Chapter 899: Tactful Words at the Banquet

This time I'm counting on you.

At the banquet on Sakura Empire's main island, Sakura Empire's Zhang Men looked at himself and also Akagi and Kaga beside him, speaking rather complexly.

It's fine, this is the agreed cooperation between you Sakura Empire and our Gangqu; when either side falls into crisis, the other side, upon receiving aid, should also do its utmost to aid the other side.

And we are also fulfilling this cooperation, so there's no need for excessive thanks; this is simply what our cooperation entails. Zhang Men originally wanted to speak more officially, but seeing the somewhat exhausted face of himself opposite, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to say it officially.

Sakura Empire's Zuikaku shook her head and said, "Although you say that, it's precisely because of everyone's help that Sakura Empire can get through this difficult moment; otherwise, Sakura Empire's future would truly be uncertain."

I once again represent the Sakura Empire faction, representing all Sakura Empire commanders and all the people, thank you all.

Hehe, although we just met not long ago, this time I suddenly notice that as juniors you have already taken on responsibility and duty; it seems you've grown a lot. Akagi, looking at Zuikaku's appearance, said with a charming laugh.

Senior, don't tease us, but speaking of which, when we previously saw you, you weren't much different from us; could it be that after leaving Sakura Empire, you underwent ship conversion upon returning? Zuikaku asked.

That's right, your observation is quite keen, much stronger than your sister who only knows how to talk big. Akagi said with a pointed remark.

Zuikaku smirked; the fact that her sister and Akagi don't get along has become a textbook example, and even though they're not in the same faction now, it seems they can't forget their verbal sparring.

May I dare ask a question? In Qin Ge's commander's Gangqu, how many shipgirls like you have undergone conversion? Zhang Men looked doubtfully at Akagi.

Divine Child, there's no need to be formal; although I have already left Sakura Empire, answering these questions isn't considered core secret. However, since I've been converted, I haven't paid attention to anything, so I only know a rough estimate. Akagi said.

Currently, there are over two hundred warships in the Gangqu, and as subsequent steel resources gradually become available, this number will continue to increase. If we were to fully convert all the warships in the Gangqu, it would probably still take about half a year.

That strong? Even a mere ten-person squad is already this strong, with over two hundred warships—no wonder the Sirens don't use you as experimental targets anymore; it seems they also know the old tricks don't work on you. Zuikaku exclaimed in surprise.

Although we have become stronger now, being stronger also means new enemies have appeared. The Sirens' trial organ currently does not target us, but the arbitration organ has already set its sights on us.

They believe the world's changes are excessive, completely exceeding some procedures, so they want to arbitrate and cleanse us, and naturally these quotas also include you.

This is also the reason for the previous Siren Tide outbreak; we were able to get through the most difficult ordeal also because of Yujin's meddling, which bought us a breather.

However, now is not the time to let down our guard; the Sirens' trial organ's future actions will only grow larger, and they have now launched a full-scale offensive—not just your Sakura Empire faction, but this time the Sardinian Empire has actually sent us a request for aid.

So no matter what happens next, this is a challenge for us; I hope you can clearly understand some of the things our commander said in the previous meeting. Zhang Men said.

Zuikaku and Sakura Empire's Zhang Men exchanged a glance, both feeling waves of pressure from each other.

Understood, anyway, thank you for this support. Zuikaku said, "Then let's rest here for a few more days; we can also properly fulfill our hospitality as hosts."

Hehe, there's no need to rest for several days; I actually have a question I'd like to ask.

My commander previously proposed the idea of a public Gangqu; I don't know how the construction of Sakura Empire's public Gangqu is going? Can people live there now, are the facilities complete, and can self-supply be conducted? Akagi asked.

Sakura Empire's public Gangqu is still under construction, but it's basically finished; there's no major issue with moving in. Zuikaku said, "However, you are guests of Sakura Empire; how could we let you stay in the public Gangqu? As before, we will specially arrange some accommodations for you to reside in."

Wrong, you didn't understand my meaning. Akagi looked at Zuikaku, "After our fleet finishes repairs, we will leave Sakura Empire and return to our Gangqu."

However, Qinglong, Feilong, plus Jiu Xiong, Beifeng and the others plan to stay in Sakura Empire for a while, to have fun here properly, so in order not to disturb you, it's better to stay in the public Gangqu.

Oh, they want to stay here for a while; since that's the case, there's no need to be so troublesome—we can just arrange it directly. Zuikaku, not reacting immediately, spoke bluntly.

After the words fell, Zhang Men of Sakura Empire beside sighed and said to Akagi, "Thank you for your kindness; Sakura Empire indeed currently needs such strength, we will quickly finish building the public Gangqu."

Before that, please trouble Qinglong and Feilong and the others to temporarily wait in the reception area; once the public Gangqu is completed, I will immediately send someone to notify them to move in.

Akagi smiled and looked at Zhang Men of Sakura Empire, "Then it will be troublesome for the Divine Child; since our people here will consume some resources, for fairness' sake, if Sakura Empire encounters any similar incidents, you can notify those sightseeing here, and I believe they will not be stingy about lending a hand."

I understand. Zhang Men nodded.

She understood; perhaps this is the significance of the public Gangqu's existence. Akagi expressed all this with such extremely tactful words, so that Sakura Empire wouldn't have to be so embarrassed when accepting.

Akagi nodded, glanced at the side, at the somewhat bewildered Zuikaku, "It seems the juniors still need to keep working hard; well, now is the time to celebrate victory, so let's not talk about this anymore—we'll go tell Qinglong this news, and I'm sure she'll be very happy."

After saying that, Akagi and Zhang Men left this place, leaving only Sakura Empire's Zhang Men and a clueless Zuikaku.

Divine Child, what exactly did the senior just mean? Zuikaku looked doubtfully at Zhang Men.

From now on, Qin Ge's commander's fleet will dispatch a unit of shipgirl warships to be permanently stationed in our Sakura Empire, to prevent Sakura Empire from experiencing a situation like this again.

Although it's well-intentioned, such a thing would after all harm Sakura Empire's dignity, so Akagi merely said to leave a unit of warships behind to sightsee for a period, and specifically requested they stay in the public Gangqu.

Zhang Men paused at this point, turned his head to look at Zuikaku, "Do you understand now?"

Zuikaku felt somewhat helpless, but more so relieved, "I understand."