the phantom cat: the untold saga of the unbuilt battleship

Chapter 1

In the azure expanse of the ocean, a powerful aura surrounded IJN Fuji, the enigmatic battleship with an unfinished past. Her presence at Azur Lane had stirred both curiosity and caution among the shipgirls, leading to mixed reactions. Though some KANSEN had begun to trust her, others remained sceptical, unsure of her true allegiance.

As days turned into weeks, IJN Fuji worked tirelessly to integrate herself into Azur Lane. She trained alongside her new allies, honing her skills and sharing her knowledge of naval tactics and ship construction, which proved invaluable to the fleet's preparations against the Sirens. Though her true intentions were genuine, she understood that mistrust couldn't be dispelled in a mere moment. Nevertheless, IJN Fuji was determined to prove herself as a defender of peace, standing against the Sirens' relentless onslaught.

One morning, the calm surface of the ocean was disturbed by the distant echo of cannons firing. Azur Lane's radar had detected an incoming Siren assault. The shipgirls swiftly took their positions, ready to defend their naval base. But the situation took an unexpected turn as a large fleet approached the shore—none other than the Crimson Axis.

Bismarck, the stoic leader of the Crimson Axis, led her fleet with an air of confidence. She regarded the Azur Lane base with an intensity that conveyed her intent to challenge their strength. Her presence alone stoked the flames of animosity between the two factions.

IJN Fuji stood on the edge of the shore, observing the approaching fleet with a mix of emotions. The sight of the Crimson Axis brought back memories of a time when they were enemies, but she had come to believe in redemption and the pursuit of a common goal—the defeat of the Sirens.

As the two fleets drew closer, tension filled the air like an electric charge. Battleships on both sides readied their main batteries, destroyers positioned for swift strikes, and cruisers prepared for tactical manoeuvres. It seemed that history was doomed to repeat itself in this world.

IJN Fuji took a deep breath, finding solace in the gentle embrace of the ocean breeze. She wouldn't join the Crimson Axis, nor would she pledge loyalty to Azur Lane—her allegiance lay solely with her purpose to eradicate the Sirens. With that resolve, she stepped forward, a beacon of uncertainty for both factions.

"IJN Fuji, what are you doing?" Enterprise called out, her voice tinged with worry. "If you step any further, we'll have to consider you as part of the enemy fleet."

IJN Fuji smiled sadly, "I cannot deny my past, nor can I change the opinions of others. But I will fight for the protection of this world and its people, regardless of whose flag I fly under."

Bismarck, seeing the hesitation in IJN Fuji's actions, sensed an opportunity to exploit the situation. "It seems the unknown ship cannot decide where she stands. Do you seek to reunite with us, IJN Fuji, or are you just as lost as your memories?"

IJN Fuji's eyes narrowed slightly, her resolve solidifying. "I stand for the sake of peace and unity. The past no longer defines me. I will face the Sirens, and anyone who stands in my way will have to deal with the consequences."

A moment of tense silence lingered, and it seemed that the impending clash between Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis was unavoidable. But before hostilities erupted, a voice rang out, cutting through the animosity like a beacon of reason.

"Enough! The Sirens are our true enemy, and bickering amongst ourselves will only play into their hands!" It was none other than the wise and powerful USS Iowa who stepped forward, her presence commanding the attention of all those present.

She continued, her voice firm but empathetic, "IJN Fuji may be an unknown factor, but she has shown her dedication to our cause. Rather than fighting each other, let us unite and face the Siren threat together."

IJN Fuji looked at Iowa, her heart swelling with gratitude for the battleship's support. In that moment, she felt a connection to the wise leader, recognizing the shared desire to protect this world and its inhabitants from the enigmatic Sirens.

Bismarck regarded Iowa with a mix of contemplation and scepticism, but the words struck a chord within her as well. She knew all too well the devastation caused by the Sirens and the importance of putting aside past grievances.

With a reluctant nod, Bismarck finally spoke, "Very well, Iowa. For the sake of defeating the Sirens, we shall put our differences aside, but this does not change the fact that we remain rivals."

Iowa smiled, her aura of diplomacy diffusing the tension. "Agreed. Now, let's combine our strength and face the true threat before us."

With the uneasy truce forged between Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis, the two factions joined forces to confront the incoming Siren onslaught. The Sirens' fleet approached, led by a powerful and malevolent figure—the elusive and cunning Siren Commander.

IJN Fuji felt a surge of determination as she recognized the true enemy before her. She would put her past and doubts aside and focus solely on this moment—the moment she vowed to protect this world and its people, no matter the cost.

The battle that ensued was fierce and intense, with shipgirls from both factions fighting side by side against the relentless Siren assault. The Crimson Axis and Azur Lane put their strategies and firepower to the test, each shipgirl showing their individual strength and teamwork.

IJN Fuji stood tall, her abilities a testament to her unfinished legacy. She fought with a grace and power that seemed to channel the spirit of the Yamato, the battleship she was intended to become. With every strike, she demonstrated her unwavering resolve to protect this world from the Siren scourge.

As the battle reached its climax, the Siren Commander retreated, recognizing the combined strength of Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis. The uneasy truce had held, and the Sirens had been driven back.

Amid the victory, the shipgirls stood united on the shores, a mixture of exhaustion and triumph etched on their faces. For a fleeting moment, the rivalry and distrust seemed to melt away, replaced by a newfound respect and understanding.

IJN Fuji looked around at her allies, the members of both Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis, and felt a sense of hope. In this world, where shipgirls embodied the spirit of legendary naval vessels, they were united by a shared purpose—to protect their world from the enigmatic Sirens and the darkness they brought.

As the ocean breeze played with her hair, IJN Fuji knew that her path had been set. She would not pledge loyalty to a single faction but would instead forge her own destiny as a free battleship, guided by the legacy of Yamato and driven by her unyielding determination to safeguard this world from its greatest threat—the Sirens.

And so, IJN Fuji sailed forward, her course uncertain but her heart steadfast. The battles that lay ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she would face them with the strength of unity and the hope for a future where KANSEN from all factions could find common ground, forging a world of peace and understanding amid the turbulent tides of fate.