For Princess Shuri, surrendering to Senju Haruto was a bitter, almost unbearable thought.
It wasn't only the acknowledgement of Wakanda's defeat—it meant that she, the princess, would fall into captivity.
And yet, the reality before her left no other choice.
She could not stand by and watch her people slaughtered to the last on these blood-soaked plains.
But just as she prepared to give the order—commanding every Wakandan warrior to lay down their arms and surrender unconditionally—her hand froze midair.
Was this truly the right choice?
Her father, her brother, her friends, her people…
All of them had fallen here on this battlefield.
All of them, cruelly slain by Haruto's hand.
And now, as their daughter, their sister, their friend, their princess… she was to kneel before this devil, begging for her own survival?
No.
Her heart screamed against it.
"I can't accept this," she whispered, shaking her head.
Rationally, she knew surrender might minimize losses, preserving what little strength remained for future resistance.
But emotionally, she could not.
She believed—no, she knew—that her father and brother would never wish for her to bow to Haruto.
She still carried the pride of a princess, the dignity of a crown heir.
After agonizing conflict within, Shuri abandoned the thought of surrender.
Instead, she passed command of the situation to her attendants.
If she died here on the battlefield, then those who survived could still surrender later.
Her loyal retainers tried to insist on joining her in battle, but Shuri silenced their courage with a single command, invoking her authority as princess.
Thus, alone, Shuri boarded Wakanda's most advanced aircraft.
At her order, the energy shield opened at the front lines, and her craft streaked into the skies above the battlefield.
Her sensors locked onto Haruto's position.
Her eyes were resolute, her expression radiating unshakable determination.
The moment Haruto came into view, every weapon on the ship swiveled and aimed directly at him.
Without hesitation, without pause, Shuri's hands struck the console again and again, unleashing every weapon the vessel possessed.
Missiles, cannons, energy blasts—all of it rained down on Haruto.
But he did not evade.
Instead, he expanded his spiritual perception, confirming the pilot's identity.
"Shuri," Haruto murmured.
He understood at once—this was her final act of defiance, her last shred of dignity as princess.
If it had been any other nation's forces, Shuri's assault would have been devastating.
Against ordinary Earth technology, Wakanda's vibranium-powered arsenal was an overwhelming advantage, a blow from another dimension entirely.
But to Haruto, this was nothing.
Compared to the power he wielded, Shuri herself was the one on the receiving end of a dimensional crushing blow.
With but a thought, Haruto poured out his boundless chakra.
It took shape around him, forming a half-complete Susanoo that stood firm against her barrage.
Every one of Shuri's attacks broke uselessly against its colossal frame.
Smoke and fire billowed skyward, rising like a tragic mushroom cloud.
Shuri clenched her fists, praying desperately that her ambush might succeed.
If Haruto could be killed here, perhaps Wakanda could still be saved.
But reality was cruel.
A single gust of chakra burst from Susanoo, scattering the cloud of smoke as though it were nothing.
Not a scratch marred Haruto's form.
Not even dust touched the hem of his robes.
Encased in Susanoo's armor, arms folded across his chest, Haruto stood unmoving.
He tilted his head upward, gazing at Shuri's ship with calm disdain, his posture wordlessly mocking her—Is this all you're capable of?
The sight tore at Shuri's spirit.
Haruto was no man; he was a demon.
And she—she was human, powerless to slay such a monster.
"No…" Shuri shook her head fiercely.
Maybe she lacked the strength, lacked the means to destroy Haruto.
But at the very least, she still had the right to choose her fate.
"You must be proud of yourself, standing there. You think you've won everything.
All of Wakanda lies under your heel.
This land, our vibranium mines, they will all become your spoils.
Two kings have already fallen to your hand.
But no matter what the outcome is—
You will never defeat Wakanda. You will never conquer our hearts!
Someday, a brave warrior will rise and slay you!
Because as all stories end—justice always triumphs over evil!"
Her voice thundered across the battlefield, carried by the ship's broadcast systems.
Not only Haruto, but every surviving warrior below heard her final declaration.
Okoye, W'Kabi, the remaining tribal chiefs, and the weary soldiers all lifted their eyes.
In Shuri's words, they felt her unyielding resolve—the choice to shatter rather than bend.
Something deep within them stirred, ignited.
The despair and fear that had weighed them down was smothered, burned away by a fiercer flame.
Yes, they might all die here, today.
But their spirit would endure forever.
Wakanda could be struck down, but it could never be truly defeated.
One day, someone would remember.
One day, someone would rise against Haruto's tyranny.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
Battle cries erupted like thunder.
The warriors' voices rang raw and primal, like the roars of ancient beasts.
Bloodshot eyes blazing, they hurled themselves into one final charge.
Against the sand soldiers.
Against Orochimaru's captives.
Against the shinobi of the Sound Village.
The armies clashed once more.
At the same time, Shuri pushed her ship to maximum speed.
The vibranium vessel streaked forward faster than sound, a missile of pure metal, aimed straight at Haruto.
Its impact force would rival the deadliest of weapons.
And in her final fury, Shuri hurled herself into him.
"Justice will triumph over evil?"
Haruto let out a cold laugh at her words.
Perhaps her resolve was brave.
But to him, it was naïve.
"Only the victor defines justice."
His voice rumbled low, his words carried by magic, seared into Shuri's mind—and into the hearts of every Wakandan who still lived.
Haruto raised his hand.
Susanoo mirrored the gesture.
White magic, black magic, chaos magic—three entirely different forces swirled and fused, merging into the strongest composite spell ever conceived.
"One more thing, Shuri," Haruto said quietly.
From his palm burst a blinding white light.
It engulfed the vibranium ship in an instant.
"Vibranium… is not unbreakable."