Though Uzumi's personality could sometimes be as stubborn as a rock—like his unyielding insistence on Qingsong, adamantly maintaining Orb's principles for ten thousand years without wavering—theoretically, his schemes weren't without potential for success. However, in the original timeline, he encountered Azrael, the leader of Blue Cosmos, and in this current timeline, he's faced with the even more cunning East Asian Alliance. After a series of maneuvers, his ill-fated luck led to another clash with the ZAFT Forces, prematurely exposing the reality of possessing the Light of Peace.
Already caught in a desperate situation, pressured from all sides, the incident where the East Asian representative was attacked by what appeared to be ZAFT struck like a bolt from the blue, immediately leaving Orb Lion Uzumi dazed and disoriented. Thus, while anxiously awaiting updates from the personnel dispatched to quickly uncover the truth in his office, Uzumi simultaneously issued a stern condemnation to PLANT, accusing Coordinators of attempting to interfere with Orb's internal affairs, among other things. He aimed to use this to absolve Orb of any involvement and stabilize the precarious tightrope it was walking.
However, Uzumi's wording this time was exceptionally severe—far more so than when Heliopolis collapsed—and it remains unclear whether this declaration had any effect on East Asia, PLANT, or other factions. Instead, it greatly displeased the citizens who took to the streets upon learning its contents. What did it mean? Back when Heliopolis fell, he hadn't been this frantic. Why jump out so urgently now that the East Asian representative was attacked? If he cared so much about them, why not agree to the East Asian representative's proposal to spare Orb from the flames of war?
In this way, with various forces meddling in Orb's affairs, the declaration only intensified the chaos in the country's situation. At the same time, as everyone knows, Orb's internal governance was originally a joint rule by five great clans. It was only because the Asuha family produced several outstanding leaders in succession that the highest leadership of Orb has long been held by the Asuha family. But does that mean the other four clans truly have no other ideas? Not necessarily.
For instance, Amenomihashira—a name that carries an imposing aura—is another Space Colony Satellite belonging to Orb and the territory of the Sahak family. Within that Colony Satellite, there have always been voices disagreeing with Uzumi's governance philosophy. Therefore, while Uzumi was anxiously dealing with the current turmoil, the other clans began their own preparations. The heads of the families certainly wouldn't leave, but it was necessary to temporarily evacuate some other family members.
However, once these people departed, even under the utmost secrecy, it's essential to remember that no wall is impermeable—especially when countless eyes are watching Orb. It could be East Asia, the Atlantic Federation, or even PLANT. In any case, news of the upper echelons fleeing quickly spread throughout Orb.
There was video footage, images, and even some unscrupulous individual had started a live broadcast.
Although this live stream was quickly shut down by Orb's relevant departments, which also dispatched personnel to the broadcast location to arrest the culprit.
Of course, they certainly wouldn't catch anyone, but what was the point of shutting down the broadcast at this point?
"East Asian Alliance, Atlantic Federation, PLANT, and possibly other forces."
Sitting in his office, Uzumi no longer possessed his lion-like spirit, entangled by various invisible webs.
At this moment, he resembled more a trapped lion in a desperate situation.
Yet even with Uzumi in such a state, bad news kept arriving one after another.
"Terrible news!"
Accompanied by cries of alarm, a series of footsteps represented a stream of people.
"The East Asian representatives are withdrawing! They've given a three-day ultimatum to the public."
"Claiming that if Orb doesn't provide a suitable response when the deadline expires,"
"The East Asian Army will launch an attack!"
Shouted one of the panicked aides who had burst through the door.
"Amenomihashira is making discordant noises."
"It's said the citizens there are extremely dissatisfied with the main island's policies, and some even claim to have seen Amenomihashira's management privately communicating with East Asian representatives!"
Before the first speaker finished, another quickly continued.
"Citizens on the main island, fearing war, are attempting to flee the country in large numbers."
"The East Asian Army has actually dispatched rescue ships in offshore waters to help our citizens leave."
"Due to the citizen exodus, morale among Orb Self-Defense Force soldiers has become unstable."
"According to latest intelligence, small-scale mutinies have already occurred."
"The head of the Seiran family, Representative Unato, just gave a public speech from the East Asian expedition fleet."
"Who knows what promises the East Asian side made him - Representative Unato openly stated he would urgently push the government to agree to lend the Mass Driver."
"Various nations across the Earth Sphere have again voiced appeals for Orb's central government to carefully consider the East Asian proposal..."
With so many people and each bringing urgent news, the later reports became a cacophony of overlapping voices, like a room full of quacking ducks.
Before these people could finish listing all the bad news,
"Enough!"
Uzumi, who had never shown such temper in public, suddenly roared loudly, silencing everyone instantly.
"Simultaneous attacks everywhere, leaving one escape route while besieging three sides, great nation benevolence, coordination from within, allying with distant states while attacking nearby ones."
"What an East Asian Alliance, what a millennia-old great power, hahahahaha."
Forcing down the fury in his chest, Uzumi immediately drove all his aides out of the room.
But even as the situation deteriorated to an unbearable degree, during the three-day deadline given by the East Asian side,
Orb's lion Uzumi Ula Asuha seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth, as the final moment rapidly approached.
He!
Under the watchful eyes of the entire world, still hadn't provided the response the East Asian side hoped to see!
"Three days - Orb's popular support must be almost completely dissipated by now."
With the attack time drawing nearer and Uzumi determined to resist to the end,
Sitting in his Gundam while awaiting launch orders, Wang Hu smiled and asked his friend.
"Pretty much."
Nodding in agreement, Li Chengzhi shared another piece of encouraging news through the screen inside the Lightning Zeta Gundam's cockpit.
"Multiple commanding officers of Orb's Self-Defense Forces have privately pledged allegiance to us."
"They've promised to defect immediately once our forces launch the attack."
"Oh, that's truly excellent news."
Glancing at the nearly expired timetable, Wang Hu contributed another positive development.
"Our dear representative Unato has declared that after we conquer Orb,"
"He will immediately step forward to establish a new government and dedicate Orb's resources to East Asia's prosperity in the coming days."
"Is that really good news?"
Li Chengzhi held a different perspective.
"According to public opinion surveys conducted among refugees evacuated these past few days, the Asuha family's Uzumi has indeed seen his reputation hit rock bottom."
"But Cagalli, who continues working tirelessly across multiple fronts, enjoys unusually high popularity."
"By openly opposing her father's ideology to protect Orb,"
"Refusing to abandon even the slightest possibility until the very end, she insists that only the welfare of Orb's citizens holds true value."
"Consequently, numerous Orb refugees regard her as a goddess."
"This might ultimately lead the upper echelons to consider supporting Cagalli instead."
"I see."
Wang Hu found himself at a loss for words, ultimately realizing most Orb citizens shared that distinctive national character.
Truly, no matter how badly others treat you, you remain devoted as if it were first love.
Whether Cagalli or Uzumi, when all is said and done, they're both Asuhas!
Shaking his head, Wang Hu ceased discussing Orb's future with his friend.
Regardless of whether Cagalli or Unato assumed power,
Orb would always have a supreme overlord called East Asia looming overhead.
In terms of diplomatic prowess, East Asia far surpassed the Atlantic Federation.
In the original timeline, Orb's restoration happened purely because of the Atlantic Federation's actions.
So despicable! So unpopular!
That's why Orb managed to restore itself through diplomatic triumphs back then.
But in today's world, East Asia's conduct aligns perfectly with popular sentiment and historical inevitability!
"It's our turn now."
Though preoccupied with these thoughts, Wang Hu didn't miss the changing launch signal. The instant the light switched from red to green,
The ever-vigilant Wang Hu roared immediately.
This battle cry marked the official commencement of the East Asian Army's campaign against Orb!
"Wang Hu of the Uprising Army, Lightning Zeta Gundam, launching!"
Shouting the launch declaration, Wang Hu propelled his Gundam from the battleship using the internal catapult system.
The moment he cleared the warship, he transformed the mobile suit into MA Mode,
Soaring skyward to join East Asia's fighter formations.
Beneath the azure sky, massive squadrons of combat aircraft arranged in battle formations
Escorted large transport planes heading straight for Orb's most valuable asset -
Kaguya Port, home of the mass driver.
This unit's mission proved most critical: they must capture Kaguya Port
As intact as possible before Uzumi could implement his scorched-earth policy.
For this purpose, East Asia's high command deployed their most elite forces.
Naturally, a millennia-old civilization like East Asia would never resemble the Atlantic Federation
By presenting such an odious facade that disgusts all who behold it.
Capturing Kaguya Port is indeed of utmost importance.
However, seizing Orb's main island also holds significant strategic value, especially when considering the aspect of winning over the populace.
The East Asian Army high command explicitly prohibited the use of missile saturation attacks and forbade assaults on urban areas where civilians still remained.
This essentially placed invisible shackles on the East Asian Army units responsible for this front.
Even for the ever-victorious East Asian Army, achieving victory under such heavy restrictions posed a major challenge!
(End of Chapter)