Chapter 112: 108 Alien Infiltrator

“It’s just hitting every shot—what’s so impressive about that? I can do the same when I’m in form!”

Mountain, seething with rage, returned to the command room and vented his frustration.

Emi asked: “Hirota? Is he this guy?”

She tapped the keyboard, and a man’s face appeared on the main screen.

Kishida: “Yes, that’s him—arrogant and rude, even more obnoxious than Qi Ming… I don’t believe he has Qi Ming’s skill.”

Qi Ming rubbed his chin: “Hirota… so it’s him.”

This man comes from Episode 36 of Ultraseven, “The 0.1-Second Kill.”

In the original series, to defeat his friend Soga in a shooting competition, he secretly prayed—“If I can win, even betraying my friend or selling my soul is worth it.”

The Pega alien answered his prayer and helped him cheat to victory.

After winning, this Hirota mocked Soga with the trophy, then kept his promise by aiding the Pega aliens in invading Earth and killing several comrades.

In this world, this scumbag is in the Defense Force?

Too naive—this world really doesn’t let any evil go unpunished.

Kishida goaded: “Go, Qi Ming, show him your strength—TPC is the strongest!”

Qi Ming gave an “OK” gesture.

…………………………

After humiliating the Victory Team, Hirota returned to his Defense Force residence, feeling refreshed.

“Of course—modern humans aren’t my match,” he gloated inwardly.

After signing the contract with the alien, he gained fame recently thanks to the Pega alien’s covert assistance.

“Ryujun”… “Aihara Ryu”… these guys have all become stepping stones beneath my feet to glory.

“I won’t just be the top of the Defense Force—I’ll win every individual event in tomorrow’s military exercise, become Japan’s best, then the world’s best…”

At that moment, the Pega alien’s voice appeared in the room: “Hirota-kun, it’s time to fulfill your promise.”

Hirota startled: “What do you want me to do?”

The Pega alien: “We’ve confirmed it—the Dr. Segawa, who created the ‘Super Weapon R1,’ will be visiting the Defense Force and TPC.”

“If you perform excellently in the upcoming competition, you’ll qualify to serve as Dr. Segawa’s bodyguard.”

“Then, seize the chance to eliminate him—we’ll have no more worries.”

Hirota nodded: “Fine. If it lets me win, I’ll do anything.”

“You’ll win. We look forward to your performance,” the hidden Pega alien was satisfied.

It possesses hypnotic ability, capable of implanting powerful psychological suggestions into intelligent beings to make them obey.

But when facing strong-willed individuals who resist fiercely—like Soga in the original series—it requires high-tech equipment aboard the ship to complete the hypnosis.

Fortunately, this Hirota, obsessed with victory, is completely defenseless toward them—remote hypnosis is sufficient; no machine needed.

…………………………

Soon, the day of the joint TPC-Defense Force military exercise arrived.

The exercise site was vast; most TPC personnel from the marine base filled the western section, numbering over ten thousand.

The Defense Force had even more—several dark, dense formations totaling tens of thousands, here to observe the elite from both sides.

Director Tsuchihashi Yu and Counselor He Zhi sat high on the grandstand, alongside Defense Force Commander Saura and Western Officer Nishijo, overlooking everything below.

(Illustration: Commander Saura)

After a round of superficially polite but sharply antagonistic speeches, the opening ceremony ended, and the individual events began.

First was shooting: Yamada represented TPC first, scoring eight tens, one nine, and one six.

“What’s going on? It felt like something stung my hand.”

Yamada’s face darkened—he trembled from the sting, causing his final shot to veer wildly off target.

Back in the locker room, he felt too ashamed to face his teammates.

Moroboshi Tsubasa comforted him: “It’s fine—everyone makes mistakes.”

Nishijo Nagi also said: “Don’t worry—Qi Ming’s here.”

Soon, Hirota stepped onto the range.

Ten tens—roars of applause erupted!

“Yes! I’m truly the strongest!” Hirota exulted inwardly.

Western Officer Nishijo was deeply satisfied: “Of course—our professional soldiers’ discipline is unmatched.”

This jab made Counselor He Zhi furious.

Soon, Qi Ming stepped up. He pulled the trigger with effortless ease—also ten tens.

He too felt a “sting on his wrist,” but he held steady.

Counselor He Zhi exhaled in relief: “Not unmatched after all.”

Western Officer Nishijo’s face stiffened: “It seems your competitor has trained hard in shooting—but Hirota is a complete athlete; he’ll still dominate in all other weight events.”

But Hirota himself was no longer confident.

He stared at Qi Ming, walking off the range amid cheers from other victors, as if seeing a ghost.

What’s going on? Why can he match me?

Qi Ming was observing him too.

“Definitely odd… under hypnosis…” The Insight ability activated.

This Hirota, like in the original series, had already become a Pega alien’s pawn.

Suddenly, urgent news arrived.

Dr. Asano, Dr. Segawa’s assistant and a cosmic biologist, had just been assassinated at the airport!

Qi Ming: “Dr. Asano—the woman who chose Kielon as the experimental site?”

The joint military exercise was suspended; both sides convened emergency meetings.

On the TPC side, Counselor He Zhi frowned at the intelligence he’d received:

“Not just Dr. Asano—three more members of Dr. Segawa’s research team have just died in accidents.”

“This can’t be coincidence—someone wants to prevent the Super Weapon R1 from reappearing!”

“Dr. Segawa’s itinerary has changed—he’s leaving immediately for Japan and will be under our protection.”

“The Defense Force has assigned Hirota. Qi Ming, you’ll represent TPC to guard the doctor—I trust you won’t be inferior to anyone.”

“The exercise is paused. You two depart immediately—first, bring the doctor to the exercise site.”

Qi Ming nodded, thinking how smoothly the plot had looped back to its origin.

Hirota would surely try to assassinate the doctor—this was his chance to expose him.

But the method had to be handled carefully.

In the original series, Soga, shot by Hirota and nearly killed, deduced his identity.

But Soga’s approach? He told no one, left no backup, went alone to Hirota’s room—and was instantly trapped, captured, and brainwashed.

Qi Ming wouldn’t be so naive—he suddenly had a “dishonest idea.”

(End of Chapter)