Sephiroth

Hydra's top leaders gathered in a dark room for an emergency meeting. Baron Strucker, Viper, Arnim Zola, Alexander Pierce, and the others sat before an electronic projection conference table, their expressions grave and solemn.

Baron Strucker spoke in a deep voice. "Our operation failed. Andrew and Electro escaped."

Viper snorted coldly. "They were too powerful! Electro's control over energy far exceeded our estimates, and Andrew's strength was even more unimaginable."

Arnim Zola's human-shaped avatar remained expressionless as he said evenly, "Our weapons did not pose enough of a threat to them. We need to improve our technological weapons."

Alexander Pierce nodded in agreement. "That's right. We need more advanced weapons to deal with them. Strucker, you must accelerate the research program. We cannot let them escape again."

"Forget it. He's busy experimenting on superpowered people, isn't he? Wasn't he the most enthusiastic about this operation?" Viper mocked.

"Viper, what do you mean? You didn't invest much either." Baron Strucker shot Viper an annoyed look.

"Exactly. You lost more than half your men. Alexander, you're not having an easy time either, are you? You're in America. Short on manpower? Do you need me to sponsor you?" Viper asked with a teasing grin.

"No need." Alexander Pierce refused without expression.

"I'll leave first." Arnim Zola's avatar glanced at them before logging off directly.

"Then I'll leave too." Viper logged off.

"I'm leaving as well. I have some things to take care of." Alexander Pierce nodded to Baron Strucker before logging off.

"Fuck!"

Inside Umbrella Corporation.

The meeting currently consisted of Nathan Hawke, Wesker, Andrew, Electro, and Translucent. As for Ryoma Sengoku, he had no interest in it, and Nathan Hawke had approved, so he did not come.

"According to our investigation, Hydra's opponent this time should be Baron Strucker, who is based in Europe," Nathan Hawke said seriously.

"Europe?" Andrew blinked.

Noticing Nathan Hawke's gaze, Andrew gave an awkward smile and said no more.

After raising his hand to signal, Wesker stood and spoke. "Umbrella Corporation has located several of their bases. This time, Andrew, Electro, and I will lead the operation. As for you, Translucent, your influence in Hollywood is enormous right now. The upcoming charity gala conflicts with the operation, so you won't need to go."

Translucent nodded after hearing his assignment.

"Your adjutants will brief you on the mission details afterward," Wesker told the two of them.

The two nodded in agreement. To be honest, neither of them was good at leading teams, but as the strongest combat forces in the group, they had to serve as the nominal commanding officers for this operation.

"Go make your preparations, and get familiar with your adjutants."

"Meeting adjourned," Wesker told the three.

After the three left, Wesker followed Nathan Hawke into Umbrella Corporation's underground interior. Ryoma Sengoku, who had come out of pure interest, went with them.

Ryoma Sengoku followed behind the two excitedly, rubbing his hands together as he eagerly anticipated what would happen next.

A six-pointed star flared to life, illuminating the entire space.

"Where is this?"

A calm, low voice, carrying an air of solemnity and mystery, slowly rang out.

A man with flowing silver-white hair and handsome features stood there, wearing a black buttoned coat, silver shoulder armor, and black cross-shaped straps across his chest.

"Hello. This is Umbrella Corporation. You are someone who has been summoned here," Wesker said as he looked at the tall, upright man before him.

"Summoned?" The man frowned.

"In other words, you can't go back now." Ryoma Sengoku spread his arms in a welcoming gesture.

"I remember..." The man sank into thought.

Nathan Hawke watched the summoned man, whose name was Sephiroth.

The product of an experiment by the massive Shinra Company, he had been injected with cells from the alien life-form Jenova while he was still a fetus. He was also a member of Shinra Company's privately maintained elite unit, the Shinra Special Forces. He belonged to the highest of its three ranks, 1st Class, and was considered the strongest among the 1st Class soldiers. Known as a legendary hero, he was the perfect masterpiece of Project Jenova.

And Project Jenova.

All Nathan Hawke could think of were countless dead newborns.

"Eight Blades Flash." His calm voice resounded in everyone's hearts.

Sephiroth launched his attack at once, determination evident in his eyes. He swiftly unleashed Eight Blades Flash, his sword moving like flowing clouds and running water as he delivered eight rapid, precise slashes. Sword light flickered, forming instantaneous strikes that tore through the air toward Wesker.

Wesker's cold gaze did not waver in the slightest. He calmly dealt with Sephiroth's attack, swiftly evading Eight Blades Flash. He nimbly dodged the incoming sword energy while charging toward Sephiroth.

"Earth Shatter."

Sephiroth remained unmoved. He swiftly switched to Earth Shatter, his katana flashing through the air as sword light burst forth. After four consecutive slashes, his blade dance flowed smoothly, and the final strike carried tremendous force, sending the too-slow-to-evade Wesker flying. Wesker spun through the air, but quickly adjusted his body to avoid suffering excessive damage.

After landing, Wesker's eyes became fiercer and his expression colder. His body crackled as a powerful aura of authority and menace radiated from him.

Ryoma Sengoku watched the scene excitedly, his eyes shining brightly.

Wesker charged forward again. This time, his body seemed to tear apart as he shot forward at terrifying speed.

"A Gust."

Sephiroth sensed Wesker's threat, but he did not retreat in the slightest. He swiftly delivered two consecutive slashes, even more powerful than Earth Shatter. Sword light blossomed in an instant, and the two strikes landed with incredible precision, sending Wesker flying once more as his body flipped through the air.

However, Wesker was not defeated. He quickly steadied himself, using the momentum of his spinning body to regain his balance. His sharp gaze fixed directly on Sephiroth, his expression cold and resolute.

Sephiroth frowned again. After being struck by his blade, the other's wounds had healed rapidly, as though he had never been injured at all.

"Let's stop the probing here. What do you think?" Nathan Hawke looked at Sephiroth, who showed no killing intent whatsoever.

"I need to know where I am now. I intend to take a look around first." Sephiroth withdrew his katana and looked at Nathan Hawke, who was clearly the leader.

"Ryoma Sengoku, take him for a walk. Oh, and unless he agrees voluntarily, don't trouble him for no reason." Ryoma Sengoku understood Nathan Hawke's meaning and made an OK gesture. "No problem." Ryoma Sengoku was not stupid. Unless Sephiroth agreed voluntarily, he would not draw his blood or take his cells for research.

Nathan Hawke left. He needed to familiarize himself with roughly half of Sephiroth's power as soon as possible.

Inside Nathan Hawke's private training room.

"There seems to be a hidden internal power, but it is very weak. Is it because the Jenova cells are incompatible with me?"

The Jenova cells could not be compared to the virus inside Wesker's body at all.

The Jenova cells seemed almost conscious, as though they were more selective about their hosts, while the Uroboros Virus in Wesker's body was different and did not have so many thoughts.

Pulling his thoughts back, Nathan Hawke picked up the prepared katana and began to swing it.

Thirty minutes, sixty minutes, one hundred and twenty minutes.

"No, this doesn't suit me. These are Sephiroth's techniques, not his superpower." Nathan Hawke frowned. It seemed extremely difficult to uncover the Jenova cells within his body.

"I'll familiarize myself with them for a few days first, then go to Umbrella Corporation and extract my blood and cells." Having figured it out, Nathan Hawke tossed aside the katana and began training according to the methods derived from the combat data analysis.

Meanwhile.

"If you need revenge, Hammer Industries will be your strongest support."

"No need. I will rely on my own strength to make them die without a burial place."

Time passed, and Umbrella Corporation's plan to strike Hydra's European bases was ready.

Location: Monaco.

"Is there something fun going on today?" Nathan Hawke looked at Justin Hammer, who wore an excited expression.

Justin Hammer gave a sleazy grin before saying, "Recently, thanks to you, Hammer Industries' stock has been soaring. Come, let me toast you."

"No, we're both getting what we need. You put in effort too," Nathan Hawke quickly declined.

To be honest, Nathan Hawke knew about Justin Hammer's ambitions.

Especially his "interest" in the superhumans under Nathan Hawke's command.

However, after realizing that Nathan Hawke was difficult to deal with, suffering one assassination attempt after another, and even personally accompanying Nathan Hawke during an assassination attempt, Justin Hammer immediately abandoned his desire to replace him.

The "big shots" within the same interest group also received news of Nathan Hawke's assassination attempts. This caused quite a few of those "big shots" with ulterior motives to restrain some of their greed and simply enjoy the group's dividends in peace.

Among them, Justin Hammer's actions also satisfied Nathan Hawke somewhat. He had helped block some unnecessary troubles for him, such as certain "politicians" who wanted a share of the pie.

Although Nathan Hawke could handle such matters himself, it was not a bad thing for Justin Hammer to step forward.

As for whether Justin Hammer would badmouth him behind his back, that was a matter of perspective.

"Today, there's a good show involving Stark. You'll definitely like it. A superb real-life action blockbuster," Justin Hammer introduced with an exaggerated tone.

"Really? Then I'll be looking forward to it." Nathan Hawke replied with a fake smile.

"You'll definitely like it." Justin Hammer revealed a mysterious smile.

"Oh, shit. Maybe I should install my Jarvis in a Formula race car."