Azur Lane Mobile Front.

"Eh? That's such a pity~ Hmm... There's a saying in the Eastern Empire, what's it again? Oh right, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, let me experience the Sakura Empire's martial arts demonstration too!"

Noshiro was taken aback by Eugen's request; this was not in the previous plan.

"Uh...this..."

For a moment, Noshiro was at a loss; she really didn't know how to handle the situation.

Seeing the somewhat flustered JK girl in front of him, Prince Eugen was overjoyed.

That's it, that's the taste! Sure enough, it's more fun to tease someone so earnest!

"Please, consider this a personal request, okay?"

Prince Eugen clasped his hands together, staring at Noshiro with a playful expression, his smile almost uncontrollable.

It's actually quite fun to tease this little girl.

"Well... alright! Since you insist, I certainly won't disappoint you."

As she spoke, Noshiro drew the katana that was almost as tall as her.

After the congratulatory remarks, Noshiro made a point of bowing to the two Ironblood ships.

I've made a fool of myself!

...

After a brief exchange of blows, Noda retreated a certain distance.

"That was a brilliant tactic; I admit defeat."

Anyway, when it comes to martial arts drills, everyone just goes through the motions; nobody actually does anything real.

After accompanying Eugen through two rounds, Noshiro felt that this somewhat unpredictable heavy cruiser should be satisfied.

However, Prince Eugen did not stop.

"What's wrong? Is this all the new cruiser the Sakura Empire is capable of? So when you said you were making a fool of yourself, you weren't just being modest?"

As he spoke, Prince Eugen wore a mocking expression. It must be said, the effect was quite good.

At least by now, Dai has already gotten a little angry.

"She's a guest, you can't get angry, you can't get angry..."

Forcibly calming his anger, Nodo stepped aside and invited Prince Eugen and his companion to the island.

"As for tactics, we don't need anything so complicated to deal with you. Insufficient strength means death. Don't you Sakura Empire ships understand such a simple principle?"

However, Prince Eugen clearly had no intention of letting Noshiro off the hook. Although he stopped attacking with his hands, he didn't stop talking at all.

"The martial arts demonstrations held by the Sakura Empire will not escalate into actual combat. Please understand."

Recalling the rumors he had heard before, Ironblood was not good at joking. He wondered if the Ironblood heavy cruiser in front of him was taking the exercise seriously.

"Heh~ Alright then. I didn't expect our Ironblood ally, the Sakura Empire's newest cruiser, to be only this good. Truly disappointing~"

Upon hearing Prince Eugen's words, Noshiro once again stood in front of him.

The katana in her hand was pointed directly at the other party; her words had finally ignited Noshiro's anger.

"Prince Eugen, don't go too far!"

Enraged, Nodo Ren even forgot her honorifics and decided to teach the other party a lesson.

"Hehe~ What, finally getting serious? That's more like it~ That's the expression I'm going to make~"

Before Prince Eugen could finish speaking, Noshiro immediately rushed forward.

This time, her blade was imbued with killing intent.

...

The deafening roar of naval guns echoed in the waters near Tianyan Island, and Akagi, who had just landed on the island, immediately noticed it.

"Sister, should I go and take a look?"

Akagi noticed it, and Kaga, standing nearby, naturally wouldn't be left behind.

"No, I'll go myself."

After a moment's thought, and considering the specific arrival time given by Ironblood, Akagi quickly figured out what was going on.

It seems Prince Eugen is still the same as ever.

Just as Noshiro's katana was about to strike Prince Eugen, Akagi's voice came from behind her.

"That's enough, Noshiro! Step down!"

Noshiro was startled and quickly stopped her attack.

In other words, the ship's physical condition is excellent; if it were someone else, they would have at least strained their back.

"Lord Akagi? Yes! I understand!"

Although it was a ship serving Shinano, Akagi still had to be given face.

Noshiro didn't ask any questions and simply retreated behind Akagi.

"What's wrong, Eugen? You've made such a fuss as soon as you arrive. Do you think I didn't come to greet you in person?"

"Oh dear, how could this happen? I just wanted to experience the Sakura Empire's martial arts demonstration, but I almost got myself killed."

Eugen's murderous expression vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Akagi did not expose Eugen's words.

If I had arrived even a little later, the ship would probably be in the dock for major repairs right now.

With a wave of his hand signaling Noshiro to step back, Akagi personally guided Prince Eugen to the summit of Ten'yan Island.

"What, it's much later than scheduled? Did you have fun on the way?"

Along the way, the two, each with their own ulterior motives, chatted and laughed like close old friends.

"Oh dear, the barrier here is so complicated, I'm just lost, right?"

A cold laugh escaped her lips as Akagi thought to herself, "I knew it. Those Ironblood shipmen must have gone to investigate Sakura Empire's arrangements here."

"Hehe, you're joking. If you need anything, just say so. We're all allies working together. Sakura Empire will do its best to accommodate your needs."

"Oh, you said it yourself."

Eugen stared at Akagi for a long time with an unfathomable look on his face, as if he was brewing something.

"Then I'll be frank, I'm starving to death!"

Just moments ago, Prince Eugen was looking every bit the serious diplomat, but in the blink of an eye, he's transformed into someone who's practically rolling on the ground in despair.

This change really startled Akagi.

Your expressions just now created that atmosphere, and you're telling me that's all?

Akagi took several deep breaths.

"I understand. Come with me! I've prepared a sumptuous feast especially for you!"

After saying that, Akagi flicked her sleeves, ignoring Eugen, and walked forward on her own.

Chapter 162: Akagi: Observer, you actually tricked me?

As time went by, it was already sunset.

Tables of rare and exotic delicacies were laid out in succession, making one's mouth water.

However, none of the ships present dared to touch these delicacies.

Except for Prince Eugen.

The reason, of course, is Akagi in the center of the field and Mikasa and her group opposite her.

"Oh my, isn't this my dear senior?"

Before Mikasa and Akagi's confrontation even began, Shoukaku couldn't resist stepping forward to give Akagi a proper "greeting."

"Yes, it really is, it's been a long time, haha."

Akagi's expression was uncertain; the appearance of the Shoukaku sisters did indeed make her feel somewhat guilty.

After all, the victim himself has come to us, and if we don't handle it properly, there could be serious problems.

"Akagi, I heard that while I was away, the Sakura Empire started researching Siren technology and even went to war with their former allies?"

Although the two sides have clashed several times, those were all in private.

However, now, at the Ame-no-Kakei Festival, the most important festival ceremony in Sakura Empire, Mikasa's words in front of so many people indicate that she is indeed ready to break off all pretense of civility.

"Oh? Senior, then what about your alliance with Lord Nagato's newly formed Sakura Empire?"

Faced with Mikasa's aggressive approach, Akagi chose to respond head-on.

"Oh, it's just a mutual aid club, don't worry about it."

Seeing that Mikasa and Akagi still wanted to say something, Ryuhou, as the host of the festival, had no choice but to muster up his courage and step forward.

"My lords, the ceremony is about to begin. Please take your seats."

"Oh dear, you've worked so hard preparing for the festival."

"Hehe, what a reliable junior."

Without prior arrangement, both sides, who had just been at loggerheads, simultaneously chose to call it quits and instead showered Long Feng with praise, leaving Long Feng completely bewildered.

Back in his seat, Zuikaku was clearly a little upset about what had just happened.

"Big Senbei, why didn't you just attack? I was confident I could handle that distance!"

"Don't rush. The opponent hasn't shown any weakness yet. Making a rash move would be counterproductive."

Mikasa calmly held her wine glass, glancing at Zuikaku out of the corner of her eye before ignoring her.

Then, she raised her glass and gestured to Prince Eugen, who was not far away.

After drinking heavily for a while, Prince Eugen's face was flushed and he kept burping. It seemed that even sake could turn him into a drunkard if he drank too much.

...

It was midnight.

Midnight marks the most crucial moment of the Tenyu Kaihu Festival.

The members of Sakura Empire all got up and headed to the festival ceremony hall.

As the son of a god, Nagato naturally took the lead.

In the magnificent ceremonial hall, there is an unremarkable sea-blue stone.

The stone, bound by knots, emitted a faint glow under the moonlight.

This is the Sea God Stone that the Cherry Blossom Empire has worshipped for generations.

Nagato stepped forward, closed his eyes devoutly before the Sea God Stone, and began to pray.

The Sakura Empire's ships also rose to sing congratulatory eulogies, and the ceremony hall was instantly enveloped in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

As the chanting ended, the ceremony entered its final stage.

Nagato reached out to touch the sacred stone.

However, the divine stone, which usually emits light, did not react at this moment.

"What's going on..."

This unexpected situation caused a stir among the Sakura Empire ships in the audience.

Seeing this, Akagi's face showed an expression of a successful plan.

She walked slowly forward, her phoenix eyes scanning between Nagato and Shinseki.

"It seems that the Divine Child is somewhat tired from her long journey. How about having the prospective priestess preside over this ceremony?"

Nagato's eyes were fixed on Akagi.

There was no doubt that Akagi had tampered with the ritual. He hadn't been able to sense the divine stone at all just now.

Nagato certainly didn't want to give up her position, but the ceremony had to continue.

At Mikasa's prompting, Nagato obediently stepped down from the altar.