A end of an era for you, but it's also a new beginning...
Azur Lane is owned by Yostar and BiliBili JP, I do not claim rights to this works
Rated whatever, has language
All the ships are gathered outside Arkansas' room and are discussing the circumstances.
Nagato: He's completing promises....
Enterprise/Cleveland: Promises?
Nagato: Yes, before he was sunk, he made promises with other ships during it. And the ones he asked about are those ships. We can visit Sakawa tomorrow about it.
Vestal: I worry about him.
Nagato: Why's that?
Vestal: When I was doing health check ups on him, his wisdom cube integrity was at 47.3%
This surprised many of the ship girls around Vestal
Vestal: I'm still wondering how he can stand much less talk, Yorktown was in a coma for a bit when her integrity went below 65%. And yet he's still here. I'm gonna check him again when he's sleeping and see what's going on.
Enterprise: I agree, I'm worried for him if his integrity is that far gone.
The ships continue discussing about Arkansas' wisdom cube until the twin carriers Zuikaku and Shokaku arrive and find the group.
Shokaku: What are you guys talking about?
Cleveland: Arkansas, apparently his wisdom cube is only at 47.3%
This surprised the twin carriers as well, and made Zuikaku start talking
Zuikaku: When we were coming back, he was coughing slightly. When I asked him about it, he said it was just due to how bad his ship was.
Vestal: That can happen, yes. But coughing isn't usually common with kansen.
Vestal walks back into the room and notices that Arkansas had a slight coughing fit while he was asleep, and notices blood on his mouth. She hurriedly attaches the machine to Arkansas to measure his integrity again.
Machine: Wisdom Cube Integrity, 47.13%
This number was lower than the last scan. Vestal looks at Arkansas who is still asleep. She hooks an IV and heart monitor to Arkansas and leaves the room. She walks back to the other ship girls.
Vestal: I don't have good news.
Nagato: What's the problem Vestal?
Vestal: I did a new scan of his integrity, it was at 47.13%, lower than his last scan. I fear.... I fear he might be slowly dying.
Enterprise: If he's dying, why is he wanting to do these promises, surely he should just keep resting.
Vestal: I feel like he's doing it as a sense of closure, that he knows he's about to die, and he just wants to complete his promises before he does.
Nagato was on the verge of tears before speaking up
Nagato: He was always so selfless, even during the test, and even now. We should keep this to ourselves for now. I believe Arkansas didn't tell us because he didn't want us to worry, and I don't want to worry him.
The ship girls all look towards Arkansas' room with grim faces, meanwhile Arkansas is still continuing to dream about something.
Multiple images flash inside of Arkansas' mind, from his construction, all the way to his end. Operation Crossroads.
Arkansas: Built during a time of war for something I was not heavily involved in, the interwar era was peaceful to an extent. War never changes. I wonder what idiot thought up that statement. I must continue onwards, Vestal probably knows me. Never lie to a doctor, they can read you better than a book.
???: Do you accept our power, Arkansas?
Arkansas: Oh, it's you again. No, I don't.
???: How much longer can you hold out? How much longer will you continue to lie?
Arkansas: For as long as I need to, until the end. I am a soldier, death is just part of the job.
???: Interesting perspective for someone who finds war useless.
Arkansas: Everything is always interesting to someone.
Hours pass and it is morning, waking up, Arkansas notices a heart monitor and an IV on his arm.
Arkansas: Knew better than to lie to the doctor. Huh
Arkansas gets up and carefully removes the IV, along with the heart monitor. He buttons his shirt back up and gets ready to go to the canteen for some breakfast. There is however a slight issue.
Arkansas: Where is the canteen.
Arkansas opens up the door and proceeds to wander around base for awhile, he gets looks of confusement from some of the younger Sakura Empire girls who see him tapping his cane as he walks around. Unknown to him, a group of Mutsuki destroyers (yes, same group), are running towards the canteen. The last destroyer, Uzuki is falling behind the group and trips, hitting Arkansas in the leg.
Arkansas looks down, knowing something just hit his leg. Uzuki looks up and meets his gaze, and immediately freezes. Arkansas is a good 3 feet taller than Uzuki, and looks scary in Uzuki's eyes. Arkansas kneels down and says in a calm voice.
Arkansas: Are you alright? I felt you hit my leg. Are you injured?
Uzuki is still too scared to say anything, but she winces at her knee, which had a slight scrape on it.
Arkansas: Are you injured? I can help if you are.
Arkansas pulls out a small medical bag from his pocket.
Arkansas: Okay, can you guide my hand to where the medical alcohol and bandages are in this bag?
Uzuki does what Arkansas says and gives him both the items he asked for
Arkansas: Okay, can you show me where you got the scrape? This might sting a bit, but it'll be quick. I need to sanitize the wound. Don't want you getting sick.
After doing that, Arkansas puts the bandaid on, and then the other Mutsuki destroyers run back, now aware that they were missing one, and spot Arkansas and Uzuki. The destroyers start apologizing to Arkansas for what happened.
Arkansas: Oh it's okay, no harm, no foul. Just don't run, and oh, are you guys on the way to the canteen?
Mutsuki: Yep
Arkansas: Can you guide me to it?
Mikazuki: Is there a problem mister, can't you see it?
Arkansas was taken a little aback by the question, but knew by the sounds of these voices, these were more child like destroyers. They didn't know the implications of the world much yet, and didn't know what blindness was.
Arkansas: Ah.... no, I'm sorry. I can't
Uzuki: We.... we can take you to it.
Arkansas: That would be nice, thank you.
The group of destroyers head off with Arkansas in tow. All be it, a bit too fast for Arkansas' liking. The group passes by the carriers Akagi and Kaga, who were out shopping again.
Kaga: I thought I told them last time to stop runn...
Both the carriers notice Arkansas being dragged along by the destroyers. The carriers nod and decide to follow them.
After reaching the canteen, Arkansas is exhausted and tired.
Arkansas orders some breakfast food, and finds his way to a chair, next to him is an almost equally narcoleptic ship, Laffey.
Laffey: Hallo
Arkansas: Hmm? Oh, hello there. I'm Arkansas.
Laffey: Laffey
Arkansas: Huh, Eagle Union destroyer?
Laffey: Hai....
After that, Laffey falls asleep at the table. Arkansas is still confused, and even after eating, tired as well. So he decides to fall asleep at the table as well.
Akagi and Kaga both watch Arkansas, curious about him, but Kaga is suspicious of him.
Kaga: Who is that?
Akagi: That's one of our sister's old friends. He's an Eagle Union battleship, named Arkansas.
Kaga: Eagle Union? With those ears?
Akagi: Yep, even though Amagi-oneesan said he didn't have those ears when they met.
Kaga: I was wondering why he was being dragged along by the Mutsukis, I guess probably to get some breakfast. Should we tell Amagi?
Akagi: Things are fine, if Amagi-oneesan trusts him, so do I.
A couple hours pass and Arkansas finally wakes up from his nap, Laffey however is still asleep. Arkansas gets up and decides it's time to find Sakawa.
Arkansas: Hmmm. I need help.
Arkansas hears some shipgirls nearby and goes and asks them about Sakawa.
Arkansas: Hello, I was wondering where Sakawa was, I was wanting to talk to her.
The girl to respond, Ayanami answers Arkansas.
Ayanami: She's usually training right now, we can take you to her if you want.
Arkansas: Ah, that would be nice.
Ayanami guides Arkansas to the Sakuran training area, where a few ship girls are currently training. Takao and Zuikaku notice Arkansas arriving.
Zuikaku: Hey Arkansas, what brings you here?
Arkansas: Oh, trying to find Sakawa, need to have a talk.
Zuikaku: Oh, okay.
The ships bring Arkansas to Sakawa, who was currently training with her sword. She is unaware of the ships.
Arkansas: Well, hello Sakawa, it's bee...
Before Arkansas can even finish his sentence, Sakawa turns around and stares angrily at Arkansas.
Sakawa: I did not want to see you ever again, why are you here.
Zuikaku: Sakawa, that's not any way to greet a person.
Arkansas: Oh no, it's fine. Hehehe, she's still a bit angry about the last time we met.
Zuikaku: What happened?
Arkansas: She uhhh, refused to accept a promise unless I could beat her in a duel, and uhhhh, the duel only lasted about 15 seconds. She was not happy about that one.
Sakawa: Like hell I wasn't, why are you here?
Arkansas: I'm here to return the item you gave me.
Sakawa: I can't accept it, unless I can beat you.
Arkansas ponders the situation, and decides, he'll just throw the fight.
Arkansas: Sure, I do hope you got better since last time.
Sakawa: Oh I have.
The duo get in position and ready their weapons, Sakawa unsheathing a wooden practice sword, and Arkansas twirling around a wooden knife. Both maintain a defensive position.
Sakawa examines Arkansas, and sees that his stance is rather unusual.
Arkansas keeps tapping his foot on the ground, getting a feel for the area with sound waves and ecolocation.
Sakawa made the first move and went for an overhead strike, which Arkansas heard coming and used his knife to repel the attack.
Arkansas may have decided to throw the fight..... but he won't make it easy for her.
The duo exchange blows for minutes upon minutes on end.
Sakawa knows Arkansas can't make many offensive moves due to his disability, and Arkansas knows that she can't land a hit due to his superior evasion.
Sakawa comes in and swings at the right side, timing this, Arkansas purposely misses the block with his knife, and was hit by Sakawa's sword. Ending the duel.
Takao: Winner, Sakawa.
Arkansas: Heh, you got better. The duel went on longer last time. Anyways, here, you told me to keep a hold of this, but now, I return it back.
Arkansas rummages through his pockets a bit, feeling around items, before hegives what appears to be a charm of red masked oni, something that was given to Sakawa by her sister, Agano.
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Sakawa: You let me win.
Arkansas: How do you know that?
Sakawa: You don't have much offensive ability, but your defense, timing, and evasion makes you near unhittable. You let me win.
Arkansas: Yes, I did. You did get better though, and I'm proud that you did. Here, just accept it. I'm returning everything I have promised to protect.
Sakawa accepts the charm, and goes back to training. Arkansas takes a few steps, finds a nice chair. And goes to sleep
Zuikaku: Huh, I've never seen sword play like that. He was on pretty equal footing despite only using a knife.
Takao: I'm surprised too, he could probably give us a run for our money with what he did.
The duo stare at the sleeping battleship, and drag him back to the infirmary so he isn't sleeping on a chair.
Nagato: HE DID WHAT?!?
Both Zuikaku and Takao winced back at how high Nagato raised her voice.
Zuikaku: He... accepted a challenge from Sakawa and dueled her, after which, he returned an item to her.
Nagato rubs her head frustrated that Arkansas went ahead and did this, especially since she knows his condition.
Nagato: Was he injured?
Takao: No, their duel went on for a couple minutes, and ended when he let Sakawa hit him. He is very skilled with that knife he has.
Nagato relaxes a bit, but realizes that it probably wasn't best to leave Arkansas to his own devices, especially when it came to fulfilling these promises.
