The idea of having dinner and freshening up at the Base of Beginnings was quickly scrapped. The girls were far too exhausted and unanimously agreed that they wanted to return to the inn and rest instead.
The trip back felt much quieter.
Not because anyone was unhappy.
Quite the opposite.
Everyone was exhausted.
The kind of exhaustion that came after accomplishing something impossible.
The fleet eventually returned to the Daedalus alongside Yuuki, Yuu, Nayuta, Esche and Oberis.
Most of the girls were still discussing the dungeon.
The bosses.
The levels.
The crater.
Mostly the crater.
Nayuta folded her arms as she watched everyone's interfaces.
Level 21.
Every single one of them.
The clone puffed her cheeks.
"Hmph."
Several girls looked over.
"What?"
Nayuta pointed accusingly.
"All of you are now twenty-one times stronger than this humble one."
The fleet laughed.
Anis immediately grinned.
"You could have joined us."
Nayuta looked away.
"Hmph."
Then a moment later—
"If the great hero sends this humble one into the same dungeon, this humble one can probably clear it alone."
Yuuki immediately looked amused. By "alone," Nayuta clearly meant deploying an army of her clones and clearing the dungeon through sheer numbers while directing them from the rear. Considering how troublesome a single Nayuta could be, the thought of fighting dozens of Nayutas at the same level was enough to make anyone shudder.
"Oh?"
Nayuta nodded confidently.
"I watched everything."
Another point.
"I know the strategy."
Another.
"This humble one shall simply lure Liberty Prime."
Another.
"Destroy the shield."
Another.
"Then blow everything up."
The clone folded her arms proudly.
The fleet stared.
Then Yorktown laughed. She could easily imagine Nayuta taking everything she had learned from watching them, then deploying her clones with that same knowledge and strategy already ingrained in them.
"You really did learn from us."
That only made Nayuta look even more pleased.
Soon afterward, the fleet separated and returned to the inn.
The moment they entered the hot spring area—
Nobody cared about dignity anymore.
They were tired.
Dirty.
Covered in monster blood.
Dust.
Soot.
And whatever remained of a nuclear battlefield.
One by one they entered the water.
Then—
A collective sigh escaped the bath.
"Ahhhhh..."
The hot spring immediately erased half the exhaustion from their bodies.
Anis nearly melted into the water.
"This is heaven."
Mary nodded.
Pepper nodded.
Even Rapi looked considerably more relaxed.
Nearby, the Shipgirls looked equally content.
Belfast rested against the edge with Ade.
Yorktown closed her eyes.
Enterprise simply enjoyed the silence.
For once.
Nobody needed to fight anything.
The atmosphere became peaceful.
Comfortable.
Satisfied.
As the warm water eased aching muscles, everyone began reviewing their interfaces again.
Level 21.
Twenty-one talent points.
Twenty-one upgrade points.
Four permanent super upgrade points.
An achievement medal.
Credits.
The future shop.
The future talent trees.
Future equipment.
Future upgrades.
Everything suddenly felt possible.
Neon stared at her interface.
Then at the others.
Then back at the interface.
"This morning..."
The Nikke shook her head.
"All I wanted was more firepower."
Anis laughed.
"And now?"
Neon immediately pointed toward the achievement medal.
"I still want more firepower."
The entire bath erupted into laughter.
Some things never changed.
Yet despite the jokes—
Everyone understood.
This morning they had been ordinary Shipgirls and Nikkes.
Individuals.
Separate factions.
Separate histories.
Separate burdens.
By nightfall—
They had become something else.
A fleet.
A unit.
A team.
They fought together.
Leveled together.
Escaped together.
Won together.
Nobody had been left behind.
Nobody had been abandoned.
Even Yorktown found herself smiling.
The carrier looked around the bath.
At the Shipgirls.
At the Nikkes.
At the women laughing together.
And realized how much had changed in a single day.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
New dungeons.
New enemies.
New levels.
But tonight—
They could simply enjoy the victory.
A first achievement medal.
A completed dungeon.
A total of 8,500 credits had been paid out at the end of the day including their own salaries. Even Akashi's eyes were practically sparkling at the sight of it.
A three-mile crater.
And the beginning of a fleet that was slowly becoming something truly extraordinary.
For now, that was enough.
More than enough.
=============
Dinner was noticeably quieter than usual.
Not because anyone was upset.
Simply because everyone was exhausted.
The day's battles had finally caught up with them.
The dining hall of the inn lacked its usual noise.
Conversations came slower.
Movements felt heavier.
Several girls looked as though they might fall asleep while eating.
Even Yuuki found himself smiling at the sight.
The fleet that had spent the day fighting monsters, giant mutated bosses, a super robot, and accidentally creating a three-mile crater had finally run out of energy.
At one table, Eugen was fighting a losing battle.
Her eyes kept closing.
Opening.
Closing again.
Opening.
Eventually she simply leaned sideways.
Resting her head against Yuuki's shoulder.
"Hmm..."
The heavy cruiser sounded half asleep already.
"Teddy bear..."
Her voice became softer.
"Carry me to bed..."
Yuuki sighed.
The commander wasn't even surprised anymore.
Before he could answer—
A hand appeared.
Belfast.
The Head Maid pinched Eugen's cheek.
Gently.
But firmly.
"My lady."
Eugen made a sleepy noise.
"Belfast..."
"You are falling asleep at the dinner table."
"I know..."
"Then sit properly."
Eugen attempted to.
Failed immediately.
Her head returned to Yuuki's shoulder.
The commander looked toward Belfast.
Belfast looked toward the commander.
Both sighed at the same time.
Nearby—
Laffey had already surrendered completely.
The destroyer was asleep.
Not sleepy.
Not drowsy.
Asleep.
Her head rested comfortably on Nimi's lap.
The German destroyer had long since given up trying to wake her.
Nimi simply continued eating while supporting the sleeping bunny.
"Laffey."
No response.
"Laffey."
Nothing.
The destroyer was gone.
Completely defeated by exhaustion.
Across the table, Anis was yawning.
Neon was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Even Rapi looked noticeably tired.
The Shipgirls weren't any better.
Yorktown's posture remained composed, but her eyes kept drifting shut whenever conversation paused.
Enterprise was quiet.
Atago was leaning against Takao.
Choukai fell asleep on Atago's lap.
Mary and Pepper looked ready for bed.
Even Akashi had finally stopped talking about credits.
That alone proved how exhausted everyone was.
Eventually dinner ended.
Nobody suggested another meeting.
Nobody suggested discussing builds.
Nobody suggested checking achievements.
The collective mood could be summarized very simply.
Bed.
The fleet practically migrated back toward Yuuki's oversized room.
One after another.
Like sleepy ducks following a leader.
By the time they arrived—
Half of them were already yawning.
The room quickly filled.
Blankets.
Futons.
Pillows.
Wherever there was available space.
Someone claimed it.
No arguments.
No negotiations.
Just sleep.
Immediate sleep.
This time, Nayuta occupied one side of Yuuki.
Yuu occupied the other.
The clone looked extremely pleased with this arrangement.
Yuu simply looked tired enough not to argue.
Around them, the rest of the fleet settled down.
Laffey was asleep before she even reached her pillow.
Eugen lasted another thirty seconds.
Neon managed a full minute.
A personal record.
Then she was gone too.
The room gradually became quiet.
Very quiet.
The only sounds remaining were blankets shifting.
Soft breathing.
And eventually—
Snoring.
Lots of snoring.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
A single fleet.
A single team.
Level 21.
First achievement earned.
First dungeon conquered.
Tomorrow would bring new adventures.
New levels.
New challenges.
But tonight—
Nobody cared.
Within minutes, every light was extinguished.
The room fell silent.
Long after the fleet had fallen asleep, the Daedalus remained active.
Deep within the command network, combat recordings were already being processed.
Archived.
Analyzed.
Categorized.
One particular recording had been flagged for priority transmission.
The complete battle report of the newest recruits.
From Level 1.
To Level 21.
In a single day.
The file package was automatically routed toward Vergil.
Combat logs.
Level progression records.
Achievement data.
The battle against the five E-Rank bosses.
And most importantly—
The footage of Liberty Prime and the EN06 Guardian attempting to remove each other from existence.
When Vergil eventually woke up, he was going to have questions.
A lot of questions.
The leveling system functioning on Shipgirls alone would have been remarkable.
The same system functioning on Nikkes as well?
That was unprecedented.
And then there was the Unily Formula.
A formula capable of linking support networks across an entire world.
No longer limited by local coverage areas.
No longer restricted by regional infrastructure.
A single framework.
A single network.
Connecting countless nodes across the planet.
Even now, GDI's research divisions were probably having collective breakdowns trying to comprehend the implications.
The recruits themselves might not fully understand it yet.
But Yuuki did.
The Unily Formula wasn't a leveling system at all.
It was infrastructure.
A foundation.
A method of unifying communications, logistics, support functions, and data exchange on a planetary scale.
Something that could eventually connect entire civilizations.
His eyes remained closed.
Yet his thoughts continued drifting.
Purifier's crystal.
Vergil's report.
Philadelphia.
The latter remained particularly amusing.
Vergil had specifically mentioned that something interesting was occurring there.
Interesting.
Coming from Vergil, that word usually translated into trouble.
Potentially expensive trouble.
Potentially explosive trouble.
Sometimes both.
Once the Mother Whale operation was completed, Yuuki would probably need to investigate personally.
But not yet.
Not tomorrow.
Tomorrow belonged to someone else.
The Mother Whale.
Eleven trapped Shipgirls.
Five trapped Nikkes.
Sixteen people waiting for rescue.
Tomorrow's fleet would need to be at their best.
Which meant rest.
Proper rest.
The girls had earned it.
Level 21.
Recruit Rank 10.
Ten full ranks gained in less than half a day.
Among ordinary recruits, such advancement would have been considered extraordinary.
Among first-day recruits?
Almost unheard of.
The footage alone would probably circulate throughout GDI facilities before sunrise.
A group of newly integrated Shipgirls and Nikkes clearing an entire E-Rank dungeon.
Creating a three-mile crater.
And somehow convincing everyone watching to cheer for Liberty Prime.
The thought almost made him laugh.
Almost.
His thoughts shifted again.
Aman Continent.
The mysterious land Esche and Oberis had mentioned.
Another problem.
Another mystery.
Another adventure.
For now, however, Aman was off limits.
The Unily Formula had only just been uploaded.
The GDI systems still required time to implement it properly.
The Paradox Engine needed adjustments.
The Chronosphere Mark IV needed integration.
The newly constructed Citadel Giga Fortress at the Home Island still required synchronization.
One project at a time.
One crisis at a time.
The continent could wait.
Tomorrow was already important enough.
Beside him, Yuu shifted slightly in her sleep.
A quiet snore escaped her.
Small.
Gentle.
Comforting.
Yuuki smiled.
On his other side, Nayuta slept surprisingly peacefully.
For once.
The clone no longer seemed worried.
No longer anxious.
No longer frustrated.
Her original had been found.
Tomorrow, they would save her.
And afterward—
Grant her the leveling system.
The thought alone would probably make Nayuta unbearably smug.
The commander could already imagine it.
An entire army of Nayutas gaining experience simultaneously.
The mental image was horrifying.
And strangely amusing.
The room remained quiet.
Around them—
The fleet slept soundly.
The Shipgirls.
The Nikkes.
The Bulins.
Everyone.
For one night, there were no enemies.
No bosses.
No missions.
No responsibilities.
Only exhausted warriors enjoying well-earned rest.
Tomorrow would bring another battle.
Another rescue.
Another challenge.
But that was tomorrow.
Tonight—
The newest fleet and operatives of GDI slept beneath one roof.
A little stronger.
A little closer.
And far more dangerous than they had been when the sun rose.
The last thing Yuuki thought before sleep finally claimed him was simple.
The Mother Whale had no idea what was coming for it.
==================
Yuuki opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed was the silence.
The second was the unsettling feeling that something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He wasn't in the inn.
He wasn't buried beneath a mountain of sleeping Shipgirls.
He wasn't serving as a pillow for half the fleet.
Instead, he found himself in the Void World once more, surrounded by calm seas and endless skies. Yet despite the familiar scenery, something felt different.
He wasn't on the island he had created.
There were no surprise kisses.
No yelling from his consorts.
No lectures from his Lady and Fox.
No sudden assaults from a certain carrier.
Just silence.
The commander slowly sat up.
"...Void World."
His voice echoed softly across the empty expanse.
Yuuki rubbed his forehead.
At this point, waking up here had become almost routine.
Almost.
The problem was that visits to the Void World usually meant something.
Either the Void World itself had summoned him, or a Wisdom Cube would mysteriously appear in his hand, somehow signaling that he had acquired it.
A new mystery.
A new headache.
Yet he had been here for two days already.
Nothing.
No mysterious cubes.
No ancient ruins.
No floating constructs demanding impossible tasks.
Nothing at all.
That alone made him suspicious.
The commander rose to his feet and surveyed his surroundings.
The endless white void stretched in every direction.
Featureless.
Infinite.
Empty.
Then he saw it.
Yuuki blinked.
Then blinked again.
Floating in the distance—
Was an island.
A small island suspended within the endless void.
His eyes narrowed.
That definitely hadn't been there before.
Without hesitation, he activated his repulsors.
Blue light flared beneath his feet.
A moment later, he shot forward.
The void rushed past him as the island rapidly grew larger.
Then larger still.
Until details began to emerge.
Buildings.
Walls.
Gardens.
Architecture.
Traditional Japanese architecture.
Yuuki slowed his approach and landed gently upon the island.
The first thing that caught his attention was the palace.
It was beautiful.
Ancient.
Elegant.
The structure was unmistakably traditional.
Dark wooden beams.
White plaster walls.
Curved tiled roofs.
Wide verandas overlooking the endless void.
Yet despite its apparent age—
Everything looked pristine.
Not abandoned.
Not ruined.
Maintained.
Perfectly maintained.
As though someone had cleaned it only moments ago.
The commander frowned.
That was impossible.
There was nobody here.
At least—
Nobody he could sense.
Yuuki slowly walked forward.
The palace gates stood open.
No guards.
No servants.
No welcoming committee.
Only silence.
He stepped inside.
His footsteps echoed softly across polished wooden floors.
The interior was just as immaculate.
Tatami mats.
Sliding paper doors.
Decorative folding screens.
Calligraphy scrolls.
Traditional artwork.
Not a single speck of dust.
Not a single sign of decay.
It looked lived in.
Yet somehow completely empty.
Yuuki opened several rooms as he explored.
Bedrooms.
Meeting halls.
Tea rooms.
Libraries.
Every room was perfectly arranged.
Every object sat exactly where it belonged.
Yet nobody occupied them.
The palace felt frozen in time.
As though the flow of history itself had stopped.
Eventually, the commander emerged onto an exterior veranda.
From there, he could see the entire island.
And only then did he realize something.
The island wasn't very large.
Large enough for the palace.
A garden.
Several smaller structures.
And little else.
Beyond that—
Nothing.
Only the endless white void.
The entire island floated alone in existence.
Yuuki rested a hand against the wooden railing and surveyed the grounds.
Cherry blossom trees lined portions of the island.
A koi pond reflected the pale sky.
Stone pathways wound through carefully maintained gardens.
Everything was peaceful.
Almost unnaturally peaceful.
Which somehow made it even more suspicious.
The commander sighed.
"I already don't like this."
Every time the Void World presented him with something peaceful—
It inevitably became complicated.
A floating Japanese palace in the middle of nowhere?
That practically guaranteed trouble.
Yuuki continued his exploration.
Searching.
Observing.
Looking for clues.
Because a place like this didn't simply appear.
Someone had built it.
Someone had maintained it.
And someone—
Or something—
Had brought him here.
The only question was why.
As the commander crossed a small bridge leading toward the palace's inner gardens, a faint breeze stirred the cherry blossoms overhead.
For the first time since arriving—
The island no longer felt empty.
Someone was here.
Watching.
Waiting.
And unlike the Wisdom Cubes—
Whatever awaited him seemed content to let him approach on his own.
Which, somehow, was even more concerning.
He explored the palace and soon approached a room but he felt a presence.
The sensation became stronger the deeper Yuuki ventured into the palace.
Someone was here.
Not merely watching.
Waiting.
The commander followed the faint presence through a series of corridors and moonlit gardens until he reached a pair of ornate sliding doors.
Unlike every other room he had explored—
This one felt occupied.
Alive.
Yuuki placed a hand upon the wooden frame.
Then slowly opened the doors.
The sight that greeted him caused him to pause.
The chamber was enormous.
Far larger than the exterior of the palace should have allowed.
An endless field of white and black flowers stretched across the floor like a living sea.
Moonlight illuminated the room from above despite there being no visible sky.
Dozens of glowing orbs floated through the air.
Each displayed a different phase of the moon.
New moon.
Crescent.
Half moon.
Full moon.
The entire cycle drifted around the center of the chamber like silent celestial guardians.
And there—
Seated upon a raised platform amidst the flowers—
Was a woman.
No.
A fox.
A divine fox.
Nine immaculate white tails spread behind her.
The tips shimmered with faint sapphire blue.
Long platinum hair cascaded down her back like flowing moonlight.
Her kimono was a deep midnight blue adorned with lighter shades that resembled the night sky itself.
A four-petal flower ornament rested in her hair.
A matching necklace rested upon her chest.
The air itself smelled pleasant.
Fresh flowers.
Spring rain.
Moonlit nights.
A fragrance both calming and nostalgic.
The fox woman's eyes widened slightly.
Clearly surprised.
"A man?"
Her voice was soft.
Gentle.
Dreamlike.
"How did you enter this World of Sacred Dreams?"
The floating moon orbs slowly circled her.
"Are you a Dreamweaver as well?"
Yuuki stepped forward.
More curious than alarmed.
"More like I woke up here."
The fox woman blinked.
Then froze.
Her ears twitched.
The expression on her face changed.
Confusion.
Recognition.
Disbelief.
Hope.
For several seconds she simply stared at him.
Then slowly rose to her feet.
The flowers around her swayed gently.
"Wait..."
Her voice trembled.
"That voice..."
The fox took another step forward.
Her silver-blue eyes widened.
"You..."
Another step.
"I have been waiting for that voice."
The moon orbs flickered.
The flowers stirred.
Even the room itself seemed to react.
"This sensation..."
The fox pressed a hand against her chest.
"...that of reality."
For the first time, genuine emotion appeared upon her elegant face.
"Was it you?"
Another step.
"Was it you who awakened this one from her long slumber?"
Her tails swayed nervously.
A strangely vulnerable expression appearing upon her face.
"The one who finally came to this dream world?"
Yuuki frowned.
Long slumber?
Awakened?
This was becoming familiar.
A little too familiar.
The fox lowered her gaze.
For a brief moment her voice became quiet.
Almost lonely.
"For so very long..."
Her fingers tightened against her kimono.
"I have waited."
Then she looked up again.
A faint smile appearing.
"We have waited."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"We?"
The fox nodded.
"The Yamato Sisters."
The answer immediately drew his attention.
Yamato.
Now that was a name he recognized.
The fox continued.
"How did you enter this Dream World?"
Her eyes searched his face.
"Only Dreamweavers like us Yamato Sisters possess such ability."
Yuuki rubbed the back of his neck.
Then answered honestly.
"Dream World?"
He glanced around.
"This place is closer to a world for the dead."
The fox froze.
Her tails stopped moving.
"...World for the dead?"
Yuuki nodded.
"This is where the spirits of fallen Shipgirls wait."
The fox stared silently.
"This place can only be entered by those who have already died."
The room fell quiet.
The floating moon orbs slowed.
The flowers became still.
For the first time—
The fox looked shaken.
"Are..."
Her voice softened.
"...are you speaking the truth?"
Yuuki nodded.
"I've met many of them."
The names came easily.
"Amagi."
The fox's eyes widened.
"Fusou."
Her breathing caught.
"Yamashiro."
A tail trembled.
"Hiyou."
"Junyou."
The fox lowered her head.
"And others."
Yuuki continued.
"The little destroyers too."
A small smile appeared.
"Kisaragi."
"Mutsuki."
"Uzuki."
"Minazuki."
"Mikazuki."
"Shiranui."
At that—
The fox closed her eyes.
A gentle smile appeared.
A mixture of sadness and warmth.
"The little ones..."
One of her tails curled slightly.
"How I have missed them."
The room remained silent.
Then her gaze returned to him.
This time there was certainty in her eyes.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Only conviction.
"You truly are him."
Yuuki blinked.
"Him?"
The fox nodded.
"I listened."
Her hand rested over her heart.
"To your voice."
Another small smile.
"My sister listened as well."
The moon orbs brightened.
The flowers swayed.
Almost as though the room itself agreed.
Then she slowly bowed.
Elegant.
Graceful.
Regal.
When she spoke again, her voice carried centuries of longing.
"I am Shinano."
The fox raised her head.
Aircraft Carrier Shinano.
Of the Sakura Empire.
Or rather—
The former Sakura Empire.
"I was meant to stand beside Yamato during that war."
A sad smile appeared.
"Yet in the end..."
Her gaze drifted toward the distant moons.
"Alas."
"There is impermanence in all things."
Her nine tails lowered slightly.
"And nothing became of this one's life."
For a moment the mighty carrier seemed strangely fragile.
A dream that never reached its ending.
A promise never fulfilled.
Then she looked directly into Yuuki's eyes.
Hope returning.
Bright.
Warm.
Alive.
The hope of someone who had waited a very long time.
"May your guidance..."
Her voice softened.
"...lead my fate to a different outcome."
And somewhere beyond the palace—
Deep within the endless Dream World—
Yuuki could almost feel another presence stirring.
Listening.
Waiting.
Just as Shinano had said.
She had not been the only one waiting.
Yuuki looked between Shinano and the doorway.
"Your sister?"
The white fox nodded gently.
"Aye."
One of her tails swayed behind her.
"I am Shinano."
Another moon orb drifted lazily overhead.
"And my elder sister is Musashi."
She turned toward one of the side corridors of the palace.
"She resides within the rear portion of the palace."
The carrier's eyes returned to Yuuki.
"This Dream World is a sanctuary only Dreamweavers such as ourselves may enter."
Then her expression softened.
"Or the Void World, as thou hast named it."
For the first time, curiosity overcame her composure.
"May this one know the name of the owner of the voice?"
Her ears twitched slightly.
"The one for whom we have waited for so long."
Before Yuuki could answer—
A second voice echoed from the side entrance.
"I thought I heard voices."
The sliding door opened.
Yuuki turned.
And immediately understood why Shinano had referred to her as elder sister.
Where Shinano resembled moonlight—
Musashi resembled midnight.
She was tall.
Elegant.
Powerful.
A woman whose mere presence filled the room.
Nine magnificent black tails spread behind her.
Each tipped with black and white fur.
Long ebony hair cascaded down her back.
Where Shinano embodied tranquility—
Musashi embodied authority.
A queen.
A general.
A protector.
The dark purple kimono she wore emphasized both grace and power.
A magatama necklace rested against her chest.
A sakura hairpin adorned her hair.
Every movement carried effortless confidence.
The moment her crimson eyes landed upon Yuuki—
She paused.
Shinano smiled.
"Ah, dear elder sister."
Musashi's gaze lingered.
Studying him.
Analyzing him.
Judging him.
Yuuki couldn't help speaking first.
"I guess Akagi, Kaga, Amagi and Kaguya aren't the only foxes of the Sakura Empire."
That immediately caught Musashi's attention.
One eyebrow rose.
"Ara."
For the first time her expression changed.
"You have met Kaguya?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Yeah."
A small smile appeared.
"Recovered her."
Shinano's ears perked up immediately.
Musashi took a step closer.
"Kaguya..."
The battleship's voice carried genuine surprise.
"She still lives?"
Yuuki nodded.
"She was living peacefully."
Another smile.
"Now she's part of the fleet."
Musashi and Shinano exchanged glances.
A rare look of relief passed between them.
"One of the Legendary Arcanes of the East."
Musashi spoke softly.
A trace of admiration entered her voice.
"Kaguya, the Ten-Tailed One."
Shinano nodded.
"She is not the only fox to attain ten tails, yet among the Arcanes her name is spoken with great reverence."
"Few ever met her."
Musashi continued.
"Only myself."
"Shinano."
"Yamato."
"Lady Nagato."
"And Lady Houshou."
The room fell briefly silent.
Then Musashi turned fully toward Yuuki.
The battleship placed one hand upon her chest.
"Forgive my impudence."
She bowed gracefully.
"I am Musashi."
The Yamato-class battleship.
Her voice carried the weight of a flagship.
A leader.
A guardian.
"If it is my acknowledgment you seek..."
A faint smile appeared.
"Then quell the storms that rage across these seas with your magnificence."
Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hm?"
The smile widened.
"With a fleet as mighty as yours, even a weakling would find such a task trivial."
Yuuki opened his mouth.
Then paused.
Both foxes had suddenly gone silent.
Their eyes widened.
The floating moon orbs froze.
Even the flowers became still.
The commander blinked.
"...What?"
Neither answered immediately.
Instead—
Both sisters stared at him.
As though listening to something.
Feeling something.
Something beyond words.
Musashi's confident expression cracked first.
Disbelief appeared.
Then astonishment.
Then something very close to joy.
Beside her, Shinano's tails trembled.
The white fox pressed a hand against her lips.
"My heavens..."
Yuuki looked between them.
"What?"
Shinano slowly lowered her hand.
Her silver-blue eyes shimmered.
Musashi stepped forward.
For the first time since entering the room—
The imposing battleship looked genuinely shaken.
"We can hear it."
Yuuki frowned.
"Hear what?"
Shinano's voice barely rose above a whisper.
"Your heart."
The room became silent.
The moon orbs resumed their slow orbit.
Musashi closed her eyes briefly.
Then nodded.
"As we suspected."
Her gaze returned to him.
No doubt remained.
No uncertainty.
Only certainty.
Absolute certainty.
"You truly are that man."
The man whose voice had reached them.
The man whose presence had stirred the Dream World.
The man they had waited for through countless dreams.
And somewhere deeper within the palace—
Far beyond the chamber of flowers and moons—
Something ancient stirred.
As though hearing confirmation at last.
The waiting was finally over.
The chamber remained silent.
Only the gentle drifting of moon orbs and the rustling of flowers disturbed the stillness.
Shinano and Musashi continued looking at him.
Not with suspicion.
Not with caution.
But with certainty.
An almost unsettling certainty.
Yuuki rubbed the bridge of his nose.
He already knew where this was heading.
The signs were all there.
The stunned expressions.
The trembling tails.
The realization.
He had seen it before.
Far too many times.
Musashi slowly approached.
Her nine dark tails swayed behind her.
Shinano followed shortly after.
The white fox remained graceful, yet there was a faint excitement hidden beneath her usual composure.
"We can feel it."
Shinano's voice was soft.
Gentle.
Dreamlike.
"The warmth within thy heart."
The moon orbs brightened slightly.
As if responding to her emotions.
Musashi nodded.
"And the connections."
Her crimson eyes never left him.
"Countless connections."
The battleship looked genuinely astonished.
"There are so many."
Shinano placed a hand over her chest.
"We can feel their trust."
Another pause.
"Their affection."
Another.
"The bonds that connect them to thee."
Yuuki sighed.
There it was.
Exactly where he expected the conversation to go.
The Dreamweavers weren't simply hearing his voice.
They were sensing the connections attached to it.
Every shipgirl.
Every bond.
Every promise.
Every relationship.
The trust built through countless encounters.
The foxes could feel all of it.
Shinano closed her eyes.
A faint smile appeared.
"Akagi."
Musashi immediately recognized another.
"Kaga."
Another.
"Amagi."
Shinano's tails curled happily.
"Kaguya."
The white fox opened her eyes again.
The realization finally settling completely.
Any lingering doubts vanished.
Because falsehoods could not create such bonds.
Trust could not be fabricated.
Not on this scale.
Not across so many hearts.
Musashi nodded slowly.
"It bridges the distance."
The battleship looked thoughtful.
"It eases uncertainty."
A faint smile appeared.
"And allows trust to bloom before words are even spoken."
Yuuki immediately recognized what that meant.
And unfortunately—
He knew exactly what came next.
The commander looked upward.
As though seeking assistance from some higher power.
None arrived.
Of course.
Shinano moved closer.
Musashi moved closer.
The tails became increasingly active.
Yuuki sighed again.
"...Don't."
Both sisters blinked.
"Don't what?"
Musashi asked.
Yuuki pointed toward the tails.
"The tails."
The foxes looked downward.
Then at one another.
Then back at him.
Neither seemed to understand.
Which somehow made it worse.
The commander closed his eyes.
Because he already knew the outcome.
First had been Akagi.
Then Kaga.
Then Amagi.
Then Kaguya.
Especially Kaguya.
The Ten-Tailed Arcane remained unmatched.
Not in power.
In clinginess.
The memory alone made him tired.
The ranking was already firmly established.
Kaguya occupied first place.
By a considerable margin.
Akagi claimed second.
Kaga somehow managed third.
Amagi remained fourth.
The fact he had mentally categorized them at all probably indicated a larger problem.
One he was choosing to ignore.
For now.
Musashi tilted her head.
Clearly confused.
Shinano appeared equally puzzled.
The two foxes exchanged a glance.
Then simultaneously looked back at him.
Yuuki immediately recognized that look.
The exact same look.
The one every fox seemed to develop shortly before deciding he belonged inside a fortress made entirely of tails.
"Oh no."
The commander stepped backward.
The foxes stepped forward.
"Oh yes."
Musashi smiled.
Shinano's tails swayed happily.
The commander looked toward the door.
Then toward the window.
Then toward the ceiling.
Calculating escape routes.
Unfortunately—
He was currently trapped inside a floating dream palace in the middle of the Void World.
The available options were limited.
Very limited.
The two sisters continued approaching.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Like predators who already knew the outcome.
Shinano giggled softly.
Musashi looked entirely too amused.
And somewhere in the distance—
The Void World itself seemed to laugh.
Because apparently even reality had decided this was inevitable.
Yuuki had already seen the signs.
The active tails.
The increasingly curious expressions.
The way both sisters kept inching closer.
He knew exactly where this was going.
Unfortunately.
Very unfortunately.
There was only one reliable countermeasure he had discovered over the years.
A technique developed entirely through experience.
Far too much experience.
The commander sighed.
Then gently reached out.
Shinano blinked.
Musashi tilted her head.
"What are—"
Before either could finish—
Yuuki gently rubbed one of each fox's ears.
The reaction was immediate.
Both sisters froze.
Completely.
The moon orbs halted midair.
The flowers stopped moving.
Even the tails seemed to forget their previous mission.
A soft sound escaped Shinano.
"Ah..."
Her ears twitched.
The elegant carrier visibly relaxed.
Beside her, Musashi's composed expression immediately began falling apart.
A rare sight.
Very rare.
"Mmm..."
The proud battleship blinked several times.
Clearly trying to maintain her dignity.
Not succeeding.
Not even slightly.
Shinano's tails curled around herself.
"You..."
The white fox's voice had become noticeably softer.
"...seem to know how to touch our ears..."
Yuuki continued calmly.
Years of experience showed.
Gentle.
Careful.
Comfortable.
Musashi closed one eye.
Then another.
The battleship looked deeply conflicted.
On one hand—
Maintaining her majestic image.
On the other—
Ear rubs.
The battle was surprisingly one-sided.
"You seem..."
Musashi paused briefly.
"...to know our sweet spots."
Yuuki shrugged.
"Plenty of practice."
Both sisters immediately looked at him.
That answer somehow explained everything.
And raised even more questions.
The commander sighed.
"Between Kaguya and Akagi, I never really had much choice."
Shinano nodded slowly.
As though that answer made perfect sense.
Which, unfortunately, it did.
Musashi folded her arms.
Attempting to regain some dignity.
Failing when one ear twitched beneath another gentle rub.
"Kaguya..."
The battleship muttered.
"That explains much."
Shinano giggled softly.
"The Ten-Tailed One would absolutely teach such techniques."
"She did not teach me."
Yuuki immediately corrected.
"I learned through survival."
That earned an amused look from Musashi.
"A survival skill?"
"Yes."
The answer came far too quickly.
"One hundred percent."
The sisters exchanged glances.
Then laughed.
A warm sound.
Gentle.
Free of the loneliness that had filled the palace only moments earlier.
For the first time in countless years—
The Dream Palace no longer felt empty.
And for the first time since meeting him—
Shinano and Musashi seemed completely at ease.
The trust they had sensed through his heart.
The bonds they had witnessed.
The names of old friends long thought lost.
Combined with the simple warmth of the moment.
It was enough.
No grand speeches.
No dramatic declarations.
Just a quiet conversation within a palace suspended between dreams and reality.
And somewhere in the back of Yuuki's mind—
A familiar realization surfaced.
The Yamato Sisters were definitely going to get along with the rest of the foxes.
Which was either very fortunate.
Or a future problem.
Possibly both.
The floating moon orbs continued their slow dance around the chamber.
For a moment neither spoke.
Instead, they simply watched him.
As though comparing his words against countless dreams they had witnessed over the years.
Finally, Shinano broke the silence.
"Who are you...?"
Her silver-blue eyes remained fixed upon him.
"The man whose heart carries such warmth?"
"The man whose voice reached us?"
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"Yukihira Yuuki."
The commander folded his arms.
"High Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
The name caused both foxes to blink.
"A Sakura name..."
Shinano murmured.
Yuuki shook his head.
"Not from this world's Sakura."
"I see."
Musashi nodded slowly.
"A familiar concept originating from another reality."
The battleship's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"That would explain many things."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"You've encountered concepts from other worlds before?"
The sisters exchanged a glance.
Then Shinano nodded.
"Yes."
The carrier gestured toward the floating moons.
"We Dreamweavers occasionally glimpse things that should not belong to our world."
"Fragments."
Musashi continued.
"Possibilities."
"Echoes."
"Worlds that never were."
"Worlds that may yet be."
Yuuki immediately understood why the Void World had brought him here.
"Dreamweavers?"
Shinano smiled softly.
"A title inherited by the Yamato Sisters."
She slowly sat back down among the flowers.
"We dream."
"And within those dreams, the world reveals possibilities."
"Future outcomes."
Musashi folded her arms.
"Paths not yet taken."
"Disasters waiting to occur."
"Victories waiting to be achieved."
The battleship looked toward the drifting moon orbs.
"We see visions."
"Then we determine how they may be avoided."
Yuuki tilted his head.
"So."
"Fortune telling."
Both sisters immediately shook their heads.
"No."
Shinano answered.
"Not in the slightest."
"Fortune telling assumes certainty."
Musashi added.
"What we witness are possibilities."
"Nothing more."
Yuuki nodded.
That answer he respected.
Then Shinano tilted her head.
A curious expression appearing.
"Ever wished to see your future, Shikikan-sama?"
The question lingered within the room.
The moon orbs drifted.
The flowers swayed.
Yuuki's answer came immediately.
"I don't need it."
Both foxes blinked.
"Not interested?"
Shinano asked.
The commander shook his head.
"Not really."
The answer surprised them.
Most people would have asked immediately.
Most people wanted to know.
Needed to know.
Yuuki continued.
"The future is unpredictable."
The sisters listened carefully.
"You see one future."
He raised a finger.
"Then because you've seen it, you change your actions."
A second finger.
"Now that future won't happen."
A third.
"So you look at another."
"Then that future changes too."
Musashi's eyes widened slightly.
Yuuki continued.
"There are trillions of probabilities."
"Trillions of possibilities."
"Every decision changes something."
The commander shrugged.
"So I don't put much faith in visions."
Silence followed.
The Dreamweavers stared at him.
Not because they disagreed.
But because very few people had ever answered them that way.
Finally Musashi smiled.
A genuine smile.
Rare.
Subtle.
But genuine.
"You possess great confidence in your beliefs."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Maybe."
Then his gaze drifted toward the endless void beyond the palace.
"I simply believe the future isn't ours to own."
The room became still.
Even the moon orbs seemed to slow.
Yuuki continued.
"I believe God determines the future."
"Not us."
Shinano lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
Musashi listened without interruption.
"And besides."
The commander smiled.
"We deal with chrono anomalies."
That immediately caught their attention.
The commander laughed softly.
"The moment you start dealing with time travel, paradoxes, alternate timelines and causality loops..."
He shrugged.
"You stop trusting predictions."
That finally earned a laugh from Musashi.
A surprisingly warm laugh.
Shinano covered her mouth as she giggled softly.
For Dreamweavers who spent their lives studying possible futures—
The idea was oddly refreshing.
Someone who simply accepted uncertainty.
Someone who wasn't chasing destiny.
Someone who wasn't trying to force fate into obedience.
For the first time in a very long while—
The sisters found themselves genuinely curious.
Not about Yuuki's future.
But about the man himself.
And somehow—
That interested them far more than any vision ever could.
The chamber grew quiet once more.
The floating moon orbs drifted lazily above them.
Shinano lowered her gaze.
Thoughtful.
Contemplative.
Then she looked toward Yuuki.
"We used this place to observe what Dreamweavers could see."
One of her white tails curled around her side.
"Yet you claim this world is a resting place for the deceased."
Yuuki nodded.
"That's what I've experienced."
The commander folded his arms.
"The Void World is where I meet shipgirls who have already passed on."
Musashi exchanged a glance with her younger sister.
Then Shinano asked the obvious question.
"Then..."
For the first time uncertainty appeared in her voice.
"Are we deceased?"
The question lingered in the room.
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No."
The answer came with surprising certainty.
Both sisters looked relieved.
Though curious.
Yuuki continued.
"If you were deceased, I would've sensed a Wisdom Cube."
That immediately caught their attention.
"A Wisdom Cube?"
Musashi asked.
The commander nodded.
"When I encounter a fallen shipgirl, I either possess her cube or I'm close enough to sense it."
He looked between them.
"I've been on Autumn Isle for nearly two days."
"Not once have I sensed either of your cubes."
The sisters listened carefully.
The logic made sense.
Yuuki continued.
"Which means you aren't dead."
The commander paused.
"At least not in the way the others were."
Then he asked a different question.
"Do either of you remember what happened before arriving here?"
Shinano froze.
Her silver-blue eyes widened slightly.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
The memories returned.
The platinum-haired fox closed her eyes.
When she spoke, her voice had become softer.
More distant.
As though remembering a forgotten dream.
"I remember..."
The floating moon orbs dimmed slightly.
"This one was hiding."
Musashi's expression immediately changed.
Shinano continued.
"Myself."
"My elder sister."
"Lady Nagato."
"And Lady Mutsu."
Yuuki remained silent.
Allowing her to continue.
"We hid ourselves within a barrier."
The fox pressed a hand against her chest.
"A sanctuary beyond time."
Then her eyes opened.
"We are frozen."
The commander immediately frowned.
"Frozen?"
Shinano nodded.
"Aye."
Her voice carried certainty.
"Neither living nor sleeping."
"Neither awake nor dreaming."
"We remain suspended."
"Protected."
Musashi folded her arms.
"The Sirens sought us."
The battleship's voice had become colder.
Sharper.
"Thus we disappeared."
Yuuki immediately understood.
A temporal stasis barrier.
Not death.
Not sleep.
Preservation.
The commander nodded slowly.
Then another detail caught his attention.
"You said Yamato Sisters."
The room became quiet.
Yuuki looked between them.
"Yet I've only met Shinano and Musashi."
Another pause.
"Where is Yamato?"
The reaction was immediate.
Both foxes fell silent.
Shinano lowered her gaze.
Musashi's expression softened.
A rare sight.
Finally Shinano answered.
"Our eldest sister."
A small smile appeared.
"The greatest among us."
Musashi nodded.
"Advisor to Lady Nagato."
"Guardian of the Sakura Empire."
The battleship's voice carried obvious respect.
"Prideful."
"Stubborn."
"Powerful."
A faint smile appeared.
"The only one among us willing to challenge Kaguya directly, despite knowing she could never defeat the legendary Arcane of the East."
Yuuki laughed.
That sounded about right.
Musashi almost smiled herself.
"Most would consider such a battle madness."
"But not Yamato."
Shinano nodded.
"The strongest among the Yamato Sisters."
The room became quiet again.
Then the carrier lowered her gaze.
"But..."
The single word carried sadness.
Yuuki immediately noticed.
Shinano's tails drooped slightly.
"When we entered hiding..."
The fox looked toward the moon orbs.
"She disappeared."
Musashi clenched one hand.
The first sign of genuine worry Yuuki had seen from her.
"We do not know where she went."
The battleship's voice became quieter.
"We only know she was no longer with us."
Musashi closed her eyes briefly.
"It was for the greater good."
The battleship's voice remained steady, though a hint of sorrow lingered beneath it.
"Yamato chose her path so that the rest of us could remain hidden."
Beside her, Shinano nodded softly.
"This one remembers."
Her tails swayed gently.
"Our eldest sister believed that if even one of us remained free, hope would endure."
The carrier smiled faintly.
"Though we grieved her absence, we accepted it."
"For the sake of Lady Nagato."
"For the sake of Lady Mutsu."
"For the sake of the Sakura Empire."
Musashi opened her eyes once more.
"And for the future we sought to protect."
The realization settled heavily within the room.
Nagato.
Mutsu.
Shinano.
Musashi.
Frozen in time.
Protected.
Hidden.
Yet Yamato herself was missing.
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
Of course it couldn't be simple.
Nothing ever was.
Shinano looked toward him.
The trust in her eyes remained.
Steady.
Certain.
"If thou truly intends to retrieve us..."
Her voice became gentle once more.
"Then be careful."
The moon orbs dimmed.
"The Sirens must never find our sanctuary."
Musashi nodded.
"And if Yamato yet lives..."
For the first time, the proud battleship sounded hopeful.
"Then perhaps."
A small smile appeared.
"She too has been waiting. Frozen in time, somewhere in this dead world."
The flowers swayed softly.
The palace grew quiet.
And for the first time since arriving—
Yuuki realized this wasn't a meeting with spirits.
It was a rescue mission.
One that had begun long before he ever arrived in this world.
"Be careful?"
Yuuki repeated the words.
The moonlit chamber grew quiet.
Shinano lowered her gaze briefly.
Then nodded.
"Be careful, Shikikan-sama."
Her voice remained gentle.
Yet there was genuine concern within it.
"This one, Lady Nagato, Lady Mutsu, and my elder sister..."
Her tails swayed softly.
"We are currently protected."
"Protected?"
Yuuki asked.
Musashi folded her arms.
"Aye."
The battleship's crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"Protected by another Arcane of the East."
That immediately caught his attention.
Another Arcane?
Yuuki remembered Kaguya.
The ten-tailed fox currently sleeping peacefully back at the inn.
The same fox who had casually become one of the strongest members of the fleet.
The same fox who could fire enough magical energy to erase a raid boss.
The same fox who treated him like a favorite pillow.
That Kaguya.
"You should ask Kaguya."
Shinano smiled softly.
"She knows precisely of whom we speak."
The commander raised an eyebrow.
"Another Arcane of the East?"
The sisters exchanged a glance.
Then Musashi nodded.
"Kaguya is not the only Arcane."
The battleship's voice carried obvious respect.
"Merely the strongest."
"The First Pillar."
Shinano continued.
"One of the Twelve Pillar Arcanes of the East."
The moon orbs drifted overhead.
Each seeming to illuminate a different memory.
"A title granted only to shipgirls who have mastered the arcane arts and wield magic beyond what ordinary shipgirls can achieve."
Musashi added.
"Even Priority vessels."
"Even Decisive vessels."
"Even among legends."
The battleship's expression became serious.
"The Twelve Pillars stand apart."
Yuuki wasn't surprised.
Kaguya alone had already demonstrated enough power to justify such a title.
Then another realization struck him.
"Wait."
The commander looked between them.
"First Pillar? No wonder she possesses four configurations."
"Four?"
"Super Battleship, Super Carrier, Super Cruiser, and Super Destroyer. She even told me she could become an Aviation Battleship."
The sisters exchanged a glance.
"It seems Kaguya did not show you her special configuration."
"Special?"
Shinano nodded.
"Yes."
Her voice carried a hint of nostalgia.
"Once, the three Yamato sisters challenged her. In response, she unveiled a configuration specifically designed to match our own riggings."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"The Super Battleship?"
Musashi shook her head.
"No."
Her expression grew serious.
"The Ultimate Super Battleship. A configuration designed not to match our power, but to imitate the might of the Yamato-class battleships."
The title alone sounded absurd.
"A configuration she has only used once."
Shinano smiled faintly.
"Yamato-nee-sama wished to witness its power."
The carrier lowered her gaze.
"And once we did..."
Musashi finished the thought.
"We understood why she stands as the First Pillar among the Twelve Pillar Arcanes of the East."
Yuuki frowned.
"She never showed me."
"Perhaps there was no need."
Shinano's tails swayed gently.
"Or perhaps she trusted those around her enough that such a form would never be necessary."
A warm smile appeared on the fox's face.
"That is Kaguya."
Her voice softened.
"Which is why she is considered one of humanity's greatest trump cards."
Yuuki fell silent.
Then why had she refused to help them before?
As if sensing his thoughts, Musashi answered.
"When Azur Lane fell, Kaguya no longer wished to fight for humanity."
The battleship's voice remained calm.
"Too many saw shipgirls as weapons rather than people."
Shinano nodded sadly.
"She may be a Pillar, but she is still only one shipgirl standing against the Sirens."
The carrier looked toward him.
"And yet..."
A gentle smile returned.
"She is the one who sought you."
The statement lingered in the air.
Finally, Shinano spoke again.
"We wish to meet her once more."
"Not as the First Pillar."
Musashi's expression softened.
"But as a friend."
Yuuki smiled.
"You will."
The certainty in his voice immediately drew their attention.
"Akagi, Kaga, and the others already see her as a friend."
His smile widened slightly.
"She's no longer alone."
The commander folded his arms.
"And she no longer has to pretend."
"If Kaguya is First..."
Shinano nodded.
Understanding his question immediately.
"Then the one protecting us is Twelfth."
The answer surprised him.
"The lowest-ranked Arcane?"
Musashi immediately shook her head.
"Do not misunderstand."
Her voice became firm.
"The rankings indicate authority and historical standing."
"Not weakness."
The battleship's nine tails shifted behind her.
"Even the Twelfth Pillar would be considered a catastrophe by ordinary standards."
Shinano smiled softly.
"Compared to Kaguya, most would appear weak."
The carrier giggled lightly.
"But compared to the world?"
The smile widened.
"Not at all."
Yuuki nodded.
That sounded exactly like something Kaguya would create.
A ranking system where even the lowest-ranked member remained absurdly powerful.
"So who is she?"
The question lingered.
Yet neither sister answered immediately.
Instead, Shinano's smile became slightly mischievous.
A rare expression for the normally gentle fox.
"You will meet her."
The carrier folded her hands together.
"When you bring Kaguya."
Musashi nodded.
"She would not welcome strangers."
Another pause.
"But she would welcome Kaguya."
The commander sighed.
Of course.
Nothing could ever be simple.
Then Shinano added another detail.
"She is also a ten-tailed fox."
Yuuki blinked.
Another one?
Kaguya.
The mysterious guardian.
Potentially Yamato somewhere beyond.
The number of powerful foxes in this world continued increasing at an alarming rate.
Musashi seemed amused by his reaction.
"Surprised?"
"A little."
The answer earned a laugh from both sisters.
Then Shinano's expression softened once more.
The carrier looked toward the drifting moon orbs.
Toward the dreams they had watched for years.
Toward the sanctuary that had protected them.
"For ten years."
Her voice became quiet.
"She has guarded us alone."
The room fell silent.
Even Musashi lowered her gaze.
Ten years.
Alone.
Watching.
Waiting.
Protecting.
Without recognition.
Without reward.
Simply because it was her duty.
The realization settled heavily within the room.
Shinano finally looked back toward him.
"She may be the Twelfth Pillar."
A faint smile appeared.
"But she remains an Arcane."
The moon orbs glowed softly.
"A protector."
"A guardian."
"A shipgirl worthy of respect."
Musashi nodded.
"And if you seek us."
Her crimson eyes met his.
"Then eventually you will seek her."
The battleship smiled faintly.
"And when that day comes..."
A trace of amusement entered her voice.
"Bring Kaguya."
For some reason—
The way both sisters said that made Yuuki feel as though Kaguya and this mysterious Twelfth Pillar already knew each other extremely well.
Which likely meant future complications.
Fox-shaped complications.
The commander sighed.
Both sisters smiled.
Apparently they understood exactly what he was thinking.
"So if I find you two..."
Yuuki looked between the sisters.
"Then I'll find Nagato and Mutsu as well?"
"Aye."
Shinano's silver-blue eyes brightened.
"Thou shalt."
Her tails swayed gently behind her.
"If thou finds this one and elder sister Musashi, then Lady Nagato and Lady Mutsu shall be found as well."
For the first time since he had arrived, genuine anticipation appeared in her expression.
"I could not wait to meet thee in the flesh, Shikikan-sama."
The carrier lowered her gaze.
A faint smile appearing.
"Though fate may already be written, this one shall continue to struggle until her duty is fulfilled."
The moon orbs drifted lazily around her.
"Long has this one dreamt..."
Her voice softened.
"Tragic dreams this one wishes to never remember."
The flowers around her stirred.
"Blissful dreams from which one hopes to never awaken."
Another pause.
The Dreamweaver looked toward him.
Almost uncertain.
"At times..."
"Even reality itself feels like another dream."
Her silver-blue eyes met his.
"Shikikan-sama."
"Is this truly reality?"
"Or merely another illusion?"
Yuuki stepped forward.
Then gently placed a hand upon her head.
Shinano froze.
The carrier's ears twitched.
Not because she disliked it.
Quite the opposite.
The warmth she had sensed from his heart was there again.
Steady.
Real.
Comforting.
A warmth she had not felt in a very long time.
Yuuki smiled.
"It isn't an illusion."
The answer came without hesitation.
"It is reality, Shinano."
The carrier slowly closed her eyes.
Allowing herself to enjoy the reassuring gesture.
Yuuki continued.
"I'll retrieve both of you."
The certainty in his voice made both sisters look toward him.
"But first."
His expression became serious.
"I need to rescue Shoukaku."
"Zuikaku."
"Hiryuu."
"Souryuu."
"And the other shipgirls trapped throughout the world."
Musashi nodded.
A practical answer.
The answer of a commander.
Then Yuuki smiled.
"And besides."
"I made a promise."
The sisters listened.
"I promised Akagi that I would find Nagato."
The commander folded his arms.
"And return the leader of the Sakura Empire to her people."
The statement caused Shinano's eyes to widen slightly.
Then a beautiful smile appeared.
One filled with hope.
Meanwhile Musashi stepped forward.
The imposing battleship placed a hand over her chest.
"I am Musashi."
Her voice echoed through the chamber.
"The existence that was meant to turn the tides of war in the Sakura Empire's favor."
The battleship smiled faintly.
"But there is little value in lamenting the past."
A familiar confidence returned to her eyes.
"It is not in my nature."
The room seemed to grow heavier.
More determined.
"I refuse to remain frozen while Sakura still endures."
Musashi's tails spread proudly behind her.
"Our nation may be broken."
"But our people yet live."
"Shipgirls yet live."
Her crimson eyes burned with conviction.
"And this time..."
The battleship clenched one fist.
"I shall protect all that is dear to me."
"No matter the cost."
The declaration hung in the air.
Strong.
Unyielding.
Very much worthy of the name Musashi.
Then Shinano stepped closer.
Her expression gentler.
Yet equally determined.
"Find us, Shikikan-sama."
The carrier's smile returned.
"If Kaguya can sense the Twelve Pillars..."
One of her tails pointed toward the distant moonlit horizon beyond the palace.
"Then she shall lead thee to us."
The world around them suddenly began to shimmer.
Yuuki noticed the familiar glow surrounding his body.
The dream was ending.
The Void World was releasing him.
Reality was calling him back.
Shinano immediately noticed.
"So soon..."
Musashi crossed her arms.
Though she looked disappointed, she hid it well.
Yuuki smiled.
"I'll find you."
The glow intensified.
The moon orbs brightened.
The flowers danced in a gentle breeze.
"Wait for me."
His gaze moved between the sisters.
"I always wanted the Yamato-class to join us."
A grin appeared.
"If we find Yamato too..."
The commander shook his head.
"We'll have the complete might of the Yamato-class."
"Nagato leading the Sakura once more."
His smile widened.
"And my second Arcane shipgirl."
That immediately earned amused looks from both sisters.
Then Yuuki's expression became serious once more.
The commander of GDI.
The man they had waited years to meet.
"Join my Global Defense Initiative."
The glow surrounding him intensified.
"Not to fight for humanity."
"To protect the world."
A pause.
Then his final words.
"Even from humanity itself."
For several seconds neither sister spoke.
Then Musashi smiled.
A proud smile.
One of approval.
"We look forward to it, child."
The title carried no mockery.
Only affection.
Only respect.
Beside her, Shinano stepped forward.
Silver-blue eyes filled with hope.
The same hope she had carried through ten years of dreams.
The same hope she had waited to entrust to someone.
The carrier bowed gently.
Then smiled.
"Bring us home..."
The palace faded.
The flowers dissolved into moonlight.
The drifting moon orbs became stars.
And the final voice Yuuki heard before awakening was Shinano's.
Soft.
Warm.
Hopeful.
"Bring us home, Shikikan-sama."
Yuuki smiled.
Then gently patted both sisters on the head.
The gesture was simple.
Warm.
Familiar.
The same warmth they had sensed from the very beginning.
The same warmth that had convinced them to trust him.
"I will."
The answer carried no hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Only promise.
"I'll bring you home."
For a brief moment—
Neither Shinano nor Musashi spoke.
The glow surrounding Yuuki intensified.
The Dream Palace began dissolving into moonlight.
The flowers became drifting petals.
The moon orbs transformed into countless stars.
Reality was calling him back.
Yet before he vanished completely—
The commander offered one final smile.
Then disappeared.
Silence followed.
The chamber grew still.
Only the drifting petals remained.
Shinano slowly raised a hand.
Touching the top of her head.
The place where he had patted her.
The warmth remained.
Not physically.
Yet somehow she could still feel it.
Real.
Gentle.
Comforting.
The carrier lowered her gaze.
A smile appeared.
Small at first.
Then larger.
Beside her, Musashi stood quietly.
One hand resting against her chest.
Her heartbeat felt strangely lighter.
The battleship closed her eyes.
The lingering sensation remained.
The warmth.
The trust.
The certainty.
After all these years—
Someone had finally found them.
Someone who knew they existed.
Someone who intended to come back to them after all these years of waiting.
Not eventually.
Not someday.
Soon.
Very soon.
For a long while neither sister spoke.
Then Shinano finally broke the silence.
"This one can still feel it."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"The warmth of reality."
The carrier smiled softly.
"The warmth of his heart."
Musashi opened her eyes.
A faint smile appearing upon her normally composed face.
"Aye."
The battleship looked toward the place where Yuuki had disappeared.
"He possesses a rare strength."
"Not merely power."
"Conviction."
The room fell quiet once more.
Shinano nodded.
"He did not hesitate."
The carrier's tails curled around her.
"As though rescuing us was already decided."
Musashi chuckled softly.
"That sounds exactly like him."
The sisters shared a glance.
Then laughed.
For the first time in many years—
Not out of politeness.
Not out of duty.
But out of genuine happiness.
Hope had returned.
After years of waiting.
Years of dreams.
Years of uncertainty.
Hope had finally returned.
Shinano stepped toward the veranda overlooking the endless dreamscape.
The moonlight illuminated her silver hair.
Her nine tails swayed gently behind her.
"Lady Nagato will be pleased."
The carrier smiled.
"And Lady Mutsu."
Musashi joined her.
The elder sister gazed into the distance.
Toward the world beyond dreams.
Toward reality.
Toward the future.
"Our wait is nearly over."
The battleship's voice carried certainty.
No visions.
No prophecy.
No dream.
Just belief.
For once—
That was enough.
The Dream Palace no longer felt lonely.
The endless years no longer felt endless.
And somewhere beyond time itself—
Two Yamato sisters waited.
Not with despair.
Not with resignation.
But with anticipation.
For the first time in ten years—
They could finally hope again.
Shinano found herself asking the very same question Musashi had asked moments earlier.
What was it they saw in him?
The Dreamweaver lowered her gaze, her silver-blue eyes reflecting the countless moonlit orbs drifting around the palace. Since the moment Yuuki had appeared before them, she had instinctively tried to peer beyond the present. It was second nature to her. Dreams, possibilities, fragments of fate—she had spent years wandering through them.
Yet every time she looked toward him...
There was nothing.
No vision.
No prophecy.
No destined path.
Only an endless horizon she could not cross.
Shinano slowly placed a hand over her heart.
"Nee-sama.."
The elder sister glanced toward her.
"You saw it as well, did you not?"
Musashi remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"Aye."
Her crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"I searched for his future."
Another pause.
"And found nothing."
Shinano smiled faintly.
Not out of disappointment.
But relief.
For years, fate had dictated everything around them. Every dream she witnessed eventually became another burden to carry. Another tragedy she could not prevent.
Yet Yuuki was different.
Neither she nor Musashi could see his future.
Nor could they see the futures connected to him.
It was as though destiny itself refused to reveal what lay ahead.
Or perhaps...
It had yet to be written.
Or..
Maybe it was written, but God simply chose not to reveal it to them.
Shinano looked toward the place where he had vanished.
The lingering warmth of his touch still remained upon her ears.
Upon her head.
Upon her heart.
"This one understands now."
Musashi raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
A gentle smile appeared on Shinano's face.
"For the first time..."
Her tails swayed softly behind her.
"This one cannot see the road ahead."
The carrier closed her eyes.
"And for the first time..."
A quiet laugh escaped her lips.
"That does not frighten me."
Musashi stared at her younger sister before a small smile appeared on her own face.
"A rare statement from the Dreamweaver."
Shinano nodded.
"Aye."
Her gaze remained fixed upon the distant horizon.
Upon reality.
Upon the future waiting beyond dreams.
Perhaps that was why they trusted him so easily.
Not because they knew what would happen.
Not because fate had shown them victory.
But because fate had shown them nothing at all.
And somehow...
That uncertainty felt liberating.
Musashi folded her arms.
"Then we shall do something unusual."
Shinano tilted her head.
"And what would that be, elder sister?"
The battleship's smile widened.
"We shall place our faith in our shikikan-sama."
The words lingered in the air.
Simple.
Yet powerful.
Shinano's eyes softened.
Perhaps Musashi was right.
Perhaps this time...
Rather than searching endlessly for a future they could not see...
They would entrust their future to him.