Chapter 81: Tokyo's Second Crisis
The evening sky above Tokyo had already taken on a hint of darkness. Yue Longze and Masaki sat casually atop the collapsed ruins, silently smoking their cigarettes.
Men, when silent, always prefer to smoke quietly. Troubles seem to dissipate with the smoke rings drifting from their lips, carried away by the wind.
“Yue Longze, Da Gu said it looks like we won’t need to act this time,” Masaki Keigo remarked, tossing away his stub of a cigarette, stamping it out with his foot so deeply that it sank into the snow. He looked at Yue Longze with a half-smile, half-smirk.
“Hm?” Yue Longze’s contemplation was interrupted. He lowered his cigarette, raised his head, and cast an inquisitive glance at Masaki.
“I just had a mental conversation with Da Gu. He said TPC has already devised a method to defeat the giants created by Danhou,” Masaki explained, pulling another cigarette from his pack and lighting it.
Yue Longze’s deep, obsidian eyes reflected a trace of surprise. “Is that so... Well, that’s good! Humanity ought to rely on its own strength to overcome adversity!”
“Heh, the problem is, things rarely turn out so simple... When have you ever seen the Victory Team defeat a monster on their own?” Masaki sneered. “I fear this time will be no exception.”
Yue Longze shook his head. Though Masaki was right—humans always depended on Ultraman to defeat monsters—in every instance, humanity at least tried.
“Masaki, we must attempt to trust in our own strength! Whether or not they succeed, at least they made the effort, don’t you think?” Yue Longze understood this deeply, especially after the impact of Ultraman Diga’s finale.
In the final episode, wasn’t it Da Gu who triumphed over the evil god by harnessing the light of humanity? So, never underestimate the power of humans—never ignore it!
“Regardless, we should still prepare for battle,” Masaki shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
“That’s true,” Yue Longze nodded in assent.
Despite his words, Yue Longze doubted the Victory Team would succeed... After all these years of watching Ultraman, he knew that at crucial moments, something always went awry—Ultraman would have to step in.
——————
Elsewhere, Shinjo had already piloted Falcon One back to the TPC base, now fully briefed on the action plan.
“Victory Team, deploy!”
“Understood!”
The team headed to the F4 hangar to pilot the Atlantis.
A colossal, imposing vessel slowly lifted from the sea’s surface and soared into the sky.
Atlantis—launched!
——————
Meanwhile, in the TPC’s senior conference room.
Danhou remained arrogant and imperious, while Director Jigang endured humiliation, kneeling before him.
“All right, Jigang, get up!” Danhou suddenly ordered. “Next! Bring in the next person!”
...
“Damn it! What do you take us for?” Someone, unable to bear it any longer, stood up and furiously protested.
“What’s the point of all this?”
“What are you really after?”
...
“Meaning? Purpose?” Danhou sneered at their words.
“My purpose is to destroy all you so-called righteous people!” He slammed both hands against the polished conference table, his face twisted with rage.
“Ruining you is the point of all this!” Danhou swept his cold gaze over the TPC’s higher-ranking members.
“All these years, I’ve had enough!” Danhou roared, his voice echoing around the small conference room.
“For your disrespect earlier, I’ll make the citizens of Nara pay the price!”
At that moment, the giant in Nara—previously motionless—suddenly raised its hands, crossing them and unleashing another barrage of destructive energy toward the distance.
More lives were lost.
“Danhou!” Director Zewei shouted in fury, realizing Danhou was toying with them.
“Don’t even think about evacuating Nara’s citizens. If you try, I’ll show you whether their escape is faster than my attacks!” Danhou turned his gaze to Director Zewei. “I suggest you keep your mouth shut, or perhaps more people will die because of your words!”
Director Zewei’s face darkened as he stepped aside. The situation was dire—there seemed no way out.
In Nara, the giant continued to destroy the city and slaughter its citizens.
Perhaps Nara would soon become another Tokyo.
——
“Please... I beg you, Danhou! Stop destroying the city!” Director Jigang, who had just stood up, suddenly knelt before Danhou again, bowing deeply.
“You’re so sincere, I’ll spare Nara for now,” Danhou replied, satisfied, gazing at Jigang like a prisoner at his feet. He was delighted, and ordered the giant to halt its destruction.
Though mad, Danhou was not irrational. He knew he couldn’t wreak too much havoc, lest the authorities decide to take him out altogether, risking everything for one fatal shot.
“But I’m not one to quit halfway. Tokyo is only half-ruined—I want the whole metropolis annihilated!”
His words made everyone’s faces grow darker, some even reaching for their guns.
“Don’t worry, once Tokyo is destroyed, I’ll truly stop!” Danhou’s expression changed swiftly. “Consider carefully: is it better for Tokyo to fall, or for all of Japan—or the entire world—to perish?”
Straightening his jacket, Danhou leaned over the table, staring at everyone. “You know the answer in your hearts.”
“Damn it!” For the first time, Director Zewei felt utterly powerless. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails bit into his flesh, blood seeping out.
......
The giant in Nara began marching toward Tokyo. In less than a minute, it descended upon the city again.
“Run!”
“Hurry! Evacuate this way!”
“Move faster!”
......
Seeing the evil giant return, the remaining half of Tokyo began urgent evacuation. Panic swept through the populace—the notorious villain’s reputation had long been infamous.
Who could have predicted the evil giant would return once more?
....
“Damn it! The giant is back in Tokyo!”
Aboard the Atlantis, Shinjo gritted his teeth in anxiety.
“Don’t panic—alter the course immediately, head for Tokyo!”
As vice-captain of the Victory Team, Munakata’s command at the front line was resolute and capable.