Countless tentacles shot out from every direction toward Yu Zhou and Zero, a suffocating swarm that made one's scalp crawl.
"What the hell is this thing? Disgusting!"
Leito's voice trembled from inside Zero's body.
"This is nothing to worry about!" Zero snapped back, his tone sharp. With a surge of will, he launched the two blade-like head fins from his helmet, sending them streaking through the air like twin boomerangs. They spun wildly, cutting through the writhing appendages in flashes of light.
One after another, the tentacles were severed, but more continued to surge forward endlessly, replacing the ones that fell.
Yu Zhou quickly shifted into Sky Type. His body shot upward, darting between the attacks at lightning speed. He fired streams of energy beams in return, carving gaps into the mass of tentacles.
He remained especially cautious. Twice before, he had nearly been defeated by creatures wielding tentacles.
Once, in Ultraman X's world, when fighting Zaigorg, he was almost completely drained of energy by its suction.
Another time, against Gathanonoa, he was bound so tightly by its tendrils he could hardly breathe, helpless in its grip.
…
Meanwhile, far away—
Fukude Kei walked in silence, his steps echoing under the setting sun. He didn't know how long he had been wandering before arriving at a small town.
At the entrance, a nameplate hung on the gate.
Asakura.
"No matter what Lord Belial has become," Kei muttered, his eyes narrowing, "my only goal now is to restore his strength."
His faith was clear: Belial's power had not yet returned. And for him, there was only one task—to ensure Belial's resurrection.
That meant the eight Ultra Capsules in Riku Asakura's possession had to become his.
A twisted smile curled his lips as he stepped into the Asakura household.
That night, inside the underground base Nebula House, RE.M.'s yellow light flickered as he spoke to Riku, who was lying on his bed reading a magazine.
"Riku, a letter arrived at the observatory."
"Hm? A letter?" Riku sat up quickly, curiosity sparked. He took the elevator up, and within moments returned, clutching the envelope.
"What is it, Riku?" Laiha asked, noticing his furrowed brows.
"Give me a second."
He tore it open. His eyes swept the contents, and his breath quickened.
"Fukude Kei… he still hasn't given up!" Riku growled. He crushed the paper into a ball and hurled it to the floor.
Startled, Laiha picked up the discarded note and read it herself.
"…He's captured Mr. Asakura Sui!" Her expression hardened, brows drawn tight.
So Kei wanted to force Riku into trading the Ultra Capsules for his grandfather's life.
"What?! Grandpa was taken?!" Pega froze mid-fold, the paper flower slipping from his tiny hands.
"Kei demands you meet him tomorrow at ten o'clock. Alone," Laiha read solemnly. "He wants you to hand over the Capsules—or Mr. Asakura dies."
Riku's face flushed, his fists clenched. He stood there trembling, torn apart.
On one side was his grandfather—the man who had become a father to him. On the other side, the Ultra Capsules, which carried immense power.
It wasn't that he was reluctant to give up the power. But if Kei got his hands on them, Belial would be revived. And if Belial returned… the world would face disaster beyond imagination.
But to let his grandfather die? That, Riku could never accept. For nineteen years he had grown up without a father. Now that he finally had one, he could never stand by and watch him be killed.
"Riku, think carefully," Laiha said quietly. "Whatever choice you make, I'll stand by you."
"Me too!" Pega piped up earnestly.
"Of course," Laiha added, "the best outcome would be saving Mr. Asakura without giving Kei the Capsules."
That was the ideal solution—but it also meant Sui's life would hang by an even thinner thread.
"If only Yu Zhou and Zero were here…" Riku sighed. Alone, he felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. Kei had chosen this time on purpose, striking when his strongest allies were absent.
Riku didn't sleep a wink that night.
The next morning, he carried a suitcase and went with Laiha to the designated meeting place: an abandoned warehouse.
"Why do villains always pick abandoned warehouses?" Pega whispered as his head popped out from the ground.
"Shh!" Laiha pressed a finger to her lips. "Pega, don't show yourself yet. Wait for the right chance to rescue Mr. Asakura."
"Got it!" Pega nodded, sinking back underground.
Inside, Riku and Laiha soon spotted Fukude Kei—and tied to a chair, Mr. Asakura Sui.
"So, you came, Riku Asakura." Kei grinned, eyes gleaming. "I see you do care about this old man after all."
"Riku! Don't listen to him!" Sui shouted the moment he saw his grandson carrying the suitcase. "Don't give him what he wants!"
"Grandpa, I'll bring you back safely," Riku promised, his voice shaking but resolute.
"Don't be foolish! I'm just an old man. My life is nearly spent already. If you hand those things over to him, countless others will die!"
"No!" Riku shook his head, gripping the case tighter.
"What are you hesitating for? Bring it here." Kei's smile widened, revealing his teeth. "But first… open it. Let me see."
Riku bit down on his lip, then slowly flipped open the case.
Inside lay the eight Ultra Capsules, glowing faintly.
Kei's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good. Now… give it to me." He raised his staff threateningly in front of Sui.
"Don't do it, Riku!" Sui pleaded desperately.
Riku stepped forward, suitcase in hand, every step heavy. Kei reached out—but Riku's grip was iron, refusing to let go.
At that moment, Pega silently emerged behind Sui's chair, pulling a small blade from his dimensional space. He quickly cut through the ropes binding the old man.
Riku caught the movement from the corner of his eye. In a flash, he lashed out with a powerful kick, knocking Kei's staff flying.
"Now!" Pega cried, tugging Sui free.
Laiha charged forward with her sword, striking at Kei.
Boom! Kei snarled, firing a crimson energy blast from his palm. The dark flame struck Riku squarely, hurling him across the floor. The suitcase tumbled from his grip.
"The case!" Riku gasped, struggling on the ground.
Laiha dashed toward it, but Kei darted forward like a shadow, racing for the prize.
"Stop!" Laiha hurled her sword.
Clang! Kei raised a hand, conjuring a crimson barrier that blocked the strike. The blade clattered uselessly to the ground.
"Pathetic." He sneered, scooping up the suitcase.
Dark blasts erupted from his hands, explosions rocking the warehouse as smoke and dust filled the air.
When it cleared, Kei was gone—along with the Capsules.
"Damn it!"
Riku slammed his fists to the floor, panic rising. Kei had stolen everything.
The Capsules Yu Zhou entrusted to him—including Zero's, and even the Father of Ultra's capsule—were now in Kei's hands.
Exactly the disaster they had feared… had just come true.