Chapter Summaries

Brian kept watch through the night while wrestling with his reluctance to entrust Little Tifa to Chang Wei and his concern about whether Chang Wei could protect her. At dawn, Brian woke Chang Wei and left the children in his care as they prepared to travel.

• Chang Wei urged Brian to rest, but Brian insisted on keeping watch while Chang Wei slept.
• As he watched the sleeping camp, Brian remembered his deceased wife, Tia, and reflected on Chang Wei's courage and care for Little Tifa.
• Brian worried that Little Tifa might grow dependent on Chang Wei and that he might not be ready to take responsibility for her.
• Brian kept watch until dawn, then woke Chang Wei and asked him to look after Little Tifa and Little Cloud.
• Chang Wei agreed, woke the children, and Little Tifa greeted him sleepily.

Little Tifa struggled through the discomfort and exhaustion of traveling through the forest while Chang Wei and the others supported her. By dusk, the group was still pushing onward in their search for her mother.

• Little Tifa woke sore and tired, but Chang Wei encouraged her to get up and continue the journey.
• Chang Wei woke Little Cloud, and the group packed up and set out with Mr. Brian following to protect them.
• Little Tifa and Little Cloud slowed down after their difficult night, and the group stopped after traveling just over five hundred meters.
• Chang Wei gave Little Tifa hard bread, which she ate to regain strength despite feeling guilty for slowing the others down.
• After resting, the group resumed walking, stopping along the way from morning until dusk.

Chang Wei saved Little Tifa when she fell from a cliff, taking the impact himself and leaving her unharmed. After Brian found them and brought them back to Nibelheim Village, Chang Wei’s parents learned what had happened, and he soon woke from his injuries.

• Chang Wei sent Little Tifa to bathe at a nearby water source while Brian kept Cloud and Chang Wei from peeking.
• On the next day’s journey, Little Tifa stepped off the cliff’s edge, and Chang Wei grabbed her as they fell together.
• Brian stopped Cloud from jumping after them, then searched down the cliff and found Chang Wei and Little Tifa on a gentle slope.
• Brian confirmed that Chang Wei was alive and lightly injured, and Little Tifa felt guilt and gratitude toward him.
• Back in the village, Chang Zheng told Brian that Chang Wei had left a letter explaining that his decision to go on the journey had been his own.
• Chang Wei remained unconscious for a time, but he woke soon afterward before the villagers needed to bring in a doctor.

After recovering from his injuries, Chang Wei reassured Tifa that she was not to blame, and their relationship deepened over the years. When Cloud left Nibelheim to join Shinra, Chang Wei decided to go too, promising Tifa that he would return and remain devoted to her.

• Tifa hurried to Chang Wei after he woke, and he comforted her about his injuries, insisting that protecting her had been his own choice.
• Brian, Chang Zheng, and Leindia agreed to let Chang Wei and Tifa decide their own future as they grew older.
• Five years later, Cloud left Nibelheim without saying goodbye to become a Shinra soldier, hoping to be like Sephiroth and impress Tifa.
• After Tifa told Chang Wei that Cloud had left, Chang Wei said he would join Shinra to gain the strength to protect her and their village.
• Chang Wei embraced Tifa and promised he would not be captivated by girls in the big city.

Chang Wei and Tifa shared a night of promises before he left for Shinra headquarters. Chang Wei used his father's connections to skip selection and join the Shinra Special Forces, where he would undergo Mako Immersion.

• Chang Wei and Tifa kissed at the water tower and promised to reunite after his departure.
• Chang Wei left for Shinra Company headquarters the next morning as Tifa watched him go.
• The chapter explained the planet's life cycle, the Cetra's struggle against Jenova, and Shinra's use of Jenova and Mako.
• Chang Zheng used his connections to get Chang Wei into the Shinra Special Forces without selection.
• The chapter explained that recruits underwent Mako Immersion and risked poisoning or mutation if they could not withstand it.

Chang Wei underwent Mako Immersion, quickly earned the rank of 2nd Special Forces soldier, and became famous within Shinra. He then created Emperor Company as a powerful rival to provoke a crisis and force Shinra to strengthen its forces.

• Chang Wei passed Shinra's training and underwent Mako Immersion, emerging with blue eyes and the combat power of a 2nd Special Forces soldier.
• Chang Wei's exceptional performance on missions earned him a reputation as a potential future 1st Special Forces soldier.
• Chang Wei deliberately partnered with Zack, who was still inexperienced and had not yet inherited Angeal's Buster Sword.
• Chang Wei decided to create an external threat to Shinra and established Emperor Company, which claimed its Divine Light energy was safer and stronger than Mako.
• Emperor Company's covert departments defeated Shinra's secret forces, and it revealed its own Super Soldiers, also called Emperor Warriors.

Shinra’s leadership discussed Emperor Company’s Super Soldiers, whose Battle Power appeared to rival or exceed Shinra’s elite forces, and debated how to respond. The Shinra President ordered thorough preparations, while Hojo proposed acquiring Divine Light to strengthen Shinra’s research and Special Forces.

• Director Heidegger defended the strength of Shinra’s Special Forces and expressed confidence in Sephiroth, Genesis, and Angeal.
• The Shinra President warned that Emperor Company’s Super Soldiers had defeated Shinra forces and might surpass even the 1st Special Forces, while Hojo insisted that Jenova Cells gave Shinra the advantage.
• The Shinra President urged the company to prepare for its contest with Emperor Company, and Director Heidegger, Hojo, and the others agreed.
• Hojo proposed obtaining Divine Light and combining its technology with Mako to create stronger Special Forces, noting Emperor Company’s Super Soldiers and God Stones.
• Hojo took notice of Chang Wei and Zack as Shinra sought more strength to secure its position.

Cloud worried about his future at Shinra as Emperor Company drew more recruits and Shinra faced growing pressure. Chang Wei and Zack entered 1st Special Forces, where Chang Wei surprised everyone by choosing to challenge Sephiroth.

• Cloud envied Shinra's Special Forces and considered his fading dream of becoming one as Emperor Company attracted Shinra employees.
• Chang Wei's Super Soldier ranking system rewarded the top hundred, while Chang Wei and Zack were recommended for 1st Special Forces.
• Hojo restarted the Jenova Cells transplantation program, intending to experiment on newborns rather than Chang Wei or Zack.
• Sephiroth welcomed Chang Wei and Zack, Genesis treated them with disdain, and Angeal offered to test their strength.
• Zack volunteered to go first, but Chang Wei announced that he would challenge Sephiroth, startling Angeal, Zack, and Genesis.

Chang Wei challenged Sephiroth to a duel and surprised everyone by matching the legendary SOLDIER’s speed and swordsmanship. As they traded increasingly powerful attacks, Sephiroth was forced to fight seriously and grew excited by the possibility of defeat.

• Chang Wei declared that he would challenge Sephiroth, and Sephiroth accepted while Angeal and Zack moved aside to watch.
• Chang Wei vanished with startling speed and struck Sephiroth hard enough to drive him backward, shocking the onlookers.
• Chang Wei and Sephiroth exchanged attacks, with Chang Wei countering Sephiroth’s Eight-Slash Flash and earth-shaking techniques.
• Chang Wei used Ghost Slash and Soul-Devouring Ghost Slash, then met Sephiroth’s Heaven-Shaking with Fierce Dragon Severing Void Slash.
• Sephiroth was driven back again as their duel reached its fiercest stage, while Chang Wei held his ground and answered with relentless attacks.

Chang Wei fought Sephiroth to a near draw, impressing the onlookers and overturning Hojo’s belief in Jenova Cells. The duel ended when Chang Wei’s sword broke, leaving him to promise a rematch with a better weapon.

• Angeal and Genesis watched in shock as Chang Wei matched Sephiroth’s speed and swordsmanship.
• Sephiroth unleashed Iaido Slash, but Chang Wei countered with Phantom Sword Dance before Sephiroth dismantled it.
• Sephiroth attacked with Hell Gate, and Chang Wei met the strike head-on until his Special Forces Battle Sword broke.
• Chang Wei ended the duel, and Sephiroth said a better weapon would make him a difficult opponent to defeat.
• Chang Wei told Zack he could reach the same level, while Hojo watched in disbelief that an ordinary person had matched his creation.
• Shinra Company began researching a stronger weapon for Chang Wei.

Chang Wei persuaded Shinra Company to develop an engine-powered great saber, and he received the Mako-fueled Azure Empress. As he and Sephiroth grew close, Chang Wei recognized the loneliness beneath Sephiroth’s heroic reputation and believed his betrayal stemmed from a lack of love.

• Chang Wei proposed mounting an internal combustion engine on a sword, and Shinra Company confirmed that Emperor Company’s Super Soldiers used similar weapons.
• Shinra President ordered the weapons department to develop the technology, and Chang Wei received a blue-flamed great saber he named the Azure Empress.
• Chang Wei and Sephiroth became a pair, while Genesis and Angeal’s longstanding friendship left Sephiroth outside their circle.
• Chang Wei invited Sephiroth to share meals, go shopping, and enjoy ordinary experiences, making Sephiroth feel cared for and accompanied.
• Chang Wei concluded that Sephiroth’s absolute betrayal had come from being starved of love.

Chang Wei invited Sephiroth to visit his hometown and meet his parents, offering him a place to call home. The two sought leave from Shinra, but company leaders worried about leaving their forces vulnerable to an attack from Emperor Company.

• Chang Wei reflected on how Sephiroth's friendship with him had helped Sephiroth find meaning and understand his relationships with Angeal and Genesis.
• Chang Wei told Sephiroth he was writing letters to his hometown, parents, and lover, and Sephiroth said he had no hometown and only knew that his mother Jenova had died when he was young.
• Chang Wei invited Sephiroth to visit his hometown with him and treat Chang Wei's home as his own, and Sephiroth accepted the offer with deep emotion.
• Shinra's upper management hesitated to grant the two leave because they feared an attack by Emperor Company while Sephiroth and Chang Wei were away.
• Shinra's leaders wondered whether Genesis, Angeal, and Zack could defend the company, unaware that Zack was rapidly improving under Angeal's guidance.

Shinra Company agreed to Sephiroth and Chang Wei’s leave after Chang Wei threatened that they would resign and join Emperor Company. They traveled to Nibelheim Village, where Chang Wei reunited with his childhood sweetheart and lover, Tifa, and introduced her to Sephiroth.

• Chang Wei threatened that he and Sephiroth would join Emperor Company if Shinra Company denied their leave request.
• Shinra Company’s upper management agreed to the leave, requiring them to return on time and keep company secrets.
• Sephiroth thanked Chang Wei, and the two set out for Chang Wei’s hometown.
• Chang Wei led Sephiroth through Nibelheim Village and described his affection for the place where he grew up.
• Chang Wei reunited with Tifa and introduced her to Sephiroth as his childhood sweetheart and current lover.

Chang Wei brought Sephiroth and Tifa to his hometown, where his parents welcomed them with a family dinner and stories. As they walked through the village at night, they enjoyed its peaceful beauty, while Sephiroth offered to help find news of Cloud.

• Tifa asked Chang Wei about Cloud, and Chang Wei said he had not seen him since Cloud joined Shinra Company as a Special Forces soldier.
• Sephiroth offered to ask around for news of Cloud, and Chang Wei and Tifa thanked him.
• Chang Wei brought Sephiroth and Tifa home, where Chang Zheng and Leindia joyfully welcomed them.
• Chang Zheng and Leindia served a home-cooked dinner, and the friends shared stories and offered Tifa comfort as she spoke of missing Chang Wei.
• Chang Wei took Sephiroth and Tifa on a walk through the village, and Tifa said the hometown seemed even more beautiful with Chang Wei there.

Chang Wei reunited with Tifa and welcomed Sephiroth into his village, where Sephiroth found unexpected comfort in its warmth. While Sephiroth was away, Chang Wei sent Emperor Company's Super Soldiers to attack Shinra Company's leadership.

• Sephiroth left Chang Wei and Tifa alone, explored the village, and decided it might make a good hometown.
• Chang Wei and Tifa reunited, embraced, and shared how much they had missed each other.
• Chang Wei and Tifa found Sephiroth and brought him to Chang Wei's home, where Leindia had prepared a room for him.
• Chang Wei teased Sephiroth about not having Shinra Brand Shampoo, and Sephiroth slept peacefully in the simple room.
• Chang Wei dispatched Emperor Company's Super Soldiers to launch a surprise attack on Shinra Company's upper management.

Emperor Company's Super Soldiers launched a surprise assault on Midgar, targeting Shinra's power supply, headquarters, and Shinra Tower. Vergil and Dante met Zack, Genesis, and Angeal at the tower, where the two sides prepared to fight.

• Chang Wei's Super Soldiers bypassed Shinra's patrols and cameras, overwhelmed the defensive line, and sent Shinra's executives scrambling for safety and reinforcements.
• Emperor Company's forces split up to attack the Mako Reactor, Shinra's headquarters, and Shinra Tower.
• Vergil and Dante led the elite force through Shinra Tower's outer defenses, where Zack blocked their advance and fought Vergil.
• Genesis and Angeal joined Zack, and Shinra's soldiers regrouped behind the three 1st Special Forces soldiers.
• Genesis challenged Vergil, Angeal took on Dante, and Zack was assigned to face Emperor Company's No. 3 as fighting spread around Shinra Tower.

Vergil defeated Genesis in their duel, damaging Genesis’s Red Sword with Dimension Slash, while Dante overwhelmed Angeal after Angeal became distracted. Genesis rose again, and Zack worried that he would have to face the Emperor Super Soldiers alone if both his friends fell.

• Vergil used Dimension Slash, and Genesis met its spatial blade with a powerful incantation from his Red Sword.
• The clash sent Genesis flying and left a chip in the Red Sword.
• Angeal lost focus after seeing Genesis fall, and Dante used the opening to attack him.
• Dante shattered Angeal’s Special Forces Battle Sword and knocked him down.
• Zack panicked at the prospect of facing the Emperor Super Soldiers alone, while Genesis got back to his feet and checked that Angeal was not seriously hurt.

Genesis and Angeal were overwhelmed by Emperor Company's Vergil and Dante as Shinra Company's executives panicked over the attack. Sephiroth returned to Shinra Tower and ordered the company to prepare for battle.

• Genesis and Angeal realized they could not defeat Vergil and Dante, who offered them the chance to surrender and join Emperor Company.
• Shinra Company's executives watched the battle in panic and called for Sephiroth and Chang Wei to return from vacation.
• The Shinra President prepared to order a strategic evacuation as Emperor Company's forces pushed into Shinra Tower.
• Sephiroth appeared on the tower's top floor, assessed the battlefield, and ordered everyone to prepare for battle.
• Vergil and Dante sensed Sephiroth's arrival and readied themselves for the coming fight.

Sephiroth turned the battle at Shinra Tower in Shinra Company's favor, but Vergil bypassed the defenders and attacked him directly. The chapter ended with Sephiroth turning to block Vergil's strike from behind.

• Sephiroth rushed to a weak point in Shinra Company's defenses and cut down the Emperor Company Super Soldiers breaking through.
• Sephiroth's assault raised Shinra Company's morale, and its warriors counterattacked while the Emperor Company commander struggled to stop him.
• Angeal and Genesis wondered why Chang Wei was absent, then blocked Dante when he tried to intervene.
• Vergil vanished and reappeared in front of Sephiroth, who answered his sudden attack with an Iaido Slash.
• Vergil evaded Sephiroth's slash, appeared behind him, and attacked with Yamato, prompting Sephiroth to turn and block.

Vergil and Sephiroth fought to a standstill, while Dante battled Angeal and Genesis nearby. Sephiroth welcomed Vergil as another worthy rival and sheathed Yamato as their clash paused.

• Vergil and Sephiroth exchanged rapid, evenly matched sword strikes with Yamato and Masamune.
• Dante struggled against Angeal and Genesis, who fought together despite their injuries and damaged weapons.
• Dante drove Angeal back, knocked Genesis's Red Sword away, and kicked him across the battlefield.
• Dante and Angeal exchanged a powerful clash that sent both of them staggering back.
• Sephiroth reflected on his friendship and past battles with Chang Wei as he relished finding another rival in Vergil.
• Vergil sheathed Yamato with a clang.