The Sinking of the Take Mikazuchi

The reequipped Impulse Gundam leaped onto an Orb escort vessel. With a casual lift of its Ship-Cutting Sword, it cleaved through a turret. Successive explosions shot into the sky, staining its white limbs blood-red.

A formation of M1 Astray Gundams had rushed in from high altitude to rescue the carrier, but they did not dare attack recklessly for fear of hitting their allies.

Impulse Gundam drew its Beam Boomerangs and flung them at the formation as though swatting flies.

The sight made Kira's heart tighten, and he hurriedly piloted his machine over to support them.

"Don't even think about getting past me!"

Heine, who had been fighting Freedom Gundam, quickly noticed its movement.

His heat whip lashed out, wrapping around Freedom Gundam's Beam Rifle.

The current surged through it, and Kira hurriedly threw the Beam Rifle aside.

The next moment, the Beam Rifle exploded.

Rika Sita and Marl Streu seized the opportunity and charged at Freedom Gundam together.

A piercing alarm echoed through Freedom Gundam's cockpit.

Watching another escort vessel sink below from the corner of his eye, Kira's pupils slowly contracted.

"Haah!"

"Die!"

The two TIGERs arrived in an instant. Rika Sita and Marl Streu swung their blades at Freedom Gundam, caught between them.

Yet in the next second, Freedom Gundam already held two Beam Sabers.

As the two closed in.

Freedom Gundam evaded and retreated, both arms sweeping through the air. Its Beam Sabers moved with fluid, elegant precision.

As the Beam Sabers flashed.

The three mobile suits crossed paths in an instant.

"What?!"

"How is that possible?!"

Before Rika Sita and Marl Streu's incomprehending eyes, the arms holding their Beam Sabers were severed simultaneously.

"This guy—"

Heine watched it all unfold, unable to accept what he was seeing.

Why was Freedom Gundam so powerful in close combat?