Chapter 22 To midgard

Wutai people had already come and taken over the base at the airport. Everything went very smoothly, as they efficiently executed their plan without any hiccups.

The Wutai people swiftly established their base over the Shinra base using their things. It was really easy to go from there. They quickly transformed the Shinra base into their own, seamlessly integrating their resources and infrastructure.

The transition was remarkably smooth, showcasing their adeptness and organizational skills.

"Now that you have successfully brought this base down, It is our duty to return the favor we owe you."

The leader of the team that came to take over the base by the order of Godo then ordered someone who could pilot the airship to go with Jaune and everyone.

The airship that Wutai gave them was the biggest and fastest one they had. With this kind of airship, they would be able to reach Midgard in a day or two at most.

Jaune then thanked him, to which he shook his head and told him that it was he who should be the one to say thank you.

With this base of operation. Wutai would have a much higher chance of winning this war.

Not only would the airship provide them with a significant advantage in terms of speed and mobility in their own land, but it would also serve as a strategic stronghold for Wutai's forces.

By establishing a base of operations here, they would be able to invade Midgard easier, effectively coordinate their attacks, and defend their territory more efficiently.

Jaune, when he heard that they would invade Midgard, didn't know if he should feel happy or sad.

War only causes destruction on both sides. To a third party like him. Whichever side won the war, it was still a tragedy.

"I hate war."

This might be the feeling that Zack felt when he went to war, too. That guy didn't seem like a bad person. He didn't know what would happen to him when he chose to protect his comrades rather than try to take back the base.

Zack's decision to prioritize the safety of his comrades over reclaiming the base showcased his selflessness and dedication to his fellow soldiers.

Despite the uncertainty of the outcome, Jaune couldn't help but admire Zack's bravery and empathize with his internal struggle.

On the airship heading towards Midgard. Ifalna was very nervous. She didn't know what to say to her daughter.

She could feel where she lived and what she felt through the planet. But Aerith seemed like she could not feel her or didn't know that she was her mother.

Ifalna wondered if Aerith's lack of recognition was due to the years they had been separated or if it was a result of something else. The thought of their reunion filled Ifalna with both hope and trepidation, unsure of how their relationship would unfold after all this time.

Seeing how distressed Ifalna was Ruby and everyone tried to cheer her up.

"Don't worry, Ifalna, I know that she would be very happy to see you!"

Ruby thought that if she were Aerith, she would feel very happy when she met her mother.

Ruby believed that Aerith would feel the same way as her.

The bond between a parent and child is strong and undeniable. She reassured Ifalna that their reunion would be a moment of pure happiness for both of them.

"Yeah, that's right Ifalna, no need to think too much of it. I am sure that your daughter will be happy to see you!"

Yang added. She knew that Aerith would be happy. No daughter didn't want to see their mother. She was too, but her mother was a dick.

Blake and Pyrrah didn't talk much, but they nodded, telling her that they thought the same.

Jaune watched them comfort Ifalna. He smiled. He didn't think that someone like him would be so lucky to have them by his side.

He then thought about his family. They must feel devastated about his death. Especially his father, who refused to teach him anything about being a huntsman. He would feel guilty, as it was he who indirectly killed him.

Jaune reflected on this and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. His father had always been distant and reluctant to teach him anything about being a huntsman because he wanted him to be safe.

"I am going to visit them after this."

Jaune made up his mind. He didn't know how to break it to them that he was already dead but had come back.

He knew it would be a difficult conversation, but he couldn't bear the thought of his family continuing to grieve for him.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The airship had arrived on the continent where Midgard was located. They didn't go to Midgard directly because they might be attacked by the Shinra anti air force.

They could only send Jaune and everyone off near the edge of the continent. So they could travel from there much easier.

They made a stop near a town that had a chocobo farm. Jaune and everyone else could then buy the chocobo as a means of transportation.

"I am sorry that we can only drop you off here. Otherwise, Shinra might be alarmed and send someone to attack you. We don't want you to be dragged into our war more than you already have."

The pilot spoke politely to Jaune and the rest of the group. He didn't want Jaune and his group to be hunted down by Shinra when they just wanted to find their lost companion.

Jaune nodded in understanding. and when he was about to say good bye to the pilot and everyone on the airship. He saw someone jump down from the top of the airship.

And that someone was the one he thought he would never have a chance to meet again.

"No way! Why are you here, Yuffie?"

"Jaune! You can't run away from me, hehe!"

Yuffie won't ever let her prey go away. She would be the best ninja Wutai ever had.

Jaune wanted to send Yuffle back with the airship but they were already gone.

He could only look at the little one helplessly.

“What should I do?”

He asked himself but he already knew what had to do.

He needed to make her become stronger so that when there was any danger she then could protect herself.

He looked at his coins and thought that it was enough. He would buy many things for her later.

“I will get my coins back with interest when she is older.”

That was just an excuse but he wouldn’t know what the future would hold.

He might not know that she would be the real spender of his shop.

“Are you angry with me? Jaune nii-chan”

“N-nii-chan…”

Yuffie was very cute right now. Her watery eyes made her look so pitiful.

‘She must learn that from Ruby.’

Jaune looked at Ruby who instantly avoided his eyes.

He shook his head then rubbed the little one’s head.

“I am not angry. But I'm just worried about your safety. Even though you are agile and good at escaping, that doesn’t mean bad things might not happen to you. From now on stick to us and don’t wander around by yourself. If you don’t listen to me then I will be really angry and upset.”

Yuffie smiled after she heard that he wasn’t angry at her and nodded then saluted to him and told him that she promised to do everything he asked her to.

“That’s good then. We should find some chocobos. It is still day time so we might be able to reach the next village before the sun goes down.”

He got a map from a wutai soldier and by calculating. They would be able to reach the next village before the sun went down.

…

At Shinra main base of operation.

A man with a red coat was reading a poem book called loveless.

He was now waiting for someone.

He heard that Wutai had successfully taken over one of their crucial bases of operation.

Even though that station was assigned to a promising soldier who would be promoted to a first class soldier soon.

But with the incident. His promotion might be called off for the time being.

“I don’t know if he would feel sad or happy, He had witness the cruel of war and might not want to be a hero again.”

The man in the red coat or known as Genesis spoke to a man that was wearing a similar outfit to the soldier he had mentioned earlier.

His name is Angeal.

“I think that kid would be more happy. He didn’t want to be a first class soldier anymore. Or anyone under Shinra to be exact.”

Angeal sighed. He was the same as him but he can’t withdraw from the whole thing anymore.

He had to take care of his fellow soldier.

Genesis went silent then he looked at the other people who were there with them.

He was silent the whole time. No one knew what he was thinking.

He looked at the horizon from the open area on the top floor of their base.

The wind blew his hair gently and made him look like he came out of an art piece.

Genesis sighed then looked in the other direction. He felt that someone was walking toward them.

The one who walked toward them smiled brightly.

“I think I can’t make it to the first class anymore.”

The one who spoke to them was of course Zack.

His promotion had been called off and he was demoted to be just a third class soldier.

Shira was very angry that he abandoned their base and chose to save the troopers instead.

“Well, You don’t look like you regret it.”

“Of course I regret it but…I am relieved too. I don’t have to do what you all have to do. They called me back to the main continent.”

Zack felt relieved to be called back and didn’t have to witness anymore cruelty of the war.

But at the same time he felt regret that he couldn’t accompany his friend, his mentor, and his hero to the war.

The two shook their heads, then they looked at the one who was silent the whole time.

The one who was silent was called Sephiroth.

He was the strongest soldier Shinra ever produced.

He looked at Zack, his eyes glowing green with power.

“Who was it?”

Zack could feel it. Even though he spoke less. Zack knew that he was excited.

Was he longing for someone who was strong enough that he could fight to his heart's content?

Genesis could only grit his teeth. They fought with each other not long ago and he lost even with the help of Angeal. Now that someone got the attention of his rival. He couldn’t help but feel jealous.