Chapter 333: 329 Aizen Makoto [Kai], Kento Meets Bird (5,000-Word Super Chapter)

(PS: There was an error in the previous chapter—Aizen Makoto was not kidnapped; only Hoshiya Jun was taken. This has been corrected.)

"I'm back!"

At the sound of that voice, everyone instantly perked up.

That tone, that inflection—it was Qi Ming, no doubt about it!

The Qi Ming who was always confident, always standing tall, never compromising on mistakes, the one who could shoulder any burden—he was back!

The Victory Team, moments ago filled with sighs and gloom, instantly transformed. Qi Ming's return couldn't have come at a better time—now they'd show these foreign bumpkins just how formidable Team Qi Ming was!

Even the composed Chief Advisor felt renewed confidence upon hearing Qi Ming had returned.

Don't be fooled by his unremarkable appearance—he possesses strength and speed far beyond normal humans, uncanny predictive abilities, and even connections capable of commanding Ultrawarriors!

TPC's anchor, everyone's pillar of strength!

"How's everyone doing?" Qi Ming asked calmly, his mood light as he returned to familiar surroundings.

Just as Megumi opened her mouth to speak, Nishijo Nagi snatched the mic: "Team Member Qi Ming, the situation is critical!"

She quickly recounted what had just happened, causing Qi Ming's expression on the Szark ship to freeze.

Half an hour ago, TLT personnel kidnapped Hoshiya Jun after the battle, when he was defenseless?

Damn it—I specifically shared the light technology developed by Hikari that can completely eradicate Alien Beasts, so they'd use it properly against American Alien Beasts and not get any stupid ideas.

Yet while I was away, they still moved against him.

Did I show too much leniency, or have they hit their rebellious phase?

"Understood. I'm on my way immediately."

"I'm coming with you. Only I know the location of TLT's North American headquarters."

Qi Ming: "Good. Are you at the sea base? I'll return immediately to unload some cargo. I'm arriving on a red ship—tell the Chief Advisor not to panic."

Chief He Zhi coughed to assert his presence: "We're listening!"

Qi Ming pulled out his phone for navigation and instructed Captain Shinra at the helm to fly toward them.

"Understood," Captain Shinra nodded. He'd also heard Nishijo Nagi's report: "Need help?"

Qi Ming: "No. Keep an eye on the Queen. Don't let her cause trouble. I'll go with Kai and Gagura alone."

The Ultrawarriors fought to the end protecting people and monsters, yet TLT kicked them when they were down.

This isn't just any organization anymore—it must be crushed decisively!

I'm sending Ultraman Orb and Gagura right now—I'll send every last one of you flying!

………………………………

Soon, the Szark ship landed atop the sea base, where the two Chief Advisors waited with their subordinates—all high-ranking officials eligible to greet Qi Ming.

"What an impressive ship—has Shenzhou really developed this far?"

Kento marveled, seeing the Szark's red paint and instinctively assuming it was Shenzhou military hardware.

"Long time no see—I've missed you!" Qi Ming stepped down from the ship with his entourage, and TPC personnel froze at the sight of his companions.

What the hell—are you guys just back from some movie set?

What kind of costumes are these? The wardrobe and props on this set are terrible—not just cheap, but utterly nonsensical.

Upon seeing Queen Tenchi, the Victory Team members completely lost it.

Ma'am, are you seriously wearing that? A bra over your clothes?

Shinra's group, seeing the scenery of the sea base and the clothing and demeanor of Earth humans, looked just as curious as Qi Ming's crew.

The technological development of this planet is vastly different from our Gagon.

After stepping down, Qi Ming immediately walked toward Chief He Zhi, arms wide open as if to embrace him.

He Zhi beamed—clearly, Team Member Qi Ming values my abilities more than Kento's.

He stepped forward and embraced Qi Ming warmly, ready to ask about his recent life, when Qi Ming lowered his voice: "Get me a completely silenced pistol."

He Zhi's expression froze—completely silenced pistol?

You're already in work mode after just arriving… You're not seriously planning to rescue someone from American territory, are you?

But if it's Qi Ming… it's not impossible.

He can be trusted—his true capabilities may surpass even what we've seen.

With that thought, He Zhi signaled several gestures to Director Yin of Security, who immediately understood and left.

But infiltrating a heavily guarded TLT base with just a silenced pistol—is that even enough? Shouldn't we bring a submachine gun…?

Qi Ming hugged He Zhi tightly, then released him—this embrace carried genuine emotion.

After spending so long on Gagon, constantly dealing with Queen Tenchi and Agamus, he found He Zhi's face refreshingly clean-cut.

Watching Qi Ming's warmth toward He Zhi, Chief Kento felt a twinge of envy.

Is He Zhi really that favored? But now it's my turn, surely.

He stepped forward—then froze, staring at the stretcher Kai carried: the unconscious Bird.

"Wait… who is this…?" Kento looked like he'd seen a ghost.

Qi Ming's heart stirred: "Do you know him?"

Kento: "I don't know him, but his uniform…"

He'd always thought the Victory Team's uniforms were inadequate—lacking dignity—so he'd designed his own, planning to replace them someday.

"What a coincidence—his uniform is nearly identical to mine! How is this possible!" Kento circled Bird several times, marveling.

Qi Ming: "Ask him yourself when he wakes up."

He glanced at the unconscious Wu Cang, carried by Gagura.

Red Ball's power was too overwhelming—the backlash was extreme; neither had regained consciousness yet.

"Have Ultraman Taro check on them. I need them back in fighting shape as soon as possible," Qi Ming told Moroboshi.

Moroboshi: "Understood. How have you been? I'm sure even away from here, you've been fighting for justice."

Qi Ming: "Something like that. But the situation is urgent—I'll explain everything when I return."

Moroboshi nodded with satisfaction. Qi Ming's growing sense of belonging to this world delighted him—he'd successfully awakened Qi Ming's sense of justice.

Moroboshi: "Alright. By the way, what happened to this girl's leg?"

Queen Tenchi was now walking with a cane, which caught his attention.

Had some evil force crippled her? Did Qi Ming rescue her at a critical moment and bring her to TPC for treatment?

No wonder I chose him…

The next moment, Qi Ming replied: "I broke it."

Moroboshi: "???"

You… I… her?

Moroboshi was speechless.

At that moment, Nishijo Nagi, fully re-equipped, approached and urged Qi Ming to depart.

Qi Ming: "No rush. We'll make it in time."

The Szark ship is designed for interstellar travel—it's far faster than Night Raider's aircraft.

Meanwhile, Kishida and Yamana had been staring at the flamboyantly dressed Gogen and Tachibana, finding them oddly suspicious.

Are those ethnic costumes? I've never seen anything like them.

He casually sidled up to Qi Ming:

"You've been gone too long on this family visit—who are these people? Are they your relatives?"

"What's the point of bringing them to TPC? Are you planning to hire them?"

At this, Kento and He Zhi instantly turned their attention sharply toward him.

Is Qi Ming planting loyalists in TPC? Is he planning to…

The next moment, Qi Ming sneered: "This is nothing. Wait till I get the village's stray dogs assigned as TPC police dogs."

Yamana also edged closer: "I heard from Kishida that in Shenzhou, returning home means being set up on blind dates. Is she your match?"

He pointed at Queen Tenchi. Qi Ming's composure shattered.

He didn't know what expression to wear.

He immediately forced a smile: "Team Member Yamana, have you heard of the Buddha Palm?"

Yamana froze—he sensed something wrong, a chill rising in his spine: "No."

Qi Ming kept smiling: "You'll find out when I get back."

Yamana heard the danger and hidden threat in that smile—he immediately retreated behind the Victory Team: "I'm certain—he's Qi Ming, no doubt about it. Qi Ming is truly back!"

Hearing this, Megumi's expression cracked. She met Qi Ming's gaze, and they shared a quiet smile—words unnecessary. Qi Ming walked up to Chief Kento and pointed at Queen Tenchi, whose every step twisted her face in pain:

"She's extremely dangerous. She must be kept under strict surveillance."

"Otherwise, the entire Earth—and possibly the entire universe—could suffer."

Chief Kento was stunned: "That's exaggerated!"

What kind of relatives did you visit?!

Qi Ming spoke quickly: "It's that serious. I'll explain later—right now, rescuing him is urgent."

At the mention of rescue, Kento's face turned serious: "I don't know what connection this man in leather has to the Ultrawarriors, but he's still one of our citizens. Please, Team Member Qi Ming—bring him back."

A human who can transform into an Ultraman… is critically important!

For now, regardless of the confusion, treat Qi Ming's group as guests—but hosting guests in a prison is absurd.

Qi Ming's tone was firm: "I will."

At that moment, Director Yin returned with the "cargo" Qi Ming had requested.

He pretended to brush past Qi Ming casually, but in an instant slipped a silenced pistol into Qi Ming's hands.

Qi Ming seized it instantly, felt it briefly, then hid it in his pocket.

Someone must be held accountable for this—he would make TLT know the cost of reaching into his territory.

"Alright, let's get moving," said Nishijo Nagi, stepping aboard the Schatz ship first.

After handing Fly and Wu Cang over to Moroboshi Dan, Gagura and 【Kai】 turned back.

Didn't expect to have a mission right after arriving on Earth.

Just as Qi Ming was about to follow, Megumi suddenly called out to him.

"Qi Ming, be careful," Megumi said. Unlike Yamnaka and Kishida, she didn't jump around in ecstatic relief upon seeing him return.

She had stood quietly beside him all along, watching him with reddened eyes.

Qi Ming sensed it, and returned a bright smile: "Don't worry—I'm always careful. I can't afford to get hurt. I have to come back alive to see all of you."

With that, he nodded to Megumi. The hatch closed, and the Schatz ship surged forward at full speed!

"Is it this way?" asked Gagura from the pilot's seat.

"Correct. I know this part of America well!" said Qi Ming.

Feeling the speed, Nishijo Nagi exhaled in relief—this pace would get them there in time.

"Where exactly did you go…? Who are these people…? Never mind—tell me what's happened on Earth first."

Nishijo Nagi knew exactly what mattered most, and swiftly recounted everything that had occurred since Qi Ming's departure.

Qi Ming's head throbbed upon hearing that not only Himeya Jun but also Aizumi Makoto had lost combat capability.

I've only been gone thirteen days—how did everything turn to this?

Clearly, leaving Moroboshi Dan and Hikari behind in the Land of Light was the right choice. In just thirteen days, things are already this bad—if I'd gone to the Land of Light and back, would Earth have exploded by now?

"It's fine, it's fine—I'm back now. Nothing's going to happen," Qi Ming said, steadying his composure.

Nishijo Nagi nodded: "Everyone feels the same way."

"Nex… is he also an Ultraman warrior?" Gagura and 【Kai】 had been listening intently to their conversation.

Qi Ming explained: "Nex—the ever-bright light passed down through generations. When fully evolved, it becomes Ultraman Noa."

Upon hearing the name Ultraman Noa, Gagura and 【Kai】 perked up immediately.

They had heard the legends of Ultraman Noa—active across the cosmos!

The legendary light, the Superman among Ultramen—Noa!

So Noa is here… This planet is far more extraordinary than mere "hidden dragons and crouching tigers" could describe.

Gagura: "What do you mean by 'Aizumi Makoto lost his transformation ability'? Was he an Ultraman warrior too?"

Nishijo Nagi recounted the full story, still burdened with guilt: "If not for me, he wouldn't have…"

【Kai】 listened, eyes gleaming: "Senior Aizumi did something incredible—without hesitation, he gave away his light to save someone."

"Can you really call that 'incredible'…?" Gagura held a different view.

He believed that with Aizumi's transformation ability gone, his power would be drastically reduced the next time a monster attacked.

Without an Ultraman warrior to protect them, thousands—or even millions—could die in the disaster.

The lives of so many versus two hostages—this was clearly an unequal trade.

This was Gagura's way of thinking—radically different from 【Kai】's.

【Kai】 continued: "Yes, I imagine he must be suffering terribly—now he can never transform again to protect others."

Qi Ming clapped his hands: "Then go comfort him properly—he's your admirer, after all."

【Kai】 blinked in confusion: "My… admirer?"

He had never even been to Earth before—how could he have an admirer?

Qi Ming was scribbling furiously on a slip of paper: "Don't worry about understanding the situation—just read what's written here. Remember—be sincere."

Then he pulled out his phone and initiated a video call to Aizumi Makoto.

……………………………………

On the other side, Aizumi Makoto had been returned to Aizumi Tech.

He lay on his hospital bed, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, staring blankly at the ceiling as if his soul had been drained.

At that moment, his robot 【Darling】 appeared: "Someone is calling you!"

"It doesn't matter…" Aizumi Makoto, lifeless, murmured: "Master Himeya was taken right before my eyes—and I couldn't protect anything… Wua …"

Darling reminded him: "It's Mr. Qi Ming calling!"

At the mention of Qi Ming's name, Aizumi Makoto's entire demeanor snapped awake: "Qi Ming? Is it Qi Ming? Is it really Qi Ming? Has he come back? Connect me immediately!"

He tried to sit up, but had no strength—yet his spirit surged with energy.

Wonderful! The invincible Qi Ming has returned! He'll use his invincible Ultraman Key to punish those villains—we're saved!

The next moment, the video call connected. Aizumi Makoto fixed his gaze on the screen.

But Qi Ming's face did not appear. Instead, a young, awkward, slightly nervous man appeared.

He was…

It's…

It's!

Am I dreaming?!

Aizumi Makoto froze. His eyes, visible through the bandages, widened in stunned shock—and desperate hope.

Is it him? Is it really him? Please, let it be him.

【Kai】, under that gaze, swallowed nervously. He glanced at the paper Qi Ming held up and read:

"Aizumi Makoto, hello. I've just heard about your situation from Ms. Nishijo Nagi."

"You're incredible. You live up to the title of Ultraman warrior—I'm proud of you!"

【Kai】 delivered the second line with deep emotion.

Because he truly believed: an Ultraman warrior sacrificing himself to save others was right—and noble.

At that voice, Aizumi Makoto knew.

I'm not dreaming.

It's really Senior Red Kai!

It's truly Senior Red Kai! His voice, his tone—I'd recognize them anywhere! I became a hero chasing after his shadow!

Senior Red Kai affirmed me—he's proud of me!

The next instant, Aizumi Makoto broke. The fragile mask of strength shattered. All his pain, guilt, and despair poured out like a dam bursting.

He wept uncontrollably.

Before the man he had chased, the man he had worshipped—he no longer needed to hide. He could finally show his true self, let his emotions flow freely.

"Are you okay? Are you okay? Senior Qi Ming, what should I do!" Seeing the person he tried to comfort collapse into tears, 【Kai】 panicked, flailing helplessly.

"How can he be okay when he's crying like this?" Gagura turned, his face now visible on the screen.

————————————

Third update: five thousand characters.

Today's total is nearly twelve thousand characters.

This chapter was meant for tomorrow's update—I still haven't figured out how to make the rescue truly gripping.

But I should still update tomorrow. I'll take a nap this afternoon and think it through.

(End of chapter)