obtained the small red flag and started attacking the opposing destroyer. However, the other side was not too weak either, and soon obtained the flag as well. The two sides then distanced themselves again and stopped attacking, heading towards another area.

A second competition awaits them there.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Terrible Sirens

Soon, the destroyer fleet entered a sea area consisting of several islands.

"This is where?"

The black dragon in front of the screen looked a little strange. She had run around this area before and had never seen this kind of terrain.

"Temporarily constructed terrain, a kind of application of Rubik's Cube."

Tirpitz answered in a low voice.

"I see."

Black Dragon responded, "The use of Rubik's Cube in this world is truly diverse."

"Next, we will simulate heavy rain. The destroyers will need to clear mines in this area and hide themselves before the normal battle begins."

Prince Eugen then recounted the rest of the story.

"Why not use these resources for training? They would be of great help to us too."

Black Flying Dragon was somewhat surprised. It was just an exercise, why such extravagance?

"These are all rare items brought by that commander; we wouldn't dare spend so much."

Prince Eugen pursed his lips.

Black Dragon was somewhat disappointed.

The subsequent events unfolded much as Eugen had predicted. After the torrential rain, both sides' ship girls' ability to locate targets was significantly impaired. Several skirmishes ensued, but ultimately the ship girls from the Free Port area prevailed, winning the exercise.

Is it true that expedition members will be selected from this exercise?

After both sides left the scene, the atmosphere eased somewhat, and Black Flying Dragon inquired.

"How could that be? It's just a gimmick."

Eugen took a sip of tea and said casually.

The candidate has been chosen.

alright."

"Tirpitz said."

"Are you going to participate in the expedition?"

Black Flying Dragon asked.