Ultraman Any Key: Qiming

Chapter 367, Section 363: Asuka Awakens and Meets Advisor Gondo (3K)

Underground, the Sacred Land of Victory.

[Xiang] arrived in the holy city of Victory and reported to Queen [Kisara] of Victory, saying that he had completed his mission.

He then relayed Qi Ming's proposal: "The other party hopes to form an alliance with us to protect the Earth together."

Queen Kisara listened thoughtfully and said, "It seems they are also about to succumb to the pressure."

Queen Kisara said that the alliance was of great importance, and as queen, she had to consider the future of the Victory Sanctuary and needed to discuss it with the elders.

"If, during this time, an unstoppable offensive occurs on the surface, transform again and use Victory's power to help them," Queen Kisara said, changing the subject.

[Xiang]: "But, aren't many of the troubles caused by the humans on the surface?"

He cited many examples, such as the Kielong Star Beast incident, the Pedan Starman incident, and the "Victory Team 2" previously formed by Tsuchibashi Yu, all of which brought trouble upon themselves.

Queen Kisara was taken aback: "Who told you these things?"

[Xiang] truthfully replied, "That day I went to meet the envoy from Nongmarte."

“No wonder they keep bringing up these things…” Queen Kisara nodded: “These things were indeed started by humans, but we can’t be too harsh on them.”

She said that once the invaders from outer space pass through the atmosphere, they will make direct contact with humans on the Earth's surface and wreak havoc on their habitats.

Therefore, in her view, it is perfectly reasonable for humanity to develop powerful weapons and explore the universe in order to protect itself.

This development is for the continuation of the race; falling behind could lead to extinction.

Even though development has caused some serious consequences, it was not human intention, and such unintentional mistakes are understandable.

Queen Kisara: "If it weren't for the human defense line, the peace of our Victory Sanctuary might have been shattered long ago. They have unknowingly shielded us from many dangers."

After hearing this, Xiang felt that it made sense: "But... but what if humans grow stronger and then invade us, just like they invaded Nongmarte back then?"

His companion recounted the conversation between the envoys of Nonmart and Queen Kisara that day.

"Humans took the ocean from us in the Nonmart region because they believed it was an important resource for them."

"What would you do if one day humans set their sights on the Victory Crystal and began to regard it as an important resource?"

This made Xiang feel sympathy for the invaded Nongmarte, and at the same time, it also gave rise to deep concern.

Queen Kisara shook her head:
"People are different. Where there are evil ambitious people, there will always be righteous people who will stop them."

“Nummarte was invaded by humans… From their perspective, of course they would say that.”

"However, they seem to have forgotten that the creatures that experienced the bloodshed and chaos a thousand years ago are not all dead yet."

After saying that, she looked at a giant beast in the distance.

That is Shepardon, an underground monster that has guarded the Sacred Domain of Victory since ancient times and is revered as a sacred beast by them.

Upon hearing this, Xiang was slightly taken aback.

People are not the same... Are we just human beings?
Furthermore, when Queen Kisara commented on Nonmart, he detected a hint of disdain in her tone.

Is there any hidden story behind the invasion of Nonmarte by humans? Were they not simply victims?
....................................

Meanwhile, in a ward at the TPC maritime base.

Asuka Shin slowly opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar, pure white ceiling.

Where is this...?
Asuka Shin sat up, clutching his head, and began to reminisce.

I remember now. I was pulled into this spacetime by a red sphere and then given a psychological suggestion that made me believe that Queen Amaterasu was absolutely right and that I should support her ideals.

Then...then I, who had become Dyna, was brutally beaten by Qi Ming, who had become Eclipse Gauss. After I returned to my human form, I was beaten again.

After being repeatedly beaten, I regained my senses and broke free from the psychological suggestion, but I also fainted due to the backlash.

So magical.

While I'm grateful to Qi Ming for helping me return to normal, this guy was way too irritable. Couldn't he have used a gentler approach?

He looked at the hospital bed next to him and saw his comrade Musashi lying on the bed with his eyes closed, still fast asleep.

Is he still not awake? How long have I been asleep?

The next moment, the door to the infirmary opened, and Mayumi walked in. Seeing Asuka awake, she smiled and said, "You're finally awake!"

"Mayumi-senpai!" Asuka Shin's eyes widened upon seeing Mayumi. ①
Why did he see Mayumi? Did I return to my original world? Are Ryo and Captain Hibiki, the Super GUTS team members, also here?
Mayumi was taken aback: "Do you know me? Why are you calling me senpai?"

Asuka Shin was taken aback. Mayumi-senpai doesn't remember me?
Also, Mayumi-senpai in front of me is so young, she's a bit different from what I remember.

Asuka rubbed her head: "Excuse me, how long have I been unconscious?"

Mayumi: "My boyfriend Takuma and I haven't seen each other for half a month because of taking care of you."

"Takuma!" Upon hearing this, Asuka was shocked once again: "He's alive?"

Mayumi: "?"

What's wrong with the patient that Qi Ming's team brought back? Why is she cursing my boyfriend to die for no reason?

But her professional instincts as a nurse compelled her to only manage a smile: "Are you alright? Do you need me to get you an appointment with a neurosurgeon?" "No need..." Asuka quickly apologized, wondering what was going on here.
"Um, could I see the latest news?" Asuka asked after thinking for a moment.

“No wonder you’re Qi Ming’s friend; you like browsing the news just like him.” Mayumi picked up a tablet from the side and handed it to Asuka: “Do you know how to use the internet?”

"Yes, I will." Asuka was particularly reserved in front of her former senior, Mayumi.

As he took the tablet and was about to unlock it, he saw his own reflection on the black screen.

My hair...

Why is my hair black again?
"What's going on!" Asuka exclaimed in shock. Could fainting really change the color of one's hair?

Mayumi: "Team member Qi Ming asked me to dye my hair, and he said something really strange. He said, 'This is how Asuka Shin in TPC should look.'"

Asuka Shin was taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise: "TPC? This is TPC?"

Mayumi could no longer hold back. After giving Asuka Shin a deep look, she left the room with a bewildered expression.

Asuka Shin scratched his head—black hair, well, that's fine too.

With her black hair, she had a youthful and innocent look—making herself look like she had just joined Super GUTS.

He opened his tablet and started browsing the news.

Upon inspection, he discovered that TPCs really do exist on this planet!

Wow, TPC's sea base! That's a rare find for them.

When he joined TPC and became a member of Super GUTS, TPC's headquarters were at the Yatsugatake Mt. Complex. He had also heard from TPC veterans that TPC's headquarters had once been located at a sea base, but its main functions were completely paralyzed by the Black Mist when the evil god Gatanothor was resurrected.

I never imagined I'd end up here one day. I'll have to take a good look around later.

He continued scrolling on the tablet, found the Ultraman and Monsters section, and began to learn about the disasters in this world.

Wait, am I seeing things? Why are the monster disaster events happening so close together?
Asuka continued swiping forward: "Found it, this must be what happened when Qi Ming first transformed."

He heard Qi Ming say on the Szak spaceship that the Ultraman Tiga in this universe was transformed from him.

Wow, Ultraman Seven was defeated, his leg was broken, and he was about to die when Ultraman Tiga appeared—what a cruel handover ceremony.

Then there's the Kirieloid, which he'd heard of when he was a child.

The Natan aliens, Abbas, the Crow people, the Mokujin aliens... they were all monsters that Ultraman Tiga had defeated when he was a child.

But what happens when they gather together?
"The Light Virus, the life-devouring Bogaru, the subterranean Pok-King who wants to start a war, the Destruction-Inducing Entity, and two asteroids hurtling towards Earth..."

"Alien beasts, dark giants, assassin aliens who stormed the base, the Kirieloid army that came from the Gates of Hell..."

As he scrolled through the news, Asuka Shin felt increasingly horrified.

This world is so terrifying! Having to face so many enemies at the same time, the frequency of attacks is simply overwhelming.

Although he had heard Qi Ming say before that the defenses on Earth were under great pressure, he did not expect them to be this intense.

Qi Ming... he really has it tough.

No wonder he's so irritable; try to be more understanding.

At this moment, Feibiao felt no more resentment towards Qiming; she only felt that her brother had a really tough time.

I have to help him.

The next moment, the door opened again, and Mayumi walked in with Advisor Gondo.

When Qi Ming brought Asuka and Musashi back, Asuka's Super GUTS uniform caught the attention of Strategist Gondo.

So he specifically instructed Mayumi to notify him as soon as Asuka Shin woke up.

"Are you alright? How are you feeling?" Staff Officer Gondo asked with a kind smile.

Asuka Shin looked like he'd seen a ghost and almost fell off the bed: "Chief of Staff Gondo! You're not dead either?"

Asuka Shin's feelings towards Gondo are very complicated.

As the bird lured himself into the cage and drained his own light to create his artificial Ultraman, he naturally felt resentment amidst immense pain.

But after learning that Staff Officer Gondo had sacrificed himself to support him with his life energy, Asuka couldn't bring herself to hate him anymore, and could only sigh.

So many years have passed, and Asuka's resentment towards Staff Officer Gondo has long since faded, leaving only nostalgia.

But now, the person he missed was standing right in front of him, and for a moment he didn't know what expression to make.

After hearing this, Gondo was completely confused.

What do you mean I didn't die? Why should I die?
Mayumi, who was standing nearby, said, "Don't mind him, that's just how he is. He just asked me why my boyfriend Takuma isn't dead yet."

Upon hearing this, the astute strategist Gondo immediately sensed something was amiss. Instead of being angry, he continued amiably, "Why do you have doubts about my survival? Could you explain why?"

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① Both "Tiga" and "Dyna" use the same universe. Dyna comes after Tiga. Asuka has met many characters from "Tiga". In the episode with Ubume, he directly talks to Mayumi (that episode actually breaks the character's original design a bit).
(End of this chapter)