Sakura Empire Port, Sortie Bay Preparatory Cabin.
This is where the Shipgirls organize their armaments and check ammunition and oil before sortieing.
After all pre-sortie preparations are complete, they depart from the preparatory cabin, like aerospace carriers launching aircraft in a sci-fi movie, passing through several hatches to descend to a predetermined acceleration channel, and finally, after a period of orbital acceleration, reaching a super-large port capable of docking their ship bodies.
"Awooo! Yuudachi, I'm excited!!"
"Oh~ Ayanami, is also excited…"
"Ayanami, is your tone so flat considered excited?"
Yuudachi, Ayanami, and Shimakaze, three destroyers, were the vanguards of this sortie team.
Logically, a destroyer and cruiser pairing is a more balanced and stable vanguard team, ensuring a certain degree of firepower coverage and torpedo strikes.
However, sortie opportunities were decided by drawing lots, and Jack did not manipulate the results, so this highly mobile Thunderstorm squad naturally formed.
In response, Takao, Unzen, and others who did not get the vanguard position expressed their envy.
At the same time, on the main fleet side, the three Shipgirls who drew sortie qualifications were also chatting in the preparatory cabin.
Hakuryuu couldn't suppress the smile on her lips, excitedly waving the blade in her hand.
"First sortie, hehe, I must let the Commander see how amazing Hakuryuu is! Then make him completely fall for Lady Hakuryuu!"
"Still as full of martial spirit as ever, Hakuryuu, but I won't give up the chance to perform in front of the Commander to you."
Musashi looked at her without showing weakness, also holding a very long Nodachi in her arms, as if she was going to perform a Dragon Ascent Slash for the Siren.
The first two members of the main trio were full of fighting spirit, forming a perfect contrast with the third member's quiet laziness.
Akashi pouted, scratching her smooth long hair.
"Akashi doesn't want to sortie meow, I only symbolically raised my hand because I didn't want to be excluded from the group, and I still got picked meow."
Compared to toiling on missions at sea.
Akashi preferred to use her brain in the laboratory. As a repair ship, she was truly not good at physical activities!
"Don't worry, Akashi, after the battle starts, just stand behind me, and I will protect you."
Musashi squatted down and pulled Akashi into her embrace.
"Mmm mmm~ I… I'm suffocating meow!"
...
Ship Docking Port.
Jack floated on the sea, arms crossed, looking at the several hatches leading out to sea.
However, he waited for a long time but did not see the six Shipgirls appear.
"That doesn't make sense. Are Shipgirls also the type who take an hour to get ready before going out?"
Just as Jack was wondering, a buzzing sound came from the hatch exit.
Boom!—
As two water curtains, like blades, opened, the fastest Shimakaze docked in front of Jack.
"Shimakaze-class Destroyer Shimakaze, reporting to Commander!"
Ayanami and Yuudachi followed closely.
"Fubuki-class Destroyer Kai Ayanami, reporting to Commander~"
"Shiratsuyu-class Destroyer Fourth Ship Yuudachi, reporting to Commander, awoo~"
The three's reporting methods each showed their unique characteristics and displayed their respective personalities.
Shimakaze was enthusiastic, Ayanami was cool and serene, and Yuudachi was lively, all good destroyers for the Commander.
"Mm-hmm, Commander has received it. Shimakaze, summon your ship body. We will depart on your ship body shortly."
"Okay, Commander."
Shimakaze stepped forward, hands spread towards the sea in front.
A brilliant blue light flashed, and then, as if by magic, the massive Shimakaze-class Destroyer body was summoned.
Then Shimakaze stared at Jack, wanting to see an astonished expression in his eyes.
"Mind Cube technology, hmm, it feels more like magic."
Jack rubbed Shimakaze's head. He had seen similar scenes many times with Laffey, so he wasn't as surprised.
Shimakaze lowered her head and giggled foolishly.
Although she didn't get an astonished expression from the Commander, being petted was also good~
Boom!
Another three buzzing sounds, and the main fleet Shipgirls arrived late.
"Yo! Commander, sorry to keep you waiting, let's go cut some people! My great sword is already thirsty for blood!"
Before her figure, Hakuryuu's bold voice arrived first.
"Yamato-class Battleship No. 2, Musashi, reporting to Commander."
Musashi bowed gracefully, such elegant conduct making Hakuryuu's mouth twitch.
This woman, what kind of lady-like etiquette is she performing again! Damn it!
After thinking for a moment, Hakuryuu also awkwardly bit her lip and performed a lady-like greeting.
"Project Carrier Hakuryuu, Hakuryuu, extends a sincere greeting to the Commander."
"Pfft~"
Musashi and the three little ones couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey! What are you all laughing at!"
"They are just happy for their first sortie. It's a pleasure to fight alongside you, Lady Hakuryuu, come over to my side."
Jack rubbed Hakuryuu's head, which helped her out of her predicament.
"Really, I'm not a destroyer, why are you patting my head~"
Hakuryuu said softly, her cheeks flushed.
"That… Repair Ship Akashi meow, although I don't really want to sortie and prefer to stay home meow (whispering), but (suddenly raising her voice), if anyone gets hurt, just leave it to Akashi meow! Akashi will be responsible for repairing all of you meow!"
"That's truly reliable, my cute proprietress~"
Jack stroked the small ears on Akashi's head.
Akashi immediately purred like a feline, feeling comfortable.
"Alright, everyone is here now. Everyone board the Shimakaze, and let's head to Area A."
"Yay! Let's go, let's go!"
"Let's go~"
"My great sword is already… Ah! Commander, why are you grabbing my sword, quick… quick give it back…"
Amidst the clamor, Jack's first sortie in the Azure Lane World was about to begin.
In the distance, on the rooftop of the Sakura Empire Port main building.
Fleet Flagship Nagato led the way, breaking rules by jumping onto the roof to observe.
Beside her were the usual Amagi, and the Grand Sage Unzen.
"Such a scene seems to have happened many times, but why do I not have many memories?"
"Perhaps it is as Master said, our original world was merely an illusory beautiful dream. Though beautiful for a moment, it is ultimately fragile."
Amagi's answer was a bit melancholic, but Nagato tacitly accepted this statement.
"Truth and falsehood, falsehood and truth, overthinking is merely self-inflicted trouble. We Shipgirls only need to accompany the Commander. Nagato, Amagi, you are too attached to appearances."
Unzen consistently maintained her wise image as the Grand Sage. After being exposed to the grander knowledge Jack gave her, she remained the one who saw things most clearly.
Nagato and Amagi exchanged glances, then smiled self-deprecatingly.
"You've truly enlightened us again, Grand Sage."
The three stood together like this, calmly watching the clouds roll and unroll, until the massive ship disappeared on the horizon where the sea met the sky.
May you have good fortune in battle, Commander~
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