"Ah! Stay away! This really has nothing to do with me!"
The icy sensation from the drink sent Kira curling up on the ground, clutching his head. His incoherent muttering made him seem like a madman.
"Kira, what's wrong? Kira?"
Naturally, the people around him gathered, with Kira's classmates particularly concerned.
Stepping forward, Tolle—the epitome of a good friend—wrapped his arms tightly around Kira. He shouted his friend's name repeatedly, but when the calls had no effect, Tolle angrily lifted his head, glaring at Wang Hu with hostility.
"What did you do to him?" Tolle demanded, still holding Kira protectively.
At this moment, any thought of "Big Brother Wang Hu" had completely vanished from Tolle's mind. He had even forgotten Wang Hu's intimidating presence—forgotten that if Wang Hu so much as twitched a finger, he could end Tolle's life.
All that mattered was his friend. His genuine concern for his friend.
"Tolle!" Sai, worried that the situation might escalate—especially since they were at a disadvantage compared to Wang Hu—stepped between them, quickly playing the mediator. He turned to Tolle first.
"Big Brother Wang Hu would never do anything to Kira! Don't forget who's been taking care of us all this time!"
After addressing Tolle, Sai plastered on a smile and faced the expressionless Wang Hu and the visibly displeased Li Chengzhi.
"Please don't mind Tolle's words. He's just worried about Kira and acted impulsively."
"But..." He cautiously observed Wang Hu's reaction, relieved to see no signs of anger before continuing.
"But, Big Brother Wang Hu, is there some misunderstanding between you and Kira? Kira is still young—if he's done anything wrong, please don't hold it against him. I'll apologize on his behalf!"
"Sai!" Most people instinctively side with those close to them rather than reason, and this was no exception.
Before Wang Hu could even respond, Miriallia, the young woman in the group, couldn't stand Sai's submissive attitude. She called out sharply in dissatisfaction.
"Miriallia..." Katz, the more ordinary one among them, quickly tugged at the girl's sleeve.
"What?"
Realizing she had spoken out of turn—and aware of the situation—Miriallia seemed to regret her outburst but, perhaps out of pride, couldn't bring herself to say anything more to Wang Hu. Instead, she shot a glare at her friend beside her.
As for Flay, she made no move to intervene. She stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, observing.
If anything, the daughter of the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs perfectly embodied her character's persona. Her small fists were pressed fearfully against her chest, her delicate appearance conveying a desire to help but lacking the courage to do so.
Taking in the scene, Wang Hu stepped forward.
"What are you doing?" Tolle asked warily.
"Big Brother Wang Hu?" Sai continued smiling nervously, but his body remained firmly planted in front of Kira.
"Relax." Wang Hu extended a hand, slowly but firmly pushing Sai aside. Then, under Tolle's hostile gaze, he crouched in front of Kira and forcefully turned Kira's face toward him.
"Slap!" To everyone's surprise, Wang Hu delivered a heavy, resounding slap.
The crisp sound made everyone's teeth ache involuntarily, as if the blow had landed on their own faces.
"What are you doing?!" Tolle exploded, unable to hold back any longer.
First, you did something to Kira that drove him nearly insane, and now instead of apologizing or admitting fault, you hit him!
I—I'll fight you!
Tolle made as if to throw hands with Wang Hu, but just as he was about to strike—
"Thank you, Brother Wang Hu." Kira, cradled in Tolle's arms, regained his senses and spoke sincerely to Wang Hu.
"Kira, have you lost your mind?" Kira's friends gaped in disbelief, convinced he must have water in his brain.
This god-tier plot twist nearly gave the onlookers whiplash.
Since when did the person who got slapped thank the one who hit them?
"Tolle, everyone—I'm fine. Brother Wang Hu didn't do anything wrong to me."
"On the contrary, he was showing me the truth."
Leaning on Tolle's shoulder, Kira wobbled to his feet. Steadying himself, he looked Wang Hu in the eye and asked, "Is this also the stance of East Asia? That hatred spreads unchecked? Brother Wang Hu, what do you think of me?"
"You're a good kid." Wang Hu smiled, staring at Kira, who was on the verge of being set straight.
"Be grateful. East Asia has always upheld the tradition of punishing only the ringleaders, not the coerced. Not everyone on Plant is power-hungry."
"Moreover, Coordinators have a fatal flaw—their genes degrade to near-sterility after three generations."
"So our fundamental policy is to prohibit genetic modification until it can benefit all citizens equally."
"Existing Coordinators who haven't betrayed the nation are treated as ordinary citizens."
"After this war ends with Plant's total defeat, we'll screen every ordinary citizen in the Satellite Colonies—letting no villain escape, nor wronging a single innocent."
"In the end, Coordinators will most likely become one of us—a recognized ethnic minority."
The last point was added by Li Chengzhi. By now, nearly everyone on the Archangel knew—
Li Chengzhi had powerful backing.
Thus, his endorsement sometimes carried even more weight than Wang Hu's!
"East Asia... East Asia?" This time, genuine light sparked in Kira's eyes.
From his interactions with Wang Hu and Li Chengzhi, from their conduct—
And most importantly, from what he'd learned about East Asia!
"This is right. This is the future this world needs."
Murmuring the words over and over, Kira solidified his conviction.
"Yes—only East Asia. Only East Asia can be the Coordinators' true path forward!"
"I understand now, Brother Wang Hu!"
His shout was almost a vow. For the first time in his life, Kira had found a purpose:
To integrate Plant's Coordinators into East Asia. And to achieve that, the first step was defeating ZAFT!
East Asia?
Flay, hiding in the crowd, maintained her facade but pondered inwardly.
Wang Hu? No.
She shook her head slightly. This proud man would never submit to her whims.
Kira? Maybe.
Her dislike for Coordinators was merely because her father was the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and she had to uphold the proper demeanor expected of a daughter from such a prestigious family.
Otherwise, with her beauty, intellect, and superior family background—none inferior to that of a Coordinator—why would she feel jealousy or disgust toward them? Most Coordinators weren't even worthy of tying her shoelaces!
After weighing her options, Flay decided to observe further. Though she held many advantages, she couldn't afford to gamble recklessly.
"This is the Artemis Fortress Command Center. All forces, be advised—ZAFT Forces have been detected assembling outside our fortress at a distance of 5,890 units."
"It is highly probable that the enemy will launch an attack on this fortress. All personnel are to cancel leave and return to combat stations immediately!"
"I repeat, this is the Artemis Fortress Command Center…"
"Brother Wang Hu?"
Speak of the devil. This was Kira at his most resolute, his desire for battle burning brightest.
"You want to fight?" Wang Hu asked, playing hard to get.
"Yes. I will end this war, set the world on the right path. The world needs change!"
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