In Episode 3 of DARLING in the FRANXX, the story continues to follow Hiro and the other Parasites as they face their first real battle against the Klaxosaurs. After a mock battle in the previous episode, the squad is assigned to their first sortie, tasked with defeating a Klaxosaur beneath the city. However, the mission takes a dangerous turn when Mitsuru and Ikuno fail to connect properly, leaving the team vulnerable.
As the Parasites of Delphinium, Argentea, and Genista proceed without them, they are quickly overwhelmed by a horde of Klaxosaurs. Zero Two offers to assist with Strelizia, but she is initially denied permission to sortie with Hiro. Mitsuru, determined to prove himself as a better pilot than Hiro, volunteers to pair with Zero Two. Together, they defeat the Klaxosaurs and rescue the team, but Mitsuru is left gravely injured from the strain of piloting with Zero Two. The episode concludes with Zero Two reaffirming that Hiro is the only one compatible with her, leaving Mitsuru's fate uncertain .
