Yuuki slowly opened his eyes.
For several seconds he simply stared at the ceiling.
The Dream Palace.
Shinano.
Musashi.
Nagato.
Mutsu.
The Twelve Pillars.
The memories remained vivid.
Far too vivid to be a dream.
Then he felt something.
Actually—
Several somethings.
The commander slowly looked left.
Yuu was hugging his arm.
Tightly.
Very tightly.
As if he might disappear.
Then he looked right.
Nayuta was hugging the other arm.
Equally determined.
Possibly more determined.
The clone's grip immediately tightened the moment she noticed he was awake.
Which meant she had been awake already.
Then Yuuki noticed the third problem.
Or perhaps the largest problem.
Literally.
Kaguya.
The ten-tailed fox was sprawled across his chest.
Sound asleep.
Completely comfortable.
And worst of all—
Her tails.
All ten of them.
The fluffy fox had somehow wrapped herself, Yuuki, Yuu and Nayuta inside a massive cocoon of natural fluff.
The result resembled less a sleeping arrangement and more a fox nest.
The commander stared upward.
Then sighed.
"I knew it..."
One fox.
He could understand.
Maybe.
Two foxes.
Manageable.
Three?
Concerning.
The number continued increasing.
A sleepy voice immediately answered him.
"Ah..."
Kaguya's ears twitched.
The fox cracked one eye open.
"Good morning, dearest."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"You snuck in here."
"Aye."
The fox smiled shamelessly.
"I did."
No remorse whatsoever.
"You're up early."
The commander glanced toward the clock.
"An hour before six."
Kaguya blinked.
"Oh..."
The fox considered that information.
Then promptly ignored it.
"Hmm..."
Yuu suddenly tightened her hold around his arm.
The sleepy girl buried her face deeper into his shoulder.
"Can't we have another five minutes...?"
Her voice was barely coherent.
The grip around his left arm increased significantly.
On the opposite side—
Nayuta immediately hugged tighter as well.
The clone hadn't even bothered pretending anymore.
She was awake.
Entirely awake.
And refusing to surrender territory.
"Five minutes."
Nayuta muttered.
"Agreed."
Yuuki looked between them.
Then at Kaguya.
The fox nodded immediately.
"Five minutes."
Traitor.
All of them.
A soft chuckle interrupted the moment.
"Ah, it appears you awoke on time, Master."
Yuuki turned.
Belfast stood nearby.
Already dressed in her Yukata.
Already prepared.
Already functioning like a normal human being.
Unlike everyone else.
"Hey, Bel."
The commander sighed.
"Yeah."
He pointed toward the mountain of tails currently covering half the bed.
"I probably wouldn't have if I didn't have extra fluff on me."
Belfast looked at Kaguya.
Then the tails.
Then the three individuals occupying the commander's available space.
The maid smiled politely.
"A familiar situation."
"Too familiar."
Another voice joined in.
"Another morning of chaos."
Yorktown had apparently woken up as well.
The carrier sat nearby rubbing one eye.
Looking considerably less dignified than usual.
Enterprise nodded from the neighboring futon.
"Agreed."
The Grey Ghost looked toward the fox cocoon.
Then toward Yuuki.
Then back toward the fox cocoon.
"No tactical solution?"
Yuuki immediately answered.
"Not one that doesn't start a diplomatic incident."
Enterprise accepted that answer.
Meanwhile Kaguya looked pleased.
Very pleased.
The fox snuggled deeper into her position.
Clearly considering this a victory.
"Morning, Hana."
Yuuki greeted Yorktown.
Then glanced toward Enterprise.
"Enty."
The two carriers nodded.
Nearby—
Another sleepy voice emerged.
"My... my..."
Illustrious had finally awakened.
The Royal carrier sat upright.
Looking elegant despite having just woken up.
Which was honestly unfair.
Beside her—
Unicorn remained attached.
The carrier had apparently spent the night using Illustrious as a pillow.
And showed no intention of changing that arrangement.
Illustrious covered her mouth politely.
"My Lord Commander seems particularly lively this morning."
Yuuki stared at the tails.
Then at Kaguya.
Then at Yuu.
Then at Nayuta.
The commander sighed.
"Yes, Illy."
A tail immediately wrapped around his shoulder.
As if proving the point.
"With extra fluff."
The room erupted into quiet laughter.
The noise gradually spread through the room.
One by one, the others began waking up.
Some stretched.
Some yawned.
Some simply stared at the increasingly ridiculous sight of their commander trapped beneath a mountain of fox tails.
Sandy blinked sleepily from her futon, surrounded by a pile of sleeping Bulins sprawled around her like a protective nest.
Laffey rolled over.
Then immediately went back to sleep.
Only to be dragged back into reality by Javelin.
Z23 sighed.
"Another normal morning."
"Nothing about this is normal."
Javelin pointed toward Yuuki.
The commander raised a hand.
"I agree."
Nearby, Arisa had already climbed out of her futon.
Unlike most of the room, she appeared fully awake.
The girl stretched once.
Then headed toward the inn's kitchen.
"Since everyone is awake..."
She glanced back.
"I'll start breakfast."
Several heads immediately turned toward her.
Including Kaguya's.
Food was a powerful motivator.
Belfast smiled.
"Allow me to assist."
The head maid stood gracefully.
Already prepared for the day.
Ade nodded as well.
"I shall help."
Not far away, Soda practically bounced to her feet.
"Me too!"
The energetic maid looked excited.
"Breakfast duty!"
Cocoa followed shortly afterward.
The maid smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I suppose someone needs to make sure Soda doesn't accidentally create a disaster."
"Hey!"
Soda pouted.
"I only did that twice."
"Five times."
"Three."
"Five."
The argument continued as the group headed toward the kitchen.
Arisa simply laughed.
"Come on."
"We'll need enough food for everyone."
Considering the number of shipgirls, Nikkes, foxes, clones, and assorted companions currently occupying the inn—
That was a considerable amount of food, especially since Arisa had also stored a large quantity of supplies in her inventory.
Yuuki watched them leave.
Then glanced around the room.
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Comfortable.
Warm.
And despite the chaos—
He found himself smiling.
Today would be busy.
Very busy.
But for now—
Breakfast awaited.
Even Yuu giggled despite refusing to open her eyes.
And for the first time since waking—
The worries of today seemed a little further away.
The Mother Whale.
The rescue mission.
The trapped shipgirls.
The trapped Nikkes.
All of it could wait another few minutes.
For now—
The commander found himself trapped inside a fortress of fox tails.
And strangely enough—
After meeting Shinano and Musashi—
The situation suddenly felt like a warning of future events.
Which was a terrifying realization.
Especially considering there were apparently even more foxes waiting to meet him.
But it wasn't long before Akagi woke up and realized Kaguya was missing.
The fox carrier glanced around the room.
Then she spotted her.
Curled up on top of Yuuki.
Wrapped in tails.
Comfortable.
Content.
Akagi's eyes narrowed immediately.
A low hiss escaped her lips.
"Don't leave Akagi behind!"
Kaguya blinked.
Yuuki immediately sensed danger.
"No... no... no..."
Too late.
Akagi launched herself onto the futon.
The commander barely had time to react before another fluffy fox joined the pile.
Or rather—
He had just been fox-piled.
Kaguya looked entirely unbothered by the development.
Then, as if drawn by some mysterious fox instinct, Kaga opened her eyes.
She took one look at the situation.
Paused.
Then silently joined in as well.
"Cant we all just wake up normally?"
Yuuki's muffled voice emerged from somewhere beneath the mountain of tails.
Nobody listened.
In fact—
Yuu somehow hugged tighter.
Kaguya's tails shifted and wrapped around the group even more securely.
Nayuta simply buried herself deeper into the warmth.
The commander could no longer determine where one tail ended and another began.
This was his life now.
A few amused chuckles spread throughout the room.
Even Enterprise looked like she was trying not to laugh.
"Normal is relative."
Yorktown remarked.
"Normal does not involve becoming trapped beneath three foxes before sunrise."
Yuuki immediately countered.
"Fair point."
Eventually—
The warmth of the room.
The smell of the nearby hot springs.
And the simple comfort of not having to move yet convinced everyone to enjoy those extra few minutes.
No missions.
No alarms.
No emergencies.
Just peace.
A rare commodity.
One by one, the room gradually came to life.
Yuu finally sat up first.
Stretching lazily.
Nayuta followed shortly afterward.
Though not before making sure nobody else had stolen her spot.
Kaguya remained exactly where she was.
The ten-tailed fox refusing to acknowledge the concept of schedules.
Until Belfast appeared beside the futon when she came back from the kitchen to make sure he was up.
"Lady Kaguya."
The fox opened one eye.
"Yes?"
"It is six o'clock."
A pause.
Kaguya immediately sat up.
"A tragedy."
Belfast nodded.
"A terrible one."
The fox sighed dramatically.
Then finally released everyone from the tail prison.
Fresh air returned.
Yuuki appreciated it.
Quite a lot.
Soon after—
The entire inn began moving.
Futons were folded.
Blankets were gathered.
Sleepy conversations filled the halls.
One by one, everyone headed toward the morning baths and showers.
The hot water quickly washed away the last remnants of exhaustion from yesterday's dungeon run.
The shipgirls looked refreshed.
The Nikkes looked energized.
Even the Bulins somehow managed to become louder.
Breakfast aromas soon drifted from the kitchen.
Rice.
Fish.
Miso soup.
Fresh tea.
Enough food to feed a small army.
Which, considering the current population of the inn, was fairly accurate.
Kaguya had been the last one to leave.
The ten-tailed fox was just about to follow the others toward the baths when Yuuki spoke.
"Kaguya."
The fox turned.
"Hm?"
"Can we talk for a moment?"
That immediately caught her attention.
The playful expression disappeared.
Replaced by curiosity.
"What is it, dearest?"
Yuuki glanced around.
Most of the others had already left for the showers.
The room was relatively quiet.
Then he spoke.
"Last night..."
The commander folded his arms.
"I met Shinano and Musashi."
Everything stopped.
Kaguya froze.
Completely.
Even her tails stopped moving.
For several seconds she simply stared at him.
"...You met the Dreamweavers?"
The fox's voice had become surprisingly serious.
Yuuki nodded.
"They called it the World of Dreams."
A shrug.
"I still think it's just another part of the Void World."
Kaguya slowly sat down beside him.
Now fully invested.
"What did they say?"
Yuuki immediately answered.
"They're alive."
The fox's ears twitched.
"They told me they aren't dead."
Another pause.
"They said they're suspended somewhere."
"Hidden."
"Frozen in time."
Kaguya's expression became thoughtful.
"Did they tell thee where?"
"No."
The commander shook his head.
"But they said something interesting."
The fox waited.
Yuuki continued.
"They said you could find them."
Now Kaguya looked genuinely confused.
"Me?"
"Aye."
"They specifically said you could locate whoever is guarding them."
The ten-tailed fox blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Guarding..."
One tail twitched.
Then another.
The fox suddenly looked like someone trying to remember something very old.
Yuuki continued.
"They told me about the Twelve Pillars."
That immediately got a reaction.
The fox's ears perked.
"The Arcanes of the East."
"The twelve Arcane Shipgirls."
Kaguya nodded slowly.
"Aye."
"The Twelve Pillars."
The fox looked completely unbothered.
"They also said the person protecting Shinano, Musashi, Nagato and Mutsu..."
Yuuki paused.
"...is the Twelfth Pillar."
The room became quiet.
Kaguya froze.
For several seconds she didn't speak.
Then—
A strange expression appeared.
Recognition.
Surprise.
And perhaps a little nostalgia.
"...Yukime."
Yuuki immediately caught the name.
"That's her?"
The fox slowly nodded.
"Aye."
One of her tails curled around her.
"Yukime."
The name seemed to carry many memories.
"Twelfth of the Twelve Pillars."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Can you find her?"
Kaguya became silent.
Thinking.
Remembering.
The fox eventually sighed.
"I believe so."
That immediately got his attention.
"Really?"
Kaguya nodded.
"All Twelve Pillars share a connection."
The fox placed a hand over her heart.
"Very faint."
"Very distant."
"But present."
Another pause.
"I have not sensed Yukime in many years."
The fox looked toward the morning sunlight filtering through the inn windows.
"But if she truly guards Shinano and Musashi..."
A smile slowly appeared.
"Then she still lives."
Yuuki nodded.
That matched what the sisters had said.
The fox looked back toward him.
Then suddenly smiled.
A very fox-like smile.
"Musashi, Shinano, Nagato, and Mutsu are together?" Kaguya asked quietly.
Her ears lowered slightly.
"Then wherefore is... Yamato?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"Unknown."
The answer immediately made Kaguya frown.
"They said she disappeared."
"Not dead."
"Just... gone."
The commander folded his arms.
"They believed it was for the greater good."
Kaguya remained silent for several moments.
"I see..."
The fox lowered her gaze.
For someone who had known the Yamato Sisters personally, the answer clearly weighed on her.
Then Yuuki remembered something else.
"Oh."
Kaguya looked up.
"What is it, dearest?"
"They mentioned something."
The commander eyed her suspiciously.
"About you."
Kaguya immediately looked innocent.
Far too innocent.
"Ara?"
"They called you the First Pillar."
The fox remained silent.
"They mentioned your Ultimate Super Battleship configuration."
Still silent.
"You never mentioned any of this before."
Kaguya finally sighed.
"'Tis but a rank, dearest."
The answer came quietly.
Almost dismissively.
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Just a rank?"
"Aye."
The fox smiled sadly.
"I would not have everyone behold me as some great weapon."
Her tails lowered slightly.
"The strongest Pillar."
"The First Arcane."
"The ultimate trump card."
Kaguya shook her head.
"I never desired such titles."
For a moment she looked surprisingly vulnerable.
Much younger.
Much lonelier.
"I wished only to be Kaguya."
Her eyes met his.
"Simply Kaguya."
A faint smile appeared.
"I mayhap be clingy."
"A little pushy."
The smile widened.
"Overly affectionate."
Yuuki laughed.
"A little?"
The fox pouted.
Then continued.
"But thou hast never rejected me."
The sincerity in her voice made him stop joking.
"Thou accepted my hugs."
"My kisses."
"My company."
Another pause.
"I made friends."
The fox smiled softly.
"Akagi."
"Kaga."
"Houshou."
"Yorktown."
"Enterprise."
"Wales."
"And the others."
Her tails swayed gently behind her.
"For a very long time, dearest..."
The smile faded.
"I was alone."
The room became quiet.
Kaguya looked toward the window.
Toward the morning sunlight.
"Such is the fate of a trump card."
The fox's voice softened.
"Locked away."
"Hidden."
"Brought forth only when the world hath need of saving."
A small laugh escaped her.
"But I never wished to be the strongest."
The fox looked back at him.
"I never wished to be the First Pillar."
"I wished only for friends."
The words carried no bitterness.
Only honesty.
Then her smile returned.
Gentler this time.
"Dost thou know when Neon called me her favorite?"
Yuuki chuckled.
The memory was easy to imagine.
Kaguya's tails immediately swayed happily.
"I was secretly delighted."
"When thou hugged me."
"When thou didst need me."
"When Akagi teased me."
"When Kaga allowed me to tease her in return."
The fox laughed softly.
"They were such small things."
One hand rested over her heart.
"Yet they brought me greater joy than any title."
The room fell silent.
Yuuki stepped forward.
Then gently wrapped his arms around her.
The fox immediately melted into the embrace.
Her tails wrapped around him instinctively.
Warm.
Protective.
Comfortable.
The same way they always did.
"Kaguya."
The fox looked up.
"I never treated you as the strongest."
Her ears twitched.
Yuuki smiled.
"I respect the title."
"I respect the rank."
Another pause.
"But that's not who you are to us."
The fox stared at him.
"You guided everyone against the Mirelurk Queen."
"You protected the fleet."
"You deployed your shields to save everyone."
"You taught them."
"Encouraged them."
"Became their friend."
The commander gently squeezed her shoulders.
"You're Kaguya."
His smile softened.
"Behind the ranks."
"Behind the titles."
"Behind the Arcane."
Another pause.
"You're simply Kaguya."
The fox's eyes widened slightly.
Then softened.
A beautiful smile appeared.
One filled with warmth.
One filled with relief.
The kind of smile that only appears when someone hears exactly what they needed to hear.
Kaguya leaned forward.
Their foreheads touched.
Then she kissed him gently.
When they parted, she laughed softly.
"Dearest..."
Her tails swayed happily.
"Love at first sight truly is a mystery."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Maybe."
Then shook his head.
"No."
The fox tilted her head.
"Hm?"
"Thou wouldst not have kissed me if our hearts weren't connected."
The answer made Kaguya laugh.
That much was true.
Yuuki continued.
"I really am an open book to Shipgirls and Nikkes."
"They connect to me."
"They understand me."
"And somehow..."
He smiled.
"They end up loving me."
Kaguya covered her mouth.
Trying—and failing—not to laugh.
"That is what maketh thee unique, dearest."
The fox rested her head against his shoulder.
"The heart cannot be deceived."
"And thine hath ever been honest."
Yuuki suddenly turned toward the door.
"How long are you all going to keep spying on us?"
The room fell silent.
Then the door slowly slid open.
Every single Shipgirl and Nikke standing outside immediately froze.
Several of them coughed.
Others looked away.
A few didn't even bother pretending.
Akagi stepped forward first.
Pouting.
"No fair, Shikikan-sama."
Kaga nodded beside her.
"Aye."
The two foxes looked remarkably united for once.
Yuuki sighed.
"You were listening the entire time."
Kaguya made it worse by hugging him closer and smirking.
Silence followed as everyone stared at them.
Which was answer enough.
After a considerable amount of explaining, convincing, and answering questions, everyone finally settled down.
The atmosphere became more serious.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"So."
The room quieted.
"We found Nagato."
Several Sakura shipgirls immediately straightened.
"Alongside Shinano and Musashi."
Another pause.
"And Mutsu."
Takao's eyes widened.
"The Yamato Sisters..."
"Except Yamato herself."
The heavy cruiser exchanged looks with Atago.
"And Lady Nagato herself."
Yuuki nodded.
"Aye."
"It seems going home will have to wait."
That immediately earned understanding from everyone present.
"We need to retrieve them."
The commander looked toward Kaguya.
"And..."
A faint smile appeared.
"Another Arcane Shipgirl."
The room buzzed quietly.
The Sakura members looked especially excited.
Nagato.
Mutsu.
Shinano.
Musashi.
Four legendary names.
All still alive.
All waiting.
Then Kaga looked toward Kaguya.
The carrier hesitated briefly.
Before finally asking.
"Kaguya-nee..."
The fox looked up.
"Hm?"
"Is it true?"
The room became quiet again.
"Are you truly the First Pillar?"
Kaguya froze.
Her tails lowered slightly.
For a moment she seemed unsure how to answer.
Then she sighed.
"Aye."
The admission came softly.
"I am."
The room remained silent.
Kaguya looked away.
"But..."
Her fingers tightened slightly against her sleeves.
"I wished only to be Kaguya."
The vulnerability in her voice surprised several of the younger shipgirls.
The mighty Arcane.
The strongest of the Twelve Pillars.
The one capable of becoming a Super Battleship.
Yet the fox looked almost embarrassed.
Houshou smiled warmly.
Then stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
Without ceremony.
The Sakura matriarch gently pulled Kaguya into a hug.
The ten-tailed fox immediately froze.
"H-Houshou-kaasama..."
The older carrier simply smiled.
"You have always been Kaguya."
The fox blinked.
"You may be strong."
The hug tightened slightly.
"You may be an Arcane."
"You may be the First Pillar."
Another gentle smile.
"But you are still my daughter."
For a moment Kaguya simply stared.
Then her ears drooped.
A surprisingly emotional reaction.
"Houshou-kaasama..."
Nearby, Akagi crossed her arms.
Trying very hard not to smile.
Failing completely.
"You are annoying."
Kaguya immediately looked offended.
Akagi continued.
"But Akagi still cares for you."
Kaga nodded.
"Aye."
The fox carrier looked away.
"We all do."
That finally broke Kaguya's composure.
Not through grand speeches.
Not through titles.
Not through recognition.
Just simple acceptance.
Yorktown smiled.
"See?"
Enterprise nodded.
"You already have people who care about you."
Atago smiled.
"Friends."
Takao nodded.
"Family."
Belfast added calmly.
"Comrades."
Neon immediately pointed at herself.
"And admirers of ridiculous firepower."
That earned laughter throughout the room.
Even Kaguya laughed.
The tension finally disappearing.
Yuuki stepped beside her.
Then gently squeezed her shoulder.
"You don't have to be the First Pillar."
Kaguya looked toward him.
"You don't have to be the strongest."
The commander smiled.
"You just have to be Kaguya."
Around them, every Shipgirl and Nikke nodded.
No ranks.
No titles.
No legends.
Just Kaguya.
And for perhaps the first time in a very long while—
The ten-tailed fox looked completely content.
Not because she was the strongest.
But because she belonged.
=====================
Soon afterward, it was time to depart.
The Tsukimimi Village had become surprisingly lively over the past few days.
What had once been a struggling settlement was now filled with activity.
Fields had expanded.
New irrigation channels had appeared.
Storehouses were being constructed, while agricultural drones moved through the fields planting seeds, monitoring crop health, and assisting villagers with harvesting and irrigation.
Children could be seen running between homes carrying baskets of vegetables.
Life had returned.
Prosperity was beginning.
As the convoy prepared to leave, Yuu adjusted her coat and joined Yuuki's side.
"I'll come with you."
Yuuki looked over.
"I thought you'd stay here."
Yuu shook her head.
"Not yet."
The administrator folded her arms.
"The leveling system still requires me nearby for installation."
A glance toward the fleet.
"And we're about to rescue more Shipgirls and Nikkes."
She smiled.
"It would be troublesome if I wasn't there."
Yuuki couldn't argue with that.
Yuu continued.
"Besides."
"Kyon and Momo are remaining at the Observation Base."
The commander nodded.
The two operators had already volunteered to stay behind.
"They'll warn me if anything happens."
Another smile appeared.
"And once the Chrono Portal Connectors are established between Home Island and Autumn Island..."
Yuu gestured casually.
"We can travel back and forth whenever we want."
That alone solved many logistical problems.
The commander nodded.
"Aye."
"Then let's finish building them."
Meanwhile—
Several children had discovered the fleet was leaving.
Which resulted in chaos.
Specifically fox-related chaos.
"Kaguya-nee!"
The ten-tailed fox immediately found herself buried beneath a pile of children.
Small hands grabbed her sleeves.
Others hugged her tails.
One particularly brave child was already using one of the tails as a pillow.
Kaguya laughed softly.
"My, my."
Nearby, Akagi found herself suffering the same fate.
The carrier looked completely helpless.
Several children had claimed her tails.
Others refused to let go of her kimono.
"Shikikan-sama."
Akagi looked toward Yuuki.
"Assist me."
The commander immediately shook his head.
"No."
"They like you."
Akagi pouted.
Kaga wasn't spared either.
Though unlike Akagi, the carrier simply accepted her fate.
Several children were happily buried in her tails.
One had fallen asleep.
Kaga looked down.
Then sighed.
"...Acceptable."
The sleeping child smiled.
Victory.
Nearby, Houshou covered her mouth and laughed.
The sight was far too adorable.
The Tsukimimi children clearly adored the foxes.
Especially their tails.
And honestly—
Few people could blame them.
At the edge of the village, Akashi stood reviewing several notes.
The cat's eyes practically sparkled.
"Vegetables."
Another page.
"Fruit orchards."
Another.
"Distribution routes."
The grin widened.
"Credits."
Vestal immediately sighed.
Of course.
Akashi wasn't looking at agriculture.
She was looking at profit.
The cat pointed dramatically toward the surrounding fields.
"Within six months!"
Another point.
"This village will become the largest agricultural producer on Autumn Isle!"
Several villagers looked proud.
Akashi looked richer.
Or rather—
She looked like she was planning to become richer.
"Once the transportation network is established..."
The cat's eyes became star-shaped.
"Nyaa..."
"Credits."
Vestal pinched the bridge of her nose.
"At least she's honest."
The fleet laughed.
But the truth remained.
The village had a future now.
The soil was fertile.
The people were motivated.
The protection of GDI guaranteed stability.
And eventually—
Trade would begin flowing.
What started as a rescue mission had slowly become the foundation of an economy.
Yuuki looked back one last time.
The village.
The fields.
The children.
The villagers waving goodbye.
Not just to the Shipgirls.
Not just to the Nikkes.
But most importantly—
To him.
Their Commander.
The man who had arrived when they needed help.
The one who had protected them.
Fed them.
Given them hope for the future.
Many of the villagers bowed respectfully.
Others waved enthusiastically.
Several children shouted farewells at the foxes.
And more than a few called out to Yuuki directly.
"Come back soon, Commander!"
"Thank you!"
"We won't forget!"
The commander smiled and raised a hand in return.
For once—
Something had been left better than they found it.
Then he turned toward the waiting fleet.
The Mother Whale awaited.
And the other trapped survivors.
Their next mission had already begun.
"All right."
The commander smiled.
"Let's bring everyone home."
Immediately—
Cheers erupted from the fleet.
And with renewed determination, they began their journey toward the next rescue.
With that, the Orca EX carried them back toward the Daedalus. Together with the Observation Base, the island was officially designated as the first Blue Zone under the protection of the Global Defense Initiative.
====================
The atmosphere inside the Daedalus briefing room became noticeably more serious.
The joking.
The teasing.
The discussions about fox tails and Arcane rankings.
All of it faded.
Because the next operation was not a dungeon.
It was a rescue.
And unlike the E-Rank bosses, real lives were waiting.
Nayuta stepped toward the center of the room.
The clone activated the Neural Hologram projector.
Blue light expanded across the chamber.
A massive three-dimensional model appeared.
The moment it finished rendering—
The room fell silent.
Even those who had seen it before became quiet.
The Mother Whale.
It dominated the holographic display.
The vessel was colossal.
Not merely large.
Not merely enormous.
Colossal.
Its silhouette resembled a mechanical whale suspended in the sky.
Countless armored plates covered its body.
Rows upon rows of weapon systems lined its hull.
And surrounding it—
Four escort battleships.
Each large enough to be considered a major threat on its own.
Nayuta enlarged the image.
The Mother Whale dwarfed everything around it.
Enterprise stared.
Yorktown folded her arms.
Even Kaguya looked impressed.
"That thing is huge."
Anis immediately nodded.
"Huge?"
Neon pointed dramatically.
"That thing is absurd!"
The hologram rotated.
Showing the full scale comparison.
Beside it appeared the Daedalus.
The room immediately understood.
The Mother Whale was roughly four times larger.
Several Shipgirls blinked.
The comparison was honestly unfair.
Nayuta pointed toward the massive construct.
"Mother Whale."
The briefing began.
"One of the oldest known Rapture models."
The hologram highlighted its internal compartments.
Thousands of red dots appeared.
"Due to its enormous size, an entire army of Raptures can be stored within its internal bays."
The room grew quieter.
More red dots appeared.
Then more.
And more.
Until the interior looked completely filled.
"It functions as a mobile invasion fortress."
Nayuta continued.
"Whenever it appears on a battlefield, the strategic situation changes immediately."
Another image appeared.
Showing waves of Raptures deploying from its underside.
"It possesses a unique ultrasonic communication system."
The hologram emitted a faint pulse.
"Similar to whale songs."
"Those signals are capable of gathering nearby Rapture forces."
The map expanded.
Showing surrounding enemy signatures converging toward the Mother Whale.
Anis frowned.
"So it literally calls reinforcements."
"Correct."
Nayuta nodded.
"It is not feared because of its individual combat capability."
Another image appeared.
"It is feared because of what it carries."
Thousands of Raptures filled the display.
The room understood immediately.
A flying fortress.
A carrier.
A command center.
A transport vessel.
All combined into one platform.
Then Nayuta zoomed toward the hull.
Weapon systems appeared.
Highlighted in red.
"Missile batteries."
Dozens.
"Heavy cannons."
More.
"Defensive weapon arrays."
Hundreds.
The display continued lighting up.
Until nearly the entire whale glowed red.
Several Nikkes whistled.
Then Nayuta highlighted the wings.
The room immediately noticed the massive structures mounted there.
The clone's expression became serious.
"Railguns."
The image enlarged.
The weapons were gigantic.
Each capable of striking targets far beyond visual range.
Even Kaguya's ears twitched.
"Those are large."
"Aye."
Nayuta nodded.
"Very."
The clone then switched to another display.
The escort fleet.
Four battleships.
Each guarding a different approach vector.
"Approaching the Mother Whale directly is extremely difficult."
The hologram showed overlapping fields of fire.
Missiles.
Railguns.
Point-defense systems.
Intercept zones.
The amount of firepower was staggering.
Then Nayuta looked around the room.
"And there is another problem."
The room waited.
"If a foreign object enters the Mother Whale."
The hologram displayed interior corridors.
Red warning indicators appeared.
"It will immediately deploy every available defensive measure."
Raptures appeared throughout the corridors.
"They will attempt to eliminate the intruder."
Another wave appeared.
Then another.
Then another.
The message was obvious.
Boarding would not be easy.
Not in the slightest.
Yuuki folded his arms.
The room remained focused.
Because somewhere inside that mechanical monster—
Eleven Shipgirls.
And five Nikkes.
Were still waiting.
The commander looked around the room.
At Yorktown.
Enterprise.
Kaguya.
The Sakura carriers.
The Nikkes.
Everyone who had gathered.
Then he looked back toward the Mother Whale.
The giant mechanical whale slowly rotated within the hologram.
Ancient.
Massive.
Dangerous.
A fortress capable of changing the course of a war.
Yuuki smiled.
"Good."
Several people blinked.
Nayuta looked at him.
"Good?"
The commander nodded.
A familiar expression appearing.
The one everyone recognized immediately.
The expression that usually meant trouble for their enemies.
"If it's that important."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Then rescuing the people trapped inside becomes even more worthwhile."
The room slowly smiled.
Because that answer sounded exactly like their commander.
Nayuta's briefing was interrupted when another holographic screen appeared beside the Mother Whale projection.
"Establishing video uplink."
A familiar face immediately appeared.
Silver hair.
Blue coat.
Smug expression.
"Yo."
Vergil raised a hand casually.
Several of the girls immediately greeted him.
"Vice Commander."
"Morning."
"Vergil!"
Yuuki leaned back in his chair.
"Awake already?"
Vergil snorted.
"Motivation."
The vice commander immediately pointed at him through the hologram.
"Forget that."
His eyes narrowed.
"The Unily Formula."
A pause.
"Really?"
Another pause.
"You solved it?!"
The entire room turned toward Yuuki.
The commander simply pointed elsewhere.
"Ask Unicorn."
The little destroyer blinked.
"Huh?"
Yuuki pointed at her and Illustrious.
"She and Illustrious came up with the idea that finally solved it."
Immediately every eye in the room moved toward the Royal pair.
Unicorn nearly hid behind her sister.
"E-Eh?!"
Illustrious giggled softly.
Vergil stared.
Then slowly stood from his seat on the other side of the transmission.
The vice commander gave a respectful nod.
"Thank you."
Unicorn froze.
Illustrious smiled politely.
"You are most welcome, Vice Commander."
Unicorn's face immediately turned red.
"U-Unicorn only helped a little..."
Vergil ignored that.
The implications were too massive.
A world-scale system.
A completed Unily Formula.
A synchronized network capable of integrating with the Chronosphere Project.
The strategic implications alone were enough to keep GDI researchers awake for months.
Then Vergil looked back toward Yuuki.
"Why am I actually here?"
The vice commander smirked.
"I watched the combat recordings."
Several girls immediately looked proud.
Others looked suspicious.
Vergil enlarged a combat report.
"I see the leveling system works."
The report displayed dozens of names.
All showing Level 21.
The vice commander whistled.
"Level twenty-one."
Another whistle.
"Six hours."
He shook his head.
"Even our veteran recruits usually reach Level Ten before giving up and using vehicles to power-level."
The report changed.
Showing the Shipgirls and Nikkes.
"These girls are ridiculous."
Neon immediately looked pleased.
Anis crossed her arms proudly.
Rapi pretended not to care.
Failed completely.
Vergil continued.
"Level Twenty-One in six hours."
The vice commander leaned back.
"Shipgirls and Nikkes are something else."
Then the recording switched.
Everyone immediately knew which recording it was.
The Sentinel Site.
The EN06 Guardian.
Liberty Prime.
The giant mushroom cloud.
The room collectively became quieter.
Vergil stared at the frozen image.
Then at the fleet.
Then back at the image.
Then back at the fleet.
"..."
Another pause.
"...I have questions."
Anis immediately pointed at Yorktown.
"Her fault."
Yorktown looked offended.
"It was a perfectly reasonable plan."
Enterprise nodded.
"A sound tactical decision."
Vergil blinked.
"Sound tactical decision?"
The image zoomed out.
Showing the estimated blast radius.
The mushroom cloud.
The crater.
The destroyed Sentinel Site.
The missing terrain.
The vice commander rubbed his forehead.
"You used four Nuclear Strike Beacons."
The room nodded.
"An Ion Cannon Strike."
More nodding.
"On top of over two hundred Mark 28 nuclear warheads."
The room continued nodding.
Vergil slowly looked toward Yuuki.
"A tad excessive."
Silence.
Then Neon immediately raised her hand.
"It was awesome though."
Several Shipgirls nodded.
Even some of the Nikkes agreed.
Akashi proudly held up a chart.
"We also got another level from it, nya!"
Vergil stared.
Then burst out laughing.
A genuine laugh.
The kind that only happened when something was simultaneously insane and successful.
"You know what?"
The vice commander pointed toward the fleet.
"I can't even argue with the results."
The level report appeared again.
Level 21.
Every participant.
Not a single casualty.
Five bosses defeated.
An entire dungeon cleared in one day.
Even by GDI standards—
That was impressive.
Vergil finally leaned back in his chair.
His smirk returning.
"I'll admit it."
The vice commander folded his arms.
"I expected half of you to quit after the Mirelurk Queen."
Several girls exchanged grins.
Neon immediately puffed out her chest.
"We're built different."
"That is not reassuring."
Vergil replied instantly.
The room erupted into laughter.
Then his expression gradually became more serious.
His gaze shifted toward the massive Mother Whale hologram floating behind Nayuta.
The joking stopped.
The mission returned.
Because unlike Liberty Prime—
Unlike the dungeon—
Unlike the bosses—
Real people were waiting inside that thing.
And this time—
Failure wasn't an option.
Vergil continued studying the holographic projection of the Mother Whale.
The massive mechanical whale slowly rotated above the briefing table.
Missile batteries.
Railguns.
Armor plating.
Hangars.
The sheer scale of it was absurd.
Finally, the vice commander pointed at the projection.
"So."
The room focused on him.
"The Mother Whale."
Vergil folded his arms.
"That thing is far too large for us to capture."
Several people nodded.
"Aye."
"Way too big."
"Especially with four escort battleships."
Vergil nodded.
"Exactly."
The projection zoomed in further.
"But."
A grin appeared.
"Nayuta."
The clone looked up.
"Yes?"
"Does it have computers?"
The room blinked.
Nayuta tilted her head.
"It should."
The hologram highlighted several internal sections.
"Command processors."
"Navigation systems."
"Targeting computers."
"Communication arrays."
"Data storage."
Vergil's grin widened.
"Good."
Yuuki immediately recognized that look.
The same look Vergil got whenever he was about to steal something.
Usually information.
Sometimes entire facilities.
Occasionally countries.
The vice commander pointed at the Mother Whale.
"Then I need our girls to plant a bug."
The room became quiet.
"A bug?"
Anis asked.
Vergil nodded.
"A cyber intrusion package."
The hologram immediately changed.
A small device appeared.
"If we can get one of these inside its network."
The Mother Whale's internal structure illuminated.
"Then we gain access."
Yorktown immediately understood.
"Data theft."
"Aye."
Vergil smiled.
"Data theft."
The vice commander pointed toward the giant mechanical whale.
"We may not be able to capture the Mother Whale."
Another point.
"We may not be able to capture the escort battleships."
Another.
"But we can absolutely steal everything inside their computers."
Several Nikkes grinned.
That sounded very GDI.
Nayuta immediately began calculating.
The clone's eyes moved rapidly across the holographic displays.
"If successful..."
The ship's internal sections illuminated one after another.
"We could map the entire vessel."
Another section appeared.
"Internal corridors."
"Maintenance routes."
"Storage bays."
"Troop deployment areas."
"Reactor locations."
The display expanded further.
Vergil nodded.
"Exactly."
The vice commander folded his arms.
"I want everything."
The room suddenly became very interested.
"Everything?"
Neon asked.
"Everything."
Vergil repeated.
"Schematics."
"Blueprints."
"Communication protocols."
"Weapons data."
"Manufacturing data."
"Internal security."
Another pause.
"And anything else they forgot to encrypt."
Yuuki smirked.
"If they're successful, they'll have access to everything. Every piece of data the Mother Whale has collected on the Raptures. Schematics, communication protocols, manufacturing information, combat records. With enough data, we could start developing dedicated counters to Rapture technology. And if Vergil gets deep enough into their systems..."
Yuuki grinned.
"We might even gain control over parts of the Mother Whale's own security network. And if we're lucky, uncover more information about what these Raptures truly are."
The commander leaned back.
"Verg maps the ship."
Another finger.
"Steals all its data."
Another.
"Finds out how the Mother Whale operates."
Another finger.
"Figures out its internal security systems."
Another.
"And if we're lucky, finds ways to control or override parts of those security systems."
Another.
"And we learn more about the Raptures."
The room nodded.
Then Yuuki's expression became more thoughtful.
"Same as we learned more about the Sirens."
Vergil pointed directly at him.
"Exactly."
The vice commander smiled.
"Every enemy leaves behind information."
Vergil glanced back at the Mother Whale hologram and smirked.
"And if we can crack into that thing's systems?"
He pointed at the colossal mechanical whale.
"The Mother Whale would be the mother lode of information."
The Mother Whale rotated slowly above the table.
"And information wins wars."
The room fell quiet.
Because he wasn't wrong.
The rescue mission remained the priority.
Saving the trapped Shipgirls and Nikkes came first.
Always.
But if they could rescue the survivors while simultaneously stealing decades of Rapture data—
That was a bonus nobody would refuse.
Nayuta enlarged the interior model once more.
The Mother Whale's corridors illuminated.
Thousands of pathways.
Thousands of rooms.
A labyrinth hidden inside a flying fortress.
The clone looked toward the fleet.
"If we plant the bug."
She highlighted a central processing cluster.
"Vergil should be able to map most of the vessel within minutes."
The vice commander nodded.
"And once we know the layout."
A grin appeared.
"Rescuing people becomes significantly easier."
Yorktown folded her arms.
"So the plan is rescue first."
Enterprise nodded.
"Data theft second."
Vergil immediately shook his head.
"No."
The vice commander pointed toward the hologram.
"Both."
Several people blinked.
Vergil smirked.
"If we're already breaking into the Mother Whale."
The grin widened.
"We might as well rob it properly."
That earned laughter throughout the room.
Even Belfast looked amused.
Because somehow—
That sounded exactly like something the Global Defense Initiative would do.
Rescue the prisoners.
Steal the intelligence.
Leave the enemy wondering what just happened.
And if possible—
Blow something up on the way out.
"What are your plans, Commander?"
Yorktown asked the question everyone was thinking.
The Mother Whale slowly rotated above the briefing table.
Four escort battleships maintained formation around it.
Each one was enormous.
Far larger than any normal vessel.
Far larger than any Rapture most of them had faced.
Takao folded her arms.
"The escorts."
The heavy cruiser studied the display.
"We must eliminate them first."
Several others nodded.
"They are flying battleships."
Enterprise narrowed her eyes.
"Twice the size of Yamato-class vessels."
"And they escort the Mother Whale itself."
The room fell silent.
Because simply charging in was not an option.
Too many guns.
Too many missiles.
Too many unknowns.
Yet Yuuki was smiling.
Not worried.
Not concerned.
Smiling.
The fleet immediately noticed.
"Oh no."
Anis leaned back.
"That's the face."
Neon pointed.
"He has a plan."
Rapi sighed.
"He always has a plan."
Vergil smirked through the hologram.
"This should be entertaining."
Yuuki stood.
Then enlarged the tactical display.
"All right."
The room immediately focused.
"I'll assign roles."
The Mother Whale shifted to one side of the hologram.
The escort battleships illuminated.
"Remember."
The commander looked toward the fleet.
"Even while controlling these vehicles remotely, you'll still gain experience."
Several girls perked up.
That was useful information.
"Yorktown."
The carrier immediately straightened.
"Aye."
"You're commanding the Daedalus."
Yorktown nodded.
"Understood."
The Daedalus icon illuminated.
"Akagi."
The fox carrier smiled.
"Yes, Shikikan-sama?"
"Zeus One."
The first assault carrier illuminated.
Akagi's smile widened.
"Acknowledged."
"Kaga."
"Aye."
"Zeus Two."
The second assault carrier illuminated.
The white fox nodded.
"As you command."
Yuuki pointed toward the projected aircraft complement.
"Your primary mission is air superiority."
Rows of aircraft appeared.
Mark III Firehawks.
Mark IV Firehawks.
Entire wings of advanced aircraft.
The carriers immediately understood.
They would be responsible for controlling the skies.
"As you command, Shikikan-sama."
Akagi and Kaga spoke together.
Then Yuuki looked elsewhere.
"Unicorn."
The light carrier blinked.
"Eh?"
"Daedalus Orca support control."
Unicorn nodded.
"Understood, big brother."
"Houshou."
The older carrier smiled.
"Yes?"
"You'll coordinate Orca bombardment operations between both Zeus carriers."
The display highlighted strike routes.
Mark III Orcas.
Mark IV Orcas.
Mark V Orcas.
Entire bomber formations appeared.
"Orca bombardment wings are on standby."
Houshou nodded gracefully.
"Understood, Shikikan-sama."
Then, he unveiled the reserve strike wings assigned to support Unicorn and Houshou: squadrons of Lionheart Bombers and Barracuda Bombers, held in reserve and ready for deployment at a moment's notice.
The tactical display shifted again.
Then Yuuki looked toward Enterprise and Illustrious.
The two carriers immediately straightened.
"Enty."
Enterprise nodded.
"Ready."
"Illy."
Illustrious smiled softly.
"I am listening."
Yuuki pointed toward a new icon.
Several new aircraft appeared.
Larger.
Heavier.
Far more heavily armed.
Harbinger Gunships.
The room immediately noticed them.
Vergil whistled.
"Bringing out the expensive toys?"
Yuuki grinned.
"Aye."
The commander enlarged the gunship schematics.
"Once the escort battleships are destroyed..."
Six gunships illuminated.
Three moved toward Enterprise.
Three toward Illustrious.
"I'll assign three Harbinger Gunships to each of you."
Enterprise studied the display.
Six strategic gunships.
Enough firepower to devastate ground targets.
Or carve pathways through enemy formations.
"A total of six."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Use them wisely."
Enterprise smiled.
"I always do."
Illustrious giggled.
"We shall try not to break anything important."
Vergil immediately laughed.
"That's not reassuring."
The room chuckled.
Then Yuuki enlarged the Mother Whale again.
The colossal machine dominated the display.
The room became quiet.
Because everyone understood.
The escorts.
The bombers.
The carriers.
The data theft.
All of it was only preparation.
The true objective remained inside.
Eleven Shipgirls.
Five Nikkes.
Waiting.
Trapped somewhere within that flying fortress.
Then, Yuuki's gaze shifted toward a small blonde-haired destroyer.
"Eldridge."
Eldridge blinked.
"Yes?"
The commander pointed toward one of the Daedalus' primary weapon systems.
"You're in charge of the Tesla Cannons."
A schematic immediately appeared on the hologram, displaying several massive electromagnetic artillery batteries mounted along the Daedalus' hull.
Crackling arcs of blue-white electricity danced across the barrels even in the simulation.
Eldridge's eyes sparkled.
"Big zap?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Very big zap."
"Big zap!"
The destroyer immediately looked excited.
Several girls chuckled.
Then Yuuki turned toward another eager participant.
"Sandy."
San Diego immediately shot to attention.
"Daedalus Weapon Controls."
Her eyes widened.
"Wait, all of them?!"
"Most of them."
Yuuki smirked.
"Use the ship's weapons against the Mother Whale. Coordinate with Eldridge and prioritize anti-air and missile interception."
San Diego practically vibrated with excitement.
"Aye sir!"
The commander continued assigning positions.
"Avrora."
The elegant cruiser nodded.
"Da."
"The two Kodiak Battleships on the left wing are yours."
The hologram highlighted a pair of heavily armed Kodiak-class vessels moving into formation.
Avrora smiled calmly.
"They will be handled."
"Wales."
The Royal battleship straightened immediately.
"Commander."
"The two Kodiak Battleships on the right wing."
The opposite flank illuminated.
"You know what to do."
A confident smile appeared on Wales' face.
"Leave it to me."
The commander nodded before turning toward the Sakura Empire carriers.
"Akagi."
"Yes, Shikikan-sama."
"Kaga."
"As you command."
Yuuki enlarged the Zeus carriers.
Then another set of weapon systems appeared.
Heavy naval batteries.
Missile launchers.
Long-range artillery arrays.
The fox sisters immediately understood.
A grin spread across Akagi's face.
Kaga's eyes narrowed with interest.
"I am granting both of you full access to the battleship weapon control systems as well."
Several girls blinked.
Akagi looked delighted.
Kaga looked dangerous.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Maintain air superiority."
The tactical display shifted.
Then highlighted the enemy escort battleships.
"And while you're doing that..."
A smirk appeared.
"Use the ships like battleships."
Akagi's smile widened.
"My, my..."
Kaga nodded once.
"Understood."
The two carriers exchanged a glance.
Controlling carrier operations while simultaneously commanding battleship-grade firepower.
It was an unusual assignment.
But neither seemed bothered by it.
If anything—
They looked eager.
Vergil watched the growing deployment chart and laughed.
"You're turning every ship into a multi-role platform."
Yuuki shrugged.
"If the enemy wants to bring flying battleships..."
His grin widened.
"We'll bring flying battleships, carriers, bombers, gunships, and enough firepower to make them regret existing."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even so, beneath the humor, everyone could feel it.
The operation was coming together.
Every role assigned.
Every weapon accounted for.
Every drone pilot ready.
=========
Yuuki enlarged the Mother Whale once more.
The gigantic hologram dominated the briefing room.
Its escort battleships.
Its railguns.
Its missile batteries.
Its countless internal compartments.
Everything was now part of the operation.
Then he turned toward the rest of the fleet.
"As for the rest of you..."
The room immediately focused.
"We're on ground duty."
Several Nikkes grinned.
Now that sounded more familiar.
Yuuki pointed toward the Mother Whale's underside.
"Once we destroy the escorts and suppress the Mother Whale's primary weapon systems, we're going inside."
The internal schematic illuminated.
Thousands of red dots appeared.
The room immediately understood what those represented.
Raptures.
Lots of them.
"Expect thousands of enemies."
Neon whistled.
"Thousands?"
Nayuta zoomed the display further.
More red dots appeared.
Then more.
Then more.
The corridors practically turned red.
Anis blinked.
"Okay, that's a lot."
Yuuki merely shrugged.
"You're Level Twenty-One."
The commander folded his arms.
"At this point, you girls are more than capable of dealing with them."
Several of the Shipgirls nodded confidently.
The Nikkes looked equally ready.
"Use the Raptures."
The room looked toward him.
"Use them?"
Yuuki grinned.
"As experience."
That immediately earned smiles.
Now they understood.
The dungeon had shown them exactly how effective the leveling system could be.
Thousands of Raptures meant thousands of opportunities to grow stronger.
The commander pointed toward the external battle map.
"The fleet outside will continue dealing with the Mother Whale."
The Daedalus.
The Zeus carriers.
The Kodiaks.
The bombers.
The gunships.
All illuminated.
"While we're inside."
The interior schematic expanded.
Then Yuuki highlighted a specific location.
A blue marker appeared.
"Priority One."
The room became serious.
"Nayuta's original body."
The clone immediately straightened.
The joking disappeared.
The mission became personal.
"We find her."
Yuuki looked toward Yuu.
The administrator nodded.
"Once we reach her, I'll install the leveling system and we will initiate the hack on the Mother Whale for Vergil to take control of it."
Several girls smiled.
They already knew what would happen afterward.
Yuuki chuckled.
"Then we sit back and watch Nayuta help you solve the Rapture problem herself."
That earned laughter.
Even Nayuta looked slightly embarrassed.
Only slightly.
Then the commander highlighted another group of markers.
"Priority Two."
Names appeared across the display.
Shoukaku.
Zuikaku.
Hiryuu.
Souryuu.
Pennsylvania.
Arizona.
Centaur.
Albion.
Friedrich der Große.
Hindenburg.
Mecklenburg.
The room immediately became quieter.
Many of the names were famous.
Others were legendary.
All of them needed rescuing.
"We recover every Shipgirl."
The commander looked around the room.
"No exceptions."
Several Sakura members nodded immediately upon seeing Shoukaku and Zuikaku's names.
Others reacted to the Iron Blood ships.
Others to the Royal Navy ships.
Every faction had someone waiting.
Yuuki continued.
"Once secured, Yuu will install the leveling system to them."
Yuu nodded.
"Already prepared."
The commander pointed toward another section of the hologram.
"Priority Three."
New names appeared.
Absolute Squad.
Emma.
Eunhwa.
Vesti.
Then another.
Triangle Squad.
Privaty.
Then another.
Maid Squad.
Including Velvet.
The Nikkes immediately recognized the names.
Anis sat upright.
Rapi's eyes narrowed.
Neon looked genuinely excited.
Those weren't random survivors.
Those were elite Nikkes.
Experienced veterans.
Some of the Ark's best.
"We recover every Nikke we can find."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"No one gets left behind."
The room fell silent.
Then slowly—
One by one—
The Shipgirls nodded.
The Nikkes nodded.
Even Vergil's expression became more serious.
Because this wasn't merely an assault operation.
It wasn't a raid.
It wasn't a battle.
It was a rescue mission.
The destruction of the Mother Whale was secondary.
The data theft was secondary.
The escort battleships were secondary.
The people trapped inside came first.
Yuuki looked toward the giant mechanical whale floating above the briefing table.
Then toward the names displayed beside it.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
People waiting to be brought home.
The commander smiled.
"Questions?"
Neon immediately raised her hand.
Yuuki sighed.
"Yes, Neon?"
The white haired Nikke grinned.
"If there are thousands of Raptures inside..."
A pause.
"How many levels are we getting?"
The entire room burst into laughter.
Even Vergil nearly choked on his coffee.
And somehow—
That was exactly the kind of confidence Yuuki wanted to hear before the operation began.
The commander smiled.
"Anyway."
The room settled down.
"Get ready."
Yuuki looked across the fleet.
"Stock up on ammunition."
His gaze shifted.
"Vestal."
The repair ship immediately looked up.
"Commander?"
"Akashi."
"Nyaa?"
"You two are coming as well."
Both support ships blinked.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"I don't want my doctors missing out on the fun."
Akashi's eyes immediately sparkled.
Vestal sighed.
That was probably not the correct takeaway.
Then Yuuki grinned.
"Oh."
The room immediately recognized that expression.
Another surprise.
"What now?" Anis asked.
The commander enlarged another hologram.
A familiar vehicle appeared.
Neon immediately pointed.
"The T-740 Hovertank!"
The room recognized it immediately.
The same vehicle they had used during the Rapture attacks on the previous islands.
Several Nikkes nodded.
The tank had left quite an impression.
"Were using the tank again?!"
Neon practically bounced in her seat.
Yuuki chuckled.
"Hmm."
"Not exactly."
The T-740 image vanished.
A much larger vehicle appeared.
The room went silent.
The new tank dwarfed its predecessor.
Heavier armor.
A larger hull.
More weapons.
Far more weapons.
Yuuki pointed at the display.
"Meet the Hover T-800."
The hologram rotated slowly.
"The Super Hovertank."
Several jaws dropped.
The commander began listing specifications.
"Dual primary cannons."
The turret rotated.
"Dual EMP launchers."
Additional weapon ports illuminated.
"Dual swarm missile systems."
More launch bays opened.
The room stared.
The list kept growing.
"Larger armor package."
"Expanded power plant."
"Improved shield systems."
"Greater ammunition reserves."
The giant hover tank continued rotating.
Then the propulsion systems illuminated.
"The primary innovation."
Yuuki pointed toward the engine assemblies.
"A series of heavy-lift turbo engines combined with an advanced anti-gravity generator."
The tank lifted slightly within the hologram.
"It doesn't simply hover."
The vehicle began moving sideways.
Then backwards.
Then diagonally.
Then rotated while maintaining speed.
"It can strafe."
The room immediately understood.
That was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
"Maximum speed."
Yuuki smiled.
"One hundred miles per hour."
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
Nearly half the room shouted.
Anis blinked.
"That thing weighs more than a building!"
"Correct."
"And it moves faster."
"Correct."
Neon immediately looked in love.
Again.
The tank continued rotating.
Yuuki wasn't finished.
"It also possesses automatic self-repair systems."
Several more eyes widened.
"Self-healing?"
"Aye."
The commander nodded.
"Built-in Crystal Shield generators."
The shield system illuminated.
"And."
The grin returned.
The dangerous grin.
"And a built-in Iron Curtain system."
The room paused.
Several girls looked confused.
"Iron Curtain?"
Yorktown asked.
Yuuki enlarged another display.
The tank became surrounded by a crimson energy field.
"The Iron Curtain is a superweapon capable of making a vehicle or structure temporarily invulnerable."
Silence.
Then more silence.
Then—
"Invulnerable?"
Enterprise repeated.
"Completely."
Yuuki nodded.
"No damage."
"No penetration."
"No exceptions."
Neon's eyes widened.
"That's cheating."
"Technically."
Vergil sipped his coffee.
"It absolutely is."
The room laughed.
Yuuki shrugged.
"I never said war was fair."
The Iron Curtain timer appeared.
"Duration."
Ten minutes.
The room immediately focused.
"After that."
The timer vanished.
"One hour cooldown."
Now they understood.
Powerful.
Extremely powerful.
But not something they could waste.
"Think carefully before activating it."
The commander folded his arms.
"When it's available, it can save your lives."
The Hover T-800 continued rotating.
Its weapons.
Its armor.
Its shields.
Its impossible mobility.
Everything about it screamed overkill.
Naturally—
The girls loved it.
Neon immediately shot out of her chair.
"Invincibility and firepower!"
Several Nikkes nodded enthusiastically.
Even some Shipgirls looked excited.
Kaguya covered her mouth and laughed.
Akagi looked amused.
Kaga appeared to be calculating how many enemies she could eliminate before the Iron Curtain expired.
Vestal simply accepted that this operation was somehow becoming even more absurd.
"Nimi, Laffey, Javelin, and Neon—you four are going to crew the tank."
The four immediately looked up.
"Also, the tank scales to your level. If a Level 21 crew is inside, it becomes a Level 21 tank."
Several girls blinked.
Yuuki grinned.
"Which means all of its systems scale with you."
The room immediately understood how ridiculous that was.
"And before you ask, yes—it has an autopilot."
That earned even more attention.
"If any of you want to hop out and solo some Raptures, the tank can continue fighting on its own until you return."
Neon's hand shot into the air.
"I CALL SHOTGUN!"
Nimi let out a resigned sigh at the realization that she would be driving the tank again. Laffey would handle the secondary weapons, Javelin would manage the radar and targeting systems, and Neon would be responsible for shooting anything that moved.
Meanwhile Yuuki looked at the hologram.
Then at the fleet.
Then back at the hologram.
The Mother Whale.
Thousands of Raptures.
Elite prisoners.
Flying battleships.
Data theft.
And now—
Super hovertanks.
The commander smiled.
"Now we're ready."
=============
With the briefing concluded, the fleet slowly dispersed to prepare for the operation.
There were still two hours before the Mother Whale would enter the interception zone.
Two hours.
Not enough time to relax.
Too much time to ignore what awaited them.
Yorktown stood near one of the Daedalus observation windows.
The morning sunlight reflected off her Echo Suit.
The golden hexagonal armor shimmered faintly.
Powerful.
Advanced.
Far stronger than the equipment she had possessed only yesterday.
Yet her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Sis?"
Enterprise approached quietly.
The Grey Ghost already knew what was bothering her.
Yorktown looked down at her armored hands.
Then toward the distant clouds.
"Enty..."
Her voice softened.
"I keep thinking about Penny and Ari."
Enterprise immediately understood.
Pennsylvania.
Arizona.
Both trapped aboard the Mother Whale.
Both waiting.
Both alone.
The carrier moved beside her sister.
"I am worried too."
Enterprise folded her arms.
"It has been a long time since I've seen Penny and Ari."
The room grew quiet.
The two Eagle Union carriers stared at the holographic display still showing the Mother Whale.
Neither liked imagining what their friends had endured.
Nearby, Belfast was reviewing equipment interface.
At least—
That was what she pretended to be doing.
Her eyes lingered on two names displayed on the rescue list.
Centaur.
Albion.
The Royal maid closed the screen for a moment.
Those two had once been regular faces within the Royal Navy.
Now they were prisoners.
Waiting.
The thought bothered her more than she admitted.
Meanwhile, the Sakura girls had gathered together.
Akagi.
Kaga.
Houshou.
Akashi.
Takao.
Atago.
Choukai.
Maya.
Even Kaguya.
Their eyes were fixed on another section of the display.
Shoukaku.
Zuikaku.
Hiryuu.
Souryuu.
The names carried history.
Memories.
Family.
Friends.
Akagi crossed her arms.
For once, she wasn't smiling.
"We will bring them home."
The declaration was quiet.
Yet absolute.
Shoukaku and Zuikaku might have been their juniors, but that only made the worry worse.
The younger crane sisters had always carried enormous expectations on their shoulders.
Strong.
Reliable.
Capable.
Yet to Akagi and Kaga, they were still members of the Sakura Empire fleet who should never have been forced to endure something like this alone.
Kaga nodded.
"Aye."
No further explanation was needed.
Across the room, another group sat together.
The Iron Blood contingent.
Eugen.
Hipper.
Mecklenburg's name remained displayed above them.
Alongside another.
Friedrich der Große.
And another.
Hindenburg.
The atmosphere around them was noticeably heavier.
Hipper stared at the list.
Unusually silent.
Eugen noticed.
Then smiled softly.
A rare genuine smile.
"You're worried."
Hipper immediately looked away.
"I am not."
A pause.
"...Maybe a little."
Eugen chuckled.
"Only a little?"
The cruiser crossed her arms.
"Friedrich is..."
The words stopped.
She wasn't sure how to explain it.
Fortunately Eugen understood.
"Mother."
Hipper froze.
Then sighed.
Because that was exactly the word.
Not biologically.
Not officially.
But emotionally.
To many Iron Blood shipgirls—
Friedrich der Große had always been a maternal figure.
A guide.
A protector.
Someone they could depend upon.
And now she was trapped.
Eugen looked toward the display.
Her usual playful expression faded.
"We will get her back."
Hipper nodded.
This time without arguing.
Because she needed to believe that.
Nearby, Kaguya quietly observed everyone.
The fox didn't say much.
She simply watched.
The concern.
The anticipation.
The determination.
Then she smiled.
Because this was different from yesterday.
Yesterday they had been strangers.
Shipgirls from different factions.
Nikkes from another world.
People connected only by circumstance.
Today—
They were a fleet.
A family.
Each carrying the burdens of the others.
Each determined to bring someone home.
The Nikkes were worried as well. Familiar names on the rescue list immediately caught their attention. Rapi's eyes lingered on the members of Absolute Squad—Emma, Eunhwa, and Vesti. Meanwhile, Cocoa was visibly concerned for Velvet, her fellow Maid Squad member, as well as Privaty, who had temporarily served alongside them.
Yuuki quietly entered the room.
No speech.
No orders.
Just observing.
He saw Yorktown and Enterprise.
Belfast, Wales, Illustrious and Unicorn.
The Sakura girls.
The Iron Blood group.
The Nikkes checking their weapons.
Everyone preparing.
Everyone waiting.
Everyone worried.
And somehow—
That made him more confident than any weapon ever could.
Because this wasn't a mission driven by duty.
It wasn't driven by rewards.
Or experience points.
Or levels.
It was driven by something much stronger.
The desire to save their own.
Two hours remained.
And not a single person intended to waste them.