Young people—push them and they resist, pull them and they retreat.
But as long as you treat them as equals and offer the right amount of encouragement—or even a little coaxing—then...
Compared to the rough handling Murrue and the others had done in the original timeline, his approach was far more effective!
Wang Hu was quite satisfied that his few words had managed to stir Kira's enthusiasm.
Of course, the sight of Mu in his military uniform beside him couldn't be ignored either.
After offering Kira a few more words of encouragement, it was almost time.
Right on cue, the battleship's internal speakers blared with the alarm signaling an enemy attack.
"So soon? That bastard Creuset!"
Mu had originally wanted to say a few words to Kira as well—something about the whole situation feeling off to him.
But he couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly was wrong. Now, with the alarm sounding, he had no choice but to set aside his doubts for the moment.
"Don't push yourself too hard, kid. Like Wang Hu said, you're just supplementary firepower."
"We'll handle the bulk of the fighting."
Even so, Mu couldn't resist slipping in one last remark.
Kira didn't respond, his gaze lingering on Mu's uniform before finally settling on the honest and reliable Wang Hu.
Mu's expression stiffened, a hint of awkward frustration flashing across his face.
"Let's go." Wang Hu wasted no more time—they were on the clock now.
"Chengzhi, head to the bridge. Tell them to be careful with their attacks—we're inside an Orb satellite."
"The enemy might not care about civilian lives, but we do!"
"Got it." Nodding, Li Chengzhi sprinted toward the bridge.
As his friend left, Wang Hu also broke into a run, heading for the hangar. Along the way, he continued drilling instructions into Kira.
"Once you're out there, prioritize your own safety. You're not a soldier—you haven't been trained, so don't try to be a hero."
"When using the aerial combat equipment, watch your shots. Avoid hitting the satellite's structural connectors."
"But if your life is ever in danger, forget all that. I'll take responsibility for whatever happens."
"Brother Wang Hu..." Kira was overwhelmed with emotion, recalling all the ways Wang Hu had looked out for him since they'd first met.
The soft-hearted Kira didn't know how to express his gratitude.
I'll do my best on the battlefield. Words couldn't capture the depth of his appreciation for Wang Hu.
Kira resolved to prove himself in combat!
This guy's good!
Mu, watching Kira's reaction from the side, could easily read the young man's state of mind.
Compared to when they'd first met—when Kira had been full of reluctance and unease—now he was practically burning with fighting spirit!
What a change...
Mu opened his mouth, then closed it again, deciding against saying anything that might ruin the moment. By the time they reached the hangar and he climbed into his Moebius Zero, he let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Tch. I'm really being underestimated here."
He was, after all, an elite pilot with a title to his name—someone who commanded respect wherever he went. So why was nobody here taking him seriously?
"Fine. I'll just have to blow you all away. After all, I'm the man who turns the impossible into the possible!"
Muttering to himself, Mu gave it his all—200% effort—just to prove his strength in the upcoming battle to Wang Hu and the others!
But...
"This is the bridge. Li Chengzhi speaking. Thermal imaging radar has detected enemy forces."
"Enemy count: nine. Five GINN units are equipped with fortress-busting Type-D Equipment, one GINN is outfitted with high-mobility Type-A Equipment, and one CGUE."
"It is speculated that the CGUE is piloted by the enemy ace, Creuset. Special attention: the enemy has deployed the Aegis Gundam and the Duel Gundam!"
"Relevant intel on the two Gundams has been transmitted. Please review and familiarize yourselves with the enemy units' characteristics!"
"What?!" Just as Mu had put on his helmet and slid the Zero into the catapult runway, he was stunned by this sudden news.
"Deploying Gundams into battle this soon? And Type-D Equipment! Is ZAFT really planning to use such armaments inside a colony?"
"Big Brother Wang Hu?"
After hearing Li Chengzhi's briefing from the bridge, Kira—who had been in a state of excitement—suddenly remembered something.
Whoosh. His fighting spirit wavered instantly. At the thought of that person, Kira instinctively called out Wang Hu's name, as if seeking his help.
"Kira, listen up."
Wang Hu cut Kira off before he could speak, his tone grave.
"The so-called Type-D Equipment consists of heavy missiles designed for fortress assaults. A colony like Orb wouldn't survive more than a few hits."
"Your mission is to intercept those missiles—don't let a single one hit the colony."
"Otherwise, this colony and everyone on it—!"
As he spoke, Wang Hu theatrically slammed his fist against the cockpit console.
Boom—a loud noise rang out.
It perfectly matched the unusually furious emotion Wang Hu was displaying.
"Has ZAFT lost all humanity? Are they completely disregarding the civilians inside this colony?"
"This is a disgraceful massacre! A brutal slaughter! Damn it!"
"I—"
Kira's intended words were stifled by Wang Hu's outburst.
Muttering silently, Kira steeled himself again as the scene Wang Hu described flashed through his mind...
"ZAFT! How dare you?! Athrun, why would you do this?!"
Inside the Strike Gundam's cockpit, Kira was also consumed by rage.
Especially when Wang Hu's next words came.
"Kira, I'm sorry. Please protect the innocent people on this colony. Be prepared to die for this."
"Unless you want to spend sleepless nights in the future, haunted by the lives lost today, blaming yourself for not giving it your all!"
"AAAAAHHHH!" Kira suddenly roared like a madman over the comms.
"Hey, Wang Hu, that's going too far!"
Seeing this, Mu immediately scolded Wang Hu for burdening a child with such a heavy responsibility.
"He's a man." Wang Hu's reply was calm and brief.
"This is a man's duty!"
"But—" Mu tried to argue.
"Big Brother Wang Hu, I can do it! Not a single one—not a single missile will hit the colony!"
At that moment, Kira solemnly cut into their conversation.
There was no hesitation in his eyes now, no lingering attachment to the past.
I'm sorry, Athrun! But this is where I live.
Memories of peaceful and beautiful days flashed before his eyes one after another.
Kira wanted to protect the warmth preserved in those memories!
"Kira Yamato, Strike Gundam, launching!"
With a heart set on protection, the young man stepped onto the battlefield.
"Tch." Mu clicked his tongue in resignation.
"Mu La Flaga! Moebius Zero, launching!"
"Heh." Watching the two sortie one after another, Wang Hu chuckled softly and pushed the control stick forward.
"Wang Hu, Qilin, launching!"
Thus, two Mobile Armors and one Strike Gundam launched from the Archangel.
The three lone warriors soon clashed with the menacing approaching ZAFT forces.
"Kira." Inside the Aegis Gundam, Athrun stared at his childhood friend trailing behind the Allied Forces' MA.
"Have you joined the Allied Forces? Like that Wang Hu, have you become a traitor too?"
He couldn't bring himself to believe that his childhood friend had become his enemy upon their reunion.
So he wanted to use this opportunity to see if he could bring Kira back.
"Athrun, what the hell are you doing? If you don't want to fight, then get the hell back."
Yzak in the Duel Gundam jabbed at him from the side with his signature white-haired snark.
Without waiting for Athrun's response—
"Some ace of the Allied Forces, the Prodigy of Nova—watch me shoot him down!""
Like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, Yzak recklessly charged forward.
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