Worth It

The news that "Taishan" had defeated the attacking Kaiju "Bladehead," the largest class yet, quickly spread across the globe.

After all, many foreign media outlets had broadcasted the battlefield live at the time, with an audience of three to four billion people watching simultaneously.

It struck the world like a bolt from the blue.

Sakura Nation.

Pan-Pacific Defense Line Headquarters.

Tanaka Shin burst into laughter as he looked at the tattered head of "Bladehead."

"Hahaha, look! That magical Eastern ancient country has created another miracle!"

"It seems your plans have fallen through!"

Beside him, Yamashita Teru, no longer his arrogant self, looked utterly disbelieving.

He knew that Z Nation was building Jaegers, as they all had to be reported to PPDC headquarters for registration.

But they hadn't even found enough pilots. Even if they found one, they'd be a rookie. How could they achieve such a glorious victory?

It was indeed glorious. The opponent was the largest Kaiju encountered to date.

"Taishan" had been thrust onto the battlefield unprepared.

The result was astonishing. Not only was the Kaiju "Bladehead" killed, but the "Taishan" Jaeger itself sustained very little damage.

"By the way, Deputy Commander Yamashita, although the Sakura Nation cabinet has approved my resignation and retirement report, your proposed succession to the Sakura Pan-Pacific Defense Line Sector Commander position was rejected by PPDC headquarters."

"Instead, they chose Rear Admiral Chiori Tsurumaru, whom you've always looked down upon. I wonder what you and your Lord Kishida think."

Tanaka Shin turned back and looked mockingly at Yamashita Teru's shifting expression.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Did you use some underhanded methods!"

"Perhaps ambitious politicians would support you, but for the iron-blooded soldiers who have always defended the Pan-Pacific Defense Line, this place doesn't need opportunists!"

"Appointing you as a major sector commander is the greatest insult to the entire Pan-Pacific Defense Line battlefield! It's also an insult to our nation."

"Don't shame us any further."

Nation E.

Pan-Pacific Defense Line Siberian Sector.

"Stop towing Cherno Alpha and continue with the repairs."

Commander Kabrovsky gave the order with casual composure and left the command center.

He left behind a bewildered deputy commander, still reeling in the wind, and the Chernobyl Couple, who had just been mobilized and were brimming with excitement.

"??? So all my effort was for nothing! I finally managed to persuade this couple."

"Oh, husband, I'm so fired up right now, what should we do!"

"Well, shall we find a place to let off some steam?"

The Chernobyl Couple left arm in arm.

Only the deputy commander, who served as a background prop and didn't even have a name, remained...

Nation M.

PPDC Headquarters.

Commander Jonathan Williams' tense face showed a smile for the first time.

A short man holding a cane walked up to him.

"It seems 'Taishan' is equipped with quite a lot of internal gear. China is really willing to invest."

"No, all I know is that we have gained an additional force to defend the line."

"That's true. The performance and strength of the 'Taishan' Jaeger likely surpass the 'Explorer,' and it's probably not much different from the 'Wanderer'."

"I really want to meet the pilot of 'Taishan'!"

"As you wish. I was just planning to convene all active and reserve Jaeger pilots for a special training session."

"You will have the chance to meet them."

The crisis averted, residents of Hong Kong and surrounding cities began to emerge from their shelters.

Since the battlefield was chosen offshore, the city was not destroyed.

This aligned with Xiao Shou's original intention.

He didn't want Hong Kong to suffer the same tragedy as Dalian.

"Taishan" lifted the massive body of "Bladehead" and threw it onto the shore of Kowloon.

This was also the most well-preserved Kaiju corpse in history.

It could be used for research by national and PPDC headquarters research departments.

Kaiju corpses were incredibly precious to humanity.

It could be said that every part of it was a treasure.

The flesh and cellular tissues could be studied, and with the unique self-healing abilities of the Bladehead's cells, many medical breakthroughs could be achieved.

The bones could also be used to develop medicinal materials. Bone powder developed from previously invading Kaiju had even aphrodisiac effects...

Furthermore, it could serve as material for special weapons.

Naturally, the Kaiju's blood was also indispensable. While it brought immense danger, it also had significant uses.

The special components in its blood could be used as a new type of power source with immense explosive force.

It could also react violently with special stones like saltpeter and steel, producing an effect no less powerful than bombs or other weapons.

Even its excrement had a stimulating effect on crop growth.

The results were far superior to chemical fertilizers.

Some young people rushed to Kowloon Bay, eager to get a glimpse of Taishan's true form.

Although they had seen it on live television, it was nothing compared to seeing it with their own eyes.

Especially since Taishan had just protected their city, their homes.

As soon as they reached the Bund in Kowloon Bay, they saw the ninety-meter-tall, blue-black Jaeger giant dragging the Kaiju, Bladehead, and throwing it onto the shore.

This excited them immensely. If it weren't for the soldiers and the cordon blocking them, they would have already gone to Bladehead to take photos as souvenirs.

The government probably feared that Bladehead would be covered in "So-and-so was here" markings...

"Towing team, receive your orders. Prepare to tow Taishan back to the Shatterdome base for maintenance!"

"Repeat, tow Taishan back to the Shatterdome base for maintenance!"

"Yes!"

Taishan, which had helped transport Bladehead, had completed its mission. After handing it over to the Guangzhou Military Region troops who came to take over, it prepared to return.

The army began dismembering Bladehead on-site, partly out of concern for its potential to revive.

The main reason was its immense size; without dismemberment, no vehicle could transport it.

The heavy-lift helicopter towing team was currently attaching ropes to Taishan for towing.

Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan, through Taishan's perspective, saw the people in the distance waving and cheering at them.

He clenched his right fist and brought it to his left chest in a hammering motion.

This was a gesture of respect for Jaeger pilots.

Camera flashes continuously illuminated the scene, capturing this beautiful moment.

Taishan is the people's Taishan!

When the people need us, everything is worth it.