After a thorough discussion, the root of Wakanda's current crisis and the blame placed on the Avengers had finally come to light.
Now, the capital of Wakanda had fallen into Ultron's hands, and the Avengers were fractured in the aftermath of the ambush.
Disaster never comes alone, it seems.
Whether this all started due to Tony Stark's negligence, Captain America's oversight, or Ultron simply seizing an opportunity, it no longer mattered.
What mattered now was stopping things from getting worse.
With the capital under his control, Ultron would undoubtedly begin using its resources to mass-produce his army of mechanical soldiers.
According to Cortana's calculations, it would take Ultron only a few days to exhaust all the capital's resources and assemble a powerful army of AI war machines.
Even with Wakanda's superior technology and military might, facing an enemy of equal technological level was a grim prospect.
No one was confident that Wakanda could win such a confrontation.
After all, machines never hesitate. Under Ultron's control, a mechanical army would be faster, more brutal, and execute tactics with a precision far beyond that of Wakanda's forces.
Even T'Challa, the Black Panther himself, admitted that if both sides had armies of equal size, he would have little confidence in defeating Ultron's forces.
That meant Kagura couldn't allow Ultron to complete his army. The capital had to be reclaimed—fast.
If Ultron was given time to build up his forces beyond what Wakanda and the remaining Avengers could handle, his assault would become unstoppable.
And when that happened, the remaining research facilities and, more importantly, the vibranium mines on the outskirts that was Wakanda's lifeblood would fall too.
With access to unlimited vibranium, Ultron could infinitely expand his army.
And if that happened, Wakanda wouldn't be the only one to fall the entire world would be pulled into the abyss with it.
"This is a battle we simply cannot afford to lose."
Kagura gazed out the window at the distant savanna and the towering skyline of Wakanda's capital.
"Prince T'Challa, we need to come up with a counterattack plan immediately. If Wakanda falls completely, the world will follow."
T'Challa nodded solemnly.
"I agree with you, Miss Kagura. No matter how difficult it may be, we must suppress this threat right here in Wakanda."
"We cannot let Ultron escape with our technology. Ideally, we must destroy him here and now."
Princess Shuri spoke up next. "But how? Brother, war isn't won with slogans!"
She brought up several holographic data charts displaying Ultron's estimated power versus the forces Wakanda could still field.
"We can barely defend our research facilities and the vibranium mines as is. The two Avengers we rescued are still recovering. We don't have the manpower or strength to launch an offensive anytime soon."
Kagura crossed her arms, falling silent for a moment in thought. "No… I believe we can fight."
Everyone turned toward her, their faces a mix of disbelief and faint hope—especially Steve Rogers, whose eyes now gleamed with anticipation.
Kagura glanced toward Cortana before continuing.
"First of all, when it comes to combat-ready units, I can provide us with a highly capable backup force. For a full-scale battle, we might not be at a disadvantage against Ultron after all."
She was referring, of course, to the YoRHa combat unit an artificial army already nearing operational readiness.
With Cortana's command module utilizing hive-mind coordination, she could lead thousands of YoRHa soldiers in synchronized assaults.
They functioned as a single entity a literal 'army of one.'
Unlike Tony Stark's Iron Legion, the YoRHa units Kagura had designed possessed superior autonomous combat capabilities.
Each individual soldier could fight independently without the vulnerabilities that plagued the Iron Legion.
"Second," she added, "I'll personally heal Natasha and Barton. Once they're back on their feet, we'll have the individual strength to match Ultron's key units."
Her gaze swept across the room full of heroes.
There was Captain America, equipped with cutting-edge Rhodes Industries gear. Black Panther, clad in full vibranium armor.
Cortana, the AI commander of the YoRHa units. Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton of Griffin Security. And finally, herself.
In terms of sheer numbers and power, they were not lacking.
Kagura's voice grew firm. "That's why I believe we can win. And we must win—because this is a battle we cannot lose."
"She's right," T'Challa declared. "Taking back the capital is non-negotiable. This is something we have to do."
He looked around at the high-tech command center, then out the window at the land he had sworn to protect. Finally, his gaze settled on his sister, Shuri.
"The fate of Wakanda is now tied to the fate of the entire world. For generations, we have lived in isolation. But when disaster comes knocking on our door, Wakandas do not run. We stand and fight."
He raised his hand to his chest.
"Wakanda forever!"
With their resolve strengthened, the group split up to begin preparations for the counterattack.
Ultron would never see it coming. He believed Wakanda was broken and its king dead, its elite forces decimated, its people forced to retreat to the mines and labs.
He had no idea that dozens of "Halo" transports carrying YoRHa soldiers had already taken off from the NERV base in Germany, following Kagura's orders, en route to Wakanda.
He also didn't know that capturing Tony Stark and imprisoning him inside an Iron suit to manipulate Kagura into submission would do the opposite.
He had awakened something far more dangerous—Kagura's fury.
There are some people you should never cross.
Some fires, once lit, will consume everything.
Kagura looked at the city in the distance, her mind already filled with strategies to bring Ultron down.
'You hurt one of the people I care about most in this world.'
'This time, I won't show you even a shred of mercy.'
'Struggle all you want. Throw everything you've got at me.'
'I'll give you every chance to show off your tricks—and then I'll crush them, one by one.'
'I'll drag you into the deepest pit of despair, and I'll end you.'
Relaxing her clenched fists slightly, Kagura turned and stepped into the Wakanda research facility's rest area.
First, she had to heal her allies.