Chapter Sixteen: The Power of Humanity

Because the declaration was broadcasted through the female host during a live stream, it spread rapidly, leaving TPC no time to intervene. Countless people heard the declaration and witnessed the host’s abnormal behavior. Shortly after the broadcast ended, a sudden explosion occurred, heightening everyone’s terror.

Yet there was one person who felt not fear, but anger.

Keigo Masaki, at the highest echelon of Saidick Technology, watched the entire live stream with a sullen expression. He kicked the treadmill’s control panel, breaking it again, his brows furrowed so tightly they seemed to drip with rage.

“Protect us humans!”

“Protect us humans!”

He repeated the phrase twice, unable to suppress the fire in his heart. He even overturned his desk, scattering papers everywhere.

“Who needs your protection? Who needs your protection!”

“Dyna... just wait. One day, I, Keigo Masaki, will replace you!”

“Ha ha ha... that day isn’t far off!”

After he had destroyed his office beyond recognition, he finally felt a release from the anger swelling inside him. He pulled out his phone and dialed.

“How’s the thing I asked for coming along?”

The other side responded with a click of the tongue, mocking him, “I’ve been on Earth for so long, but I’ve never seen an Earthling like you, asking us to make such a thing. Is it called Gaiouzak?”

Keigo Masaki snorted coldly, showing no courtesy. “If you can’t do it, get lost. You have no right to dictate terms to me!”

“Haha...” the voice on the other end laughed. “What are you worried about? Don’t you trust us, the Kirielodeans? We are the top experts in every field. Even the scraps of technology we let slip through our fingers are far more advanced than anything on Earth!”

“Hmph! Empty boasts. I won’t rest easy until Gaiouzak is delivered to me.”

He paused, glanced at the shattered screen, and added, “Besides... you dared to do such a thing!”

“What thing? You mean the declaration to humanity, the warning to Ultraman? So what?”

“I don’t care if you Kirielodeans die. Just make sure you hand over Gaiouzak soon, or before you’re exterminated, I’ll expose every one of your identities to the public!”

“Hmph! Wait. The thing you want is almost finished. In a few days, you can come collect it.”

A dial tone sounded as the phone was abruptly hung up. Keigo Masaki cursed fiercely, then hurled the phone against the wall, smashing it to bits, sparks crackling.

He paused, took out another phone from his pocket and dialed its only number: “Dr. Tango... I think it’s time we discuss the next phase.”

Meanwhile, TPC was in chaos, urgently convening a meeting to address the incident.

“Captain Hime, at the advisory council, someone raised a concern: they believe the giant—Dyna Ultraman—may become an obstacle to Earth’s defense.” Director Zei sat at the head of the table, speaking first.

“Do you think it’s appropriate to make such a rash statement on television?” Director Yoshioka, holding a folding fan, followed Zei’s lead, firing off his own criticism. He had always been hawkish, and the appearance of monsters provided the perfect excuse for his comprehensive TPC armament plan. However, Hime’s words had significant impact—if humanity became accustomed to Ultraman’s protection, how would those leaders ever agree to TPC’s military build-up?

“Rash? I don’t think I’m being rash!” Captain Hime retorted sharply. “This is our impression after observing Ultraman’s actions, and I am quite confident in it.”

“Confident?” Director Yoshioka stood up with a sneer, his fan tapping his palm as he paced behind Captain Hime, mocking, “I suppose this is a woman’s intuition!”

“Director,”

Chief Strategist Nanbara spoke up in support of Captain Hime, whose words during the broadcast perfectly suited his own agenda.

“Captain Hime is in charge of our extraterrestrial negotiation program. I think we should respect her opinion.”

“Relying on intuition—can that really qualify for defending Earth’s front line?” Director Yoshioka gave Nanbara a cold glance, his tone turning severe. “I’ve said before, I’ve always opposed disbanding our Earth Defense Forces! Even in these peaceful times, who knows what country might launch an invasion?”

“That’s a completely different issue!” Nanbara’s tone soured as he preferred to frame the matter as an alien invasion.

Seeing the two about to quarrel endlessly, Director Zei straightened up and said, “Stop arguing! Right now, the most important thing is the Kirielodean who issued the invasion statement!”

Hearing this, Captain Hime nodded seriously, agreeing with Director Zei. With their superior’s intervention, Director Yoshioka and Chief Strategist Nanbara ceased their dispute.

Director Zei continued, “I’ll hold a press conference to reassure the public and ease their fear. But I hope you can give me a guarantee as well...”

“Captain Hime... when can your Victory Team resolve this matter?”

While the upper echelons debated their countermeasures, Shinjou and Horie piloted Falcon One over the exploded building. Flames still burned in the ruins, black smoke drifting with the wind.

With the building as the epicenter, glass in several blocks had been shattered by the blast’s enormous shockwave, and the streets were sealed, debris and shards scattered everywhere.

“My God, what power—there’s nothing left of the whole building,” Horie exclaimed as he looked down.

“This isn’t the time for sightseeing,” Shinjou replied irritably, though relieved, “Luckily the building was still under construction. If the bomb had been thrown into a crowded building...”

“It wasn’t a bomb, there’s no trace of bomb damage!” Horie, sitting in the back, grew increasingly serious as he examined the readings from his instruments.

“What did you say?” Shinjou’s expression changed immediately. If it wasn’t caused by a bomb, that meant it was beyond Earth’s technology, and the entire situation was now something else.

“Command! Please respond!” Shinjou immediately called headquarters.

“Understood.” Captain Munakata, who had been monitoring the situation, replied, listening to Shinjou’s report. After hearing it, his expression grew grim.

“He says it wasn’t caused by a bomb!”

He turned to look at Norui, only to see Norui fully engrossed in operating his computer.

“I think some sort of force was exerted remotely. If we focus our surveillance satellites on the relevant channels, we might discover something.”

Norui picked up the phone beside him, dialing as he spoke. “I’ll request access from the Space Development Bureau right away!”

“Captain, I think you should take a break...” Munakata looked at Captain Hime, who had been stationed in the command room, his tone concerned.

“It’s fine...” Captain Hime didn’t turn around.

After a brief exchange, Captain Hime walked out of the command room.

Dagu watched the captain hurry away, then glanced at the others and sighed. The Victory Team was under immense pressure—Captain Hime, forced by public opinion, had promised the media that the issue would be resolved within two days at most, a heavy burden for her.

Noticing Chieya absorbed in his Rubik’s Cube, Dagu curiously asked, “Hayate, aren’t you worried about this?”

Chieya, working to solve the sixth-level cube, didn’t even look up, replying quietly, “The giant will handle it...”

Dagu grew agitated. “Relying on the giant for everything—is that really the mindset a Victory Team member should have? Isn’t it up to us humans to protect humanity?”

His words struck a chord; even Captain Munakata, who never commented on Chieya, said, “Hayate, that’s not the attitude a Victory Team member should have!”

Chieya stopped twisting the cube, silent.

His mindset was indeed flawed. Ever since Dagu had taken the chance to become Dyna, Chieya had sensed something was wrong inside him, though he hadn’t figured it out until now. It was his attitude; his heart was full of jealousy toward Dagu. As for why Keigo Masaki in “Dyna Ultraman” bore such deep resentment toward Dagu, Chieya now faintly understood. It was dissatisfaction with fate—a jealousy toward Dagu!

I worked so hard! I’ve surpassed that brat from the transport department in every way!

But, Ultraman... why didn’t you choose me?

Realizing his situation, Chieya was startled. He knew that to become Ultraman, possessing a truly righteous heart was essential. If he awakened too late, the darkness in his heart might forever deny him the chance to become Ultraman!

He looked deeply at Dagu, recalling what he’d muttered to himself when facing Keigo Masaki:

“The giant’s selection isn’t about excellence, but about the heart!”

“You’re right...” Chieya smiled, placed the sixth-level Rubik’s Cube on the table, and stood up, heading for the door.

“Where are you going?” Dagu called out.

“To do what we humans can—to try our best to solve this!” Chieya waved from afar, his voice drifting back:

“If you want to help, come along!”

Dagu hesitated, but Vice Captain Munakata gently patted his shoulder.

“Go!”