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While the women’s primary role seemed to be babysitting the two young leaders, they didn’t see it that way.

Instead, they viewed it as an opportunity to take on greater responsibilities and mentor the next generation of leaders, showcasing their own capabilities in the process.

When Duke observed the two women generously mentoring Clyde and Reeve, a sense of satisfaction crossed his face.

He nodded approvingly, reassured by their dedication to guiding the younger leaders.

The decision to make Clyde and Reeve team captains instead of the two women hadn’t been based on gender.

Both women were highly skilled—not only as fighters but also as leaders, capable of handling even the most challenging situations.

However, this mission wasn’t just about immediate results; it was also about fostering potential.

Kisha had pointed out that Clyde possessed the ’Talent: Command’, a rare gift that indicated he had a natural aptitude for leadership and the ability to command an army in the future.

While this talent was a significant advantage, raw potential alone wasn’t enough.

Clyde needed experience, mentorship, and opportunities to hone his skills.

Leadership wasn’t something that could simply be claimed—it had to be earned and cultivated.

This mission was an ideal training ground for Clyde, a chance to mold him into the leader he was destined to become.

Although Reeve was initially intended to serve as Clyde’s second-in-command, their combined ’Group Synergy’ made their partnership a strategic highlight.

This dynamic, however, also meant that Reeve needed to develop leadership skills alongside Clyde to maximize their potential as a team.

Recognizing this, Duke assigned Rose and Evelyn—both great leaders with patience, tactical acumen, and a nurturing demeanor—to act as mentors rather than lead the groups themselves.

This arrangement allowed Clyde and Reeve to take the reins, giving them the freedom to navigate the complexities of leadership.

Rose and Evelyn stayed close by, offering guidance, constructive feedback, and encouragement when needed.

By letting the young men "drive" while keeping a watchful eye, the women created a supportive environment where mistakes became opportunities for learning.

This hands-on approach ensured that Clyde and Reeve would grow into capable leaders more quickly, equipping them to step out of their mentors’ shadows and confidently lead on their own in the near future.

By adopting this strategy, Duke and Kisha aimed to cultivate a robust pool of capable captains who could each lead their own specialized units.

These units could then be deployed swiftly and efficiently whenever and wherever they were needed.

This approach ensured that the base would not remain overly dependent on Duke, Kisha, or the elite core members like Vulture and Sparrow.

As the base expanded and its influence grew, so did the need for decentralized leadership and operational flexibility.

Developing a new generation of leaders not only reinforced the foundation of their community but also prepared them for a future where challenges would demand multiple teams operating independently.

This forward-thinking approach was crucial for sustaining their strength and ensuring the base’s continued growth and resilience.

After forming their groups, the four teams maintained a balanced formation—close enough to provide support if needed but far enough apart to cover more ground efficiently.

Each team took a different street, carefully coordinating their movements to monitor one another’s progress while ensuring the paths ahead were secure.

If a team encountered a street that posed too much danger, they would backtrack, mark the location with an "X" to indicate a hazardous route, and choose an alternate path.

This methodical approach minimized unnecessary risks and ensured a safer journey for all teams as they advanced cautiously.

Without Sparrow or the Scarlet Bees acting as scouts, the teams had to rely on themselves to survey the area.

This provided an excellent opportunity to teach each team the fundamentals of scouting, particularly the younger members.

It was a valuable lesson to curb impulsive tendencies and emphasize the importance of assessing their surroundings before moving forward.

Although this method slowed their progress, it ensured their safety.

By casting a wider net across the area, they could identify potential threats early and chart alternative routes.

This approach allowed them to prepare multiple exit strategies in case they encountered a dead end or an unexpected obstacle ahead.

The extra caution meant a better chance of completing their mission without unnecessary losses.

After two hours of relentless running, the team finally found a better spot to rest.

Gasping for breath, their lungs burned with each inhale, and their knees wobbled, threatening to give out at any moment.

Sweat drenched their bodies, and the blistering sun made it feel like they were on the verge of collapsing from heatstroke or dehydration.

Their faces were as red as boiled lobsters, and they couldn’t help but gulp down as much water as they could manage, trying to rehydrate.

The heat was so intense that the rubber on the asphalt was beginning to melt and cling, turning the ground sticky.

Even the soles of their shoes left behind melting rubber trails as they took each labored step.

After the bone-chilling cold of the previous night, the intense heat now seemed almost unbearable.

Some felt as if they were running a fever, their bodies struggling to adjust to the drastic shift in weather.

Inside the building, they rested and drank, but no one had the appetite to eat.

The scorching heat left them craving only cold drinks to cool down.

The air inside the building felt thick and dry, as if all the moisture had evaporated, leaving it suffocating and stale.

Breathing became difficult, and it felt as though there wasn’t enough oxygen in the air, adding to their discomfort.

However, despite the exhausting run and the toll it took on their bodies, Evelyn, Rose, and the two STAU knew they still had to prepare a meal.

They understood that everyone would need to replenish their energy and build up stamina if they were to continue their journey after resting.

Instead of a hot meal, the four decided to prepare cold food, opting for dishes like cold noodles.

They even asked an ice-type awakened ability user to create ice, while Evelyn, using her unique ability to manipulate her body into steel, sharpened her hands like knives and sliced through a large block of ice, effortlessly turning it into cubes.

Watching Evelyn’s hands gleam with sharp precision reminded everyone of the iconic scene from ’The Terminator’, where the metal-clad robot’s limbs gleamed with cold, unyielding strength.

After Evelyn sliced the ice spear into cubes, the heat was so intense that the ice began to melt almost instantly, a clear sign of how sweltering the temperature had become.

Looking ahead, the horizon shimmered in the distance, distorted by the oppressive heat.

Realizing the limitations of regular ice, Rose decided to use her Ice Crystals awakened ability, knowing the intense heat wouldn’t be able to melt her ice.

Just like regular ice, her ice crystals retained their cold properties.

Rose focused on creating ice cubes herself, sparing Evelyn from the need to slice them, besides, even Evelyn wouldn’t be able to cut through her ice crystal anyway, and her ice wouldn’t melt too quickly.

The cold ice crystals were used to chill the noodles, ingredients, and even the drinks, which began to freeze inside their containers as they slowly cooled down.