One hour ago.
Tachikawa Base. Second Underground Training Room.
Natsuki tossed both Kaiju cores here—the serpent's and the bone dragon's. Makeshift interrogation room.
Both cores displayed strange colors. Each sprouted a smaller head... Compared to the serpent's one-meter diameter, the bone dragon's core was smaller—only fifty centimeters.
"Now then. Tell me your side's intel."
Natsuki found himself a chair. Sat down. Faced the two Kaiju.
"Which of you goes first?"
"Me first!" The moment he finished, the small serpent head eagerly answered.
The bone dragon beside it froze. Green flames in its eye sockets flickered.
Does this guy have to be so eager?
"Beneath this planet's surface, massive dimensional faults exist. Twisted energy exists there too. We're using that energy to mass-produce Kaiju." The small serpent gave concrete intel immediately.
"Including us two, there are five outsiders total. Multiple bases underground."
"We two came to the surface as vanguards. Main objective: capture Kaiju No. 8 and Mina Ashiro. Feed them to our secret weapon—Kaiju No. 9. Let it evolve an ultra-powerful body and large-scale killing capability."
"This aids our Great Purge plan."
The small serpent talked endlessly.
This guy really wanted to make progress.
Hearing more, Natsuki's brow furrowed slightly. "The Great Purge plan means?"
"Once forces reach target levels, launch a general offensive from underground locations worldwide. Execute a Great Purge on all surface life."
"This indiscriminate attack saves us the trouble of identifying enemies." The small serpent explained.
For them, one goal was changing the world's fate to collect Space-Time Source Energy. Another was competing for revival match slots.
Directly flattening the surface in one wave? Most efficient.
"Sounds troublesome..." Natsuki rubbed his chin.
Their plan—if humanity handled it poorly—meant an extinction event.
Kaiju attacking from underground globally simultaneously? Even with the Defense Force's fastest response, casualties would be unimaginable.
"How many Kaiju? When's the attack?" he asked.
This time, the bone dragon beside the serpent jumped in.
"Just in the dimensional faults beneath Japan—hundreds of thousands of Kaiju... Some we created. Some slept underground and we awakened."
"Each underground dimensional fault isn't fully connected. Since we didn't return, they probably guessed humanity has powerful combat strength."
"Given their cautious nature, they'll likely relocate."
"The planned general offensive timing will change too."
The two small Kaiju seemed to compete—who could leak more information. Trying to secure their position in Natsuki's eyes.
"Meaning... humanity's still in a passive position."
Natsuki frowned.
Human civilization built on the surface. If they waited for the enemy's attack—fought on the surface—humanity would remain passive throughout.
Now.
"We need a plan. Launch a preemptive strike before the Kaiju emerge."
"If we set the battlefield on the surface, even if we win the war, human civilization will suffer massive destruction."
Natsuki looked at Commander Shinomiya's image. Spoke seriously.
After transforming, he could only operate on Earth for three minutes... And this operation couldn't happen on the surface. Required going deep underground.
Meaning—this wasn't a battle he could win alone and save everyone.
The underground dimensional faults weren't connected. After he entered one area's depths, Kaiju from other regions would still attack the surface.
Plus... according to intel from the two Kaiju, they'd stockpiled massive forces underground. Many powerful individuals. Among them, Kaiju No. 9—their secret weapon—had a hidden second form.
Three minutes? Might not be enough to sweep all underground Kaiju clean.
This operation required Defense Force cooperation. Global Defense Force cooperation.
"Such a thing exists..." Hearing the enemy's plan, Isao Shinomiya's sharp eyes grew serious.
This kind of event? Absolutely a world-class disaster.
Humanity and Kaiju's centuries-long struggle would reach its conclusion in their generation.
Between the two sides, one would be destroyed.
Survival or extinction?
They had to decide in the shortest time.
Even as a battle-hardened veteran holding high position for years, Isao Shinomiya felt immense pressure on this matter directly concerning their species.
"I agree with the preemptive strike proposal. Whatever assistance Natsuki-san requires, we'll cooperate fully."
"I'll also discuss cooperation with Defense Forces of other nations as soon as possible." Isao Shinomiya wasn't indecisive. Also believed preemptive attack was the better proposal.
Hearing Shinomiya's agreement, Natsuki nodded.
Launching a preemptive strike was necessary.
But from his position, beyond attacking, other options existed.
"Commander Shinomiya. One more important question."
"On this planet, over the past centuries—have naturally-born Kaiju ever coexisted with humans?" Natsuki's tone remained serious.
"Coexistence?"
"Humans and Kaiju?" The moment he asked, Gen Narumi spoke immediately. "That's impossible."
"You know how many people I've seen lose their lives and loved ones to Kaiju just in my lifetime?"
"Humans and Kaiju cannot coexist."
On this topic, Soshiro rarely agreed with Narumi.
"Violent Kaiju appearing in human society only cause massive destruction."
"Coexistence simply isn't possible."
Soshiro's ancestors fought Kaiju since the Meireki era. Centuries passed down through generations... Every generation saw countless talented youth sacrifice themselves fighting Kaiju.
"I understand your concerns."
"And I won't forcibly impose my views on you—force you to coexist with Kaiju. Only cowards do that." Natsuki said.
The Kaiju on this planet weren't entirely manufactured war weapons.
Not like Angels with fundamental conflicts with humanity that couldn't be reconciled... If they were simply a form of life existence, used as weapons by the enemy, he couldn't completely ignore them.
Even to help humanity, he couldn't just erase all Earth's Kaiju.
From his personal perspective, he wouldn't force his responsibilities onto others. Make them forcibly understand him.
Failing to reconcile the conflict between humans and Kaiju? That was his problem. He'd find solutions before making a binary choice.
Nineteen-thousand-year-old Natsuki had various personality flaws. But on critical matters like this? He wouldn't be vague. Those years weren't lived in vain.
If truly at an impasse requiring a binary choice, Natsuki wouldn't hesitate. When thunderous methods were needed, he'd use them.
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