Volume One, Chapter 56: The Victory Team
The arrival of Tregear did not only attract the attention of the Victory Team but also that of many people on Earth. Nearby, people pulled out their phones one after another to take photos. The news media, too, began to broadcast the event widely at the same time. After all, with Ultraman Tiga as a precedent, they instinctively believed that this Ultraman would also be friendly to humanity.
Ignoring the clamor around him, Tregear shifted his gaze toward the distant surface of the Pacific Ocean. The reason he had descended was that he sensed an extremely powerful element of darkness there. That’s right, an element of darkness. Moreover, the aura emanating from that element was intensifying with every passing second. Although the process was rather slow, it was still more valuable than the useless creatures on Mu Zhen Star. Well then, let them live a while longer. After all, in the entire universe, aside from Dark Zagi, he had never encountered anything capable of nurturing dark elements. This was truly a remarkable discovery!
“In that case, I’ll wait for you to grow,” Tregear murmured, a strange light flickering in his eyes. “And then I’ll devour you.”
…
The Victory Team arrived at the scene but found no trace of Tregear.
“That mysterious giant vanished five minutes ago,” Noriyasu reported at that moment.
“What a waste, all for nothing,” stubborn Ikeya complained on the spot. He had brought all kinds of equipment, hoping to have a deep exchange with a giant other than Tiga.
“Vanished?” Daigo muttered, clearly distracted. He knew well that the giant had not simply disappeared but, like himself, had likely merged with a human. But who could it be?
While humanity discussed the appearance of a new giant, the one now known as Kiriha, formed from Tregear, was already making his way through the crowded city streets. Accustomed to the vacuum and vastness of the universe, he found himself a bit disoriented in such a densely populated place. With no other choice, Kiriha slipped into a deserted alley, intent on moving forward.
Just then, two people appeared ahead. They were dressed in white special-issue suits, each holding an energy weapon.
“Don’t move!” Lina shouted sternly.
Kiriha instinctively turned, only to find his retreat cut off as well. Resigned, he raised his hands in surrender. These must be Earth’s version of a defense squad, he thought.
As Kiriha sized up the Victory Team, they were equally curious about him.
“Are you an alien?” Daigo asked. They had been about to return to base when Noriyasu suddenly detected a strange energy signature. The source was this very individual before them.
“Something like that,” Kiriha admitted, his smile tinged with helplessness. But no matter—it would help pass the time.
Hearing him admit it, the Victory Team members were clearly surprised. Though they had encountered many monsters, they had rarely met actual aliens.
“Are you here to invade?” Shinjo asked warily, the others’ expressions turning tense.
But Kiriha shook his head, smiling faintly. “I have no interest in invading Earth. Can you let me go now?”
Daigo frowned, his voice deep. “Could you come back to our base with us?”
The base? Kiriha narrowed his eyes, considering. If he could blend in among these people, it might not be a bad idea.
“No problem,” Kiriha nodded, agreeing readily.
At this, the Victory Team members all sighed in relief. They feared the alien might do something drastic. For now, at least, he seemed to harbor no malice.
This also stirred something in Daigo’s heart. He had always advocated peaceful coexistence between Earthlings and aliens, and after meeting Lucia, that belief only grew stronger. Of course, his primary motive was still to prepare for his own situation—after all, in the eyes of humanity, Tiga was also an outsider.
Arriving at the Victory Team’s TPC base, Kiriha gazed around like a child who had never seen the world, occasionally asking questions. Lina and Daigo answered enthusiastically, their guard against him unconsciously dropping to nearly nothing.
Beep—
The command room doors slid open. Captain Rena stood at the entrance with several others, their faces alight with welcoming smiles for their alien guest.
“Is he really an alien?” Ikeya exclaimed in disbelief. “He looks just like us!”
“I suspect this isn’t his true form,” Noriyasu observed astutely.
As Kiriha entered, Captain Rena stepped forward, offering her right hand. “Hello, I am Captain Rena of the Victory Team. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello, Captain. Just call me Kiriha,” he replied with humility, shaking her hand. He displayed none of the arrogance one might expect from an alien, which surprised Rena and filled her with excitement and hope. If this alien truly meant no harm and was willing to interact peacefully with Earth, it would be a milestone for all humanity.
Beep—
The door opened again.
“If he’s an alien, he should be quarantined until we’re sure he poses no threat to Earth.”
A stern-faced, bearded middle-aged man entered, followed by several TPC security officers who quickly surrounded Kiriha.
“Director Yoshioka!”
Daigo and several team members instinctively stepped in front of Kiriha.
Captain Rena spoke coldly, “Director Yoshioka, what do you mean by this?”
“What do you think I mean? Of course, I’m here to arrest this alien!” Director Tetsuji Yoshioka’s tone was harsh, and he put special emphasis on the word “alien.”
Tension immediately thickened in the control room. The team members looked anxiously at Captain Rena, hoping she would find a solution. But even she felt trapped—his rank far exceeded hers, and if he insisted on taking Kiriha, there was little she could do.
After a brief stalemate, Rena gritted her teeth. “Director Yoshioka, can I speak with you privately?”
Yoshioka frowned but nodded and left the command room.
“Captain!”
Facing the hopeful looks of her team, Rena said firmly, “Don’t worry. I will convince Director Yoshioka.”
She left the command room, but the tense atmosphere remained. Perhaps fearing Kiriha would misunderstand, Daigo turned to him, hastily trying to explain.