"Kira, we're safe now."
Tolle and the others inside the battleship were unaware of the discord occurring on the bridge.
All they could see was their ship finally entering the supposedly impregnable Artemis - which meant safety!
"Yeah, I'm so tired of being chased by Zaft. Thank goodness we met Brother Wang Hu and his team," said Katz, the most excited among them. As a military enthusiast by nature, he eagerly peered outside.
"Brother Wang Hu?" Hearing his friend mention that man, Kira unconsciously showed a look of shame.
He had actually doubted for even a moment that Brother Wang Hu would use comrades as bait - how utterly wrong he'd been!
"That was so wrong of me," Kira muttered to himself, recalling what Brother Wang Hu had said when he went to apologize...
"Kira?" Noticing his friend's sudden low spirits, Tolle asked with concern.
"Ah, it's nothing. I was just thinking about what'll happen to everyone next," Kira quickly changed the subject, not wanting others to know about his past mistake.
"I see. After all, it's the Eurasian Federation Army - different from the East Asian Army, right?" Miriallia said worriedly.
At these words, everyone fell silent.
Facing the unknown Eurasian Federation Army, whose reputation matched the Atlantic Federation Army's, they all felt varying degrees of unease. The earlier cheerful atmosphere completely dissipated.
"So this is where you all are."
Just as everyone was lost in their thoughts, Mu approached.
"Lieutenant Mu?" Sai stepped forward as the group's shield, confident his status would command some respect.
If they could just hold out until Brother Wang Hu arrived, things should be fine.
As a last resort... Sai glanced at Flay at the edge of the group - her status could also be useful!
"What are you doing?"
Mu looked puzzled at Sai's protective stance, then ignored him to wave at Kira.
"We're all attending the Eurasian Federation's welcome ceremony soon, but first I need you to lock down the Strike Gundam."
"Huh?" Kira stared at the serious-faced Mu before replying, "Brother Wang Hu already had me do that earlier."
"Did he now?" Mu stroked his chin.
"Is there anything that bastard doesn't anticipate?"
Feeling thoroughly defeated, Mu grew irritated at how Wang Hu always stayed one step ahead.
Not even his father or Creuset had ever made him feel this pressured before!
"Bastard?" The group eyed Mu suspiciously, wondering if he was referring to Wang Hu.
If so...
Dangerous glints appeared in Tolle and Kira's eyes.
"Hey, what's with those looks?"
Being fundamentally decent, Mu didn't get angry at the teenagers' hostile gazes.
With a somewhat weary wave, he motioned for them to prepare for the ceremony.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several ceremonial cannon shots rang out.
Click, click, click.
The crisp sound of ceremonial rifles being shouldered echoed.
A long red carpet stretched all the way to the entrance of the Archangel where its crew disembarked.
Flanking both sides of the carpet stood two rows of honor guards, their imposing stature and dignified bearing unmistakable.
Their sharp eyes locked onto Wang Hu and his group as they appeared at the top of the descending ramp.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa… this is a bit over the top, isn't it?"
Not to mention Kira and the others, who had never experienced such a scene before—these youths, who had been students not long ago, were so stunned by the spectacle that they stumbled awkwardly, their movements stiff and uncoordinated.
Even Mu, a seasoned veteran, found the reception arranged by the Artemis garrison excessive.
By any measure, given their ranks, this kind of welcome ceremony wasn't just exaggerated—it was outright inappropriate!
"Captain Wang Hu?"
Murrue, who had initially stood at the front as the ship's captain, instinctively stepped back to position herself behind Wang Hu.
"Let's go, Wang Hu."
Li Chengzhi, pleased by Murrue's deference, used the moment to make his stance clear.
In his eyes, Murrue had no right to walk ahead of Wang Hu in the first place.
At least you know your place!
Unbeknownst to him, Natarle Badgiruel, standing in the second row, was seething at Li Chengzhi's treatment of Murrue.
She was practically itching to rush forward and tear him apart—but…
Calm down, calm down!
Natarle consoled herself. She absolutely could not embarrass the Atlantic Federation Army in such a formal setting.
Just wait a little longer… just a little longer.
She would expose the ugly faces of these two factions in the most righteous and glorious manner!
"Let's go." Without hesitation, Wang Hu took the lead, stepping forward decisively.
Every step he took was firm.
Every step radiated the indomitable majesty of the East Asian Army—a presence too overwhelming to behold.
At this moment, Wang Hu no longer represented just himself, nor even the crew of the Archangel behind him.
He embodied the unyielding spirit of the people who had lived on that vast land since ancient times!
He was the one and only, the legendary warrior who had single-handedly taken on seventeen factions!
The pride behind him, the honor behind him—
None of it allowed Wang Hu to show even a trace of hesitation or fear!
Chin slightly raised, an aura of killing intent—or perhaps sheer dominance—radiated from Wang Hu's entire being.
The countless millions of his people had bestowed upon him an arrogance beyond compare.
"Hmm!"
With each step Wang Hu took at the forefront, his presence intensified.
The first to notice the change were naturally Mu and the others following behind him.
As they watched Wang Hu's back and felt his overwhelming aura, sweat beaded on their foreheads, their mouths going dry.
Is this Wang Hu?
Is this the real Wang Hu?
Soon, even the honor guards of the Eurasian Federation found themselves subdued by Wang Hu's presence. Almost imperceptibly, they began to act as though they were welcoming an undisputed king!
Their heads lowered slightly, as if in silent submission!
"Hahahaha!"
Just as the entire scene was about to fall completely under Wang Hu's dominance, a booming laugh abruptly shattered the eerie atmosphere.
Hearing this laughter, the soldiers of the Artemis Fortress snapped out of their daze, breaking free from Wang Hu's overwhelming aura.
"Welcome, my friend—Wang Hu of the East Asian Army, the pride of our Allied Forces!"
The speaker was a general with distinctly Gallic features, his rank of major general evident from the insignia on his shoulders.
"I am Charles Andre, the commanding officer of this fortress!"
"I am Wang Hu, captain of the Third Battalion in the Nova Fortress training division."
Wang Hu spoke with neither arrogance nor deference, showing no trace of restraint despite the other's rank.
Out of consideration for military hierarchy, Wang Hu extended his hand for a handshake rather than offering a salute.
A glint of understanding flashed in Charles Andre's eyes—he immediately grasped the implication behind Wang Hu's gesture.
You represent the East Asian Army now, so rank shouldn't dictate this interaction. No pulling seniority here, right?
With a chuckle, Charles clasped Wang Hu's hand.
A simple gesture, yet who would guess the layers of meaning beneath it without explanation?
"The East Asian Army has produced another prodigy! Truly a blessing for East Asia, and a beacon for our Allied Forces!"
The verbal sparring began here, every word laced with hidden barbs.
You are a soldier of the East Asian Army, but also of the Allied Forces.
"Charles Andre... de la France?"
Wang Hu deliberately sidestepped the provocation, countering with his own.
"Ah, Captain Wang Hu knows his history well."
With his free hand, Charles patted their clasped hands, his expression amused as he pointed at Wang Hu.
This man understands—not superficially, but truly understands!
"This is Li Chengzhi."
Wang Hu turned his head slightly, introducing his comrade at his side.
"He is currently my deputy captain."
"Li?" Charles shifted his gaze to Li Chengzhi, who stood as straight and steady as a pine.
"Hahaha! Young heroes, young heroes!"
Another hearty laugh escaped Charles as he withdrew his hand, then cheerfully led the group deeper into the fortress.
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