Chapter 111: 107 Even If Vomiting Blood, This Marathon Must Still Be Run

Because the backdoors Agamus left in Jinguqiao were unclear, the plan was temporarily frozen indefinitely.

Two days later, Counselor He Zhi invited Qi Ming to his office again, saying Dr. Laichuan had finally agreed.

Although he did not directly agree to return and oversee the production of the Super Weapon R1, he was willing to visit Japan to observe the spirit of TPC members protecting the world.

“The problem is, the Defense Force has also heard this news and wants Dr. Laichuan to advise them too.”

This is an attempt to steal the deal.

Qi Ming: “This cannot be allowed. The Defense Force personnel barely use their brains—a single spinal cord satisfies all their needs.”

“If they get hold of Super Weapon R1, it will only enhance their capacity for evil and make things even more troublesome.”

Counselor He Zhi, finding his views aligned with Qi Ming’s, increasingly felt Qi Ming suited his taste.

He said: “How about you handle the reception of Dr. Laichuan ? With your eloquence, you can surely persuade him to stay with us at TPC.”

Qi Ming: “Fine, but you must also pay attention—‘Friendship Plan’ is strictly for defensive counterattacks; no offensive action whatsoever.”

“If we respond forcefully to existing invaders, we can deter some extraterrestrials who were considering attacking Earth, making them understand that invasion will come at a terrible cost.”

“But if we launch an offensive, the nature changes.”

“We become the aggressors, and then beings like Ultraman will come to demand justice.”

If Delaxiweng exists in this universe… just thinking about it is terrifying.

Counselor He Zhi looked horrified: “You know about the Friendship Plan!”

Hearing a “regular member” casually mention a top-secret plan even Counselor Kento of TPC didn’t know, he felt his worldview collapse.

Is this precognition? This is omniscience!

Qi Ming stood up without comment and left: “The tea was good, but next time, swap the dessert for blueberry mousse.”

——————————

Back in the command room, Shishiro Dan asked Qi Ming if he wanted to join the “Joint Military Exercise” in three days.

Nishi Taki explained: “In plain terms, it’s a competition against the Defense Force.”

Qi Ming asked: “Is it fun?”

Emi said: “There are individual and team events. Individual events include shooting, weighted long-distance running, fighter jet piloting…”

“Team events involve forming Red and Blue sides—Red attacks, Blue defends.”

Qi Ming’s eyes lit up: “That last one sounds interesting.”

He wanted to relax a bit.

Kishida suggested: “Team Member Qi Ming will surely shine in the endurance events like long-distance running.”

Qi Ming: “Add shooting to it.”

Yamana put on his sunglasses, coolly saying: “Shooting’s my job. Come on, Kishida, let’s practice.”

Shuowan , he dragged Kishida off to an outdoor shooting range.

Meanwhile, Qi Ming planned to have a chat with Shishiro Dan.

…………………………

“What? You support restarting Super Weapon R1!” After hearing Qi Ming’s account, Shishiro Dan’s eyes widened.

Yesterday he had been delighted that Qi Ming had stopped Jinguqiao and crushed a major threat at its root—today Qi Ming had pulled off a major move.

He looked exasperated: “Team Member Qi Ming, do you know what happened back then? Why won’t you learn from the lesson?”

Qi Ming countered: “If a doctor used a scalpel to kill an entire street of people, should we also learn from that and ban doctors from touching knives?”

“You…” Shishiro Dan was speechless; after a long pause, he said: “I can’t argue with you, but I still believe humans aren’t stupid enough to run a marathon while vomiting blood.”

Long ago, after learning about Super Weapon R1, Shishiro Dan had that famous “vomiting-blood marathon” conversation with Jinguqiao.

Jinguqiao: “Dan, Earth has already been targeted. A powerful invader will come that we cannot resist!”

Shishiro Dan: “So a super weapon is necessary!”

Jinguqiao: “Of course it is!”

Shishiro Dan: “But what if the invaders build even stronger weapons to counter our super weapon?”

Jinguqiao: “Then we build an even stronger one!”

Shishiro Dan fell silent for a long time, then said: “It’s like a tragic marathon—running while vomiting blood.”

At first glance, it sounds tragic—but…

Qi Ming: “‘Vomiting-blood marathon’? Forget the distant past—think about Jinguqiao’s case.”

“If Tongshan Jinguqiao and others hadn’t raced against the Pedan aliens to develop a weapon capable of defeating Jinguqiao, you’d be dead.”

“Even if you refuse to run the marathon, the cosmic invaders won’t stop.”

In the original Ultraman series, invaders even raced Ultraman in marathons.

Like creating the Ace Killer to absorb Ultraman’s powers, or Black King to counter Jack’s bracelet…

Qi Ming: “This world operates objectively, regardless of any will—whether radical or conservative.”

“Even if vomiting blood, this marathon must still be run.”

“The moment you stop running without vomiting blood is the moment you die.”

As a citizen raised in a nuclear-armed nation, Qi Ming never believed possessing super weapons was inherently evil—he spoke now with full conviction.

Shishiro Dan: “But the Friendship Plan… is too radical!”

He cited the Crow People: if the invasion of Earth was only the will of some among them, and ordinary Crow People civilians knew nothing of it,

then when humans retaliate and indiscriminately annihilate both guilty and innocent Crow People, isn’t that grossly unfair to the innocent?

Qi Ming thought for a moment: “I’ll be watching. I’ll try to maintain the right ‘balance’—keep humanity from going too far, prioritize deterrence, minimize killing.”

The kind of scenario from the original series—where any planet with life is instantly labeled a threat and obliterated—won’t happen under my watch.

“But Captain, you must understand: nothing in this world is perfect. Our power is limited—we cannot fully uphold fairness and justice. Earth’s survival and humanity’s continuation must come first.”

Seeing Qi Ming unmoved, Shishiro Dan sighed wearily and finally voiced his true thoughts: “Actually, if only we Ultramen were strong enough, we could protect those we love…”

Qi Ming shook his head and left his room.

…………………………

Meanwhile, Kishida and Yamana were shooting at the range.

Yamana pulled the trigger and precisely hit a flying disc.

He was satisfied: “Hmm, hit rate above 95%!”

Kishida’s score was also good; just as both were pleased, a mocking laugh came from nearby.

“Can this shooting style even knock down enemies?” A man in military uniform walked over.

He was from the Defense Force.

“What do you mean?” Kishida’s tone turned hostile.

The man in uniform sneered, pulled out his rifle, and instead of aiming at moving targets, fired straight into the sky.

“Bang!” A black bird fell from the air, landing dead at Kishida and Yamana’s feet.

This instantly stunned Kishida and Yamana.

“You’re from the Victory Team, huh? Your basic skills are pitiful—you only rely on American high-tech.”

“I’m Hirota. You might as well give up—so long as I’m here, TPC has no chance in the exercise.”

Yamana and Kishida flew into a rage, taking turns challenging him—only to be humiliated again after he achieved 100% accuracy.

(End of Chapter)