9:00 PM.
Night had fallen across the vast African plains.
Wakanda's capital city still gleamed with lights, as if it were bustling as usual.
But those in the know understood the truth that those scattered lights weren't the glow of prosperity, but the sparks of war.
The fuse had already been lit, and this conflict could ignite the entire world.
Ultron now occupied Wakanda's capital, using the nation's unparalleled manufacturing capabilities to rapidly replicate his mechanical army.
And worse still, he was likely upgrading them, making each new iteration even more powerful and harder to destroy.
With each passing second, the scales of fate tipped ever more in Ultron's favor.
After completing the final round of medical checks and equipment upgrades for the team, Kagura joined Prince T'Challa and Captain Steve Rogers to strategize the counterattack.
But before the Avengers and Wakandan warriors could reclaim Birnin Zana and face Ultron head-on, one massive problem stood in their way, the Sky Shield.
Currently, Prince T'Challa commanded the elite Royal Guard withdrawn from the frontlines.
They were tasked with defending the Royal Research Center. Meanwhile, the renowned Dora Milaje, Wakanda's all-female special forces stood ready near the vibranium mines.
These units represented the finest of Wakanda's military strength, yet even with their elite skills, their numbers were far too few to take on Ultron's mechanical horde.
Ultron, entrenched in the capital, had already used automated factories to produce a vast army.
While he hadn't yet taken the Research Center or the mines, he had more than enough forces to hold the capital.
To turn the tide, the Avengers desperately needed reinforcements.
Fortunately, Kagura had already summoned the newly-deployed YoRHa units from Germany using her Halo-class transport aircraft.
But unlike her, not everyone could freely enter the capital under the protection of the Sky Shield.
Unless they could shut down that massive energy barrier cloaking Birnin Zana, the YoRHa units would never reach the battlefield and without them, reclaiming the city would be next to impossible.
Yet now that the Wakandans had lost control of the capital, they could no longer operate the Sky Shield themselves.
So a difficult mission now lay before them: infiltrate the city's Defense Control Center, destroy the Sky Shield's energy generator, and disable the barrier.
Ironically, the Sky Shield, Wakanda's most revered defensive marvel, strong enough to repel even alien warships had become a prison of their own making.
What was once their ultimate safeguard now stood in the way of victory, and someone would have to risk everything to take it down.
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Inside the Royal Research Center's war room, the heroes were deep in discussion.
"The situation is clear," said T'Challa. "As phase one of our counterattack, we must use the cover of night to infiltrate the capital's Defense Center and shut down the Sky Shield. This is a stealth operation. We'll need a small, elite team."
He turned to Steve Rogers. "Captain, you know the Avengers better than I do. I'd like to hear your recommendation on who should carry out the mission."
Steve Rogers paused, scanning the room. Then he said, "For a stealth op like this, fewer is better.
We also need to reserve enough firepower for the main assault once the shield goes down."
His logic was sound. If they sent too many heavy hitters into the infiltration team, they'd risk being unprepared for Ultron's response.
The moment the Sky Shield dropped, Ultron would react and if they weren't ready to strike, they'd lose their only chance.
After a moment, Steve continued. "Natasha, Kagura, I'd like the two of you to handle the shield. You're the best suited for the job."
"No problem!" Kagura said with a confident grin. "Since you're asking so sincerely, how could I say no? Natasha and I will crack that shield like an egg!"
Prince T'Challa stepped forward. "Take Shurei with you as well. She knows the capital's layout and the inner workings of the Defense Center better than anyone. With her help, many obstacles can be avoided."
"Thanks, Your Highness," Kagura replied. "I look forward to seeing Princess Shurei in action!"
"Master, I'd like to go too," Cortana suddenly chimed in. "My mission is to protect you, and that means staying close."
Kagura thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not this time, Cortana. We've got quantum communication between us."
"I need someone here to keep the command team updated in real time."
"…Understood, Master," Cortana nodded. "I'll stay and serve as a relay between you, Captain Rogers, and Prince T'Challa."
"Then it's settled," said T'Challa. "Kagura, Romanoff, and Shurei — I'm counting on you. Disable that shield and open the path to victory"
Captain Rogers added, "Once the Sky Shield drops, we launch the assault immediately. Kagura's reinforcements will enter from the sky and strike from above, surrounding Ultron's forces."
Kagura gave a determined nod. "Yeah — the moment that shield's down, my reinforcements will storm in. Let's bring the thunder."
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The Operation to Reclaim Wakanda's Capital Begins—
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The night wind gently swept across the plains.
The lights of Birnin Zana burned brightly but they weren't signs of peace.
Ultron's forges never stopped, endlessly churning out soldiers of steel in his push to conquer Wakanda's vibranium mines.
Inside the capital, two key Avengers, Tony Stark and James Rhodes were held prisoner, locked within their own armored suits.
Aside from minimal food rations, they were stripped of all freedom.
Ultron could've removed them from their suits and taken full control of Iron Man and War Machine… but he didn't. Instead, he kept them sealed inside like hostages.
Through his ever-evolving AI, Ultron had learned the value of human leverage.
He understood that for someone like Kagura — someone he still deeply feared — a suit housing Tony Stark carried far more psychological weight than an empty one, no matter how advanced.
So now, a question loomed:
Kagura — what will you choose?
Peace for the world?
Or the life of Tony Stark?
What Ultron didn't realize… Was that to Kagura, there was never a choice.
Her answer was simple:
"I choose both!"