In the grand meeting hall of the Wakandan Royal Palace, nearly all of the nation's top leadership was assembled.
Present were the elders of the five major tribes, the leader and commander of the Border Tribe, W'Kabi, the leader of the Jabari Tribe, M'Baku, the mightiest warrior among the tribes, T'Challa, the former Black Panther, Princess Shuri, head of the Science and Technology Ministry, as well as the former King T'Chaka and the former High Priest Zuri.
And of course, their king, Erik Killmonger, and his comrade, Chen Mo, an honored guest of Wakanda. Erik sat upright upon the throne, with Chen Mo seated beside him at an equal level. The others were arranged on either side, while the agile women of the Royal Guard stood behind the king, holding their vibranium spears.
When Erik Killmonger announced that Chen Mo would be the commander of this external military operation, everyone present looked at each other in bewilderment. Only Princess Shuri sat quietly, rolling her eyes without comment.
Both W'Kabi and M'Baku were formidable warriors who led their respective tribes. M'Baku was arguably the strongest warrior beneath the Black Panther, while W'Kabi was Wakanda's Minister of Defense.
By any logic, if King Erik Killmonger was not leading personally, the command of such a significant military operation should fall to one of them. To let a seemingly unremarkable outsider lead them, directing an operation that would shape Wakanda's future, was unthinkable.
The two immediately voiced their objections to Erik Killmonger.
"How can an outsider lead our finest warriors!"
"This operation is of utmost importance. Though he helped you kill Ulysses Klaue, you must not let personal feelings cloud your judgment!"
Both men were straightforward, expressing their opinions directly in front of Chen Mo.
They would not disobey the king's order, but they would not hide their dissatisfaction either. Their stance toward Chen Mo was unyielding.
The others nodded in agreement, finding great merit in their words.
Although Chen Mo had collaborated with their king to eliminate Wakanda's enemy, Ulysses Klaue, and was a close friend of the king—earning him status as an honored guest—they held no personal hostility toward him.
Yet, he was ultimately an outsider, and they knew little about him. When it came to a crucial action that would determine Wakanda's future, they were deeply reluctant to let an unknown outsider call the shots.
Erik Killmonger was initially taken aback, but unlike the female guards behind him, who seemed ready to fly into a rage at this questioning of his decision, a faint smile touched his lips.
"That was my oversight for not introducing him properly."
At this, Erik Killmonger stood and walked over to Chen Mo. After receiving a slight nod of assent, he turned to face the assembly and spoke deliberately.
"Although Wakanda has been secluded for decades, we are not completely cut off from the world. Everyone must know of the war hero from seventy years ago, the Special Forces Commander, Chen Mo, correct?"
"Are you speaking of the commander who was said to have single-handedly wiped out Hydra?"
"Didn't he crash into the ocean seventy years ago while piloting the super-bomber Hydra intended to destroy the world?"
Everyone nodded. This was a name more familiar than Hitler's. If Hitler had started World War II, then Commander Chen Mo had personally ended it, bringing peace to the world.
"True, but that is history. Not long ago, the Americans discovered that bomber, buried in the Arctic ice, with the commander frozen inside."
Erik's words caused everyone's expressions to shift.
"You mean...?"
Everyone looked at Erik, their minds forming a tentative, astonishing suspicion.
"Indeed. We in Wakanda also have cryo-suspension technology. The commander, in peak physical condition, did not die but entered a state of hibernation."
As Erik spoke, all gazes turned toward Chen Mo.
"He has been revived and stands before you now."
"This is Commander Chen Mo!"
Erik continued as everyone stared in shock.
"Back then, as commander of the Special Forces, he led them through countless arduous missions, destroying every Hydra base and unit. His command abilities are beyond question."
"As for his personal strength, I'm sure you've all heard the legends, but I tell you, his true power exceeds the rumors. If anyone has doubts, issue a challenge. The outcome will speak for itself."
Erik finished, his eyes sweeping over the crowd.
"Does anyone still object to him commanding this operation?"
Commander Chen Mo's exploits were legendary in this world. As the leader of the special forces, he had spearheaded the eradication of Hydra. His command skills were undeniable, forged and proven in the fires of real combat. They were undoubtedly far superior to their own, honed over decades of peace where war was merely a theoretical exercise.
As for his legendary personal prowess—cleaving tanks with his sword, dispatching enemies as easily as slicing melons, single-handedly annihilating entire Hydra legions equipped with advanced armor and weaponry—these were feats they would struggle to accomplish even today. It clearly demonstrated his immense power.
Upon learning Chen Mo's true identity, W'Kabi immediately abandoned his bid for command. He knew his own limits and understood he could not compare to Chen Mo in either combat effectiveness or strategic command.
M'Baku, however, had little interest in operational command itself. But upon learning Chen Mo's identity and legendary strength, his warlike instincts surged, and he immediately challenged Chen Mo.
Chen Mo did not refuse his challenge and proceeded to give him a lesson in a decidedly forthright manner.
This fight went even worse for M'Baku than his previous bout with Erik Killmonger at the waterfall.
Facing the violent, ferocious assault of the ape-like M'Baku, Chen Mo did not dodge. Instead, he chose to meet force with force, directly.
M'Baku possessed tremendous power, and his punch carried immense weight. Chen Mo met it with his own fist. When the two fists collided, M'Baku felt as if he had struck solid steel. The bones in his hand seemed to shatter from the tremendous impact, the pain excruciating.