Chapter Summaries

Mazinger ZERO destroyed Hades, but its growing power and Kouji Kabuto’s exhilaration alarmed the Victory Fleet. Xiao Ran warned Kouji that Mazinger might be driving their shared evolution, leaving the question of who controlled ZERO unresolved.

• Mazinger ZERO burned Hades to ashes, and a ghostly figure appeared as Hades warned that he would return.
• Tetsuya considered whether to destroy Mazinger ZERO before it matured, while the fleet sensed its oppressive aura growing stronger.
• Miss Huang and Tessa announced that the battle on Earth was over and that the fleet would await news from space before preparing to leave for Iskandar.
• Kouji Kabuto said he and Mazinger ZERO had become one and that they both wanted to grow stronger, prompting the others to go on alert.
• Xiao Ran questioned whether Kouji or Mazinger ZERO wanted to grow stronger and warned Kouji that the machine’s power might be carrying him along rather than obeying him.

Xiao Ran warned Kouji Kabuto that Mazinger ZERO was controlling him rather than the other way around, and urged him to reclaim his will. After Doctor Hell was killed and a mysterious horned woman was brought in, Xiao Ran left Kouji to consider what he wanted Mazinger’s power for.

• Kouji Kabuto challenged Xiao Ran’s claim that he was not strong enough, arguing that he had defeated Hades.
• Xiao Ran attacked Mazinger ZERO and pointed out that the machine dodged before Kouji could react, warning that Mazinger might eventually consume his will.
• Doctor Hell appeared in a Talos-like unit, but Dawn destroyed it with a barrage of beams before he could finish speaking.
• Xiao Ran sensed a horned woman watching Mazinger ZERO, and a drone intercepted her and brought her to Dawn.
• Xiao Ran told Kouji to consider whether he would use Mazinger’s power for justice or selfish desire.

Xiao Ran confronted Kouji Kabuto with evidence that Mazinger had been controlling him, and Kouji fled with Mazinger ZERO after realizing the truth. Xiao Ran then returned to the Ra Cailum with a captured woman and identified her as a bionic robot, asking who she was and what she knew about Mazinger ZERO.

• Kouji Kabuto saw mechanical tubes binding his hands and feet and realized Mazinger had controlled him without his knowledge.
• Kouji turned Mazinger ZERO away from Xiao Ran and fled, while Xiao Ran sensed his fear, sorrow, and resolve but let him go.
• Xiao Ran ended Quantum Assimilation and returned to the Ra Cailum with the captured woman.
• Tetsuya left in Great Mazinger, the others returned to their warships, and Sayaka cried over Kouji's departure.
• Xiao Ran examined the captured woman, identified her as a bionic robot, and asked her name, purpose, and knowledge of Mazinger ZERO.

Xiao Ran spoke privately with Minerva X, an android who had crossed nearly 2,800 dimensions seeking to stop Mazinger ZERO from destroying each world. Minerva believed this dimension offered a real chance to change the outcome, while Xiao Ran relied on Kouji Kabuto and the Victory Fleet to prevent its destruction.

• Xiao Ran brought the silent Minerva X into the Ra Cailum's Captain's Room and asked her to explain who she was.
• Minerva X revealed that she was an android sent to help Kouji Kabuto defeat Mazinger ZERO and save the dimension.
• Minerva X explained that she had witnessed Mazinger ZERO destroy world after world across nearly 2,800 dimensions.
• Xiao Ran said he believed Kouji could overcome Mazinger ZERO, though he would try to destroy it and kill Kouji if disaster became unavoidable.
• Minerva X said this dimension differed from the others because Xiao Ran and the Victory Fleet were present, and she believed they might finally stop Mazinger ZERO.

Xiao Ran learned from Minerva X that her travels through countless timelines had shown her many versions of Kouji Kabuto and Mazinger ZERO, but none had escaped tragedy. He introduced Minerva to the Victory Fleet and warned them that they might have to kill Kouji, leaving Ryoma Nagare to ask her to explain what she knew about Mazinger ZERO.

• Xiao Ran spoke with Minerva X for several hours and learned about the many timelines in which Mazinger ZERO destroyed Earth and Kouji Kabuto met different ends.
• Xiao Ran realized Minerva's journeys followed branching timelines within one world rather than crossing freely between separate worlds.
• Xiao Ran introduced Minerva X to the Victory Fleet and warned everyone that Kouji's situation was dire and they might have to kill him.
• Banjo Haran greeted Minerva, then reacted with surprise when she revealed she was an android created by Doctor Juzo Kabuto.
• Ryoma Nagare asked Minerva to explain Mazinger ZERO in detail because Kouji was their companion and comrade.

After the defeat of Hades, Xiao Ran considered the threats already cleared and approved Tokyo-3’s request for the EVAs to return for maintenance and testing. He chose to leave NERV’s plans alone for now, while remaining wary of Unit-01’s eventual apotheosis and whatever trouble it might bring.

• Xiao Ran reviewed the major enemies his forces had defeated and concluded that only the Federation and New Zeon remained before the fleet could rest and travel to Iskandar.
• The Photon Research Institute staff returned to the Science Fortress Research Institute and resumed their work after Hades was destroyed.
• Tokyo-3 requested that the three EVAs and their pilots return for inspections and testing of a newly completed EVA, prompting Xiao Ran to worry about NERV’s plans.
• Xiao Ran agreed to let the EVAs return to Tokyo-3 and ordered NERV to remain alert, planning for the fleet to join them after its defensive mission ended.
• Xiao Ran decided to watch events in Tokyo-3 without intervening, while expecting Unit-01’s apotheosis to cause further complications.

Xiao Ran learned that the Unity Army had defeated the Federation and was preparing to finish taking New Zeon before reorganizing Earth’s forces. Gendo Ikari explained that NERV was building new mass-produced EVAs to replace the three units leaving with the Victory Fleet, and Xiao Ran questioned the danger of creating more EVAs.

• Xiao Ran reflected on the risk of provoking powerful protagonists and considered making major moves after returning to Prometheus.
• The three EVAs left for Tokyo-3 aboard a NERV transport aircraft so Unit-01 could undergo deification.
• Bright and Gendo Ikari told Xiao Ran that the space-based Federation Army had surrendered, the Satellite Laser Cannon had been destroyed, and Sleeves and the Gamillas Fleet had been defeated.
• Xiao Ran directed Bright and Gendo Ikari to dismantle and reorganize the remaining military forces, integrate Mithril and Mercenary Corps as independent overseers, and seek help from the Dragon Clan.
• Gendo Ikari said NERV was selecting pilots for new EVAs and planning mass production to defend Terminal Dogma after the Victory Fleet departed.
• Xiao Ran warned Gendo Ikari that the new EVAs might become Angels and create an even greater threat.

Xiao Ran warned Gendo Ikari about the risks of the mass-produced EVAs and planned a new interworld force to protect both worlds after the Victory Fleet departed. He ordered Zeon’s takeover and summoned Sara to discuss the dragon clan’s role.

• Gendo Ikari assured Xiao Ran that the mass-produced EVAs had safeguards, and Xiao Ran warned him that Angels could still cause unpredictable accidents.
• Xiao Ran told Gendo Ikari and Bright to prepare a special force drawn from both worlds, with Bright agreeing to join the Victory Fleet and find a replacement for his duties.
• Xiao Ran ordered the Burning Legion, the Eternal, and the other ships to take over Zeon within twenty-four hours, bring it into the unified government as an autonomous region, and seize its military authority and enterprises.
• Xiao Ran planned a force with pilots from both worlds, dragon clan members, and Kati Manikin as commander, equipped with advanced mecha built by major industrial organizations.
• Sara arrived aboard the Ra Cailum, and Xiao Ran invited her to walk with him while they talked.

Xiao Ran secured Sarah’s help to strengthen the Unity and protect the Boson Jump Calculation Component, while the Victory Fleet brought New Zeon into the Unity. Just as the dragons’ public entry helped stabilize Earth, an Angel-infected EVA went berserk in Tokyo-3, and Gendo Ikari sent the Victory Fleet an urgent distress call.

• Xiao Ran asked Sarah to commit dragons to the Unity, help open passages between worlds, and keep the Calculation Component in the Dragon Kingdom, and Sarah agreed.
• Sarah, her attendants, and Angie traveled aboard the Ptolemaios to meet the Nadeshiko and secretly deliver the Calculation Component to the Dragon Kingdom.
• The Victory Fleet advanced on New Zeon, which joined the Unity as an autonomous region under Minerva Zabi and surrendered its military authority and industrial resources.
• Mwu granted Minerva a personal guard force of twelve warships and their MS complement, while the remaining Zeon soldiers were retired or integrated into the Unity Army.
• The dragons publicly joined the Unity as the Victory Fleet returned to Earth, and the Nadeshiko and Ptolemaios completed their delivery of the Calculation Component.
• During a new EVA test in Tokyo-3, an Angel-infected EVA went out of control and attacked NERV, prompting Gendo Ikari to send the Victory Fleet an urgent distress transmission.

Xiao Ran ordered the Victory Fleet to respond to NERV’s emergency after EVA Unit 3 was corrupted by an Angel. Meanwhile, the fleet learned that Mazinger ZERO had destroyed thousands of worlds, and its pilots hurried to save Asuka as the story left Minerva X cautiously hopeful.

• Xiao Ran ordered Level One combat readiness and directed the Nadeshiko to prepare for a Boson Jump to the underground space beneath Tokyo-3.
• Princess Sarah, Ryoma Nagare, and Minerva X briefed the Victory Fleet on Mazinger ZERO and its destruction of nearly 2,800 worlds, eclipsing their concern about the Mycenaean Gods.
• Athrun urged the pilots to prepare to defend their worlds, and the Yajenar First Squadron pledged to fight beside him.
• Moses reported that an Angel had corrupted EVA Unit 3 during testing and that it was attacking NERV headquarters' Terminal Dogma.
• Mwu ended the meeting and sent everyone to their positions, while Banjo worried about Asuka and Soji Okita led Nine and the others out to save her.
• Nine and Minerva X exchanged greetings, and Minerva X wondered whether the Victory Fleet could stop Mazinger ZERO in this world.

Xiao Ran’s fleet arrived at NERV Headquarters, where two Angels were attacking the EVAs, and intervened to rescue Unit-01 while learning Asuka was trapped in Unit 3. The Gedim then appeared alongside an unfamiliar force, and Xiao Ran prepared to launch Dawn while ordering the fleet to isolate and assess the newcomers.

• Xiao Ran ordered the pilots to launch after the fleet found Unit-01 under attack, Unit-00 wrecked, and Unit 2 defeated.
• Soji Okita’s VangNess attacked the Angels while Ryoma Nagare and his team used Getter Robo to drive Unit 3 away and escort Unit-01 to safety.
• NERV explained that Asuka was trapped in Unit 3 and that a second Angel had devoured Unit-00 and defeated Unit 2, then handed on-site command to Xiao Ran.
• Xiao Ran ordered Gendo Ikari to stop mass-production EVA development and transfer NERV’s technicians and research to the Union, while directing forces to disable Unit 3 and rescue Asuka.
• The Gedim appeared in the underground space, and Xiao Ran ordered most of the fleet to attack them while a select group fought the Angels alongside Unit-01.
• Xiao Ran recognized an unfamiliar force among the arrivals, launched in Dawn, and ordered Mwu to block communications and prevent contact until the fleet had tested their strength.

Xiao Ran spotted unfamiliar machines among Gedim’s forces and recognized them as Participants from the hostile Impact Legion. As both sides held position in the underground space beneath Tokyo-3, Xiao Ran’s team prepared for a possible confrontation while Luo questioned why the Impact Legion had allied with Gedim.

• Xiao Ran noticed a powerful, unfamiliar MA and other non-Gedim machines mixed into Gedim’s forces.
• Xiao Ran and the Victory Fleet formed up behind Dawn and guarded against the newly appeared units after Mwu ordered them not to engage.
• Basak celebrated the arrival of a real enemy, and Xiao Ran challenged him for calling their earlier work unreal.
• Luo identified the unfamiliar machines as belonging to the Impact Legion but could not explain its connection to Gedim or its delayed arrival.
• The chapter established that the Burning Legion had little intelligence on the Impact Legion because Naza’s faction had withheld what it knew.

The Victory Fleet and the Impact Legion scouted each other and discovered the huge gap between their forces. After learning that the Impact Legion intended to stop the Yamato from reaching Iskandar, Xiao Ran ordered a decisive attack, leaving the two sides on the verge of battle.

• The Impact Legion scouted the Victory Fleet and was shocked by its overwhelming lineup of powerful units.
• The Impact Legion's True A-Class Pilot recognized the Yamato and ordered the Gedim units to test the Victory Fleet while his force tried to stop it from reaching Iskandar.
• Xiao Ran's side scouted the Impact Legion and identified its leading MA as the only A+-class unit in a comparatively weak force.
• Xiao Ran decided not to let the Impact Legion leave and ordered Cruze to kill them all.
• Xiao Ran told Mwu to have Sheryl prepare the strongest attack in case the Impact Legion had a dangerous last resort.

Xiao Ran cut off communications across the underground battlefield, then used his Pure Innovator abilities to link the Victory Fleet’s pilots and captains. As the fleet engaged Gedim’s forces, Cruze and Basak both rushed toward the Impact Legion’s gigantic MA, each claiming it as his target.

• The Burning Legion launched missiles that detonated into electromagnetic pulses and signal-blocking fields, shielding the Victory Fleet’s warships while cutting off communications and disrupting radar.
• Xiao Ran used GN Particles and his Pure Innovator abilities to create a mental communication network, relayed orders, and directed the Victory Fleet to protect the Angels, NERV headquarters, and the warships.
• Kira, Athrun, Shinn, Amuro, Kamille, and the other available pilots spread out and attacked the more than five hundred Gedim Mechanical Units, whose coordination collapsed without communications.
• Cruze charged toward the Impact Legion’s gigantic MA with his GN Dragoons and said he would take it on.
• Basak rushed after Cruze, drew his greatsword, and shouted that the MA was his kill.

With radar disabled, the Victory Fleet battled Gedim’s machines and the Impact Legion inside the underground complex while Xiao Ran observed their coordination falter. He then gave every Victory Fleet member a complete mental projection of the battlefield.

• Kira, Athrun, Shinn, Amuro, Kamille, Tobia, Kim Kido, Murrue Ramius, Soji Okita, Banagher, and the others dispersed to fight Gedim’s machines and protect NERV headquarters and the battleships.
• Cruze and Basak’s team overwhelmed the Impact Legion participants, while Basak charged a powerful A-Class Pilot’s MA and Cruze used his weapons to constrain it.
• The MA’s six armor plates detached and revealed themselves as Floating Weapons, while its pilot fought off Basak and Cruze at once.
• More than five hundred Gedim units clashed with the Victory Fleet, and crippled radar left the fleet unable to track friendly positions, causing coordination problems.
• Xiao Ran used his abilities to place a complete projection of the underground battlefield in the minds of every Victory Fleet member.

Xiao Ran linked the Victory Fleet pilots and bridge commanders through his consciousness, giving them detailed battlefield awareness and dramatically improving their coordination. He discovered he could also guide them in real time, while Basak and Cruze used the advantage to overpower the massive MA without Xiao Ran entering the fight.

• The Victory Fleet pilots and bridge commanders received a shared three-dimensional view of enemies, allies, movements, and incoming attacks.
• Xiao Ran filtered the information through himself, sparing the linked pilots from overload while the connection increased his own strain.
• Basak and Cruze used the shared battlefield awareness to coordinate and break the massive MA’s advantage over them.
• Xiao Ran realized he could assign targets and provide real-time combat guidance to every linked pilot, potentially helping lower-level pilots fight like True A-Class Pilots.
• Xiao Ran stayed motionless as Basak and Cruze fought the MA under his calculations and guidance.

Xiao Ran assessed the Impact Legion’s elite reconnaissance squad as Graham, Naluo, and Luo kept its members suppressed. He sent Kira, Athrun, Shinn, and Amuro to join the fight, while concluding that the encounter would reveal the Victory Fleet’s strength and might foreshadow more battles on the journey to Iskandar.

• With Xiao Ran coordinating them, Kira, Athrun, Shinn, and Amuro cleared their opponents and headed to support Graham, Naluo, and Luo.
• Graham, Naluo, and Luo, aided by Zechs, Saki, and the unmanned squad, held off the Impact Legion’s experienced B-class Pilots without suffering a disadvantage.
• Xiao Ran observed the enemy’s coordination and resilience, recognized that an A-class Pilot with Newtype abilities was likely guiding them, and judged their squad to be an elite reconnaissance unit.
• Xiao Ran sent Kira, Athrun, Shinn, and Amuro into the fight, expecting seven A-class Pilots to break the enemy’s fragile resistance.
• Xiao Ran reasoned that the Impact Legion had probably sent the squad to test the Victory Fleet and that the reconnaissance unit might escape using Ejection Devices.

Xiao Ran’s forces destroyed the Impact Legion’s reconnaissance squad, but its MA pilot escaped by triggering a devastating explosion that destroyed the machine and damaged nearby units. The chapter left Xiao Ran identifying the weapon as an X Moonlight Cannon and anticipating the Impact Legion’s next move.

• Xiao Ran assessed the Impact Legion’s strength and considered how the Victory Fleet’s planned Mecha upgrades would change a future battle.
• Kira and three others helped seven A-Class Pilots and two B-class Pilots destroy every Impact Legion Mecha, though Xiao Ran received no notice that any participants had been killed.
• The MA pilot broke free from Cruze and Basak’s attacks and escaped from the cockpit using his Ejection Device.
• The pilotless MA exploded, unleashing a blast that destroyed Cruze’s GN Dragoons, knocked Basak down, and forced nearby units to endure the shockwave behind green shields.
• Xiao Ran concluded that the pilot had deliberately destroyed the MA and identified its weapon as an X Moonlight Cannon.

Xiao Ran recognized the self-destructing MA’s cannon as a Moonlight Cannon, while its explosion badly damaged Basak and Cruze’s units. As the Victory Fleet’s fighters recovered and inspected their mecha, Unit-01 and Getter Robo struggled against the Apostles, and Unit 3 retreated after losing an arm.

• Xiao Ran identified the MA’s unusual wings and cannon as components of a Moonlight Cannon, then considered the weapon’s power and limitations.
• The Impact Legion’s forces were wiped out, while the Victory Fleet destroyed Gedim’s Mechanical Units with little difficulty.
• Xiao Ran ordered Mwu to recover Basak and Cruze’s units and told Graham and Kira to return for inspections.
• Basak’s unit suffered severe damage from the MA’s blast, Cruze’s Dragoons were destroyed, and Cruze landed after his thrusters began failing.
• Unit-01 and Getter Robo struggled against the Apostles because Asuka and Rei Ayanami were being used as shields.
• The explosion distracted Shinji Ikari, allowing the Apostle-form Unit 3 to tear off its left arm before Titan 3 carried it to the rear.

Ryoma, Hayato, Benkei, and their allies fought the Apostle-corrupted Unit 3 while Shinji suffered from the pain of Unit-01’s damage and stopped responding. Getter Robo breached Unit 3’s AT Field and struck its shoulder, but the Apostle countered and deflected the attack away from its core.

• Shinji collapsed in pain after Unit-01 lost an arm, while the Apostle attacked Getter Robo with a ray and tentacles.
• Getter Robo split apart to evade the Apostle’s attacks, and Titan 3, Sanbot 3, and VILLKISS destroyed the tentacle nets trapping the Getter Fighters.
• Getter Robo attacked Unit 3 with its axe, but its increasingly powerful AT Field blocked the strike as Hayato warned that Asuka was at risk of corruption.
• Unit 3 sent extending arms through its AT Field and grabbed Getter Robo’s axe, but the axe’s spikes pierced the arms.
• Getter Robo used its drill to breach Unit 3’s AT Field, and the hero shattered the weakened barrier with the Spinning Sword.
• The Apostle deflected Getter Robo’s attack with a cross-shaped burst of light, but the drill tore a large hole in Unit 3’s left shoulder.