Shuri spoke up, "Father, isn't it known that we have already traded away all the vibranium that we have?"
"Logically, they shouldn't have any more interest in us," she added.
T'Chaka nodded, "Yes. Normally, they should have lost interest since we no longer have any vibranium left in their eyes."
"However, last time their squad that was killed includes a soldier with abilities similar to those who used the super-soldier serum. His death must have made them suspect we have more secrets."
"This time, they want to investigate the reasons for their previous failure and confirm whether we still have vibranium."
T'Challa turned to his father and asked, "Father, should we reveal our true strength?"
Everyone's eyes turned to King T'Chaka. The border was engulfed in flames, and eliminating the attackers would undoubtedly reveal Wakanda's true strength.
A force of a few thousand mercenaries was no small matter in a country like Wakanda, especially given their outdated weaponry.
If Wakanda defeated them, it would signal to the outside world—and the masterminds behind this attack—that Wakanda had hidden strengths and was not the impoverished nation it appeared to be.
This could also reveal to S.H.I.E.L.D. that Wakanda was the country purchasing super-soldier serums from the Sand Puppet Shop, confirming their possession of more vibranium.
On the other hand, if they did nothing, they couldn't be sure the invaders would leave once they found no vibranium.
If the invaders stayed, the risk of Wakanda's exposure remained high, and the citizens would feel betrayed.
Shuri interjected, "Father, they are our people. We must save them."
Hearing his daughter's plea, T'Chaka made his decision. "They are our citizens, and we must protect them."
"Okoye, I order you to deploy the air force to the border city immediately. Regain air superiority and eliminate those armed helicopters, tanks, and armored vehicles."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"W'Kabi, mobilize our ground forces to seal off all entrances to the border city. Allow no one in or out."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"T'Challa, suit up and come with me into the city. We will eliminate the enemies ourselves."
"Yes, Father."
"Shuri, you will be in charge of intercepting all communication signals in the city. No information about the battle is to be transmitted over any network."
"Yes, Father."
T'Chaka addressed everyone, "In this battle, we must kill the invaders and save our people, but we cannot let too much information leak out. Let them guess about Wakanda's true strength."
"Begin the operation."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
With T'Chaka's orders, Wakanda swiftly mobilized.
Soldiers began assembling, pilots took their positions in the airbase, and stealth jets prepared for takeoff to the border city.
T'Challa and T'Chaka donned their Black Panther suits and boarded a plane piloted by Okoye, heading to the battlefield.
…
At the border city, the entire area was engulfed in chaos. All resistance within the city was being overwhelmed by the heavily armed mercenaries and their advanced weaponry.
Forces had gathered near the palace, as other defensive positions had been completely overrun by the enemy.
Any resistance had been met with overwhelming firepower, but the palace had been spared to allow for further investigation and confirmation regarding the vibranium.
On a forested hill outside the city, four members of the Akatsuki—Uchiha Itachi, Kisame Hoshigaki, Deidara, and Hidan—were gathered.
Deidara observed the explosions and missile fire lighting up the city, and remarked, "This art show isn't as good without me."
The others ignored him, while Hidan, in high spirits, performed a prayer ritual, finding the multitude of deaths suitable for his Jashin sacrifices.
Kisame turned to Uchiha Itachi and asked, "Itachi-san, is there a special mission for gathering us here? Surely we aren't just here to watch a mundane human war?"
Uchiha Itachi responded, "According to Kakashi's intel, he once brought a team here and felt something unusual. Due to time constraints, they couldn't investigate further. There might be something here that our leader desires."
Kisame, holding his Samehada, looked towards the distant, war-torn city with some confusion. "Shouldn't we be heading into the battlefield then?"
Uchiha Itachi, with a cold and indifferent tone, replied, "It's likely not in the city. However, if there is something special here, this war will likely draw it out. We'll observe for now."
Just as he finished speaking, Uchiha Itachi looked up at the sky. In the forest beyond, several uniquely shaped aircraft appeared in the sky before entering stealth mode and heading towards the city.
Kisame noticed Itachi's gaze and turned to see the same spectacle.
"Just as Itachi-san predicted, there is indeed something unusual here," Kisame commented.
Deidara and Hidan also noticed the anomalies in the sky. Deidara remarked, "Illusion or large-scale genjutsu?"
Itachi observed for a while and then said, "It's not genjutsu. It's likely some kind of technology from this planet, used to conceal what's really going on inside."
"Our target is there," Itachi declared. "Let's move out!"
With that, the four Akatsuki members dashed into the depths of the forest, disappearing like shadows.
…
Meanwhile-
In the border city, Dora Milaje soldiers piloted a stealth jet. Spotting an enemy helicopter flaunting its firepower, they quickly locked onto it with their radar systems.
"Zzzhoom!"
A laser shot out, piercing the helicopter and causing it to explode in mid-air. The sky lit up with a massive fireball, and debris rained down.
"Boom!"
A huge fireball appeared in the air as broken parts fell downwards.