Chapter 16: Meeting the Hero

"This is the first time we’ve met face-to-face. I am Sephiroth. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Zack."

"I—it is an honor to meet you, sir. I am Cloud Strife, Captain of the Experimental Unit within the Advanced Weaponry Division."

"There’s no need to be so tense. Zack spoke incessantly about how happy he was to finally have a junior with some real grit; I’ve been wanting to speak with you for some time."

As I extended my hand, the young boy with the spiky hair hesitantly shook it. Despite his nervous demeanor, the grip of his hand told me everything I needed to know: these were the hands of a seasoned warrior.

Ever since I lost my friends, Genesis and Angeal, my world had shifted drastically. Lazard, the former Director of the SOLDIER Department, was gone, replaced by Rufus, who had stepped up from his role as Vice President. Looking back, I suppose I was a bit overwhelmed at the time. Whether Rufus sensed my distress or not, I can’t say, but he began burying me under such a mountain of work that I no longer had the luxury of brooding.

"You heard about me from Zack?"

"Yes. He claims he can’t afford to slack off now that he has such a talented junior, so he’s always dragging me into training. I’d like to spar with you myself someday."

Zack was the other person responsible for stealing my free time. At some point, his self-imposed training grew significantly more intense. When I asked him why, he spoke with a grin about a junior in Advanced Weaponry named Cloud, who had made it his goal to surpass me. Apparently, the boy was exceptionally gifted; the training regimens Zack described were far beyond the capabilities of an average SOLDIER.

Even Rufus seemed to have his eye on him, even hinting at arranging a mock battle between us soon.

What truly caught my attention, however, was that even Hojo had taken an interest in him—a rare occurrence. Cloud had managed to suppress every experimental specimen the professor threw at him, delivering undeniable results. That man views every Shinra employee as a mere sample, yet he shows a modicum of favor to those he deems "competent subjects."

"If Hojo from the Science Division ever gives you trouble, come to me. I’ll do what I can to help."

"Professor Hojo? For now, I’m only asked to participate in occasional mock battles against his bio-specimens, so it hasn't been an issue. He did once suggest I undergo the procedure to join SOLDIER, but I declined. Director Scarlet’s policy is to develop warriors who can dominate the battlefield without becoming SOLDIERs."

So, Hojo did intend to put Cloud on the operating table. Yet, there was something slightly off about Cloud's impression of Hojo. One shouldn't feel the need to show that man respect; in fact, a sense of loathing would be the natural reaction. Most SOLDIERs and staff who deal with him maintain a facade of respect while cursing him under their breath. I expected Cloud, who dealt with him directly, to feel the same.

"Cloud’s superior is quite overprotective," Rufus added, as if sensing my thoughts. "The Advanced Weaponry Division raises hell if anyone tries to force his hand, so even Hojo watches his step around him."

I recalled the Director of that division—a woman named Scarlet. I had very little contact with her, but the rumors were rarely pleasant. Much like Hojo, I’d heard she had no qualms about using employees as test subjects for her weapons or grinding her subordinates into the dirt. I find it hard to believe Hojo would back down so easily just because a fellow Director objected.

There was a disconnect between my perception of the company and the impression I got from the young man before me. Was there still something I didn't know?

"Now then, I’d like to explain to Cloud why Sephiroth is here. Can we consider the introductions finished?"

"Ah, my apologies, Rufus."

I had let myself get lost in thought right before a mission—not a good habit.

Our current objective: eliminate Avalanche insurgents targeting the Shinra Rocket Launch Site. We are holding a massive, public ceremony to lure them in with intentionally thin security, then we will crush their main force in one fell swoop. Simultaneously, we've leaked intel that security has been tightened at the Mako Reactor currently under construction to further divide them. It’s a pity for the Space Development Division being used as a decoy, but truth be told, I want to break the back of Avalanche here and now.

Since two members of the Space Development Division were present, Rufus kept the "decoy" part of the plan quiet. He explained only that Avalanche was targeting the site and that I had arrived in secret to intercept them.

"So what you're saying is, even though terrorists are coming for us, our only defense is Sephiroth?"

The man in charge, Cid, pressed Rufus for answers. Even among SOLDIERs—who are often overconfident and arrogant—it was rare to see someone confront the Vice President with such a tone.

"I am well aware of Sephiroth’s strength," Cloud added, voicing his own doubt. "But is one man really enough?"

It was a fair question, but we had our reasons.

"That won't be an issue," Rufus replied smoothly. "We've already whittled down Avalanche’s numbers significantly. They will likely deploy a small, elite squad of their best fighters. But even then, there is no one in Avalanche capable of contending with Sephiroth, regardless of their quality."

I don’t know how he did it, but Rufus seemed to have infiltrated the very heart of Avalanche. According to his intel, the primary goal was to sabotage the rocket, using an attempted assassination of the President and Rufus by a small elite team as a diversion.

"I will handle the assassination attempt," Sephiroth said. "Cloud, I want you to handle the team attempting to sabotage the Shinra No. 26."

"Understood."

"In that case, I'm helping too," Cid chimed in. "I won't let some bunch of jokers mess with my dream."

Normally, we would process the saboteurs after capturing the assassins, but I was honestly grateful for the extra hands. I would have preferred Zack or other SOLDIERs' help, but moving too many high-profile troops risked leaking the operation.

It’s not that I can’t lead a squad, but Zack is much better at bringing people together. Between me and the other SOLDIERs, there is always a wall—whether it's born of admiration or intimidation. But when Zack takes command, that wall vanishes.

He reminds me of Angeal in that regard. He, too, looked after his juniors and knew how to unite people. Genesis, though his words were often cryptic and he relied heavily on intuition, had a strange charisma that drew people in. While I refuse to lose to anyone in a duel, moving in lockstep with others has always been difficult for me. Looking back, it was only because those two were able to keep up with me that we could run through the battlefield together.

They are gone now, but Zack is desperately trying to stand by my side. And perhaps Cloud—the boy Zack praises so highly—will one day stand equal with me as well.

"Something wrong, Sephiroth?"

I realized I had been staring at Cloud and Cid as they walked toward the rocket, discussing security measures.

"No, it’s nothing. I just found my junior to be... quite radiant."

"Then make sure you aren't a senior who's easily overtaken," Rufus said with a smirk. "Do your best to remain an insurmountable wall. The ones who climb up from the bottom are the ones you truly have to fear."

The Vice President seemed to be enjoying his work. Or perhaps he was just enjoying his schemes. When he declared he would use my power to become President, I remember thinking that an interesting man had finally taken the reins.

"You are right. Cloud is remarkably skilled."

"Can you tell just by looking at him?"

"Visual information, and the feel of his grip... I can tell to an extent."

"Then you should sit in on the SOLDIER interviews from now on. Checking them one by one is exhausting. I can't delegate the Director's duties to just anyone, but give me a break once in a while. Cloud handles everything for Scarlet, from bodyguarding to secretarial work."

Rufus spoke with a grin, but I couldn’t imagine myself acting as a secretary.

"Hmph. I have no intention of playing secretary. I'll stick to being a bodyguard, if you don't mind."

"That might be fine for a 'Hero,' but once I become President, you’ll need to get used to your position as an executive of the SOLDIER Department."

Being a Director at Shinra is an entirely different world from being a 1st Class SOLDIER. It requires a vast array of knowledge—basic understanding of the Science, Public Security, Advanced Weaponry, Space Development, and Urban Development divisions, not to mention a highly sophisticated education. To reach the rank of Director, one needs a recommendation from the President or a predecessor and must pass a rigorous written examination.

When Rufus became the Director of the SOLDIER Department, I heard he passed all those exams before taking the post. Out of curiosity, I looked at the textbooks he used; they contained problems that I, having spent my life solely on the battlefield, couldn't even begin to solve.

"Don't let the title of 'Hero' limit your potential," Rufus said.

I suppose that was his way of encouraging me. Ever since he became Director, he had been strangely attentive—or rather, he had been constantly lighting a fire under me. Come to think of it, whenever I used to wallow in doubt, Angeal would give me a clumsy push forward, and Genesis would recite poetry in his own way of giving a pep talk.

"Fair enough. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed by the work you’ve been pushing on me lately. Once we’ve settled things with Avalanche, I’ll delegate more to Zack and increase my training hours. I’d like to have that mock battle with Cloud, too. I assume the Advanced Weaponry Division is still sending in requests for combat data against SOLDIERs?"

I had heard from Zack himself that they were regularly sending personnel to spar with Cloud under the guise of training him against autonomous weapons.

"True. Once I’m comfortable letting a little more of your data leak, I’ll consider it. But I won't tolerate a loss. I have no desire to listen to that woman brag every time."

I see. It seems Cloud truly intends to surpass me. And Rufus acknowledges that possibility. I found myself wanting to fight alongside him; it was a bit of a shame we had to split up here.

"By 'that woman,' do you mean Scarlet from Advanced Weaponry?"

"Yes. She’s unnervingly sharp. She grabs immediate profits while maintaining a long-term vision."

As the Director of SOLDIER, Rufus was often by my side. He claimed it was the most efficient way to direct my movements, though his true intentions remained a mystery. Still, balancing his duties as Vice President while managing the SOLDIER Department and even overseeing my personal training must make for a grueling schedule.

"...Now that I think about it, I’ve never lectured you on how to speak to other Directors, but if you’re going to associate with Cloud, keep the 'Director' title on Scarlet."

"Of course. I’ll be careful when other employees are around."

"No, be especially careful around Cloud. His 'loyal hound' act is... well, just don't go believing every rumor you hear about Scarlet or make any strange comments about her to him."

Rufus gave the warning with a slightly bitter expression. Certainly, there were rumors of people being demoted for mouthing off to a Director. Usually, a demotion happened in the Public Security Division; in the Science or Advanced Weaponry divisions, the offender simply went missing. That was the "lesson" seniors always gave to new Shinra recruits.

"It's not exactly pleasant to listen to—a young man bragging about his female boss like she’s the sun and moon."

I was surprised to see Rufus make such a face. Zack had also mentioned that the title of 'dog' suited Cloud even better than it suited himself. If I had the time, perhaps I’d ask him about it as small talk.

"Well, let’s finish off Avalanche quickly."

"Are we authorized to terminate, or should we aim for capture? If they fail here, they might desperately target the Mako Reactor at Mt. Corel next."

"It’s fine. I’m funneling them so that targeting the Reactor is their only option. I also need to recover the Turks I have embedded there."

"Embedded? Even as Vice President, isn't it a liability to just pick up outsiders? Hojo will undoubtedly want them as samples."

"Don't make it sound so scandalous. Director Verdot’s daughter is currently infiltrating Avalanche as a Turk. Naturally, the other Directors don't know about the Turks' top-secret missions."

I couldn't save Genesis or Angeal, but I knew Rufus had moved aggressively to try and bring them back. In Banora Village, where their graves were built, people who still admire the two heroes visit regularly to leave flowers.

"Don't push yourself too hard. Even to my eyes, you look like you're working too much."

"Hmph. Then let's wrap up today’s mission quickly so I can rest during the celebration for the successful rocket launch."