Chapter 17: Mobilize!!!

Kane found himself unable to decide what course to take. Life was filled with countless crossroads, and to make a choice was to relinquish another possible path his existence might have taken.

But for someone wielding power, the weight of such decisions was even heavier. Every choice he made could alter the fate of countless lives—perhaps leading many to death—and the most agonizing part was his utter uncertainty over whether his decision was truly the right one.

To declare war on Jack Ultraman would mean plunging the Land of Light into civil war during his own reign. As the leader of the Land of Light, he would have no choice but to stand opposed to Jack—that was, after all, his own brother.

Could he simply turn a blind eye?

In truth, that was impossible. The Red Tribe had already suffered tremendous losses, though the news remained sealed by Kane’s orders, unknown even to the Red Tribe's Ultraman warriors.

Yet information, once released, was never fully containable; leaks were inevitable, and no amount of sealing could hold it forever.

Moreover, after annihilating the Warrior Command, who could possibly suppress Jack and his Blue Tribe Ultraman Corps’ burgeoning ambitions?

“Kane, as the current de facto leader of the Land of Light, you must give us a clear answer and make a choice!”

The eldest elder of the White Tribe, though his hair and beard were thick with gray, still possessed formidable vigor. His voice was strong and unwavering, betraying no sign of frailty.

“Kane, are you going to shield your brother from the crimes he has committed?”

Kane hesitated, then looked up. “In fact, nothing has been fully investigated yet.”

“Nonsense!” The eldest White Tribe elder would not entertain any delay. Having lived through countless ages before the Great Evolution, Kane could not hope to stall before him—the elder had seen every trick in the book.

“It’s still not clear? How laughable!” The elder’s tone was sharp and admonishing. “Isn’t it true that Zoffy, Xizer, and the entire Cosmic Defense Force have lost contact? Is that not enough?”

“This—”

“There’s no ‘this’ about it!” The elder rose to his feet. The energy from the plasma rays seemed to invigorate his aged frame, filling him with renewed spirit.

“We, the entire council of elders, demand a decisive course of action from you. Are you really going to waste time with meaningless words?”

“That’s not—” Kane hurriedly replied. Any one of these elders far outmatched him in experience.

“Then what are you waiting for? I know you are merciful. Piek bestowed upon you the title of ‘Father of Ultras’ precisely because of your kindness.” The elder interrupted Kane again, continuing without pause.

Kane felt a flicker of discontent—these old men boldly invoking the name of the Ultraman King with such familiarity.

“But you must understand: a merciful man cannot lead the Land of Light. It is not only us elders who await your judgment; countless Ultramen across the Land of Light stand expectantly for your response.”

Suddenly, the elder straightened and gestured toward the hall’s entrance. Kane’s gaze turned outward, and his entire body trembled before falling silent.

Outside, countless Ultramen walked the streets—not in reckless protests, but quietly watching their leader and the seat of power of the Land of Light. Not a single Blue Tribe Ultraman was among them; now, any Blue Tribe Ultraman was a marked enemy.

The sky was nearly blanketed with the dense signatures of innumerable Ultramen, their golden light casting a soft, shimmering glow upon the heavens.

“Execute Jack Ultraman!”

“Punish the Blue Tribe scum! Give the Red Tribe justice!”

“Anyone who dares to start a civil war shall be unforgiven!”

“Eradicate the Blue Tribe’s Ultraman Corps! Deny these Blue Tribe scoundrels any power!”

The eldest White Tribe elder chuckled darkly at the sight of the golden sky. He soared up onto the podium, and looking down at the countless Ultramen below, he felt a spark of youthful fervor rekindled within his old, weary heart.

“Warriors of the Land of Light, at this critical moment, the Blue Tribe scoundrels have bared their fangs first. We must strike back decisively!”

The crowded hall of Ultramen stirred his spirit, transporting him back to the pre-Great Evolution era when the White Tribe elders led all.

How nostalgic.

“We must deliver a crushing blow to the Blue Tribe scum, so they understand the dire consequences of provoking us!”

Pleased with his words, he nodded with a sense of self-satisfaction, a faint intoxication crossing his face—as if he had returned to his prime, commanding everything, wielding absolute power. This was authority!

There should be applause here.

As he thought this, he turned to the Ultramen below—but suddenly stepped back, trembling.

Those Ultramen’s eyes pierced through him, resting instead on Kane.

Compared to them, his earlier display now seemed nothing more than clownish foolishness.

It had to be admitted: this was no longer their era.

Kane lifted his head slightly, meeting the countless hopeful gazes fixed upon him. He trembled, then gradually steeled himself.

Step by step, he ascended the podium. Under those many eyes, his words were few, but carried an unexplainable stirring power.

“We can no longer tolerate the actions of Jack and the New Cosmic Defense Force!”

Like the original Cosmic Defense Force, the New Cosmic Defense Force was not a mere squad but a vast military operation, including the enormous Blue Tribe Ultraman Corps. Jack Ultraman was one of its chief captains.

“But this will devolve into fratricidal strife among the Ultraman race.”

Kane’s tone shifted as his gaze swept over the assembled Ultramen.

“There may be heavy casualties.”

“Therefore, we will not coerce anyone. Warriors who volunteer shall stand with us!”

Among the crowd, the Red and Silver Tribe Ultraman warriors stood firm. Then, from somewhere, a shout rang out:

“For justice and peace, the Cosmic Defense Force is always ready to face death!”

Kane stared blankly at the many young warriors before him, as if seeing his own younger self.

With such brave warriors, no matter what dangers lie ahead, what is there to fear!

“Cosmic Defense Force, mobilize!”

(To be continued.)