Chapter 205 - 189

I know the flagship variant of a Transport Ship Wa-class can be strong and prove to be a challenge if unlucky, I wasn't expecting things to go south from the get-go. From the looks of things, that oversized snail demon is making use of the Black Mental cube in its body to heal itself and it's allies. The damn thing wouldn't die!

"Once more, Ebifrion!" (AL Natsuiro Matsuri)

The lion with an elongated body and no legs from before manifested itself once again besides Matsuri. It flew towards the repaired Heavy cruiser Ne-class elite, exploding into orange and yellow fireworks and creating holes in the Abyssal's body. Just like before, those holes closed up on its own.

Whenever the Abyssal battleship and heavy cruiser take damage, the transport ship instantly fixes them. It can even repair itself instantly if it takes damage. Until we figure out a way to take them down, this is going to be a battle of attrition. And the odds will be in the enemy's favour.

"Matsuri, we have to aim for that Transport Ship." (AL Ookami Mio)

"But the other two are pretty irritating. They keep blocking my shots." (AL Natsuiro Matsuri)

"Shogure-chan, can you set them on fire again?"

"I'll try. The Battleship Ta-class keeps blocking my shots." (Shigure-chan)

Just as they said, the other two are protecting the Wa-class. Just like how the cleric would be protected by two of the DPS characters in a RPG game. Those weird tendrils are the ones letting it heal the other two Abyssals.

"Ayame-san, see if you can cut the tendrils connecting them to one another. Fubuki-san, back her up."

"This is going to be hard." (AL Nakiri Ayame)

"On it! Go for it, Bermbew Sprawt!" (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

Fubuki launched her weird bomber planes again while Ayame made her move towards the Heavy Cruiser Ne-class.

"Zuihou and Mio-san, concentrate on bombing the Wa-class. As powerful as the black mental cube is, it shouldn't be able to heal three abyssal sh.i.p.s continuously without any limit."

At least, that's what I want to believe in. This black mental cube is way too overpowered. What were the Sirens thinking when they created this thing?

After watching their prolonged fight, I've got a plan, but I don't know if it will work. Is there time to test it out? No. I have to take a gamble. It's now or never!

"All sh.i.p.s, concentrate all attacks on the Heavy Cruiser Ne-class. Ayame-san, back off for a bit. I need you to time your attacks right."

Ayame cut one of the Heavy cruiser's arm off and put some distance between herself and the Ne-class, who is starting to regenerate it's severed arm.

"What are you planning?" (AL Nakiri Ayame)

"Do we have time to test this out?" (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

Does she understand my plan? Whatever, there's no time for such questions. Timing is of great importance here,

"It's not really a test. More of a gamble."

"Then I hope you're lucky with whatever you're planning." (AL Natsuiro Matsuri)

Zuihou and Mio launched their bombers along with Fubuki's 'Bermbew Sprawt. Matsuri's 'Ebifirion' thing took flight towards it's target, along with a couple of torpedos. Shigure-chan fired a couple of flaming gelatinous mass and launched a slavo of torpedos. All of their attacks were directed and managed to connect. The Heavy Cruiser NE-class was enveloped in flames as it the bombs and torpedos explode upon contact.

"Ayame-san, cut the tendrils now!"

"Demon Cutter Asura Rakshasa!" (AL Nakiri Ayame)

Ayame charged to the Ne-class from the side, bringing both her katanas down and slicing throught the tendrils connected to the Heavy cruiser's back. The Wa-class let out a roar, as if screaming in pain. The Heavy Cruiser Ne-class slouched over, like a toy robot without any batteries.

"Don't let up! Eliminate the Ne-class before it reconnects to the Wa-class!"

The six girls continued their assault on the Ne-class, until the Abyssal went under the surface. Only the Transport ship Wa-class and Battleship Ta-class remained. It worked! There is a small delay before the Wa-class revives and repairs it's damage dealers. It only connected to these two Abyssal sh.i.p.s because these two were the only ones still on the surface. The two Destroyer Ha-class late models and Light Carrier Nu-class flagship had already sunk by the time we discovered the Wa-class's healing abilities.

As long as the the tendrils are connected, they will continue to be repaired and be unsinkable. I wasn't sure how long will it take for the Wa-class to repair them but there is definitely a short interval before the 'dead' abyssal returns to life. I made the girls take a gamble and ordered Ayame to cut the tendrils immediately after everyone else's attacks connected with the Ne-class. After severing the connection, the Abyssal became sinkable. Now we just need to repeat the same tactic with the Battleship Ta-class.

"Did we do it?" (AL Ookami Mio)

"Mio-san, look out!" (Zuihou)

"Eh? Woa-" (AL Ookami Mio)

Zuihou grabbed Mio's dress and pulled the wolf-girl out of the Ta-class's line of fire. The shell missed it's target by a hair's breadth.

"Are you two okay?" (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

"I'm fine. Thank you, Zuihou-san." (AL Ookami Mio)

"Look sharp, girls. We are not done yet. Just repeat the same tactic we did before."

"Ah!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou suddenly let out a loud voice,

"What's wrong?"

"I'm out of planes!" (Zuihou)

Most of them were probably shot down before by the Ta-class and Wa-class.

"Zuihou, fall back. Mio-san, how much planes do you have left?"

"I'm about to run out as well." (AL Ookami Mio)

"Mine is still on cool down." (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

Those planes were Fubuki's skill? More importantly, we are severely lacking in air support and firepower like this.

"Slight change of plans. Ayame-san, I want you to bombard that pants-less highschooler with the others. Mio-san, you will be the one to sever the connection between the two."

"Eh? That's impossible for me!" (AL Ookami Mio)

"You will do fine. You're a wolf. You can do it."

"What does being a wolf have to- Ah geez! I will do it!" (AL Ookami Mio)

"All sh.i.p.s, aim at the Ta-class. Fire!"

Just like before, shells, torpedos, orange flaming blobs, an lion-shrimp thing and blue fireballs flew towards the Ta-class. There was a huge explosion as the Ta-class is being enveloped in fire and smoke. I can't really see it's condition from here but that much damage should be enough,

"Mio-san!"

"Orryaaa!!!" (AL Ookami Mio)

"Mio rushed in from the side, her wolf-like riggings opened wide and bit on the Wa-class's tendrils. As she starts ripping the tendrils to bits, the Wa-class once again screamed in pain. The Ta-class fell to its, knees, motionless.

"Finish it off!"

Another round of salvo finally pulled the Abyssal battleship into Davy Jones's Locker. Now it's the Transport ship's turn.

The Wa-class writhed in pain for a while, before regaining it's composure. It looks like its staring at the girls, desperately finding a way out. But we are not letting it escape.

"Kill it and retrieve the mental cube."

"How, though? It can keep on regenerating. Our attacks won't be enough to take it down normally." (AL Natsuiro Matsuri)

Good point. There has to be a way.

"Normally, we won't be able to do it. But we still have a secret weapon." (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

Fubuki gave a confident smile and looked at Mio and Ayame. The three girls nodded at each other, seemingly agreeing on something.

Oh right. That must be it.

"I will leave it to you three. Aim for the head."

"Heehee. That's easy." (AL Nakiri Ayame)

"I only have a few planes." (AL Ookami Mio)

"That's fine. We can use mine." (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

"Then..." (AL Ookami Mio)

"Let's do it, FAM!" (Shirakami Fubuki)

Mio launched her remaining planes into the air. Fubuki launched her own set of bombers while simultaneously throwing the familar blue fireballs at the Transport ship.The blue fireballs burst into more balls of blue flame and flew high up into the air, following the trajectory of Mio's aircraft. Ayame disappeared and reappeared on the foremost plane within the giant mass of fire and death. As the planes and fireballs nosedived towards the Wa-class, Ayame leaped off the plane,

"FAM special move, Hyakka Ryouran Hanafubuki!" (AL Shirakami Fubuki, Nakiri Ayame Ookami Mio)

Ayame drew her swords and sliced off the head of the Wa-class. The planes and fireballs rained down onto the Wa-class, shredding it to bits. I think. The previous time, they obliterated an Beast Abyssal with this move. I hope that same outcome happens this time. I really don't want anymore surprises.

"What the? It doesn't look like it hit anything. Where is all the explosions and bits that were supposed to fly out?" (AL Natsuiro Matsuri)

Oh, come on. Don't tell me-

"Kyaa! Gross!" (AL Nakiri Ayame)

Rushing out amidst the bombs, machinegun fire and fireballs was a headless Transport Wa-class with multiple holes in its torso and ball-shaped hull. It's entire figure looks extremely grotesque, no wonder the Oni freaked out.

"Ah! It's running away!" (Zuihou)

"Don't let it escape!"

Shigure-chan and Matsuri begin shooting at it. Somehow it was able to dodge their attacks despite not looking back. Damn it! We were so close!

"Incoming torpedo! Everyone, look out!" (Shigure-chan)

The distinct trail of a torpedo can be seen passing by the six girls with relative ease and hitting the Wa-class with great precision. The explosion from the torpedo caused it to slow down.

"I'm detecting an ally signal. She is underneath us." (Shigure-chan)

A submarine? Did Azur Lane send reinforcements?

More torpedo trails formed in front the six girls, making a beeline towards the Wa-class. The torpedos detonated on impact, creating larger holes in the Abyssal's hull. The Wa-class stopped moving, trying to repair the damage it just took.

At that moment, I saw it. A black cube, resting inside its hull.

"Mio-san, now it's the time. Rip the cube out of it's hull!"

"Hatotaurus!" (Ookami Mio)

"Coo!" (Hatotaurus)

The pigeon-minotaur 'stand' appeared behind Mio as she charged towards the injured Wa-class. Hatotaurus punched into its hull, and ripped out the black mental cube.

"Mio-chan, here!" (AL Nakiri Ayame)

Ayame threw a purple box at Mio, who caught it sealed the black mental cube within,

"Nice throw. Mission accomplished." (AL Ookami Mio)

"Finally!" (AL Natsuiro Matsuri)

The girls cheered as they finally achieved their goal. Despite the drawn out fight, I'm surprised they didn't received much damage.Shigure-chan and Zuihou only received light damages while the Hololive girls didn't even have a scratch on them.

"Speaking of which, who was that help us?"

"Hey, you can come out now." (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

A white frilly headband slowly surfaced, follow led by a what can only be described as a pink onion. I mean, it really looks like an onion!

"Why are facing the other way? The other two won't bite."

"Uuugghh..." (???)

An unknown voice appeared on the radio. It most likely belongs to the weird submarine girl.

"Come on. Surface entirely. It's rude to hide underwater during your introduction."

The pink onion slowly rotated, revealing an anchor insignia on the white headband and a face. The rest of her body appeared as she shyly went above the water. The girl has long link hair tied into spiral twintails. She wore a blue and white school swimsuit, with puffy sleeves and frilly skirt. I think her outfit was supposed to resemble a maid. As with Azur Lane's submarines, she was riding on some kind of boat. The words 'neeeeeee' were printed on its side.

"Thanks for the assist, Aqua-chan." (AL Shirakami Fubuki)

"D-don't mention it." (???)

"Thank you for helping us stop that Wa-class. May I know what your name?"

"U-umm..." (???)

She is a shy one, isn't she?

"I'm Minato Aqua, the Gamer Maid from Hololive~ U-Ugh... I didn't know I would have to introduce myself in this outfit! That's why I didn't want to surface!" (AL Minato Aqua)