"In summary, regardless of where we come from, or where we are going, at the very least, we harbor no ill will toward you."

Zheng Zha spoke through the destroyer’s communicator with the Commander of the US Seventh Fleet, Pacific. In fact, after the surprise attack by the Mid-Continent Team, the US Seventh Fleet had come to a complete halt; they dared not even pursue the Mid-Continent Team further. The fighting strength of the Mid-Continent Team and that colossal black dragon had utterly stunned them—a level of power entirely alien to this world. It was so formidable that they had lost several warships without managing to kill a single enemy, a scenario that had never occurred before.

While the US Navy was in disarray, a communication request suddenly came through from the Mid-Continent Team.

"Do you consider robbing a warship and demonstrating power with a superweapon to be acts devoid of malice?" The Fleet Commander silently watched the video feed. It was only at this moment that he truly saw the appearance of the Mid-Continent Team members clearly. They possessed no unusual features; they looked no different from ordinary humans. In fact, they seemed less capable than regular soldiers, as the group included women and children—a composition hardly resembling a military unit.

Zheng Zha paused before replying, "Please believe us; we were forced into this. In fact, did we strike Pearl Harbor with that weapon? Did we indiscriminately slaughter anyone in Pearl Harbor? Our connection to this world is minimal; we are only here to complete certain missions. We will be leaving soon, perhaps never to return to this world. Can we, in that case, reach a peace agreement?"

The Commander fell silent for a long time before responding, "I am merely the commander of a fleet. I am not authorized to discuss matters of peace with you. I can transfer you to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense now… Regardless, you killed many of our soldiers and destroyed our warships. That is an unchangeable fact."

Zheng Zha could only offer a wry smile. After ten seconds, seven or eight middle-aged and elderly military men and several men in suits appeared on the video screen. The man leading them, slightly portly and in his fifties, was the President of this world.

"This is our first conversation... what should we call you? Mr. Robber? Or perhaps terrorists from the future? Or gentlemen about to become terrorists in our world?" The President of the United States smiled, staring at Zheng Zha as he asked.

Zheng Zha responded with another helpless smile. He could easily imagine the lies the East Sea Team had fed the US government, but it was unavoidable. Matters of the Samsara World could not be easily disclosed; obtaining aid from the US government under those circumstances required deception. The Mid-Continent Team was only powerful to a certain degree; otherwise, they would have needed those lies to survive.

"Please call us the Mid-Continent Team. That is our true designation; the rest we cannot disclose…" Zheng Zha shrugged.

The President looked visibly haggard, rubbing his temples. "Mr. Mid-Continent Team, perhaps you are unaware of the magnitude of the shock you and your team have inflicted upon our world? You hijacked a warship and caused certain islands to vanish using a superweapon. While the destructive power of such a weapon might rival a nuclear arsenal, it certainly doesn't exist in the form of a laser cannon, nor could it possibly be held in the hands of a few individuals…"

"Fine, let's set aside the weapon issue for a moment. What exactly is your objective? Hijacking our naval vessels, threatening us, and now initiating an attack on our Seventh Fleet—no, rather, destroying half of the Seventh Fleet—this behavior is naked terrorism! What in the world do you want?"

Zheng Zha found the questioning tiresome. He wasn't cut out for politics, and threatening them further was not the right approach now. Displaying their strength was meant only to deter; if misinterpreted, it could backfire disastrously. So, he simply stated, "I told you, we have no other objective, only safety... well, for the sake of argument, let's say we are terrorists from the future. That designation doesn't constitute a crime against this world, does it? If we were seeking political asylum in the US, does your criteria for accepting asylum seekers include people from the future?"

"Huh? What?"

Not only the US President but also all the surrounding officers and civilians were stunned. They had never expected this ferocious team of powerful future terrorists to be requesting political asylum... political asylum from the future? The United States had no precedent for such a request.

"Of course. As compensation for the losses incurred by America in this incident, we can offer limited access to our technology, as well as some weapons superior to those of this era... all in pursuit of a secure environment, as part of this political asylum request... that demand isn't excessive, is it?" Zheng Zha stated into the video.

"Sir... I apologize, I need to confer with my staff. Since both sides have shown sincerity, perhaps we can establish regular contact? Our Navy will refrain from any armed aggression against you, and we request you maintain restraint. I believe this benefits both parties, wouldn't you agree?" The US President mused briefly. He clearly had an inclination toward acceptance, but as a political figure, he couldn't make such a hasty decision; he needed to consult his advisors thoroughly.

About half an hour later, new information arrived from the President’s end. Just as Zheng Zha predicted, the US side eagerly agreed to grant his small team political asylum, even offering to dispatch helicopters immediately to escort them to US territory.

"Helicopters? In this weather? Let's forego that for now. We will settle on a small island and wait for the storm to pass before coming to the US. However, we still request escort and protection from the Pacific Seventh Fleet... How about this: we will wait for the Seventh Fleet near the Diaoyu Islands, and there we can discuss in detail what technologies and weapons we will provide to the US."

While this outcome wasn't perfect, the US was finally relieved. At least they wouldn't need to resort to nuclear strikes, and they stood to gain future technology and weaponry. Consequently, the US President and his staff couldn't help but celebrate their good fortune.

"Honestly, having to lie every time just to get by. Greed—it's all greed that ruins people," Zheng Zha muttered, glancing at the frosty-faced Japanese girl before him, Aoi Sora, a member of the East Sea Team.

"Hello. I am the captain of the Mid-Continent Team, and these are its members. Don't look so tense; we are not like some members of your East Sea Team. We won't do anything disgusting to you, please rest assured," Zheng Zha said with a smile.

Aoi Sora let out a cold laugh and pointed into the distance, "Don't speak so sweetly. If you weren't abusing prisoners, then what are those people over there?"

Aoi Sora was pointing toward the East Sea Team members who had been dislocated all over their bodies by Zhao Yingkong. They were writhing on the floor in a corner of the room, groaning, begging for mercy, and clearly in agony—they looked quite pitiful indeed.

Zheng Zha shrugged. "We are Samsara Squads, not a charitable organization. To be frank, if your East Sea Team held the absolute advantage this time, what would you have done? Don't tell me that just two or three of you could stop your teammates from killing us? I suspect that besides killing, you might have committed even more repulsive acts."

——————

Aoi Sora opened her mouth but remained silent for a long time, eventually lowering her head in helpless resignation, refusing to engage with whatever Zheng Zha was saying.

"Of course, you can deny it, but everything I said is the truth... Furthermore, can you deny what my teammates experienced at your hands? Therefore, those who deserve to die, I will certainly kill; they won't escape…" Zheng Zha continued speaking.

Aoi Sora was quiet for a moment before finally murmuring, "Then kill me too. There's no point in me living alone..."

"Uh... are you sure you want to die before the East Sea Team captain?" Zheng Zha asked with a smile.

Aoi Sora snapped her head up, eagerly asking, "You mean Kuraki-kun isn't dead? You aren't lying to me, are you?"

Zheng Zha smiled, removing the silver metallic plate from the back of her head, and then said, "Scan yourself with your spiritual power and see."

Aoi Sora immediately closed her eyes. A moment later, the tension left her face, and a slow smile began to form. Then, Zheng Zha placed the silver plate back on the back of her head and continued, "That’s the end of the discussion about contact. I said, those who must die, will die. They insulted my team members, and this is a team battle; I cannot neglect strengthening my teammates. I am responsible for them... Naturally, the four of you don't have to die, but there is a condition."

Aoi Sora's face flushed and paled simultaneously, her body trembling slightly. Gritting her teeth, she pondered for a long time before finally resolving herself, "Fine... As long as you spare him, and them... then I promise you. I will agree to anything." As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.

Zheng Zha didn't quite grasp it at first, until Cheng Xiao, not far away, let out a strange laugh. Only then did he realize, "Don't get the wrong idea. I am not as despicable as your teammates. What I want you to do is help me wake up my team members; they have fallen into a sleep induced by their inner demons."

"I also promise you that I will spare the other three a path to life. This vow is effective within the context of this horror movie world."