Vol 1 Chapter 4 (2/2)
Furtherirl that carryied the power to ”Grasp the best possible result”--perhaps she could end her connection to that past with her own hands Given, this was an inherently contradictory train of thought, but this was a thought--
(Whether I truly grasp the power to grasp the most fortunate result and what the best possible result, I don't know)
Hiyou's dark hair and red dress fluttered in the wind, but she resolutely stared out towards the sea as before--seeing her face, Zuikaku was struck with a thought
(But the only one who can decide whether and how to use this power is Iif I use it right, perhaps it can be the power that saves everyone Of course, Shoukaku-nee's heart is no exception)
Even if she was the ”Lucky Carrier,” there was no need to truly confirm or deny this power
The only way to avoid others sacrificing themselves for her was to use her power to solve those problems If she didn't want to be a lucky chare herself, with her oer
Of course, Zuikaku knew neither the specifics nor whether she could actually save Shoukaku's heart hell, the fetters binding herself with Shoukaku may well be broken--on this point, Zuikaku felt both fear and unease
But perhaps there would be a way, as long as she gave it her all as before After all, the title of 'the lucky carrier' shouldn't be an empty title--
”The sparkle seeo!”
Cracking into a slightly teasing grin, Hiyou hurled the stone in her right hand towards the sea Perhaps it had soical Onmyoudou powers, but the stone continued to skip off the water's surface until it was lost in the waves
”fucking beautiful,”
Hiyou reain towards Zuikaku
”Really now, at this rate you're going to befoul the name of the 5thCarDrather, the new 1stCarDiv We were the ones propping up the Main Fleet Carrier Task Force after Midway; get it together”
Zuikaku scratched her cheek with a crooked grin
”Ahaha, well, there were a lot of reasons”
Though she had patched up her feelings, the ”Okinoshi+ us” remained an obstacle
In order to deal with that main fleet, she'd most likely have to deploy as before with Shoukaku
And before that could be done, some new tactics would need to be devised Zuikaku did not believe her fortune would be enough on its own against such strong enemies
”But how should I say thiswell, I feel a lot better now Thanks! Thanks for co here just to cheer me up!”
”I-I wasn't giving my advice for your sake!”
Clearly embarrassed Hiyou waved the thanks away
”This is for the whole Naval Districtand the Admiral!”
”Admiral?”
”After all, he asked me in the past to take care of you in my oay I just happened to see you run out of the naval district and remembered this”
”Is that so”
For all her surprise, Zuikaku also felt slightly apologetic
Perhaps the Ad since forseen this situation and had dispatched Hiyou to deal with this istuation
Perhaps he had spoken earlier with such a harsh tone in order to help her grasp this current line of logic Or perhaps he had hoped he could personally change Shoukaku's sense of self-sacrifice--
(But how could I have figured so like that out?! If he had said it clearly)
”Moreover, Junyou and I are being deployed to the Okinoshi+ma waters as well”
”Hiyou and Junyou too?”
Zuikaku gaped in astonishment It seemed like the Admiral had abandoned surface combat and had resolved to deal with the enemy's fearsome main fleet with air power
”That's right As such, wouldn't it be a problem if a fleet comrade were all depressed? That's why it's for myself too--definitely not for your sake! After all, the New 1stCarDiv and the new 2ndCarDiv are rivals, and I'et all lovey dovey with you!”
”I-is that so”
Hiyou huffily crossed her ar to hide her ehter as she tried to move on
”Whatever, let's not worry about that for noe need to think of soies”
Hiyou's eyes turned once more to the oceans
”I've already seen your battle report The enemy main fleet's core are the four Ru-class battleshi+ps, one of which is a flagshi+p-type that's stronger than the elite-type Once caught in the enemy's continuous fire the situation deteriorates dramatically, so we must devise a way by which we can eli air attack However”
Hiyou stopped at this point Thinking of the unspoken iret
During the battle with the enemy main force, she and Shoukaku had both launched a first wave Though all had reached the enemy's airspace, fierce AA fire had prevented thee
(From the intensity of the AA fire, it's possible that even the next-generation Suisei dive bombers and Tenzan torpedo bombers currently in develope)
”While I'ood ideas”
Hiyou whispered with a mix of anticipation and unease
If it was ih the air, the next time ive the enemy main fleet a chance to approach the homeland, but it could also make possible the worst-case scenario of an attack on the Naval District, a battle which could decide the progress of the war in a single moment
At that ine rumble reached the silent Zuikaku and Hiyou
”That engine soundcould it be?”
Zuikaku had heard this sound before--at the Marianas, her own air coines
(Ahh, these were the engines of the new e for a recon team!)
”Zuikaku, look!”
Zuikaku turned to where Hiyou's finger pointed--and immediately understood
These carrier planes bore a graceful streas that tapered up froh planes to ine sounds belonged to the scaled down but high-powered Nakajih speed
(I once heard ru ”That War!)
Capabilities surpassing the Type 99 Dive bomber and the Type 97 Torpedo Bomber--or even the Suisei Dive bomber and Tenzan Torpedo bo capabilities in a new revolutionary design allegedly fast enough to outstrip the Type 21 Zero
She had never mounted this decisive-battle, blueprint weapon in ”That War”, but she had one day hoped for that chance The weapon ”So advanced that it had to remain classified” Yuubari mentioned, maybe it was this
It's name is--
”The Sienar Fleet Systehter!”
The Admiral recalled the Admiral's words--if it were Carriers, they would be able to attack the four Ru-class froe The Naval District and Factories had been working at double speed to churn out the necessary supplies and equipn If two standard carrier's worth of Ryuusei Kai could be manufactured, even the eneht still take e
Combined with her own luck, perhaps--
(That's the 5thCarDiv is needed, and that's why I am needed)
Watching the Ryuusei Kai squadrons flying into the distance, Zuikaku felt a surge of hot blood rush through her veins
Part 4
Several hours later, Zuikaku received the official sortie order
”I will now explain the details of the new operation”
The Adh the Naval District Office The skies fraone black
Inside the office were assembled the four carriers notified about their role--Zuikaku, Shoukaku, Hiyou and Junyou
Zuikaku kept her distance from Shoukaku--she was not quite sure how to face her elder sister Shoukaku, it seemed, was of a similar sentiment, and both of them made sure their eyes would not meet
”As everyone is well aware, our naval district's last assault on the Okinoshi+e was an abject failure, ell over half the ed by the enemy We now believe that the enee is preparing for an invasion of the mainland”
Several fairies pro on the workdesk
”If we leave the enemy free rein, our homeland and this Naval District will most likely co at all costs As such, ill be deploying with you all serving as the main fleet in a Carrier Task Force capacity to the Okinoshi+ma Waters for a third attack This operation will be referred to as 'Operation A-go'”
Zuikaku gulped The name of this operation was familiar
(The Operation that led to the battle at the Marianas was also called Operation A-go)
In ”That War” and in this war, A-go represented the commitment to a decisive battle
”This ti our hopes on you four carriers pree the ene fire”
The Admiral explained in a heavier voice
”Thanks to previous developments at the factories, we have manufactured sufficient quantites of the prototype Suisei Kai to outfit two carriers Standard Carriers Shoukaku and Zuikaku willwith Type 52 Zeroes, as the fleet's pri force Due to the li supplement will be equipped with Type 62 Zeroes”
Zuikaku nodded slightly As Yuubari and RJ had said in the factories, the Type 62 Zeroes were variations of the base Type 52 Zero htly inferior specs, they wereair superiority When it caainst thecapacity
”Hiyou and Junyou will deploy as alith Type 21 Zeroes, Type 99 Dive Bombers and Type 97 Torpedo Bo the numbers of Type 99s, which will be primarily used as scouts In combat, ill rely on the Type 97s The Type 99's dive boainst the Ru-class”
Hiyou and Junyou both responded with a crisp ”understood”
”As for the enemy patrols and pickets, please remove them with pree at their coh to wrest air superiority As long the enee and move on”
The eneaze said
”Once the ene on the first attack Even if the ene the enemy's formation with torpedos should help to inhibit their suppression fire Your prishi+p Ru-class that appears to be serving as flagshi+p As before, sinking the flagshi+p should plunge the leaderless enemy into confusion”
The fairies proshi+p type [2] on the whiteboard A few of Hyuuga and Ise's observation seaplanes had ed to survive, and theses photos appeared to have been brought back thanks to their actions
As the Adshi+p Ru-class had indeed stood in front of the enemy fleet; it seemed like that she was indeed the coordinator
”In the case that a preemptive strike fails, chances will be that you will lose the ability to inhibit their suppressing fire and thus suffer defeat If that happens, the enemy will close in on the homeland If this happens, the Naval District will deploy into Home Waters in preparation for a last-ditch defense”
It didn't require ht to realize that there was no plan at that point If they failed, the Naval District's home fleet would consist of Heavy Cruisers and other smaller vessels At that point, the battle plan would be encroaching on the nation's vital naval trade network
”The flagshi+p this time will be Shoukaku--as before Are there any questions?”
The Adirls It appeared he wanted each of theine the consequences of the failure of their last stand
”Just one”
Shoukaku raised her hand There was no sri her to speech
”As the flagshi+p, there is soards to this operation: when it comes down to it, is our priority 'our survival,' or 'the elimination of the enemy main fleet?'”
(Shoukaku-nee)
Zuikaku gazed at Shoukaku and the Admiral uncomfortably Similarly, Hiyou and Junyou also eyed the tith tension written across their faces
”of course, our priority is to eliminate the enemy main fleet”
The Admiral's voice was low, but clear
”If we fail this battle, ill have lost the war If the price for destroying the ene officer, am prepared to pay”
His distress was palpable in his voice as he continued
”However, I forbid any of you froh likelihood that you all will be integral to our battles in the future; as such, I demand (however unreasonably) that you defeat the eneht with every ounce of your soul against the eneainst you Whatever the result, I am prepared to take full responsibility”
”I understand Thank you”
Shoukaku nodded lightly as Zuikaku felt a pang of guilty
Her sister had doubtlessly brought up this question to hts The Adirls as weapons Given, some decisions may have seemed the opposite, but for the Ad decision--
(I understand this kind of thingbut, Shoukaku-nee)
”Moreover, regarding the re two shi+ps”
”I was just about to explain that Come in, you two”
The office door swung open with a heavy clack as froirls Zuikaku's eyes widened--one of the two destroyers wore a white sailor unifor froirl wore a black-on-white sailor unifor white
Zuikaku gulped She had seen these two destroyers before, and found what she had in common with them
(It can't be, these two are)
The Adh the office
”Destroyers Yukikaze and Hibiki They are this naval district's most seasoned destroyers, and I a you all”
The Adirls before speaking a half-plea, half-order
”Please, use your power as shi+pgirls to give us humans a future”
Part 5
The skies above the waters around Okinoshi+ma were as clear as always
Zuikaku and co sun at full speed ahead
Ten hours had elapsed since their departure froo that they had left the transport shi+p and officially began their deployment They had encountered the enee--and now only the main fleet was ahead of the out for them on this route as well
The fleet was split into two units, with destroyers Yukikaze and Hibiki foruard for Zuikaku, Shoukaku, Hiyou and Junyou's uard served as both an advance force and, on enemy encounter, bait
The six shi+pgirls re approach of the ene about a pressure that lapsed even Junyou into silence Hiyou and Shoukaku did not need
Zuikaku, too, had yielded to this pervading feeling
(This is kind of bad)
She felt a throb in her chest Under this atmosphere it was questionable whether they'd be able to make use of their full power even if they met with the enemy
(But I don't kno to solve this)
She looked to Shoukaku--Shoukaku, as in the battle before, gazed forwards, her expression tight
Looking back, Zuikaku had not said a word to Shoukaku through deployment--partly because she didn't knohat to say, and partly because she still did not kno to change Shoukaku's resolve
Doubtlessly, the current Shoukaku would willing sacrifice herself for her After all, this was operation ”A-go,” the last chance for the Naval District to take out the Okinoshi+e Given the fact that the fate of the homeland would be determined by the results of this battle, the situation could not be more serious
(But I really just don't want to see Shoukaku-nee like this)
Zuikaku noticed that she gripped the shortbow in her right hand abnorhtly
(I wish fortune to Shoukaku-nee tooI wish that her smile is not just a reassurance for my sake, but from her heart Or else)
”--Umm, Zuikaku-nee”
A wireless transmission from somewhere--it was destroyer Yukikaze From Shoukaku's complete lack of response, it seemed as if Yukikaze had words for Zuikaku only
”I read you Go on, Yukikaze”
Zuikaku's lips barelyShoukaku's notice She could secretly guess what Yukikaze wanted to talk about
”Don't worry about it, everyone over here is really quiet, and I'm pretty bored After all, we haven't discovered the enemy main force yet”
In reality, the fleet had already launched scouts in all directions--it would be unsurprising if the enemy was found at this very moment Nevertheless, Zuikaku didn't want to silence Yukikaze
”--thank you Hibiki is also listening to this transht?”
”No probleuys yet I'll be in your care today, Yukikaze, Hibiki”
”-Y-yes! Yukikaze will do her best!”
”Understood Likewise”
The bipolarity of the two destroyer's response alhter
”Well then, what do you guys want to ask me?”
”--Okay To be honest, we've been hiding soize to you about it”
”You tere observing rasp the ht?”
”! How did you?”
”It'd be hard not to know”
Listening to Yukikaze's embarrassment, Zuikaku broke into a bitter smile
”You tatching with Akagi-senpai during uys during drills and exercises too Oh, so Akagi-senpai is in on this too then? Ehh, she's even higher up in seniority than Shoukaku-nee I suppose it was expected”
”--Ehh, you got us”
”Plus, isn't Yukikaze like rasp thatreferred to as the 'Lucky Destroyer' You survived until the end, too, so I figured”
That last part was more instinct From her occasional run-ins with Yukikaze, Zuikaku had noticed that she carried herself with an air unlike those of the other destroyers An unburdened feeling, ue term at best, but it was siirls and similar to herself
It was exactly because of this that Zuikaku figured that Yukikaze irl with similar abilities Of course, this revelation came after the last sortie
Akagi was the same She was the Naval District's irl closest to the Admiral; there was no way she did not notice Zuikaku and Yukikaze's situation
”--t-that's rightas expected of Zuikaku-nee”
Perhaps Zuikaku had been on target too many times, for Yukikaze responded with a tone of adain break into a crooked smile
”Also, Hibiki must have also survived to the end of 'That War', and thus have knoho in the naval district possessed the fruits of fortunethat's why you fight with Yukikaze, correct? And that's why Akagi-senpai asked you to take care of meam I correct, Hibiki?”
Hibiki remained silent, but Zuikaku took that as affirmation
”that's why I' Yukikaze doesn't need to apologize, and neither does Hibiki--both of you were siht? This is an issue between Shoukaku-nee and I”
”--Don't you feel sad sometimes? Scared?”
From Yukikaze's tentative question, it seeed ability to Grasp the Most Fortunate Outcome sat heavily on her shoulders
”Of course, it's nothing to be happy about But I won't stop here”
””
”If this power really exists, then I will use it where I need to I want to protect Shoukaku-nee and stand beside her in battle That's why I will do my best with all I have as before--that is how I feel”
”--Zuikaku-nee”
”That is what Yukikaze thinks as well, right?”
”Yes”
Yukikaze responded hesitantly after several seconds of silence That brief erim the road of the ”Lucky Destroyer” was for Yukikaze
(Yukikaze is most likely like me)
”--it e to say 'because of this', butI'll be leaving Shoukaku-nee to you”
Fro into the distance, Yukikaze turned around to regard Zuikaku for a
”--Hibiki and I both survived 'That War,', and continued serving on active duty for a significant period afterwards, so we remember a bit of what happened after the war” [3]
””
”--that's why it pains us to see a shi+pgirl as stubborn as Shoukaku-nee True, 'That War' was a painful memory, both for us and our crews; even so, few hated or resented us, even as the losers Shoukaku-nee's surviving crew probably felt the same, which is why”
Yukikaze could not continue, and Zuikaku didn't want to push her
Both she and Yukikaze knew that saying this to Shoukaku would acco Shoukaku lived in the shadow of herup the events that folloould not bring her out from there
”I understand Thank you for your concerns”
In an increasingly choked voice, Zuikaku spoke to Yukikaze
”At any rate, Hibiki, Yukikaze, focus on the battle Just keep dodging, and we'll think of a way to defeat the enemy”
”--Alright, then we'll leave it to youbecause Yukikaze will never sink! Hibiki-nee, let's do our best together!”
”--sounds about right”
Yukikaze shouted rousingly, while Hibiki responded with a hint of warmth, expressionless as ever
Hibiki was one of the 6thDesDev and got along ith destroyers Ikazuchi, Inazuma and Akatsuki--but perhaps on another level, she had a certain connection with Yukikaze as well
That aside, through her conversation with Yukikaze and Hibiki, Zuikaku felt that perhaps she had reached some kind of realization
Perhaps the way to change Shoukaku's resolve was not through words, but actions
(So maybe this is that most fortunate result)
Five ht sight of the enemy main fleet
This scout plane belonged to Standard Carrier Zuikaku
Part 6
Whether it was because the Abyssals sensing the onco assault or a natural deterioration in weather conditions, the surface of the Okinoshi+an to stir and roil
Even so, the four carriers advanced atthe waters with their advance
”Keep your proind; all shi+ps, begin launch!”
Shoukaku shrilly spoke above the din as she raised her own shortbow
”Once the air group has asseet the main fleet that Zuikaku detected! The Fleet coshi+p BB, three elite BBs and two unidentified DDs! All shi+ps are currently advancing on our position in line ahead formation!”
”””””Understood!”””””
”This one attack will deter on you!”
”””””Understood!”””””
Between the order and the response, the six shi+pgirls had not forgotten to prepare Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Hiyou and Junyou each loosed their arrows or launched their shi+kigami and allowed them to fall into formation Meanwhile, the two destroyers popped a se the Ru-class battleshi+ps in an attempt to draw fire from the carriers
(This attack decides it all!)
Repeating Shoukaku's line in herher arrows
(This battle is a chance to change Shoukaku-nee's heart--but, before that happens, we must win above all!)
She continued shooting, even as she started to notice her ragged breathing Each arrow split into the air in a burst of light, trans into position The Type 62 Zeros reency plan, while the Ryuusei Kai all carried torpedos
Zuikaku glanced at the other carriers--they, too, were also launching their carrier planes and then consolidating them Shoukaku, like Zuikaku, carried Type 52 Zero and Ryuusei Kai, whereas Hiyou and Junyou carried the good ol' Type 21 Zeroes, Type 99 Dive Bombers and Type 97 Torpedo Bobmers
The cloud of planes asseroup of soroup of this size once or twice even in ”That War”
With the last launches ca fire at Yukikaze and Hibiki
”We're counting on you, Yukikaze, Hibiki!”
Eyeing both her own air group and the smoke-wreathed horizon, Junyou softly murmured
”Because once you're destroyed, the targets become us!”
Zuikaku felt her body clench As Junyou had said, if Yukikaze or Hibiki were destroyed, it would be the carrier group's turn to endure the suppression shelling
A great explosion in the distance, followed by a great pillar just over the Horizon; just the thought of the accurate barrage that had straddled Ise and Hyuuga now focusing on those two slender shi+pgirls made Zuikaku want to rush to their rescue
(But, those two must!)
Zuikaku forcibly suppressed these ihts a prayer A second later--
”All air groups, begin your attack runs!”
Having waited until the air asseave the order
”Your target is the Ru-class Battleshi+p Group! We're counting on you, go!”
”Hopefullyan attack that'll finish thee!”
Zuikaku shouted along with Shoukaku as Hiyou and Junyou also laid down their orders
”Alright, let's get revenge for Akagi-senpai and Kaga-senpai! Right, Junyou?”
”Yeah! Let's give it our all and give 'eo!”
In total over 200 planes forirls' order, they shot as one towards the eneaping--this was doubtless an all-in, all-out assault
A them were Shoukaku and Zuikaku's Ryuusei-Kai attack teaull-wing formation, they advanced as a subversion of the past fast attacks of the past
”Report frouns,”
Junyou reported with a hand to her ear
”But the effect seems limited--the Ryuusei-kai seems to be too fast for each battleshi+p to cope!”
”In that case!”
In the time that Shoukaku uttered her shout of anticipation, the attack tea their individual attack runs
Planes began to fall As expected, the four Ru-class' AA poas overwhel; within mere seconds, the air was filled with the black puffs of AA fire And yet as Hibiki reported, the enemy could not quite adjust to the Ryuusei Kai's speed--losses were significantly lighter than in previous battles
And so, each of the attack teams launched their torpedos--moments later, the four Ru-classes were bracketed by water pillars
(How's that!)
Zuikaku clenched her fist as she stared in the enemy fleet's direction It would be up to the closer Hibiki and Yukikaze to report the results
Presently, Yukikaze reported with a tone of regret
”--no-go! Out of the four, two have been heavily-daed, but the other two aren't hurt at all! One of theshi+p class!”
”So they missed?”
Shoukaku pressed with a voice of disbelief
”--No! The two enemy destroyers acted as shi+eldsboth those destroyers have sank! But!”
Zuikaku stood dumbstruck While everyone are that the abyssal were, like the shi+pgirls, capable and willing to act autonoht that it would be at this time that--
But Zuikaku now adht after, Hiyou spoke up
”All shi+ps, begin evasivein our direction!”
”At this time?!”
Even as the others responded incredulously, a see chain of explosions bracketed the field
Zuikaku had not yet lost her bearings Countless shells exploded around her with shockwaves that smashed her onto the water surface
”Ugh!” she murmured as she stood back up
Enduring the pain, she looked around her--as the waterspouts collapsed, they left a cloud of mist in their wake
Squinting, shesmoke--and her face whitened
(How--?!)
Of the three, Hiyou and Junyou showed clearly heavy daht decks half ruined and their other equiprit their teeth as they knelt on the ocean surface
Shoukaku's dae was not as severe as those of the Hiyou-class--even now, she stood up, tottering gently Even so, her equipe--her combat ability would doubtlessly be affected
The enee in this direction had inexplicably halted instead of chaining The only explanation was that Yukikaze and Hibiki had once ht the enemy's attention
(And what about the carrier planes?)
Zuikaku looked to the sky--fro They numbered around fifty, virtually all of ere the Type 52 Zeroes and Ryuusei Kai Hiyou and Junyou's planes had been slaughtered, nearly to the last fairy
Of the two hundred attack planes, only one in four had returned--the losses were exceedingly heavy, far beyond Zuikaku's worst fears And now, the only carriers that remained were she and Shoukaku
(But, we have to regain the initiative with these remnants!)
The enemy still had two unharmed R