Chapter 252: 248

"The seashell found during the excavation? I have a vague memory of it…" The team leader rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

"I remember now—I saw a seashell like that this morning."

"It was brand-new, nothing like the ancient relics. One of the young women in the team thought it was pretty, so she took it down."

At the archaeological camp on Inari Coast, Emi and Nishijo Nagi received a response from the team leader.

Emi asked: "Could we see the seashell?"

The team leader nodded readily, fully cooperating with the Victory Team's investigation, and immediately ordered a subordinate to retrieve it.

At that moment, a staff member rushed over, face alight with excitement: "Leader! We've decoded it! The ancient script on the stone slab dug up two days ago has been translated!"

Nishijo Nagi's heart stirred, and she immediately proposed: "Can we go see it together?"

Inside the tent, Nishijo Nagi and Emi saw the expert's translation results.

The inscribed characters on the slab seemed to carry ancient power; after being translated by the genius-developed software of the Alchemy Star, the "truth" slowly unfolded before them:

"When the beautiful sea is polluted, the great Sea Guardian shall awaken."

"It shall burn with the wrath of the Sea God all who defile the ocean, driving them to annihilation."

"Chosen one, possessing a pure heart, when you hear this tone, place this seashell into the Meteor Stone to calm the Sea God's fury."

"As long as there remain those with pure hearts upon the land, the polluted sea shall regain its blue radiance—we firmly believe this."

After reading these words, the atmosphere inside the tent grew heavy and solemn.

The team leader felt uneasy: "It sounds a bit fake, like a myth. But lately, there've been too many strange events—if this prophecy comes true, I wouldn't be surprised…"

At that moment, the team leader's subordinate handed over the seashell.

Nishijo Nagi took the seashell, gently pressed it to her ear, and frowned slightly: "I didn't hear any tone… Could we be mistaken?"

Emi took the seashell, closed her eyes, and listened carefully.

After a moment, she said: "There's a faint, intermittent sound of waves—sometimes there, sometimes gone… If there are no other seashells, let's take this one back to Qi Ming first."

Nishijo Nagi nodded, confirmed the details once more, then sent the translated text of the slab to Qi Ming via the PDI communicator, boarded Fly Yan One, and sped toward Qi Ming's location.

On the other side, Qi Ming drove the Drumm vehicle, carrying several Ultraman human hosts to Inari Coast.

Moroboshi and Hikari also arrived and joined them.

The six Ultraman human hosts gathered once again.

"Is this the Meteor Stone?" Aizumi Makoto stared at the simple stone ahead, its center clearly carved with a hollow groove, and pulled out his phone to take a photo, planning to post it later.

Qi Ming's PDI communicator buzzed: "Emi and Nishijo Nagi have arrived with the 'magic seashell.' Xiang Tenggong, come look at this!"

Qi Ming pointed to the slab's inscription, especially the line: "As long as there remain those with pure hearts upon the land, the polluted sea shall regain its blue radiance": "See? Ancient wisdom!"

Xiang Tenggong 's gaze fell on the passage Qi Ming indicated; his brow furrowed slightly, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

He fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Ancient wisdom? Yet reality shows humanity repeatedly betrays this trust—polluting oceans, destroying ecosystems. Isn't that the best proof?"

Moroboshi picked up the thread: " Xiang Tenggong, I understand your anger and disappointment. But the ancients believed even those who erred could still change. If we abandon even that hope, that is true failure."

Xiang Tenggong shook his head: "Human greed and short-sightedness are deeply rooted. Even if a few wish to change, they cannot reverse the entire group's decline."

Hoshiya Jun also joined the discussion, arguing that environmental polluters should be distinguished from ordinary people—ordinary people are also victims of pollution.

Aizumi Makoto stood aside, straining to follow the group's "profound" conversation.

Hikari remained silent until now, then suddenly lifted his head, gazing into the distance: "It's coming."

"Boom!" A massive stone statue—【Ancient Sea God】—descended from the sky, advancing toward them with heavy steps.

Ha! How dare you destroy the ocean? Human civilization has earned its death!

"The Defense Force has appeared too," Moroboshi murmured. Dozens of fighter jets flew in from the horizon, roaring with menace.

Qi Ming pulled out a camera from nowhere and handed it to Hoshiya Jun:

"Jun, it's time to show off your veteran journalist skills."

"Film what's coming next. Let the world see the destruction this statue can cause. Let them understand how terrifying a being emerges when the ocean is ruined."

Hoshiya Jun took the camera and faintly understood Qi Ming's intent.

He nodded, aiming his lens at the 【Ancient Sea God】.

"Shhh-shhh-shhh!" The Defense Force fighter jets fired lasers and missiles at the Ancient Sea God, who neither dodged nor flinched—absorbing every strike without reaction, continuing forward.

Aizumi Makoto blurted: "Incredible defense! This OCD rock is that tough?!"

After being bombarded for half a minute, the Ancient Sea God finally retaliated. It raised its fists and fired rapid-fire spherical energy projectiles straight at the fighter jets.

"What black tech is this?!" The Defense Force pilots widened their eyes. One jet, unable to evade, took a hit to its wing, spewing smoke as it began to plummet.

Moroboshi's face darkened: "Damn it!"

Qi Ming: "I'll handle it. The big show needs the veteran actor."

"I'll use this. The situation isn't critical yet—if things go out of control, others can stop me."

With that, Qi Ming turned the dial and pressed gently.

A white light shot skyward, revealing a glowing giant who caught the falling fighter jet.

The pilot, who had thought he was doomed due to a parachute malfunction, stared at the towering light giant before him, eyes wide:

"Those eyes… and the blue light on his chest."

"It's Ultraman! A new Ultraman has appeared!"

Not only the pilots on-site, but also the Defense Force command center, watching via video link, were stirred deeply.

Wonderful! So many Ultramen stand with humanity—no matter what danger arises, we can hold it back!

Evil Tiga—【Ultraman Gaiya Ultraman】—appears!

Qi Ming gently set the plane on the ground: "I'm certain I'm fully conscious… Looks like I won't lose control like Shōgo Kōgami in the original series."

Then he charged toward the Ancient Sea God and engaged it in battle.

"Go, new Ultraman!" The pilot couldn't help shouting encouragement to Ultraman Gaiya Ultraman.

But then, something utterly shocking happened.

This new Ultraman, facing the activated stone statue 【Ancient Sea God】, appeared utterly outmatched—forced into constant retreat.

He was knocked down by direct punches, toppled by joint locks; his energy attacks had no effect on the Ancient Sea God, while the Sea God's counterattacks sent him to his knees.

They were clearly not on the same level.

"What? The new Ultraman can't even fight this thing?"

"No good—its defense is impenetrable, like a fortress. Ultraman has no advantage in close combat."

Everyone agreed: it wasn't that the new Ultraman was weak—it was that the stone statue was simply too formidable.

Watching from the side, Aizumi Makoto was baffled: "Why is Qi Ming's fighting style so strange today? He could've avoided that hit."

Hikari understood: "He's letting himself be hit—but adjusts his body immediately after impact, dissipating the force."

Moroboshi: "He's acting pained—trying to make people realize how grave the consequences of ocean destruction are?"

Xiang Tenggong watched the scene, his expression complex, while Hoshiya Jun focused entirely on filming.

"No problem," Ultraman Gaiya Ultraman, transformed by Qi Ming, appeared as if he were being utterly overpowered like the original Gaus, but in truth, he protected his vital points perfectly—even had time to browse Ultraman Gaiya Ultraman's "skill list."

"Beams, shields, speed boosts… all very common abilities."

"No wonder Tiga stood out in the Super-ancient giant wars. In terms of ability diversity, Tiga is far ahead."

"Shhh." At the same time, Fly Yan One, piloted by Emi and Nishijo Nagi, landed slowly.

They've arrived—with the magic seashell!

(End of Chapter)