With the battle over, Raleigh and Mako returned to the Shatterdome.
Slaying two Category IV Kaiju made them heroes.
But in the command room, all eyes were on Kaiser.
Their gazes brimmed with awe.
That sea-parting sword strike left them trembling.
As if beholding a descended god.
"Mr. Kaiser."
Stacker approached Kaiser, who had returned to the command room.
"Two chances left." Kaiser said.
"You should plan carefully."
"These two opportunities are precious."
Kaiser's tone carried weight.
"Don't worry, we'll strategize thoroughly."
Stacker nodded gravely.
Having seen Kaiser's power, he wouldn't squander these chances.
Back in his room, Kaiser entered meditation.
Moments ago, after saving Crimson Typhoon's triplets and Cherno Alpha's couple, he felt the World's Will above the Shatterdome grow denser.
He also received a portion of its blessing.
Some of the Command Spell's restrictions on his power had loosened.
This meant the world itself had strengthened.
"Interesting."
"But I'm still a spiritual body, and the mission isn't complete."
"I wonder if the World's Will can truly make me stronger."
Kaiser pondered.
The Saint Seiya power system, even among multiversal settings, was formidable.
Its only flaw was a clear ceiling.
And it offered no significant lifespan boost.
Without divine blood, the peak of the Eighth Sense was the limit for humans.
Barely touching the realm of third-tier gods.
Even at the Eighth Sense, Cosmo didn't extend lifespan.
Even Gold Saints lived only to humanity's theoretical limit... around three hundred years.
With divine blood and the gods' feigned death technique, one could live past a thousand.
Assuming they didn't die in battle.
Cosmo was immensely powerful, but its drawbacks were clear.
Kaiser refocused.
With the Heroic Spirit System, breaking the man-god barrier was inevitable.
With the Holy War looming, his goal was to reach a stable Eighth Sense.
At that level, unless facing Hades' human vessel or the Twin Gods directly, he'd be safe.
Time passed.
The four Jaegers were repaired, all combat-ready.
"This is our final plan…"
"Any questions?"
Stacker addressed the group, his expression stern.
"The plan isn't airtight."
"If the Breach were that easy to cross, would it still be open?"
"I suspect the Breach has identification protocols."
"Like, only Kaiju can pass."
"Possibly only living Kaiju."
Kaiser spoke.
The group nodded in agreement.
They'd tried bombing the Breach once before and failed.
The nuke detonated on the ocean floor, not passing through.
"Mr. Kaiser, I need your last two chances to escort us."
"If we're blocked, I need you to eliminate any unbeatable Kaiju."
"If we cross the Breach, I need you to eradicate the civilization on the other side."
Stacker's words dripped with killing intent.
"I understand."
Kaiser nodded.
This wasn't difficult for him.
In the original story, Dangerous Wanderer's nuclear core detonation destroyed the Precursors' facility.
For Kaiser, this was a trivial task.
With Kaiser's confirmation, the group mobilized swiftly.
Originally, only Striker Eureka carried a nuke.
Now, Crimson Typhoon did too.
Dangerous Wanderer and Cherno Alpha, nuclear-powered, needed no extra payload.
They were prepared for a do-or-die mission.
The four Jaegers were deployed to the sea.
The group ventured into the ocean's depths with resolute determination.
"Visibility's too low."
The Jaegers' visual range was under ten meters.
They relied on radar to detect obstacles.
Hum…
Golden Cosmo, like sunlight, illuminated the ocean's depths.
"Go."
"I'll cover you."
Kaiser's voice echoed in their minds.
With the golden glow, their vision cleared.
Their anxiety and tension eased significantly.
"General! We're detecting fluctuations from the Breach."
"Kaiju are emerging!"
"Strong life signs! Two Category IVs, one Category V!"
Tendo's voice crackled through the comms.
It reached everyone's ears.
"Category V?"
The group's expressions hardened, readying for battle.
"Perfect. I was planning to wait them out."
"This saves us the trouble."
The Hansens exchanged a glance, smiling.
Raleigh and Mako, eyes resolute, advanced toward the Breach.
Four Jaegers, nine pilots... no one showed the slightest hesitation.
Even against a Category V Kaiju.
"We're here."
In the distance, a Breach flickered with electric light, surrounded by underwater volcanoes.
Splash!
As they reached the Breach, three massive Kaiju burst forth.
"Is that the Category V?"
"It's huge!"
"At least a hundred and fifty meters!"
But thoughts of Kaiser dispelled their fear.
***
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