Revisit Azur Lane

Kursk spotted Zhou He, who was watching, in less than a minute. Despite the two-hour journey, Zhou He remained calm and composed, his voice as steady as ever.

"Can we use a seaplane for reconnaissance if we sail another five nautical miles or so? Be careful."

After a moment's thought, Zhou He gave the instructions: simply lighting up the map sections was not enough; he should explore some fogged areas appropriately, and then he could use the system map to locate enemies as he approached.

"can."

Kursk's answer was simple: while adjusting the ship's equipment, two seaplanes appeared on the very small runway. After instinctively calculating and running five nautical miles, the two seaplanes were launched and explored somewhat stiffly at an altitude of 600 meters above the horizon.

The results of her diligent reconnaissance were directly displayed on Zhou He's map. The new map, shrouded in mist, had two thick straight lines extending outwards. While slightly less efficient than Zuikaku's reconnaissance aircraft, it was still faster than the ship girls traversing the map at sea.

After running for about ten nautical miles, the seaplane on the right suddenly stopped, while the one on the left began to turn right. Zhou He quickly got the answer: "The seaplane on the right was spotted and shot down by the Sirens."

"commander."

In the video, Kursk frowned and looked at Zhou He with a slightly serious expression: "Further to the northwest, a seaplane discovered an island, and the fighter jet that shot down the reconnaissance plane was flying from there."

"A Siren aircraft carrier?"

Zhou He's eyes widened slightly. There was a Siren aircraft carrier just a hundred miles away from the port? The previous battle hadn't attracted the attention of this fleet.

"It's unclear, but at least one light aircraft carrier exists."

Kursk skillfully turned and retreated, sacrificing the seaplane on its left to draw the Sirens' carrier-based aircraft.

"I've got it. Do you need Zuikaku's support?"

Zhou He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, looking at the fog on the map—his map included areas that his own ship girls or reconnaissance planes 'passed by,' not areas observed by the reconnaissance planes. He couldn't see the island Kursk mentioned, nor could he see whether the pursuing Siren fleet was coming.

Although it has the effect of illuminating an area once and then making it observable, before the reconnaissance is fully completed, this map can only provide the basic effect of 'this area has Sirens'.

"It's alright, those sirens won't be able to find my location."

Kursk remained calm, showing no concern for the Sirens' aircraft carrier. However, Zhou He did not share this view. After briefly explaining the situation, he cut off the video and relayed instructions to Ruihe, ordering her to send a squadron of fighter jets to circle over the waters west of the port area. If the Sirens' aircraft were spotted, she was to help interfere with them and guide them away.

……

"Intercepting carrier-based aircraft? So the Sirens also have an aircraft carrier nearby?"

Zuikaku and his group were now very close to the port area. After receiving Zhou He's instructions, Zuikaku waved goodbye to Tosa and the others, saying, "You guys go back first, I still have some work to do here."

"do you need my help?"

Yuudachi ran quickly and caught up with Zuikaku, asking loudly, "It's just an interception and guidance operation, there won't be any fighting. You can go back now."

"Oh!"

Yuudachi was quite obedient. She circled around Tosa and Hood on the sea and returned to their vicinity, lively circling them – her unique way of keeping watch.

"What a cute little guy."

Hood smiled slightly. She liked energetic children; they were full of vitality, and walking around with them made her feel younger.

Ah... no, she's still very young now. As a ship girl, she doesn't share the same age as 'Hood'.

Tosa, who was a hundred meters away from Hood, did not speak. This Hood was different from all the ship girls in the port so far. Her smile, which seemed to be hiding something, made her feel very uncomfortable.

"..."

Tosa thought of Zhou He. She found it hard to evaluate Zhou He. His abilities were only average, but he seemed to exude a kind of magic. Just being by his side made her feel very at ease, and she didn't dislike him.

If that doesn't work, I'll lend a hand.

Although I don't want to get involved with Hu De, I won't just let Zhou He be taken advantage of alone.

Before long, the three-person team arrived at the bay in front of the command post. The ship girls all had excellent eyesight, and Yuudachi spotted Zhou He coming out from a distance. She wagged her tail and rushed to the front.

"Commander, we're back!"

Yuudachi hopped ashore, her shoes soaked and leaving dark footprints on the sand, before she immediately threw herself into Zhou He's arms.

"Welcome back, you've worked hard."

Zhou He didn't really understand why Xi Li was so dependent on him, but the experience wasn't bad. He smiled and ruffled Xi Li's hair with his palm, gently touching her ear and smelling the gunpowder scent on her.

Hud and Tosa, who were left behind, also arrived at the shore one after another. The shabby port area, which could be seen at a glance, left a deep impression on Hud. In the end, he focused his attention on the young commander Zhou He and walked straight over.

Zhou He also noticed Hood's movements. He gently patted Yuudachi's shoulder to make her step back, then walked up to Hood with a slight smile: "Hello, Ms. Hood, I am Zhou He, the commander stationed here."

"Hello."

Hu De shook hands with Zhou He and then parted, his warm smile making people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze: "I'm new here, so I hope the commander will take good care of me in the future."

"It's all I should do, this way please."

Zhou He hadn't sensed anything yet, so he naturally invited Hu De to move closer to the command post, explaining the situation to Hu De along the way.

Hu De didn't have any particular opinion on the port's current state of just starting out. As long as it takes steady steps, even the smallest port can have a bright future. More than that, she was curious about Zhou He himself, and used the Sirens' rampage as a starting point to ask Zhou He about his plans and thoughts.

The two chatted in front, while Tosa and Yuudachi trailed behind. Watching the two exchange flattery, Tosa couldn't help but yawn. She had underestimated Zhou He; he could actually pretend to be so polite, though it was all so clumsy.

"Lunch will be postponed today."

As Tosa and Yuudachi were talking, the latter immediately perked up her ears. After two fights, her stomach was already rumbling, so she jogged into the command center's kitchen and bumped right into Hermione, who was bringing out tea.

"Oh, welcome back~ There are some snacks over there, have some to tide you over."

Seeing Yuudachi in a hurry, Hermione remembered Zhou He's instructions. She guided Yuudachi to the table to eat some snacks, then poured a cup of tea and gently comforted her, "Wait a moment, I'll start cooking soon."

"Yes~"

Upon hearing this, Yuudachi relaxed and began happily munching on snacks while swaying back and forth in her chair.

After settling Yuudachi in, Hermione carried her teacup toward the reception room, while Tosa leaned against the door. Seeing Hermione approach, Tosa tilted her head slightly toward the room and asked, "Did you teach him?"

"No, that's the result of the commander's own efforts."

Hermione glanced at Zhou He, who seemed to be having some difficulty communicating with Hood, and then went inside with her teacup.

Tosa narrowed his eyes. Zhou He clearly knew Hu De's personality, but he didn't know how to deal with it, just like her. He understood her, but he didn't fully understand her.

"This guy, did he only look at the surface analysis of the data? Or is the world's research on us only superficial?"

Leaning against the wall, Tosa idly pondered.

Chapter Twenty-Eight focuses on conversation (revised).

In the meeting room, Zhou He and Hu De, who had just met, discussed the current situation and prospects of the Hong Kong area.

In reality, the topic was not complicated. Hu De quickly understood the situation, but one thing puzzled her: Zhou He talked only about the current situation in Hong Kong, without mentioning anything about himself or the situation outside Hong Kong.

It's impolite to pry into the lives of people you've just met, but she was no longer the respected leader of the royal family. She didn't know much about investigative methods beyond her own questions, so she picked up the black tea Hermione had brought her, took a sip, pondered for a moment, and then put the cup down: "So, are we now completely cut off from the outside world?"

"um, yes."

Zhou He and Hu De sat on opposite sides of the same table, avoiding eye contact. When asked a question, Zhou He gave a very affirmative answer. The reason for this was because of Rui He's statement after his reconnaissance a few days ago and the Siren aircraft carrier fleet that Kursk had just encountered.

After conducting reconnaissance, Zuikaku reported that the port area was surrounded by a large number of Sirens, and with the addition of the Sirens' carrier fleet, it was certain that he was far away from the human forces—if there really were human and ship girl forces.

But that answer alone was not enough. Zhou He glanced at Hermione, then at Tosa leaning against the door of the reception room for some reason. He raised his hand and rubbed his throbbing temples. "You might find it unbelievable, but I am not actually a commander from a regular army background, or even a soldier."

"!"

When he spoke, Hermione and Hood didn't react, but Tosa outside turned his face to the side, his usually drooping furry fox ears thus entering the doorway.

After a slight pause, Zhou He said, "Before coming to this port, I was just an ordinary person. Just a week ago, I was suddenly thrown here and inexplicably guided to become a commander. Subsequently, Yuudachi came here as the initial ship."

"At the same time, I also received some of the privileges that I should have as the manager of this port area, which you should have experienced as well."

Zhou He's gaze couldn't reach everyone present; he could only glance briefly at Tosa at the door before closing his eyes and waiting for a reply.

He had considered making excuses and fabricating reasons, but no matter what he said, it all felt far-fetched, especially since he knew nothing about the situation outside the port. Making up stories would really have to rely on his imagination. He didn't want to break out of the Sirens' encirclement only to have his own ship girls discover that he was full of lies.

"..."

"So that's how it is. The commander has suffered a lot too."

After a brief silence of about half a minute, Hu De picked up his teacup, blew on the hot tea, took a small sip, and put it down. His tone remained natural and gentle: "Commander, you don't need to worry about the change in your identity. Please remember that the reason we are gathered here is because of your decision, Mr. Zhou He. This fact will not change because of anything."

Although this development really surprised Hood, she didn't really care whether Zhou He was the real commander. As ship girls, they were not cheap things, and not just anyone could awaken them. Only those who truly trusted them in their hearts and were extremely talented could make their will leave the deep sea and return to this world of light.

Therefore, she could conclude that Zhou He had the qualifications to become their commander.

She's not some old-fashioned, rigid person; she'll make adjustments when necessary.

That being said, she still felt it was quite a pity, because this meant she couldn't use external intelligence to determine how they should proceed.

"is that so?"

After hearing what Hu De said, Zhou He felt a little relieved. He opened his eyes and glanced at the Tosa outside the door, only to find that the man was fiddling with his sword. His eyes widened instantly.

"Me too! In Hermione's opinion, the Commander is the Commander, and he won't change his mind over something as trivial as this!"

Hermione's words warmed Zhou He's heart, but Tosa's cold face as he walked in made him feel strangely cold.

Until Tosa plopped down on the chair opposite Zhou He, propped his chin on one hand, and looked at him with a 'I can't stand you' expression: "Since you knew you were afraid, why didn't you say so sooner?"

She even spent so much time imagining things with Ruihe because Zhou He was there. She felt really bad for being so serious and that she even left behind a dark history.

"It's because I'm afraid that I don't dare to say it."

Zhou He muttered to himself, but the weight in his heart had finally been lifted. After composing himself, he coughed lightly and said, "Since that's the case, I won't be coy anymore. Let bygones be bygones. Our goal now is to break through the Sirens' encirclement as soon as possible."

After concluding the matter, Zhou He decisively changed the subject: "Actually, at the same time that you, Hude and Tosa, returned to the port, the ship girls I sent out on patrol, Kursk, discovered a Siren fleet with an aircraft carrier. Zuikaku left the fleet because of this incident."

"A Siren carrier strike group?"

Upon hearing this, Hood, Hermione, and Tosa all frowned. Zhou He responded and continued, "The seaplane at Kursk was spotted and shot down by the Sirens. The exact number of the Sirens fleet is still unknown, and further investigation is needed to determine the specifics."

"..."

Hood pursed her lips. In her memories, aircraft carriers already existed and had achieved considerable success in naval warfare. However, for the port area, the more threatening thing was the large number of escort fleets of the aircraft carriers.

Compared to the massive fleet of the Royal Navy in her memory, Zhouhe Port only had a few people. It was fine to have a small skirmish with the Sirens, but if it really escalated into a large-scale battle, the disadvantage would be obvious to the naked eye.

"Now that they've come to the vicinity of our port area, they're the next ones we need to deal with."

This was no longer a simple family conversation, so Tosa changed her posture and leaned back in her chair. Her tail was actually there, and when she sat down, it would either spread out upwards or hang down to the sides behind her, like a natural cushion.

Zhou He was envious, no, he was very jealous.