Daigo Madoka ran up to the two men, about to warn them, but was stunned in place by their attire.
A middle-aged man in modern clothing and a young man in ancient garb were looking at him with great interest.
When he rubbed his eyes again, the two suddenly switched: a middle-aged man in ancient clothing and a young man in modern attire.
"What is this... Who exactly are you two?"
"I am Ida Iryuu, and this is my disciple, Suzuki Makoto. We master and disciple have come to thoroughly eliminate Ryomen Sukuna."
Thoroughly eliminate Ryomen Sukuna?
Daigo blinked, suddenly recalling the words of that old forest ranger.
"Are you the legendary Ida Iryuu and Suzuki Makoto who defeated and sealed Ryomen Sukuna?"
"Back then, my skills were lacking, and I made a fool of myself."
Suzuki Makoto scratched his head sheepishly.
"But aren't you people from ancient times? Why are you here now?"
"I am now merely a wisp of remnant soul, barely able to act through this body. As for Makoto, he has his own fortunes. I've come this time merely to observe his progress over these years. No need to mind us, sir."
Dagu, the team member, reviewed it with his own logic and hesitantly asked.
"Could it be... you two are also Ultramen?"
"Hahahahaha, we're just two ordinary humans, not some ultimate lifeforms."
Ida Iryuu burst into laughter, and with that laugh, the mountains beneath their feet began to shake.
"Oh, looks like it's getting impatient. Makoto, it's yours."
"I've been waiting for it a long time."
Suzuki Makoto leaped forward immediately. Dagu reached out to grab him but was stopped by Ida Iryuu.
"No need to worry about him, Man of Light."
"What did you call me? Man of Light?"
Dagu's heart jolted; it was the first time anyone had called out his identity so directly.
"Indeed, it's my first time seeing someone like you—a soul like a ghost, yet shining with such dazzling light."
"Could you keep my secret for now? I need to go deal with the kaiju."
"Hahahahaha, no problem. If Makoto still can't thoroughly eliminate Ryomen Sukuna by now, I'll have to give him a good lesson—besides, you're injured. Your soul is fine, but you should take care of your body's damage."
The man gripped his arm, surprised the other knew about his injury.
"Is it really okay?"
"Don't worry. Compared to Makoto, I actually have one request."
"Please, go ahead."
"This man possessed by Hao Ren has done some wrong, but his heart is fundamentally good and has the potential to reform. Controlling a body with a remnant soul can't last forever, so please look after him afterward."
Ida Iryuu said solemnly.
"Alright, I promise you."
Dagu agreed immediately. Then he heard the roar of fighter jets and looked up to see the arriving Victory Team.
But... where was Ryomen Sukuna?
The ground shook violently once, then all sounds vanished. As Dagu scratched his head in confusion, Suzuki Makoto returned.
"Looks like you haven't slacked off. You took care of Ryomen Sukuna so quickly—huge progress since back then. It makes your master proud."
Ida Iryuu laughed heartily, slapping Suzuki Makoto's shoulder.
"The stronger I get, the farther I feel from your level, Master."
Suzuki Makoto shook his head with a sigh. Indeed, the stronger one became, the more awe they felt. Only when Ryomen Sukuna became an opponent he could look down on did he truly appreciate Ida Iryuu's power.
"Ryomen Sukuna... is dead?"
Dagu's face was full of disbelief. He checked his analyzer and found no Ryomen Sukuna signal. The previously interrupted comms were now clear.
As soon as he tuned in, he heard the other team members shouting excitedly.
"Was that a human just now? Or a shrunken Ultraman?!"
"He severed Ryomen Sukuna's head with one slash, pulverized its entire body with the second—Ryomen Sukuna was defeated that easily?"
"It was indeed defeated; no Ryomen Sukuna signal detected anymore!"
"Right, where's Dagu?"
"Dagu said he ran into two lost civilians and took them to safety—but this time, even before Tiga arrived, the kaiju was beaten. I really want to meet that guy; he must be worth studying!"
Dagu quickly cut the comms, looking at the smiling, silent Suzuki Makoto and wiping sweat.
"Sorry, Horii didn't mean it. He's just a science nut who speaks without thinking—no offense intended."
"No worries. Scientific curiosity is the foundation of human progress."
Suzuki Makoto waved it off casually. Returning this time, the changes of time had left him a bit melancholic. Since his master lived so freely and needed nothing more from him, he might not return to this world. With Tiga here, it didn't need extra hands.
"Master, do you need my help in your current state?"
"No need. It's just a bit of consciousness attached to this sword, giving me time to set this kid straight and keep him from straying again."
The man looked at Suzuki Makoto, nodding approvingly.
"You haven't strayed either. Good job, Makoto. Really good."
"I'll never forget Master's teachings."
Suzuki Makoto bowed solemnly.
"Alright, time for me to rest. Take care of things from here—Makoto, if you do wrong, Master will still come perform your seppuku."
"I won't disappoint you, Master."
The middle-aged man fainted instantly. Suzuki Makoto caught him, slung him on his back, and turned to Dagu.
"Man of Light, which way down the mountain?"
"Oh, this way."
At the mountain base, Suzuki Makoto sensed others approaching. He set the man down and looked at Dagu.
"Your teammates are here to pick you up. Time for me to go."
"Go? Why? You're so strong—if you joined TPC, you could help us beat more kaiju. I can vouch for you, and I promise Horii won't do anything excessive!"
Dagu grabbed the man, looking at Suzuki Makoto.
"I'd love to stay, but to this world, I'm just a passerby. This world has you protecting them, Dagu, but many worlds don't have their own Dagu. Those places need me more."
Suzuki Makoto said seriously.
____
New Story: FGO: Building a Lostbelt from Scratch, the Winner is Canon
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