Chapter 53

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53. Are you saying you can't understand human language...?

Whether it was due to the overwhelming shock or the sharpness of the echo, even as the buzzing sound from the Enterprise's voice gradually faded, 001 still stared in disbelief at the blonde twin-tailed girl standing on the chair, declaring her sovereignty. Her shocked expression was less about fear of the Enterprise's presence and more about seeing something completely incomprehensible, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Even the kelp strip she had been chewing fell from her mouth, losing its support, and plopped to the ground. 001 stood there with her mouth half-open, her black eyes wide, staring blankly at the Enterprise standing on the chair, her mouth watering from the kelp, but she was unaware of it, just staring at the Enterprise.

"What, what's wrong?"

Seeing 001's dazed expression, the Enterprise also spoke somewhat awkwardly.

"I know what I said was a bit too much, but I really feel that way! Why should I share my lover with others? That's completely wrong, isn't it?"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

001 wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth, as if with a headache.

"I don't intend to comment on your views on love and life, but before that, you are the admiral's ship girl, right? As a subordinate, you have the duty to obey orders, right? Why do you do so many things that go against orders? I can't understand that at all."

"Eh? Why do you say that?"

The Enterprise tilted her head in confusion: "Of course, it's for human rights and freedom. If a person can't even decide their own feelings, what kind of person are they?"

"That's why unity and mutual assistance are important. Individual heroism is not good; this isn't some American Western movie. Heroism doesn't work in reality. Can you at least consider the bigger picture?"

"I do consider it. My combat missions are always done beautifully, aren't they?"

"Your individual beauty is useless; you are a team!"

"From my perspective, having too many people can be a hindrance. We are all prototype ships; forcing us together only reduces our combat effectiveness, doesn't it?"

"But the sea we are in now is not an ordinary sea. It's not the East, West, South, or North Sea, not the Central Sea, and not some small sea. We are in the New World. Without unity, do you think we can last long?"

001 picked up the kelp from the ground and put it back in her mouth, speaking discontentedly.

"Logistics team, combat team, surveillance team—do you think we divide like this for no reason? Isn't it to work together and be more united?"

"Eh? I thought it was to categorize in detail."

"You American ships really can't understand human language, can you?!"

"Alright, 001."

The Haihu, with a gloomy face, slammed open the door and entered the basement room with a stern expression. She picked up a paper cup from the corner, drank it in one gulp, and then glanced at the Enterprise with a look of disdain.

"Different birthplaces, different cultural concepts—if we could really get along, that would be the problem. Don't think too much; just support the admiral quietly."

"That blonde twin-tailed American mutt can bark all she wants. The key is that we can't have problems within our ranks. That damned scum, though a deep-sea, is still indispensable to us. I made a copy of the data and coordinates she left behind, and I found some issues."

"Who are you calling a mutt! You dogshit woman!"

"Whoever is still shouting over there is the mutt. But this small matter doesn't matter. 001, analyze these documents. Then input the other things into the communication system."

The Haihu handed a thick stack of papers to 001.

"Eh? What is this? Let me see... The Northern Mixed Fleet of the New Zealand Base, the Yamato-class sister ships, and the Northern Mixed Assault Team's communication coordinates? So the deep-sea has even prepared a backup plan?"

001 flipped through the papers and let out a low exclamation.

"Ah? So they weren't lying at all?"

"Only you thought they were lying."

The two black-haired, black-eyed ship girls glanced at the Enterprise with a look of disdain. They then put aside the trivial matters and began inputting various data into the panel. But they soon encountered another obstacle.

"This is a bit strange." 001 raised an eyebrow at a particularly unusual piece of paper and waved it at the Haihu and the Enterprise.

"This records a vague route and position coordinates. I don't dare input it randomly; you judge."

"Let me see, let me see."

The Enterprise took the paper and glanced at the final coordinates, letting out a surprised "Hmm?"

"Hmm? That's strange."

"What's wrong? Do you know what this means?"

Seeing the Enterprise's unusual expression, 001 quickly asked.

"No, it's not just me; it should be something all American Combined Fleet ship girls know." The Enterprise's expression became serious as she looked at the data.

"But it's impossible. That place should have already disappeared during the Great War. Even Guam has changed so much; that place couldn't have survived either. In fact, that place might have been destroyed first. And this route is a bit strange too; why go around in circles..."

"So what does this mean? We all know this is a vague route, but where does it lead?" The Haihu said impatiently, earning a surprised look from the Enterprise.

"You should know too. In fact, as ship girls, no one should be unaware of this."

The Enterprise waved the paper, looking confused.

"This marks the coordinates of the Hawaiian Islands, the Pearl Harbor Naval Base."

"…Huh?"

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