Eight hours later.
Ding-dong... Ding-dong...
On a desolate planet near Planet Juran, a red-and-silver giant lay on crimson earth. One hand reached weakly toward his chest's Color Timer crystal. Eyes dim.
Peaceful aura. Like he'd been gone a while.
[Skill—Full Moon Rect (Intermediate) Mastered]
"Um... Lias-senpai, are you really okay?" Beside this peaceful giant stood a blue giant. Seeing him like this, couldn't help asking.
This training was too bizarre.
He'd never trained anyone this way before.
Like other warriors, Lias couldn't learn his ability through normal means... But after the other proposed treating himself as a Kaiju—fighting to provoke his anger, then using Full Moon Rect to purify him—this somewhat abstract method actually worked.
Each time Lias got beaten into rage, one Full Moon Rect purified him... That mysterious bracelet's interior produced a trace of energy he couldn't comprehend. Injected into Lias.
Round after round of combat—the other actually mastered Full Moon Rect.
This scientifically inexplicable process left Musashi feeling novel.
"Cough..."
Hearing Musashi's voice, Natsuki regained some awareness. Dim eyes showed faint light.
"How... was the world born?"
He felt himself in a state of desirelessness, mind completely clear. Only universal truths circled his thoughts.
He'd lost count how many times he'd been purified.
His spirit had ascended.
Also... Cosmos's combat power was truly absurd...
In Land of Light tradition, Blue Tribe excelled at research—technical personnel. Combat-wise, much weaker than Red and Silver Tribes.
Outside the Land of Light? That notion clearly didn't apply.
This seemingly Blue Tribe Ultraman Cosmos—combat power completely exceeded expectations. His prime state would've been fine, but his current condition against Cosmos? Only getting beaten.
Luna Mode's soft-overcoming-hard fighting style perfectly countered him.
"Either way, at least I gained a new ability..." After skill mastery succeeded, Natsuki's body began gradually dispersing.
Seeing his body disintegrate into light particles—
Musashi froze. Quickly raised his hand to use healing light.
Did I beat Lias to death!?
"Wait, no need!"
"This is just a projection. My main body's still in another universe." Natsuki quickly explained.
Hearing that, Musashi sighed in relief.
"I understand."
"I'll head to your Earth shortly." He promised Natsuki.
Since he knew a war between humans and Kaiju was about to erupt, he couldn't stand by.
"Good. I look forward to your arrival." Natsuki gave him a thumbs up. Then completely dispersed.
Kaiju No. 8 world's Earth. Dawn now.
Natsuki woke in his single room's chair. Slowly opened his eyes. Morning sunlight filtered through blinds into the room.
Rubbing his stiff neck, Natsuki checked the time. Seven o'clock sharp.
"Been a while since I fought someone that strong."
"Besides Full Moon Rect, my body's strength seems to have recovered some too." Natsuki clenched his fist. His power was definitely gradually reviving.
His body like an extinguished old furnace—flames reigniting. This feeling was marvelous.
Knock knock...
Someone knocked on the rest room door. The sound drew Natsuki's attention. He looked toward the entrance. "Come in."
The door opened. Albert in a white research uniform. Wearing silver-rimmed glasses.
Behind him, two more men. One with short blonde hair looking like a delinquent. Another with brown hair looking like a corporate slave. One wore casual short-sleeve and pants. The other dressed up in a suit.
Seeing these two Travelers, Natsuki felt somewhat surprised. He'd planned to find them later for a talk. Didn't expect them to deliver themselves now.
"These two wanted to see you. I thought they'd be helpful, so I brought them." Albert looked at Natsuki. Explained.
The moment he finished, the brown-haired man stepped forward. Straightened his tie. Quickly introduced himself: "I'm Lucas Rebel. As you might think, an outsider."
"We're currently in a predicament heading toward death. So we seek Ultraman's help."
"Whatever you need, we can provide all intelligence we know."
After he finished, the blonde youth also stepped forward: "I'm Takayuki Hashimoto. I share his thoughts."
Natsuki looked at them both. From language and subtle movements—including heartbeat sounds and arm hair changes—he confirmed these two weren't lying. Genuinely wanted to turn over a new leaf.
He was getting closer to the enemy's true face.
"Naturally, that's best." Facing guys willing to cooperate honestly, Natsuki's attitude was relatively gentle. "After things here end, I'll send you to the Space Prison. The restrictions on you will also be removed by the Land of Light."
"Additionally, your sentences will be determined by your specific crimes and intelligence provided."
Hearing about Space Prison, both instinctively resisted.
But having their system bindings removed? Worth it.
"Then... what should we do with our remaining time in this world?" Brown-haired Lucas asked.
Normally, Natsuki would temporarily detain them in the Defense Force.
But given their attitudes, he was willing to give them a chance to perform.
"For now, operate as Defense Force members. Later I'll transfer you to my squad."
"When dealing with enemies afterward, you can also offer suggestions. I'll consider them comprehensively." Natsuki told them both.
Getting such a promise, their furrowed brows instantly relaxed.
As expected—ask Ultraman for help, he actually helps.
If they seized this opportunity, maybe they could actually reduce their sentences.
"We'll definitely cooperate honestly!" They said in unison.
Albert's eyebrow twitched.
These two guys... saying all my lines?
Whatever. In terms of contribution, these latecomers couldn't surpass him. No need to care.
"By the way, did you figure out a solution for the coming war?"
"The Kaiju's full-scale attack—one misstep causes unimaginable casualties." Albert also knew the Kaiju side's news. Thought all last night without finding a good response.
He'd personally witnessed Natsuki's many battles. Knew this time Natsuki's power alone truly couldn't protect everyone.
"Of course."
"My nearly twenty thousand years weren't wasted." Hearing that, Natsuki's lips curved slightly upward. Gave him a reassuring look.
"The specific plan?" Hearing Natsuki had a solution, Albert nodded reassuringly. But still asked curiously.
With Natsuki's power, he shouldn't be able to handle all Kaiju simultaneously.
"I called in backup."
"Ultraman Cosmos."
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