"Houshou-san?"
Takao whispered.
The woman froze.
Her gaze immediately locked onto Takao.
Then Atago.
The years seemed to disappear from her face.
"Takao?"
The basket was forgotten.
"Atago?"
Both heavy cruisers moved instantly.
They didn't walk.
They ran.
Water splashed as they activated partial rigging.
Skimming across the lake's surface.
Racing toward her.
"Houshou-san!"
The purple-haired woman barely had time to react before both sisters threw themselves into her arms.
The embrace nearly knocked her over.
For a moment nobody spoke.
Then Houshou's shoulders began trembling.
"Akagi..."
Her voice shook.
"Kaga..."
Tears formed in her eyes.
"Akashi..."
She looked toward the others gathering near the lake.
Yorktown.
Enterprise.
Belfast.
Illustrious.
Javelin.
Unicorn.
The Nikkes.
The shipgirls.
Everyone.
Everyone who had survived.
The tears finally fell.
"Everyone is still alive..."
A hand covered her mouth.
The composure of the former Sakura matriarch finally broke.
"Thank goodness..."
Her voice cracked.
"Thank goodness..."
Ten years.
Ten years believing most of them were gone.
Ten years without news.
Ten years of uncertainty.
And suddenly they were standing before her.
Alive.
Akagi and Kaga approached more slowly.
Neither spoke immediately.
For all their strength.
For all their confidence.
This reunion mattered.
"Houshou-sama."
Kaga bowed.
The older carrier immediately pulled her into a hug.
"No formalities."
Kaga froze.
Then quietly returned the embrace.
Akagi smiled.
A genuine smile.
One rarely seen.
"You worried about us."
"Of course I did."
Houshou replied.
"You are all my children."
That answer alone caused several Sakura shipgirls to smile.
Then Houshou noticed another familiar figure approaching.
A figure with dark purple hair.
Golden eyes.
Fox ears.
And ten fox tails.
The carrier blinked.
"This..."
Recognition appeared.
"Kaguya-san?"
The fox smiled warmly.
"Tis has been a while."
Kaguya placed a hand over her heart.
"Houshou-kaasama."
For a moment, Houshou simply stared.
Then she laughed softly through her tears.
"A hundred years could pass and you would still call me that."
"This one hath always respected thee. Even us Arcane Shipgirls respected thee as the matriarch."
Kaguya replied.
The older carrier smiled.
"And you are still as troublesome as ever."
Several girls immediately laughed.
"That's true."
Atago agreed.
"Very true."
Akashi nodded.
"Extremely true."
Kaga added.
Kaguya pouted.
"This one is being bullied."
"Correct."
Akagi replied.
The group laughed.
Meanwhile, Yuuki quietly observed.
The reunion felt different from the others.
Not because of the emotions.
There had been plenty of emotional reunions already.
But because of who Houshou was.
The Sakura shipgirls naturally gravitated toward her.
Like children returning home.
Even Akagi seemed calmer.
Even Kaga smiled more openly.
Even Takao and Atago looked relieved.
Yuuki's eyes widened slightly.
Of all the people he expected to find beneath Laurelin's protection—
Houshou had not been among them.
The Mother of the Sakura Empire.
Even Kaguya respected her.
That fact alone spoke volumes.
Yuuki had seen Kaguya tease kings, mock nobles, and casually challenge enemies powerful enough to threaten entire islands.
The fox shipgirl rarely treated anyone as her superior.
Yet when Houshou's name was mentioned, Kaguya always spoke with genuine respect.
"Houshou-kaasama."
Not as a title.
Not as a formality.
As family.
The commander suddenly understood why.
The woman standing before them radiated warmth.
Not overwhelming strength.
Not authority.
Not intimidation.
Warmth.
The kind of warmth that made people feel safe.
The kind of warmth that made children seek her out without realizing why.
The kind of warmth that made exhausted warriors lower their guard.
Akashi had told him about Houshou before.
Many times.
Usually whenever the Sakura girls became nostalgic.
"Houshou-sama is the big sister of all Sakura light carriers nyaa."
"She always takes care of everyone nyaa."
"She makes sure everyone eats nyaa."
"She worries too much nyaa."
At the time, Yuuki had assumed Akashi was exaggerating.
Now he realized she wasn't.
Not even slightly.
Because the moment Houshou appeared—
The Sakura girls changed.
Takao and Atago immediately ran to her.
Akagi's sharp demeanor softened.
Kaga looked visibly relieved.
Even Akashi's usual merchant-like attitude disappeared.
For a brief moment.
They weren't warships.
They weren't veterans.
They weren't survivors.
They were daughters returning home.
Yuuki watched the reunion quietly.
Then he remembered something else Akashi once told him.
"Houshou-sama never really gets angry nyaa."
That seemed impossible.
Every person had a limit.
Every person became angry eventually.
Yet looking at Houshou now—
Yuuki could almost believe it.
She carried herself with extraordinary patience.
If someone insulted her, she would probably ask whether they were having a bad day.
If someone mistreated her, she would likely worry more about them than herself.
That was simply the kind of person she was.
However—
Yuuki's gaze shifted toward Akagi.
Then Kaga.
Then Takao.
Then Atago.
Then Akashi.
A realization struck him.
Houshou herself might never get angry.
The Sakura Empire absolutely would.
If someone insulted Houshou—
Akagi would burn them.
If someone threatened Houshou—
Kaga would freeze them.
If someone harmed Houshou—
Takao and Atago would likely introduce them to several sharp life lessons.
And if someone somehow managed to upset the Mother of the Sakura Empire—
The entire Sakura Empire would probably take it personally.
Yuuki silently decided that upsetting Houshou was a very bad idea.
Beside him, Yuu adjusted her glasses.
"Interesting."
The doctor looked toward the reunion.
"She's not particularly strong compared to Kaguya."
"No."
Yuuki nodded.
"She isn't."
The commander watched as Houshou comforted her daughters with a smile.
"But that's not why they follow her."
Yuu glanced toward him.
Then back toward Houshou.
The doctor slowly understood.
Strength wasn't always measured in firepower.
Sometimes.
The strongest people were the ones others willingly gathered around.
The ones who gave others a place to return to.
The ones who made an entire faction feel like a family.
Looking at the Sakura girls surrounding Houshou—
Laughing.
Smiling.
Tearing up.
Yuu finally understood why the title Mother of the Sakura Empire existed.
And why every Sakura shipgirl wore that title with pride.
While the Sakura girls gathered around Houshou, another figure slowly approached.
Yorktown.
The carrier had been smiling since seeing Houshou.
But now that she stood before her old friend, the smile trembled.
Ten years.
Ten years of believing friends were dead.
Ten years of searching.
Ten years of carrying memories.
Houshou turned.
Her brown eyes met Yorktown's blue ones.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Houshou smiled.
A warm smile.
A familiar smile.
"Hana..."
Yorktown's lips trembled.
"It has been a while."
The Sakura carrier lowered her head slightly.
"Forgive your friend for not finding you."
Yorktown immediately shook her head.
"No."
The answer came out almost broken.
"No."
The Eagle Union carrier stepped forward.
"You are alive."
Her voice cracked.
"That's enough."
Then Yorktown wrapped her arms around Houshou.
The Sakura carrier froze.
Then gently returned the embrace.
Neither woman spoke.
They didn't need to.
Many of the younger girls watched quietly.
Because this reunion was different.
This wasn't merely shipgirls finding allies.
This was two old friends finding each other again.
Before the fall of Home Island.
Before the Sirens.
Before the chaos.
Yorktown.
Hood.
Friedrich.
Kirov.
Houshou.
The women who gathered together.
Shared stories.
Shared burdens.
Shared responsibilities.
The women many others looked toward for guidance.
The Mothers.
Houshou gently stroked Yorktown's hair.
Just as she had done countless times before.
"You have become stronger."
Yorktown laughed softly through tears.
"So have you."
The Sakura carrier smiled.
"I had to."
Her gaze shifted briefly toward the cottage.
Toward the lake.
Toward Laurelin's great tree.
"There were people depending on me."
Yorktown nodded.
"I understand."
Of everyone present—
Yorktown probably understood the most.
She had spent the last ten years protecting others too.
Protecting Laffey.
Protecting survivors.
Protecting hope.
The two women finally separated.
Neither looked embarrassed by the tears.
At their age.
At their level of experience.
Such things no longer mattered.
What mattered was that they were alive.
Nearby, Avrora smiled warmly.
"I remember those days."
The Northern Parliament cruiser folded her hands.
"Always together."
Yorktown laughed softly.
"Houshou always had tea ready."
"And food."
Kirov's name wasn't present, but Houshou smiled knowingly.
"Someone had to make sure all of you ate properly."
Several shipgirls laughed.
"Still acting like a mother."
Atago teased.
Houshou simply smiled.
"Some things never change."
Kaguya nodded immediately.
"Tis true."
The fox gestured dramatically.
"Houshou-kaasama hath always cared for everyone. She was the first shipgirl this wife met once out of creation."
Akagi crossed her arms.
"She still does."
Even Kaga nodded.
The former First Carrier Division looked far more relaxed than before.
Seeing Houshou again had visibly lifted a burden from them.
Yuuki quietly observed the gathering.
Then he noticed something.
The sensor reading.
Only one life sign.
Yet Esche had spoken of three shipgirls.
Yuu noticed it too.
The doctor glanced toward her display.
Then toward Houshou.
"Excuse me."
The carrier looked over.
"Yes?"
Yuu adjusted her glasses.
"Our sensors only detected one life sign."
Immediately, Houshou's expression changed.
Not fear.
Not concern.
More like realization.
"Ah."
The carrier smiled knowingly.
"That."
The group exchanged looks.
"What about the other two guardians?"
Enterprise asked.
Houshou turned toward Laurelin's great tree.
The ancient golden leaves rustled softly.
Then the carrier laughed.
A quiet, amused laugh.
"I suppose."
She looked back toward them.
"You should meet them yourselves."
Several girls immediately became curious.
Especially since Houshou looked far too amused for someone talking about hidden shipgirls.
And from the way Esche was giggling nearby—
Whatever awaited them next was probably going to be another surprise.
Then Houshou finally noticed the unfamiliar faces.
The Nikkes.
Yuu.
And finally—
Yuuki himself.
The carrier blinked.
Her gaze moved between him and the others.
Then toward Kaguya.
Then back toward Yuuki.
A knowing smile slowly appeared.
"Oh."
Several girls immediately became nervous.
Houshou looked toward Akagi.
Then Kaga.
Then Yorktown.
Then Kaguya.
Then Belfast.
Then Illustrious.
Then back toward Yuuki.
The smile widened.
"I see."
Yuuki immediately knew he wasn't going to like where this was going.
The carrier gently wiped away her remaining tears.
Then bowed politely.
"Welcome to Laurelin's sanctuary."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"And I assume you are the commander responsible for collecting my daughters one by one."
Several girls immediately turned red.
Yuuki covered his face.
The teasing had already begun.
While Yorktown and Houshou finished their reunion, Yuuki finally stepped forward.
The others naturally gave them space.
The commander scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Greetings, Houshou-san. I—"
"Yuuki-san, correct?"
Yuuki blinked.
"How?"
Houshou smiled gently.
The carrier gestured toward Laurelin.
"Laurelin's blessing."
Golden leaves drifted from the sacred tree behind her.
"We heard your voice."
The group looked surprised.
"The other day."
Houshou nodded.
"Laurelin allows us to perceive more than most realize."
Her gaze softened.
"We heard your conversations."
The carrier looked directly at him.
"You spoke of Hood."
Yorktown smiled.
"You spoke of Friedrich."
Nimi immediately straightened.
"You spoke of the Mother Whale."
The carrier's expression remained calm.
"And of your intentions to rescue them."
Yuuki rubbed the back of his head.
"Ah."
That explained it.
The sacred tree had been listening.
Or perhaps sharing.
Houshou smiled warmly.
"Forgive me."
The carrier placed a hand against her chest.
"I should introduce myself properly."
Several Sakura shipgirls immediately smiled.
They knew exactly what was coming.
Houshou straightened.
Her voice carried the same warmth that had comforted countless shipgirls over the years.
"I suppose you could say that I was the first aircraft carrier in the world."
The carrier smiled.
"The eldest sister."
Then another smile.
"Or perhaps the mother of them all."
Several girls nodded instinctively.
The title suited her perfectly.
"My name is Houshou."
The carrier bowed politely.
"And I shall be in your care from now on."
Her gaze moved toward the assembled shipgirls.
"Please leave the children of the fleet in my care."
The warmth in her voice made even Mary smile.
"I will not let you down."
Yuuki smiled.
"Alongside Hermes and Langley?"
That immediately surprised Houshou.
"Ah."
The carrier blinked.
"I take it you have met them?"
The commander nodded.
"Yep."
Then he pointed at himself.
"I beat Hermes in a card game."
Several girls laughed.
"And Langley spent hours teaching me the history of Azur Lane."
The carrier covered her mouth politely.
A soft laugh escaped.
"That certainly sounds like them."
Nearby, Yorktown smiled.
"Hermes would absolutely challenge someone to cards."
"And Langley would absolutely turn a conversation into a lecture."
Enterprise added.
The group laughed.
Houshou looked toward Yuuki again.
The carrier's smile became softer.
More sincere.
"Then you have already met two of the fleet's teachers."
A brief silence followed.
Then Houshou lowered her head.
For the first time since their meeting.
"Shikikan-sama."
The title immediately caught everyone's attention.
The carrier looked directly at him.
"If you would permit it."
The warmth remained.
Yet there was vulnerability beneath it.
"Please allow me to accompany you."
The wind stirred around Laurelin's branches.
Ten years.
Ten years of isolation.
Ten years of protecting this sanctuary.
Ten years separated from the children she once guided.
The carrier smiled sadly.
"Please take this broken mother carrier with you."
Several Sakura shipgirls immediately looked unhappy.
Akagi frowned.
"Houshou-sama."
"You are not broken."
Kaga added quietly.
The carrier simply smiled.
Years of loneliness had left scars.
Even if they weren't visible.
Yuuki shook his head immediately.
"No."
Houshou blinked.
The others looked confused.
The commander smiled.
"I'm not taking you because you're broken."
The carrier froze.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"I'm taking you because you're family."
Silence.
The Sakura girls smiled.
Yorktown nodded.
Even Kaguya looked pleased.
The commander continued.
"I finally found one of the Mothers."
He pointed toward Yorktown.
"Now I have two."
The Eagle Union carrier blushed slightly.
Then Yuuki looked toward Nimi.
"Soon."
The destroyer immediately understood.
"Friedrich."
The commander nodded.
"Then we'll have three."
His gaze moved toward the distant horizon.
Toward the future.
Toward the rescue mission awaiting them.
"Hood."
"Friedrich."
"The others."
The commander smiled.
"We'll bring them home too."
For a moment, Houshou simply stared at him.
Then the carrier smiled.
A genuine smile.
The kind of smile that had comforted generations of shipgirls.
"I see."
A hand gently rested against her chest.
Then Houshou bowed once more.
"Then this mother carrier shall do her best."
Behind her, Laurelin's golden leaves rustled softly.
Almost as if the ancient tree itself approved.
Just as the reunion around Houshou began to settle, hurried footsteps echoed from deeper within Laurelin's sanctuary.
"Houshou-san...!"
"We detected several presences and we—"
Two figures emerged from the trees surrounding the sacred lake.
Both fully equipped with their riggings.
Both clearly expecting intruders.
The first was a slender young woman with long brown hair and matching brown eyes.
Wolf ears rested atop her head.
Her rigging remained deployed, ready for combat at a moment's notice.
The second was noticeably smaller.
White hair.
Orange eyes.
A youthful appearance that made her look no older than a middle-school student.
Both stopped.
Their eyes widened.
The newcomers weren't enemies.
They were familiar faces.
Atago immediately lit up.
"Maya!"
"Choukai!"
The smaller destroyer froze.
Then her eyes began to sparkle.
"Atago-nee!"
Without hesitation, Choukai dismissed her rigging.
The girl practically launched herself across the grass.
"Atago-nee!"
Atago opened her arms.
A second later—
THUMP!
Choukai crashed directly into her sister's embrace.
The heavy cruiser laughed.
"There she is."
The younger girl buried her face into Atago's shoulder.
"You're alive..."
The words came out muffled.
Atago's smile softened.
"Of course I am."
Nearby, the wolf-eared cruiser remained frozen.
Her gaze never left Takao.
"Takao-nee..."
Unlike Choukai, she didn't run.
She simply stood there.
Unable to move.
Unable to fully believe what she was seeing.
Ten years.
Ten years since she had last seen her sister.
Ten years of believing the worst.
Takao noticed immediately.
The elder sister's usually stoic expression softened.
"Maya."
The younger cruiser's lips trembled.
She had spent years imagining this moment.
Years wondering what she would say.
Years wondering if she would ever see Takao again.
Now that the moment had arrived—
Words failed her.
Takao stepped forward first.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Then she placed a hand on Maya's head.
A gesture she hadn't received in over a decade.
Maya's eyes widened.
Then the tears came.
Without warning.
Without restraint.
"Takao-nee..."
The younger cruiser finally closed the distance.
Takao immediately caught her.
Holding her firmly.
Like she had done countless times before.
"I thought..."
Maya couldn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
Takao understood.
The elder sister gently stroked her hair.
"I'm here."
Simple words.
Yet enough.
For a moment, neither moved.
Neither wanted to let go.
Nearby, Choukai remained attached to Atago like a particularly affectionate koala.
Atago laughed.
"You've gotten bigger."
"I have not!"
"You have."
"I haven't!"
The argument immediately began.
Several girls laughed.
Even Akagi smiled at the sight.
Kaga folded her arms.
"It seems some things never change."
"Indeed."
Houshou agreed.
The carrier watched the reunion with quiet satisfaction.
Another family reunited.
Another wound healed.
Yuuki observed the four sisters.
Then realization struck him.
The Takao Class.
Takao.
Atago.
Maya.
Choukai.
For the first time in ten years—
The entire class stood together again.
Even Takao looked happier than usual.
Which was saying something.
Choukai finally noticed the crowd behind her sisters.
Her eyes widened.
"Akagi-san!"
"Kaga-san!"
"Akashi!"
The younger cruiser looked around.
There were so many familiar faces.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Even Kaguya.
The girl's brain visibly stopped working.
Then she noticed Yuuki.
A man.
A single man standing among dozens of women.
Choukai blinked.
Looked at Yuuki.
Looked at the others.
Looked back at Yuuki.
Then quietly tugged Atago's sleeve.
"Atago-nee."
"Yes?"
"Why is there a man here?"
The sanctuary immediately became quiet.
Several girls tried not to laugh.
Atago's smile became mischievous.
Dangerously mischievous.
"Oh?"
The heavy cruiser draped an arm around Yuuki's shoulders.
"That's our commander."
Choukai blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then looked at all the girls surrounding him.
Then looked back at Atago.
A terrible realization slowly appeared on her face.
"...Commander?"
"Oh yes."
Atago grinned.
"Things have gotten very interesting while you were away."
The smaller cruiser tilted her head slightly.
Then realization struck.
"The voice..."
Choukai's orange eyes widened.
"The one Laurelin showed us."
Maya immediately looked toward Yuuki again.
The voice they had heard several days ago.
The mysterious voice that echoed through Laurelin's roots.
The man speaking about rescuing shipgirls.
About recovering lost friends.
About Hood.
About Friedrich.
About bringing everyone home.
The voice they had wanted to investigate.
But could not.
Because leaving Laurelin unattended was unthinkable.
For ten years, the sacred tree had protected them.
Fed them.
Sheltered them.
Hidden them from the chaos consuming the world.
They could not simply abandon her.
Now the owner of that voice stood before them.
"You're him."
Choukai spoke softly.
"The one Laurelin showed us."
Yuuki scratched his cheek.
"I suppose so."
The younger cruiser stared.
Then glanced toward the massive group behind him.
Then toward Laurelin.
Then back to Yuuki.
"So the tree wasn't exaggerating."
"What do you mean?"
Anis asked.
Choukai pointed.
"There really are that many girls around him."
Several shipgirls immediately burst into laughter.
Yuuki covered his face.
"Please don't start."
Meanwhile, Kyon and Momo finally caught up with the group.
The two Tsukimimi had been following Yuu through the sanctuary.
Then they saw Laurelin.
Both froze.
"..."
"..."
The sacred tree stood before them.
Not a legend.
Not a story.
Not a shrine.
Real.
Alive.
Glorious.
Momo's ears twitched.
"Lady Laurelin..."
Kyon dropped to her knees instinctively.
For generations, the Tsukimimi had left offerings at the cave entrance.
Prayed to the hidden guardians.
Maintained the sacred path.
Yet neither had ever ventured this deep.
Now they finally understood why the elders treated this mountain with such reverence.
Then they noticed the three women standing nearby.
The hidden guardians.
The protectors of the sacred tree.
The women spoken of only in old stories.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"So these are the guardians."
Houshou smiled gently.
Before she could answer, the smaller cruiser stepped forward.
She immediately bowed.
"Greetings."
Her posture was perfect.
Formal.
Polite.
The younger cruiser raised her head.
"I apologize for not meeting you sooner."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"I am Choukai."
The cruiser smiled warmly.
"The fourth ship of the Takao-class heavy cruisers."
Atago grinned proudly beside her.
Choukai continued.
"As the former flagship of the Eighth Fleet, I participated in numerous campaigns."
The younger cruiser bowed again.
"It is an honor to meet you."
Then Maya stepped forward.
Compared to Choukai, her posture was noticeably more reserved.
More cautious.
More disciplined.
The wolf-eared cruiser bowed.
"Maya."
"The third ship of the Takao-class."
She glanced briefly toward Atago and Takao.
"My little sister and I are twins."
A pause.
"Though we're considerably younger than our elder sisters."
Atago immediately laughed.
"Still as serious as ever."
Maya sighed.
"Someone has to be."
Choukai nodded immediately.
"Definitely not Atago-nee."
The sanctuary erupted into laughter.
Even Takao smiled.
Yuuki quietly observed the two sisters.
The similarities were obvious.
Just like Takao and Atago.
The personalities contrasted sharply.
Maya carried herself much like Takao.
Calm.
Disciplined.
Serious.
Choukai resembled Atago more.
Warm.
Trusting.
Open-hearted.
The dynamic was immediately recognizable.
Eventually, Maya looked toward Laurelin.
Then toward Yuuki.
And finally toward the others.
"The three of us became Laurelin's guardians."
The wolf-eared cruiser's voice softened.
"As payment."
The group looked confused.
"Payment?"
Yorktown asked.
Choukai nodded.
"When we arrived here."
"We had nowhere else to go."
Houshou smiled gently.
"Laurelin welcomed us."
The carrier looked toward the sacred tree.
"Protected us."
"Fed us."
"Concealed us from the outside world."
Golden leaves drifted around the ancient tree.
For a brief moment, the sanctuary felt even more peaceful.
Maya continued.
"So we made an agreement."
The cruiser placed a hand upon her chest.
"We would protect Laurelin."
"And Laurelin would protect us."
A simple arrangement.
Yet one that had lasted an entire decade.
Ten years.
Three shipgirls.
One sacred tree.
Guarding each other.
Waiting.
Until today.
Until the voice Laurelin had shown them finally arrived in person.
And for the first time in ten years, the hidden guardians were no longer alone.
As introductions continued, Houshou, Maya, and Choukai found themselves recognizing more and more faces among the newcomers.
Takao.
Atago.
Akagi.
Kaga.
Akashi.
Yorktown.
Enterprise.
Each familiar face was another miracle.
Another survivor.
Another friend thought lost to time.
Then their eyes landed on a certain purple-haired fox woman standing quietly beside Yuuki.
Maya and Choukai froze as they heard only Arcane shipgirls possessed ten tails. Even powerful shipgirls like Akagi and Kaga possessed only nine tails.
"..."
"..."
"Maya, Choukai.. this is Kaguya."
The carrier introduce the Arcane Shipgirl.
"Kaguya...?"
Maya immediately straightened.
Choukai's mouth slowly opened.
"No way..."
Unlike the others, it wasn't simply because Kaguya had survived.
It was because of who she was.
To ordinary Sakura shipgirls, Kaguya wasn't merely another vessel.
She was a legend.
A name spoken in classified reports.
A figure mentioned in rumors.
A woman most would never meet throughout their entire careers.
The Legendary Arcane of the East.
Yuuki immediately noticed the reactions.
"You know her?"
Maya nodded almost instantly.
"Know of her."
The wolf-eared cruiser corrected herself.
"We never expected to meet her."
Even Choukai looked awestruck.
"She's real."
Kaguya immediately pouted.
"Of course this one is real."
The younger cruiser shook her head.
"No."
"You don't understand."
Choukai pointed dramatically.
"You're Kaguya."
As if that explained everything.
Unfortunately—
It kind of did.
Yuuki looked toward the fox.
"Kaguya?"
The fox sighed.
Then her tails swayed behind her.
"Ah, dearest."
Kaguya smiled helplessly.
"This wife forgot."
The fox placed a hand upon her chest.
"We Arcane shipgirls were never truly part of Azur Lane."
The revelation immediately caught everyone's attention.
Even Mary and Pepper listened closely.
"We operated separately."
Kaguya continued.
"Our existence was heavily restricted."
The fox looked toward Houshou.
Then toward Maya and Choukai.
"We were considered too valuable."
"Too dangerous."
"Too powerful."
The golden-eyed woman smiled faintly.
"I am known as one of the Arcane of the East."
Several girls exchanged looks.
"One of?"
Yorktown asked.
Kaguya nodded.
"One of many."
The fox raised a finger.
"There were Eastern Arcane shipgirls."
A second finger.
"Western Arcane shipgirls."
A third.
"Northern."
A fourth.
"Southern."
The atmosphere became noticeably quieter.
This was entirely new information.
Even Akagi and Kaga appeared interested.
The fox's smile became nostalgic.
"We were not organized by faction."
"We were organized by purpose."
"Our duty was to safeguard knowledge."
"Ancient relics."
"Forbidden techniques."
"Things the Sirens desperately wished to obtain."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"So you went into hiding."
Kaguya nodded.
"When the world fell."
The fox looked toward Laurelin.
"When the Sirens began hunting us."
"We scattered."
A brief silence followed.
"We were powerful."
Her smile became slightly bitter.
"But not invincible."
"If captured..."
The fox shook her head.
"The consequences would have been catastrophic."
Nayuta quietly listened.
Processing.
Analyzing.
Connecting information.
An organization.
Independent of Azur Lane.
Composed entirely of elite Arcane shipgirls.
Possessing powers rivaling legends.
The implications were enormous.
"So Azur Lane itself didn't control the Arcane?"
Nayuta asked.
Kaguya shook her head.
"No."
"The factions protected us."
"But even their leaders often knew little."
The fox smiled faintly.
"I rarely interacted with ordinary Sakura shipgirls."
The admission surprised several people.
"Then who did you know?"
Enterprise asked.
Kaguya immediately answered.
"Nagato-sama."
The fox's expression softened.
"Houshou-kaasama."
The carrier smiled warmly.
"Shinano."
"Musashi."
"Yamato."
The names alone carried tremendous weight.
"That was largely the extent of my direct interactions."
The fox shrugged.
"Our existence was meant to remain hidden."
Houshou nodded slowly.
"It is true."
The carrier looked toward Yuuki.
"Even many fleet leaders only knew fragments."
Maya folded her arms.
"I remember hearing stories."
Choukai nodded excitedly.
"Me too."
"The Arcane Shipgirls."
"The hidden guardians."
"The secret protectors."
The younger cruiser looked toward Kaguya.
Then immediately bowed.
"It's an honor."
Kaguya blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"Please."
The fox waved her hand.
"This one is merely another shipgirl."
Nobody believed that.
Not even slightly.
Especially not after hearing about an entire hidden order of Arcane shipgirls scattered across the world.
Nayuta remained thoughtful.
The Pilgrim looked toward Kaguya.
Then toward Yuuki.
Another mystery.
Another hidden piece of the old world.
And judging by the commander's expression—
He had just added "find the Arcane shipgirls" to his already impossibly long list of future objectives.
After the discussion about the Arcane Shipgirls settled, Yuuki decided it was time to properly introduce everyone.
After all, Houshou, Maya, and Choukai had been isolated for ten years.
To them, half the people standing here were complete strangers.
"By the way."
The commander gestured toward the group behind him.
"These are your new allies."
Houshou, Maya, and Choukai turned their attention toward the unfamiliar women.
"The Nikkes."
Immediately, several Nikkes straightened.
Yuuki began pointing one by one.
"Mary and Pepper."
The two former doctors stepped forward.
"You've actually been sharing the same island all this time."
Houshou blinked.
"Ah."
The carrier immediately recognized them.
"The doctors."
Mary looked surprised.
"You know us?"
Houshou smiled gently.
"We've seen you from afar."
The carrier glanced toward the village below.
"You cared for the Tsukimimi when nobody else could."
Mary lowered her head slightly.
"We only did what we could."
"Yet you still did it."
Houshou replied warmly.
Pepper immediately looked embarrassed.
The carrier's praise felt surprisingly powerful.
Yuuki continued.
"The others were recovered by me during my travels."
He gestured toward three familiar Nikkes.
"Rapi."
The leader of Counters nodded.
"An honor."
"Anis."
The blonde waved casually.
"Nice to meet you."
"Neon."
The blue-haired Nikke immediately saluted.
"Specialist in firepower!"
Several girls sighed.
Even Houshou couldn't suppress a laugh.
"Indeed."
Yuuki pointed toward them.
"My Counter Squad."
Then toward another group.
"Ade."
The maid bowed elegantly.
"Soda."
The cheerful Nikke smiled brightly.
"Cocoa."
The smallest maid puffed out her chest proudly.
"These three belong to the Maid Squad."
Yuuki pointed toward Belfast.
"Operating under Belfast."
The head maid smiled gracefully.
"They have integrated quite well."
"Most of the time."
Anis muttered.
"I heard that."
Cocoa replied.
The group laughed.
Then Yuuki looked toward a silver-haired woman standing nearby.
"Nayuta."
The Pilgrim folded her hands respectfully.
"This humble one greets thee."
The title immediately caught Maya's attention.
"Pilgrim?"
Yuuki nodded.
"One of the strongest Nikkes you'll ever meet."
Nayuta immediately shook her head.
"This humble one merely does her best."
Nobody believed her.
Not after watching her fight years ago.
Finally, Yuuki gestured toward Yuu.
"And this is Kirino Yuu."
The doctor adjusted her glasses.
Her Mark 49 armor quietly standing behind her in sentry mode.
"Head Doctor of the Global Defense Initiative."
Yuu smiled.
"A pleasure."
Then Yuuki added.
"The greatest doctor in this world."
The doctor immediately looked pleased.
Choukai looked toward Yuu with curiosity.
"You healed their injuries?"
"Correct."
The doctor smiled.
"I also intend to study shipgirls."
Several shipgirls immediately became nervous.
"Study?"
"Research."
Yuu corrected.
The nervousness remained.
Yuuki quickly intervened.
"She means scans."
Yuu sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
"No dissection."
The nervousness reduced slightly.
Only slightly.
Finally, the commander placed a hand against his chest.
"I suppose that leaves me."
The group's attention shifted toward him.
The man standing at the center of everything.
The one who somehow gathered shipgirls, Nikkes, fairies, Arcane Shipgirls, and now hidden guardians beneath a sacred tree.
Yuuki smiled.
"I am Yukihira Yuuki."
The golden leaves around Laurelin drifted softly.
"High Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
The title was unfamiliar.
Maya tilted her head.
"GDI?"
The commander nodded.
"We're not Eagle Union."
"We're not Royal Navy."
"We're not Sakura Empire."
"We're not Iron Blood."
He paused.
"We aren't even from this world."
Silence.
Even though they had already heard fragments of the story—
Hearing it directly remained surreal.
Choukai blinked.
"Another world?"
Yuuki nodded.
"A different Earth."
The commander gestured toward Yuu.
"Her world."
Then toward himself.
"And mine."
Houshou quietly listened.
The carrier had lived long enough to know when someone was lying.
Yuuki wasn't.
Not even slightly.
The technologies below.
The armor.
The drones.
The impossible machines.
The healing systems.
Everything supported his claim.
Finally, Houshou smiled.
"Then regardless of where you come from."
The carrier looked toward the gathered shipgirls and Nikkes.
Then toward Yuuki.
"You have given these children a home."
Yorktown smiled.
Akagi nodded.
Even Rapi looked proud.
Houshou's gaze softened.
"For that alone."
The Mother of the Sakura Empire bowed politely.
"You have this mother's gratitude, Commander."
"So..."
Anis looked between Yorktown and Houshou.
Then back to Yorktown.
Then to Houshou again.
"So we have another mom now?"
Yorktown immediately sensed danger.
"Anis."
The blonde Nikke grinned.
A very dangerous grin.
"Don't worry, Mom."
Yorktown's face instantly turned red.
"You'll always be our mom."
"ANIS!"
The carrier's protest only made things worse.
Neon immediately joined in.
"Well, deal with it, Mom."
Yorktown covered her face.
"Why are you two like this?"
The answer never came.
Because Nimi was already moving.
Bonk.
A perfectly executed karate chop landed on Neon's head.
"Ow!"
Neon immediately pointed accusingly.
"Mom!"
The Nikke ran behind Yorktown.
"Nimi is bullying me!"
Nimi sighed.
"She deserved it."
Laffey, who had somehow fallen asleep against Nimi's shoulder halfway through the conversation, remained completely unbothered.
"Mm..."
The destroyer adjusted slightly.
Still asleep.
Javelin looked between them.
Then sighed.
"Normal."
Meanwhile, Houshou quietly observed the interaction.
Then laughed softly.
The sound was warm.
Gentle.
The kind of laugh that instantly made everyone relax.
"Houshou..."
Eugen stepped forward.
The heavy cruiser smiled.
"It has been a while."
The carrier blinked.
Then smiled.
"Ah."
"Eugen."
The Iron Blood cruiser spread her arms dramatically.
"I remembered you sober."
Several girls immediately started laughing.
Eugen placed a hand over her heart.
"I changed."
The cruiser looked toward Yuuki.
"My teddy bear's love already made me intoxicated."
Yuuki immediately regretted being present.
Several girls began teasing noises.
Houshou covered her mouth politely.
"Ah."
The carrier smiled knowingly.
"Something warmer than alcohol?"
The answer immediately made several shipgirls blush.
Even Kaguya looked amused.
Then Houshou paused.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The connection.
The warmth.
The emotional bond flowing through the group.
For the first time she properly noticed it.
A warmth connecting them all.
Different from friendship.
Different from camaraderie.
Something deeper.
The carrier smiled softly.
"I see."
Her gaze shifted toward Yuuki.
"Indeed."
The carrier nodded.
"It is warmer than alcohol."
Then she sighed dramatically.
"What a tragedy."
The girls immediately knew she was acting.
Or at least mostly acting.
"At this rate..."
Houshou placed a hand over her chest.
"No one shall come to Houshou's bar anymore."
The carrier looked heartbreakingly sad.
The performance was flawless.
Several Sakura girls immediately recognized the tactic.
"Ah."
Kaga nodded.
"There it is."
"Houshou-sama's weapon."
Akagi agreed.
"Emotional manipulation."
The carrier looked offended.
"This mother would never."
Nobody believed her.
Yuuki laughed.
"You'll be fine, Houshou-san."
The carrier looked hopeful.
"Oh?"
The commander nodded.
"You can expand."
"Expand?"
"Mixed juices."
Several girls blinked.
Yuuki pointed toward the younger members.
"The little ones love your fruit juices."
Javelin immediately nodded.
"True."
Unicorn nodded too.
"They're really good."
Even Laffey raised a hand without waking up.
"Apple juice..."
Then immediately fell asleep again.
The group laughed.
Yuuki continued.
"Non-alcoholic drinks sell surprisingly well."
The commander gestured toward the Nikkes.
"And expect a lot of Nikke customers."
Mary nodded.
"I don't drink. So, I am open to juice."
Pepper agreed.
"Same."
Rapi raised a hand.
"Tea."
Anis immediately added—
"Milkshakes."
Neon dramatically pointed upward.
"Explosive juice."
Everyone ignored her.
Akashi's ears immediately perked up.
Business opportunity detected.
"Akashi can arrange fruit supplies nyaa. This island will soon transform into a massive fruit farm nyaa."
The merchant shipgirl grinned.
"For a small service fee nyaa—"
Before she could finish—
Yuuki grabbed one of her ears.
"Nyaaa!"
"No haggling."
"Nyaaa!"
The catgirl pouted dramatically.
"Kaa-sama!"
Akashi immediately ran toward Houshou.
"Shikikan is bullying Akashi nyaa!"
Despite her complaints—
Her tail was swishing happily.
The ear rub clearly wasn't unwelcome.
Houshou simply laughed.
"Some things never change."
Finally, Yuuki looked toward the carrier.
"Actually."
"Hm?"
The commander tilted his head.
"One thing I've always wondered."
The others became curious.
"Maya and Choukai have wolf traits."
The two sisters nodded.
"Takao and Atago as well."
Another nod.
"Akagi and Kaga are foxes."
The carrier waited patiently.
Then Yuuki asked.
"What animal traits do you have?"
For a moment.
Houshou simply smiled.
A very motherly smile.
Then she answered.
"I am a mother bird."
The answer immediately drew curious looks.
"Mother bird?"
Neon tilted her head.
"There are shipgirls with bird traits?"
Houshou smiled gently.
"Of course."
The carrier brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Not all Sakura shipgirls possess fox or wolf characteristics."
Several girls nodded.
That made sense.
Yuuki looked interested.
"I don't suppose you can fly?"
"I can."
The carrier's smile became slightly awkward.
"Or rather..."
Golden particles appeared behind her.
For the first time since they arrived, Houshou summoned part of her rigging.
Several girls widened their eyes.
Large purple feathered wings emerged behind her back.
Unlike Kaguya's magical manifestations, these were entirely mechanical.
Shipgirl rigging.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
But damaged.
The left wing was visibly fractured.
Several sections were bent.
Feathers made of steel and energy were broken or missing.
The right wing wasn't much better.
The sanctuary grew quiet.
"As you can see."
Houshou gently touched one of the damaged sections.
"It was damaged during an attack years ago."
The carrier's smile remained calm.
"I am hardly fit to serve as a guardian."
The words immediately caused several girls to frown.
"Houshou-sama..."
Akagi muttered.
Before anyone could continue—
A familiar catgirl raised her hand.
"Akashi can fix it nyaa."
Houshou blinked.
"You can?"
Akashi puffed out her chest proudly.
"Of course nyaa."
The repair ship pointed toward Yuuki.
"Shikikan gave Akashi, Vestal, Mary, and Pepper Gizmo Beams nyaa."
The carrier looked confused.
"Gizmo...?"
The answer came immediately.
Four figures stepped forward.
Akashi.
Vestal.
Mary.
Pepper.
All four raised their repair gauntlets.
Blue energy began gathering at the emitters.
Houshou looked increasingly concerned.
"Wait."
The four doctors smiled.
"No."
Vestal replied.
Four blue beams fired simultaneously.
FWOOOSH
The repair energy washed over Houshou.
The carrier blinked.
Then blinked again.
The damaged sections of her wings began restoring themselves.
Broken armor reformed.
Bent structures straightened.
Missing feathers regenerated.
Damaged energy conduits reignited.
The process took only seconds.
Everyone watched.
Silently.
The left wing fully restored.
The right wing restored.
Power readings normalized.
The rigging hummed softly.
Houshou slowly spread her wings.
Both extended perfectly.
No damage.
No fractures.
No weakness.
The carrier stared.
Then stared some more.
Ten years.
Ten years she had carried that damage.
Ten years believing it could never be repaired.
And now—
Gone.
Just like that.
Silence settled over the sanctuary.
Even Maya looked shocked.
"You repaired it..."
Mary smiled.
"Completely."
Pepper nodded proudly.
"Looks good as new."
Houshou gently flexed her wings.
The feathers moved smoothly.
For the first time in years.
They felt whole.
The carrier lowered her head.
"Thank you."
The sincerity in her voice made the four doctors smile.
Then several girls returned to the previous topic.
The bird wings.
The motherly personality.
The constant caring.
The habit of gathering everyone beneath her protection.
The realization spread rapidly.
Of course she was a bird.
The Mother of the Sakura Empire.
The woman who sheltered countless shipgirls beneath her wings.
It fit too perfectly.
Kaguya nodded immediately.
"Tis fitting."
Yorktown smiled warmly.
"Very fitting."
Anis looked toward Houshou.
Then Yorktown.
Then Houshou.
Then Yorktown again.
The blonde Nikke slowly grinned.
"Oh no."
Yorktown immediately recognized that grin.
"Anis."
"We have two moms now."
"ANIS!"
The carrier's protest echoed through the sanctuary.
Too late.
The damage was done.
Several girls immediately started laughing.
Even Houshou covered her mouth to hide a smile.
Then something small and fast appeared.
"Buli!"
The Bulin sisters launched themselves forward.
"Buli buli!"
Before Houshou could react—
Three of them attached themselves to her.
One on each side. One behind her.
Like tiny yellow limpet mines.
The carrier blinked.
Then looked down.
Three Bulins stared back.
"Buli!"
The sisters immediately hugged her.
Houshou melted.
Completely.
The carrier gently lifted one in each arm.
The Bulins happily settled into her embrace.
"Well."
The Mother of the Sakura Empire smiled.
"It seems I've been adopted."
The Bulins nodded vigorously.
"BULI!"
Anis pointed dramatically.
"See?"
The Nikke looked toward Yorktown.
"Mom behavior."
Yorktown covered her face.
"Why does this keep happening to me?"
Nearby, Yuuki watched Houshou holding the Bulin sisters.
The restored wings spread behind her.
Golden leaves drifting around Laurelin.
The younger girls naturally gathering around her.
Then he smiled.
Yeah.
Mother bird fit perfectly.
The discussion eventually shifted toward Houshou's newly repaired wings.
The carrier carefully stretched them.
Golden metallic feathers shimmered beneath the light of Laurelin.
For the first time in years, they moved perfectly.
Neon immediately pointed.
"So all bird shipgirls can fly?"
Houshou laughed softly.
"Not exactly."
The carrier shook her head.
"Only those equipped for it."
She gently tapped one of her wings.
"I couldn't fly originally."
Several girls looked surprised.
"You couldn't?"
Javelin asked.
Houshou nodded.
"These wings were added much later."
The carrier looked toward the mechanical feathers.
"Years into the war."
A small thruster unfolded from beneath one section of the wing.
"They aren't biological."
"They're rigging."
"Miniaturized propulsion systems."
Yuuki immediately became interested.
"Thruster-assisted flight."
"Correct."
Houshou nodded.
"Without fuel."
The carrier smiled helplessly.
"I fall."
Several girls laughed.
"That's a very important detail."
Anis commented.
"Indeed."
The carrier folded her wings.
"These were developed to increase mobility during later stages of the conflict."
Then Houshou became nostalgic.
"Your future Sakura carriers would be quite interested in this discussion."
"Future carriers?"
Mary asked.
Houshou smiled.
"Shoukaku."
Akagi immediately frowned.
"And Zuikaku."
The frown deepened.
Several Sakura girls noticed instantly.
Atago smirked.
"Still holding grudges?"
"I do not."
Akagi replied.
Nobody believed her.
Not even Kaga.
Especially Kaga.
The fox crossed her arms.
"Shoukaku was merely irritating."
Atago's grin widened.
"Your frenemy."
"Your junior."
"Someone you secretly missed."
"Atago."
The heavy cruiser laughed.
The answer had been obvious.
The Fifth Carrier Division and the First Carrier Division had spent years competing.
Arguing.
Clashing.
Trying to outdo each other.
Yet those rivalries were also bonds.
Ten years was a long time to miss someone.
Houshou smiled knowingly.
"They would be happy to see you again."
Akagi looked away.
"...Perhaps."
Kaga immediately translated.
"Yes."
The group laughed.
Yuuki looked toward Houshou.
"So Shoukaku and Zuikaku can fly?"
"Not naturally."
The carrier shook her head.
"They possess crane traits."
"But no flight systems."
"There were plans."
Houshou's expression became thoughtful.
"Retrofitting projects."
"Wing systems."
"Improved mobility."
"Flight capability."
The carrier sighed.
"Unfortunately."
"The plans were never released."
"The headquarters fell before development was completed."
Several girls looked disappointed.
Then Yuuki casually dropped a bombshell.
"I downloaded the archives."
Silence.
Houshou blinked.
"You what?"
"I downloaded everything from headquarters."
The commander shrugged.
"As much as I could recover."
The carrier stared.
Then stared harder.
The implications hit immediately.
"Wait."
"The retrofit data survived?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Most of it."
Several Sakura shipgirls immediately became excited.
Akashi's ears perked up.
Yuu adjusted her glasses.
Even Maya looked interested.
"If the schematics exist..."
Yuuki continued.
"We can rebuild them."
The commander pointed toward Houshou's wings.
"Improve them."
"Modernize them."
"Integrate GDI technology."
The girls exchanged looks.
That sounded dangerous.
And amazing.
Mostly amazing.
Yuuki tilted his head.
"Any other bird-type shipgirls?"
Houshou immediately answered.
"Hiyou."
"Junyou."
The commander snapped his fingers.
"I've met them in the inner world."
Then realization struck.
"That's why they didn't have obvious animal ears."
The carrier nodded.
"Not all bird traits manifest the same way."
Some developed wings.
Some developed enhanced eyesight.
Some possessed stronger aerial instincts.
Some only displayed minor characteristics.
Yuuki folded his arms.
Then a dangerous smile appeared.
The smile of an engineer.
The girls recognized it instantly.
"Oh no."
Rapi muttered.
"He's planning something."
The commander ignored her.
"If I can integrate the retrofit data."
"Combine it with GDI repulsor technology and Arc reactors."
"Improve power efficiency."
"Miniaturize the thrusters."
Several girls slowly realized where this was heading.
Yuuki grinned.
"Who knows?"
The commander looked toward the assembled shipgirls.
"Maybe I can give every shipgirl the gift of flight."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the breeze seemed to stop.
Then—
"EH?!"
The collective shout echoed across Laurelin's sanctuary.
Houshou blinked.
Yorktown blinked.
Maya blinked.
Choukai blinked.
Even Kaguya looked surprised.
Every shipgirl?
Not carriers.
Not bird-types.
Every shipgirl.
Neon's eyes sparkled.
"Flying artillery."
The Nikke looked inspired.
"Such firepower."
The group collectively groaned.
Of course that was her first thought.
Meanwhile, Yuuki was already mentally redesigning half of Azur Lane's ship classes.
And that was what worried everyone the most.
After the excitement surrounding flight retrofits finally settled down, Choukai tilted her head thoughtfully.
The younger cruiser had been listening carefully ever since the group arrived.
Then she realized something.
"Shikikan-sama?"
Yuuki looked over.
"Yes?"
The cruiser gestured around them.
"I am sure you didn't climb an entire mountain just to recruit us."
Several girls paused.
That was true.
Meeting Houshou, Maya, and Choukai had been unexpected.
A fortunate discovery.
But not the original purpose.
Yuuki smiled.
"Correct."
The commander raised his hand.
"Actually."
"Because of her."
The group looked confused.
Then a familiar silver light appeared.
A tiny figure materialized atop Yuuki's palm.
Esche.
The small fairy adjusted her silver wings before standing proudly.
Her black hair swayed gently.
Her dark eyes looked toward the three guardians.
"Greetings."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then—
"A FAIRY!?"
Choukai practically jumped.
The younger cruiser stared.
Then stared harder.
Then stared even harder.
"A REAL FAIRY!"
The excitement in her voice immediately made Atago laugh.
Meanwhile Houshou had frozen.
Even the Mother of the Sakura Empire looked genuinely shocked.
"A fairy..."
The carrier whispered.
Maya simply stood speechless.
The wolf-eared cruiser had spent ten years guarding a magical tree.
Yet somehow seeing an actual fairy was still surprising.
Kyon and Momo were even worse.
The two Tsukimimi immediately rushed closer.
"Huaa!"
"A fairy!"
Their ears stood straight up.
The bunny girls looked ready to explode from excitement.
"It's our first time seeing one!"
"She's so small!"
"She's floating!"
"She's glowing!"
Esche blinked.
Then blinked again.
The fairy wasn't used to being the center of attention.
"Eep."
She immediately hid behind Yuuki's head.
The group laughed.
Nearby, Yuu pushed her glasses upward.
Unlike the others, she had already met Esche.
That did not reduce her curiosity.
Not even slightly.
In fact, it probably made it worse.
The doctor was already mentally planning fifteen different research questions.
Esche noticed.
"Eep."
She hid even further.
The commander sighed.
"Yuu."
"What?"
"No."
The doctor looked disappointed.
Then Yuuki returned to Choukai's question.
"This is Esche."
The fairy cautiously peeked out again.
"Fairy of the Telperion Silver Tree."
The three guardians exchanged looks.
Fairy.
Telperion.
Another sacred tree.
The implications were obvious.
Then Choukai blinked.
"Wait."
"Telperion?"
The cruiser pointed toward Laurelin.
"You mean another sacred tree exists?"
Esche nodded proudly.
"My tree."
The fairy puffed out her tiny chest.
"Very beautiful."
Several girls smiled.
Then Maya folded her arms.
"If Esche brought you here..."
The wolf-eared cruiser looked toward Laurelin.
"You came to meet Laurelin."
Yuuki nodded.
"And her sister."
"Sister?"
Houshou asked.
The commander pointed toward the sacred tree.
"Oberis."
The sanctuary suddenly became quiet.
The golden leaves drifting around Laurelin seemed to slow.
Even the breeze felt calmer.
"Oberis."
Esche smiled warmly.
"Fairy of Laurelin."
The realization slowly spread.
Two sacred trees.
Two fairies.
Sisters.
Separated for years.
Then Yuuki delivered the second half of the explanation.
"And we're here to retrieve Laurelin."
Silence.
The three guardians froze.
"What?"
Maya was the first to react.
"Retrieve the tree?"
Choukai looked horrified.
"The whole tree?"
Even Houshou seemed surprised.
Yuuki nodded calmly.
"The whole tree."
The younger cruiser looked toward Laurelin.
Then toward Yuuki.
Then toward Laurelin again.
The giant sacred tree.
The sanctuary.
The lake.
The roots.
Everything.
"You can do that?"
The commander rubbed the back of his head.
"Apparently."
Several girls laughed.
That answer somehow sounded perfectly like Yuuki.
Esche fluttered into the air.
The fairy looked toward Laurelin's golden branches.
Then smiled.
"It was my request."
The guardians became quiet.
The fairy's expression was unusually serious.
"My sister has remained alone for a long time."
The tiny fairy lowered her gaze.
"Too long."
Golden leaves drifted gently around her.
"Telperion and Laurelin were never meant to remain separated."
Even Houshou could hear the sadness in her voice.
The Mother of the Sakura Empire looked toward the sacred tree.
Ten years.
She understood loneliness.
Perhaps better than most.
Then Esche looked toward Yuuki.
"He promised."
The fairy smiled.
"He would bring us together."
The group fell silent.
Not because they objected.
But because they finally understood.
This wasn't about taking Laurelin away.
This wasn't about removing the sacred tree.
This was about bringing family back together.
Something every shipgirl standing here understood perfectly.
Houshou looked toward the golden tree.
Then toward Esche.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
One moment there was laughter.
The next—
Steel sang.
SHING!
Maya stepped backward.
A single fluid motion.
Her sword left its sheath.
The wolf-eared cruiser positioned herself between Laurelin and the group.
Immediately, several shipgirls tensed.
"Maya?"
Choukai's eyes widened.
The younger cruiser couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Maya-chan!"
Atago shouted.
The wolf-eared cruiser didn't lower her blade.
Instead, her grip tightened.
"I am sorry, Commander."
Her voice was calm.
Steady.
Determined.
"But I cannot allow this."
The sanctuary became silent.
Even the golden leaves drifting around Laurelin seemed to slow.
Maya's ears lowered slightly.
"I am the guardian of the sacred tree."
Her gaze shifted briefly toward the golden tree behind her.
"Laurelin protected me."
Her voice softened.
"Fed me."
"Sheltered me."
"Saved my sister and me."
The wolf-eared cruiser raised her sword again.
"I swore to protect her."
The tip of the blade pointed toward the ground.
Not aggressive.
Not threatening.
Resolute.
"As payment."
"Maya..."
Houshou spoke softly.
The cruiser didn't look away from Yuuki.
"I am sorry, Houshou-san."
The apology was sincere.
Painfully sincere.
Then Maya looked toward Choukai.
Her younger sister.
"If you wish to follow the Commander."
A small smile appeared.
"I won't stop you."
Choukai's eyes widened.
"But I will not abandon my duty."
The younger cruiser looked torn.
"Maya..."
The wolf-eared shipgirl took a deep breath.
"I am willing to fight."
The declaration echoed throughout the sanctuary.
Several girls immediately stepped forward.
Akagi's tails flared.
Kaga frowned.
Even Rapi's expression sharpened.
"Maya."
Houshou's voice carried unexpected authority.
The carrier stepped forward.
"You stand against an entire fleet."
She gestured around them.
"Shipgirls."
"Nikkes."
"Kaguya."
The fox casually raised a hand.
"Tis true."
The carrier looked directly at Maya.
"You cannot win."
The answer came immediately.
"I know."
Silence.
Maya lowered her gaze.
Then looked back up.
"But that does not matter."
Her sword rose slightly.
"A promise is a promise."
The conviction in her voice made even Yuuki pause.
This wasn't stubbornness.
This wasn't recklessness.
This was loyalty.
The kind of loyalty he respected.
The kind that had kept people alive during impossible times.
Takao stepped forward.
"Commander."
The heavy cruiser looked conflicted.
"Allow me."
Her gaze remained fixed on Maya.
"This is my sister."
For a brief moment, Takao looked less like a warrior.
More like an older sister.
"I will talk to her."
Yuuki shook his head.
"No."
Takao blinked.
The others looked surprised.
The commander stepped forward.
"This isn't your responsibility."
Then he extended his hand.
"Lend me your sword."
The request stunned everyone.
Including Maya.
Including Takao.
Even Yuu adjusted her glasses.
Takao hesitated.
"Commander..."
"Trust me."
A moment later.
The heavy cruiser handed over her blade.
Yuuki accepted it.
Then—
He never drew it.
Instead, he rested the sheathed sword against his shoulder.
The gesture confused Maya.
"Shikikan-sama..."
Atago spoke nervously.
Yuuki smiled.
"Don't worry."
The commander looked toward the wolf-eared cruiser.
"I won't draw the blade."
The statement earned immediate disbelief.
Maya narrowed her eyes.
"A wishful thought."
The cruiser adjusted her stance.
The water beneath her feet rippled gently.
The guardian of Laurelin stood ready.
"And one final warning."
The sword shifted.
Her gaze sharpened.
"Do not come too close."
A faint aura surrounded her.
"You might get hurt."
SHING!
The blade fully cleared its sheath.
Sunlight reflected from polished steel.
Laurelin's golden leaves drifted behind her.
The sacred tree.
The guardian.
The challenger.
And standing across from her—
Yuuki.
Holding a borrowed sword he hadn't even unsheathed.
Several shipgirls immediately recognized that expression.
The calm smile.
The relaxed posture.
The complete lack of concern.
Anis sighed.
"Oh."
Neon nodded.
"She's about to learn."
Rapi folded her arms.
"Commander mode."
Kaguya smiled knowingly.
"Tis a poor day to challenge thy husband."
Meanwhile, Esche simply watched from Yuuki's shoulder.
Because unlike everyone else—
The fairy wasn't worried.
Not even a little.