In the final sea area, Commanders who successfully reach this point must fight each other, defeat others to gain their points, and be ranked by the number of points they have.
Defeated Commanders will be disqualified and must withdraw from the battle. Of course, to prevent anyone from stirring up trouble, the school has made thorough preparations.
Jiang Jiang fiddled with a brooch-like object in his hand. This was what Jiang Jiang obtained after passing the second checkpoint.
It records the battle results between Commanders and then sends the results to the main server. Additionally, if a Commander is disqualified, it will also become a locator and guide the Commander to leave the battlefield.
So, this is the final trial? Isn't it just a battle royale? But the technology in this thing is quite advanced. Smart Brain, have you finished analyzing it? Jiang Jiang said with little interest, finding the final rules uninspired.
He carefully observed the brooch in his hand and found it somewhat strange, like seeing a hawk-headed chicken among a flock of chickens.
Insufficient monitoring equipment, limited analysis. It can be concluded that the technological level of this object surpasses 91% of the known facilities in this world. Furthermore, fluctuations similar to Ship Equipment have been detected. The Smart Brain gave a very pertinent evaluation.
Jiang Jiang listened to the Smart Brain's report, rubbing the brooch in his hand. Ship Equipment fluctuations? Is Ship Equipment technology being used in ordinary objects?
If only I had the chance to enter a Ship Girl research institute, then I could get a lot of scientific research information, and then... Jiang Jiang shook his head, not thinking about those unrealistic things. He opened his phone and looked at the latest updated trial ranking list, only to see a few large words.
The number of participants has not reached ten; the list is not yet developed.
The list hasn't started yet, and there are almost no people here, so... Jiang Jiang's smile gradually grew wild, All the hidden rewards here are mine, hahaha!
What ranking, what trial? Just getting into the top ten is good enough. As for higher, it doesn't matter. What upright person would bother with rankings? If I don't properly 'excavate' the 'treasures' here, I'd be letting down the school's opportunity to fleece them.
Today is a good day; everything I wish for will come true... Jiang Jiang the Big Rabbit is online. Afterwards, those Commanders who painstakingly came here to search for hidden rewards, looking at the empty boxes, finally recalled the fear of being dominated by Tu Fei.
Just as Jiang Tuzi was frantically sweeping, immersed in the joyful Harvest of his carpet-style treasure hunt, this sea area gradually became lively, and Hood's side was also in a state of 'liveliness.'
What's going on? Another Commander eliminated?
Yes, this time it was because the Commander fell into the water and was forced to withdraw due to drowning.
How did such a landlubber get into the school?!
Sister Hood, another Commander collapsed from hunger!
Another one? Why are so many people not bringing enough supplies today? Are they going to war with one bowl and hoping to pass by chance?! Also, didn't we set up many supply stations? If they can't bring food, they can at least forage!
...Actually, many examiners have already received complaints from Commanders, saying that we faked the supply boxes, deliberately leaving them empty to torment Commanders...
...How is that possible? Every box is standard issue.
Our staff also checked, and it seems most boxes have been looted. Plus, abandoned inferior supplies were found nearby. We judge that someone must have visited all the supply boxes and then...
Hiss! Who is so terrifying?
A Tu Fei...
Isn't this person afraid of being beaten to death?
Hood listened to the report and the exclamations of the surrounding Ship Girls, rubbing her temples. She had a headache. This year's situation was truly unprecedented. There hadn't been so many problems in previous years. What went wrong today?
No, this is bad! The school forum is already in an uproar! Fushun ran over in a hurry, shouting.
Hood looked at the screen in front of her, with several prominent words pinned at the top.
Boycott the vulgar trend of opening empty boxes sweeping through the trials!
Protest the school's empty boxes!
...
The publicity department must immediately explain! Tell the logistics department to quickly replenish maritime supplies! Also, tell the news department to stop fanning the flames, especially Gridley! Hood's forehead was covered in black lines, but she forced herself to remain calm and issue orders with her good composure.
By the way, has that Jiang Jiang been found? Hood asked amidst her busy schedule.
No, we haven't received Jiang Jiang's battle records yet, so we can't pinpoint his location. Anshan replied, also taking a moment from her busy tasks.
Still no? He was the first to enter the final sea area, but there's still no news. Never mind, he'll show up sooner or later. Hood thought, the principal is also very interested in that boy.
Wait, a light bulb went off in Hood's mind. That guy was the first to set off. According to Wichita, he's overly cautious. So, is there a possibility... Anshan, how many Commanders have complained about the route to Wichita?
Let me see. It's about a quarter of the total, and all the supply boxes on that route are empty. Hiss! Could it be...? Anshan looked at the report and immediately noticed a crucial point, exclaiming in surprise.
As expected. But it's only a quarter. How many detours did that cunning rabbit take to loot? Hood supported her forehead, complaining inwardly. Wait, he set off first, entered first, and there's still no news! Could it be!
Quick! Get people to check the hidden reward locations in the final sea area, and be quick! Hood immediately stood up and ordered.
Okay! Right away! Anshan also reacted at this point and immediately scurried out.
That guy really is... a Tu Fei. Hood smiled wryly and shook her head.
Meanwhile, Jiang Tuzi, unaware of the chaos erupting elsewhere, was still 'wreaking havoc' across the sea, like a walking vacuum cleaner, sweeping for hidden rewards inch by inch. As for the trial ranking battle, it had long been cast to the back of his mind.
Pulling radishes, pulling radishes—pull, pull, pull radishes... Jiang Jiang hummed a song, 'again' fishing a box from the sea. The box read, Congratulations, you've found a hidden reward!
Jiang Jiang opened the box and took out a few cards. This time it's good! Oil cards and material cards, a red radish. Congratulations, congratulations. Then he casually tossed the box into the pile of boxes nearby, each of which had the same congratulatory message written on it.
Master seems very happy. Sirius said from the side.
Cough, cough, cough. After all, the Harvest of material cards and oil cards is very good. These accumulations are all capital for future growth. Hearing Sirius's words, Jiang Jiang, who had let himself go, awkwardly rubbed his nose, saying with a slight blush.
Hmm, Sirius understands, my proud Master. Sirius looked at Jiang Jiang's embarrassed expression and also showed a hint of a smile. Such a Master is truly adorable... By the way, where's Dido? Jiang Jiang asked curiously.
Dido is currently in the cargo hold organizing the rewards Master fished up. Sirius replied.
Is that so? She's truly working hard, and you too. Jiang Jiang said sincerely. The things fished up weren't just boxes; there were also many loose items. Thanks to the help of the two Ship Girls, otherwise Jiang Jiang wouldn't be able to move all these things.
This is what we should do. By the way, Master, why aren't we participating in the ranking battle yet? Sirius asked curiously. Before, Jiang Jiang had been focused on digging for treasure, and when encountering other Commanders, he would avoid them if possible, like an outsider.
Hmm? Ranking? What ranking battle? Jiang Jiang had been digging for radishes everywhere these past few days and didn't immediately react.
...Master. Sirius looked at Jiang Jiang helplessly.
Oh, oh, you mean the trial. It's not time yet. In the end, only ten people will remain in the trial, so there's no need to enter now. After the large-scale melee period, the surviving Commanders will have a large number of points.
At that time, we'll just find someone in the top ten. What's important now is to search for hidden rewards as much as possible while they're fighting each other's brains out, to maximize efficiency.
So that's how it is, Sirius understands, my proud Master. Sirius suddenly realized, and her gaze towards Jiang Jiang grew even more fervent. Jiang Jiang felt a little blush from being stared at, so he let Sirius go help Dido, while he continued.
In this final melee, the most important thing is not to defeat others, but to survive. In this stage, it takes a long time to determine the top ten, because after the initial large-scale melee, everyone will become cautious.
Furthermore, due to the intense initial battles, the condition of most Ship Girls will decline, and then they will face an awkward situation where everyone's Ship Girl reserves are depleted.
Even if Commanders try to bring enough supplies before setting off, on this vast ocean, apart from reward boxes and plundering others, there is almost no external income, and even abundant resources will eventually run out.
Therefore, in the later stages of the trial ranking battle, the opportunities for Ship Girls to sortie become exceptionally precious. Moreover, this year is different from previous years; this year's trial ranking battle has encountered a problem, with a Jiang Tu Fei who doesn't play by the rules mixing in.
According to this Harvest, the boxes in this sea area should be almost all taken by me. It's time to go further. Jiang Jiang sat in the cockpit, thinking. He should be the fastest person to reach the third stage, and with the fastest yacht, no one should have progressed deeper than him.
Jiang Jiang didn't want the first-place position; he only needed to get into the top ten to secure the port area selection right. Tenth place was fine, low-key! Although the first-place reward was the most, Jiang Jiang understood that it would also attract the most attention.
He had too many secrets, so he could only reluctantly give up those rewards. This was also the reason for Jiang Jiang's frantic sweep. From the beginning, Jiang Jiang's goal was set on these hidden rewards. Only this way could Jiang Jiang obtain as many resources as possible without attracting attention.
Moreover, because of my actions, this trial ranking battle will probably progress rapidly. Without additional material sources, no one can fight a prolonged war.
Because they can't find replenishment in the nearby sea areas, they will go to deeper sea areas to search. During the search, disputes and battles with others will occur, delaying their speed. This gives me ample time to take away the supplies further back.
Thinking of this, Jiang Jiang couldn't help but praise himself. A perfect time difference runs through the trial; one step fast, every step fast.
Beep beep beep, a similar target has been found, direction marked. Suddenly, the Smart Brain's voice sounded in his mind, but Jiang Jiang was not surprised by this.
Understood. After speaking, Jiang Jiang turned the direction and proceeded under the Smart Brain's guidance. Tsk tsk tsk, another one found. No matter how fast, it's not enough to always be one step ahead, so my preparations are far from just these.
Alright, Commanders, what will you do? Jiang Jiang hummed a song, and the yacht sped away, the playful white waves rippling outwards.
While Jiang Jiang continued to 'dig pits,' the other Commanders were already 'fighting each other.'
Bang bang bang!
Maury, open fire! Bogue, bomb that Suffolk. Juno, be careful! Go, change-up! Let's finish this quickly, or we'll be hungry again soon! Retreat, retreat! No! Our resources are already empty. If...
Or: Damn it, it's empty again. Which bastard took all the hidden rewards! It's over, it's over. If we don't get more supplies, we'll run out of ammunition and food. No supplies, we can only steal from other ships. Let's go all in!
Imperceptibly, the butterfly effect brought by Jiang Jiang was gradually expanding. Driven by Jiang Jiang, the trial ranking battle was more intense and faster than in previous years. Every minute, every second, Commanders and Ship Girls were fighting. Names on the ranking list constantly changed and flickered; some were kicked off, some were eliminated.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jiang was calm and peaceful.
Dido, Sirius, do you know that war is like a card game, where both sides reveal their hidden cards? But a Commander's evaluation is not about how to play a good hand, but how to play a bad hand well. Jiang Jiang looked at the constantly changing list and said to the two Ship Girls beside him.
Master, Dido, boo hoo... I don't understand, but please don't abandon Dido.
Alright, alright, I won't abandon Dido.
Please enlighten Sirius, Master.
Jiang Jiang comforted Dido, pinched his brow, and said, The current list is constantly changing. It looks like a fierce battle, but the truly powerful people are still watching from the sidelines, all waiting for an opportunity. In a few more days, the list will gradually stabilize, and those rankings will be the real deal.
After hearing Jiang Jiang's words, Dido and Sirius seemed to be deep in thought. Jiang Jiang stroked Dido's head, looked at Dido's flushed face, and said, As far as I know, those trickiest ones haven't appeared yet. One person also has super rare Ship Girls, one person has six Ship Girls, and another person...
What about the other one? Dido, with her flushed face, looked at Jiang Jiang with wide, watery eyes, full of confusion.
The other one has 'money power,' he's the trickiest. Jiang Jiang couldn't help but smile wryly when he thought of that person's intelligence.
Ah? Oh?
At this moment, in the school's conference room, Hood had just issued an order.
Is this really okay? Fushun asked softly.
What's not okay about it? That guy has turned the trial ranking battle into such a mess. The final sea area is already a bloodbath; even if we went in, we wouldn't come out intact. Sheffield said indignantly.
But, but to temporarily change the rules because of one person is really... Fushun said with insufficient confidence.
That depends on who it is. An ordinary person wouldn't cause such a ruckus! And...
Alright, Sheffield, mind your manners! Hearing Hood speak, Sheffield obediently stopped.
Are all the preparations ready?
Although it's rushed, it's not a big problem.
Then send out the notification. The principal has also agreed. Hood supported her forehead. This time, it really blew up. Jiang Jiang, oh Jiang Jiang, your ability to cause trouble is truly unprecedented and unparalleled.
At this moment, all Commanders who had not yet been eliminated received a notification, including Jiang Jiang. Jiang Jiang clicked it open, dumbfounded, and a bloodcurdling scream echoed far away.
No—this is blatant targeting, isn't it!
