Azur Lane Mobile Front

Faced with the dual pressure from her commander and her older sister, Fushun tried her best to shrink herself into a ball to minimize her presence.

Luo Bo tapped on the table, and Fu Shun, startled by the sound, looked in the direction of the sound and met Luo Bo's gaze.

"I told you yesterday not to go near that area of ​​water. What, you want to go take a look today?"

"Huh? No, no, I just wanted to... go out and find something, definitely not to that area of ​​the sea."

"Fushun, you can't lie to the commander."

As the eldest sister, Anshan saw through Fushun's thoughts at a glance, "Commander, I will keep an eye on her."

Seeing that his lie had been exposed, Fushun lowered his head even further.

After teaching Fushun a lesson, Luo Bo had Anshan take Fushun away.

"We can't just leave this thing that Sakura Empire made unattended, but what are we going to do about that storm?"

Although he didn't know what the Sakura Empire was planning, as an opposing force, Robo was certain that he would be right if he prevented them from succeeding!

After thinking for a long time, I still couldn't come up with a solution. This isn't some place for cultivating immortality, so I could at least find a key point in the formation.

"Is the only option really to charge straight in?"

Rob said he had no other choice but to just go for it.

Suddenly, following his train of thought, Rob imagined a confident yet simple-minded face.

"How about we try something more mystical? I remember that guy seems to have a built-in storm attack?"

Since he couldn't think of any other solution for the time being, Rob simply sent a telegram to New Jersey, who was still in AF.

"Huh? Rob's telegram?" New Jersey looked puzzled as he took the document from Ticonderoga, but after glancing at the telegram a few times, he became smug, his nose almost puffing up.

"Hmph! It seems Rob is in trouble and has asked me to personally help him this time."

Ticonderoga, standing beside her, took the telegram with a puzzled expression, and became even more confused after reading it. After all, she really didn't know how this battleship could be of any help.

Chapter 3: Crimson Visitor

Within the Holy Land, Zuikaku is currently facing considerable trouble.

With a single strike, Zuikaku finished off the mass-produced chess piece before her, panting heavily. Countless chess piece wreckage floated on the sea nearby. She herself had lost count of how many of these mass-produced imposters she had destroyed since entering the Sanctuary.

From the initial shock of encountering the pieces, because they all resembled her companions and she hesitated to attack, to now being able to eliminate any pieces she sees without any pressure, she feels as if she has become numb.

"Damn it, how many of these mass-produced counterfeit aircraft are left?" Zuikaku checked its own condition. Most of its carrier-based aircraft had been lost in the storm, and it could still barely maintain combat capability.

Fortunately, the saber is part of the ship's equipment, so it's not so easy for it to wear out and become dull. Otherwise, given the number of enemies I've eliminated so far, it would probably be unusable by now.

"Fortunately, these imposters are weak in combat; they can be easily defeated even without carrier-based aircraft. Otherwise, the situation would be far from optimistic." Zuikaku twirled her sword, sheathed it again, and tried to send a communication to Shoukaku once more. Unfortunately, the message remained unanswered.

"Shokaku-nee, where are you?" Even though she didn't have much hope before sending the message, the lack of a reply from her communication device still made Zuikaku feel disappointed. If she hadn't acted rashly, Shoukaku wouldn't be missing now.

Before long, Zuikaku spotted a familiar figure on the sea and was overjoyed to have finally found his lost companion.

"Isn't this Xiao? I've finally found you. I've been worried about you ever since you got lost in the storm. I'm so glad you're all safe and sound."

Xiao turned around upon hearing the sound, but her face was blank. Her one eye, hidden by a mask, showed no light.

"Target: Annihilate."

A salvo of main guns fired directly at Zuikaku, who was still smiling and greeting them.

Zuikaku's pupils contracted, and the smile on her face vanished instantly. She dodged Akatsuki's sudden attack, drew her katana, and sliced ​​down the cannonballs still in mid-air, casually twirling her sword.

"I see. So you're an imposter too. Then there's nothing more to say."

After several maneuvers and close-range maneuvers, "Xiao" was defeated in a single move and began to slowly sink into the sea.

Before Zuikaku could think any further, a large group of "Akatsuki" suddenly appeared from all directions and gradually surrounded Zuikaku.

"Chess pieces? They've only been in the 'Sanctuary' for a short time, so why does Akatsuki already have so many? That's fast." While calmly dealing with the surrounding pieces, Zuikaku began to realize that something was amiss. Akatsuki, who should have just broken through the storm and entered the 'Sanctuary' with him, already had a large number of pieces.

"Could it be that he was caught as soon as he came in?" Unable to think of any other reason, Zuikaku could only use this explanation to convince himself for the time being.

"As expected of a warship worthy of its name? Ordinary pawns pose no threat to her whatsoever. Hehehe, what an adorable junior. Show more of your power; only then will you be worth testing." In the core control room, Akagi had been observing Zuikaku for quite some time. In fact, from the moment Zuikaku stepped into the "Sanctuary," her gaze had never left her.

"Then, it's time to release the next batch of pieces." After making a few movements on the controller, it seemed to be issuing some new command.

"Even the predecessors of the Second Carrier Division were..." Faced with the newly appeared pieces, Zuikaku was no longer as composed as before. A large number of mass-produced Soryu and Hiryu surrounded her, and the sky was filled with a dark mass of carrier-based aircraft. Zuikaku, with its limited hangar, found it difficult to launch an effective counterattack.

"Damn it, there are too many of them. If we hadn't lost so many carrier-based aircraft in the storm, we wouldn't be in such a mess."

Having narrowly avoided the attacks of the chess pieces, Zuikaku, who now had several inconspicuous wounds on her body, wielded a sword as swift as a dragon, its silver light dancing. Even the mass-produced chess pieces of the Second Carrier Division rarely survived more than three moves against her.

However, even ants can kill an elephant, and besides, Zuikaku has been fighting non-stop since entering the Holy Land. Even without counting the arduous journey in the storm, his physical strength has been mostly exhausted.

With a swing of his sword, he sank the last chess piece. Zuikaku gasped for breath, his hands on his knees, his long hair soaked with sweat and clinging to his body.

"Ugh, this is never going to end. If this keeps up, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on any longer."

After taking a breath, and since the navigation was useless anyway, Zuikaku simply followed her intuition, randomly chose a direction, and continued onward.

"Oh dear, it seems our lovely junior is about to give up. Hehehe, Kaga, is the latest piece finished yet?"

Akagi witnessed Zuikaku's entire battle, and she found her junior through the window increasingly endearing. If this power could be further developed, perhaps it could even rival that gray ghost.

However, first and foremost, we need to hold this power in our own hands.

"Kaga, let's release the newly carved chess pieces. Perfect, let's test how much combat power a chess piece carved by a junior from the Fifth Carrier Division can have. However, we should also go out and meet our junior; considering how hard she's worked, let's give her a little 'reward.' Hehehe~"

Seeing the newly appeared enemy before her, Zuikaku's anger surged uncontrollably. Her hand gripping the katana trembled involuntarily, and a ferocious look appeared on her beautiful face.

"How could... how could even Shoukaku-nee..." Seeing the two people appear behind "Shoukaku-nee," Zuikaku's anger reached its peak. The sword in her hand was pointed directly at Akagi Kaga.

"Why?!"

“If you want the gods to bestow more blessings, it is only right to offer high-quality sacrifices, right?” Unlike Zuikaku’s burning anger, Akagi was calm and smiling.

"All of this is for the future of Sakura Empire." Kaga, standing to the side, remained as cold and aloof as ever.

"The future of Sakura Empire? Ha, how many more times will you tell this lie? Using your own comrades as test subjects, is this how you bring a future to Sakura Empire?" Zuikaku gripped his sword with both hands, assuming a fighting stance, ready to strike. "This time, I'm very angry because you've chosen the wrong target."

Having said that, Zuikaku shot towards Akagi Kaga like an arrow released from a bow.

Akagi and Kaga weren't in a hurry. They took two steps back, and the Shokaku on either side stepped forward to protect them from behind.

"Hehehe, before that, you'd better think about how to deal with the opponent in front of you~ Don't die here, my lovely junior~ Hehehe~"

Chapter 4: Mikasa's Great Senbei

Although he desperately wanted to defeat the two malicious seniors, the several "Shokaku" in front of him became an insurmountable barrier for Zuikaku.

Having fought several battles, Zuikaku was exhausted and covered in wounds. Its carrier-based aircraft were almost entirely depleted, and it was clear that the ship's own production of new carrier-based aircraft was unreliable.

"So this is where I'm headed?" Zuikaku, her face full of resentment, felt she could no longer hold her sword. Meanwhile, several members of the Shokaku remained standing on the sea. "Seriously, have the seniors turned this place into an arms factory? It just never ends."

"We will accept your soul."

As Zuikaku watched Kaga slowly approach, preparing to deliver the final blow, a smile of resignation appeared on his face. He awaited his end.

However, a sudden change occurred. A Shoukaku chess piece suddenly rushed out, blocking Zuikaku's path, uttering intermittent, almost inaudible sounds.

"Go...go."

Then the piece rushed forward and crashed into Kaga. A blinding flash of light appeared, and the piece chose to self-destruct in order to buy Zuikaku a chance to survive.

"This is!" The three people present were speechless with shock at what they saw. A pawn that should have had no self-awareness actually used this method to protect Zuikaku at the last moment.

Although the scene before her eyes shocked Zuikaku, she gritted her teeth, mustered the last of her strength, and, under the cover of Shoukaku's self-destruction, broke away from the battle and fled into the distance.

"This... is this what they call an awakening reaction...?" After the flames from the explosion subsided, Kaga was not seriously injured, except for a few charred patches on his clothes.

She wasn't too concerned about her self-destruction; on the contrary, she was very concerned about the self-awareness suddenly displayed by the pawn she had created.

"Sister, should we chase after her?" Looking up into the distance, Zuikaku's figure was already just a small black dot. She thought to herself, this junior's running skills are no less impressive than her own.

"Hehehe, no need, she'll be back. Maybe she'll bring us even more surprises." Akagi, watching Zuikaku depart, wore a pleased expression, her words seemingly carrying a hidden meaning. However, Kaga didn't think much of it.

"Sister, was that what the 'gods' were talking about—the awakening reaction?"

“That’s right. As long as we hand this data over to the gods, we can gain more power. But, Kaga, the experiment is far from over.”

Akagi stretched out his hand. Kaga, for some unknown reason, looked utterly bewildered.

No one knows how much time has passed, or how she miraculously escaped the "Sanctuary." However, all the strength left in her body has been drained, and she is now lying on the beach, the seawater washing over her body. She appears to have already lost consciousness.

Mikasa was preparing to go out to see some old friends today. As a senior who had already "retired," chatting with her old friends and making ship models were some of her few pastimes.

However, she hadn't walked more than a few steps when a figure on the beach caught her attention.

"Is it someone who fell into the water?" Now that she saw it, Mikasa naturally wouldn't leave them to die. She quickened her pace and picked up Zuikaku, who was lying on the beach.

"Hmm? Isn't this someone's house...? Who was it again?" The person in front of her looked familiar, but Mikasa thought for a long time and still couldn't remember the name. After all, she was getting old, so it was normal not to remember right away.

Since I can't remember, I'll stop thinking about it for now. Anyway, it seems to be one of my juniors. I'll just drag it out and deal with it later.

"Shokaku-nee...Shokaku-nee!" Suddenly, Zuikaku awoke from her unconsciousness with a start. She seemed to have had a nightmare while unconscious, her face filled with terror. Realizing the dream wasn't reality, she gasped for breath, assessing her current predicament.

A completely unfamiliar room, the furnishings seem to be in a classic cherry blossom style.

"Could it be some old lady's room?" Zuikaku muttered to himself, then began to check his surroundings. Seeing his precious katana lying safely nearby, Zuikaku breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh? Looks like you're awake!" Mikasa pushed open the door and came in, seeing that Zuikaku had already sat up. A smile appeared on her face.

"I can never repay your life-saving grace!" Seeing someone push the door open and enter, Ruihe knew it was most likely the person who had saved her. She quickly got up, assumed a standard kneeling posture, and bowed deeply.

"Oh my, it's rare to find such a polite junior these days!"

Upon hearing the voice, Zuikaku abruptly looked up, scrutinizing the person before him. He wore a naval admiral's uniform and sported two bull horns on his head. His amber eyes were filled with unwavering resolve.

"Eh?! This outfit, could it be... Mikasa-senpai!"

Zuikaku was shocked to find that the person who had saved her was none other than Mikasa, the former flagship of Sakura Empire, who held a transcendent position within the entire Sakura Empire.

"Oh, you sound quite energetic?" Mikasa smiled and handed the food to Zuikaku. "However, your stomach doesn't seem as energetic as you."

Just then, Zuikaku's stomach let out a protest sound, indicating that the senior was right.

Sitting upright at the table, Mikasa watched Zuikaku wolf down her food, and for some reason, a kind and gentle glow, typical of an elder, emanated from her. It was as if she were watching her adorable granddaughter devour the meal she had prepared.

"Zuikaku, right? Can you tell me what happened? When I pulled you out of the sea, you were covered in injuries." Seeing Zuikaku devour the food in front of her at an astonishing speed, Mikasa decided to ask her junior what had happened to get her in this state.

Upon hearing Mikasa's question, Zuikaku put down her chopsticks. After a moment's thought, she recounted in detail her journey to the Sanctuary with Shoukaku and the others. By the end, tears were streaming down Zuikaku's face.

After listening to Zuikaku's account, Mikasa also fell into deep thought; the situation was more serious than she had imagined.

"They actually used their own comrades as test subjects and even cooperated with the Sirens? The younger generation is heading down the wrong path!"

"Senior, please help me! I must rescue Shoukaku-nee!" Zuikaku suddenly raised her head, hoping that her senior would help her. As long as Mikasa, as the senior, spoke up, even Akagi had to give in.

“The younger generation has gone astray, and as a senior, it is my duty to correct them. However, the sacred realm you mentioned is not an easy place to enter. This matter requires careful consideration.” Mikasa held her teacup, looking at Zuikaku, but her thoughts seemed to be wandering elsewhere.

Chapter Five: Discussion

After cleaning up the dishes, Mikasa made Zuikaku a cup of tea.

The two were holding teacups, and Mikasa was lost in thought, her eyes fixed on the tea in her cup, remaining silent for a long time.

Zuikaku kept her eyes fixed on her senior, Mikasa. If anyone could help her now, it would be Mikasa. But Mikasa's long silence left Zuikaku unsure of her attitude, and her hand gripping the teacup tightened unconsciously, her fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure.

"Zuikaku, that cup is my old friend that I've used for many years. Don't break it." Mikasa took a sip of tea with a slurp, glanced at Zuikaku briefly, and then continued to daydream.

"Eh? I...I'm sorry." Realizing her predicament, Zuikaku quickly put down the cup in her hand and bowed her head to apologize to Mikasa.

Seeing that Mikasa didn't seem to care about her actions, Zuikaku secretly glanced at her again. Mikasa remained silent, making Zuikaku feel extremely uneasy.

It seemed that the tea in the cup had been finished. Mikasa placed the cup on the table, and the ceramic cup made a crisp sound as it touched the table. Zuikaku's heart skipped a beat.

"Your heart is still not at peace, junior."

If it weren't for Mikasa's significantly higher seniority, Zuikaku would definitely be furious with her. Now, Shoukaku's fate is uncertain, and she's in the hands of the First Carrier Division; who knows what she'll face? To expect her to calm down? What a joke!

"I'm sorry, I'm not mature enough, I can't do it." Despite feeling resentful, Zuikaku still chose to bow her head and admit her mistake.

“I know you don’t really think that way right now.” Mikasa poured herself a cup of tea and gently blew away the steam from the rim. “But it’s precisely in situations like these that we need to stay calm. If your mind isn’t calm, the moves you come up with will be foolish.”

“...I understand!” Hearing Mikasa’s words, Zuikaku began to try to calm down. She carefully thought about everything that had happened, from accidentally obtaining the key to the “Sanctuary” to entering the storm, to getting separated from everyone, and finally, her unexpected escape.

The more Ruihe thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.

The key was found using information provided by Akatsuki, the location of the "Sanctuary" was also found by Akatsuki, and after being separated from the others, Akatsuki's pieces were the first to appear, and there were many of them.

Judging from the limited number of pieces that appeared last, it's clear that creating the pieces takes time.

Moreover, within the "Sanctuary," there are not only pawns, but also former comrades who, for reasons unknown, obey Akagi and are even willing to turn their swords against their own comrades.

Thinking of this, Ruihe felt a chill run down his spine, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.