Sephiroth

High-ranking leaders of Hydra gathered in a dark room for an emergency meeting. Baron Strucker, Viper, Arnim Zola, and Alexander Pierce sat before an electronic projection conference table, their expressions grave and serious.

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

Viper snorted, "They were too powerful! Electro's energy control far exceeded our estimations, and Andrew's strength was beyond imagination."

Arnim Zola, a emotionless puppet, stated plainly, "Our weapons did not pose enough of a threat to them. We need to upgrade our technological weapons."

Alexander Pierce nodded in agreement, "Exactly. We need more advanced weapons to deal with them. Strucker, you must accelerate the research and development plan. We cannot let them escape again."

"Give it up. He's busy with his superpower experiments. Wasn't he the most enthusiastic one this time?" Viper taunted.

"Viper, what do you mean? You didn't invest much either," Baron Strucker glared at Viper unhappily.

"So, you lost more than half your personnel. Alexander, you're not doing too well either, are you? You're in the US of A. Don't you lack manpower? Do you need me to sponsor you?" Viper asked with a playful smirk.

"No, thank you," Alexander Pierce refused expressionlessly.

"I'm leaving," Arnim Zola's puppet glanced at them and immediately went offline.

"Then I'm leaving too," Viper went offline.

"I'm leaving too, I have some things to attend to," Alexander Pierce nodded at Baron Strucker and then went offline.

"Fuck!"

Inside Umbrella Corporation.

The current meeting included Nathan Hawke, Wesker, Andrew, Electro, and the Translucent. As for Ryoma Sengoku, he wasn't interested and, with Nathan Hawke's permission, did not attend.

"According to our investigation, Hydra's opponent this time should be Baron Strucker, located in Europe," Nathan Hawke said sternly.

"Europe?" Andrew's eyes blinked.

Noticing Nathan Hawke's gaze, Andrew chuckled awkwardly and said no more.

Wesker raised his hand to signal, then stood up to speak, "Umbrella has located several of the enemy's bases. This time, I, Andrew, and Electro will lead the teams. As for the Translucent, your influence in Hollywood is immense, and the upcoming charity gala conflicts with the operation, so you don't need to go."

The Translucent nodded upon hearing his assignment.

"Your adjutants will inform you of the mission details later," Wesker told the two.

They both agreed and nodded. Honestly, they were not good at leading teams, but as the strongest combatants in the group, they had to be listed as the commanding officers for this operation.

"You may go and prepare, and get acquainted with your adjutants."

"Meeting adjourned," Wesker said to the three.

After the three left, Wesker followed Nathan Hawke to Umbrella's underground facility. Ryoma Sengoku, who was also interested, accompanied them.

Ryoma Sengoku excitedly followed behind the two, clenching his fists, eagerly anticipating the upcoming scene.

A six-pointed star of light flashed, illuminating the entire space.

"Where is this? Who are you?"

A calm, deep, and solemn voice filled with mystery slowly echoed.

A man with flowing silver-white hair and a handsome appearance, wearing a black double-breasted coat with silver shoulder armor and a black cross-shaped band across his chest.

"Hello, this is Umbrella Corporation. You are the one who has been summoned," Wesker said, looking at the tall, upright man before him.

"Summoned?" The man frowned.

"That means you can't go back now," Ryoma Sengoku spread his hands, making a welcoming gesture.

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

Nathan Hawke gazed at the summoned man, recalling his name.

Sephiroth.

The experimental result of the large corporation Shinra Company. As a fetus, he was injected with cells from the alien lifeform Jenova. He was also a member of Shinra Company's elite private force, the Shinra Special Forces, belonging to the highest rank, "1st Class," and was evaluated as the strongest among the "1st Class." He was known as a legendary hero, the perfect masterpiece of Project Jenova.

And this Project Jenova...

The only thing Nathan Hawke could think of was countless deceased newborns.

"Eight Blades Flash." His calm voice resonated in their hearts.

Sephiroth swiftly launched an attack, his eyes filled with resolute determination. He quickly executed Eight Blades Flash, his sword dancing like flowing water, unleashing eight rapid and precise slashes. Sword light flashed, forming instantaneous slashes that tore through the air towards Wesker.

Wesker's cold eyes remained unwavering. He calmly countered Sephiroth's attack, swiftly dodging the sword energy while advancing towards Sephiroth.

"Earth Shatter."

Sephiroth remained unfazed. He quickly switched to the Earth Shatter skill, his katana slashing rapidly. Sword light instantly erupted in a four-hit combo. His sword dance was fluid, with the final blow carrying immense power, sending the unprepared Wesker flying. Wesker spun in the air, but his body quickly adjusted to avoid taking excessive damage.

Upon landing, Wesker's eyes became fiercer, his expression colder, his body creaking as he exuded an aura of authority and threat.

Ryoma Sengoku watched the scene with excitement, his eyes shining brightly.

Wesker charged forward again, this time his body seeming to tear apart as he moved at an extreme speed.

"Gale Slash."

Sephiroth felt the threat from Wesker and did not retreat. He quickly unleashed a two-hit combo, more powerful than Earth Shatter. Sword light instantly erupted in two precise slashes. Wesker was once again sent flying, his body flipping in mid-air.

However, Wesker was not defeated. He quickly stabilized himself, using the rotational kinetic energy of his body to regain balance. His sharp gaze fixed directly on Sephiroth, his expression cold and determined.

Sephiroth frowned again, his eyes narrowing. The wounds he inflicted on the opponent were rapidly healing, as if he hadn't been injured at all.

"Let's call it a day for the probing. How about it?" Nathan Hawke looked at Sephiroth, who showed no killing intent.

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

"Ryoma Sengoku, take him for a walk. Oh, and unless he volunteers, don't bother him for no reason." Ryoma Sengoku understood Nathan Hawke's words and gave an OK gesture, saying, "No problem." Ryoma Sengoku wasn't stupid; he wouldn't try to extract the other party's blood and cells for research unless they volunteered, given their combat power.

Nathan Hawke left. He needed to familiarize himself with the strength of Sephiroth's power as quickly as possible.

Inside Nathan Hawke's private combat arena.

"It seems there's a hidden inner power, but it's very small. Is it because the Jenova cells are incompatible with me?"

Jenova cells were in no way comparable to the virus within Wesker's body.

Jenova cells seemed to be conscious in their pickiness about hosts, while the Uroboros Virus within Wesker was different; it didn't have as much thought.

His thoughts returning, Nathan Hawke picked up the prepared katana and began to swing it.

30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes.

"No, this isn't right. I'm not suited for this. These are Sephiroth's techniques, not his superpower." Nathan Hawke frowned. It seemed that discovering the Jenova cells within his body would be very difficult.

"I'll get used to it for a few days, then I'll go to Umbrella to extract my blood and cells." With his mind made up, Nathan Hawke threw down the katana and began to train according to the cultivation methods derived from combat data analysis.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

"If you seek revenge, the Hammer Industries is your most powerful backing."

"I don't need it. I'll use my own strength to send them to a place where they can't be buried."

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

Location: Monaco.

"Is there anything good happening today?" Nathan Hawke looked at Justin Hammer, who had an excited expression.

Justin Hammer gave a sly smile and said first, "Thanks to you recently, Hammer Industries' stock market has been soaring. Here's to you."

"No, we both need each other, and you've contributed." Nathan Hawke quickly refused.

Honestly, Nathan Hawke knew about Justin Hammer's ambitions.

Especially his "peeping" at his own superheroes.

However, after finding Nathan Hawke troublesome, experiencing successive assassination attempts, and personally accompanying Nathan Hawke through an assassination attempt, the idea of replacing him was extinguished.

The "big shots" within the same interest group also received news of Nathan Hawke being targeted for assassination. This made many ambitious "big shots" curb their greed a little, content to enjoy the group's dividends.

Justin Hammer's actions in this regard also satisfied Nathan Hawke somewhat. He had shielded him from some unnecessary trouble, such as "politicians" who wanted a piece of the pie.

Although Nathan Hawke could handle these matters himself, it wasn't bad to have Justin Hammer handle them.

As for whether he would badmouth him behind his back, that was up to interpretation.

"There's a good show planned for Stark today that you'll definitely enjoy. A magnificent real-life action movie." Justin Hammer introduced with exaggerated enthusiasm.

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

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

"Oh, shit. Maybe I should install my Jarvis on the Formula 1 car."