Zuikaku groaned as her eyes stared straight into the bright light. As her eyes got used to it, Zuikaku realized she was in some sort of interrogation ground. She tried to remember what happened, and she immediately widened her eyes and immediately struggled.

Zuikaku's hands were handcuffed, as were her legs, while around her neck was a device to suppress the shipgirl's power. Zuikaku was exhausted after struggling for a while.

Just as she was about to go back to sleep, Nagato came in carrying a plate full of Mutton Fried Rice with Tamagoyaki. Nagato placed the plate on the table and sat on the chair facing Zuikaku.

Nagato gave a small smile and said.

Nagato : can we talk?

Zuikaku : (nods slowly) Lady Nagato I... I don't know what to say...

Nagato : it's okay, dear. no need to rush, just relax.

Zuikaku nodded again and her stomach growled, indicating she was hungry. Zuikaku immediately blushed and couldn't cover her face because she was being handcuffed.

Nagato chuckled and carried her chair and positioned it beside Zuikaku. Nagato scooped up the Fried Rice she had brought along along with cutting the Tamagoyaki into small pieces and started feeding Zuikaku. Zuikaku initially refused out of embarrassment, but seeing Nagato's smile, Zuikaku just gave up and opened her mouth.

As Zuikaku chewed and swallowed the Fried Rice along with Tamagoyaki, Zuikaku's eyes immediately opened wide. Zuikaku shrieked from the deliciousness of the food Nagato made.

Zuikaku: Yummy! Uh... (blushing)

Nagato gave a small laugh and continued to feed Zuikaku until the food ran out. Nagato also didn't forget to wipe Zuikaku's mouth with the handkerchief she brought. Zuikaku downed all of the cold sweet tea that Nagato had also brought and let out a long sigh.

Zuikaku : Haah~ thanks for the food.

Nagato nodded in satisfaction and held both of Zuikaku's hands, which made Zuikaku flinch and remember she was with Nagato.

Zuikaku : M-Madam Nagato! Why am I here?!

Nagato let out a short breath, before finally asking.

Nagato : Zuikaku... tell me, how is the Empire now? What happened all this time?

Zuikaku replied.

Zuikaku : The Emperor and his ministers are planning to take control of the Dragon Empire and pave the way to South East Asia, but with us being captured... maybe they will delay the plans of the Greater Sakura Empire.

Nagato nodded slowly and spoke again.

Nagato : Zuikaku, I want you not to go back there.

Zuikaku widened her eyes in disbelief, Nagato forbidding her to return to the Sakura Empire?

Zuikaku : b-but why?! It is our country!

Nagato sighed again tiredly.

Nagato : Zuikaku... why are we fighting for a country that only sees us as tools?

Zuikaku widened her eyes again.

Zuikaku : N-Madam Nagato?

Nagato clenched her fists and her anger towards the Japanese Empire or now the Sakura Empire was intense. She had seen many of her faction's members die in a stupid war that they clearly couldn't win. She still vividly remembers when all her weapons were removed just for defense around the harbor, she still remembers the pain when the American bombers dropped their payloads and hit her body.

Zuikaku could clearly see Nagato who was holding back her anger, Her golden eyes shining again with intensity.

Zuikaku : M-Madam Nagato!

Nagato gasped and took a deep breath. Nagato gave Zuikaku an apologetic smile.

Nagato : Sorry, I just... feel angry.

Zuikaku nodded and Nagato continued.

Nagato : I just... I just don't want you to die in vain... not if I can change that.

Zuikaku saw the burning determination in Nagato's eyes and said.

Zuikaku : what really happened to you? Did Siren... hurt you with that strange memory?

Nagato pounded the interrogation table making Zuikaku startled.

Nagato : It's not a strange memory! THIS IS MY FUCKING MEMORY!

Zuikaku trembled as Nagato's emotions rose again. Nagato clenched her fists and her fingernails turned white. And Nagato decided to drop the bomb right away.

Nagato begins to tell the story of the beginning of the war in the Pacific, the Attack of Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Solomon, the Battle of the Philippines sea, the Battle of Leyte and dozens of battles with hundred of thousands of human lives lost in the span of several years. And of course, twice atomic bombs were dropped on Japanese soil.

Zuikaku's brain began to process all the information it got from Nagato. And she felt nauseous when she heard what the Imperial soldiers did during the war.

Zuikaku : I... I....

Nagato : Please Zuikaku... join me, we will be together... I will create a new faction... heaven for us, Zuikaku.

Zuikaku felt conflicted in her mind, on the one hand she was thinking about joining Nagato, on the one hand she still had loyalty to the Sakura Empire.

Zuikaku : How about... What about Shou? have you asked her?

Nagato: Oh? Shoukaku? yes, she's in.

Zuikaku widened her eyes for several times that day.

Zuikaku : I didn't expect.... Shou would accept your plan.

Nagato smiled bitterly.

Nagato : So... do you want to join me?

Zuikaku wanted to speak but the words caught her throat.

Nagato: Zui?

Zuikaku : O-Okay... but I don't want to kill my fellow countrymen.

Nagato smiled widely and immediately took off Zuikaku's handcuffs and said.

Nagato : I promise you, Zuikaku. I'll rid all pointless wars from the world, Zuikaku.

(Anyone got the reference?)

Nagato extended her hand with a smile.

Zuikaku shook Nagato's hand, and Nagato hugged Zuikaku and whispered.

Nagato : thank goodness... thank goodness you're safe, Zui...

Zuikaku gently stroked Nagato's back and let her cry into Zuikaku's chest.

Afternoon, Pearl Harbor Base.

Nagato took a deep breath while stretching. A few hours ago she had spoken to Zuikaku and managed to persuade her to join her. Finally, she can make SMSDF again!

Nagato gave a small smile and she saw Laffey and Javelin playing on the beach. Nagato also decided to go to the two of them.

Nagato : hello you two (smile.)

Javelin: Wow! Madame Nagato! Good afternoon!

Laffey : Mhm... afternoon..

Nagato smiled and stroked the heads of the two destroyers in front of her.

Laffey : Mhm... Miss Nagato... wanna play with us?

Nagato: why not? Ah, I have nothing to do, hehe...

Javelin and Laffey immediately pulled Nagato into the bathroom to change.

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Observer Alpha, one of the high-level Siren Shipgirls is looking at a giant hologram full of simulation history. Alpha looks really nervous when some of the simulations have been labeled "Compromised".

Observer Alpha : Damn... this shouldn't have happened... now we've lost 200.000 Purifier units... fuck.

An Oceana came to Observer Alpha in a panic.

Oceana #HC-420-69 : Mrs Alpha! Simulation 23-33 is Compromised! Our troops in the simulation were completely crushed!

Observer Alpha : How come?! Just yesterday the simulations 23-19 and 23-25 ​​were compromised!

Oceana #HC-420-69 : We don't know, madam! But they quickly start to devour the various timelines that we have unlocked!

Observer Alpha broke out in cold sweat, this was beyond their limits. These "Creatures" quickly "eat" any simulation or timeline they come across. Millions of Sirens have died in the attack of this "Creatures."

Observer Alpha : What about the Ashes?!

Oceana #HC-420-69 : The Ashes are fighting in the Halo-22-557 simulation, they are fighting with the UNSC and the Covenant to keep the creature in that timeline.

Alpha : Send all the fleet we can muster to the Halo-22-557 simulation! God knows what kind of hell they are going through right now.

Oceana #HC-420-69 : Got it! (runs out)

Alpha looks back at the Hologram map or named Cartographer, Alpha clenched her fists when there were many worlds/timelines or simulations that fell within a few months.

Alpha : Creator.... I'm sorry...

Return to Azur Lane World 104-789. (timeline of this story.)

Nagato was seen wearing brown shorts and wearing a black tank top. Javelin and Laffey put on their own swimsuits.

Nagato smiled as the two destroyers played to build a sandcastle. Meanwhile, she sat under an umbrella with Hornet and Hamman while drinking Oxy Cola.

Hornet : so fresh~

Nagato : Uhm, I agree.

Hamman : uhhhh why do I have to wear this?!

Hamman shouted at the Hornet while blushing.

Hornet : ahaha, you look cute because of that.

Nagato shook her head as she looked at the furious Hamman while the Hornet just laughed giddily.

Nagato : I hope nothing untoward happens.

In the Sakura Empire, Kure.

Akagi : What do you mean you will delay Orochi?!

Akagi roared loudly.

Alpha took a deep breath and restrained Akagi using her tentacles. While Kaga was detained by some Oceana.

Alpha : listen here you little shit, I am willing to help you but we are very busy right now.

Akagi: what do you mean you guys are busy?! Busy to jack yourself by watching porn?!

Alpha smirked a little.

Alpha : Hey, not a bad idea.

But then Alpha got serious again.

Alpha : we will take all mass production ships on this planet, later if they are not destroyed we will return them.

Akagi : This is not part of the agreement! (starts to despair)

Alpha just looked at Akagi with a half pity look.

Alpha : Sorry little fox, the safety of Trillions or even Sextillions depends on us. (finger snap)

Orochi who initially had no energy immediately rose and slowly began to float, as did the thousands of mass production Ships that started flying to Kure to gather.

Alpha looked at Orochi with a serious look.

Alpha: time to finish the fight, once and for all.

TBC

Two chapter, baby!

Dun Dun Dun!

The plot is getting thicker, eh? and can you guess what enemies Siren and the Alliance face in various simulations?

And yes, I'm a fan of Zuikaku. Fight me.

Looks like I've fallen too far, huh?