UNLEASHED COMBAT POWER, 50%
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"But you're the same stranger."
☠︎ ⚔︎ ☠︎

The clock struck 3:00 AM, and the Third Division of the Japan Defense Force sprang into action in response to a Kaiju sighting. Traffic lights were beeping a red signal with a kaiju-like symbol embedded in its design.

The residents of Sagamihara, accustomed to the frequent drills, calmly began evacuating their homes.

The Third Division moved with precision and urgency, coordinating their strategy as they prepared to confront the looming threat.

The Honju, a massive Kaiju, was not only growing larger but also spawning an alarming number of Yoju as it lumbered through the city, each step a potential disaster. Round and stocky bodies, with three legs and a peculiar no-eyed head shaped like a mushroom cap.

Akira sat in the truck with the rookie group, the defense force gas mask firmly on her face. Her eyes remained closed, her thoughts a whirlwind of anticipation and anxiety.

She was seated next to Reno and in between Kafka, who was equally silent. Reno's eyes began flicking nervously to his lap. The hum of the engine and the muffled sounds of the city were the only noises that filled the tense silence.

Akira's mind drifted to their briefing earlier. Captain Mina Ashiro had laid out the plan with her usual calm authority. She would take down the Honju, while the recruits, including different platoons, would handle any Yoju in sight.

It was their first mission together, and the weight of the responsibility pressed heavily on Akira's shoulders. This wasn't another training exercise.

Not only that, she was utterly exhausted.

Across from her, Kikoru was lost in her thoughts, likely replaying the events from the restaurant nearby where Kafka had revealed his monster form to her. Despite her initial shock, Kikoru had promised to keep Kafka's identity a secret.

Vice-captain Hoshina, who sat in front of everyone gave out some encouraging words.

"So, how are you guys feeling?
ready to go hunt some Kaiju?"

Akira pushed most of her curled black hair behind her shoulder. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement. She glanced up to see Kafka turning a sickly shade of green or possibly purple.

Her amber eyes widened as she watched him almost hurl, his cheeks inflating like a balloon. He had eaten too much before they left, a consequence of his nerves, and now he looked ready to barf at any second.

Panic seized Akira, and she stood up on the seat, almost stepping on Reno and Haruichi in her haste to get away from Kafka and move to the other side of the truck. "Oh fuck no, you're not about to make this any harder than it already is!" she exclaimed.

Kikoru screamed in alarm, noticing the older man's face contorting with great discomfort. Reno looked at Kafka and yelled at the Vice-Captain, "Vice-Captain, I think he's about to puke!"

Kafka mustered all his might to keep the bile down as he spoke, "Sorry everyone, I got so nervous I couldn't stop eating..."

"Why does your appetite work backwards?!" Hoshina exclaimed, watching Akira back up into the corner next to him.

"Somebody open a window, now!" Akira demanded.

"If you throw up, I'll kill you!" Kikoru shouted at Kafka.

"Get it together, old man!" Iharu raved, trying his best to keep away like the rest.

Kafka whined, "Please, just let me live!"

—————

Amidst the chaos, someone managed to crack open a window, allowing a burst of fresh air to circulate through the cramped truck. Kafka took several deep breaths, trying to steady himself. The color slowly returned to his face as he calmed down.

"Okay, okay, I think I'm good now," Kafka said, still looking a bit queasy but more in control.

Akira sighed in relief, sliding down the wall to sit back in her seat. "Thank goodness," she muttered. "We really didn't need that right now."

The truck continued its journey, the atmosphere still tense but slightly more manageable. They finally arrived at the base, disembarking quickly and gathering their gear.

The sight of the Honju in the distance was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. It was massive, its every movement causing the ground to tremble. It walked slowly, releasing a mystery vapor from one of its spot-like red orbs on its head.

"My skin is crawling just looking at it," Akira said, her voice barely audible over the sounds of weapons being reloaded and trucks moving in.

Their job, alongside other platoons, was to ensure that no Yoju escaped the neutralization zone. Vice-Captain Hoshina, ever the motivator, encouraged the new recruits to show him what they were capable of on the battlefield.

"Here's the strategy from the briefing," Hoshina's voice crackled through the earpieces.

'I have a feeling I'll forget, so let me listen well,' Akira sighed, touching the earpiece and focusing on the Vice-Captain's instructions.

Fortunately, she wasn't completely alone; Iharu and Reno stood next to her, also listening intently. Their presence was a comfort.

"The Honju will be dealt with by Captain Ashiro's platoon. The problem is the Yoju, which keep being produced in large numbers. This neutralization area doesn't have the necessary facilities or major transportation for neutralization," Hoshina explained. A yellow projection emerged from their arm pieces, providing additional information.

"Everyone's job is to get rid of all the Yoju in this area without letting them escape. It's an important task that greatly influences the damages and the time and cost of reconstruction if it fails."

"Of course, the platoon, including the newbies, will be placed at the very back. In other words, you guys are our last line of defense," he said, finishing the sentence.

Akira looked at the projection, scanning over the important details. The enormity of their task settled over her like a heavy blanket. They had to succeed; failure was not an option.

"Any questions?" Hoshina asked, his tone inviting but firm.

Silence answered him. The recruits were too focused, too anxious to voice any concerns. They knew what was at stake.

"Alright. No matter how high your percentage was during training, it doesn't save a single life. Show us your strength on the field, baby chicks. No pressure," he finished with a hint of a smile in his voice.

Akira took a deep breath, her mind racing with the details of the plan. This was it. Their first real mission. She felt the weight of her training and the expectations of her comrades pressing down on her. There was no room for doubt or hesitation.

Some members became pumped up, and loud cries from others followed, creating an extremely loud medley of noises.

"All platoons and SDF have completed preparation. Three minutes until Captain Ashiro is ready," Okonogi announced.

The countdown began, and the rookies fell into formation, their eyes fixed on the looming threat in the distance. Akira adjusted her mask and tightened her grip on her weapon. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest.

As the minutes ticked down, Hoshina continued to offer words of encouragement, his voice steady and reassuring through the earpieces. "Remember your training. Stay focused, stay sharp. We've got this."

The ground shook as the Honju took another step, its massive form casting a shadow over the city. The Yoju swarmed around it, their eerie, mushroom-like heads bobbing as they moved.

"Platoons, move out!" Captain Ashiro's voice rang out, clear and commanding.

The rookies surged forward, their movements synchronized and precise. Akira found herself in the middle of the formation, flanked by Reno and Iharu. The air was thick with tension as they advanced, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of the Yoju.

It didn't take long for the first wave of Yoju to appear. They burst out from behind buildings and through alleys, their movements quick and erratic. The rookies engaged immediately, their weapons slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

Akira kept close to Iharu and Reno, their presence a steadying force. They navigated through the debris-strewn streets, their senses on high alert for any sign of the Yoju. The tension was palpable, each step bringing them closer to the impending battle.

Suddenly, a group of Yoju appeared, their round, stocky bodies and peculiar no-eyed heads making them look almost surreal in the dim light. Without hesitation, the recruits sprang into act.

Akira's weapon hummed as she swung it, her movements precise and controlled. The Yoju were fast and relentless, but the team held their ground, working together to take them down.

Akira's training kicked in, her body moving on instinct as she fought off the Yoju. The creatures were relentless, but she held her ground, her determination unwavering. She could hear the shouts and grunts of her comrades as they battled alongside her, each one fighting with everything they had.

Reno and Iharu were right there with her, their movements fluid and coordinated. They fought as a unit, each one covering the other's back. Akira felt a surge of pride as she watched them, knowing that they had come so far since their first day of training.

Akira spun her large rifle and fired, the gun vibrating as she pulled both triggers simultaneously. She then sprinted in another direction, her eyes scanning for others in need of support.

"Shit, they're ganging up on us!" someone yelled from behind her. Obviously the person had already been a veteran and wasn't some mere rookie.

She turned quickly, aiming and shooting at the Yoju approaching them. The blast from her rifle cleared the area, and she spun her guns again to dissipate the smoke billowing from their tips.

"Th-thank you, Officer Hoshizora!" the man stuttered, pushing out his gratitude.

"No need to thank me now, just keep moving forward," she said, her hair flowing in the wind as she ran off in another direction. She fired at the remaining Yoju, large chunks of their bodies being blown off piece by piece at incredible speeds.

It was as if she was an entirely different person—perhaps even an alien on the battlefield. Her amber irises glowed with precise focus and determination. Akira's potential seemed even greater when she switched to her small combat blades.

Beads of sweat formed on top of her eyebrows.

"Unleashed combat power, 50 Percent," the voice in her earpiece announced.

Iharu couldn't help but stare at Akira's work in awe. In mere seconds, several Yoju had been obliterated, their bodies disappearing as quickly as they had emerged from every corner.

The sheer gap in their skills was staggering. He watched as Akira moved with lethal grace, each movement precise and deadly.

Nearby, Reno managed to take down a Yoju that was twice his size, his face etched with determination. He was giving it his all, but even his impressive feat paled in comparison to Akira's prowess on the battlefield. "She's incredible," Iharu muttered to himself, unable to tear his eyes away.

Iharu swallowed hard, his admiration for his teammates growing with each passing second. They were fighting like a well-oiled machine, each one complementing the other's strengths.

"How are you holding up back here, Reno? Iharu?" Akira questioned while catching her breath, leaning against a brick wall for a bit of support.

Reno wiped sweat from his brow, nodding. "Holding up. It's intense, but we're managing. I also switched my rounds from explosive to freeze rounds, I should be able to get stronger this way as well."

Iharu, his face flushed from exertion, gave a thumbs-up. "I'm good. Just need a second to catch my breath."

"Observation team, Area confirmed zero Yoju," Okonogi's voice crackled through the earpieces. "Area Delta is also now confirmed zero Yoju."

Suddenly, a brilliant green beam shot against the massive Honju. Akira stood up from her kneeling position, her eyes wide as she watched the beam strike the mushroom-like creature. The air brushed against her curled hair, the wind rushing in the opposite direction of where she was facing.

"Was that..Captain Ashiro just now?!!"

A large green orb pierced through the Honju, causing pieces of its body to break and fall apart on the ground. The remains of the creature collapsed with a tremendous impact, sending up a cloud of ash and smoke due to the immense pressure.

"Did you see that?" Reno exclaimed, his eyes fixed on the scene.

A third large beam shot forward, striking the Honju's remains once again. The force of the impact caused the remains to shudder, emitting another resounding 'thud' as they settled into the ground.

Akira's amber eyes glowed with awe as she watched Captain Ashiro's precise and devastating shots. "Captain Ashiro's incredible, Kafka better be watching this." she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Iharu, equally amazed, nodded. "We have to step up our game to keep up with her."

Then a fourth beam came, and another, each one relentless in its precision.

Akira glanced at the beams, fascinated by their vibrant colors. 'Um... How long is she going to shoot it? It's literally damn near dead or already dead... I don't even see the core anymore,' she thought, her eyes fixed on the spectacle before her. Finally, the beams ceased, and the air grew still.

Reno let out a low whistle. "Damn, she's something else."

Iharu nodded, still in awe of the sheer power they had just witnessed. "I can't believe how effortlessly she took that thing down."

Akira pushed herself off the wall, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "That's why she's the captain. I'll be heading a different way to scout out any more veterans in trouble since they keep complaining about us rookies. Stay safe out there," she said, her voice a bit silly while she actively mocked some older officers.

Reno and Iharu exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. "You too, Akira," Reno replied, giving her a thumbs-up. "We'll handle things here."

Iharu added, "Just be careful. We need all hands on deck, no dying allowed! Or I'll just shoot ya' myself!"

With a nod, Akira turned and headed down a different path, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. The streets were littered with debris and the remnants of Yoju, but she pressed on, her senses heightened. She moved swiftly as she navigated through the rubble.

The city was eerily quiet, the aftermath of the battle leaving an unsettling calm. Akira's thoughts raced as she kept her weapon at the ready, her muscles tense.

She knew the veterans often underestimated the rookies, but she was determined to prove herself and show that they were capable of handling the pressure.

As she rounded a corner, she spotted a group of veterans struggling with a particularly large Yoju. The creature's grotesque form towered over them, its three-legged stance giving it an unnatural agility. Without hesitation, Akira sprang into action.

She fired her rifle, the shots ringing out with deadly precision. The Yoju let out a guttural roar as her bullets found their mark, causing it to stumble. The veterans, momentarily caught off guard by her intervention, quickly regrouped and joined the attack.

"Thanks for the assist," another veteran said, giving her a nod of approval. "You rookies aren't half bad."

Akira allowed herself a small smile. "Just doing what's apart of the job—like Vice-Captain said..Combat power won't save lives."

—————

As Akira tried to find Reno and Iharu—or perhaps some of the other rookies like Shinomiya—she suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of a katana being unsheathed and then sheathed again.

'Now that's the Vice-Captain, I wonder ' she thought, glancing briefly in the direction of the noise before deciding to ignore it and continue down another path through the streets.

Another beam shot across the sky; Captain Ashiro had fired once more.

The ground rumbled again, and Akira readied herself for the upcoming Yoju charging in their direction. Suddenly, three Kaiju surrounded her. She leapt onto the roof of a nearby car, her voice steady and unflinching as she taunted them.

"Ah, so that's why she kept firing over and over. That Honju had to have had ten times the amount of Yoju inside its body and now they're coming for round 2. I guess I was the big dummy for asking why she kept shooting..."

The Kaiju, with their grotesque mushroom-like heads and stocky bodies, crawled toward her, their movements both eerie and determined. Akira stood poised, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for the imminent confrontation.

"Starting to run on fumes here but I can manage." Slinging her Rifle in her hands, breathing slowly through her respiratory mask.