I Have Returned

Sakura Nation.

Pan-Pacific Defense Line Headquarters.

"Commander, a Category 3 Kaiju, 'Bladehead,' has invaded Z Nation's Hong Kong. It's estimated to arrive in about two hours."

"Understood."

Commander Tanaka Shin said, his eyes fixed on the screen.

Tanaka Shin, male, 59 years old, Lieutenant General of the Sakura Army.

He serves as the Commander of the Sakura Sector of the Pan-Pacific Defense Line.

"Order the Nagasaki team's eleven fighter jets to prepare for takeoff and reinforce the Z Nation Hong Kong defense line!"

"Commander, mobilizing troops during peacetime requires the approval of Cabinet Minister Kishida. You don't have the authority to mobilize them."

Vice Commander Yamashita Teru, standing beside him, objected.

"Peacetime? You call this peacetime! A Kaiju of the largest magnitude yet is attacking, and we must hold the current Pan-Pacific Defense Line!"

"Commander Tanaka, I need to remind you that you are retiring in three months. The entire Defense Force Headquarters is undergoing a power transition, and I am the one with the most authority in this base!"

"Now, I will carry out Minister Kishida's orders, which is to observe and wait."

"Z Nation has developed too rapidly in recent years, possessing immense strength that poses a significant threat to us. Therefore, we are happy to see the Kaiju help us diminish Z Nation's defense capabilities."

Tanaka Shin was furious.

"Are you and your cabinet minister both idiots? This is war, a war that threatens the survival of humanity!"

"What good does it do us if Z Nation's Pan-Pacific Defense Line is breached?"

"Use your brains and think, if there's a breach in the Pan-Pacific Defense Line in the Hong Kong region of Z Nation, who will be the next to suffer?"

"Even if our Tango Wolf Jaegers aren't fully assembled yet."

"But even providing some artillery support would be good!"

Seeing Yamashita Teru remain unmoved, his face full of mockery.

"If you're harboring the idea of using the Kaiju to weaken Z Nation, then I regret to tell you that it's a pipe dream."

Tanaka Shin finished speaking and stood by the window, gazing in the direction of Z Nation.

"Z Nation is a miraculous country. It has created too many miracles, and this time will be no exception."

"I hope you won't regret it when a Kaiju attacks Sakura. Also, it won't take three months. I'm leaving now to make room for you. I never want to see your and your minister's detestable faces again!"

Nation E.

Pan-Pacific Defense Line Jaeger Combat Department.

Commander Kabrovsky watched the large screen.

"Order 'Cherno Alpha' to halt its maintenance and stand by."

The deputy commander walked over.

"Commander, Alpha's pilots are the Chernobyl couple from Ukraine. They already have many complaints about us. Unless the Siberian defense line is attacked, they won't be willing to reinforce Z Nation now!"

"Now is not the time to dwell on national conflicts. Tell them that this operation is not for us, but for themselves. Once the Pan-Pacific Defense Line collapses, the casualties will be in the tens of thousands. Can they guarantee that their loved ones won't be among them?"

"It's rare for a single Jaeger to fight a Kaiju alone and win."

"A month ago, when 'Virus' attacked Sydney, Explorer went to intercept but was heavily damaged. If Wanderer hadn't provided timely support, we would have lost Explorer. That would have been a huge blow to the entire Pan-Pacific Defense Line!"

"Therefore, Z Nation's Pan-Pacific Defense Line cannot fall, and the 'Taishan' Jaeger must not be lost!"

"Currently, only these four Jaegers are operational among all the countries. It concerns the safety of the Pan-Pacific Defense Line, do you understand?"

"I understand, Commander. I'll go persuade the Chernobyl couple now. 'Alpha' will be ready to deploy at any moment!"

Kabrovsky gazed in the direction of Hong Kong, Z Nation.

"I hope you can withstand this crisis!"

Z Nation Dalian Shatterdome Base.

"Report, Commander, 'Bladehead' has entered our South China Sea region and is expected to reach Kowloon Port within forty minutes."

"It's finally here."

Mao Shucheng watched as 'Bladehead' advanced into the South China Sea.

Twenty fighter jets dispatched by the Guangzhou Military Region Air Force Command are currently engaging 'Bladehead.'

The Black Hawk team from Nation M's Zhizhou had already returned due to insufficient ammunition and fuel.

However, fighter jets from the South China Sea Fleet and escort ships are also present, surrounding and intercepting to slow down 'Bladehead's' progress.

Although the Jaeger Combat Department and the military often disagree, they will absolutely unite against external threats.

Under the severe threat of the Kaiju, internal conflicts become insignificant.

However, the Kaiju that arrived this time was no longer the same.

Against a Category 3 Kaiju like "Bladehead," this firepower was like child's play. It wasn't even interested in lingering here.

It let the human army bombard it relentlessly.

It seemed that without resorting to nuclear weapons, it would be difficult to inflict any significant damage on "Bladehead."

"Where is 'Taishan' now?"

"Reporting, Commander, the overloaded helicopter unit has arrived in Fuzhou and is expected to reach Hong Kong within half an hour!"

"Set the route, send 'Taishan' directly to the offshore area near Kowloon Bay."

"Try to avoid damaging Hong Kong as much as possible!"

"Yes!"

Inside the "Taishan" cockpit.

"It seems you're a bit nervous."

Xiao Shou nodded slightly.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous. Not to mention this was his first real combat mission.

The main issue was that he was still not proficient with the neural synchrony connection.

This battle, he couldn't lose.

The pressure was immense.

"Remember, let go of the past, don't dwell on it."

Xiao Shou nodded, clenching his jaw. This time, no matter what, he had to get through it.

"'Taishan,' please note, you are five minutes from the offshore combat zone. Please prepare!"

Xiao Shou took a deep breath, exchanged a look with Xie Yushan, and put on the neural synchrony connection helmet.

"Pilot commencing synchrony connection."

Lin Yuxuan reported on the internal situation of "Taishan" remotely from the command center.

Mao Shucheng and Zhu Qian stood by, their faces grim, though they were also very tense.

After all, this was only Xiao Shou's second time performing a dual-pilot synchrony connection.

It wasn't just the two of them; Jin Rong, and indeed all the personnel remaining at the Dalian Shatterdome base, were watching the large screen with bated breath.

This wasn't just about Hong Kong's survival; it was also related to the entire Jaeger Combat Department.

Their fate was tied to "Taishan's." They would rise or fall together.

It was that soul-wrenching feeling again.

Even though Xiao Shou had already experienced synchrony connection twice before.

He still couldn't stand the sensation, as if a giant hand were plucking him from his own world and throwing him into another.

And it was a world so familiar it hurt.

Especially the scars hidden deep within his heart, being ripped open again and again.

It was that familiar scene once more.

The foot of "Shanlan" about to descend.

The Old Director, who used all his strength to save Xiao Shou.

His face still held the joy of saving Xiao Shou, mixed with reluctance to let him go.

That heart-wrenching scene, like a knife, repeatedly cut into Xiao Shou's heart.

Even though he had always told himself, "Let go of the past, let go of the past."

Seeing this scene, he still couldn't help but lose control.

The words he muttered were trembling and disordered, and he had no idea what he was saying.

"Warning, Xiao Shou's neural synchrony connection is extremely unstable, with significant fluctuations!"

Hearing Lin Yuxuan's urgent report, everyone in the command center felt their hearts tighten.

But there was nothing they could do at this moment; they could only pray that Xiao Shou could stabilize the synchrony connection.

In the synchrony connection state, Xiao Shou's eyes were bloodshot, a sign of extremely unstable and high neural synchrony readings.

Xiao Shou, caught in the memory recall, was also fluctuating wildly. Faced with "Shanlan," he involuntarily adopted an attacking stance again.

He completely forgot the words he was muttering, "Let go of the past."

"Child, will you take my surname? As for the name..."

"Hmm, Shou!"

"Xiao Shou."

"The 'Shou' from 'to guard'!"

"Guard this orphanage, guard this nation!"

Just as Xiao Shou was spiraling into an unconscious berserk state, he was jolted awake by this scene, this dialogue from his deepest memories where the Old Director had named him.

The surrounding environment shattered like fragments.

"Shanlan," the city, and even the Old Director, all vanished like a fleeting dream.

He vaguely heard a voice.

"Xiao Shou!"

"Xiao Shou! Let go of the past! Return to reality!"

It was Xie Yushan calling to him.

The illusion in the bubble returned to reality.

"I'm fine."

"I'm back."