Azur Lane Under the Stars

Page 569

"Well, that's fine too, Jiang Feng's match is about to start..."

Nagato nodded.

"I'll pass on that. I'll go find Brest and talk to him about the child."

Frederick the Great was somewhat disappointed.

Chapter 613 Hit her! Hit her! Pull her hair!

This competition involved qualifying rounds and then advancing to the knockout stage.

To prevent two favorites from being drawn against each other from the start, the opponents were determined by drawing lots.

However, in the preliminary rounds, you have to fight four opponents and then look at the win-loss ratio to select the ship girls who will eventually enter the knockout stage.

Of course, we're not counting Maryland's unlucky guy who first met Ning Hai, then Ayanami, and then the Atago and Takao sisters.

That's outrageous, what incredible luck!

The knockout stage was bustling with activity as everyone warmed up or meditated, making their final preparations.

There were also many more ship girls in the stands than before; after all, it's the knockout stage, and once it's over, there won't be any more.

Moreover, the ship girls who remain are basically popular or well-liked in the port area.

Therefore, the scene was very lively.

Hai Tian was unfortunately eliminated, so he and his sister Hai Qi could only work as commentators on stage.

As for Ren Shuo, he was cheering him on from below.

However, Maryland, sitting in the audience, looked rather miserable.

Of the 16 players in this elimination round, a quarter of them had played against him before.

Maryland looked annoyed: "Why is there this kind of competition format? I'm clearly in that skill range too."

Shangri-La sighed and patted Maryland on the shoulder: "Just accept your fate. And also, don't talk nonsense, or you'll be the one who suffers."

"But Maryland, your look is truly unique."

Ron looked at Maryland with great interest. Her long ponytail had been cut short by Ayanami, her face was covered with thick gauze, and her left hand was even fixed with plaster and bandages.

Well, it was just too tragic. Even the goddess of the hearth couldn't bear to see it. In order to make Maryland a little more obedient, she wouldn't even let her go into the canal anymore and just let her rest.

However, seeing how badly she was beaten, it was quite a tragic sight.

"Ugh, this is unbearable, really, I'm speechless." Maryland felt incredibly frustrated, but had no way to vent her anger.

On the contrary, Ron, who was sitting next to her, seemed to be in high spirits and much more relaxed because he had a friendly martial arts exchange with someone and released his inner pressure.

"Keep it up, everyone, but remember to do what you can, we're all family."

Ren Shuo spoke eloquently to the group of ship girls below, mainly offering advice and encouragement.

After all, Maryland was in a really terrible state right now.

"Don't worry, Commander, we have the resources!"

Ayanami replied with a faint smile.

Ren Shuo glanced discreetly at the specially made large cleaver in Ayanami's hand. Although it wasn't a ship-mounted anti-ship sword, its imposing presence was still considerable.

Then they turned to look at their respective weapons...

Needless to say, the katana wielded by the Kaohsiung sisters gleamed with a cold light.

Prince Adalbert went straight for the brass knuckles.

Then the company is maintaining its compound bow, just as Joan of Arc and Warspite's greatsword are.

As for the Royal Navy's ship girls, the rapiers in their hands also look extremely dangerous.

Looking at it this way, the Thousand Chance Umbrella in Binjiang's hand is actually the most normal.

Well, at least it doesn't look that dangerous.

"Well, Commander, we're about to begin. Why don't you go up and watch?"

Hai Tian walked over, holding his speech manuscript in his hand.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

As Ren Shuo spoke, he returned to the audience seats.

"You guys in the port area are really idle, with so many activities."

After reviewing some of the port area archives, Chkalov remarked to Ren Shuo.

"Can everyone please be a little happier and have some fun? It's not as tense as your world. Anyway, how have you been feeling in the port area these past few days?"

Ren Shuo asked casually.

"Hmm, it's alright, quite to my liking, much better than that maritime bureau." Chkalov was very satisfied.

"I see... Well then, how about you become my ship girl? And stay?"

Ren Shuo seized the opportunity to extend an invitation.

"Come on, it's only been a few days. I'm not going to sell my whole life... Even a job has a probationary period, right? Normally it's three months? You guys in the port area have to work here for three months before you can become a full-time employee."

Chkalov joked, and Ren Shuo quipped, "So, is there a chance for outstanding port district staff to be promoted to permanent positions ahead of schedule?"

“Of course,” Chekalov said with a smile.

"Then I'd better do better." Ren Shuo withdrew his gaze from Chkalov and turned his attention back to the match.

The first group's opponents are a major highlight. Coincidentally, it's an internal battle between Kaohsiung-level teams, with the older sister fighting the younger sister.

Kaohsiung's gaze was calm, but her entire being was as sharp as a drawn sword. She slowly spoke: "Atago, let me see how much you've improved lately. I won't hold back."

Compared to Kaohsiung, Atago's aura is more like that of a wild beast, full of wildness and aggression.

Although on the surface it still has that charming yet cynical feeling, upon closer inspection, it is difficult to find any flaws in either the starting gesture or the stance.

"Hey~ Why are you taking it so seriously, Takao-nee? Can't we just have a friendly chat? Ah, I get it, Takao-nee, you want to make a good impression on the Commander, right?"

"To prevent her younger sister from being in such a sorry state, and then to highlight her own strength and elegance, Kaohsiung, you really went too far, sob sob."

Unaffected by Atago's verbal attacks, Takao's kendo remained serene, his gaze growing increasingly calm, yet the pressure he exerted on Atago intensified.

Atago felt a little distressed. Her strength was indeed inferior to Kaohsiung's. After all, she practiced swordsmanship in a rather carefree manner, unlike Kaohsiung who was so diligent.

Well, I guess I'll just have to try to exchange a few more moves.

Haitian announced the start of the competition.

Kaohsiung charged straight at Atago, without any probing or testing, only a fierce and relentless battle.

Atago calmly parried Takao's attack and began to engage in hit-and-run tactics.

One is straightforward, while the other is deceiving, trying to find an opportunity for a counterattack and a decisive blow.

This is Atago's only chance.

"Are they going to launch a wide-open attack right from the start? Shouldn't they test the waters first?"

Warspite, sitting in the stands, had his greatsword laid across his lap, which was somewhat unexpected.

"I don't think so. After all, the two sisters practice together and should know each other very well."

King George V answered casually.

As expected of sisters, Takao knew Atago's tricks all too well, and in no time at all, she had Atago, the older sister, in retreat.

Atago was also complaining incessantly, "Seriously, why do you have to be so serious, my Kaohsiung sister?"

That so-called mysterious grand prize isn't like delivering a commander to your bed.

After Atago's desperate counterattack was easily thwarted by Takao, Takao's sword was pressed against Atago's throat.

"Atago, you lost," Takao said, slightly out of breath.

"Honestly, I still can't beat you, my sister." Atago said speechlessly, "Couldn't you have gone easy on me?"

"It's precisely because you have this kind of thinking that you haven't achieved anything in martial arts," Gao Xiong rebuked.

Atago rolled her eyes: "It's not like I'm hoping to achieve anything in this area..."

"But hey, Kaohsiung-nee, are you going to all this trouble to get first place because you want to propose to the Commander after you win? Hehe, I figured it out long ago~"

Atago's dog ears twitched, and she asked with a mischievous grin.

"What!? Atago, what are you talking about! I only participated in this competition to exchange ideas and skills with everyone! It wasn't for first place!" Takao was extremely flustered.

Atago squinted, looking less like a lewd puppy and more like a fox who had stolen a chicken, covering her mouth and chuckling softly.

"Pfft~ But Takao-nee, you didn't deny that you wanted to propose to the Commander~"

Enraged by what he was said, Kaohsiung threw down the sword in his hand and drew the katana that came with his ship's equipment.

She gritted her teeth, her face filled with murderous intent: "Today I'm going to teach your mouth a lesson!"

"Waaah, I'm so scared~" Atago laughed and ran away.

The ship girls on the stage also showed knowing smiles.

"Atago is still the same as ever..." Mikasa sighed, rubbing her forehead.

Nagato was speechless: "Why do you still choose to be so reckless, knowing that you'll eventually be caught and punished by Takao?"

"Perhaps this is how they, the Kaohsiung elites, get along?"

Mikasa stroked her chin and said.

Toriumi, standing to the side, gave a subtle smile: "Mikasa-senpai, I think... that's not how it is."

After the sisters' civil war, came the royal civil war.

Warspite faced George V, and compared to George V's relaxed demeanor, Warspite appeared extremely somber.

While Warspite could overwhelmingly surpass George V in terms of overall battleship capabilities, this is a pure contest of brute force...

Honestly, King George V's title of Knight Commander wasn't given lightly.

As expected, after a brief but intense exchange, George V suddenly exerted his strength and, taking advantage of Warspite's momentary lapse in attention, successfully deflected her greatsword, which then landed on her shoulder.

"As expected, it was you, George V." War-weary was helpless; she accepted her defeat wholeheartedly.

“You flatter me, Lady Warspite.” King George V gave Warspite a knightly salute.

They both returned to the audience, and Queen Elizabeth nodded with satisfaction: "Hmm, very good! It perfectly showcased the elegance and strength of our royal family."

"However, don't be careless. There are still many formidable opponents ahead. For the glory of the royal family, you must take first place!"

Queen Elizabeth pointed at George V and said earnestly.

King George V replied somewhat perfunctorily, "Yes, yes, I know."

Putting aside the fact that the others are all strong opponents, although we haven't really fought them in person, they are all at my level, especially the companies among them. I've sparred with them privately and never won.

All I can say is that I did my best. Besides, this event is meant for everyone to enjoy the fun and relax by exchanging ideas. Your Majesty, you're putting too much pressure on me.

Haitian and Haiqi also took a few sips of water and rested a bit during the halftime break.

"Do we need to replace him? Isn't he tired?"

Zhenhai asked with concern.

"It's alright, not too tiring," Hai Tian said.

Haiqi raised his arm and exclaimed, "Full of energy!"

After a brief rest and some words of encouragement, the competition will continue.

Honestly, the upcoming matches are going to be very interesting.

Iron-Blooded Fist King vs. Eastern Martial Arts Master!

Binjiang looked at Prince Adalbert, who still seemed somewhat listless, with a burning gaze.

"What a small world! We've sparred so many times, with wins and losses on both sides... but this is the first time in a competition, isn't it?"

"Because the port area has only held one such martial arts competition."