Sakura Empire HQ, present day Japan...

We see the ship of Kirishima, with several holes in her haul, from the duel with Texas. Three secondary batteries had been lifted out of the ship after being rendered useless due to the force of impact from 14 inch shells. Haruna has several more holes, mostly in the deck from Cleveland and others hammering her left and right with High Explosive. Akagi's ship has several dozens of holes littering the haul and deck from Texas's fierce hellfire of 14 inch and 5 inch guns he let loose on her. It almost caused the ship to break in half at the bow. More ships also have the same amount of damage.

Yet in a cell, far from the docks, Texas sits in a cell, growing ever tired of it. Further Northeast, we can see "Sheffield" and "Belfast" undercover...

Belfast: My, this is quite intriguing.

Sheffield: Lets focus on the mission first. We need to locate "Texas" first, and gather intel as well if possible.

Belfast: Well, PoWs are usually kept in holding cells, so we just have to look for a place that have such things.

Cherry Blossom Trees dot the harbor, giving it a beautiful scenery.

Belfast: Hmm....say, why don't we split up, but stay within reasonable distance of each other?

Sheffield: *nods* We'll cover more ground.

The two split up to search for where Texas is. Meanwhile with Texas in his cell...

Texas: *sighs, bored as ever* Ain't nuttin' but a darn cage for rats...*frowns* I outta nap a bit then. *closes his eyes*

After sometime Texas drifts off to sleep

Dream World...

Captain Charles Baker: *speaks into his mind* Texas

Texas: Captain Baker! *salutes and stands at attention*

Captain Charles Baker: *salutes* No need for it partner.

Texas: Why are you here again Captain?

Captain Charles Baker: I've come to tell you something, that is important.

Texas: I'm listening, Captain.

Captain Charles Baker: You need to destroy the Orochi.

Texas: ....what in tarn nation is an "Orochi"?

Captain Charles Baker: *summons a tablet and shows him* This.

Texas: .....well I'll be darn, if it ain't a fat piece of scrap metal armed to the teeth.

Captain Charles Baker: *nods* You must destroy it, should you fail to do so, everyone in the world you have been sent to, will perish in flames along with the planet itself.

Texas: ....I'm gonna need more backup for this. I can only do so much.

Captain Charles Baker: That is why others have been sent, including "New York", your Brother.

Texas: Yes! *gets excited* Oh, my bad Captain.

Captain Charles Baker: I understand thy excitement partner, no harm done.

Texas: Will there be anyone else, Captain?

Captain Charles Baker: But of course, a Soviet Project 94 Light Cruiser, a Mackensen-class battlecruiser from Imperial Germany, and finally, a Littorio-class battleship from Italy. The fate of this world lies in y'alls' hands now.

Texas: ...*nods* Understood Captain. We'll make you, and America proud even in your absence.

Captain Charles Baker: *smiles* That's the Might Texas I know I commanded. In God we Trust.

Captain Charles Baker: Friendship in Texas, our Texas, our proud heritage, our proud purpose, our proud state in America, in God we Trust to defend to the end.

Captain Charles Baker: *smiles more* Right you are Texas, right, you are.

Meanwhile, where Nagato and Mutsu are hosting a meeting...

Nagato: Until Akagi and Kaga have completed repairs, they are out of action, alongside the others that were damaged in the short lived engagement.

Shinano: *nods before yawning* Though, what are we going to do with the one called "Texas" that we captured?

Yamato: Well questioning didn't go to well with him. One reason being that Azur Lane didn't tell him much at all...

Musashi: Then why don't we introduce him to the Sakura Empire~? I'm sure he'll love his stay here with Empire as well~

Mikasa: Well, if he doesn't know much, then maybe we can convince him to join our side.
Mind: Though, I hate having to drag him into this mess...

Yamato: Hmm....well those 14 inch guns he has are pretty horrifying after I saw what damage he did to the others, taking on a 4 vs 1 scenario on his own.

Nagato: Any objections?

Yamato: No, Lady Nagato.

Musashi: No, Lady Nagato.

Shinano: No, I don't have any objections, Lady Nagato.

Nagato: *looks at Mikasa*

Mikasa: *nods*

Nagato: *looks at her sister, Mutsu*

Mutsu: *nods*

Nagato: Then it is decided.

Yamato, Musashi, Shinano, Mikasa, and Mutsu: Hai!

But then...

Kitakaze: *runs* Lady Nagato! Unidentified contact Northwest on the far side of the mainland!

Nagato: N-Nani?

Kawakaze: The only kind of contact that is found there is the "Northern Parliament".

Nagato: Send Shouhou, Sendai, Suzutsuki, and Fusou.

Kitakaze: Hai! *leaves*

Meanwhile, way up Northwest...

???: Ngh! Blyat, where am I?! *gets up with the help of a Mosin Nagant rifle and looks around* ....I-I'm Human?! I thought I was only a piece of scrap metal of a ship!?

The water has ice, as she can see from the bridge. Then her radar picks up 4 unidentified contacts heading towards her.

???: ....better not be the damn White Navy again! *loads a stripper-clip into the Mosin Nagant and pushes the bolt forward before locking it into place*

Not to far away, a fleet of four ships is seen. A carrier, a battleship, a light cruiser, and a destroyer.

Sendai: I'm lucky I just finished my retrofit.

Shouhou: *shivering slightly* I hate the cold regions...

Fusou: Then lets get this wrapped up quickly.

Suzutsuki: Contact is moving! *watching her radar*

Shouhou: *begins launching A6M Zeros into the sky in advance*

Sendai: *prepares her four x 24 inch torpedo tubes* Ready when you are!

They come around another iceberg and then, a light-cruiser is seen flying a white flag with a single blue strip, a red star, a hammer, and a sickle...

Suzutsuki: Nani?! 

Shouhou: *her A6M Zeros are ready for a fight*

Sendai: ...that isn't the flag of the Northern Parliament.

Fusou: *looks at the name on the bow* ...."Budyonny".

Sendai: *stops with the others* Are we sure this is the contact? 

Suzutsuki: Radar says it is- 

???: Looking for me, Comrades?

All: !!! *looks at where the voice came from*

Budyonny: *standing on the deck  towards the bow with her left foot/boot on the edge pass the railing* Ah, if it ain't the Empire that returned to its backstabbing ways. (Hearts of Iron IV reference)

Sendai: W-Who are you?!

Budyonny: Well if you can read the name on the bow and then use common sense you'll get your answer.

To be continued...