Chapter 643: War is coming

Wakanda-

T'Challa and Shuri were in the lab, watching as Okoye emerged after receiving the physical enhancement serum.

Okoye, feeling the surge of strength in her body, exclaimed, "This is incredible! I never imagined I'd possess such power."

T'Challa nodded. Having taken the heart-shaped herb and physical enhancement serum before, he knew even more how powerful they were.

In terms of strength and speed, the serum is stronger than the heart-shaped herb, but as someone who has taken both, he clearly knows that the heart-shaped herb has more effects than that.

The heart-shaped herb not only enhanced strength, speed, and endurance but also granted powers that could grow.

T'Challa had noticed that after taking the physical enhancement serum, his strength continued to grow.

Initially, he felt this was due to the serum's lingering effects, but discussions with his sister Shuri revealed that her strength had not continued to increase after using the serum.

Interestingly, their father, who had taken the physical enhancement serum after using the heart-shaped herb, experienced similar continuous strength improvements.

This suggested that the herb's effects were more complex than they had originally understood.

The combination of the heart-shaped herb and the physical enhancement serum had created a synergistic effect, resulting in a significant boost to T'Challa's power.

What T'Challa didn't know was that the heart-shaped herb connected its user to their ancestors and the Wakandan panther god, Bast.

The additional strength it granted was a divine gift from Bast, whose power varied depending on the user's physical capacity. The first generation of Black Panther was the strongest due to this divine connection.

With the physical enhancement serum, T'Challa's body could now channel more of Bast's power, further amplifying his strength.

However, T'Challa knew that his father would soon pass the mantle of Black Panther to him and take an inhibitor to eliminate the effect of heart-shaped herb.

According to Wakandan tradition, once the title of Black Panther was fully passed on, only one Black Panther could serve Bast at a time.

During the training period, it was acceptable to have both the old and new Black Panthers, but once the succession was finalized, the former Black Panther would take the inhibitor to remove the herb's effects.

T'Challa turned to Okoye and said, "Get used to your new strength. Don't let your subordinates surpass you."

"Yes, Your Highness," Okoye responded, aware that T'Challa had purchased thirty doses of the serum from the Sand Puppet Shop and ordered another hundred. This meant more Wakandans would eventually receive the physical enhancement serum.

She hoped her lover, W'Kabi, would get his chance soon. Given his status in Wakanda, it was only a matter of time.

T'Challa continued, "The King has decided to hold a tournament for the Royal Guard. The top nine warriors will be chosen to receive the serum."

Okoye smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

At that moment, a Royal Guard member entered and announced, "Prince T'Challa, Princess Shuri, Captain Okoye, the King has summoned you to the throne room."

The three of them promptly followed the guard to meet the King.

On the way, Shuri asked curiously, "Brother, what do you think happened that Father summoned us so urgently?"

T'Challa shook his head, "I'm not sure, but we'll find out soon enough."

The three of them quickly arrived at the palace.

"Father!" T'Challa and Shuri said in unison.

"Your Majesty!" Okoye added.

T'Chaka acknowledged their arrival with a nod.

At this time, W'Kabi, the Minister of Defense and Military Affairs was also there. The sight of W'Kabi gave T'Challa a sense of foreboding.

T'Chaka spoke, "W'Kabi, explain to them what has happened."

W'Kabi nodded respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Turning to T'Challa and Shuri, he greeted them, "Prince T'Challa, Princess Shuri."

T'Challa asked, "What has happened, W'Kabi?"

"Our border disguise, representing the capital of Wakanda, is under heavy attack by a large armed force and mercenaries," W'Kabi explained.

"These forces are well-equipped with armed helicopters, tanks, and armored vehicles. They have already breached the city and are advancing towards the palace."

Hearing this, both Okoye and T'Challa were taken aback. Since Wakanda secretly established itself as a technological kingdom, they had not faced a serious military assault, even on the disguised border.

Shuri immediately moved to a nearby computer, activating a virtual screen. With quick keystrokes, she brought up the live feed of the border conflict.

The screen showed heavily armed mercenaries patrolling the streets, shooting at anyone who resisted.

Tanks rolled down the roads, with Wakanda's police stations being primary targets of bombardment. Armed helicopters circled above, occasionally firing missiles at Wakandan forces. The entire capital was engulfed in smoke and fire.

Shuri gasped, "Oh my god, the border is really under attack."

"Father, we need to send troops. Those people are also our Wakandan citizens," she pleaded.

The disguised border area had few true Wakandan citizens; most inhabitants were Africans who had come for better opportunities.

Only a small portion of high-ranking officials knew the truth about Wakanda. The rest were unaware of the country's real nature.

T'Chaka turned to his son, "T'Challa, why do you think the enemy is attacking there?"

Externally, Wakanda was perceived as a very poor country that refused foreign aid. Except for a few malicious armed forces, the country was generally stable.

After some thought, T'Challa replied, "They must be after vibranium. I suspect these attackers share the same goal as the American businessman who previously attacked us. They might even be the same group."

T'Chaka nodded and then asked, "Do you think these people are connected to S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

T'Challa shook his head, "I don't think so. If it were S.H.I.E.L.D., the attacking force would look very different, and we haven't exposed ourselves to them."

T'Chaka nodded again, "Yes, your analysis is sound. It seems that the group from last time is still persistent."