"You're... that wanted guy."
Long-haired man recognized Natsuki's face. After all—man on the wanted poster.
Also wondered—this guy detained at Third Division base. Shinomiya went there too. How did he escape?
News of hiring Natsuki as Third Division squad captain—hadn't spread internally yet. Shinomiya planned to announce after handling the government. So few knew.
"Two on one... slightly unexpected." Long-haired man—dagger in hand—cautiously watched Natsuki.
Considered Natsuki another Traveler.
And that stance—full of openings—somewhat strange. Either a rookie. Or an expert.
That invisible force just now—probably from this guy. High chance of expert.
Fortunately Albert's combat power—not high. This two-on-one—still had winning odds.
"Really fortunate I contacted you early."
Albert climbed up from shattered containers. Removed broken silver glasses. Smile on lips.
After learning Natsuki detained at Third Division—closely monitored news there.
When Natsuki's phone powered on—called immediately.
"Combat really isn't my forte. This guy's yours."
Albert's trusting tone—made long-haired man more confused.
What's this guy's background?
No Defense Force Suit. Yet uses unknown psychic power. Fused with kaiju?
But regardless—now that masks dropped—this guy was enemy!
BANG!
Long-haired man—dagger in hand—saw Natsuki full of openings. Found easiest killing angle—attacked. Toes kicked ground—charged forward!
Before reaching him—opponent's voice already came.
"I'll give you two choices..."
"Die!" No mood to hear him. Dagger already thrust at throat.
SLAP!
Before dagger pierced neck—he saw cold golden eyes. And a palm rapidly enlarging in his vision.
"Gah!"
One big slap. Long-haired man spun two and a half times midair. Then crashed heavily to ground. Face first. Several teeth flew out. Coughed up blood.
"Option one—resist stubbornly. I execute you on the spot."
"Option two—surrender. Imprisoned in Space Prison."
Natsuki looked down. Extended two fingers. Told the long-haired man below—already mouth open, eyes closed, questioning life.
This guy's combat power—far worse than Hoshina. Only bullied Albert.
"Wha... what?" Long-haired man—on ground—spat out another broken tooth. Face—besides confusion—complete bewilderment.
What's all this?
Isn't opponent a Traveler?
And... what just happened? Why did I fall in one exchange...
"You didn't tell him?" Natsuki—seeing bewildered long-haired man—asked Albert.
"Of course."
"If I told him about you—he'd probably run immediately." Albert—finding backup glasses in lab—put them on. Said.
Hearing their conversation—long-haired man more confused.
What... trap did I fall into?
"You... who exactly are you?" Long-haired man—half face twisted—tried rising from ground. Looked up at man in floral shirt. Demanded.
What execution. What prison.
Acting like police.
Never heard of any organization hunting Travelers.
"I'm a member of the Land of Light's Space Garrison. Natsuki." Natsuki—arms crossed—answered. "If you cooperate honestly—my methods can be gentler."
Just saying "Space Prison"—long-haired man couldn't guess.
But mentioning Land of Light and Space Garrison—he completely froze.
"What!?"
"Ultraman!?"
Couldn't care about face pain anymore. Face full of disbelief.
Ultraman can appear in Kaiju No. 8's world!?
Am I crazy or is this world crazy!?
His shocked gaze swept between Natsuki and Albert. This guy hugged such a thick thigh. No wonder survived till now.
Say it earlier! If you'd said—would I have gotten beaten!?
"I surrender!" Long-haired man—sliding kneel.
Traveler backbone? Threw that away long ago.
"Oh? Good choice." Hearing his choice—Natsuki smiled satisfactorily.
Capture this guy to Space Prison. Cut his system connection there. Probably interrogate more intel.
He liked people who read situations.
"Speaking of which... how much do you know about Ultraman?" Natsuki asked.
According to Travelers—other worlds' history appeared as stories in their original world. Ultraman stories included.
He was curious—what was his image in stories?
Previous Travelers—not particularly familiar with Ultraman. Especially strange—they didn't know Land of Light but knew an Ultra Warrior named Tiga. Couldn't figure it out.
"This... basically watched all Showa series. Heisei series—more familiar with Tiga and Dyna." Long-haired man—honestly answered.
As a kid—watched lots of Ultraman. Grew up—stopped watching.
"Oh? At least better than Albert." Natsuki—hearing this—eyes brightened.
Albert really didn't know much about Ultraman. Even if watched before—mostly forgotten. Asking him—got nothing.
"Did my experiences also appear as stories in your world?" Natsuki—with anticipation and anxiety—asked.
His experiences—at least earlier parts—quite exciting. As for later... didn't want others knowing.
But long-haired man's answer—gave no surprise.
Same as other testimonies.
"No impression at all." Nagata tried hard recalling the name Natsuki. Nothing matched. Shook head.
"Tsk..."
"What about the name Lias?" Natsuki thought—current name changed later. Normal they didn't know.
"This... also no impression." Nagata shook head again. "Names I can recall—only Tiga, Zoffy, Seven..."
Hearing this answer—curiosity in Natsuki's eyes dimmed.
Even as someone notable in Space Garrison—these Travelers had zero awareness of him?
"This... for various reasons—we only know those few Ultra Warriors from Land of Light." Nagata explained.
Natsuki understood.
Damn... this is the loss of not going to Earth for missions. Those Ultra Brothers—all remembered. But himself—completely unknown.
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