South Sea of Nation Z.
Inside an office.
An elderly man stood before his desk, his left hand clasped behind his back while his right held a brush, writing something on a large sheet of rice paper spread across the desk.
"Report!"
A loud voice from outside interrupted the old man.
He raised his head. His features were well-defined, and his tiger-like eyes gleamed with authority, yet his entire bearing was remarkably approachable.
His full head of black hair was combed back neatly, making him look capable without losing his solemnity.
He appeared to be only around fifty. If not for the wrinkles on his face and his slightly aged voice, no one would have guessed that he was already seventy.
"Come in!"
Though his voice carried a hint of age, it was still strong and resonant, making anyone who heard it feel at ease.
And rightly so. This old man was the pillar holding up Nation Z.
The person who entered was a young man in his twenties wearing a Zhongshan suit. He was the old man's guard.
"Reporting, sir. General Xu Shiyan, commander of the military, has prepared the video conference at your request."
"Turn on the projection."
"Yes!"
The guard activated the holographic projection, then withdrew, leaving the room to the old man and General Xu Shiyan of the military.
Once the projection activated, a man in a dark green military uniform appeared.
He had a square face, his features filled with resolve and toughness. He looked to be in his sixties, with graying temples and three stars on the epaulets of his uniform.
He was none other than General Xu Shiyan, commander of the military!
This was the highest rank since the founding of the nation.
There were so few generals in the entire military who bore three stars that they could be counted on one hand.
Even the commanders of the major military regions were only Lieutenant Generals, with some merely Major Generals.
The moment General Xu Shiyan saw the old man, he hurriedly gave a military salute.
No matter how high his standing in the military, he did not dare act arrogant before this man.
"No need to be so formal. You're still the same as ever."
"I know you're dissatisfied that the Jaeger Combat Department has independent command authority, but none of that is important right now. I trust you've also read the proposal concerning the mastermind behind the kaiju."
"This is now a war between species, one that concerns the future survival of humanity. As for the kaiju, Mao Shucheng of the Jaeger Combat Department and I share the same stance: eliminate them!"
"Whether they appear near our country or not, even if they appear on Sakura Island, we have an obligation to eliminate them!"
"We can no longer stand by and watch from across the shore. If every nation remains as fragmented as before, we will eventually be defeated one by one and wiped out by 'them.'"
"By then, money? Profit? Power? They will all be fleeting clouds. We must be the first to step forward and set an example for bringing about true unity among all nations! That is the responsibility of a great power!"
"Now, I want you to put aside your prejudice against the Jaeger Combat Department and properly assist them in fighting this war against the kaiju. Will you support me?"
"Of course, sir. The People's Army will always follow your will."
"No, not for me. For the 1.4 billion people of Huaxia, and for the future of the entire human race!"
"I understand, sir. I'll go make the arrangements immediately."
With that, Xu Shiyan withdrew from the holographic projection.
The old man's words had to be carried out without fail. This was not mere lip service.
No one could afford to be perfunctory in an event that concerned humanity's very survival.
The old man returned to his desk and blew lightly on the writing on the rice paper. The ink had dried.
Written upon it were eight bold characters: "United as one, strong as an impregnable fortress!"