The moment Captain Narumi asked that question, Soshiro's brow furrowed.
Looked like Commander Shinomiya hadn't told Narumi anything about Natsuki.
Third Unit currently housed an alien whose strength exceeded their comprehension limits. Plus a middle-aged man who could transform into a 9.8-level Kaiju. If all that information got out? Major headache.
But... you can't hide fire with paper forever.
Just as he hesitated over how to broach the subject—
Natsuki spoke first.
"The giant you saw was me. Problem?" Natsuki pulled a floral shirt from his bracelet. Threw it on. Looked at Captain Narumi. Spoke casually.
Given this world's Kaiju and Defense Force combat levels, Natsuki wasn't worried about exposing his identity.
Anyone who wanted to scheme against him would have to weigh their own capabilities first.
"You... you're that giant?" Gen Narumi heard those words. His gaze toward Natsuki grew serious. Sized up this seemingly unreliable man.
Just as Natsuki thought this guy was going to pick a fight—
His eyes suddenly sparkled. "That's so cool!"
"A giant that huge, transformed from a human—it's like something straight out of a manga!"
"Hey, how'd you do it? Can you teach me?"
A human becoming a mountain-sized giant? For an otaku, that was incredibly appealing.
He was too pure.
Natsuki: "..."
Are there any normal people in this Defense Force besides me?
Battle over. Injured personnel sent to the medical bay. Base logistics came out to clean the battlefield.
In a conference room, Third and First Unit captains and vice-captains sat on one side of the table. Natsuki sat on the other with Kafka.
A screen beside them displayed Commander Shinomiya's image.
"I've been briefed on the operation's details."
"No casualties, successful Kaiju subjugation—an excellent result." Isao Shinomiya's figure remained imposing and upright. Sharp eyes swept across everyone in the room.
"We owe much of this to Natsuki-san's intervention."
He understood how terrifying a Kaiju exceeding Level Ten was. Understood Natsuki's critical role in this battle.
Fortunate this powerful alien stood on their side... If he'd used that overwhelming strength for invasion, the commander didn't dare imagine the consequences.
"I said I'd help humanity. I keep my word." Natsuki crossed his arms. Looked at Commander Shinomiya's image.
"I understand."
"I'm also contacting governments worldwide, searching for the officials who issued that elimination order back then."
Isao Shinomiya was still on a plane. After reaching cooperation with Natsuki, he naturally hadn't been idle.
"Regarding Kafka Hibino's treatment, opinions within the Defense Force aren't unified... However, since Natsuki-san has promised to monitor him, I can make the decision directly."
Hearing those words, Kafka Hibino—who'd been sitting beside Natsuki with his head down—suddenly looked up. Light appeared in his eyes.
"You can rest assured. Though Kafka possesses the ability to transform into a Kaiju, he remains human."
"If he ever goes berserk, I'll restrain him and take full responsibility." Natsuki patted Kafka's shoulder. Addressed Commander Shinomiya's image.
"Natsuki-san..." Hearing Natsuki support him so strongly, Kafka's nose stung.
Over thirty years old. His face filled with emotion.
During this time, Natsuki-san had helped him so much. He didn't know how to repay him.
"I'll leave it to you."
"Effective immediately, Kafka Hibino becomes an official member of Japan's Third Unit Defense Force. Temporarily assigned to Natsuki-san's squad." Isao Shinomiya made the decision swiftly.
The moment that order came down, Kafka's fists clenched unconsciously.
Tears welled in his eyes.
He realized—he'd finally officially joined the Defense Force.
Emotions accumulated over twenty-plus years surged out all at once.
"Commander Shinomiya, thank you for your understanding!" Kafka stood from his chair. Tears and snot streaming. Shouted.
Then looked at Natsuki beside him—the one who'd helped him most. Bowed deeply.
"Master Natsuki, thank you for trusting me all this time. I'll work a thousand times harder from now on!"
At thirty-two, he'd resigned himself to his fate. Expected to live out his remaining years as an ordinary person... But twist after twist gave him new hope.
Natsuki-san saved his life. Encouraged him spiritually. Even trained him to become a qualified soldier... Now personally vouched for him to join the Defense Force openly.
Meeting Natsuki-san—Kafka considered it the luckiest thing that ever happened to him.
The trust given. The help provided. He'd never forget.
In the time spent with Natsuki-san, he understood how precious the word "master" truly was. His master encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Gave him unimaginable security on that path.
He'd truly... met an incredibly kind and gentle person.
Mina Ashiro and Soshiro Hoshina watched the tearful Kafka. Both smiled.
They'd seen Kafka's performance on the battlefield...
Acknowledged this excellent soldier who'd risk exposing his identity to save others.
"An alien and a Kaiju... both joining the Defense Force."
"This just got really interesting." Gen Narumi sat at the table's side. Looked at the master-disciple pair across from him. Grinned.
Normally, recruiting a Kaiju into the Defense Force would only happen under extremely difficult circumstances.
Making such a snap decision like this? All because of that man in the floral shirt.
If it were just Kaiju No. 8 alone, they could find ways to control him.
But against that alien who could easily handle a Kaiju exceeding Level Ten? They had zero options.
Their Commander Shinomiya had fought him personally. Already confirmed that fact.
Facing an entity whose individual combat power completely crushed their entire civilization—and who showed goodwill? Their only option was cooperation.
"One more thing."
"Based on intelligence obtained from the Kaiju, we can confirm enemies have stockpiled massive forces in an unknown underground space. They're preparing to execute a Great Purge on the surface."
"I believe we should take preemptive measures." Natsuki's gaze swept across everyone in the conference room. Finally settled on Commander Shinomiya's image. "And I hope you'll cooperate on this—to minimize war casualties."
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