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Leaving the Jaeger hangar, Natsuki passed through another corridor lined with steel pipes.
He entered a room with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic: folding screens, low tables, and yellow tatami mats covering the floor.
On the rectangular low tables flanking both sides, steaming hot food was already laid out. The variety was comprehensive, covering cuisines from various regions. Under the lights, the dishes gleamed. Squid tentacles sizzled on a black grill plate, their aroma filling the air.
"Please, have a seat, Mr. Natsuki." Marshal Pentecost removed his coat, hung it on a rack, and gestured toward the tatami beside the low table.
Natsuki looked at the feast and felt a long-absent hunger. He moved to the table and sat cross-legged.
"Quite the feast," he commented, rubbing his chin.
In this era of scarce resources, serving so many delicacies showed that Pentecost's sincerity was genuine.
"Mako Mori chose the room's decor; she's Japanese," Marshal Pentecost said, sitting across from Natsuki at the opposite table and chatting casually.
"Don't be shy. Pick whatever you want."
"If the taste doesn't suit you, I can have them remake anything."
Chopsticks and silverware sat on the table, along with disposable glovesâjust in case Natsuki wasn't familiar with Earth's dining tools.
"Then I really won't hold back," Natsuki said, licking his lips as he eyed the spread.
Whatever else, he was genuinely starving.
On Earth, every transformation and battle was an immense drain on his stamina.
He picked up the somewhat familiar-looking chopsticks and tested them a few times, lifting food from the plates into his mouth.
Once, twice... As he grew more familiar with the utensils, food vanished faster and faster. Soon, Natsuki simply lifted entire plates and inhaled their contents in a storm of eating, one after another.
Within minutes, the table was cleared. The kitchen couldn't keep up with Natsuki's speed.
During this time, Marshal Pentecost had wanted to discuss business over dinner, but he couldn't find an opening.
Every time he was about to speak, he'd look upâonly to see the bottom of a plate, not Natsuki's face. The words on his lips choked back down.
He couldn't help wondering again: such an advanced civilization, and they actually appreciated human food?
He had initially worried Natsuki wouldn't be used to Earth's cuisine.
Clearly, that concern was unnecessary.
Natsuki set down the final plate. The next wave of dishes hadn't arrived yet. Marshal Pentecost realized this was his chance.
"Mr. Natsuki, our food seems very much to your taste," he said, smiling.
"Absolutely."
"Haven't had a meal this good in ages." Natsuki wiped his mouth with the table's cloth, leaned back, and spoke casually, a look of deep satisfaction crossing his face.
This was what living felt like!
In the Land of Light, no one had the concept of eating. As long as their energy was replenished, they never felt hunger.
Whenever Natsuki wanted good food, he'd use his leave to visit tourist planets and specifically experience local cuisine.
But planets whose food could compare to Earth's were few and far between. The last time he'd eaten at this level was on Planet Likaya.
As for his previous life, Natsuki had forgotten most of it when he was born in this one. After nineteen thousand years, even more had faded. So this meal genuinely satisfied him.
To the point where Marshal Pentecost across from him looked more and more agreeable.
Humanity absolutely cannot go extinct!
"Marshal Pentecost, let's talk business." Before the other could speak again, Natsuki raised the topic himself.
"Good." Marshal Pentecost was naturally quite willing.
The business in question was, of course, their cooperation.
"I came to this universe to investigate abnormal spacetime fluctuations. Based on my earlier observations, those fluctuations are very likely connected to the controllers behind the Kaiju."
"That group you call the... Pion... what was it?" Natsuki rubbed his chin, thinking as he spoke.
"Precursors?" Marshal Pentecost supplied immediately.
"Right, Precursors."
"My enemy is mixed in with the Precursors, or perhaps the entire Precursor civilization is my enemy. But that's not important."
"What matters is we have a common enemy."
A slight smile played at Natsuki's lips. His right hand rested on his crossed knee, and his golden eyes flickered faintly beneath his black hair.
"Having the same enemy means we can be friends."
"You share all information about the Precursors with me. In exchange, I can assist with your upcoming plan against them."
Natsuki's words struck right at Marshal Pentecost's heart.
He'd sought this detailed conversation precisely because he hoped Natsuki would assist their plan.
"I agree," Marshal Pentecost accepted decisively.
However, he suddenly realizedâwas this all going too smoothly?
Had he really secured a top-tier ally with just one meal?
This attitude made him wonder if Natsuki had other designs on humanity.
Their goals aligned, but the power gap between them was enormous. By all logic, the other party should demand more.
"Any other requirements, Mr. Natsuki?" he asked.
If this were another Space Garrison memberâespecially one of the Ultra Brothersâthey'd probably answer they had no other requirements. Those were outstanding role models overflowing with justice, treating it as their mission without expecting reward.
But who was Natsuki?
If he could ignore material needs, would Natsuki have been assigned here?
"Of course." Natsuki grinned. Seeing Marshal Pentecost so understanding made him very satisfied.
If the other hadn't offered, Natsuki would have brought it up himself.
But just as he spoke, the bangle on his right wrist vibrated. A semi-transparent panel only he could see appeared.
*\[As a qualified Space Garrison member, upholding your beliefs at all times is your duty. Rememberâyou are a hero of justice]*
*\[Choice Mission Triggered!]*
*\[Choice One: Take back what you just said. As a Space Garrison member, refuse all additional compensation the other party offers. Reward: 3 hours Mental Space Training time (Note: Choose this one)]*
*\[Choice Two: Continue your descent into depravity and state your actual demands. Punishment: 1 hour Hell-Level Mental Space Training (Note: Absolutely don't choose this)]*
*\[Note: Natsuki, do you remember those complaint letters? Think carefully about the Space Garrison's reputation across the universe! (Signed: Hikari, Chief Director of the Land of Light Space Science and Technology Bureau)]*
Again?
Seeing the text on the bangle's panel, Natsuki's eyebrow twitched.
"Fuck you, Hikari."
The next second, he swept his hand and scattered the screen, not sparing it a glance.
"Mr. Natsuki?" Marshal Pentecost noticed Natsuki's odd behavior. "Who's Hikari?"
He'd clearly heard Natsuki curse, but he didn't know who this Hikari was.
They were at a critical stage of negotiation. Every subtle movement from Natsuki drew his attention.
"Just some asshole. Don't worry about it."
Natsuki acted as if nothing had happened, skipping right past the topic.
"Let's continue with business."
He refocused on Marshal Pentecost.
"In future battles, I'll help you out at critical moments."
"However, I prefer fair exchange for labor."
"Of course, nothing unreasonable."
"Just small favors regarding food, lodging, and transport." Natsuki smiled.
The highest realm of slacking off wasn't stealing moments of leisure while busy.
It was treating the entire mission as a vacationâenjoying Earth's local customs while solving the mission. That was what Natsuki pursued.
Power, moneyânone of that interested him. What he wanted was a relaxed and pleasant life. As long as it filled his spiritual emptiness, that was enough.
"I understand."
"In those areas, I'll definitely provide Mr. Natsuki with the highest standard of treatment." Marshal Pentecost quickly agreed.
These were small matters.
What he could satisfy, he would do his best to satisfy.
He'd feared Natsuki would open by demanding to be Earth's planetary governor or something. After all, based on his observations, the other party genuinely had that capability.
Fortunately, Natsuki seemed decent. At least from their current interactions, he was someone they could try trusting further.
The next batch of dishes had been brought in. Natsuki resumed eating mode.
Marshal Pentecost understood more detailed discussions would have to wait. It was already late. After Natsuki finished eating, it would still be a while.
"Mr. Natsuki, I'll have someone arrange a room for you shortly."
"Tomorrow, I'll have our three excellent doctors explain the specific plan to you."
Listening, Natsuki nodded.
His mouth was busy, so he could only give a thumbs-up to show he understood.
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