Clang. Hood raised a single finger and stopped the katana, saving Lin Zhentian's head.
"Hood, save me!" he squealed, hiding behind her.
Hood smiled at Zuikaku. "Such a soft strike—is that all you've got?"
Zuikaku pushed harder; Hood's finger didn't budge, protected by a layer of blue Ship Qi.
The crowd finally realized Ship Girls were fighting and scattered, leaving only Illustrious, Azuma, and the spectacled youth.
Mortals flee when gods clash; better to run than be collateral dust.
Their speed surprised Illustrious. "Let's find cover too."
"Huh? Weren't you going to save them?" Azuma had expected a dramatic rescue.
Why hide before the show? Had the mighty Admiral lost her nerve?
"Stop thinking rude things and just follow me." Illustrious dragged Azuma to a corner with a clear view.
Of course she'd save them—just not yet. Rescue at the brink earns gratitude, and Illustrious wanted these sisters for her fleet.
As long as she rescued them, they would surely say, 'This humble girl has nothing to repay you with, save her own body.' Then Illustrious could ask, 'Would you like to become my Ship Girls?
What—do you say she's taking advantage of the crisis, that she's despicable, shameless, and base? Please! She's no saint; how could she help someone for no reason? There's no such thing as a free lunch! Even if someone kindly offered you a free meal, would you dare eat it?
No? Why not?! Because you're afraid it's unsafe—who knows what hidden motives they have? It might be poisoned; who would risk it?
So you see, she's done nothing wrong.
Want Illustrious's aid for nothing? Sorry, you've got the wrong ship.
Watching Illustrious and the others look for a place to hide, Chen Xiaoqiang also wanted to know what special power Illustrious had, so he tagged along.
Illustrious gave him a glance but said nothing—follow if he liked, as long as he didn't disturb her fishing—cough, cough—rescue plan.
On the other side, after putting all her strength into a slash only to have Hood deflect it effortlessly, Zuikaku couldn't help feeling dejected. But the blue Ship Qi radiating from Hood told her the woman was at least a Three-Star Epic Ship Girl—far beyond what the sisters could handle.
Hood was behind Zuikaku in an instant, so fast she couldn't react; a single punch knocked Zuikaku to the ground, the immense force too much for her body—she spat blood and could not rise.
'You're down already? How boring. I've not even used one percent of my strength. If you don't get up, your sister's next.'
Hearing her sister was threatened, Zuikaku burned with rage and, bit by bit, tried to stand. 'Touch even a hair on her head and, whoever you are, I'll cut you down even if it tears me apart.'
But as she struggled to rise, Hood's foot, wrapped in blue Ship Qi, slammed down and pinned her to the earth again, drawing another mouthful of blood.
'Good spirit—but it's just impotent rage. Vermin should know their place, understood?'
'Aahhh!' Zuikaku screamed in agony.
Hood nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the elder sister, Shokaku, planning to do the same.
Just as she started to charge, Hood found her right leg seized in a tight grip.
'Sis, don't worry about me—run! I'll hold her back!'
Shokaku knew at once what Zuikaku intended: to sacrifice herself to buy time. She couldn't abandon her sister and flatly rejected the idea.
'No. I won't leave you. Don't worry—your big sister will save you.' Then she shouted at Hood, 'Let my sister go! I'll come with you—just spare her!'
Zuikaku was stunned; Shokaku would walk into the abyss for her. She was moved, but Sister, usually so clever, how could you be so foolish? They could easily take them both—why settle for one?
She had struggled so hard to buy time, yet Shokaku wasted it. Truly a sister-saboteur; in frustration Zuikaku coughed up more blood.
Hood was about to mock Shokaku's naivety when Lin Zhentian's son cut in.
He puffed himself up and declared righteously, 'No! We can't let these Deep-Sea spies go. They must be scouting our terrain. If even one escapes, she'll return with countless Abyssal Warships—maybe even a nightmare-class Abyssal Princess—to destroy Tianhai Island.'
'For the people of Tianhai Island, for its peace, for the whole East Pacific—we must not let a single one flee.'
He spoke so earnestly he almost believed it himself. Those two beauties had such gorgeous breasts and legs they'd last him a year; letting either go would be spitting in heaven's face. Once captured, he'd have all the fun he wanted—heh, heh, heh!
'You heard the young master: none of you will be let go. Just come back with us for questioning—your lives will be spared.'
'If you're really not Deep-Sea spies, you'll be released.'
Of course they wouldn't be killed—once he tired of them he'd let them go. Hood kept that thought to herself.
'If you refuse, I'll rig my rigging to self-destruct and we all die together!' Shokaku declared, activating the self-destruct. A red glow enveloped her, a destructive aura rising—no bluff.
A Gold-Plated Ship Girl's rigging detonation was no joke; Hood wouldn't die, but she'd lose a layer of skin.
Hood quickly agreed. 'I accept! Cancel the self-destruct—now!'
---------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 30 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon.
patreon.com/TLScarlet
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!