To threaten the former would almost certainly provoke a desperate, all-out counterattack. Any shipgirl caught in such compromising photos would fall into the Abyss, unleashing indiscriminate vengeance across the entire East Continent like a natural disaster—an unending, no-retreat war.
Just thinking about Tirpitz's terrifying power—able to stir billions of tons of seawater into roaring waves—if that fury were turned upon the East Continent, the devastation would be unimaginable.
Yamato felt her very teeth chattering.
Threatening the shipgirl headquarters, however, was far more feasible. Terrified of the catastrophic consequences of exposure, headquarters would go to any lengths to bury the scandal.
Even if the plot failed—even if the conspiracy was uncovered before it could be set in motion, like now—the damage to cooperation and trust between the two sides was already devastating.
Yamato turned desperately to Bismarck, panic written all over her face.
"Bismarck, you know this is a scheme! If you storm out now, you'll be playing right into the hands of those vile schemers. Please, I beg you…"
Bismarck remained silent.
Saratoga and Ranger only burned with fury. Prince of Wales was more delighted at having earned merit than outraged. And Helena—this girl was too busy envying Prince of Wales to think of anything else.
Someone had to make the call.
That someone could only be herself, the secretary ship, the squad leader.
Bismarck felt cornered.
Yamato wasn't wrong.
Exploding in anger and cutting ties outright would indeed be handing victory to the schemers. And the naval base was in the midst of a looming great war—desperate for resources, desperate for supplies of every kind.
Should she compromise, then? Express her fury, but demand greater reparations and more favorable terms in return?
Looking at Yamato's face, it was clear: as long as Bismarck said negotiations could continue, Yamato would even turn her fury around—charging into the talks on behalf of Hikaru's base, becoming its fiercest advocate at the bargaining table.
Yamato—whether the Abyssal Yamato or the one before her now—was arrogance itself, carved into her very bones.
The historical "world's most powerful battleship," the "imperial totem" Yamato-class, had barely served any purpose outside of being a "Yamato Hotel" before she was sent to the bottom by American aircraft. That bitter legacy left those who inherited her spirit both outwardly proud and inwardly insecure—an insecurity that only amplified their madness.
For Yamato to utter the words "I beg you"… was no less difficult than Tirpitz single-handedly challenging hundreds of thousands of Abyssals.
What's more, Yamato was a friend of their commander. She had even helped him before.
All the factors pointed toward compromise—swallowing this humiliation for now, keeping records of those truly guilty, and settling the score another day.
And yet—
Bismarck's heart roiled with unwillingness.
We are shipgirls, not human politicians. Not trained diplomats.
Shipgirls are born from intense memories and noble emotions—they are the embodiment of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Their hearts and deeds, clear as mirrors.
Their actions, guided by justice.
The Commander would agree with me. After all, we are husband and wife in all but name, one heart and soul.
Shipgirls resonate with their commanders. In almost everything, they share the same outlook, the same values. If Hikaru were here, he would make the same choice she was about to.
Bismarck nodded. "Yamato, stay with us and help repair our damage."
They had come all the way from the south after a brutal battle. Their rigging was battered, their armor torn—and not yet restored.
Yamato's eyes widened in shock, then filled with relief. She swore with absolute conviction: "I will make sure you receive justice for this! If not, then I don't deserve to hold my position as overseer. I will see justice done!"
"Don't speak of that now," Bismarck said, shaking her head dismissively. "First, let's see to your rigging. You're nearly at critical damage."
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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