In the office, Dante, Houshou, and Ooyodo are present.
"Admiral, I'd like permission to go shopping in town," Houshou says.
"Go for it," Dante replies.
"I'm taking Akagi and Kaga."
"Cool."
Houshou bows and leaves.
"Back to paperwork? Boring as hell," Dante grumbles, slumping in his chair.
"It's your job. Deal with it," Ooyodo says.
"Too many papers need my approval. Not what I signed up for."
Outside, Houshou, Akagi, and Kaga talk.
"How'd it go?" Akagi asks.
"Got permission. Let's go after lunch," Houshou says.
Noon, Cafeteria Entrance
The three carriers gather to head out. Akatsuki and Inazuma pass by.
"Houshou-san, going somewhere?" Akatsuki asks.
"Buying clothes for the Admiral," Houshou replies.
"Commander's clothes?" Inazuma asks.
"He's always in just a coat," Akagi says.
"It's December. Isn't he cold?" Kaga asks.
"He seems fine, but shouldn't he wear his uniform?" Inazuma says.
"He refuses it and has no casual clothes," Houshou sighs. Dante arrived with nothing. The older shipgirls force him into a uniform for laundry, alternating with his red coat. They're stretched thin.
"He sleeps shirtless. Makes me cold watching," Kaga adds.
"We're off. Watch the base," Houshou says.
"Okay!" Akatsuki and Inazuma reply.
Office
Dante sneezes loudly.
"Cold?" Ooyodo asks.
"Nah, doesn't feel like it."
"(Wearing so little every day…)" Ooyodo thinks, exasperated.
Shopping Mall
The town is relatively prejudice-free toward shipgirls, a rare place for normal shopping. The trio heads to the men's clothing section.
"No clue what he likes. Hard to choose," Akagi says.
"Black shirts are safe, right?" Kaga suggests.
"Hmm…"
"I'll pick underwear. Handle the rest?" Houshou says.
"Got it," Akagi and Kaga reply.
Houshou heads to the underwear section.
"Is he sensitive to heat? Definitely not cold," Akagi says.
"He's fine in this weather, so not cold-sensitive," Kaga replies.
"T-shirts then," Akagi says, grabbing black long-sleeve shirts.
"(Pants… sweats are fine,)" Kaga thinks, picking some.
"This is kind of fun, Kaga-san," Akagi says.
"Yeah, first time doing this," Kaga replies. They've lived as weapons before.
Houshou returns. "Got underwear. You done?"
"Should be enough," Kaga shows the basket.
"If he needs more, we'll bring him next time. I'll pay," Houshou says.
"Okay," Akagi and Kaga nod.
Naval Base, Office
"We're back," Houshou announces.
Several shipgirls are in the office; Dante's on a break.
"Welcome back!" they say.
"Heard you went shopping for my clothes," Dante says.
"Casual and outing shirts," Akagi says, showing them.
"Nice. It's cold here. Wanted something under my coat," Dante says.
"(He was cold…)" they think, surprised, as he always seemed fine.
"Pretty normal stuff," Kitakami says, rifling through.
"All the same," Inazuma notes.
"Shouldn't you wear your uniform, 'Admiral'?" Akashi teases.
"Not a soldier. Not my style," Dante says.
"Non-soldiers don't become Admirals," Tatsuta says.
"I'm special."
"Use these for casual, these for outings," Houshou explains. "Underwear's in your dresser."
"Got it."
"Wear your uniform for headquarters meetings," Ooyodo insists.
"…You're kidding."
"Dead serious."
Dante slumps.
"Break's over. Help with paperwork," he orders.
"(Dodging the topic,)" Tatsuta thinks.
"Ugh!" Akatsuki, Akashi, and Kitakami protest.
"Admiral's orders," Dante smirks.
Days later…
"First sortie today," Dante says.
"Who's flagship?" Ooyodo asks.
"Kitakami, you good?"
"No problem."
"Tatsuta, Inazuma, Akatsuki, go with her."
"Okay~," Tatsuta says.
"On it!" Akatsuki says.
"Got it!" Inazuma says.
"I'm going too."
"!?" Everyone gasps.
"What?"
"Too dangerous!" Ooyodo protests.
"I wanna see Deep Sea Fleet."
"We have data—"
"Wanna see them myself."
"But…!"
"He'll be fine. He's strong," Kaga says.
"Kaga's approval," Dante grins.
"…Fine. Observe from a distance. Don't fight," Ooyodo relents.
"Akashi!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Build more ships."
"What kind?"
"Your call."
"Ugh…"
Dante and the fleet set sail.
Naval Base, Front Waters
Dante cruises with the shipgirls.
"Fun crossing the sea like this," he says.
"Commander, this isn't a joyride!" Akatsuki scolds.
"Lemme enjoy it."
"Same old Admiral," Kitakami says.
"Enemy spotted~," Tatsuta says.
"Enemy!" Inazuma says.
"One I-class destroyer… scout?" Kitakami says.
"Take it out," Dante orders.
"Roger!" the fleet replies, attacking.
"That's Deep Sea Fleet? Big fish," Dante says.
The I-class is sunk easily. Kitakami reports, "Done. Next?"
"Ooyodo mentioned spinning a compass," Dante says, using it to pick a direction.
"That way."
"Okay~."
They advance.
"Enemy, Admiral!" Kitakami says.
"Where?" Dante asks eagerly.
"There," Akatsuki points.
"Light cruiser Ho-class and two I-class. Main force here~," Tatsuta says.
"Let's do this!" Dante charges.
"Wait!" Kitakami says.
"He's gone…" Akatsuki says.
"He was itching to fight~," Tatsuta says.
Dante rides an I-class like a surfboard, shooting at the others with his pistols. The I-class swerves to shake him, disrupting the others' aim a bonus for Dante. Distracted, it crashes into another I-class, igniting fuel and sinking both. Dante jumps clear.
"Do your job!" he taunts the Ho-class.
"Destroyers sunk…" Inazuma says.
"Admiral, danger!" Kitakami shouts, seeing the Ho-class aim at Dante.
The fleet prepares to fire, but the Ho-class shoots first, its shell speeding toward Dante.
"Commander!" Akatsuki screams.
Dante turns, slicing the shell in half with Rebellion. Water sprays behind him. Charging demonic energy, Rebellion glows red. He swings upward, unleashing Drive, a red slash that bisects the Ho-class, sinking it.
Dante returns. "No big deal."
"Your guns… how?" Tatsuta asks.
"Just normal guns."
"Our weapons work on Deep Sea Fleet, not human ones," Kitakami says.
"Then your weapons suck."
"And that sword? Glowing red, sinking Ho-class with a slash," Kitakami says.
"Who are you~?" Tatsuta asks.
"Just a strong guy."
"…" Akatsuki and Inazuma are stunned.
"Not an answer. I was worried," Kitakami says.
"Sorry. Let's head back."
"Our Commander's…" Inazuma starts.
"…weird," Akatsuki finishes.
"(Overdid it? Telling the truth's tricky…)" Dante thinks.
The fleet heads home. Kitakami says, "Reported to base you charged alone."
"Lecture incoming~," Tatsuta teases.
"Spare me…"
Naval Base
Ooyodo, Akagi, Kaga, and Houshou wait.
"Admiral, we need to talk," Houshou says.
"I'm back, aren't I?" Dante says, unapologetic.
"Resupply," Kaga orders the fleet.
"Yes!" they reply, heading off.
"Rough day, Admiral," Kitakami says.
"His fault~," Tatsuta says.
"What was that?" Akatsuki asks.
"He says anyone strong enough can do it~," Tatsuta says.
"Hurts my head…" Inazuma says.
Houshou grills Dante. "Why'd you charge alone?"
"I won, didn't I?"
"You had permission to go, not fight," Ooyodo says.
"No pizza for you. I'll tell Mamiya," Houshou adds.
"That's harsh!" Dante protests.
"If you're banned, we can't eat either," Kaga says.
"That's bad! Apologize to Houshou, now!" Akagi panics.
"Nope!" Dante says.
Kaga grabs him; Akagi restrains her.
"New shipgirls are in the office," Ooyodo says.
"Got it."
In the office, two wait.
"I'm Ikazuchi! Not thunder!"
"I'm Tenryuu. Scared yet?"
"Ikazuchi and Tenryuu, huh? Houshou's scarier."
"Huh?" Tenryuu says.
"Admiral?" Ikazuchi says.
"Nothing."
"…"
"Dinner time. Cafeteria?" Ooyodo suggests.
"Houshou… pizza?" Dante tries.
"No," Houshou says.
"Your fault for not apologizing," Ooyodo says.
Dante sighs.
The first sortie ends successfully, with new allies joining.