Hello everyone! Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! Hope you enjoy this chapter special even if its extremely late. See ya at the end!

The next day...

Y/n was in his house, sitting in the living room drinking some tea he brewed for himself.

Y/n: This is an amazingly balanced tea.

Then someone knocked on the front door.

Y/n: thoughts: Knew it, Bismarck found out.

Y/n put down his tea on the table and opened the door, surprised, Akagi was there. Y/n greeted her in a cheerful tone.

Y/n: Ohayou Gozaimasu, Akagi-san. How did you find me?

Akagi: Ohayou~ that's a secret, fufu~

Y/n: What brings you here? I know you followed me as I went to my house last night, so that secret is found out.

Akagi: I stumbled upon your place as I was sight seeing before we depart for our beloved, Sakura Empire.

Y/n: Well, since you're here. Would you like breakfast? I'm guessing you haven't eaten yet.

Akagi: If you don't mind, yes please.

Y/n welcomed Akagi inside, both of them going into the dining room, Y/n placed a tray in front of her as she sat down, the tray contained grilled salmon, a bowl of rice, miso soup, and green tea, with a side of freshly cut watermelon, along with chopsticks. After placing the tray down, he sat opposite of her and continued to drink his tea.

Akagi: I'm amazed by the presentation of your dishes, it's reminds me of home.

Y/n just smiled lightly at her.

Y/n: I just want our visitor and dear allies to feel comfortable.

Then Akagi put her hands together and bowed her head slightly.

Akagi: Itadakimasu~

Akagi took the bowl of miso soup and took a sip, Akagi found herself in a whole different world of flavor.

Akagi: !!!

Y/n: It reminds you of someone doesn't it...

Y/n muttered under his breath, just low enough that Akagi couldn't hear what he said.

Akagi: Hmm? Did you say something, Y/n-san?

Y/n: Ah, no, don't worry. It was nothing.

Y/n thoughts: I hope Bismarck didn't find out it was me who carried her back-

*Knock*
*Knock*
*Knock*

Y/n thoughts: I got attacked twice!

Someone was at the door, then Y/n went to see who else it was. Upon opening the door, he saw Tirpitz and Graf Zeppelin.

Y/n: Guten Morgen.

Graf Zeppelin: Lord Bismarck, would like to see you-

Both Iron Blood ships then saw Akagi come out of the kitchen and stood behind Y/n.

Graf Zeppelin: Akagi, you're already here.

Y/n: Is that supposed to mean that she was supposed to be here?

Several minutes later...

Y/n was in Bismarck's office with the first carrier division.

Bismarck: Y/n, you will be assigned as flagship on this escort fleet.

Y/n thoughts: Now that I think about it.. where was Kaga before?

Akagi: Ara~

Kaga: Nee-sama, where did you go this morning?

Bismarck: As flagship, you will be responsible for the safety of the whole fleet, so, if needed, defend them for as long as possible, even if it means sacrificing your life.

Y/n: Understood.

Bismarck: You are dismissed, the fleet is waiting for you down at the docks. I have already briefed them of the task, you just need to introduce yourself.

Then Y/n and both carrier sisters made their way to the docks. On the way, Y/n noticed Kaga was sulking, and Akagi was trying to comfort her. After a short walk, they reached the docks and greeted the rest of the fleet accompanying them.

Admiral Hipper: Hah? This idiot is gonna be our flagship?

Z23: I don't see much of a problem, if that is what Lord Bismarck decides then it is most probably the right choice.

Prinz Eugen: Dear schwester, has your optimism gone, like your breasts'?

Admiral Hipper: I'll smack you around!

Prinz Eugen just giggled at her sisters reaction.

Köln: Please calm down you two. You must practice discipline.

Z1: So, this is the new ship?

Z2: I suppose so.

Y/n: Nice to meet you, whoever hasn't met me yet. I am Y/n, Lord Bismarck has assigned me to be flagship of this fleet for the current escort mission at hand, I hope I am able to meet your expectations.

Then Y/n turned to the fox sisters.

Y/n: We will be departing now, please ready yourselves for your homecoming.

Akagi and Kaga jumped up to the deck of their aircraft carriers. Y/n turned back to the fleet ships.

Y/n: We will be leaving for the Sakura Empire right now, I am afraid if we go any later, we might run into some trouble. Undock now everybody, I will catch up with you.

Then the rest of the fleet jumped onto their ships and disembarked, sailing off ahead of Y/n as they were instructed.

Y/n went to his ship and then made his way out of the Harbor. He soon caught up with his fleet and got in formation between the 2 carriers.

Y/n: Is everyone alright?

Y/n was speaking through the radio communications while he stood at the bow of his ship.

Akagi replied a few seconds later.

Akagi: Fufu~ caring, aren't you.

Prinz Eugen: How sweet~ checking in on us?~

Y/n was waiting for the others to reply, but he was only met with silence.

Y/n: Well, I guess that means everyone's alright.

Y/n noticed Akagi and Kaga on their ships' flight deck, both looking surprised.

Kaga: It's massive...

Akagi: So this is your ship?

Y/n: Yes, I assume you saw it in-dock.

Suddenly Hipper jumped into the conversation.

Admiral Hipper: *Ehem*

Y/n: Admiral Hipper, are you feeling well today?

Admiral Hipper: Of course I am. What are you? An idiot?

Y/n: As flagship, I will have any of you retreat if a fight gets too rough. If the battle manages to be lethal, I will hold them back as you all retreat.

Koln: Umm.. wouldn't that mean leaving you behind?

Z23: Are you in the right mind, Y/n?

Y/n: I am obligated to do it, I also decided to do so, if any of you are against this, I will not listen. I will only ensure you all a safe journey as I am asked of my duty.

Z2: You know, I expected you to be someone who is very calm, but you appear to be quite stubborn as well.

Y/n: Thank you.

Y/n thoughts: Hmm... well, at least I get to see this new world of mine better.

36 Hours to the Sakura Empire...

Y/n: Fleet, check-up report?

Z1: Calm and breezy, here.

Z2: Conditions, mediocre.

Prinz Eugen: Someone handsome, on-site~

Y/n: When will I ever hear you not teasing anyone for even half a second?

Prinz Eugen: Never, ever~

Y/n: How does it look like on your side, Hipper?

Admiral Hipper: Are you mocking my commanding skills?

Y/n: Fine, fine.. Admiral Hipper, have you detected anything?

Admiral: Hmph!

Y/n: I take that as 'All clear'. And Köln?

Köln: Fair sea's.

Y/n: That's about it. Alright everyone, I want you to rest. I'll take watch from here.

Z23: What? How can you say that? It's our duty too-

Y/n: I clearly said 'rest', didn't I? I almost forgot, Z23, position yourself between Z1 and Z2

Z23: Verstanden!

Y/n: Admiral Hipper, take port side of Kaga. Prinz Eugen, take starboard of Akagi.

Admiral Hipper: Fine, baka!

Y/n thoughts: What is this, the signature word?

Prinz Eugen: Okay.

Y/n: Köln, lead the rear.

Köln: Affirmative.

Y/n: I'll be taking the lead up front.

Y/n then switched off his comms, still standing on the end of the bow of the King Louis XIV.

Y/n thoughts: Something is coming...

Y/n: Without a goal, going forward is meaningless. Without trust, a relationship is but a hoax. Without a soul, what is to be of the body... This world of ours.. is truly mysterious.

24 Hours to the Sakura Empire...

The wind has picked up, dark clouds began to form in the distance, flashes of lightning showing within, the waves have started to increase in size.

Y/n stood on top of the conning tower of his ship, his eyes closed, the cold wind hitting him. Everyone else in the fleet was a bit relaxed, but Y/n kept his guard up.

Y/n thoughts: It seems a storm is brewing, the wind itself has a different feeling, the waves have changed as well. What else will happen. I wonder...

Y/n suddenly created a powerful aura around him, his eyes glowed a brighter gold than normal, the whole fleet felt heavy under pressure, then they looked at Y/n.

They were surprised, his facial expression was blank, his eyes had lost their golden yellow glow and had turned completely dark, just looking off into the distance.

Z23: W-what is this?

Akagi: Oh my~ How powerful~

Kaga: This pressure.. so heavy...

Admiral Hipper: I-is this feeling coming f-from that baka?

Prinz Eugen: I thought I got used to his presence already, but he was just holding back.

Z1: I-I can't m-move...

Z2: This p-pressure is on a di-different level...

Köln: I wasn't expecting these kinds of results.

Y/n snapped out of it, realising that he was unconsciously releasing a portion of his internal conflict, himself returning back to the real world. He turned around to see all of the ships looking at him.

Y/n: T-that was my bad, ehehe.. sorry you guys had to experience that.

Z23: Is something wrong Y/n?

Y/n: Nothing, but a storm will be coming soon.

Y/n jumped from one ship to the other, then finally landing on the flight deck of Akagi's carrier, Z23 followed Y/n.

Y/n: Akagi-san, may I make a request?

Akagi: Yes, of course. What will it be?

Y/n: Take your sister Kaga in your ship with you, as well as the destroyers. I will be taking in the cruisers.

Z23: What do you mean by this, Y/n?

Y/n: The storm coming is powerful, I do not want to risk having the smaller ships being thrown by the waves.

Akagi: Very well. I understand.

Then Y/n called for Z1 and Z2 to stay in Akagi's ship, while Y/n called for Köln, Admiral Hipper, and Prinz Eugen to his ship.

Admiral Hipper: Why did you call us here? It better be important!

Y/n: Please transform into your rigging, then head inside my ship.

Prinz Eugen: Oh my~ What do you plan on doing with us?~

Admiral Hipper: Hey! What are you plotting here, pervert!?

Y/n: Eugen, don't give your sister ideas.

Prinz Eugen: Fine.

Y/n: Alright, the reason for this is to keep the smaller ships from being beat up by these waves. I'm not underestimating your abilities, I think this is necessary to lessen the possible outcomes that could happen because of this storm.

Meanwhile...

Tester: It seems we have a new lab rat, let's see if we can liven him up a bit~

Observer Alpha: Let us see if this anomaly has a speck of potential in him.

Back with the escort fleet

Y/n: Something is wrong here...

As Y/n noticed the storm coming in soon, he noticed something off, an unsettling feeling came to him.

Y/n turned on his communications device once again.

Y/n: Everyone, please be cautious.

Akagi replied back.

Akagi: What is the situation, Y/n?

Y/n: The storm I have mentioned before is in the way of our original route to the Sakura Empire.

Z1: What is the real concern?

Y/n: I've detected something in the storm. I'm afraid that if we would pass through it, we would be set up for an ambush....

Several minutes later...

Y/n was sailing through the storm, the strong waves crashed against the sides of the ship and bobbed heavily, ocean water splashing onto the deck. Y/n was soaked from the rain as he still stood on top of the superstructure, expecting the worst to happen.

Y/n: I wonder if it was a good idea to let the fleet come.

Suddenly, Admiral Hipper shouted into the communications.

Admiral Hipper: Of course it is, Baka!!!

Y/n covered his ears a bit from Hipper shouting through the comms.

Y/n: Ok, fine-

Suddenly a purple beam of light streaked out above them from port side, when they all turned to the direction of the purple lasers, another one deflected off one of the turrets of the King Louis.

Y/n: What was that again, Admiral?

Admiral Hipper: Don't mock me right now!

Y/n: I'll protect the carriers, vanguard fleet, you are free to engage. We'll provide back line support.

Prinz Eugen: With pleasure~

Z1: Let's do some rework!

Then everyone except Y/n and the carrier sisters transformed and started sailing towards a fleet of siren ships. Y/n then prepared to fire his main guns.

Y/n: I guess this could work.. in this situation.. I hope...

After the barrels have raised a bit, Y/n concentrated and closed his eyes, then-

Y/n: Loose!

Y/n concentrated his armaments frontally and then turned each turret to fire individual barrels one by one, creating a horizontal spread of 457mm shells. This in turn, destroys 16 siren ships, some splitting in half as they sink.

Y/n: Thank goodness I learned that in time. God knows how many more ships to go-

Suddenly Y/n's vision was covered in circles, a circle focusing on the center of every siren ship as he looked from left to right, a number had displayed to a count of 279.

Y/n thoughts: Why is this only showing now? I could've used this a long time ago! Not like it'll change how I perform though, this technology is just gonna enhance what was already good.

Akagi: Don't forget about us now~

A squadron of A6M Zero's, Daichi D3A's, and Nakajima B5N's were flying above the battlefield and then dropped their payload onto  a group of siren battleships, dealing fatal damage.

Y/n: I must say, I'm impressed by you two sisters.

Kaga: There is no need of appraisal on the battlefield-

Akagi: Thank you!

Y/n experiences an anime cliche sweat drop at that moment. After that, Y/n rushes to shoot a siren cruiser aiming at Z1 and another cruiser aiming at Prinz Eugen.

*Boom!*
*Boom!*

Z1: Thanks!
Prinz Eugen: Danke, my king~

Admiral Hipper: Is this the time for teasing, idiot!?

Y/n fires at a battleship aiming at Admiral Hipper while she was distracted.

Y/n: Your welcome by the way!

Admiral Hipper: It's not like I wanted you to save me or anything!

Y/n thoughts: She said it! Oh my- She said it!  She said the line!

2 hours into the battle...

The cruisers and destroyers were running low on ammunition and were getting tired but Y/n and the carriers gave plentiful cover and fire.

Z1: How many more are there!?

Köln: I haven't anticipated this many in one sector.

Suddenly a siren air squadron dropped bombs on top of the destroyers and cruisers.

Y/n: Those are decently fast.

Y/n's anti air began shooting at the planes, his main armaments shot in the general area of the bombs and blew up most of the payload with a proximity-fuse High-Explosive shell, minimising the damage the lighter ships might take. The cruisers and destroyers were then able to dodge what was left of the bombs.

Y/n: I want everyone to retreat!

Everyone except Y/n, Prinz Eugen, and the carrier sisters: Eh!?

Y/n: That's an order! Follow the mission!

Z2: My suspicions were right.. he is crazy...

Koln: Are you sure, Y/n?

Y/n: If I wasn't sure of my decisions, how could I be trusted to be your flagship?

Prinz Eugen: You better come back alive, otherwise everyone will be mad at you.

Y/n: You and Z23 lead the fleet until you reach their homeland. Don't worry about me, I chose this path for myself.

Prinz Eugen: Verstanden. Everyone, we leave now!

Z23: Y/n, how sure are you in holding back all of these sirens?

Y/n: Have you forgotten who saved your 'Pride' and defeated Friedrich? Go!

Y/n watched as the fleet rushed through the storm to escape as he drew the attention of all the siren ships to him, leaving himself alone to deal with the numerous opponents. As the fleet disappears from Y/n's view, he lets out a breath of relief as he begins an imaginary conversation with the siren ships in front of him.

Y/n: Honestly, I don't really need to destroy you all. But then again... this is good experience I could use.

After Y/n finished his imaginary conversation, he fired a 152mm salvo of his secondary armaments at a group of 6 ships, destroying them. Next, he dashes up close and punches a large hole in a cruiser design, this sends the cruiser type back 120 meters into a destroyer type which destroys both. Y/n notices a group that was quite close together and fires a salvo of his 457mm main armaments loaded with high-explosive ammunition, destroying the group of 8.

2 Hours of continuous destruction later...

Amidst the current battlefield, empty shells of former siren designs were scattered in a 2 mile radius.

Y/n: I could do this all day.

Author: He said it! Everyone, he said it! Stick to procedure, stay calm!

Y/n had a feeling something was out of place in his current situation.

Y/n: Strange, I thought there were a few more my radar detected around here?

Y/n turned one of his main turrets and fired his 457mm guns in a certain direction at the sky, a loud bang was heard. Seconds after, Y/n sees a piece of what looks to be a black metal object covered in yellow lines falling to the oceans surface.

Y/n: Looks like a control module for something. I gotta go find the fleet now.

Timeskip

Y/n continued sailing in the general direction where he last saw the fleet sailing to for quite a while. Within that time span, Y/n found himself in a deep state of thought.

Y/n: To think my coming into this world and everything that happened was due to a storm-

*clang!*

Y/n seemed to have bumped into something metal, peeking his curiosity he feels around the surface.

Y/n: The hell is this?

Y/n remembers a document that he had seen when he had volunteered to continue Bismarck's work in her office.

Y/n: The secret base...

Y/n then uses his radar to get the overall appearance of his surroundings despite being in a mirror sea. After that, he decides to travel further into the fog. As he traveled further, the fog slowly dissipated revealing a secret base unaffected by the mirror sea's effects as sunlight was shining down on its entirety.

Y/n: This place looks like it was originally of Siren tech.. Ironblood Engineering at its finest.

Y/n then sees a couple of human-like figures talking to each other in what looks to be a storage hanger.

Y/n: Are these the other Ironblood ships? I think I'll just come by another time, the fleet might still be in danger.

With that, Y/n bursts off to reunite with his fleet being his responsibility. Although.. one of the ships had noticed him as he was leaving.

Prinz Heinrich: Eh? Did one of you guys forget a pawn?

After a few hours of navigating through the storm, Y/n had finally managed to find his way out and see the fleet nearing the Sakura Empire, although just as he caught up, bombs were dropped on top of him which he dodged.

Y/n: What the heck is happening!? I've been mostly friendly in this world, what did I do to deserve getting attacked by friendlies!? Well- actually this is the first time these ships have seen me-

Although, Akagi and Kaga were trying to communicate to the ships attacking Y/n at the moment. Another squadron dropped torpedoes to Y/n's side while another dropped bombs.

Y/n: You've got to be kidding me...

Y/n dodged the torpedo wall coming in while also picking up 2 from out of the surface and threw them up at the bombs, blowing up the payload mid-air. In his moment of growing frustration, Y/n decides to get close to one of the aircraft carriers he had been escorting, he jumped up onto the flight deck of the IJN Akagi. With that, all the planes stopped directing hostility towards him and everyone notices his presence.

Akagi: Y/n? Is that you?

Then Kaga had appeared in front of Y/n in a battle stance.

Kaga: Stay back, impostor!

Akagi: Don't you think you are a bit paranoid, Kaga?

Y/n: Ugh.. why does this have to be so frustrating...

Y/n raised his hand slowly upwards and gave Kaga a chop to the head.

Kaga: OW!? What was that for!?-

Y/n had annoyance and anger leaking out of the facial expression he had at that moment.

Y/n: Kaga, I would've attacked you long before, if I was not me. Akagi, your sister is quite amusing isn't she.

Akagi: She is very precious to me, of course.

Meanwhile, Kaga was currently rubbing her head in pain, a small tear forming at the base of her eyes in a typical anime fashion.

Y/n: So have your allies noticed that there is no threat?

Akagi: Yes, you won't be attacked by them again. Sorry for the inconvenience, they are just protective of us, it is always like this in our homeland.

Y/n: I'm glad you have such friends. And that everyone cares for each other.

After having anchored in, the fleet have finally reached the Sakura Empire. Jumping off the King Louis XIV, Y/n lands onto the dock quietly to not attract attention to himself. He then looks to his left side as the carrier sisters were greeted by the ships named Hiryuu, Souryuu, Shoukaku and Zuikaku. Y/n conversed with himself for a bit.

Y/n: Hiryuu, Souryuu, Shoukaku, and finally Zuikaku huh? Is that what I heard correctly?

Meanwhile with Akagi and Kaga.

Hiryuu: Welcome back, Akagi-senpai and Kaga-senpai!

Shoukaku: Zuikaku, how do you put up with such bad senpai's?

Zuikaku: Welcome back, Akagi-senpai, Kaga-senpai.

Akagi had a gentle smile on, Kaga had her usual seriousness put up.

Akagi: Thank you for the warm welcome back.

Hiryuu: Senpai, who's the new visitor among the Ironblood?

Akagi: I believe such a mystery should be discovered by the curious ones.

Back with Y/n.

Y/n: Such beautiful cherry blossoms... It's almost like a dream. To be able to experience such a scene, is incredible.

Zuikaku: Hmm? What are you saying?- Eh!? A boy!?

Y/n turned around to see one of the ships who were originally talking to first carrier division.

Y/n: Oh? Are you perhaps Zuikaku?

Zuikaku: How did you-

Y/n: I overheard from your senpai. Your sister must be Shoukaku too, correct?

Shoukaku then joined in, so did Hiryuu and Souryuu.

Shoukaku: Yes, that's me!~ Who might you be? I've never seen a ship take the form of a boy before.

Y/n: Let's just agree, that you'd have to gain my trust first.

Shoukaku: Oh?~ How so?

Y/n: Like meeting with any stranger, of course you should've known that by now I assume. Anyways, beginning with greetings, my name is Y/n. Would you still like to do an introduction? I don't want others to waste their energy unnecessarily.

Souryuu: You are quite selfless, I must commend that about you. Polite too.

Hiryuu: Welcome to the Sakura Empire, Y/n.

Y/n: Thank you for such a welcome. I hope I haven't bothered your reunion all too much.

The first carrier division had also joined in.

Akagi: Not at all.

Kaga: Actually-

Akagi: We need to thank you for escorting us all the way here. So please, if you don't mind, stay for a while and rest up. You may leave whenever you are ready.

Meanwhile the German ships stood back, watching Y/n attracting attention to himself.

Z1: He's quite popular isn't he?

Z23: He's the first ship to take on the form of a boy, so it is natural to be curious.

Prinz Eugen: Come on, let's join up with them now.

As they joined with the group conversation, they had began their walk deeper into the Sakura Empire, spending the rest of their time that day to get familiar with the place. Close to dark, Y/n finds himself in a room laying on a tatami floor mattress.

Y/n: Out of the past days, fighting those sirens was easier than conversing with everyone here. Who knew-

The door slides open revealing who was behind it, Prinz Eugen. Not being bothered with her presence, Y/n continues to lay down.

Y/n: Oh, it's you Eugen. What do you need?

Prinz Eugen: Nothing really, just came by to see how you're doing.

Y/n: *chuckle* You're one of the few that actually cares about what I'm doing huh?

Prinz Eugen: I wouldn't say 'few'.

Y/n: Oh? There are plenty of people around the world. It's a fact that we're just a partiality of that.

Prinz Eugen: True. But do you really see us as too little?

Y/n: Heh, of course you all mean something to me. If I'll be honest, you all are more precious than all the materials in the world right now.

Prinz Eugen was caught off guard a bit from the remark. Y/n looked at Prinz Eugen, realising what he had said.

Y/n: I do mean what I said, nothing less. Without other's, what makes us ourselves right?

Prinz Eugen: You're right. The others are having dinner, I'll leave you to think about it, ok?~ Tschüss!~

With that, Prinz Eugen left Y/n to himself once again. A few minutes later-

Y/n: *sigh* I guess I'll join them, I have nothing to do anyways.

Y/n gets up from the tatami mat, freshens up a bit and got ready, finally leaving to join the others for dinner. As he walks towards the house where the others are gathered at, he looks up at the stars, pondering upon some thoughts. Smiling to himself as he lowers his head.

Y/n: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present." Who knew this saying would come true from an old turtle. Heh.

4,555 words when finished, thank you all for being so patient. I don't think I can apologise for how long it took to make another chapter but I'll say it again. Thank you all for reading.
Hope this can help you all take a break from real life for even a little :)  See you again in the next one!

I do not own Azur Lane or it's characters, all materials that you may have seen such as images, videos, and references belong to their original owners.

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