To be honest, in the Gundam world, the only technology Duran truly wanted was the nuclear power system that converts energy into electricity, like the ones used by the Freedom and Justice Gundams.
In the Dragon Ball world, there was no such thing as a sustainable energy source. Even Arale had to drink motor oil regularly to maintain her power. So what Duran urgently needed now was a long-lasting energy source, not constantly having to figure out how to recharge the batteries of his time-space machine wherever he went.
So once they reached Orb, Duran had already decided to find a place near Morgenroete and conduct some proper research.
Just as Duran had predicted, the Minerva entered Orb for equipment repairs and resupply.
Thanks to Cagalli, Duran was also able to settle in Orb—though she herself was extremely unwilling.
The Minerva docked in the shipyard. Of course, Riful of the West had already been sealed away again by Duran.
The bureaucrats of Orb and Cagalli's fiancé were already waiting there.
A blue-haired, somewhat sleazy young man.
Of course, Duran knew that in the end Cagalli would still end up with Athrun, so he silently observed a moment of pity for the blue-haired guy.
"Cagalli, where's the villa you mentioned? Have someone take me there—I don't know the way."
Cagalli gritted her teeth and called for a car.
They drove all the way to the new facilities of Morgenroete.
Unlike the Dragon Ball world—where black technology could appear with little theoretical foundation and design plans could be drawn purely from imagination—the technology in the Gundam world had a very systematic theoretical basis.
So Duran needed to spend time studying.
Besides attending training courses at Morgenroete with Teresa, Duran also spent time cultivating farmland on a small island near the facility.
He planted Senzu Beans.
Senzu Beans were consumable items, so whenever he had the chance, Duran tried to replenish them.
The requirements for planting Senzu Beans were actually very simple.
You just needed Senzu Bean seeds.
Unfortunately, seeds made up only a tiny fraction of the harvested beans, so production was always limited.
To be honest, the technology of the Gundam world—both mechanical and biological—benefited Duran greatly.
He could now design and manufacture some small devices himself.
For example, little mechanical toys like Haro and Tori.
Of course, someone might complain that Duran was simply copying Athrun's creativity.
But then again, Athrun had given cute toys he designed to both Kira and Lacus, yet the only thing he ever gave Cagalli was a ring.
That was practically discrimination against her femininity.
Duran actually thought Athrun's approach was worth learning.
So he decided to make a gift for Teresa.
A talking lightsaber.
Although Teresa's greatsword was already incredibly sharp and her swordsmanship outstanding, there would inevitably be situations in future worlds where a greatsword alone would not be enough.
So Duran prepared this lightsaber for her—just in case.
As for why the lightsaber could talk?
That was simply Duran's bad sense of humor.
Like Haro, the lightsaber could only repeat two words:
"Light! Light!"
Eventually, while Duran was fully immersed in studying, he and Teresa were suddenly surrounded by heavily armed soldiers.
Time had passed quickly.
Kira had already appeared in the Freedom Gundam and abducted Cagalli from her wedding.
The blue-haired fiancé flew into a rage and ordered everyone connected to Cagalli to be arrested.
Duran and Teresa were simply caught up in the chaos.
Actually, the blue-haired guy was quite unlucky.
Weak personality, yet he fell in love with a strong-willed girl.
It was practically a tragedy.
Of course, Duran had no intention of cooperating with him.
Instead, Duran seized the opportunity.
Using force, he subdued the entire Orb leadership.
Incredibly easily, he took control of the whole country.
Then, as the new leader of Orb, Duran announced Orb's new role to the world:
The world's largest arms dealer.
After that, Duran dismissed all soldiers loyal to the Athha family.
With one tough measure after another, he firmly grasped control of Orb.
Of course, this was only on the surface.
Duran never intended to truly rule Orb.
What he needed now was to quickly prepare certain things for himself.
For example:
Replicating the Saiyan spacecraft engine from the Dragon Ball world.
Building spaceships.
Because during his time studying at Morgenroete, Duran had realized something.
Orb had enough strength to remain neutral between PLANT and the Earth Federation.
So Duran decided to exploit that strength.
Ruthlessly.
After Duran introduced a series of technologies that even he didn't fully understand, Orb's technological power accelerated once again.
Soon it reached a level capable of interstellar travel.
Gradually, Duran gained a group of extremely loyal followers—mostly scientists.
Various technologies far beyond the Gundam world began appearing.
For example:
Extracting the active ingredients from Senzu Beans to create a super healing drug.
Whether internal injuries or external wounds, one pill could cure them.
There was also the jump engine.
Traveling from Earth to beyond the solar system would take only a dozen minutes.
Of course, if Orb wanted to be the world's largest arms dealer, weapons research could not stop.
Although personal strength dominated in the Dragon Ball world, meaning Duran didn't have many weapon technologies to offer, the weapon technology of the SEED world itself was already excellent.
Just look at the Akatsuki Gundam produced by Orb.
In a short period of time, Orb's weapons spread across the entire Earth.
Small countries, rebel forces—even friendly nations invading their enemies—were all supplied.
Everything Duran did completely violated the original ideals of the Athha family.
Yet strangely enough, Duran's popularity surpassed even Cagalli's during her leadership.
"Everyone!"
"I am your leader, Duran."
"As you all know, our nation's jump engine technology now leads the world."
"Next month, on the first day, Earth's first jump-engine experiment will be conducted in lunar orbit!"
The pride of the Orb citizens reached its highest point in history.
Meanwhile, aboard the Archangel, Cagalli watched Duran waving to her people like a true head of state.
Her teeth clenched.
"Cagalli…"
Kira wasn't very good with words.
Although he believed rescuing his sister was the right thing for her happiness, he never imagined that Duran would seize power so quickly.
"This Duran is not simple," Lacus said thoughtfully.
"But why is he doing all this?"
"If he truly is the kind of person Cagalli described, I cannot understand his purpose."
"Orb has become the world's largest arms dealer," Cagalli said angrily.
"They're even supporting invasion wars!"
"My father's ideals…"
She slammed her fist into the wall, drawing blood.
"Cagalli, stop!" Kira grabbed her injured hand.
At that moment, Duran was meeting representatives from the Atlantic Federation.
They had come to demand that he fulfill the agreement Cagalli had made earlier.
"Leader Cagalli previously agreed to an alliance with the Atlantic Federation."
"We now request your assistance in attacking the Minerva."
Duran did not answer immediately.
He simply tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table.
It had only been a little over a month.
Yet his research had already made breakthrough progress.
The jump engine had entered the testing stage.
Frankly, Duran didn't want his own military forces to go to war.
But he still had many ways to deal with the situation.
A wicked smile appeared on his face.
"Very well. Agreed."
After that, Duran contacted a small nation he had previously supported.
He offered to hire their military forces, providing them with Orb's equipment.
The small country had prospered greatly thanks to Orb's support and did not dare offend Duran.
So they eagerly accepted.
Thus, a ragtag army was formed.
The Atlantic Federation had nothing to complain about.
Although the troops were second-rate, they were equipped with Orb's finest weapons.
The result was predictable.
With the Minerva fighting desperately and the Archangel suddenly intervening, only a handful of soldiers escaped alive.
Most of the equipment was either destroyed or confiscated by the Atlantic Federation.
Afterward, Duran issued a global arrest warrant for all members of the Archangel, satisfying the Atlantic Federation.
Meanwhile, Shinn Asuka had fallen into despair.
His lover Stella was piloting the Destroy Gundam, slaughtering people.
Duran already had his own plan.
He would use this opportunity for a global broadcast.
To declare to the world:
Orb is the ruler of Earth.
Those who refuse to submit will be destroyed.
Duran suddenly felt like a final boss villain.
It felt strangely refreshing.
Of course, this idea had been somewhat impulsive.
Playing the role of the ultimate villain felt cool.
But there was also another reason.
After becoming the leader of Orb, Duran discovered endless problems.
The Earth Federation constantly harassed him.
Resource restrictions.
Food supply limitations.
It severely interfered with Orb's research projects.
So Duran decided:
There would only be one Orb on Earth.
The Destroy Gundam towered like a massive fortress, fully armed.
The Minerva and the Archangel encountered each other once again.
Shinn foolishly tried to awaken Stella.
It worked slightly.
But Duran had no intention of letting such a valuable Gundam component escape.
In an instant—
Teleportation.
Duran and Teresa appeared on the battlefield.
As for why Teresa could fly?
Of course, Duran had taught her.
Teresa carried a camera on her shoulder.
Looking at the ruined city, she sighed.
"Even after humanity has developed to this level… they are still slaughtering their own kind."
"That's why I'm about to make a big move."
Duran floated into the sky and faced the camera.
Raising both hands, he spoke:
"People of the world!"
"My God—he's flying!"
"Is that a god coming to save us?!"
"Duran?!"
"An alien?!"
"That woman," Duran said, pointing forward,
"is the culprit behind this massacre."
With a single gesture of his hand—
The Destroy Gundam began to rise into the air.
"I will deliver judgment."
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