"Making Murrue the captain is a strategic retreat, isn't it?"
After temporarily leaving the bridge and following Wang Hu toward the living quarters, Li Chengzhi mused aloud, answering his own question.
"The crew on this battleship all belong to the Atlantic Federation. While in terms of ability, the two of us undoubtedly hold an absolute advantage..."
"But considering the bigger picture and the crew's obedience, pushing a figurehead to the front makes it easier for you to manipulate things behind the scenes."
Hearing his friend analyze his motives, Wang Hu smiled faintly, neither admitting nor denying it.
"Hmph." Seeing Wang Hu avoid a direct answer and instead wear that faint smile, Li Chengzhi wasn't offended. Matters like these were tacitly understood—spelling everything out would just be tedious.
However...
"Are you really incapable of piloting the Strike Gundam?"
Li Chengzhi changed the subject, and this question clearly mattered far more to him than conceding the captain's position. He needed to understand this.
"Kira is a talented individual."
This time, Wang Hu didn't evade. He laid out his thoughts plainly. Only through proper communication could he ensure his friend's cooperation in what was to come.
"You've heard some things about him, right?"
"Yeah." Li Chengzhi nodded. How could he not know what Wang Hu was referring to?
Whether it was Kira rewriting the Strike Gundam's systems in an instant or a mere civilian repelling a Green Coat with a title like the Twilight Phantom—neither of these feats could be brushed off with just the simple label of "Coordinator."
"I see what you're getting at."
Reading between the lines, Li Chengzhi grasped Wang Hu's intentions. Using the Atlantic Federation affiliation of the battleship's crew to indirectly manipulate Kira? And ultimately, controlling the boy in the palm of their hands before bringing him to East Asia?
Not bad, not bad. In an instant, Li Chengzhi sketched out several schemes in his mind, ready to collaborate with Wang Hu to firmly secure Kira.
"Hey, wait up!"
Just as Li Chengzhi's mind brimmed with cunning plans and he was about to discuss them further with Wang Hu, a voice called out from behind them, accompanied by hurried footsteps. Turning around, they saw none other than Mu rushing toward them.
"What do you want?" Li Chengzhi had little fondness for this guy with his so-called "something-something Eagle" title. Just a glorified poster boy—nowhere near Wang Hu's caliber!
"I feel like you're thinking something pretty rude right now."
Mu studied the two men he had stopped, lingering particularly on Li Chengzhi's face. Then he turned to Wang Hu.
"You're planning to go see Kira, right? Let me come with you."
"Oh?" Wang Hu regarded him thoughtfully. "Is this Murrue's idea, or your own?"
"Hah." Mu chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek with a roguish charm.
"Isn't part of your plan to have Kira sortie into battle?"
"As proper soldiers, relying on a kid is downright shameful. It'd be inexcusable if I didn't at least go talk to him first."
"I see." Wang Hu didn't refuse the company, nodding to signal Mu to follow.
This guy!
Li Chengzhi glanced subtly at Mu. Unlike Wang Hu's nonchalance, he was considering something.
Had Mu detected Wang Hu's intentions?
Was it intuition or had he seen through it?
Beneath Mu's carefree rogue exterior might lie hidden depths unknown to others!
Worth being wary of! Should he be eliminated?
Hmm? Mu's body swayed slightly unnaturally. Though he hadn't noticed Li Chengzhi's scrutinizing gaze.
Some sixth sense told him malicious intent was directed his way from somewhere.
Could it be Creuset?
Just like when he came to meet Kira with Wang Hu, Mu fully trusted his instincts!
The journey continued in silence as the three arrived at the Archangel's living quarters.
Kira, who had just rested briefly, was awake and whispering with his companions.
"Brother Wang Hu?" Following Kira's address, Miriallia was the first to spot the newcomers.
After calling out to Wang Hu, the girl's wary eyes fixed on Mu, the Atlantic Federation soldier.
"Don't look at me like that, little lady. I'm not here to cause trouble."
Mu smiled, trying to lighten the mood with a half-joke.
Unfortunately, his attempt fell on deaf ears—no one present paid him any attention.
"Brother Wang Hu, why have you come?" Kira asked Wang Hu directly.
"Get ready. When the enemy attacks later, you'll engage them with the Strike Gundam's Air Combat Type."
Wang Hu got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
"Huh?" Tolle cut in before Kira could respond, trying to refuse on his friend's behalf.
"Brother Wang Hu, aren't you the Qilin Child of Nova, the Strongest Natural? Why does Kira need to fight?"
"We're just civilians—students."
"Tolle..." Though aware of his friend's good intentions, Kira, who had strong respect for Wang Hu, gently tugged at Tolle's sleeve.
"I understand." Wang Hu's expression turned serious as he gave his reasoning.
"'Every common man has a share of responsibility for his country's fate.' You've all heard what this saying from my homeland means, right?"
"And when the enemy breaks in, do you think they'll spare you just because you're students?"
"If that were true, ZAFT wouldn't have attacked the neutral nation Orb's satellite."
"Listen well, Tolle—all of you. Rather than waiting until knives are at your throats to resist and fight for survival..."
"Why not strive for it from the very beginning?"
"But..." Wang Hu's words plunged the students into thought, except Katz, who still voiced naive concerns.
"We're just students, though. Isn't fighting too much to ask?"
"Normally, I wouldn't send Kira into battle either."
Wang Hu didn't get angry at Katz's lack of awareness or resort to threats.
He patiently explained. "But the one coming is that Creuset. With the Qilin, I can guarantee he won't threaten you."
"But what we'll face next certainly won't be just Creuset alone."
Pointing at Mu beside him, Wang Hu continued.
"He can hold off the other GINNs, but he likewise can't defeat the opponents. After all, the difference in military strength is evident here."
"Therefore, I'll unite every capable person aboard to overcome this crisis together."
"The future isn't something forged by one person's struggle alone. On the contrary, it's created through the united efforts of countless people!"
"Brother Wang Hu!" Hearing the word "capable," Kira jolted with excitement.
Looking at Mu's Atlantic Federation military uniform, he quickly recalled what Wang Hu had told him earlier in the Strike Gundam's cockpit.
Moreover, from Wang Hu's subsequent words, Kira heard profound trust and expectation!
Regardless of whether Kira was a Coordinator, his age spoke for itself. People his age all have a bit of that youthful idealism.
The desire to be trusted, to be needed, to be recognized!
All these emotions made Kira's heart race with excitement.
"I'll go! I'll protect everyone, for everyone's future!"
Clenching his fist, Kira seemed to be making a vow.
"Mmm." Smiling, Wang Hu patted Kira's shoulder.
"Go ahead, Kira. I believe you can do it."
"But Kira, you must also understand that one person's strength has limits. Trust your comrades and just do your part."
"Leave the rest to me!"
(End of Chapter)