Blue Water Island

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This article is about the event. For the soundtrack album, see Soundtracks § Blue Water Island.

## Blue Water Island

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### Event Start

After maintenance June 15th, 2023 18:00 (UTC+9)

## Sources

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Official website

**Blue Water Island** is the 14th story event in *Goddess of Victory: Nikke*, and the summer event of 2023.

Blue Water Island takes place in the titular remote island where a group of Nikke squads are assigned in an operation during the summers. Its story is continued by Sea, You, Again in August 3, 2023.

## Story

A common belief amongst the people of the Ark and its Sovereigns is that there aren't as many sea-based Raptures as there are land. Therefore, anything to do with the coastline would be (hypothetically) easier and safer. To that end, a mixed squad including Seraphim has been deployed on a resource retrieval operation to a deserted island that's only accessible a few times a year...

*Canonically set after the events of Mary and possibly Pepper's character stories*

### Prologue - Turning Point

Ark overseer Enikk has declared an emergency meeting that mandates attendance by the Big Three CEOs and at least two Deputy Chiefs, which in this case are Andersen and Burningum. The basis of this meeting is to address the resource deficit the Ark is currently suffering. Syuen doesn't see the issue, given how the Ark has *always* been short on something or other, but as Enikk explains, this one takes the cake.

Approximately 47% of the Ark's resources have been consumed as a result of incidents over the past year both in and out of the Ark and their resultant damages. Up to now, the mining units were able to stem the overconsumption, but all the "safe" mines have been depleted, forcing the units to tread into hostile territory where inevitably a number of them will be destroyed. Ingrid can only mutter to herself about how she knew this was inevitable while Enikk continues to relay bad news

At the current rate of consumption, the Ark will suffer a significant economic downturn within 3 years as scarcity of food and material causes prices to inflate. If the shortages are not resolved within 10 years, the Ark will not be able to support its current population, forcing 32% of them to be shunted to the Outer Rim. Mustang sees the problem for what it is, as the Rim is already straining with its current population. Adding any more people into it would be like gasoline on a barely-controlled fire.

Syuen continues to be blasé about the matter, believing this can be solved simply by sending Matis to find and secure new mines in the hostile territories. Ingrid immediately vetoes this, since by her deductions (and Syuen's own admission) the Missilis CEO would never allow her vaunted heroes to play guard duty in the wastelands all day. Seeing the CEOs continue to bicker, Andersen decides to pick Burningum's brain for any solutions.

Turns out he does. A First Invasion-era record passed down by a Central Government secretary in his family tree notes a location where the Rapture concentration is less than half that of other areas. Hypothetically, such a place would be a veritable goldmine of resources, but only if they can send someone to confirm the area is as the document claims.

Hearing no objections or alternatives, the CEOs and Enikk agree to check this area, asking Burningum just where exactly this place is...

### Part I

#### The Important Thing is Mindset

Neon is more than excited to be heading out to the beach, though as the protagonist explains, this is a mission to recon an area for resource mining. Anis doesn't mind taking a mission by the coast, but then wonders why *Counters* of all squads is being assigned to it, given how Aegis and their Admire were literally made for water-based ops.

Rapi explains that officially, the issue is cost-effectiveness. An overengineered monstrosity like the Admire costs a fortune in maintenance just from sitting in the Ark's water tank. Predictably, actually needing to sortie it and keep it fueled and armed would ratchet up the costs even more. Neon bemoans how the Central Government's insistence on reserving their only naval asset for the "right moment" is more of a detriment than anything.

The arguments serve to convince Anis on why Aegis isn't being called for this, but then she has another question. If they're being sent out to comb the coast for resources, who's going to dive into the sea to check any coordinates there? It's an understandable dilemma, since outside of very specific circumstances (Aegis), Nikkes will sink like a brick in water, and Counters vetoes sending the protagonist to do it since even if Raptures aren't the issues, more than a few marine creatures can pose a risk to a squishy human.

A voice chiding the four for their lack of imagination signals Liter of Mighty Tools barging in with a strange device. At the protagonist's prompting, Liter explains the device is a high-tech detector that Syuen ~~bullied~~ persuaded M.M.R. into making. It can gather information about resource presence and Rapture concentrations, then relay them back to the Ark.

Anis is convinced that this op will be a cinch with M.M.R.-quality tools and Mighty Tools-quality installation work, but Liter pours a bit of cold water on the good vibes. For some reason, Liter is the *only* member of Mighty Tools being sent, so Counters will have to contribute some elbow grease to get the device set up. The protagonist interjects by explaining that multiple Nikkes from various squads will go on this mission, as it's a collaborative effort by the Big Three and the Central Government. While the protagonist and Liter wonder who the other members are, the door opens, revealing...

Frima, Sugar, Pepper, and Mary, of Cafe Sweety and Seraphim respectively. With the exception of Mary, everyone else is treating this as a bit of a vacation, especially since they're headed out to the seaside in the summer. Anis and Liter are unamused by the antics of their would-be teammates, though the latter's vocal disapproval is cut short when her dog Volt pleads for her to let him run on the beach.

The protagonist decides to try and find a middle ground; once the operation is done, he sees nothing wrong with everyone letting their hair down and enjoying themselves by the ocean. Liter is exasperated to see "Greenhorn" getting swept up in the vacation vibe, but after seeing everyone else get excited, decides to simply go with the flow.

Arriving on the surface, the protagonist is surprised to see Yan up here. While the Talentum Nikke explains that she isn't *officially* part of this operation, she did want to join in on the "treasure hunt: they're being sent on, and offers a deal. The team will let Talentum get some of the distribution rights, and in exchange, Yan will give them the chests full of swimsuits she's brought with her, all custom-tailored for the customers before her. While the collective Nikkes initially express disinterest, Yan reels them in by suggesting that donning these outfits to show some skin and a different side to themselves might just catch the protagonist's eye. They fall for it hook, line, and sinker, leading the protagonist to agree to take the deal.

A moment later, everyone has finished changing into their swimsuits, some finding it comfortable and nice-looking (Frima and Mary), others a little bashful over the degree of body contours and exposure (Rapi and Pepper). A bout of teasing from Mary and the protagonist eventually overwhelms Pepper, and the poor girl scurries off in a fluster. Mary and Neon fish for a few compliments (the latter unintentionally), leading to a moment where the protagonist and Anis shower the doctor in praise for how attractive her new look is.

Seeing how good everyone looks (especially Mary), Anis ponders the idea of donning a swimsuit like everyone else, and the protagonist overhears her. Somewhat embarrassed that she was heard, Anis explains the reason why she didn't change her clothes. In her eyes, the swimsuit should be worn as a kind of "victory outfit," and wearing it too often will diminish its impact. The protagonist has no words to respond with, and Anis groans over what she just said.

The fashion expo comes to an end when Sugar rolls in on Black Typhoon wondering what's taking everyone so long. Seeing the biker thunder off again, the team decides to get on with the mission.

#### Mysterious Sea Road

The squads arrive at their destination, or rather 1 whole kilometer away from their destination, which pings as somewhere out on the open sea. The protagonist points out a faint but visible road cutting straight into the ocean. Yan notices how small and fragile the road looks, and suggests they cross in turns rather than charge across all at once. The protagonist proposes he go first since he's technically lighter as a human, but Counters immediately vetoes it for safety reasons. Mary's volunteering is similarly vetoed since they'd need her to provide first aid if anyone gets hurt crossing, which also discounts Pepper.

This leads Neon to *somehow* reason that she should be first to go, citing that her swim ring will help her stay afloat should she fall into the sea. While the ~~fire~~ waterpower maniac dashes onto the road, Yan remarks that the swim ring she provided with the swimsuit is graded for *human* flotation, not Nikke.

Despite Neon excitedly waving her arms atop the road, Yan decides to go next, concerned about the swim ring. Frima lethargically moves across the road, wanting to find a spot to sleep ASAP. Mary, Pepper, and Rapi step forth, leaving the protagonist and Anis to bring up the rear. The latter decides to make way for her commander, feeling she'd look and feel out of place amongst so many others clad in swimsuits. She ignores any questions the protagonist may have and nudges him out onto the road.

The group continues across the sea road, Neon excitedly calling out to the protagonist. For all the road seemed dangerous, none of the team looks or feels overly worried, too entranced by the water surrounding them and anticipation for the island in the distance...

The team looks over the scenery of the island, and are fascinated by how beautiful it looks. Liter reminds everyone they can't relax until they set up shelter, since both visual scouting and device installation will keep them on the island for 2–3 days. The idea of a group as motley as this trying to rough it out camping is...not exactly inspiring confidence in her, something the protagonist concedes. Liter did see a hydroelectric plant that could provide them electrical power, but the work and noise needed to get it up and running again might attract Raptures. While Anis and Sugar head off to set the decoys, everyone else is tasked with helping Liter build their shelter.

#### Isolation

Looking over their new shelter, Liter is impressed at the solid work accomplished over one afternoon. Pepper loves how it resembles the kind of resort you'd see in a brochure for a vacation spot. While Volt's excitement to see the inside spreads to the others, the protagonist looks over the sea road, wanting to wait until Anis and Sugar return. While Pepper apologizes for getting overexcited, Mary giggles and points to the sunset as she talks about other things they can do while waiting.

Gazing upon the sky painted a deep orange-red, Neon voices what everyone else is thinking. She and Pepper race off to gaze upon the sunset, the protagonist, Mary, and Liter trailing behind.

Gazing upon the sunset, Mary spends idle chatter with the protagonist. This scenery is a new feeling for her, given how often she and Pepper are holed up in the Repair Center patching up Nikkes. While the doctor is delighted to see Pepper getting over here anxieties and enjoying herself, she still has to consider any possible risks.

This is an island far away from any of the Ark's elevators and support networks. The reduced Rapture concentration has undoubtedly allowed the place to develop its own ecosystem, and *that* could mean pathogens and poisons that they know nothing about. Even if none of the team gets sick from anything here, the idea of bringing some dangerous new disease back to the Ark is...unpalatable, to say the least.

It's the entire reason Seraphim was deployed on this operation, though the idea of catching an unknown disease isn't Mary's sole concern. Rather, she's afraid that if someone in the team gets sick, none of the medicine or treatments they brought with them will be of any use. The protagonist tells Mary that her dedication to her work is a credit to her profession. The doctor giggles at the commander's attempt to cheer her up, offering to let him use any spare bed in the clinic to rest if he wants.

It turns out while Liter was building the shelter, Mary took steps to have a temporary clinic set up somewhere under a palm tree. She points to the spot where the clinic is, and the protagonist can see pure-white parasols shading over a series of cots. Noting how it looks more like a sunbathing spot than a clinic, the protagonist asks if he can go lie down right now. Mary gives her consent, given how they've no patients at the moment.

The protagonist jolts awake as he overhears Mary talking about a "sting." Turns out he's been out of it for a few hours now, and with how late it was getting, Mary decided to scare him awake with a fake shot. Now completely cognizant, the protagonist asks for an update on the situation. Unfortunately, even with how late it's gotten, Anis and Sugar have yet to return. While they discuss sending out a search unit, Pepper and Neon return from lookout with a frantic look on their faces.

Pepper reports that the sea road is about to collapse, all the while massive waves crash on the shore behind her. While the group agrees to relocate the clinic inland, they're more concerned about the sea road. That road is the only thing linking this island to the mainland. If it were to collapse, they'd be stuck here for who knows how long.

Off to the side, Neon chuckles as she declares her swim ring, waterpower, and unwavering resolve will see her through...right until a wave sends her keeping into the sand. Pepper runs over to give the Nikke her glasses back...only for another wave to knock her over as well.

While Mary and the protagonist are gathering the others, Anis and Sugar are back on the mainland, cut off from the others now that the road is gone. While Sugar eagerly decides to try redlining Black Typhoon to (theoretically) float across the water, Anis is less than enthused with the idea of experimenting *now* of all times.

#### Until the Tide Comes Again

Back at the island, the newly-stranded team goes over their current situation. While Anis and Sugar can always return to the Ark if the going gets tough, the same can't be said for everyone here. The Nikkes are far too heavy to even float, let alone swim. Any raft they could kludge up would go under in seconds. Signal was decent when they arrived on the island, but thanks to a *sudden and inexplicable* *spike* in Alva particle concentration, communications are out. Waiting and hoping for Anis and Sugar to get the Admire to pick them up is also out, given how that thing can't so much as sputter without a Deputy Chief's say-so, assuming one of them is even willing to indulge seeing two commander-less Nikkes. Whilst Neon bemoans that lack of options in this situation, Liter remains focused.

They came here to do a job, so they might as well do it while waiting to see if the sea road becomes available again. While the other Nikkes are not enthused with the idea of just working while waiting and hoping, the protagonist remembers something. The document Burningum gave him about this location didn't say anything about this place being an island. Theoretically, this means the sea road coming and going with the tide is a recurrent phenomenon, and that the road leading back to the mainland will eventually return.

Neon immediately makes plans to play while Yan considers making and selling fruit juice. A consternated Liter reminds them they have a job to do, but eventually gets into the fun-time vibes herself, planning to play frisbee with Volt once the work's done. The protagonist wonders what Mary plans on doing, which turns out to be staying at the clinic in case anyone gets hurt or sick, especially since a certain *someone* has a bad track record of getting hurt or passing out on nearly every mission he goes on. The doctor assures that she'll be able to watch everyone enjoy themselves, since the clinic is right in front of the beach.

#### Work and Play

Day 2 since the mission began. Everyone agreed to get the work hashed out first thing in the morning so they'd have the afternoon to play. Liter is walking the protagonist through the steps of installing the device, and while it takes some fine adjusting, they manage it without problems.

Rapi found something that resembled gold dust while scouring the island earlier, and is planning to check to see if the source can be found on the island. She also reports that a number of abandoned facilities and docks can be found here, left behind by whoever the island's previous inhabitants were. Checking those buildings for any kind of records or information left behind would be a definite boon in finding anything. As for Rapi doing it by herself...technically, she's not alone, but considering her company includes *Frima*, she's going to ask for help if she decides she needs it. If nothing else, Volt seems eager to help, pointing and barking at Rapi's map before tearing off after something or other.

Later, Yan finds Neon and the protagonist trying to find food sources, which includes the fish they're about to eat raw. Neon is confident they can do so based on old encyclopedias detailing people eating raw fish, but as human and Nikke find out, eating raw unprepared fish is an unpleasant experience for both the mouth and the stomach.

The two end up the first patients of the temporary clinic, with Neon vomiting a storm on the cot next to the protagonist's. Mary checks their temperatures and finds their food poisoning also comes with a high fever. As much as they protest, Mary orders them to stay still and rest in the clinic for at least today, if not tomorrow. Their protests are soon waylaid as they start vomiting again.

Day 3 of the mission. Neon and the protagonist are still laid up from food poisoning, so they've nothing to do but watch how the clinic works. Pepper is busy setting up the water supply so the two can remain hydrated while they recover. Frima bumped her head after falling out of her hammock, but her bid to stay in a cot is shot down by Mary. Rapi sprained her foot while exploring, but at Mary's chastisement, she decides to lay down and wait for treatment rather than just replacing her foot.

Neon looks at the newest addition to the patient's list and suggests putting her to work, only for the protagonist to chide her over teasing the infirm. The waterpower maniac relents, having seen that even an island as peaceful as this one can still leave a doctor like Mary swamped with patients. It was less busy when Pepper was around to help, but Mary let her go, claiming that seeing the younger doctor relaxing is soothing enough for her. The two bemoan how overworked Mary is, a sentiment that another voice echoes.

The voice turns out to be Pepper, who slipped back into the clinic. As much as she finds Mary's dedication admirable, she's concerned that the doctor is pushing herself too much, and asks Neon and the protagonist for help in something she's planning. The two agree, and as Pepper whispers her scheme to them, Mary notices the smaller doctor and nags her over still being in the clinic. Seeing Pepper become eager to do any work there is, Mary sighs and assigns her to help clean the clinic tonight.

#### Sea in a Bottle

Later, having recovered from the food poisoning, Neon and the protagonist hatch their plan. The two play volleyball for a while before "accidentally" sending the ball near the clinic, and having Mary toss it back to them. Neon tries to cajole the doctor into playing volleyball with them, but she simply volunteers Pepper for it while she handles a patient in the clinic. Plan "Volleyball" is a failure.

Deciding to do things "her way," Neon loads a squirt gun while asking the protagonist about the one he's supposed to plant in the clinic. This plan is to rile up Mary so much by spraying her that she'll grab the other gun and fire back, turning the whole affair into an entertaining water gunfight.

Neon blasts Mary with a spray of water, and the plan is a go! ...Or not, as Mary simply doesn't respond, even thanking Neon for trying to cool her and the clinic down. The doctor trots off to sort medical supplies, rendering Plan "Water Gun" a failure.

Out of options, Neon proposes going all-out. They'll fill a bottle with seashells and decorate the clinic with it as a way of appealing to both Mary and any patients. Finding it a good idea, the protagonist agrees to this plan.

The two spend some time trawling the beach for shells. While Neon has found plenty of nice shells (even one that *somehow* looks like an M32 rifle), the protagonist's haul is...not ugly, but not pretty either. They're kind of plain, all things considered. Neon hands over some of her shells to mix in, and the collection mixed with some stones that make pleasant sounds when they collide fascinates the protagonist. Seeing Neon dash off to the sea to gather more, the protagonist *almost* considers letting loose with the play before remembering he has a job to do.

Night falls as Pepper shows up to help Mary clean the clinic, despite the latter not actually intending on making it a serious request. Before Mary can set Pepper to work, the two hear a strange clattering noise...

Pepper looks to the floor and see a glass bottle and some pebbles. While the smaller doctor marvels over how pretty they look, Mary asks Pepper to give her some space while she sorts this out with whoever's providing this gift. Pepper obliges, leaving Mary to call out Neon and the protagonist for their skulking about.

It was all too obvious that this was their doing, given how the two can't seem to leave her be. She picks up the bottle of shells and asks for an explanation. Neon tells her they were going to make some decorations to brighten up the clinic and cheer the patients, but there are just *so many cots and patients* that the two of them alone couldn't *possibly* handle it all. If *only* some *kindly doctor* were to lend them a hand with their endeavor.

Mary catches the (un)subtle invitation and rejects it, offering a quick and workable alternative to filling every bottle with shells and pebbles. She goes on to probe the two on their motivations to try and get her away from the clinic. They decide to stop mincing words and simply tell Mary that everyone appreciates her presence and dedication, and that they actively want to spend time around her outside of the clinic. Flattered as she is by the sentiment, Mary reiterates her obligation to stand by the clinic in case an emergency happens, eliciting a groan off to the side courtesy of Pepper.

Pepper decides to really let Mary have it, complaining about how the other doctor is just sitting at the clinic not doing anything differently from their time at the Repair Center, even though they've come all the way out to this tropical paradise. In a small bout of duplicity, Pepper manages to use her admiration of Mary to pry an admission of her ability to take a break out of the senior doctor. Surrounded on all sides, Mary finally capitulates and decides that just for a day, just this once, she'll let Pepper handle the clinic while she takes a vacation. Pepper and Neon envelop Mary in a group hug, unfortunately(?) leaving no room for the protagonist to join. After the hug ends, the protagonist, Pepper, and Neon can't stop talking about all the things they can do to make sure Mary's one-day vacation is one to remember.

#### True Vacation

Before they can make sure Mary makes the most of her vacation, the team huddles up to apprise the progress of their tasks. The devices have been successfully installed, and the prospects are promising. Rapi's findings led to a mineral vein, though sadly not the gold they'd initially suspected. While the intel gathering from the houses was a bust, she did find a lead to a hotel north of here, so she'll check that next. Yan and Neon managed to find some sort of grain growing around, and though they couldn't identify it, they took some samples to send back, since a grain growing in a climate this humid would be great for the Ark's cultivation facilities. Seraphim's requirement to report is skipped, as everyone present has been a major beneficiary of the medical squad's ministrations.

As the team wraps up their reports, the sunrise shines through the windows with serendipitous timing. Everyone agrees to step out and gaze at it.

Gazing upon the sunrise fills everyone with a sense of elation, especially Mary, who up till now only saw it by herself from the clinic. Standing here with everyone and sharing the view makes her feel as though this memory is something to be cherished. While Pepper agrees, Neon has a different opinion. She declares that this is only the first of many memories they will create with Mary.

Neon brandishes a bucket to drench the senior doctor, claiming that a good vacation begins and ends with memories associated with strong emotions. Mary is apprehensive to the injury risk of horsing around too hard in the water, but between the protagonist's encouragement and Neon's continued aggression, Mary decides to retaliate...by splashing Pepper.

No one is spared from the ensuing splash fight, not even the protagonist. Getting particularly worked up, the Nikkes begin pushing each other into the sand and waves. Mary is concerned that this is getting out of hand, but Pepper assures her the sand is soft enough to safely blunt any fall. To demonstrate, she gives Mary a good shove into the shallows.

After a moment's silence, Mary giggles. Pepper was right, this sand really *is* soft enough to cushion a fall. The senior doctor notices a shiny pebble, like the ones Neon and the protagonist were collecting yesterday. She holds it up to show it to Pepper...only to watch the other doctor grunt as her face twists in agony...

Unable to hear the concern of those around her, Pepper's mind is awhirl with faces and voices she can't quite recognize. Someone accusing another of selling patients, a trust betrayed, the sound of thrust and feeling of pushing someone. Overwhelmed by the tide of memories, Pepper's screams cut the vacation atmosphere to an abrupt close.

### Part II

#### Déjà Vu

Finally coming out of her brief fit, Pepper wonders what it was she just felt and saw. Seeing Mary be so concerned for her, the junior doctor insists that she simply got lightheaded from overdoing it with the play. Insisting that everyone else should stick to the plan and have fun with Mary, Pepper skulks off to rest.

Neither Mary, Neon, or the protagonist buy Pepper's assertions of being fine for one second. Mary excuses herself to see to Pepper's condition, leaving Neon and the protagonist to deliberate what happened. It's clear that this issue encapsulates both Mary and Pepper, but with both insisting there's nothing wrong, there's little room for anyone to intervene.

Waling along the beach, Neon decides the two of them should still go through with having a blast. After all, Mary left after asking them to teach her how to have fun, so they should have as much fun as they can so they'll have a reference point for next time, though Neon's idea of "fun" being to assemble guns underwater is a little out there...

Meanwhile, Pepper is still trying to parse just *what* she experienced. Even though she'd never pushed anyone to her recollection, it felt so real. And why did that person's face look just like...?

A call from off to the side jolts Pepper from her musings. Turns out she was so lost in her head she couldn't see Frima in the dark. After a brief moment of going the wrong way to the beach house, Pepper decides to air out her concerns. Frima sums it up as Pepper having a déjà vu moment that makes little sense to her. It'd be one thing if it were a memory of herself getting pushed around, but the idea of gentle *Pepper* of all people being the aggressor in a conflict is difficult to swallow.

Pepper's biggest fear about that vision is that it's potentially a memory from her time as a human. It's no secret that Nikke memory is a jumbled mess at the best of times, so who's to say this wasn't some traumatic event that human Pepper tried to repress? Frima is much more skeptical, bringing up how Nikke production works. Given how a human is turned into a Nikke based on their idealized form, Pepper rationalizes her déjà vu as some weird happenstance, given how her human self would *never* push someone, let alone Mary of all people...

Frima tells Pepper she's just overthinking things from how tired she is, and suggests she sleep it off. Pepper thanks Frima for listening to her worries and walks away. Mary wordlessly watches the whole exchange, her normally-closed eyes are now open in cold, narrow slits, and her usual smile is nowhere to be seen...

#### Escape

After briefly going on a tirade directed at Neon and the protagonist, Liter addresses the room with some news. The operation is nearing its end, yet the sea road that would take them back to the mainland is nowhere to be seen. Given how everyone is chafing from the looming idea of never being able to go back, Liter has taken the liberty of designing a lifeboat strong enough to hold a Nikke's weight. It can also be made using materials found on the island, but she didn't want to disclose the plan until she was sure it could actually work.

Everyone but Mary seems elated to hear that they can finally get back to the mainland, with the latter asking for a deadline on the raft's completion. By the Mighty Tools leader's estimates, it shouldn't take more than a week for a testable model. Mary is...delighted...that they can leave this island so quickly...

The next day, the squad begins gathering materials for the lifeboat. Wood will not be an issue, given how the trees on the island yield some high-quality lumber. The problem is finding materials that can hold a Nikke's weight. Fortunately, the hotel Rapi found should contain the materials needed, so Liter plans to send a small team there to demolish the building and scavenge it. While Rapi, Volt, and Frima take to looting the hotel, Neon and the protagonist decide to gather wood. A slightly gloomy Pepper asks to join the two on their gathering, since Mary can watch over the clinic in her stead. The doctor in question is not fully checked-in with the conversation, even getting into an argument with Pepper over who will stay and who will accompany the protagonist. In the end, Pepper relents and agrees to stay at the clinic while Mary gathers wood.

#### Runaway

The protagonist is doing his best to contribute to the lumbering while the others are resting, but both his strength and skill are...lacking in comparison. His bumbling attempts to chop down a tree sends the trunk careening towards Mary, though thankfully it misses her by a hair. Mary herself is quite forgiving, remembering how Pepper used to make mistakes back when she was an inexperienced doctor. At those words, Mary goes silent, by her own admission getting lost in some memories about Pepper...

Shaking off her reveries and the others' concern, Mary clarifies that they need five more trees to reach their quota. The protagonist agrees to swap places with her and hands over the axe. However, whatever it is that's eating at Mary, it's sticking in her head so badly that she doesn't even notice her swings haphazardly striking random parts of the trunk. While Mary apologizes for her lapse and promises to screw her head on straight, Neon decides to change the topic by posing a question.

Neon puts forth the scenario of what it means when someone who's normally talkative and cheerful suddenly takes a turn for the dour. In Mary's professional opinion, this could just be that person having a lot on their mind, with longer-term symptoms being indicative of underlying conditions like depression or anxiety. Mary takes the implication for what it is and asks the protagonist if this "someone" is referring to herself, with the man sheepishly replying saying that it ticks off the boxes.

Neon continues her question, asking for advice on what to do if someone is depressed or anxious. Mary's advice is to just listen. Sitting there and letting them voice their thoughts is fine, and so is expressing your support for them. The one thing that *shouldn't* be done however, is to try and advise the person.

Neon gets the memo, going through a series of "waterpower breathing techniques" that (ostensibly) make her three times more effective at listening. Mary makes it clear that this is her issue to tackle, though she's willing to give the two a morsel if they're going to go this far to try and hear her out. After a moment's silence, Mary makes her confession; she doesn't want to leave this island.

The trio returns to Liter with the wood they gathered. By her appraisal, it's good enough for the task at hand. While the Mighty Tools leader lets the group off to rest up, Mary declares she's going to switch with Pepper at the clinic. As Mary declines any assistance and trots off, Neon suggests to the protagonist they should follow her...

Meanwhile, Mary is walking along the path to the clinic, making nary a sound save for the splash of water beneath her feet. Pepper notices her senior's approach and asks what she's doing. Mary claims that she's keeping track of the sea level to try and extrapolate if and when the sea road resurfaces. Pepper doesn't buy it for a moment, so Mary instead claims she's taking over for cleaning up the clinic before closing it for the day. Pepper can only bemoan how her senior refuses to take a break, and the two clean up together.

While tidying the clinic, Mary finds a stash of orange-flavored Splendamin, the kind Pepper used to eat with one of Seraphim's pediatric patients. Rifling through the paraphernalia, Mary finds more things, like the ID badge for a patient's daughter. She praises Pepper for holding onto these keepsakes, and never losing sight of the reason she became a doctor. Pepper blushes at the praise, and remarks that she wants to go back to the Repair Center.

To a Mary whose mood is immediately cut short, Pepper goes on about how despite her enjoyment of this island, she belongs to the Repair Center, and wants to see all the patients there. Mary is less enthused, fearing what could happen. Now that Pepper's had a sudden vision of what has been, if she were to go back...would she remember Mary's crime? Would she remember what she did in her outrage over that betrayal? Would she remember...how she stained her lifesaving hands in vengeful blood?

A call from Pepper breaks Mary out of her dark musings, her narrowed eyes the only indicator that she doesn't share her junior's sentiments of returning. It's only a matter of time until the boat is complete, and they can leave this island...

#### What Flows

The next day, Liter announces the beginning of the lifeboat project with the gathered materials. Already, Frima, Yan, and Pepper are coming up with names for the craft (Great Escape, The Prospector, and Mother Teresa respectively). While the protagonist throws his weight for what to name the boat, Liter couldn't care less and carries on. With the materials already processed, all that's left is to put them all together. Everyone is eagerly assigning themselves to various tasks, save Mary who still seems out of it. The protagonist decides to disclose his concerns to Mary, but the doctor assures him she's changed her mind, and is ready to go back to the Ark and the Repair Center where she belongs. The protagonist doesn't buy it, and stops Mary before she can rush off to some task or other. He asks her if, in the *purely hypothetical scenario*, she was able to remain on this island, what would she do?

Mary takes a moment to contemplate, as she'd never thought that far beyond not wanting to leave. She decides that she'd love to enjoy her vacation, even though the incident with Pepper combined with the timing of the lifeboat means she's found the whole thing a wash. Watching Mary go off to work on the boat, Neon decides to give the protagonist her two cents. Mary had claimed only a miracle would allow her to enjoy her vacation, so Neon proposes doing just that. The problem thereafter lies in convincing Mary to enjoy herself again, even if they managed to delay their departure. The two agree to try and keep it mum while they convince the group individually to push back the departure. Neon is excited at the idea of exercising her skills(?) as a spy.

#### What Stays

At the convenience store Yan has set up, Neon and the protagonist play around with her a bit before making their sales pitch; they want to delay the departure by one to two, ideally four days. Yan has no real issue with it, rather she's confused why they're asking *her* of all people to do this. Seeing the duo's befuddlement, Yan admits that she likes it on this island, and that working on the boat was just her following the mood of the crowd. Genuine sun, sea, and fruit juice instead of clearly artificial facsimiles. For anyone who spends their entirety holed up in the Ark, this place might as well be paradise.

With Yan onboard for a delayed departure, the next target for persuasion is Frima. Neon manages it quite handily, though a good part of it can be chalked up to Frima's natural laziness...

The protagonist pitches his idea of pushing back the exodus to Rapi, who...immediately agrees to it? Turns out she has such high faith in her commander that she's certain he has his reasons to suggest this. The man in question is quite flattered by this unconditional trust.

Pepper has already heard of the two's efforts to delay the departure, and was even taking steps to make sure Mary didn't hear a peep of it. Turns out she overheard the two's talk of Mary's Monday blues, and thought she give a hand in making sure it succeeded. By her claim, Mary won't know a thing until the ship hits the water.

Trying to persuade Liter to delay is...much less smooth, given how the protagonist was all-in on leaving the moment she proposed the lifeboat. Trying to figure out an explanation that doesn't implicate Mary, the protagonist's wishy-washiness isn't changing Liter's mind at all. Somehow, it's Neon's explanation that convinces Liter to play ball, and she gives a list of materials that she wants them to bring back, preferably in old and rotten condition. The architect is planning on deliberately sabotaging her own design and delaying the departure for repairs, which would allow "that person" to enjoy their vacation to the fullest. The two are concerned that Liter's not happy with self-sabotage, but in her own words, true craftsmen pride themselves in their creation's purpose, not just the creation itself. If her lifeboat serves to make someone unhappy, then even the most perfect design would be like a pyrrhic victory.

The "day of departure" finally arrives, and Mary and Pepper are talking about it. The former laments that the miracle she wished for didn't happen, and now they'll al leave this sunny paradise...

Meanwhile, Neon and Liter are instructing the protagonist on testing the boat, with Yan onboard as an initial stress test. Everything seems to go fine...right up until, by some *very unfortunate circumstance*, the rope for the sails snaps, the steering wheel breaks, and the whole thing begins shaking like crazy. Neon and Liter are *simply inconsolable* at this failure while Mary tries to parse what just happened. The protagonist simply decides that, since Liter has declared that this repair will take a few days, they just have *no other choice* but to stay on this island for a few more days, and asks Seraphim if they're okay with that

Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Mary voices her assent to this extended vacation, rattling off the things she wanted to do with everyone to a unanimous agreement. The whole while, Mary can only think about how she can't waste this serendipity.

#### Summer Miracle

Taking advantage of the extended vacation, the protagonist gets into a water gun team battle with Pepper against Neon and Mary. Both Pepper and the protagonist fall for Neon's starfish trap and slip into the surf, causing Mary to run over to the protagonist and check his condition. He's fine, except for the taste of saltwater in his mouth...

Later, Mary and the protagonist are walking Volt along the sunset beach. The former of the trio finds walking a dog surprisingly therapeutic as the doctor and commander make small talk.

Night falls, and Neon is asking Mary some questions about the kinds of patients that go to the Repair Center. The ones that tend to stick in the doctor's mind are the sort who tend to be brought in critically injured, and get discharged before they're fully recovered ~~like the protagonist~~, though she finds herself caring for them often, wishing they'd get healthy and get to see a world beyond the hospital walls. As for what Neon is going to do with this information...everyone will know in 15 minutes, she claims as she scurries off elsewhere. Mary and the protagonist decide to sit down on the beach, the former bringing a gurney from the clinic to do just that.

Some time later, the protagonist has finished regaling Mary with tales of his (mis)adventures, giving context as to why exactly he ends up being a major patient of hers. Mary is heartened to know how much he appreciates her vigilance in keeping him healthy, but admits she can't help but feel half-scared to death every time he comes to her in critical condition. Eventually, Neon calls the two from the other end of the beach, and the protagonist escorts Mary to whatever is in store.

The thing Neon was preparing turns out to be a special collection of seashells, even more refined than the ones put into the bottles. Neon's quibbling over qualifiers of her collection brings a giggle to Mary, who has found new joy in the little things beyond successful surgeries and safe discharges. She asks if it's okay to put the collection in a bottle, but Neon has an even better idea. They'll grab some strings from Frima's hammock, poke some holes in the shells, and string them along. The shells will sway with every movement, shimmering in the light and making a pleasant rolling noise...

Much later, Neon has fallen asleep in Mary's lap, the doctor herself still awake and chatting with the protagonist. Now that it's just the two of them, Mary has something she'd like to ask the protagonist; why did he go so far as to sabotage the boat and delay their departure?

Try as he might to play dumb, Mary could tell something was fishy about her "miracle," what with the boat's inexplicable failure and how everyone seemed unbothered despite the pains taken to build it. She's unsure whether everyone was convinced by him or decided to play along after noticing the jig, but whatever the case, the fact is everyone else put their faith in the man and agreed to this. On that note, she wanted to ask him why he did it and whether it was truly necessary.

The protagonist professes that he wanted to enact a miracle, an answer that takes Mary aback. As thankful as she is for this miracle, both of them know the *real* reason why she didn't want to leave. More than anything, she's afraid that if they return to the Repair Center, Pepper will remember *everything'.' To that end, Mary asks the protagonist if he knows what she's implying*

##### Yes

Hearing the protagonist understand the situation, Mary asserts that he should be giving his attention to the kind and gentle Pepper, who only lashed out as she did after being betrayed by her admired senior. But even after punishing Mary for her sins, Pepper never forgave herself for taking a life, spiraling into despair and madness.

##### No

Mary decides to...refresh...the protagonist's memory. Long ago, there was a doctor who was famed as the "White Angel" for her skill in medicine and the regard she showed for every single patient. But no matter what she did, that doctor inevitably found and lost those she could not save, such as the terminally ill. Worn down from failure, she collaborated with corrupt officials to falsify patient death certificates and send their brains to be transplanted into Nikkes. In this fashion, the patients would live, at the cost of being consigned to endless battle with the Raptures. All came to a head when Pepper, shocked and outraged that her trusted superior was up to this much medical malfeasance, pushed Mary down the stairs to put a stop to the matter. It worked, at the cost of Mary's life and Pepper's sanity.

The protagonist asserts that Mary had turned those patients into Nikkes with the best of intentions, but the doctor refutes that. At no point did she accept or ask the patients for their consent before they became Nikkes. Nothing could justify the gravity of the sin she committed. The protagonist clarifies that rather than justify Mary's actions, he's taking steps to ensure she will not drown in her own guilt.

Hearing the protagonist call himself her accomplice, Mary questions the man on what exactly he's doing, trying to shoulder a secret and burden she never wanted to let go of. Everything that he's done, from delaying the departure to roping everyone else in makes no sense for her. Someone like her isn't meant to be trusted. Someone like her doesn't warrant these kinds of length. For the simple fact that someone like her...doesn't deserve to be happy.

Try as Mary might to push him away, the protagonist insists on standing by her until she can cure her own sin. He reminds her that when she was about to die to Blackbox's bomb, he convinced her to live until she could cure herself of sin. And when she talked about how to help someone who seems depressed and anxious, she advised him and Neon to simply listen and express support. That's the whole reason the two of them planned this whole thing. They wanted to show Mary how much they cherish her and will stick by her through thick and thin.

Mary admits that she promised him that day, and that his and Neon's support are what give her the strength to go back. But that doesn't erase the fear that Pepper will remember everything just from striding by those stairs and glancing at them. Even after she promised to return, the idea of that guilt being front and center is just too much for Mary...

The protagonist assures Mary that he'll support her, and that she'll never give up, even if she considers it seriously. Mary agrees with him, believing that her atonement isn't just for Pepper. It's for every single patient forcibly turned into a Nikke because she couldn't let them go, condemning them to subhuman treatment and fighting, if not dying, on the surface. One way or another, every last one of those people she's hurt will find their way back to the Repair Center...so she has an obligation to be there and see to them, no matter what. Even if it means Pepper remembers everything and hates her forever. Even if it means losing all light in her life and doing nothing else but trying ~~and failing~~ to atone

With a resigned chuckle, Mary makes up her mind. She will go back to the Repair Center, and whatever she may suffer as the price, she will keep the promise she made to the protagonist, and live on until her sin is cured. Eyes gleaming with tears and choking back sobs, Mary pleads the protagonist to allow the boat to sail tomorrow, and take them all back to the Ark. Wordlessly, the protagonist hugs Mary and comforts her, the two gazing at the ebb and flow of the waves on the darkened shore...

#### Homeward Bound

Liter is surprised Mary wants to call it a vacation after only one day, but one look at the doctor's face and she can tell things have gotten a lot better. To that end, she enlists the protagonist and Neon to start fixing the boat at 5AM tomorrow, much to the latter's dismay.

The next morning sees the protagonist and Neon both thoroughly exhausted from finishing the boat so early. Liter declares the boat's leaving in a few hours, sending everyone scrambling to pack their things since they thought repairs would take longer.

Four hours later, the protagonist is going over the details with Liter. The boat *can* handle a Nikke's weight, but not to the point where everyone can leave in one trip. Rapi and Pepper volunteer first to make sure the other side is safe, the boat rocketing off and coming back empty with just the push of a button. Then Frima, Neon, Liter, and Yan depart, leaving just the protagonist and Mary on the shore.

Mary wistfully looks back at the island, musing on how much she'll cherish the memories made here and their respective keepsakes. The protagonist confidently claims they'll have a chance to come back before anyone knows it, something he chalks up to making his own efforts...and a bit of a gut feeling. The two promise to come back to this island together, and the protagonist pushes the button to activate the boat.

Back on the mainland, Anis and Sugar spy the boat with the protagonist on it. They notice Rapi, Pepper, and Neon all rushing towards them. The reunion is especially touching, with Anis going so far as to rush the protagonist and envelop him in a hug. While Anis goes on a small rant about how she basically lived like a homeless person with Sugar, splashing resounds as a black shape rises from the water. After a brief scare about it being a Rapture, it turns out to be...the sea road.

Speechless, Nikke and commander alike watch the sea road rise from the blue, *after* they'd gone through all the trouble of making a boat to escape the island. While undoubtedly vexing, the ones who were stranded on the island find a silver lining in the fun memories they'd made during their brief isolation.

The protagonist ponders on whether this could be considered a successful vacation or a delayed completion of their resource recon mission. Some were happy to go back to normality (Liter), some were sad the vacation ended (Frima), and some were just happy to be there (Neon). But most of all, there was one person who was incredibly triggered that they had no chance to enjoy their vacation to the fullest.

Meanwhile, Seraphim has returned to the Repair Center, where Mary will face her fears, and come what may, she will live her life atoning for what she's done. As she makes small talk with Pepper over their belated return, they board the elevator to go up, and soon come to a certain set of stairs...

Seraphim is caught in a moment of silence before some of the pediatric patients notice their return. Mary finally manages to find her voice again, and asks Pepper if these stairs evoke and memories or feelings. After a brief contemplation, Pepper professes...she feels like she missed this, the hospital, the patients, and these very stairs. She goes on about the days when the "Angel in White" was overseeing her work, and how terrifying it was with all the mistakes she made.

Seeing Mary's continued silence, Pepper decides to do something else. Mary's vision goes white as Pepper thrusts out her hands to...hand over a cream cake? Turns out this was something Pepper and the patients cooked up in secret, as a commemoration of the Repair Center's anniversary, and a token of gratitude to the facility's best doctor. Still speechless, Mary suddenly breaks out in tears as Pepper frets over her. The worst-case scenario that haunted Mary's waking thoughts never came to pass. Instead, what was wrought from this return was a moment of joy, shining as bright and warm as the sun itself.

That momentary bliss gives Mary the strength to carry on with her vow. The hands that signed the terrible fates of so many souls will go on to save just as many, if not more. And should she come across anyone she's personally condemned by her hand, she will be able look them in the eye and tell them she is sorry.

### Hard Mode Epilogue - Code Name: ???

Back at the Ark, Andersen is commending the protagonist on a job well done. The mining units sent to Blue Water Island have reported incredible gains that have (temporarily) assuaged the Ark's resource woes. Between the brownie points with the military and a growing push from the public, the Central Government has seen fit to give the protagonist a reward if he has any particular desires.

The protagonist has a flashback to the last conversation he had with Mary before they left the island, and requests permission to return to Blue Water Island in the near future. It's easily granted, as a number of follow-up missions associated with that area can be assigned to his squad, and give him the chance to fully enjoy his time there. The Deputy Chief accepts the commander's thanks and almost dismisses him to let him rest. Keyword *almost*, as Shifty has something to report.

After a moment of Shifty taking in the protagonist's glowing complexion, she gives her report. Blue Water Island's analytical installations detected an unidentified mass moving through the water. The idea of it being an aquatic Rapture is immediately scrapped, as aquatic Raptures were last seen over 100 years ago with nary a trace since. The mass is measured to be as large as several buildings, so the idea of it being some kind of sea mine or submarine left behind by Invasion-era navies is similarly deemed implausible.

Deciding further speculation is pointless, Andersen orders Shifty to keep an eye on this mysterious mass, and send Counters after it once they have an idea of what they're dealing with. As the operator ends the call, Andersen commiserates that as much as he'd like to send the protagonist back to Blue Water under peaceful circumstances, it would seem destiny has a different plan in mind...

Blue Water ISLAND: END

SEA, YOU, AGAIN: To be Continued

## Gameplay

Event Tokens (Shells) are spent to play stages and earn event currency (Pearls), which can be traded in the shop for rewards. Shells regenerate to a maximum of 5 per day, and additional Shells can be purchased in the shop for Gems.

### Part I

Part I of the story and its associated stages are available as soon as maintenance ends.

### Part II

Part II of the story will open at 5:00:00 June 22 (UTC+9) after Part I has been cleared

Hard Mode will be unlocked after Part II Normal has been cleared and 7 days remain on the event duration

### Event Missions

Blue Water Island features its own set of daily repeatable and one-time challenge missions, each offering their own rewards for completing tasks. Completing at least 24 challenge missions will earn the CG "Salutary Summer" to decorate the Lobby.

### Event Map

Blue Water Island will feature an event exclusive map where players can move about and find Lost Relics, including Pearls, Gems, and Event OST tracks. Lost Relics gradually spawn in every day of the event, and do not overwrite unclaimed ones.

### Challenge Stages

Challenge Chips are consumed to play these high-difficulty boss battles against Nihilister. Chips regenerate at a rate of 1 per day, to a maximum of 3

### Minigame: Volt Road

An event-exclusive minigame. Play as Volt and help the team gather resources!

Similar to Hightech Toy's Hero Road, Volt Road takes the style of a board game. Event-exclusive dice are spent to roll and move across the board. Various spaces will increase or decrease Volt's Map Search gauge, which offers a special reward once it hits 100%

### Vacation Plan Login Event

An event-exclusive login event offering rewards for up to 14 days of logging in during the event

### Blue Water Pass

An event-exclusive Mission Pass. Complete daily missions to earn points towards rewards. Purchase the premium track for a chance to get the costume Ocean Vitamin for Pepper

### Lobby BG update

For the duration of the event, the Lobby's background will be updated to reflect the sun and sand of summer. BGM and Nikke settings will remain unaffected

## List of Bonus Nikkes

Complete stages using the following Nikkes for a chance to earn bonus Pearls. Bonus stacks at 100%

## Version Updates

### Recruit update

#### New Limited SSR Nikke: Mary: Bay Goddess

Duration: From the end of the June 15, 2023 maintenance to 4:59:59 July 6, 2023 (UTC+9)

The SSR Nikke Mary: Bay Goddess will be on rate-up in the Special Recruitment, as well as having her Molds on sale in the Mileage Shop.

\*Note: Mary: Bay Goddess is a limited event character. Ergo, she will **NOT** be added to the standard recruitment pool once the event ends.

#### New Limited SSR Nikke: Neon: Blue Ocean

Duration: From 5:00:00 June 22, 2023 to 4:59:59 July 13, 2023 (UTC+9)

SSR Nikke Neon: Blue Ocean will be on rate-up in the Special Recruitment, as well as having her Molds on sale in the Mileage Shop.

\*Note: Neon: Blue Ocean is a limited event character. Ergo, she will **NOT** be added to the standard recruitment pool once the event ends.

#### Standard Recruit Update

SSR Nikkes Blanc, Noir, and Rosanna will be added to the Standard and Mold Recruits.

### Full Burst Day

Duration: 5:00:00 July 1, 2023 to 4:59:59 July 3, 2023 (UTC+9)

During Full Burst Day, rewards from Simulation Room and Interception are doubled

### Coordinated Operation

Season 1 duration: 12:00:00 June 16, 2023 to 23:59:59 June 18, 2023 (UTC+9)

Boss: Storm Bringer

Season 2 duration: 12:00:00 June 30, 2023 to 23:59:59 July 2, 2023 (UTC+9)

Boss: Chatterbox

Players team up to take on a boss and earn Broken Cores to be traded in the Shop. Matchmaking can be done with random players, Friends, or Union Members.

### Union Raid

Duration: 12:00:00 June 30, 2023 to 4:59:59 July 6, 2023 (UTC+9)

Unions of level 3 and up can take on increasingly tougher bosses to earn Union Chips, which can be traded in the shop for Harmony Cube upgrade materials and Limit Break material for Liberation Nikkes

### Arena Revamp

The PVP Arena system will be revised following maintenance. Refer to the official notice for full details

### July Mission Pass

Beginning the first day of July (UTC+9), the Mission Pass will be reset. The premium track will offer the costume Sea of Sloth for Frima.

## Trivia

* The event's name and setting is likely named after Bluewaters Island, an artificial island located in the Jumeirah beach residence in Dubai.

## References

Notes

References
1. ↑ https://twitter.com/NIKKE\_en/status/1667449494072610816
2. ↑ July 2023 Developer's Note
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://nikke-en.com/newsdetail.html?col\_name=&sid=&content\_id=d8a6e0c4a02c0a4c1da855ea80b0432046c7&from=index
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/NIKKE\_en/status/1667365996938637314