Chapter 270: Arrival of the Second Faction

"The second faction has already reached Sakura Empire!" Zuikaku sat on the living room tatami, speaking to Qin Ge, Mikasa, and the others.

"Oh? I don't know which faction is the second one to arrive; could it be the Northern Union?" Mikasa asked.

Xianghe shook her head. "No, it's the White Eagle."

"White Eagle?" Qin Ge wondered. "According to the route, they shouldn't be the third or fourth to arrive, should they?"

"But they have already arrived; this time the White Eagle's leaders are Washington and North Carolina, and Biyu is currently receiving them." Xianghe said.

"Washington and North Carolina?" Qin Ge looked at Mikasa in surprise, and Mikasa was also puzzled.

According to her earlier guess, the person White Eagle is most likely to send this time is Saratoga. Normally, all of White Eagle's diplomatic affairs are handled by Saratoga.

"Why are the North Carolina sisters? Weren't White Eagle's diplomatic affairs usually handled by the Lexington sisters?" Mikasa was also very puzzled.

"Perhaps this gathering is inherently unusual, so White Eagle is now sending its most elite battleship." Zuikaku said.

"This is getting more and more interesting; I'm curious what the Northern Union discovered in the Arctic Ice Plains last time that could cause these other factions to act out of character." Mikasa narrowed her eyes and said.

With the arrival of the North Carolina sisters, the meaning represented by the Lexington sisters' arrival has fundamentally changed.

"Why do you all get so nervous as soon as Washington arrives?" Qin Ge asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because Washington and Saratoga represent two different inclinations of the White Eagle faction." Mikasa said to Qin Ge.

"How so?" Qin Ge asked, puzzled.

"Qin Ge, you have Lexington; you should know what Lexington's profession is, right?" Mikasa asked Qin Ge.

"Oh, Lexington often says she's an idol, but what does that have to do with Washington?" Qin Ge wondered.

"Of course there is a great connection." Mikasa said, "Although White Eagle currently has Enterprise as the faction leader, in diplomacy it is split into two factions.

"One faction is led by the Lexington-class, because they are idols and have a very good reputation among other factions, so White Eagle's main diplomacy is handled by them.

"However, when discussing serious matters, White Eagle generally does not send them on missions; instead, it sends the faction led by North Carolina, which are White Eagle's powerful battleships, used to safeguard White Eagle's own interests.

"So you now understand why I said this event is out of the ordinary."

Listening to Mikasa's words, Qin Ge nodded, his expression turning grave. Mikasa had also said before that their academy commanders' duels were merely appetizers; the real decisions would come later.

Sure enough, that prophecy has come true; the situation of White Eagle's envoys has suddenly become abnormal. If the envoy lineups of the major factions below also start to become abnormal, then we can confirm that this gathering is far from being as simple as it appears on the surface.

"We are also somewhat powerless now, because this is not something we can interfere with; let's first do our part as the vanguard." Qin Ge shrugged and said.

Indeed, before the Nine Major Factions, whoever it is appears utterly powerless. Valley

Mikasa also nodded, while Xianghe and Zuikaku on the other side exchanged glances; although they are also high-ranking members of Sakura Empire, decisions like this still need to be entrusted to Akagi and Kaga.

No matter how poorly they get along with Akagi and Kaga, Akagi and Kaga remain the rulers of Sakura Empire, and only they can bring Sakura Empire the greatest benefits.

On such decision‑making matters, they are merely novices, and at times like this they cannot rely solely on their spirit to act.

"Then we can only wait until the other factions' people arrive before making a decision." Qin Ge nodded, and the others also wore solemn expressions.

Later that evening, Qin Ge gathered a few think‑tank members and faction leaders from his fleet, came to his room to hold a meeting, and the agenda was about this faction gathering.

At first, Qin Ge told everyone the situation he had learned today from Mikasa, Xianghe, and Zuikaku, and he wanted to hear the opinions of his shipgirls.

And when several shipgirls finished hearing these things, they all showed solemn expressions.

"It seems the situation we will face this time is extremely complicated, Commander." Guanghui said with a grave expression.

"It's not just that the situation is complicated." Ou Gen Qin Wang narrowed his eyes and said.

"Heh, I'm actually curious—what could make the Nine Major Factions go so crazy? Could it be something that can defeat the Sirens? But shouldn't such things be shared?" Weineituo said.

"Siren technology—we Iron Blood have studied it the most. Based on my memory, I don't think there is anything that would make all Nine Major Factions scramble for it, unless it's something I don't know about." Bisimai said.

"That's certain. Don't forget, there is also a Bisimai in Iron Blood; you know her, and she knows what you know, but this time she has also joined the scramble, which shows that this thing is likely something unprecedented." Ou Gen Qin Wang reminded.

"This thing is clear—it concerns the future interests of the Nine Major Factions. No faction will give up this contest, and perhaps the pattern of Azure Lane will change because of this." Guanghui said.

At that moment, Qin Ge turned his gaze toward the silent Tiancheng, recalling how she had been with Akagi and Kaga these past days, and asked, "Tiancheng, what do you think of this matter?"

Tiancheng smiled faintly, "My lord, do not worry; perhaps this is actually our opportunity."

Qin Ge and the other shipgirls instantly turned their eyes to Tiancheng. Qin Ge asked anxiously, "Could it be that Tiancheng knows something?"

When Qin Ge asked this question, he held no hope, for it was merely a thought that flashed in his mind. He blurted it out without thinking, and did not expect Tiancheng to answer.

But then, contrary to everyone's expectations, Tiancheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Actually, I already know what the Nine Major Factions are contending for this time."

"What!" All the shipgirls were shocked, and even Ou Gen Qin Wang looked at Tiancheng in astonishment.

"How could you know?" Qin Ge wondered.

"My two younger sisters, in front of me, cannot hide anything; just a few light words and they tell me everything." Tiancheng said with a smile.

Qin Ge and a few shipgirls exchanged glances, involuntarily looking toward the composed Tiancheng; only her brown tail swayed gently behind her, like a cunning fox….