Chapter 282: 278

"Emi, let me see that email again."

Qi Ming ran from the meeting room straight to the Victory Team command center.

Emi nodded and pulled up an anonymous email of unknown origin.

The content read as follows:

The Nelliru alien named "Kofu" arrived in Japan two months ago, voluntarily appearing before a cabinet minister, and was handed over to the Defense Force.

It has a gentle temperament and is willing to cooperate with humans, but under intense live experimentation, its life now hangs by a thread.

If you wish to save it—or use it for live experimentation to advance technology—come to the Defense Force's research facility and rescue it.

I'll send you the location tomorrow; prepare in the meantime.

The email ended with a photo of "Kofu."

This story. This appearance.

Qi Ming was certain: this was the "Kofu" from Episode 25 of "Max Ultraman," titled "A Distant Friend."

In the original series, Kofu searched the cosmos for a habitable planet for his people, and was returning home to relieve his crew when he discovered his homeworld had been destroyed.

Heartbroken, he arrived on Earth, met a boy named "Ko," and became his close friend.

After learning that humans had turned hostile toward aliens due to repeated invasions by evil extraterrestrials, he deliberately revealed himself to Max's Defense Force, "Dash."

He hoped to change people's minds, to prove that some aliens wished to be friends with humans—but was then locked in a research facility for constant study, causing his condition to rapidly deteriorate.

Kaito, who had originally taken him in, suffered deeply and helplessly; he could not openly defy his superiors, so he could only tell Kofu: "I'm sorry. I can't do anything."

Then, the terrifying alien "Godel" appeared, unleashing relentless firepower that left Max defenseless.

At that moment, Kofu—already on the brink of death—appeared, using his frail body to block Godel's attack, giving Max the chance to recover and counterattack, and died in the process.

Nobility is the epitaph of the noble.

"I won't let this tragedy happen again. I don't need Max's permission to transform—I won't be helpless."

"I won't face Kaito's moral dilemma. I'll do what I believe is right."

"Kofu to Ko is like the Metz alien to Sakunomi Ryō."

"It's fine—I'll save them both."

Emi: "Are you planning to rescue it, Qi Ming? The source of this anonymous email is still unknown—I'm worried someone is setting a trap for you."

She added that even she couldn't trace the email's origin—the sender was no ordinary party.

Moritomo Tatsuya leaned over: "If this were a trap, they wouldn't have given us a full day to prepare."

"The sender might be a sympathetic insider in the Defense Force, moved by Kofu's plight, trying to use us to rescue it."

Qi Ming: "Still, we must prepare."

He opened the group chat and asked Hoshiya Jun and Aizumi Makoto how they were recovering.

"Still hurts like hell—I'm practically fused with this hospital bed," Aizumi Makoto replied instantly, as if permanently online.

Six days ago, during the Moonlit Quintet, both their injuries worsened; after six days of rest, their conditions have merely stabilized.

They're still far from full recovery.

Both Hoshiya Jun and Aizumi Makoto are human bodies—bone and muscle injuries take a hundred days to heal.

Hoshiya Jun's reply was more serious: "My injuries are under control. I've regained some combat capability."

He has the Stone Wing as a "spring," so his recovery is faster.

He asked Qi Ming if a new dangerous enemy had appeared—if so, he was ready to join the fight.

"It's not that extreme," Qi Ming said, sending the anonymous email to the group and explaining Kofu's situation.

Aizumi Makoto immediately responded: "What a pitiful alien! My heart won't let me ignore this! Qi Ming, let's break him out!"

Hoshiya Jun also believed they couldn't betray the trust of this kind extraterrestrial.

Qi Ming: "Break out… Get ready first. We move together tomorrow."

………………………………

Meanwhile, at Defense Force Headquarters.

"After transplanting Abelon cells, I actually need to consume electricity," Minister Kendo, having just completed the Abelon cell transplant, rose from the electric chair, his face pale.

He had become a monster.

Beside him, Sanada Ryōsuke said: "No more tedious eating—just charge up to replenish energy and sustain life. Isn't this an evolution of life?"

"Evolution…?" Kendo's expression softened. He gripped the corner of a metal desk and lifted it effortlessly.

Only then did a smile appear on his face.

Though he felt somewhat "neither man nor ghost," the Quanmiantisheng of his physical capabilities was undeniably real.

Lifting five hundred kilograms with one hand—yes, I've evolved!

If I wanted, I could shatter world records in sprinting and weightlifting. I am now the strongest human being!

After a round of tests, Minister Kendo gained a basic understanding of his body after the second-generation Abelon cell transplant, and his confidence soared.

Sanada Ryōsuke, who had assisted in the tests, suddenly said: "New update: the Kofu in Lab Imaginary Saiwen is experiencing a sharp decline in vital functions."

Minister Kendo: "Let him rest for now. Don't drain the pond to catch the fish—this is a precious experimental specimen."

Sanada Ryōsuke added: "But the live experimentation has reached a critical stage. The reverse-engineered cell samples cannot survive long. If we pause now, the entire experiment cycle will be severely delayed."

Minister Kendo hesitated: "So it is… If only it could hold on a little longer."

Sanada Ryōsuke: "Why don't you visit the lab yourself tomorrow? The staff at Lab Imaginary Saiwen can give you a direct report." Kendo had no objection: "Fine. Do it."

After he agreed, Sanada Ryōsuke turned away, a sly smile creeping onto his face.

Perfect. Now TPC's people will collide directly with Minister Kendo.

Let them clash hard. Let the conflict intensify.

Then, to crush each other completely, they'll rush to develop weapons and equipment—and my "Civilization Self-Destruction Game" will proceed smoothly.

………………………………

The next day, Emi, stationed in the command center, said: "The email arrived!"

The content read:

"Kofu is in Defense Force Lab Imaginary Saiwen."

"Emergency: in two hours, it will be returned to the experimental table—this time, it may not survive. Move quickly."

The email ended with an attachment: a map of Lab Imaginary Saiwen, marking Kofu's location.

Qi Ming pondered: "They're giving us two hours to get there…"

Nishijō Nagi leaned in: "Is this really an emergency? Doesn't it feel too convenient? Something's off."

Emi: "Normally, you'd wait until nightfall when security is lax. Why rescue in broad daylight?"

Qi Ming: "Easy. If I knock out every witness, no one will know I slipped in."

Emi: "Is there anything I can do?"

Qi Ming: "Yes. Find this child. Tell him 'Kofu is waiting for him at the Haishangjidi.' Bring him here."

He handed Emi a sketch of "Ko," instructing her to use her Omni-Scan facial recognition to locate him.

Emi: "Your drawing skills are amazing, Qi Ming." She promised to do her best.

Nishijō Nagi asked Qi Ming: "Do you want me to join you in the jailbreak?"

Qi Ming: "I've arranged a more powerful ally."

Outside the Haishangjidi, Aizumi Makoto, wrapped in multiple layers of bandages on his head and left arm, waited: "Let's go!"

Qi Ming: "Too many people entering the lab is risky. You stay outside. If I'm not out in five minutes, transform and come to extract me."

Aizumi Makoto: "No problem!"

He gave Qi Ming the universal key he'd used when visiting "Self-Loving Boss Morigasaki's" company, saying it should grant seamless access.

"I'm coming with you," Moritomo Tatsuya said, approaching.

"You don't trust us? Fine—this whole thing feels suspicious," Qi Ming said. He'd spent the whole day thinking—the anonymous sender was no ordinary person.

Moritomo Tatsuya: "..."

Actually, he didn't trust the Defense Force.

He thought Qi Ming was great in every way—except he lacked restraint.

What if these two, after rescuing Kofu, decided to blow up the lab and casually fire a beam at Defense Force Headquarters?

Better to be there in person.

Thus, the three headed to the Defense Force's secret research facility—Lab Imaginary Saiwen. On the way, Qi Ming bought Moritomo Tatsuya a Imaginary Saiwen Mask from a roadside stall.

An hour later, the two reached the facility's perimeter.

He donned black clothing and his old Gao Si mask. Moritomo Tatsuya, seeing this, put on the Imaginary Saiwen Mask.

"Perfect," Aizumi Makoto watched, eyes gleaming.

Covert rescue operation—begin!

Qi Ming and Moritomo Tatsuya avoided the guards at the entrance and slipped inside the facility.

Using Aizumi Makoto's universal key card, they passed through every door without hindrance, entering Kofu's room without a trace.

There, they saw a human male, bound at wrists and waist, asleep in a chair, eyes closed.

That was Kofu, in human form.

"Passed out," Moritomo Tatsuya said, studying his pale face and the restraining chair—easily imagining the inhuman treatment he'd endured.

The Defense Force treated this harmless visitor like this? They didn't even bother with appearances anymore?

He felt deeply disappointed.

"That's convenient," Qi Ming thought. He'd expected to have to persuade Kofu to leave—but no need now. He was already unconscious.

He took out his tools, cut through the device binding Kufu, and prepared to leave.

He came softly, and left softly, taking no clouds, only a sincere heart.

But someone was determined to shatter this peace.

"Director Minister Minister Jiantong is inspecting the work—everyone, snap to attention!"

"The director wants to see the alien himself, understand his condition—send someone to bring him out."

"Wait, what's going on? Why is there someone else in the cell holding the cosmic being!"

"Sound the alarm immediately! Someone has infiltrated the lab and is trying to steal this precious experimental subject! The intruder is..."

Staring at the surveillance footage showing Qi Ming and Zhuxing Tuan wearing masks, the reporter froze: "The intruder is—Gao Si and Imaginary Saiwen?"

(End of Chapter)