Chapter 394: Decision

I still remember that long ago, when I existed as a battleship, I already regarded Tiancheng as my opponent.

Whether playing chess or fighting, I always thought about how to defeat the other side. Coincidentally, at that time Zhang Men was preparing to step down as the flagship, and the battle between me and Tiancheng also determined the ownership of the eighth flagship of the Sakura Empire United Fleet.

And during the battle, a scene similar to today's also appeared. At that time, Akagi's armament was not yet completed, and she kept following behind Tiancheng.

With Tiancheng's support, Akagi always acted spoiled and willful, even when facing me, who was then a battleship, it was the same.

Thinking of this, Kaga looked at the two people in front of her who, although they had shaken hands and made peace with Tiancheng's help, still had not ceased their battle in their eyes, and she couldn't help recalling a scene from that battle years ago beside the notice board.

"Hah?! Are you an idiot? If you could participate in the battle, there would be no need for Amagi Elder Sister to intervene? Just based on your unfinished armament and your reckless foolishness,"

"Hmph, you can only wag your tongue now; why didn't I see your shadow during yesterday's drill?"

"After fighting Tiancheng so many times, I won't be fooled by that old fox anymore. Who knows if she personally went into battle, having already set up an ambush? Besides, as a battleship, my defense is on a completely different level from your battlecruisers. With your thin armor, do you think I'd be afraid in a head‑on clash?"

"Hmph, my sister and I were fundamentally different from you in design from the start; with our speed of up to 30 knots, we could chase you and make you beg for mercy."

"You mean you can run away a bit faster?"

"You!! You unreasonable white‑haired old monster!!"

"You're the unreasonable one, a big‑breasted brainless follower!"

While I was arguing with Akagi, Tiancheng appeared, just like today's event, and a bump appeared on each of our heads, while Tiancheng smiled and had us reconcile.

Seeing this familiar scene before her, Kaga suddenly turned her head and said to Qin Ge, "Qin Ge Commander, let us two sign a contract."

As soon as Kaga said that, all the shipgirls in the lounge fell silent, staring wide‑eyed at her. Even Akagi, who was rubbing her head at the moment, looked at Kaga in surprise, but Tiancheng wore an expression as if she had expected it all along, still squinting and smiling faintly, as if she had seen through everything.

Qin Ge likewise looked at Kaga in great surprise, "Kaga, you must understand what consequences saying this will bring. Know that once a shipgirl joins the commander's fleet, she can no longer return to a high position in any faction."

You and Akagi may have given up your leadership positions in the Sakura Empire faction, but if you return, with your abilities you could still take that seat again.

But if you today sign a contract with me, you will never be able to go back. Although there is a chance the contract could fail, it still has a probability of success; you need to think it through clearly.

Kaga smiled and said, "I have thought it through clearly, which is why I am telling you this. Moreover, after leaving the Sakura Empire, Akagi and I have never planned to return."

Everything today merely solidified this conviction of mine; in fact, the matter that Qin Ge Commander and Akagi agreed upon is now just a matter of time, because I have discovered that Guanghui is already on the brink of Awakening and only needs a trigger to enter Awakening at any moment.

For the Project Ship, it is also just a matter of time; and having followed by your side, witnessing so many miracles, what reason do I have to refuse?

So come, let's sign the contract; if it succeeds, you will gain an Awakened shipgirl. If it fails, I can still serve as an example for Akagi, letting her join your fleet sooner.

"Kaga..." Akagi looked at Kaga, her expression somewhat surprised.

"It's fine, sister; believe me, believe Qin Ge Commander." Kaga smiled.

Immediately, she turned toward Qin Ge and extended her hand, "Come on, Qin Ge Commander, are you hesitating?"

Qin Ge looked at the resolute Kaga before him, smiled and shook his head, "How could I possibly hesitate?"

After saying that, Qin Ge reached out and took Kaga's hand; both closed their eyes simultaneously and began the adjustment from deep within their souls.

Before, after Qin Ge Fleet defeated the Siren Fleet at sea and salvaged Si Peng Si, Qin Ge then signed a contract with Si Peng Si; the process went very smoothly. When Qin Ge grasped Si Peng Si's hand, a faint light shone between their hands, then enveloped both of them, and as the light gradually faded, Si Peng Si already called Qin Ge Commander.

Now, will he and Kaga produce that light? No one can say for sure; all the shipgirls looked at Qin Ge and Kaga. Especially Akagi, her gaze was complex, unknown what she was thinking.

One minute, two minutes; as time passed, the place where Qin Ge and Kaga clasped hands never showed that light, yet their eyes never opened, as if everything were proceeding, but no one knows when this process will end.

Suddenly, Qin Ge and Kaga's eyes opened at the same time, and Akagi's face turned deathly pale, "Did it fail?"

No one answered her, but from the somewhat lost looks of everyone, it could be seen.

But at this very moment, Qin Ge and Kaga simultaneously smiled, and a blue light burst from their clasped hands, instantly covering their bodies.

"This..." Akagi covered her mouth at the sight of this dramatic rise and fall, unable to utter a word.

"Hehe, it seems my guess was correct; even if they are allotropes, when they meet the master, everything ceases to be a problem." Tiancheng looked at the scene before her and smiled as she spoke.

When the light gradually faded from their bodies and reconverged on their clasped hands, Qin Ge gazed at Kaga before him and smiled, "Let me reintroduce myself: I am Qin Ge, and from today onward I am your commander; please guide me."

"I am the heavy aircraft carrier Kaga of the First Aviation Squadron; from now on I am yours—this is probably my destiny." Kaga said to Qin Ge, her tone carrying a sense of relief and also a hint of defiance.

"Welcome, Kaga!" Qin Ge smiled, but he paused, "However, we now have two Kagas in our fleet; how should we call you two? It can't possibly be one called Battleship Kaga and the other Aircraft Carrier Kaga, right?"

For a moment, Battleship Kaga and Aircraft Carrier Kaga both stood stunned……