Azur Lane Mobile Front.

"Understood! The situation is bad, but thankfully, it's not too bad. By the way, so that giant robot was actually another Enterprise's ship equipment!"

"Let's talk about that later. Let's hurry. I feel like I'm about to catch them on the other side."

With the help of friendly forces, the attacking enemy planes were almost completely wiped out in no time.

"Enterprise, how's the situation?" With the battle nearing its end, Rob decided to tell Enterprise about the new task the Major General had given him.

"I have no problem, Commander."

"Then listen to me, our port area's army aviation squadron has gone to find the opposing fleet."

"What were they doing running over there with a group of fighter jets?" The company's focus was not on the fact that a flight squadron had gone over there, but on the fact that the squadron configuration was incorrect.

"I just asked the old man, and those bastards planned this. One of their squads went out in bombers. No, no... that's not the point. The point is, the old man wants you to bring them back. There are only so few pilots left in the port area, and the old man is heartbroken."

"Commander, I may not be able to do that."

“It’s alright, I’ll go talk to the old man. Where am I supposed to find a flight squadron for him on this vast ocean?”

“Commander Rob, this is Enterprise.” Suddenly, another Enterprise voice came through the communication device.

"enterprise?"

"What is it, Commander?" Clearly, Enterprise thought Rob was calling her.

"Ah, no, no, it's another you," Rob quickly explained. The two voices sounded exactly the same, but they weren't the same person. If both channels were played at the same time, Rob thought he would go crazy.

"Robo received, please provide instructions."

"My reconnaissance plane has located the Sakura Empire's fleet."

Give me the seat.

"Longitude xxx Latitude xx".

"Received. I'll have my company contact you in a bit." After receiving the information from the company, Rob turned around and started contacting Major General Jenkins again. "Port Command, this is Rob."

"Robb, it's me. Speak quickly." Major General Jenkins grabbed the microphone as soon as he heard Rob's voice.

"You've received the news about that company, right? Send those coordinates to the flight squadron. Instead of searching at sea, let's just intercept them at the Sakura Empire fleet."

On the Sakura Empire side.

Akagi was getting increasingly frustrated. The reinforcements from the enemy port had arrived much faster than expected, completely contradicting the reports. The enemy carriers should all have left port today, and they definitely wouldn't be able to return before she completed her airstrike. She hadn't even eliminated that swarming bug in the sky; at this distance, her aircraft were completely ineffective against it. If she really wanted to take it down, she'd probably need a full-scale, face-to-face attack.

Although the losses to aircraft carriers and planes were negligible, after two waves of air attacks, their own side was far from perfect. If it was for the sake of future plans, that flying thing on the other side had to be eliminated, but if they continued to approach the port area, enemy reinforcements had already arrived, and the outcome of the battle was completely uncertain.

"Sister, should we launch the third wave of air strikes as planned?" Seeing that Akagi had been in a daze for a while, Kaga went over and asked about the next battle plan.

"No, Kaga, inform everyone that we are retreating."

"elder sister?"

"The primary objective has been achieved; there is no need to continue."

"This is Kirishima. Enemy aircraft have been spotted in the sky," came the message from the escort ships on the outer perimeter.

"Hehehe, a bunch of ants actually came knocking on my door because they smelled me. I'll play with you ants for a while." Just when Akagi was looking for a way to vent his anger, he waved his hand, and several bright red foxfires transformed into combat aircraft, soaring straight into the sky.

In another direction, the port's flight squadron, after receiving the coordinates from the port command, was heading at full speed to the location. Meanwhile, Rob's company was also racing against time.

"System, I'm thinking, according to the settings, the Strike Gundam shouldn't have such strong atmospheric flight capabilities. It's almost breaking the sound barrier!"

[Gundam wasn't really a scientific concept to begin with, and with the added benefit of the Mind Cube, please don't get too hung up on the lore.]

The port area flight squadron was finally cornered by the company, leaving the pilots speechless with frustration. They'd flown ahead for so long, only to be overtaken from behind. Had command unearthed some alien ruins somewhere?

"Miss Enterprise who can fly, you weren't sent by the Major General to capture us and take us back, were you?"

"My orders to the commander were to locate the enemy fleet and launch an attack when the opportunity arose. They didn't mention you."

"Miss Enterprise, we'll draw the enemy's attention for you. Please make sure you deliver a powerful blow!"

"My commander asked me to forward this to you. He said, 'One counterattack isn't enough; we need to do something big! Survive, and try to fight our way to the enemy's homeland!'"

The squadron leader pondered for a moment, then said, "Miss Enterprise who can fly, you and your commander are right, we'll listen to you."

"Follow me and wait for my orders." Enterprise didn't mince words and took the lead, flying her squadron towards the Sakura Empire's fleet.

"Bumblebee, this is Enterprise. We have received the port squadron and are en route to our target location." Enterprise thought for a moment, realizing that communicating with itself was a bit too much, so it contacted Bumblebee instead.

"Enterprise?" Bumblebee glanced at Enterprise beside him, thinking, "I'm right here, why would I use communications?" He immediately realized it was another Enterprise. "Oh, it's the flying Enterprise. What's up?"

The company took a deep breath, deciding not to dwell on why Bumblebee had started referring to itself that way: "How long until your attack crew arrives?"

"There are about twenty more minutes."

"Then you will initiate the first round of attacks, and I will handle the second round. As for the port area flight squadron, I will let them choose the timing to launch their attack at the end."

"Huh? Shouldn't we and the flight squadron be providing cover for you to launch the most crucial attack?"

"This is the best option for the port area flight squadron to survive."

Chapter Twelve: Clash

"This is Bumblebee. My attack crew and Enterprise's team have reached the designated position."

"This is the company, and my flight squadron and I have reached our designated location."

"Got it! Then, according to the plan, Enterprise Sister and I will go first!"

A large group of fighter jets tore through the clouds and launched a surprise attack on the Sakura Empire fleet, which was preparing to retreat. There's no reason not to retaliate after being punched; the fighter jets, spitting fire, unleashed bombs and torpedoes in a furious charge towards the Sakura Empire fleet.

"They're nothing but ants! Sakura Empire Fleet, counterattack!" Akagi launched the first counterattack, scattering a large number of paper cutouts with her hand. These were then ignited by red foxfire and transformed into fighter jets, which flew into the sky and engaged in a fierce battle with Enterprise Hornet's carrier-based aircraft.

Kaga followed closely behind, summoning blue and white planes one after another, which she coordinated with Akagi to engage the enemy aircraft.

Enterprise and Hornet controlled their fighters to break free from the First Carrier Division's pursuit, regained altitude, reorganized their formation, and prepared to launch a second dive.

The Second and Fifth Carrier Divisions also launched their fighters to join the encirclement of Enterprise and Hornet's carrier-based aircraft. Enterprise and Hornet worked diligently to control every single aircraft, trying to draw all the attention of the Sakura Empire fleet to themselves. Although the most crucial wave of attack was planned to be carried out by the port air squadrons, there was no rule stating that other attack waves couldn't be effective.

Despite it being a battle between two aircraft carriers and six, the Enterprise Hornet managed to keep the fight even for a time thanks to its efforts.

Sakura Empire's six aircraft carriers gradually focused all their attention on the incoming carrier-based aircraft, and Enterprise, which had been lying in ambush in the clouds for a while, finally got its chance.

Switching to its gun mount mode, Enterprise lost the flight propulsion from its aerial combat backpack, and under the influence of gravity, its altitude dropped rapidly. Even with the absurdity of a ship's structure, the surrounding airflow made it difficult to open its eyes, but Enterprise still managed to aim at Akagi, who was positioned within the Sakura Empire fleet. She only had one chance; Enterprise held her breath.

Whether it was fate or some ships possessing a special quality, just as Enterprise was about to pull the trigger, the Sakura Empire carrier group shifted its formation, and Shoukaku appeared in Akagi's previous position. A blazing red and white beam tore through the clouds, its target aimed directly at Shoukaku.

At that moment, the world seemed to be paused. Faced with the sudden attack, Shoukaku was like a helpless little girl, at a loss.

The powerful fire of the Flame God Cannon severely damaged the Shoukaku, and the explosion of its ship equipment caused a shockwave that created a giant wave, disrupting the formation of the Sakura Empire fleet.

As the smoke cleared, Shoukaku lay wounded and pale, clutching his abdomen. His magnificent Sakura Empire-style uniform barely covered his body. The ship's rigging beside him billowed smoke and was nearly broken.

"So the beam weapon's attenuation is indeed too severe at this distance?" Clearly, in the company's calculations, this shot should have been enough to sink the enemy.

"Shokaku-nee! Damn it, there's an ambush from the sky!" Zuikaku wanted to rush over to check on Shoukaku's injuries, but she wasn't sure if there would be a second wave of attacks. She summoned another group of fighter jets to search for the hidden enemies in the direction the attacks came from.

The massive damage to Shokaku instantly disrupted Sakura Empire's formation. Enterprise and Hornet's carrier-based aircraft seized this unique opportunity to break through the defenses formed by Sakura Empire's carrier-based aircraft and drop bombs.

The advantage turned into a disadvantage in an instant. In order to avoid aerial bombs, the Sakura Empire's formation was completely thrown into chaos.

"Damn it! What are the outer fleets doing? How did they manage to get this close?" Akagi roughly guessed who launched the attack, but because Enterprise had been constantly landing and switching forms during the battle, she didn't think it had the capability for long-distance raids. Therefore, the only possibility was that the outer fleet's defenses had been breached.

"Grey Phantom!" Zuikaku finally spotted the hidden enemy, but when she saw what it looked like, she cried out in alarm, as if she had seen an alien.

At this moment, the entire Sakura Empire fleet was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Are you kidding me?! That was just a Grey Ghost attack? Forget aircraft carriers, that's not even a warship. Can your ships fly that high?

"It's not the Grey Ghost we know, it's the one that flew around Pearl Harbor! But I'm absolutely certain of that face, it's definitely the Grey Ghost!"

"Stop talking, she's here!" Akagi controlled a group of carrier-based aircraft in an attempt to block the Enterprise's surprise attack.

Enterprise had now descended to within sight. She switched into her combat suit, adjusted her posture, and swooped down directly towards the already incapacitated Shoukaku. Her beam rifle fired continuously, shooting down the carrier-based aircraft that tried to block her.

Zuikaku leaped into the air, slashing at Enterprise with his katana. Enterprise pulled up his shield with his left hand to block, the katana scraping against the shield, creating dazzling sparks and a piercing sound.

Jumping is no match for flying. After one contact, Zuikaku plummeted towards the sea. Enterprise, of course, wouldn't let this opportunity pass, firing three shots with its rifle. Zuikaku immediately demonstrated what it meant to "cut bullets with a sword," deflecting all of Enterprise's attacks with just its katana.

However, Ruihe was not as calm as she seemed. The force of the corporate attack far exceeded her expectations, and the method of defense she had just used could no longer be used.

The attack from several directions prevented the company from pursuing them.

"Her attacks are unstoppable! We can't withstand them!" Zuikaku hurriedly told his companions about his impressions of the recent battle. "That rifle doesn't look like much, but its power is terrifying."

"Then we'll prevent her from firing a shot!" Hiryu and Soryu drew their swords and engaged Enterprise in battle. Enterprise's weakness was now glaringly obvious: she couldn't use melee weapons. Even equipped with a beam saber and sword-mounted backpack, she hadn't used them since the start of the war. Conversely, among the Sakura Empire's forces, the Second Carrier Division was a skilled swordsman, and Zuikaku was a master swordsman. With Zuikaku joining the fray, Enterprise found herself overwhelmed and unable to mount a proper defense.

"Grey Ghost, I don't know what's wrong with you, but you don't seem to be good at close combat! Well then, I'll take this victory!"

Enterprise, relying on the high mobility of her aerial combat backpack, forcibly pulled up and escaped the encirclement of the Azure Dragon sisters. However, Zuikaku seemed to have anticipated Enterprise's movements, leaping up early and slashing down with her sword. Enterprise looked more like she was delivering herself to Zuikaku's blade. Enterprise raised her shield to defend, but was forcibly pushed back to the surface by Zuikaku. Meanwhile, the two from the Second Carrier Division seized the opportunity to close in, one on the left and one on the right, striking Enterprise, whose center was wide open, like venomous snakes spitting their tongues, aiming straight for her vitals. Even more critically, Akagi and Kaga temporarily abandoned their dogfight with the carrier-based aircraft, and a large number of Shikigami carrier-based aircraft surrounded Enterprise's rear, completely sealing off her retreat.

At the critical moment of life and death, the company seemed to enter a strange state. The world seemed to be slowed down in its eyes.

Enterprise deftly deflected Zuikaku with her left hand, then advanced instead of retreating in the face of the Second Carrier Division's attack. She kicked Hiryu away, then snatched him into Soryu's arms and, with a shoulder tackle reminiscent of an American football run, sent Soryu reeling. She then used her jetpack for added power, propelling Soryu forward and demonstrating her incredible strength to the Sakura Empire crew.

Chapter Thirteen: The Crimson Central Axis

Akagi and Kaga failed to find Enterprise's weakness as expected. Instead, because their attention was diverted elsewhere, Enterprise and Hornet's carrier-based aircraft seized an opening. Bombers and torpedo bombers dropped their bombs simultaneously, instantly surrounding the two.

The two fighters from the First Carrier Division were forced to focus their attention back on their own mission. While launching their carrier-based aircraft, they maneuvered and dodged the incoming bombs overhead.

"Hehehe, you seized the opportunity well, but what can you do with so few carrier-based aircraft left?"

As it turns out, torpedoes are practically useless against ships without some kind of magic. In an environment where ships are constantly jumping to avoid torpedoes, hitting them is extremely difficult.

The port area flight squadron, which had been circling in the clouds for quite some time, finally got this opportunity.

Ships can jump and float, but under normal circumstances, they cannot fly. Once they leap into the air, they are virtually unable to perform any maneuvers for a short period of time.

From a blind spot behind Akagi, the flight squadron roared out of the clouds, facing the instigators of the air raid on the port. Their brothers and friends had just died in the attack. As humans, they had almost no chance of revenge, but the ships in the port had given them a chance, a chance that might be their only chance in their lives.

"You Sakura Empire bastards, taste my 500-pound aerial bomb!"

Just moments before, Akagi was gloating over the ineffectiveness of her opponent's attacks when she was drawn back by a sharp whistling sound. The fox was completely dumbfounded. They'd been fighting for half a day, and they were still hiding something? Were all White Eagles this filthy? By the time she realized what was happening, bombs were practically swarming her in the face.

Akagi was hit directly by an aerial bomb and thrown back into the sea, landing face-first.

"Pfft! Cough cough cough!" Even though he was seriously injured, Shoukaku still couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Akagi stood up from the sea with her head down. Her clothes, soaked by the seawater, were dried by the foxfire in the blink of an eye. Steam rose from her head, her face was gloomy, and the surrounding sea level seemed to have dropped slightly.

Kaga first sent out a group of carrier-based aircraft to pursue the air squadron that had just attacked, then turned to look at Akagi. "Hmm... my sister is quite angry." She pursed her lips, then decided to avoid provoking the situation for the time being, and leisurely headed towards the Second Carrier Division, which was engaged in battle with Enterprise.

Enterprise, who was constantly observing the battlefield, didn't show much expression on her face, but her shrugging shoulders betrayed her. Bumblebee next to her didn't care about being reserved at all. "Pfft, hahahaha, the way Akagi looked just now, oh dear, carrier-based aircraft can't bring cameras, otherwise we could have taken a picture of that scene and sent it to Akagi before we go to war. That scene would be really interesting."

Human weapons are unlikely to cause much damage to ships. Even with the same type of weapon, the effect of using them on ships and humans is completely different.

Akagi was hit in the face by a bomb fired by the squadron leader, resulting in only minor burns to her head and ears. However, the psychological trauma was immeasurable. At this moment, her pupils were lifeless, the fur on her ears and tail stood on end, and two sharp canine teeth were even visible at the corners of her mouth.

"Die, you bug!"

Akagi unleashed all remaining carrier-based aircraft, determined to annihilate the entire air squadron. At this moment, the enemy ships' carrier-based aircraft were unimportant, nor were the inexplicably flying gray ghosts; what mattered was killing those few bugs from before.

Seeing this, the remaining members of Sakura Empire unconsciously moved further away.

The Enterprise's Hornet, on the other hand, mobilized its remaining carrier-based aircraft to intercept Akagi with all its might. After all, if they didn't stop her, as long as the air squadron had one fighter left, Akagi could chase them all the way to the port.

However, Akagi only had her sights set on the air squadron at that moment, completely ignoring Enterprise and Hornet's carrier-based aircraft. All the carrier-based aircraft were only focused on chasing down those few "bugs" that she loathed. Seeing that Hornet and the others' carrier-based aircraft could not stop Akagi, Enterprise also seized the opportunity to break away from the battle, flew into the air, and joined the battle to intercept Akagi's carrier-based aircraft.

"Um... I have a feeling that if I make a move now, Akagi-senpai will be angry, right?" Zuikaku sheathed his katana, scratched his head, and looked at the battlefield in the sky.

Kaga glanced at Zuikaku without saying a word, thinking to herself that when her sister got back, she would probably give the Fifth Carrier Division a hard time.

"Captain, the lady on the other side doesn't seem to want to let us go."

"Perfect timing, I didn't want to let her go either. If we hadn't run out of bombs, I would have gone back and dropped another round!"

"No, Captain, what we mean is, you might have to go back and take a beating from the Major General for me. After all, the original plan was for us to cover your retreat! Covering the retreat is still covering, right?"

"Wait, you bastards, what are you trying to do?"

The air squadron that was withdrawing from the battlefield suddenly separated most of its aircraft, turned around, and turned back to engage Akagi's carrier-based aircraft.

"Finally caught the bug!"

Akagi finally succeeded in catching up with the squadron's tail, and the fighting on both sides became even more reckless. Whenever Enterprise attempted to shoot down a carrier-based aircraft attacking the squadron, carrier-based aircraft on the perimeter would directly jump in to block the shot, creating opportunities for the attacking aircraft. On the other side, Enterprise and Hornet's few remaining carrier-based aircraft, in a fit of rage, even rammed directly into enemy aircraft, all with the goal of hindering Akagi's attack, regardless of the cost.

"Grey Ghosts, you're really going backwards as you get older, risking your lives for mere ants!"

"There are some things you wouldn't understand." While shooting down enemy planes, the company used its shield to protect the squadron from machine gun fire.

"That's why I can't stand you hypocrites from Azur Lane."

"So you've started another war?"

"That's right, all of this comes from the decree of a million gods. From this day forward, Sakura Empire will join the Crimson Axis, and you hypocrites will be crushed by our own hands. The future belongs only to the strong."

After shooting down several of the squadron's aircraft, Akagi seemed to calm down a bit. If she had recklessly lost all her carrier-based aircraft, and the enemy had reinforcements, things could have been very difficult. It was enough to have salvaged some face.