The moment everyone was aboard, the Orca Ex lifted away from the village.
Its engines hummed as the transport rose into the sky, escorted by formations of Iron Legions and Iron Brutes flying alongside it.
The village slowly disappeared beneath them.
But Yuuki barely had time to enjoy the peaceful flight.
"Ladies, one at a time. Please."
Yuuki sighed as the entire group immediately bombarded him with questions.
Even Yuu had joined in.
The moment the Orca Ex was safely in the air, everyone seemed to remember that there were several very important things their Commander had yet to explain.
"What exactly happened with your Omnitrix?"
"How did you become that ice alien?"
"What was that Ultimate form?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Can you access more Ultimate forms?"
Even Mary and Pepper were joining the interrogation.
Yuuki raised both hands.
"I'll answer everything once we arrive at the carrier."
A collective groan came from the Shipgirls.
"Ehhh..."
Even Mary and Pepper joined the chorus.
Yuuki shook his head.
"Don't 'ehh' me. I just don't want to tell the same story twice."
Kaguya immediately raised a finger.
"Dearest, both this wife and Iris have already seen thee transform. We still require an explanation."
Iris nodded.
"That is true."
Belfast glanced toward Yorktown.
"Master, why did Hana already know about it? Did she see you transform before?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"No. She saw me putting it on while I was talking with Yuu about it. After that, we simply told her what it was."
He glanced toward Yorktown.
"But today was the first time after twelve years I transformed again."
A pause.
"And the first time I accessed an Ultimate form."
Yorktown nodded.
"So yeah. Hana knew about it. I just gave her a short introduction about it."
Several Shipgirls exchanged looks.
That only seemed to create more questions but they knew Yuuki would avoid it until they get to the others back at the carrier.
Before they could start again, Manchester suddenly spoke.
"So, lord commander... how did you stop the nuke?"
The atmosphere became quieter.
Manchester looked toward him.
"We were certain we were going to be vaporized when it exploded above the village."
Liverpool nodded.
"I remember thinking that was it."
Gloucester quietly nodded as well.
At the time, none of them had known exactly what was happening.
The missile had appeared in the sky.
The warning had come.
And then they had watched their Commander fly directly toward it.
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
"I removed the radioactive core by erasing it."
Several faces stared at him.
"...You what?"
"I erased the nuclear core with the chrono beam."
He shrugged.
"So it became just a harmless bomb."
Yuuki held up a finger.
"Without the nuclear core, it isn't a nuclear bomb anymore. It's just a regular, good old-fashioned bomb."
He paused.
"It was programmed to detonate above the village to maximize the nuclear effect."
Yuuki gave them a small grin.
"So instead of a nuclear explosion..."
He gestured toward the sky.
"It became a firework."
The cabin fell silent for a moment.
Then Manchester let out a breath.
"I remember being scared for my life."
"Same," Liverpool admitted.
Gloucester nodded.
"We all were."
For them, the memory was still fresh.
At that time, no one outside the inner command group had even known that the incoming missile was nuclear.
The Shipgirls knew.
Yuu knew.
Mary and Pepper knew.
And Yuuki, of course, had known exactly what he was dealing with.
The rest could only watch as their Commander flew directly toward the missile.
Then, somehow, he had stopped it.
He had intercepted a nuclear missile in midflight, reached the warhead, removed the radioactive core, and allowed the remaining explosive to detonate harmlessly above the village.
Looking back on it now...
It was almost absurd.
And, admittedly, pretty badass.
Yuuki noticed the expressions on their faces.
"Don't look at me like that. Erasing their entire missile would be a hassle. So, why not erase the core and let it blow up?"
Yuu crossed her arms.
"Chief, you flew into the upper atmosphere and manually removed the nuclear core from a missile."
She smirked.
"I'm pretty sure we're allowed to look at you like that."
Yuuki sighed.
"...I knew I shouldn't have explained it."
That only made everyone laugh.
The Orca Ex continued its journey toward the carrier, escorted through the open sky by the Iron Legions and Iron Brutes.
And Yuuki already knew that once they reached the carrier, the interrogation was going to get much worse.
He barely had time to step away before Belfast approached him.
"Master, there's something you should know."
Yuuki looked at her.
"You mentioned a matter needs my attention. What is it?"
Belfast glanced toward Yorktown.
"I believe Hana would be better suited to explain."
Yorktown nodded and stepped forward.
"There's a reason I asked Jarvis to stop the main fleet."
That immediately got Yuuki's attention.
"Why?"
"A fleet of naval ships is going to pass through this area sometime this afternoon."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of fleet?"
Yorktown's expression turned serious.
"Eagle Union. Fifth Fleet."
She pointed toward the tactical display.
"Jarvis picked them up a little while ago. I recognized the insignia."
Yuuki studied the display.
"The Fifth Fleet... Does that mean something?"
"It does."
Yorktown paused.
"It's the Presidential Fleet."
The room went quiet.
Yuuki looked at her.
"The fleet carrying the President?"
"Exactly."
Several of the Shipgirls aboard the Orca Ex exchanged surprised looks.
Even the newly rescued Shipgirls seemed taken aback.
Yorktown continued.
"And according to their current course, they're heading straight for our home base."
Belfast frowned.
"Master... do you think they know about GDI?"
"Probably. They even so far bring their president."
Yuuki folded his arms, studying the holographic map.
"They might be coming to establish contact. Maybe they want to discuss peace. An alliance, perhaps."
Yuu stepped closer to the display.
"That's a pretty big fleet for a diplomatic visit, Chief."
She examined the formation.
"Are you sure they aren't preparing for a fight?"
"We don't know yet," Yuuki said.
He glanced at the approaching fleet.
"But I don't see a reason to assume they're hostile."
Vestal had remained quiet until then.
Now she finally spoke.
"Who's the President?"
Yuuki looked at her.
"You don't know?"
Vestal shook her head.
"Not the current one."
Yorktown thought for a moment.
"If the information we had back then is still accurate... President Rosalia Valen."
She frowned slightly.
"She should have taken office about ten years ago. We respected her a great deal."
Vestal looked back toward the tactical display.
"If she's actually aboard that fleet, then she's taking a pretty big risk."
"Crossing Siren-infested waters just to reach us..." Yorktown murmured.
Her expression grew thoughtful.
"She must have a reason."
Yuuki stared at the projected fleet for several seconds.
"The Kodiaks could wipe them out before they ever reached us."
His tone was calm, but his expression remained serious.
"But if the President herself is aboard, I'd rather know why she's here before we do anything."
He turned toward Yorktown and Vestal.
"What do you two think?"
Yorktown was silent for a moment.
Then she looked down at the Diving Eagle insignia on her uniform.
"They're my former country."
She placed a hand over the crest.
"But that's all they are now."
Her eyes shifted toward Yuuki.
"My life is here, Commander."
She glanced toward the distance around them.
"My strength is here. My home is here. With all of us. With you."
A small smile crossed her face.
"I can still be an Eagle Union Shipgirl without wanting to return to the Eagle Union."
She met Yuuki's eyes.
"So whatever you decide, I'll support you."
Vestal nodded.
"I feel the same."
She looked toward the tactical display.
"The Eagle Union is part of my past. If they were in danger, I'd still help them."
Her expression softened.
"But my allegiance is to you and GDI now. We waited years for them to come to us but, no one did. Only you came for us."
Yuuki nodded.
"Alright."
He turned back toward the display.
"Then let's not make any decisions until we've heard them out."
He gestured toward the Orca Ex interior.
"We'll bring Enterprise, Laffey, Sandy, Eldridge, Arizona, and Penny into the discussion."
Then he looked back at Yorktown and Vestal.
"And you two will be there too."
"This is your former country. If there's anything we need to know, I want to hear it from you. All of you. I am your commander but, I still wanted to hear your opinion."
Yorktown nodded.
"Understood."
Yuuki looked at the tactical display again.
"And no, we're not going to destroy them just because they're approaching our territory."
Yuu raised an eyebrow.
"Good. Because that would make diplomacy rather difficult. I still wanted to visit Eagle Union despite they are just like Earth 1.0 and 2.0's America."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Exactly."
He turned toward the others.
"If the President came all this way to speak with us, then I'll listen."
He shrugged.
"What she has to say is another matter. We'll decide what to do after we've heard her out."
Yorktown and Vestal nodded.
Yuuki's gaze then swept across the group.
"We're not dogs, girls."
He tapped the GDI insignia on his uniform.
"We're the Global Defense Initiative."
His eyes moved toward the massive carrier around them.
"We're the Global Defense Initiative."
A faint smile appeared on Yuuki's face.
"So, if your former country comes asking you to return..."
He looked toward Yorktown and Vestal.
"You're free to tell them no. Besides, I've already raised your levels, strengthened your foundations, and upgraded all of you. There's no way I'm just handing that version of you back to them."
Yorktown smiled.
"I think they already know my answer."
Vestal gave a small laugh.
"Same here. I'm not giving up the levels or the upgrades you gave me. I am also not even think about giving you up either, commander."
She paused, then added with complete seriousness,
"And I'm definitely not giving up the med bay."
Yuuki stared at her.
"You really love that thing, huh?"
"Yes!"
Vestal nodded enthusiastically.
"Besides, I'm currently apprenticing under Miss Yuu, the Head Doctor of the Global Defense Initiative. There's still so much I need to learn."
She glanced toward Yuu.
"Going back to the Eagle Union wouldn't give me any of this."
"Don't forget," Atago suddenly chimed in, "if we leave GDI, we lose everything we've gained here."
She wrapped her arms around herself dramatically.
"So, no way am I leaving Shikikan-sama."
Yorktown blinked.
"Ah... that, too."
She glanced around at the others.
"Actually, when you put it that way..."
She fell silent for a moment.
Sheffield, who had been listening quietly, turned toward Belfast.
"Is it really that bad if someone leaves GDI?"
Belfast shook her head.
"It isn't a matter of GDI punishing anyone."
She calmly explained,
"Once Master grants someone the Levelling System, they become part of the GDI forces. If they willingly leave—or are banished—the system is removed."
Manchester's eyes widened.
"Wait. Removed?"
"Yes."
Belfast nodded.
"They would simply return to the state they were in before Master upgraded them."
"Yikes."
Manchester instinctively looked down at herself.
Seydlitz and Weser exchanged a glance.
That revelation made them think about everything GDI had given them.
A place to live.
A position.
A salary.
The Levelling System.
Ranks.
A future.
For the first time in their lives, they had something that felt like purpose.
And GDI had done something even more important.
It had reunited them with their sisters.
Not Azur Lane.
Not Iron Blood.
GDI.
And at the center of it all was the man sitting before them—the one whose voice had called to them when they had been lost in the darkness.
The one who had reached into that darkness and pulled them toward the light.
Seydlitz quietly looked toward Yuuki.
Weser followed her gaze.
Neither of them said anything.
They didn't need to.
The decision had already been made.
The other Shipgirls seemed to arrive at the same conclusion.
The Arcanes included.
They hadn't forgotten where they came from.
They weren't going to erase their identities or pretend their former factions had never existed.
But those places had been their past.
GDI was their present.
And, for many of them, it was the first place that had truly given them a future.
Yorktown looked around at the others.
"If the Eagle Union really does want us back..."
She paused.
"I doubt they'll only want us back as we were."
Vestal's expression became more serious.
"They'll probably want to know how we became this strong."
"And where we got these upgrades," Belfast added.
The thought settled over the group.
If they returned without the Levelling System, without their new abilities, without the equipment and enhancements GDI had given them, questions would inevitably follow.
Where did the power come from?
Who created it?
How did GDI achieve it?
And even if they didn't know the answers, they could still be pressured for information.
The Shipgirls exchanged uneasy looks.
No one wanted to find out what would happen after that.
For them, GDI had become more than an organization.
It was a safe haven.
A place where they had been rescued rather than exploited.
A place where they were given strength instead of having it taken from them.
A place where lost sisters had been reunited.
And perhaps most importantly...
A place they had chosen for themselves.
Yuuki looked around at them.
He could see the answer in their expressions.
None of them wanted to leave.
And he wasn't about to force them to.
"Then I guess that settles that."
Atago immediately smiled.
"Of course it does, Shikikan-sama."
Vestal nodded.
"Definitely."
Yorktown smiled as well.
"We're staying."
Belfast adjusted her gloves with a quiet smile.
"Indeed, Master."
Around them, the others nodded in agreement.
Their former factions would always be part of their history.
But GDI had become their home.
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
He turned back toward the tactical display.
"Let's go back to the carrier before we make our move."
==========
"Well, we're finally here..."
The words left Yuuki's mouth as the Orca Ex emerged from the cloud cover.
For several seconds, nobody inside the transport said anything.
Then the newly rescued Shipgirls looked out through the windows.
Iris.
Sheffield.
Manchester.
Liverpool.
Gloucester.
Seydlitz.
Weser.
All of them froze.
Their expressions slowly shifted from curiosity...
To disbelief.
To complete awe.
Outside, the Daedalus Command Carrier dominated the sky.
The enormous flying command carrier moved through the clouds like a city in the heavens, its immense hull stretching farther than any of them could properly comprehend.
And it wasn't alone.
Four flying Kodiak battleships accompanied the Daedalus, their massive silhouettes maintaining formation around the command carrier.
Two flying carrier battleships flew alongside them as well, completing the formation.
The sight was overwhelming.
Seydlitz stared through the window.
"...That thing is huge."
Weser could only stare.
"That's a fleet command carrier?"
Liverpool's mouth hung open.
"Head maid... whaa..."
Sheffield said nothing.
For once, even her usual composure had completely disappeared.
Manchester slowly looked from the Daedalus to the accompanying battleships.
"This is... the GDI fleet?"
Gloucester adjusted her gaze toward the enormous command carrier.
"How is something that large even capable of flying?"
Iris was entirely speechless.
She simply stood there, staring.
She had spent so much of her life believing the greatest powers in the world were the Sirens, Raptures, and the various military organizations that had managed to survive against them.
Yet here she was.
Looking at a flying warship that seemed to dwarf everything she had ever known.
Kaguya noticed her expression and giggled softly.
"Pff... This wife was the same as thee once, Iris."
She pointed toward the Daedalus.
"Shocked beyond words upon seeing it."
Iris slowly turned toward her.
"You too?"
"Aye."
Kaguya's tails swayed behind her.
"This wife had never seen anything quite like it either."
Liverpool suddenly grabbed Belfast's sleeve.
"Head maid... whaa..."
Belfast looked at her with an amused expression.
"This is Master's flying fleet."
She gestured toward the massive vessel.
"The Daedalus Command Carrier. The flagship of GDI's Third Fleet."
Liverpool stared.
"That's the third fleet? There's a first and a second?!"
Belfast smiled.
"Yes. The Third Fleet is the flying fleet. The First Fleet is the fleet of the sea. As for the second? You can say master recruited an old enemy to our cause."
Liverpool looked back through the window.
"...This is hard to believe."
"You'll get used to it."
Liverpool's expression became even more stunned.
"Then how big is the base?"
Belfast's smile widened slightly.
"You'll see."
That answer somehow made it worse.
Seydlitz and Weser exchanged a glance.
They had thought the stories by Hipper and Eugen about GDI might have been exaggerated.
They had heard about its technology.
Its bases.
Its armies.
Its ability to rescue Shipgirls thought to be lost forever.
But seeing the Daedalus with their own eyes made those stories feel very different.
If this was merely the fleet accompanying their Commander...
Then what did the GDI Citadel back home look like?
The question silently crossed everyone's mind.
Yuuki stood near the front of the transport, watching their reactions.
He couldn't help but smile.
"Well..."
He gestured toward the massive fleet outside.
"Welcome to the Global Defense Initiative, girls."
The newly acquired Shipgirls slowly looked around the Orca Ex.
Only then did they begin noticing something they had overlooked earlier.
The Shipgirls surrounding Yuuki were still wearing their familiar uniforms.
But upon their shoulders was something new.
A crest.
The Diving Eagle.
The symbol of GDI.
Their eyes followed the insignia.
Then they looked beyond the Orca Ex.
Toward the Daedalus.
And there it was again.
The same imposing Diving Eagle emblazoned upon the command tower of the massive carrier.
The realization slowly settled over them.
They weren't merely traveling with another military force.
They had become part of something far larger.
Something that had the technology, military strength, and resources to stand against the very powers that had once seemed unstoppable.
The Sirens.
The Raptures.
The forces that had hunted them.
The forces that had taken their homes.
The forces they had spent years fearing.
And now...
They belonged to an organization that had surpassed them.
Iris looked down at the GDI insignia on the uniforms around her.
Then she looked back at the Daedalus.
Her eyes softened.
For the first time since she had escaped the Von Eisbern family and the Black Hand...
She felt that perhaps she had finally found somewhere she could belong.
Seydlitz quietly touched the edge of her own uniform.
Weser did the same.
The Town-class maids exchanged glances.
They were all thinking the same thing.
They had been rescued.
They had been given a future.
And now they were being welcomed into something much greater than they had ever imagined.
The Orca Ex continued toward the massive command carrier.
Behind them, the Iron Legions and Iron Brutes maintained their escort formation.
Ahead waited the Daedalus.
And beyond it...
Home.
For the newly rescued Shipgirls, their journey into the Global Defense Initiative had truly begun.
The Iron Legions and Iron Brutes soon descended toward the carrier, landing on their designated decks before returning to their storage tubes for maintenance and recharging.
Meanwhile, the Orca Ex descended toward its assigned landing platform.
The transport touched down smoothly, and before the engines had even fully powered down, a crowd of Shipgirls and Nikkes had already gathered to welcome them home.
Enterprise stood in front.
Grimm, who flew among the legions landed on her arm.
Inside the Orca Ex, Yuuki stood at the front of the group.
As the rear ramp began to lower, he glanced back at the newly rescued girls.
"You might want to stand back for this."
The new girls exchanged confused looks before obediently taking a few steps back.
The GDI Shipgirls, however, merely sighed.
They already knew what was coming.
Kaguya calmly stepped forward and opened her folding fan.
"This wife shall shield thee, dearest."
Yuuki looked at her.
"I can handle this, little moon."
He reached over and gently patted Kaguya on the head.
Kaguya froze.
"...Little moon?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Isn't your name related to the moon?"
Kaguya's eyes widened.
Then her cheeks turned red.
"Ah... thou calls me little moon..."
Her tails immediately began swaying behind her.
"Thou hast stolen mine heart and melted it. This wife does not care what happens anymore. We must be wed soon!"
"...Kaguya."
Yorktown sighed.
Kaguya immediately pointed her fan toward Yuuki.
"Ah, blame dearest, Yorktown."
Yorktown slowly turned her eyes toward him.
Yuuki raised both hands defensively.
"What? I have to keep all of you happy somehow."
He flashed her a grin.
Yorktown could only sigh.
"You really are charming and cheeky, aren't you?"
"I get that a lot."
Before anyone could say anything else—
"SHIKIKAN-SAMA!"
A familiar voice rang across the landing platform.
Yuuki's expression immediately changed.
"Oh, no."
Akagi came sprinting toward the Orca Ex.
She didn't slow down.
She didn't even pretend to.
"Shikikan-sama!"
Yuuki sighed.
"Can't have one peaceful day..."
Rather than stepping aside and letting Akagi crash into him, Yuuki simply waited.
At the last moment, he caught her momentum, redirected it upward, and effortlessly tossed her into the air.
Akagi let out a delighted squeal.
"Kyaa!"
Yuuki caught her again in a bridal carry.
Akagi immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, looking absolutely delighted.
"Kyaa... Shikikan-sama caught Akagi!"
A few steps behind her, Kaga stopped and closed her eyes.
"...Nee-sama."
Yuuki looked down at the woman in his arms.
Akagi smiled innocently.
Yuuki sighed again.
"Welcome home, Shikikan-sama."
Akagi snuggled happily against him.
"Akagi has missed you!"
Yuuki looked toward the gathered Shipgirls and Nikkes.
The entire group was staring.
Some were amused.
Some were already laughing.
And a few of the newly rescued Shipgirls looked completely bewildered.
Yuuki could only shake his head.
"Yeah..."
He adjusted Akagi in his arms.
"Definitely can't have one peaceful day."
"Indeed, Master," Belfast said.
Before Yuuki could say anything else, a familiar voice called out from the crowd.
"Hana-chan! No fair! You went away with Belfast like that!"
Shoukaku stepped forward, clearly teasing Yorktown.
Yorktown sighed.
"I didn't exactly have a choice."
A little farther back, Blücher suddenly noticed someone standing beside Yuuki.
"So that's where little sis Eugen was."
She crossed her arms.
"No wonder you and big sis were missing this morning."
Behind her stood Prinz Eugen, Lützow, and several other Shipgirls who had come to welcome them back.
Eugen immediately slipped behind Yuuki.
"Teddy bear... You won't let your poor, defenseless fiancée get into trouble, will you?"
Yuuki glanced over his shoulder.
"Poor and defenseless?"
Eugen nodded innocently.
"Very."
Yuuki snorted.
Blücher rolled her eyes.
"Honestly..."
Then her expression suddenly changed.
"Wait."
Her eyes widened.
"Seydlitz?! Weser?!"
The two newly rescued Shipgirls looked toward her.
"Blücher!"
"Lützow!"
Seydlitz and Weser immediately rushed forward.
The four sisters embraced tightly.
For a moment, none of them said anything.
They simply held onto each other.
Blücher's eyes began to water.
"I can't believe it... You're really here."
Lützow smiled as she hugged them both.
"We thought we had lost you."
Seydlitz smiled softly.
"You didn't."
Weser nodded.
"We're here. Just imprisoned. It was Herr Kommandant who found us while searching for someone."
Yuuki watched the reunion with a quiet smile.
"Yes. We found them back on the island."
Blücher looked toward him.
Her expression immediately softened.
"Kommandant..."
She stepped toward Yuuki and wrapped her arms around him as well.
"Our family really is coming back together."
She held him tightly.
"Thank you so much, Kommandant! You really are my favorite person!"
Yuuki smiled.
"You're welcome."
While the reunion continued, Seydlitz and Weser suddenly noticed someone standing behind Blücher.
They stared.
Their eyes widened.
"...This?"
Prinz Eugen immediately became nervous.
She stepped forward slightly and gave them a shy smile.
"Ah... hello, older sisters."
Seydlitz and Weser exchanged a confused glance.
Hipper quickly explained.
"That's Prinz Eugen."
She gestured toward her.
"The Kancolle version."
She paused.
"She's basically a different version of our little sister Eugen. A polite one compared to her."
Eugen, still hiding behind Yuuki, immediately protested.
"Hey!"
Hipper continued.
"A more respectable version who actually behaves around her older sisters."
Prinz Eugen gave an awkward little smile.
Eugen peeked around Yuuki.
"Hey, I am respectable!"
Blücher stared at her.
"Are you, little sister Eugen?"
Eugen grinned.
"Absolutely."
Lützow raised an eyebrow.
"You were hiding behind your fiancé thirty seconds ago."
Eugen paused.
"...That doesn't count."
Seydlitz covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Weser smiled.
"It seems some things really don't change."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Welcome home, everyone."
The Admiral Hipper sisters stood together again.
And for Seydlitz and Weser, seeing their family waiting for them on the other side of the ramp made the reality finally sink in.
They were home.
Yuuki turned toward the Takao sisters.
One by one, he reached out and patted each of them on the head.
"Thanks, girls. You did a great job completing the mission."
Atago immediately smiled.
"Ufufu... You owe us some ear rubs."
"Atago-nee."
Takao gave her a tired look.
"Don't deny it, Takao-chan. Besides, we can ask Shikikan-sama whenever we want."
Takao glanced toward Yuuki.
"If Shikikan-sama doesn't mind."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Not at all."
Choukai immediately raised her hand.
"Hey, count me in!"
Maya sighed.
"Don't bring me into this."
Atago turned toward her with a grin.
"Don't be such a sourpuss, Maya. You know you want one too."
Maya immediately looked away.
"I never said that."
Yuuki laughed.
"Okay, okay. I'll give all four of you some ear rubs after lunch."
Atago's face lit up.
"Yatta!"
Takao shook her head while Choukai giggled.
Even Maya couldn't hide the faint smile on her face.
The four sisters soon disembarked from the Orca Ex, where someone was already waiting for them.
"Houshou!"
Choukai immediately ran forward and wrapped her arms around her.
"Kaa-sama!"
Houshou smiled warmly and hugged her ship daughter.
"Welcome home. You girls did a wonderful job."
Takao smiled.
Atago grinned proudly.
Maya simply nodded.
They had completed their mission.
And among the entire group, only the four Takao sisters had received the Deadly Reunion Special Achievement as well shared Obelisk of Oppression achievement shared with the doctors.
They had earned it together.
"Quite lively today."
Yuu stepped off the Orca Ex, looking around at the gathering crowd.
Arisa approached her with a polite smile.
"Welcome back, Mistress."
"Good to be back."
Yuu stretched slightly.
"And I desperately need a bath."
"I've already prepared one for you."
Yuu's expression immediately brightened.
"You're the best, Arisa."
"I am your attendant after all."
Before she could take another step, however, Vestal's voice rang across the deck.
"You girls are supposed to be resting!"
Several Shipgirls who had arrived the previous day immediately froze.
Zuikaku raised her hands defensively.
"We rested enough!"
Hiryuu nodded.
"We needed some exercise too."
Vestal slowly turned toward them.
She didn't say anything.
She simply stared.
The Shipgirls immediately looked away.
Nobody argued with Vestal when she was in doctor mode.
Vestal then turned toward a certain green cat.
"Akashi."
Akashi froze.
"Nyaa?!"
Vestal narrowed her eyes.
Akashi immediately raised her paws.
"Spare poor Akashi, nyaa!"
Vestal sighed.
"Is everyone from Exia Island resting?"
"They're all in the Health Center, nyaa..."
Akashi lowered her ears.
"They're recovering and sleeping. They need to rest, nyaa."
Vestal nodded.
"Good."
Akashi quietly exhaled in relief.
Enterprise approached Yuuki as the crowd began settling down.
"Welcome back, Commander."
Yuuki smiled.
"Thanks, Enterprise."
He glanced toward the Daedalus.
"You did a great job acting as fleet commander while we were gone. I assume there weren't any problems?"
"No. The Daedalus fleet is operating normally."
Enterprise paused.
"Did Hana tell you about the situation?"
"You mean the Presidential Fleet?"
Enterprise nodded.
"Yes."
"Yeah. She told me."
Yuuki's expression became more serious.
"We'll discuss it after this. For now, gather all the Eagle Union Shipgirls in the command room."
Enterprise nodded.
"Understood."
As Enterprise moved away to organize the meeting, Belfast approached with the newly rescued Town-class maids.
Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, and Gloucester stepped onto the main deck and immediately looked around.
Manchester's eyes widened.
"Man... this place is huge."
Liverpool looked around excitedly.
"I want to explore the whole ship later!"
She grinned.
"Ya never know what we might find!"
Gloucester sighed.
"Let's explore after we've rested."
Sheffield, however, barely heard them.
Her attention had been drawn toward the surrounding Shipgirls.
The main deck was filled with familiar faces from the Sakura Empire, Northern Parliament, Iron Blood, Royal Navy, and other factions.
Then she saw them.
Three familiar faces.
Edinburgh.
Newcastle.
Glasgow.
Sheffield froze.
Her eyes widened.
"...Sisters?"
Edinburgh spotted her.
"Sheffy!"
Sheffield's composure immediately broke.
"Edin!"
The three sisters rushed toward one another.
Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Glasgow embraced Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, and Gloucester in a tearful reunion.
The four maids held onto their sisters tightly.
After everything they had endured, they were finally together again.
Belfast stood a short distance away.
She didn't say anything.
She simply watched.
A quiet tear rolled down her cheek as she saw her sisters reunited.
For years, she had carried the weight of being the head maid.
For years, she had wondered whether she would ever see them again.
Now they were standing together once more.
Belfast gently wiped away the tear and smiled.
"Welcome home, girls."
Not far away, two figures observed the scene with growing curiosity.
Asahi stood beside Kancolle Akashi, both watching Yuuki from a distance.
Kancolle Akashi tilted her head.
"So... that's the Commander?"
Asahi studied Yuuki for a moment.
"Wow."
She glanced toward the massive carrier surrounding them.
"He's certainly quite a man."
Kancolle Akashi nodded.
"Very different from our old Teitoku."
Her gaze shifted toward the Daedalus, then toward the countless Shipgirls and Nikkes moving across the decks.
"And yet..."
She looked back at Yuuki.
"He's the man standing behind all of this."
Asahi quietly nodded.
The sheer scale of the GDI fleet made the answer obvious.
Whatever kind of man Yuuki was...
He was the one who had built this place into what it was.
And judging by the way everyone around him treated him, he was much more than simply their Commander.
Soon, Kaguya led Iris down the ramp.
"Welcome to thy new home, Iris."
Iris stepped onto the deck, following Kaguya as the ramp closed behind them.
The first person she noticed was Avrora.
The Northern girl stood nearby in her familiar Northern-style attire, with Lützow beside her. The other Northerners were currently resting, but simply seeing Avrora standing there was enough to make Iris smile.
They had survived.
There were still Northerners alive.
Then more familiar faces approached.
The maids from before gathered around her once again, followed by several other Shipgirls, including Kancolle Akashi, Asahi, and Prinz Eugen.
One after another, they bowed.
Edinburgh stepped forward.
"Thank you for watching over us for the past ten years."
She bowed deeply.
"We remember. You were always the one protecting us from the Sirens... sending food and supplies whenever you could."
Iris looked at her in surprise.
"Thou remember?"
"Of course."
Edinburgh raised her head.
"You protected us when no one else could."
Iris smiled warmly.
"It was an honor."
She looked around at the faces surrounding her.
"And now, this humble one can finally join thee as comrades."
Her eyes moved toward Kaguya.
Kaguya smiled brightly, her tails swaying behind her.
Enterprise, however, was staring between Iris and Yorktown.
She slowly narrowed her eyes.
"You really do look like her."
Yorktown blinked.
Enterprise pointed between the two of them.
"If I ignored the differences in your hair and eyes, I might actually mistake you for each other."
She paused.
"You two could pass for twins."
Yorktown immediately grinned.
"Pff. I was actually thinking about changing clothes and trying to trick you."
Enterprise raised an eyebrow.
"But?"
"I decided against it."
Yorktown laughed.
"I don't want to give you a heart attack when you suddenly realize I can use magic."
Enterprise sighed.
"Still cheeky as ever, sis."
She looked toward Iris again.
"But she's an Arcane Shipgirl like Kaguya?"
"Yes," Yorktown replied.
That immediately drew the attention of the surrounding Shipgirls and Nikkes.
Iris gave a small, graceful bow.
"Ah, this one is Irisviel. Iris, for short."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"I am one of the Arcane Shipgirls of the North, originally from the Northern Parliament. I am a Four-Star Mage."
She smiled.
"It is a pleasure to meet my fellow Shipgirls and Nikkes."
Avrora suddenly looked at her more closely.
"Irisviel Von Eisbern?"
Nayuta also stared.
"Von Eisbern?"
Iris looked between them.
"Yes?"
Avrora and Nayuta exchanged a glance.
Iris tilted her head.
"Thou knew of this humble one?"
Nayuta nodded.
"Yes. I spent time within the Northern Parliament. I heard stories about a guardian associated with the Von Eisbern family."
Avrora stepped forward.
"My village knew of someone from the Von Eisbern family who would help us on the northern islands."
She smiled faintly.
"That village was my hometown."
Iris's eyes widened.
"Thou art a fellow Northerner as well?"
Avrora's expression brightened.
She answered in Russian.
"Well versed. I even have my sisters, Pallada and Diana. And there are other Northern Nikkes here too."
She gestured toward the others.
"Even Lützow—whom we called Tallinn."
Lützow gave a small nod as she began to converse in Russian.
"We have quite a few Northerners here now."
Iris went silent.
For a moment, she simply listened to the familiar language.
Then her expression softened.
"Ah..."
She smiled, almost wistfully.
"To hear my home language once more..."
Her eyes moved across the Northern girls standing before her.
"To think there are still so many Northerners living."
Avrora smiled.
"There are."
Iris slowly looked around at everyone who had gathered to welcome her.
For ten years, she had believed she was protecting the remnants of a dying world.
Now, standing among survivors from her homeland—and surrounded by people who had accepted her as one of their own—she realized something she had almost forgotten.
She was no longer alone.
"Wow! New Shipgirls!"
Neon's eyes immediately lit up as she spotted the newcomers.
Anis looked over as well, giving Iris a quick once-over.
"Is that the new Arcane Shipgirl? Not bad, Commander."
"Yep."
Rapi approached with Eunhwa beside her.
"The Commander came back with even more Shipgirls."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Yeah. I'm still in the process of gathering more Shipgirls and Nikkes."
He looked over the growing group.
"I wonder what else the future has in store for us."
"Hey, Anis. Neon. Rapi."
The three Nikkes looked toward him.
"Commander!"
Soon, more Nikkes began joining them.
Velvet and Privaty were among them, curious about the new arrivals.
Belfast stepped forward and gestured toward the four Town-class maids.
"Allow me to introduce our newest members."
She turned toward Ade, Soda, Cocoa, Velvet, and Privaty.
"These are our new Royal Maids. They are now part of the GDI Royal Maid Corps."
Manchester immediately grinned.
"Hoo... we gained Nikke maids too?"
She extended a hand.
"Nice working with ya."
Sheffield gave a small, polite bow.
"Pleased to meet you."
Then she glanced toward the assembled Nikkes.
Her expression remained composed, but she couldn't help letting out a quiet sigh.
Almost every Nikke standing there seemed to have been blessed with rather generous proportions.
Almost every one of them.
Her eyes eventually landed on Cocoa.
At least she wasn't alone.
Finally. Someone who understands.
Liverpool, however, noticed where Sheffield was looking.
She glanced at the other Nikkes, then at the Town-class maids.
A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face.
"It seems Master has quite the preference for generous assets."
Sheffield's eye twitched.
Gloucester immediately answered in a perfectly straight tone.
"Coincidence."
Liverpool looked at her.
"Is it?"
"Coincidence."
Sheffield quietly nodded.
"...Definitely coincidence."
Cocoa looked between them, seemingly confused about why everyone was suddenly staring at each other.
Manchester, meanwhile, snickered.
"I don't think it's a coincidence."
Sheffield slowly turned toward her.
"Would you like to repeat that?"
Manchester immediately raised both hands.
"Nope."
Neon giggled.
"Good choice."
Privaty covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Even Belfast had to hide a small smile behind her hand.
The reunion had barely begun, and somehow the Royal Maids had already found themselves in the middle of another completely unexpected problem.
The growing GDI family was certainly becoming more interesting by the day.
"Mother!"
Seydlitz and Weser immediately ran toward Friedrich.
Friedrich barely had time to open her arms before both girls threw themselves into her embrace.
"Children..."
Her voice softened as she held them tightly.
"You're finally home."
"We missed you..." Seydlitz murmured.
"We really missed you, Mother," Weser added.
Friedrich closed her eyes for a moment, simply holding her daughters.
After everything they had endured, having them back in her arms again felt almost unreal.
Eventually, Friedrich looked past them toward Yuuki.
Her expression became deeply grateful.
"Thank you, child."
She gave him a warm smile.
"For bringing the Iron Blood together again."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Every member counts, Friedrich."
Friedrich smiled.
"You can call me Mother, if you wish."
Yuuki immediately looked slightly nervous.
"Probably not."
Friedrich raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"I don't want to make Hana and Houshou envious."
He paused.
"And Hood might knock some sense into me once she's here."
Friedrich covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Pff... then perhaps it can be our little secret."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Maybe once we're oath."
Friedrich's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh?"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Teddy already set his sights on our mother?"
Eugen stepped closer with a mischievous smirk.
She folded her arms.
"You do remember that she has a lot of Iron Blood daughters, right?"
Eugen pointed toward Yuuki.
"You'll have to marry all of us before you can officially claim Mother."
Yuuki stared at her.
"Please have mercy on me."
Eugen's smirk widened.
"Hmm... perhaps."
She stepped closer.
"Or maybe we should punish you for what happened back at the village."
Yuuki blinked.
"Punish me?"
"For letting those women approach you so casually."
Eugen's smile remained playful, but there was a faint possessiveness behind her eyes.
She had tried not to feel jealous around the other Shipgirls.
That was different.
They understood the bond between Yuuki and the Wisdom Cubes.
The Shipgirls had their own Wisdom Cubes. The Nikkes had their Bastion Cubes. Their bonds with Yuuki were built on something she understood.
Humans were different.
When those women at the village began approaching Yuuki so casually, something inside Eugen had immediately reacted.
She had barely managed to restrain herself from marching over and chasing them away.
She looked away with a small huff.
"I'll admit... I wasn't exactly pleased."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"You mean you were jealous."
Eugen looked back at him.
"Perhaps."
She leaned closer.
"When humans start getting too close to you, it feels different."
Her expression softened slightly.
"It's almost as if the bond created by our Wisdom Cubes doesn't recognize them the same way. It doesn't feel like one of our own threatening the bond."
She paused.
"It feels like someone outside of it is trying to get into something that belongs to us."
Yuuki sighed.
"Eugen..."
She smiled.
"Don't worry, Teddy Bear. I kept myself under control."
Then her smile became mischievous again.
"Mostly. If we weren't jealous, none of us would protect you when those women near you."
Yuuki looked at the growing crowd of Shipgirls around him.
"I suddenly feel like I'm surrounded."
"You are," Eugen replied cheerfully.
Seydlitz and Weser giggled.
Friedrich simply watched the exchange with an amused expression.
After everything that had happened to the Iron Blood girls, seeing them laughing together again was more than enough for her.
They were home.
And somehow, Yuuki had become part of that home as well.
Akagi and Kaga suddenly leaned toward Yuuki.
They each took a slow sniff.
Akagi's ears twitched.
Kaga did the same.
After a moment, Akagi nodded with satisfaction.
"Good. No foreign scent has clung to Shikikan-sama."
She smiled sweetly.
"If you wish it, Akagi will happily raise that village to the ground for daring to try and seduce her beloved Shikikan-sama."
Yuuki immediately stared at her.
Kaga's expression remained calm.
"An unworthy foe has no place among us."
Yuuki sighed.
Then he reached out and gently grabbed both of their ears.
"No."
Akagi froze.
Kaga's ears twitched in his hands.
"We're establishing peace, remember?"
He gave them both a light tug.
"And you two are quite something when you're jealous."
Akagi pouted.
"We are Sakura Shipgirls, Shikikan-sama. We are naturally possessive."
Kaga nodded solemnly.
"It is true."
She glanced toward the others.
"The bond created through the Wisdom Cube is the only thing preventing us from turning that possessiveness against one another."
Akagi nodded.
"If that bond did not exist, even we would become jealous of each other."
Yuuki released their ears.
"That's... reassuring."
Yorktown chuckled.
"That is true, Commander."
She folded her arms.
"We may not always show it, but Shipgirls can be surprisingly possessive when it comes to the person we're bonded to."
Illustrious smiled gracefully.
"Ufufu... Even the Royal Navy is no exception."
Eugen crossed her arms with a confident smirk.
"And Iron Blood tends to be a little more direct."
Yuuki looked at her.
"How direct?"
Eugen's smile widened.
"We tend to take what—or who—we want."
Yuuki sighed.
"Why does that sound less reassuring every time someone explains it?"
Kaga calmly replied,
"Because you are the one everyone wants."
Akagi immediately nodded.
"Exactly."
Yuuki looked around at the gathered Shipgirls.
He suddenly realized that every faction seemed to have its own variation of the same problem.
Sakura possessiveness.
Royal affection.
Iron Blood determination.
And all of them were looking at him.
"...You girls really like me that much, huh?"
Yuu, standing nearby, raised a hand.
"The bond is extremely strong too."
Yuuki looked at her.
"I know. I can feel their hearts, just as they can feel mine."
Yuu smiled.
"I can feel yours too, remember?"
Yuuki stared at her.
"Yuu."
She smiled innocently.
"I can safely say I'm included in the bond as well."
The surrounding Shipgirls burst into laughter.
Even Akagi and Kaga smiled.
For all their possessiveness and rivalry, there was one thing they all understood.
Yuuki was theirs—not as property, but as the person they had chosen to stand beside.
And none of them intended to let him forget it.
Then Neon suddenly raised her hand.
"Hey! He owns us too!"
She pointed toward herself.
"Well, those of us who have already bonded with him."
Eunhwa looked at Rapi.
"Bond?"
Rapi nodded.
"The Commander's blood freed us from the Ark's control."
Eunhwa's expression changed slightly.
"That's what allowed you to gain your freedom?"
"Exactly."
Rapi continued.
"But that freedom also comes with a bond. We connect our hearts to him, allowing us to enter the same state as the Shipgirls—and allowing him to connect with us."
Vesti looked curious.
"Is it really that strong?"
"Yes."
Rapi's voice softened.
"Once you experience it, the love and affection come naturally."
She glanced toward Yuuki.
"The stronger the bond becomes, the better we perform. It keeps us in a constant state of happiness, and we can feel what he feels."
Eunhwa looked toward Yuuki.
"How many of us has he freed?"
Rapi began counting.
"Me, Nayuta, Anis, Neon, Mary, Pepper, Ade, Soda, and Cocoa."
She paused.
"Cinderella too."
The surrounding Nikkes grew quiet.
"By freeing us, the Commander can also see our pasts."
Rapi's expression became gentler.
"He stays with us until we're ready to accept what happened. The negative feelings gradually disappear, and our bond with him evolves."
She looked at the others.
"That bond allows us to grow even stronger."
Eunhwa, Emma, and Vesti all slowly turned their eyes toward Yuuki.
Yuuki immediately noticed.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Eunhwa crossed her arms.
"Nothing."
Emma smiled.
"Not yet."
Vesti giggled.
Yuuki sighed.
"...I have a feeling I'm going to regret this."
He clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, let's head inside first."
He turned toward Belfast.
"Bel, take the maids and help them freshen up. Show them their rooms and let them get familiar with the place."
He smiled.
"Take the whole afternoon if you need to. Give them a proper tour and spend some time getting to know your sisters again."
Belfast bowed.
"Of course, Master."
Yuuki then looked toward Yuu.
"Yuu, it looks like you've gained some new doctors."
Yuu's eyes immediately lit up.
"Oh?"
Yuuki nodded as he eyes Kancolle Asahi and Akashi. They seemed to be wary of him probably due to his reputation among shipgirls and nikkes. Even Kancolle Prinz Eugen hid behind Hipper while sneaking glances at him.
"You can introduce everyone properly during lunch."
Yuu smiled.
"Sounds good."
Yuuki turned toward Hipper.
"Hipper, bring your sisters along too."
Hipper nodded.
"Got it."
Finally, Yuuki looked toward Kaguya and Avrora.
"Kaguya, Avrora, show Iris around."
Kaguya's tails immediately swayed.
"Aye, dearest."
Avrora smiled.
"Da."
With their assignments given, everyone began moving.
The Royal Maids gathered around the newly rescued Town-class girls.
The doctors headed toward the medical facilities.
Hipper went to find her sisters.
Kaguya and Avrora stayed with Iris as they began showing her around her new home.
The Nikkes and Shipgirls gradually dispersed throughout the carrier.
There was no battlefield to prepare for.
No Raptures.
No Sirens.
No emergency.
Just people meeting one another, old friends reconnecting, and newly rescued Shipgirls discovering their new home.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, preparations for a proper welcoming party were already beginning.
===========
Not long afterward, Yuuki found himself in the command room.
This time, however, he wasn't alone.
Yorktown, Enterprise, Vestal, San Diego, Laffey and Eldridge were already there, along with the two newly rescued Eagle Union battleships—Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Arizona stood quietly beside Pennsylvania.
After everything she had endured, the difference was striking.
Her long dark-brown hair framed her slender figure, while her striking aqua eyes were clear and steady. Her familiar blue-and-white uniform was immaculate, complete with its high collar, shoulder patches, silver choker, frilled cuffs, chains, blue pencil skirt, thigh-high stockings, and round cap.
But the biggest change wasn't physical.
It was the look in her eyes.
The trauma that had once weighed so heavily upon her had finally been treated by the Med Bay. The memories of Pearl Harbor remained, but they no longer controlled her.
Arizona could finally think about the future again.
And the first thing she wanted was to protect the people she cared about.
Beside her stood Pennsylvania.
Her long brown hair was tied into a side ponytail, framing her green eyes. Her uniform was just as sharp as ever, and even the scar that had once marked her left cheek was completely gone.
The Med Bay had restored more than her body.
It had given her back the face she had once lost beneath years of damage.
Pennsylvania was the first to step forward.
She smiled warmly and offered Yuuki a small salute.
"Even though you already know me, I wanted to introduce myself properly again."
She straightened her uniform.
"I'm Pennsylvania, lead ship of the improved Nevada class. You can call me Sister Penn."
She gave him a confident smile.
"I've taken part in countless successful missions, so you can count on me, Commander. And if you ever have something on your mind, you can always talk to me."
Yuuki smiled.
"Will do."
He paused.
"And you're just like Nevada. It's a shame she's still waiting for her revival."
Pennsylvania's expression softened.
"I know. I'm looking forward to seeing her again."
Arizona then stepped forward.
She offered Yuuki a small smile.
"I suppose it's my turn."
She straightened her posture.
"I am Arizona, the second ship of the Pennsylvania-class battleships. Born during summer."
She smiled a little more brightly.
"You can call me Ari, if you want."
Yuuki nodded.
"Will do, Ari."
"Ehee..."
Enterprise immediately raised an eyebrow.
"Seeing you this normal is still pretty rare."
Arizona's cheeks reddened.
"Enterprise..."
Yorktown giggled.
"She's right, Ari. You used to cling to me constantly whenever you had one of your meltdowns."
"Hana!"
Vestal nodded.
"I can vouch for that. You don't know how many times we ended up taking her to the hospital."
Arizona covered her face.
"You really don't have to tell the Commander that!"
She peeked through her fingers.
"I'm completely healed now!"
Yuuki smiled.
"I can see that."
Before he could say anything else, Eldridge suddenly approached Arizona.
"Ari... healed... hug..."
Arizona blinked.
"Eh?"
Eldridge opened her arms.
Arizona hesitated for only a moment before smiling and embracing her.
"There, there."
Eldridge happily rested against her.
Then she looked up.
"She won't shock me?"
Vestal shook her head.
"No. The bond between Eldridge and the Commander helps stabilize her."
She paused.
"His heart calms hers, so she doesn't accidentally discharge electricity around people anymore."
Vestal glanced toward San Diego.
"Well... except Sandy."
San Diego immediately pointed at herself.
"Hey! Why am I always the exception?!"
Yuuki sighed.
"Because you're her outlet target."
San Diego grinned sheepishly.
"With the Echo Suit as her clothes, she won't get electrocuted again."
Yuuki looked directly at her.
"Again, just how many times do I have to tell you not to climb the Prism Towers?"
San Diego rubbed the back of her head.
"Ehee..."
She smiled.
"They spin, and it's like a merry-go-round!"
Yuuki stared at her.
"That's not a reason."
San Diego's grin only widened.
Yuuki slowly turned toward Enterprise.
"Sigh... this girl."
He pointed at San Diego.
"How in the world is she second to you in stars and medals?"
Enterprise simply stared at San Diego.
Then she sighed.
"No idea."
San Diego proudly raised both fists.
"I'm just that awesome!"
Enterprise immediately facepalmed.
Yuuki couldn't help but laugh.
The command room had barely started, and already it felt less like a formal briefing and more like another family gathering.
For Yuuki, that was perfectly fine.
After everything these girls had endured, seeing them laugh and act like themselves again was exactly what he wanted.
"Anyway... did Hana mention the Eagle Union Fifth Fleet?"
Enterprise nodded.
"The Presidential Fleet?"
She glanced toward the tactical display.
"They're probably coming to establish contact with GDI, Commander."
Yuuki nodded.
"That's what we think too."
He looked toward the Eagle Union Shipgirls.
"So, what do you think of Rosalia Valen? Hana told me she's the current President."
Arizona smiled.
"We've met her a few times."
She thought for a moment.
"She's a nice lady. A little stern, sure, but she's actually pretty easy to get along with."
Pennsylvania nodded.
"I'd agree with Ari."
Yuuki glanced at the tactical display.
"They'll be passing through this area soon. We'll meet them and see what they want."
His expression became more serious.
"But if things go south, I want your opinions before we make any decisions."
The Eagle Union Shipgirls looked at him.
"Opinions about what?" Pennsylvania asked.
Yuuki took a breath.
"This situation could go either way."
He looked around the room.
"If we can't reach an agreement, the Eagle Union could potentially become hostile toward GDI."
The room fell quiet.
"You girls were once part of the Eagle Union."
His gaze moved from one girl to another.
"If it came down to it, and I had to order you to defend GDI against your former faction... would you do it?"
He paused.
"Or, if the Eagle Union asked you to return, would you choose to leave GDI?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"I don't want to make that decision for you. That's why I'm asking now."
No one answered immediately.
The Eagle Union Shipgirls looked at one another.
Then, almost instinctively, their eyes turned toward Yorktown.
Yorktown stepped forward.
Instead of standing apart from Yuuki, she walked over and stood beside him.
Vestal followed.
Laffey was already stood in front of him.
Enterprise looked at her sister.
"Sis..."
Yorktown gave her a gentle smile.
"Enty, we're former Eagle Union Shipgirls. That's true."
She looked toward the tactical display.
"To me, though, they're our former countrymen."
She paused.
"We used to fight for them. We believed they'd come for us when we needed them."
Her expression became more solemn.
"But when we were attacked... no one came."
She lowered her gaze for a moment.
"Maybe they were afraid of provoking the Sirens. Maybe they had their own reasons. I don't know."
Yorktown looked back at Yuuki.
"But I made my choice the moment the Commander descended from the heavens."
Her voice became firmer.
"I chose to follow him."
She placed a hand over her heart.
"His will became my will—not because of the levels, the technology, or because GDI is powerful."
She looked directly at Enterprise.
"It was because he reached out his hand when no one else did."
Enterprise's expression softened.
"Sis..."
Yorktown smiled.
"I've already made my choice, Enty."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"Wherever the Commander goes, I'll go with him."
"Laffey was with big sis Yorktown the entire time."
Laffey leaned closer to Yuuki, her sleepy expression softening as she spoke.
"Laffey and her buried the old Commander. Laffey stayed with her for almost fifteen years."
She paused, her ears drooping slightly.
"The Commander healed Laffey... fed her... and made her strong. He saved Nimi, Javelin, and Ayanami too."
Laffey looked up at Yuuki.
"Laffey follows the Commander."
She leaned against him.
"Only the Commander."
Yuuki was silent for a moment.
Then he gently reached over and patted Laffey on the head.
He knew that look all too well.
Yorktown had chosen him.
And now Laffey had made the same choice.
His first two Shipgirls had chosen him above everything else.
Vestal stepped forward next.
"My answer is the same as Yorktown's."
She looked at Enterprise.
"We waited for years, Enty."
Her voice was quiet but firm.
"No one came for us. We had to survive on our own."
She glanced down at her arm.
"I lost an arm fighting the enemy."
Then she looked toward Yuuki.
"And the Commander gave me a second chance."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"He gave me the chance to become a doctor again. To be useful. To help people."
She shook her head.
"I don't want to throw that away."
Yorktown nodded.
"Our loyalty is to Yuuki now."
She added,
"And there's another problem."
Enterprise looked at her.
"If we left GDI, we'd lose the upgrades and levels the Commander gave us."
She paused.
"We'd return to the state we were in before he upgraded us."
Pennsylvania frowned.
"So if the Eagle Union wanted information about GDI..."
"They might question us about it," Yorktown finished.
"And we'd be going back without the strength and protection we have now."
She shook her head.
"I don't know what the Eagle Union would do in that situation. But I'm not willing to take that risk."
A sudden voice came from behind Yuuki.
"They're not taking me alive."
Everyone turned.
San Diego had somehow appeared behind him.
Yuuki stared at her.
"Really?"
San Diego nodded seriously.
"Really."
Yuuki sighed.
"And that's your reason?"
"Yep."
Eldridge said nothing.
She simply flew over and wrapped her arms around Yuuki.
Yuuki blinked.
"Eldridge?"
She hugged him tighter.
That was her answer.
Arizona looked at her quietly before speaking.
"The Commander was the one who pulled us out of that prison."
She smiled.
"He promised me happiness."
Her eyes softened.
"So I'll stay with him."
"Ari..." Pennsylvania murmured.
Arizona looked at her.
"It's my choice."
Pennsylvania was silent for a moment.
Then she sighed.
"Alright."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"I'll follow the Commander too."
She shrugged.
"As long as I'm useful to GDI, I'm happy to stay."
Her expression became more serious.
"Besides, I escaped from prison once already. I don't exactly want to be arrested again just because I know about the Commander and this new faction."
Yuuki nodded.
That left only one person.
Enterprise.
Everyone looked toward her.
Enterprise remained silent for several seconds.
Then she finally spoke.
"I'd be lying if I said I wanted to go back to my country."
She looked toward Yorktown.
"I found Hana again."
Then toward the others.
"And I found Hornet again."
Her gaze finally settled on Yuuki.
"I promised you my love and my loyalty, Commander."
She smiled faintly.
"So whatever you decide... I'll follow your decision."
Yuuki looked at all of them.
"Thank you... for choosing GDI."
Enterprise shook her head.
"No."
Yuuki blinked.
"We chose you."
The room became silent.
"Above everything else."
Enterprise stepped closer.
"If you belong to GDI, then we're GDI too."
She looked toward Yorktown, Vestal, Arizona, Pennsylvania, San Diego, and Eldridge.
"Our countries treated us like weapons."
Then she looked back at Yuuki.
"You treated us like people."
Her voice softened.
"You didn't just protect us. You made us stronger."
She smiled.
"You gave us the chance to grow, even when you were already stronger than all of us."
Enterprise placed a hand over her heart.
"So we chose you, Commander."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"You gave us your hand."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"You became our light."
She glanced toward the GDI insignia displayed across the command room.
"So naturally..."
Enterprise stood a little straighter.
"We'll follow you."
Yuuki said nothing for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Alright."
He looked toward the tactical display.
"Then let's meet the President together."
Yuuki looked around the command room.
"But... what if you meet your fellow Shipgirls again?"
Yorktown stepped forward, her expression calm and resolute.
"Commander, we chose you. That was our decision."
She glanced toward the tactical display showing the approaching Eagle Union fleet.
"I just hope our former allies in the Eagle Union can see that."
Her expression became more serious.
"If we're forced to fight them, it won't be a fair fight for them."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Because of the Levelling System?"
Yorktown nodded.
"Even Level 5 is enough to overwhelm a standard Shipgirl. Some of us have already surpassed Level 35."
She looked around at the others.
"We're far stronger than any standard Shipgirl now. Even the so-called Decisive Shipgirls, who are supposed to be twenty times stronger than ordinary Shipgirls, wouldn't necessarily be enough to bridge that gap."
Yorktown's voice softened.
"But we won't try to destroy them. That's for sure."
Enterprise nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Commander, try not to let things escalate into a conflict."
She glanced toward the tactical display.
"I doubt the Eagle Union could defeat GDI at this point. After seeing the FSPAR the other day, we could probably decimate their entire fleet with the Kodiaks alone."
Yuuki gave her a look.
"Enterprise."
"What?"
"You're not helping."
Enterprise smiled faintly.
"I'm only stating the facts."
She folded her arms.
"A single Kodiak would probably be enough. Still, let's hear what President Valen has to say first."
Her expression became firm.
"But if she asks us to return to the Eagle Union..."
She glanced at Yorktown, Vestal, and the others.
"We'll say no."
"Except us."
Pennsylvania and Arizona spoke almost simultaneously.
Yuuki looked toward them.
"We don't even have the Levelling System yet," Pennsylvania explained.
Arizona nodded.
"So we still need protection until we can level up ourselves."
Pennsylvania sighed.
"Honestly, it feels a little embarrassing."
She glanced toward Eldridge.
"Especially since little Eldridge over there is already stronger than both of us."
Eldridge, still nestled comfortably in Yuuki's arms, blinked.
Yuuki looked down at her.
"But she's just a little girl who needs hugs."
He pulled Eldridge a little closer.
Eldridge immediately relaxed against his chest.
"Besides, strength isn't everything."
Yuuki looked toward Arizona and Pennsylvania.
"Thank you, though."
They both looked at him.
"You only met me yesterday, but you've already trusted me."
Pennsylvania smiled faintly.
"We trust the bond in our hearts."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"We can feel you, Commander. Your kindness. Your trust."
She shook her head slightly, still trying to make sense of it.
"It's strange. It feels like we've known you forever."
Arizona nodded.
"And we followed your orders without being programmed to do so."
Pennsylvania chuckled softly.
"Sometimes we're even envious of how close you are with the others who came before us."
Arizona smiled.
"Yes. They speak so casually with you. So naturally."
She glanced toward Yorktown and the others.
"They're comfortable enough to tease you, argue with you, hug you... It all comes so naturally to them."
Yuuki smiled.
"It'll come naturally to you too, Penny. Ari."
He looked between the two of them.
"Take your time figuring out your feelings. You don't have to force anything."
His expression softened.
"And my feelings toward my Shipgirls are the same."
He gently patted Eldridge's head.
"I love them because they love me."
Arizona and Pennsylvania exchanged a quiet glance before smiling.
Yuuki looked around the command room.
"Well, that settles it."
He turned toward the tactical display.
"We'll all disembark later and meet the President together."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"But that doesn't mean I'll be going there empty-handed."
The Shipgirls looked at him curiously.
Yuuki straightened.
"As the saying goes..."
His smile widened.
"To make a good impression..."
He gestured toward the command room.
"...you need a good presentation."