Ultraman Legend of the Light Chaser

Large-scale rescue efforts cannot be accomplished solely through long-range deployment from TPC headquarters. TPC South America branch also received orders for a fleet, converted from defense equipment, to depart from a port near the Atlantic Ocean. Icebreakers led the way, and the sailors were full of ambition, determined to carve a path through the Antarctic waters in winter.

"This is the Nevada, a meritorious icebreaker of the old defense force. Named 'Blizzard,' it loves to go to the most dangerous places. But when the TPC was founded, it was almost destroyed because it had a 155mm gun on each side."

The person in charge of the South American branch's forward command mission, who was also the fleet commander, said: "Like other surface ships, we had to disarm all of them and show a sufficiently harmless posture to save them. Only the submarine was spared... At that time, no one cared whether we needed to ensure our own navigation safety. Everyone thought that once TPC was established, everything would be peaceful, the illegal organization would spontaneously disband, and the leader and his followers would repent."

“Eager to embrace peace.” Across a wooden table sat a young man in a white shirt. Wearing a shirt in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter was rather odd, but both men were used to it. The young man paused for a moment, then continued, “I worked at TPC, so I know about the… fanaticism in its early days.”

“There must be many other insightful people like you, Mr. Sanada, and Mr. Masaki. It’s just a pity that we were all swept up by the crazy public opinion, which led to our current passive situation. Looking back now, there were many unusual things at the time.” Before the commander finished speaking, the ship suddenly shook, and the shouts of the sailors came. The Nevada had arrived at the sea area filled with floating ice.

The two of them looked out the porthole simultaneously. A layer of frost had formed on the edge of the porthole, and behind the frost, the continuous wind and rain had stopped, replaced by the gentle falling of fine snow.

After enduring the relentless pounding of the rain, even the coldest snow seemed endearing. The commander's tense expression softened slightly as he said to Sanada Ryosuke, "You are Mr. Masaki's friend, and on this ship you enjoy the same rights as the commander. If the rescue goes smoothly, once fully loaded, we will sail for about five days to reach Stanley Harbour in the Falkland Islands. Please remember this—no one knows how many people are being held on South Georgia Island. The situation is urgent, and we don't have time to count the exact number."

Having said this, the commander stood up and picked up his wide-brimmed hat. Although he had verbally granted Sanada Ryosuke "equal rights as the commander," in reality, he was still the only one who could truly command the sailors as their leader.

With a "bang," the cabin door slammed shut, and a blast of cold air mixed with flying snow rushed in, causing the steam from the coffee to be blown slightly to one side. Only Sanada Ryosuke remained in the room.

He sat there like a wooden stake—it's hard for someone arriving in the Antarctic for the first time to resist the curiosity to admire the icy ocean, but Sanada Ryosuke seemed to have no enthusiasm for the view outside the window. He sat there for a long time until the icebreaker rumbled through the ice, and he suddenly looked up, looking around like a baby seeing the world for the first time.

After a while, he finally calmed down and stared blankly at his hands. They were broad, with distinct knuckles, and calluses on the palms and fingertips. They matched his equally strong and powerful body. They could belong to a hardworking farmer, a worker who supported his family, or any frontline manual laborer. They just didn't look like a researcher's.

In fact, even if Horii were face to face, it would take him a long time to react before hesitantly recognizing him. In Sanada Ryosuke's own words, "I have been reborn."

“This is the ‘New Human Project’,” Sanada Ryosuke murmured. The monster that once ravaged every vein in his body had disappeared. With the investment of funds and materials at no expense, he, along with Dr. Tango and several other brilliant minds, had truly mastered the technology to balance it. Neither the Ebloon cells nor the drugs deliberately given to him by the Kirieloids were any longer a threat.

But the more this was the case, the more Sanada Ryosuke felt the terrifying power that surpassed that of ordinary people. When you are certain that you can break a leg bone with your bare hands, you will unconsciously want to try it if you have the chance. At the same time, your attitude towards ordinary people will also change. It's like when you were in school, you would lean on the railing of the second floor and blow bubbles, idly counting the heads passing by below—in your mind at that moment, they were just heads passing by.

The ship's commander longed for the results of the "New Human Project," and Sanada Ryosuke sensed something amiss from the first thing the man said to him when they met: "Nice to meet you, I am also a friend of Mr. Masaki."

He recalled the day he accepted the mission, his conversation with Aya Tsukigami at the secret base in Kumamoto City.

“I don’t understand. The ‘New Human Project’ sounds like it only requires elites, but on South George Island… you, who are in charge of intelligence, should know more about the composition of those ‘missing persons’ than I do.”

“Smugglers, fugitives, undocumented immigrants, and some idle loafers,” said Tsui Aya. “The conclusion drawn in the TPC internal briefing was quite good, calling them ‘marginalized people in the city.’”

Ryosuke Sanada lowered his head and remained silent. During his time in the underground research lab in the new development zone, wasn't he just an "outsider in the city"? Although he was alive and had some contact with the outside world.

However, he knew in his heart that once his actions were exposed, it would cause a huge uproar, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a traitor.

He was even somewhat pleased when the TPC's conclusion came out, because the document only defined him as a "suspect who stole precious experimental materials"—considering the fact that he almost lost control of himself and turned into a monster that turned the entire new development zone into a purgatory, the document could also portray him as a mad scientist who was addicted to illegal human experiments.

The fact that no harsher words were used showed that TPC, no, his old colleagues and classmates, still had expectations of him. But this only deepened his sense of guilt.

“Regardless of what they were like before they went to South Georgia Island, now they are prisoners driven mad by years of imprisonment,” said Ryosuke Sanada. “Almost everyone has blood on their hands in the struggle for resources… You should have seen the unfinished draft report from the Information Department: ‘According to reliable intelligence, the prisons on South Georgia Island are a self-contained ecosystem. Due to shortages of supplies and overcrowded living conditions, internal struggles have almost never stopped. The differences in living conditions between people are extreme. Those of high status enjoy privileges, while those of low status are not even as good as a bag of frozen meat.’”

“Yes, that’s what it’s like in a place where resources are scarce and there are no laws.” Tsune Aya walked slowly back and forth, her steps unsteady and rather comical, as she was getting used to her newly healed leg. Sanada Ryosuke couldn’t stand it and took a step forward, only to be abruptly turned around and glared back by her.

“There is no need for excessive sympathy there,” she said. “Compassion, mercy, and forgiveness are all gateways to hell. When you open your arms, you are opening your heart to a blade… The TPC people are not stupid. They should know that those people are both perpetrators and victims, but because they are the TPC, they will only arrest prisoners. No one will be released. How long you are in prison depends on how many people betray you.”

“You’re making excuses for them,” Sanada Ryosuke said, sitting back in his chair and slowly following the other man’s steps. “So, our goal is to release these people? You like a chaotic world, but I don’t.”

Her steps suddenly stopped, and Tiao Yuexuansha's calm voice turned cold: "I long for peace more than anyone else, but the difference is that I know all peace is built on strength."

Ryosuke Sanada found it incredibly ironic that an information broker would say such a thing—if you want peaceful days, why don't you lead the people in your organization to abandon the darkness and embrace the light? Given TPC's current need to expand its military power, even if half of them were to be sentenced, the other half would fight tooth and nail to save them.

At that time, we will work together sincerely to share the research results of the "New Human Project" with TPC, and it will not be a dream to move towards a better tomorrow. After we have dealt with the internal and external troubles, we can then consider whether we will be discarded after we have served our purpose.

As if seeing through Sanada Ryosuke's thoughts, Tsukishiro Ayaka let out a laugh through gritted teeth. "Are you dreaming of going back to TPC again, Researcher Sanada?" she said. "The moment you show yourself, all that awaits you is enough to keep you in prison until you die. The best outcome is that you will contribute this mutated flesh and bones. You spent the first half of your life studying others, and the second half being studied by others."

Ryosuke Sanada was used to her taunts; he didn't daydream about going back to TPC, so Aya Tsukishiro's words couldn't hurt him at all.

If Sanada Ryosuke were to actually show up, Horii would surely be eager to fly the Flying Swallow to see him. They would reminisce about the past and pour out their hearts to each other. Horii might even suggest "finding Dr. Mizuno," hoping that an authority figure would intervene on behalf of his old classmate. But he would also undoubtedly urge Sanada Ryosuke to turn himself in as soon as possible. If Sanada Ryosuke were to try to escape, Horii would most likely join forces with the GUTS team to do everything in their power to bring him back to justice.

He knew in his heart that from the moment he accepted the "support" of the Kirieloids, he had become a shadowy figure on the margins of society. He wanted to drink with his old classmate to reunite, and then one of them would show his claws and the other would raise his Hyper gun.

Ryosuke Sanada had no interest in refuting Aya Tsuki. If he wanted to retaliate against her mockery, he would rather stay here longer and enjoy watching her clumsy limp—and then take pictures for Keigo Masaki to see. Masaki would definitely like to see a dancer who doesn't do her job become a cripple.

After a while, Tsuneyuki Ayaka said, "You have enough time to select people who meet the needs of the 'New Human Project'... I can understand your attitude towards them, but please remember that your research has ultimately helped the Kirieloids, and perhaps the products you once developed still remain in their blood."

Ryosuke Sanada stood up: "Don't even think about using words to trick me into experimenting on anyone else."

"So you fled TPC yourself, but allowed them to be judged by TPC?" Tsune Aya said, "You think you are doing justice, but you are actually just trying to alleviate your own guilt—now you go to them, as a genetic researcher, you bring them the medicine of redemption. You can make them completely 'new humans,' but before you return to the TPC mindset, you'd better think about why you let yourself escape judgment."

The conversation with Tsuneyuki Ayaka ended unhappily.

Ryosuke Sanada believed that his terrible attitude was enough to make the organization give up the idea of ​​sending him to South America, and he really didn't want to leave his laboratory.

However, Masaki Keigo expended too much energy transforming into a giant last time, resulting in a mid-air "crash," and he hasn't fully recovered yet. Therefore, Sanada Ryosuke, with his intelligent mind...

Researchers with strong physiques became the obvious choice.

“Although he can’t become a giant, with his current physique, he can be sure that if the ship capsizes, he can swim back to land from the Antarctic Ocean,” Tango Yuji said casually, “as long as he doesn’t go the wrong way and swim all the way to the Antarctic continent.”

Ryosuke Sanada finally boarded a flight to Buenos Aires. He clutched a passport with a changed name, bearing a face that bore a 60% resemblance to his own—at first glance, they looked almost identical, but a closer look would certainly disprove it was the same person. It ensured that Ryosuke Sanada could pass the "artificial stupidity" check without being identified by facial recognition by the TPC Information Department.

It's the technique of adjusting the moon's veil. Information brokers always need to master some obscure techniques, either because they don't need them, or because they can often save their lives when they do.

As he boarded the flight, Tokyo Bay was calm. Looking down from the plane, he saw cargo ships and ferries floating on the sea—he remembered the rubber ducks he used to throw into the bathtub as a child. He often placed plastic soldiers behind the rubber ducks, imagining large ships carrying brave warriors cutting through the waves. Only plastic soldiers with the perfect center of gravity could stay firmly against the rubber ducks without capsizing.

Now he needs to find such soldiers; only those who can board the ship can be rescued.

"What a bastard," Sanada Ryosuke cursed.

……

South Georgia Island, underground.

The air grew increasingly hot. Aiba Yu bypassed the main prison area, where fights frequently broke out, and headed towards the rarely visited underground—the prison was crowded everywhere else, but the deeper underground was seldom ventured into. Perhaps due to the influence of the magma nest, it was extremely stuffy there; ordinary people would be drenched in sweat after only a short time, feeling as if they had been pulled out of water.

No living person would like such a place, so along the passageway and at the end of the road deeper inside, there were only piles of corpses. Many had decomposed into bones, which were often incomplete; missing limbs were common, and some were even missing parts of their skulls.

Why didn't the aliens use these corpses? This is extremely unusual. Aiba Yu didn't see any traces of years of human experimentation on them. The wounds on their bones were always related to powerful external forces. There were some bullet casings and homemade weapons scattered in the tunnel, and the origin of the wounds was quite clear.

Aiba Yu continued walking in, the air gradually turning from stuffy to scorching hot, making even him feel uncomfortable. The remains were still scattered on both sides, and after observing them for a while, Aiba Yu suddenly realized the problem.

He quickened his pace, even running, until he reached the end of the tunnel—where there was a mass landfill. Rumor had it that this road connected to a lava field, and people believed that corpses would be swallowed by the lava. But in reality, none of the bones showed any signs of exposure to high temperatures, not even the bones at the very bottom that had begun to slowly crumble.

This suggests that almost no one had any intention of restraining them. Aiba let out a sigh of relief, raised his head, and looked through the layers of rock walls to the lowest level of the main prison area.

The fighting there was over; the victors dragged the corpses of the losers down the road before piling them up. If this passageway is where these bodies will finally rest, then the biggest problem becomes clear—there are too few bodies!

Who is consuming these corpses? Perhaps some are picked over, and some are left behind. The corpses that leave this place have completely disappeared without a trace, not even a single bone remains.

No, no! Who says that what's thrown down has to be a corpse? Maybe they were still alive at the time! Conditions in prison are too poor, and the victors obviously have no intention of treating the losers; even within the group, they tend to take care of their lightly wounded comrades.

But along the way, there were no signs of struggle from the remains on either side. Were they stabbed before being thrown down, or... were the living people all picked out?

Aiba Yu stood there, stunned. He continued to speculate: if they were indeed alive and were chosen, and they were still living somewhere in the world, what would their situation be?

You boarded the ferry full of hope, only to be abandoned on a remote island instead of reaching the other side of the ocean. There, you found yourself among many other unfortunate souls like yourself, dying or suffering agonizingly every day in the struggle for survival. After a struggle, you decided that survival was more important, and in your next conflict, you showed no mercy.

You quickly matured into a "veteran," accustomed to life and death, and adept at plundering the spoils of defeat. Nothing could frighten you except the gun pointed at you. You won many times, but every time you failed, you were thrown like trash into the scorching tunnels, rumored to be submerged by lava.

You are unaware of the sun and moon, unaware of time. You have encountered people with excessively strong physical strength, and you speculate that this prison may be the work of aliens or some kind of intelligent monster. You even suspect that it may have a TPC background.

Where is TPC? You've probably pondered this question on countless relatively quiet nights. Perhaps in moments of profound exhaustion after the death of a comrade, you desperately hope that someone will descend from the heavens and end this real nightmare. In your limited understanding, the United Human Organization is incredibly powerful; if such a force were to descend, they would undoubtedly be wearing TPC uniforms.

After another period of aimless drifting, you finally experienced your own defeat, just like everyone else. Perhaps the team won, but you were severely wounded—you were thrown into the tunnel, left to rot alongside the already cold corpses.

Everything around you became extremely quiet, and you quickly became...

Weakened, but just as death was about to claim your soul, your hopes were answered. Someone took you away, severely wounded; those "people" were not TPCs, nor even humans.

You suspect they built this prison and now it's time to reap the rewards. No, you won't. The Kirieloids will find ways to make you willingly dismiss such a suspicion and firmly believe that "the Kirieloids saved you."

So where did the conflict go?

The Kirieloids have bred the most ferocious and loyal criminals on this island; it's not a prison at all, but a selection factory. Those who emerge from it rarely mind human experimentation; they're willing to become monsters or demons as long as it makes them powerful enough. And they certainly wouldn't mind the missions assigned to them by the Kirieloids; they are already devout followers.

These believers had their lives stolen. They should have been living peaceful lives in a simple little town. The biggest upheaval in their lives was when their children got into trouble outside and they were called to school to be criticized by the teachers. They were criticized when they were children, and now they are being criticized as parents.

Of course they would complain and even resent. Aiba Yu recalled the alien beast factor infected person she encountered in the small square of the new development zone, Yoshikawa Hiroshi, who could not take off his glasses no matter what.

"Where was TPC when we were in our most difficult time? Where was TPC when aliens were experimenting on humans? Of course you wouldn't be absent, you'd just be too late... long enough for us to barely survive and die! What talk of a united front of all humanity, aren't we human too?"

Thinking of this, Aiba Yu opened the communication with TPC headquarters. This machine, which could operate even in the deep sea, was still working inside the mountain, but the transmission efficiency was much worse. The screen in Sato's hand was completely black, with only sound coming from it.

Chapter 177 Beyond Power (4k)

"Reconnaissance complete. There are no aliens on the island." A familiar voice came from the other side of the black screen.

Sato breathed a sigh of relief, his tense toes starting to twitch rhythmically again: "I thought it was going to be like a horror movie, black screen followed by screams... But, no aliens? Are you sure?"

“Yes,” Aiba Yu affirmed, “but this is not a good thing.”

Not a good thing? Did you expect that as soon as you set foot on the island, a modified monster would block your way, and a grumpy alien would immediately launch a planet-destroying cannon? Before Sato could reveal his true thoughts, Aiba Yu continued, "Easy gains always come with traps, but this time the aliens don't intend to solve the problem with their fists... Have you arranged a place for the people I brought?"

"She's being kept under close guard. Her desire to sell the Kirieloids is very strong, and my scribe has been with her around the clock." When mentioning "Paradia," Sato straightened up slightly. "She's not a Kirieloid. Tell me, why would an alien known for its cunning let a different race know so much?"

“Because it doesn’t matter if she knows, and besides, how could she pass this information on to us if she didn’t know?” Aiba Yu said, “‘Paradia’ came to TPC with the so-called ‘headquarters location’, but this island is not their headquarters—the only explanation is that the Kirieloids want us to discover the prison on South Georgia Island.”

We're not afraid of aliens who can tear spaceships apart with their bare hands, but we are afraid of aliens who can tear spaceships apart with their bare hands and also like to use their brains. Sato felt a throbbing pain in his head: "Have you figured out how to settle the people on the island? The information you sent back really startled us."

"Placement is not under the jurisdiction of the air force."

“But Staff Officer Nanbara will definitely ask for your opinion. Why are you trying to evade me at a time like this!” Sato spat. “Tell me, should we move them to a more scenic island to live on, or should we keep them under separate supervision until they return to normal?”

Sato said, feeling his own words were absurd—changing islands for them to live on was still the same as putting them in prison, transferring them from the alien prison to the TPC prison; if they were to be dispersed for custody and management, it would be tantamount to spreading time bombs, who knew how many of them were mixed in with the modified people, and transporting them in one place would be like transporting a truckload of nuclear weapons, which would be difficult for ordinary military and police to control.

"How long has the General Staff been arguing?" Aiba Yu suddenly asked.

“How do you know… well, it’s impossible not to argue,” Sato said. “Don’t laugh at me, but because of this, some guys have become active again, busy coordinating things—they’re practically disregarding our police department.”

"Why are you making fun of us?" Aiba Yu said coldly, "We rely on Titans for external operations, and there are frequent reports of aliens hunting down, enslaving, and imprisoning Earthlings. Of course, some people would want to change the decision-making level of the United Organization... If the timing weren't wrong, it would be possible to incite the reorganization of TPC."

Just as Daigo told Kirino Makio when they met that day. It wasn't just the citizens who were discussing the question, "The monsters were all defeated by Titans, so what's the point of spending money to support TPC?" The same doubts existed within TPC itself.

Sixteen years ago, an attack on an Asian air force base was confirmed to be the work of an extraterrestrial civilization. Since then, calls for the establishment of a human united organization have grown louder and louder. It was not until Sawai lobbied various countries that the first member country announced the disbandment of its defense forces and the sharing of scientific research results, and only then was the TPC truly established.