What does it mean that the group members have given me back the light?

...

……

Meanwhile, deep within the remote TPC Far East base, in a highly guarded laboratory.

The silver device, which was carefully stored in the protective shield, seemed to sense something and suddenly began to emit a faint but regular light.

The light, like a long-dormant heartbeat, pulsed silently in the quiet laboratory.

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Chapter Sixty-Five: The Angel Descends (4k, refresh in the upper right corner to view)

"Although we have removed the original video from all online platforms, it was discovered too late, and the video has probably already spread around the world."

Inside the control room, Mitsuhiko Ishibori's fingers tapped rapidly on the console, bringing up a series of worrying data charts.

"We have done everything we can, but if the higher-ups do not make a timely decision and choose to tell the public the truth, then the direction of public opinion will probably be beyond our control."

He slowly stood up from the control panel, and patted Daigo Madoka's shoulder with a slightly regretful expression.

"I'm sorry, Daigo, I've done my best."

“…Yes, I understand, Captain Ishibori.”

Daigo Madoka stared at the ever-increasing transmission data on the screen and sighed softly.

Although Captain Megumi immediately reported the incident to Director Sawai upon discovering the video, given the ambiguous attitude of the higher-ups, it seems likely that the notion that "Ultraman is a demon" will gradually become the accepted truth in the minds of the general public who have lost their memories of the event.

After all, in this internet age, even an ordinary college student can become a leader with 140,000 followers in just a few hours. The mentality of watching the spectacle and the first impression often determine the final direction of public opinion.

unless……

Daigo Madoka's eyes grew even more dejected. Although Horii was working overtime to investigate, there was still very little progress on the matter.

"Speaking of which, Daigo seems to be particularly interested in Ultraman-related matters."

Mitsuhiko Ishibori suddenly spoke up, and seeing Daigo Madoka's slightly bewildered expression as he looked over, he immediately added:

"Ah, please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean to offend you."

Mitsuhiko Ishibori waved his hand, his eyes revealing just the right amount of curiosity.

"I'm just a little curious, you don't have the experience of fighting alongside Ultraman like we do, so why are you so..." He paused, seemingly choosing his words, "...so involved?"

Daigo Madoka was silent for a moment, then looked at the silver-black giant figure frozen on the main screen.

"...I just feel...that shouldn't be the true thought of humankind."

He recalled those memories from the core of the River of Oblivion, in which Ultraman was always protecting humanity, and humanity... was moved and cheered for him because of his protection.

He believes that people today have simply forgotten, but deep in their hearts, that feeling of being moved still remains.

Mitsuhiko Ishibori stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Even if he's misunderstood and slandered like this, do you think Ultraman will continue to protect humanity? Won't he feel disappointed by humanity's ignorance?"

"...I don't know..."

Daigo Madoka bowed his head slightly and remained silent for a moment.

He genuinely didn't know, because in this situation, he had no right to make the choice for the other party.

but……

He finally raised his head, his gaze clear and firm:

"I will do what I have to do, and do my best to remind people of that forgotten bond."

After saying that, Madoka nodded to Ishibori Mitsuhiko, turned around and left the command room. The automatic door slowly closed behind him, shutting out his figure.

"...What a naive idea."

The gentle expression on Mitsuhiko Ishibori's face vanished instantly, replaced by a gloomy look. The cold light from the control panel cast flickering shadows on his face, making his expression appear exceptionally unpredictable.

His gaze shifted to the data stream still streaming on the main screen, his brow furrowing slightly. To be honest, even he didn't know who had initially released the video—it was completely outside his plans.

But that doesn't matter, it doesn't affect his original plans anyway.

"The time is almost up."

Mitsuhiko Ishibori murmured to himself, his voice filled with an unspoken expectation: "Hurry up and become light, Daigo."

……

……

Inside the Night Raid Team's dormitory, Kazuki Komon sat alone on the edge of his bed, the PDI screen in his hand displaying the video that had been wildly circulated.

The silver-black giant appears exceptionally lonely in the scene, and every time it strikes, it is maliciously edited into an act of violence that destroys the city.

"They know absolutely nothing..."

Kazuki Komon muttered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tightening.

The comments below the video scrolled down like sharp blades: "Death to the demons!", "Why do such monsters appear on Earth?", "The government must give us an explanation!"...

"Still watching that boring stuff?"

A cool voice came from the doorway. Kazuki Komon looked up and saw Vice Captain Nagi Saijo leaning against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on the PDI in his hand.

"vice captain."

Kazuki Komon quickly stood up: "Yes, I really can't understand why everyone thinks that way, when Ultraman has been protecting us all along..."

Saijo Nagi entered the room, holding a glass of water in each hand. She handed one to Komon Kazuki: "Most people in the world are easily deceived by appearances, just like I was back then."

Komon Kazuki paused, noticing that Vice-Captain Saijo had brought up the past, a topic that the former captain would never have brought up on his own initiative.

"Vice Captain, I've been..."

Komon Kazuki hesitated before speaking, "I have been in contact with Mr. Himeya and Rei."

There were several photos on his bedside table.

One of the photos was sent to him by Jun Himeya not long ago. In the center of the picture was a group photo of children. The background was the Middle East war zone where the smoke of war had dissipated and peace had arrived. However, the children's faces were full of innocent smiles that were out of place with their surroundings, as if the shadow of war had never touched their pure world.

The other picture shows Senju Rei dressed as a mascot in an amusement park, awkwardly waving to the children. Beside him, Nonomiya Mizuki, the girl who has resigned from her job as a memory police officer, is smiling and quietly adjusting his crooked headgear.

"They are all striving to live their lives and have found their own peace."

As Komon Kazuki spoke, his voice gradually lowered.

"But what about us?"

“We who are protected by Ultraman did nothing when He needed support the most, and even... let them be misunderstood like this.”

His voice was full of confusion.

This kid...

Saijo Nagi looked at him and sighed softly: "Team member Komon, do you still remember my attitude towards Ultraman back then?"

"……Remember."

Komon Kazuki gave a hesitant answer.

He remembered clearly that he had just joined the team, and at that time, Vice Captain Saijo only had hatred and suspicion towards Ultraman, and even attacked Mr. Himeya indiscriminately.

"Looking back, I was really stupid; hatred blinded me."

Saijo Nagi spoke calmly, as if she were talking about someone else.

"Because I witnessed the alien beasts killing my family, I regard all non-human beings as enemies, and even though Ultraman protects us time and time again, I choose to turn a blind eye."

"The people today are like I was back then, blinded by fear and the unknown. They only see the destruction caused by the battle of the giants, but they cannot see the greater disasters that were prevented."

"Then what should we do?"

Kazuki Komon asked, his fist clenching unconsciously, "Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

"Memories deleted by the Memory Police will one day return in some form."

Saijo Nagi met Komon Kazuki's gaze earnestly: "The truth will not be buried forever. What we need to do is to protect what we should protect to the best of our ability before they realize their mistakes, just like I did in the past."

"But is waiting like this enough?"

Kazuki Komon clenched his fist: "Himeya-san, Rei, and the current candidates—they've sacrificed so much to protect humanity, and yet we can't even clear their names..."

"It's not all about waiting."

Saijo Nagi corrected, "It's preparation. Preparation to be able to face all those we've protected and those we've hurt with equanimity on the day the truth comes out."

Seeing that Komon Kazuki had fallen silent again, she walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder: "Go and rest. You have a mission tomorrow. Remember, self-blame and guilt won't change anything; only action will."

Saijo Nagi left quickly, and the dormitory fell silent again.

Kazuki Komon slowly sat back on the edge of the bed, his gaze falling once again on the photos.

In the photos sent by Jun Himeya, the children's smiles are pure and bright, as if they can pierce through all the gloom; in the photo of Rei Senju and Mizuki at the amusement park, the happiness in their eyes almost overflows the picture.

"Can only action... bring about change..." Komon murmured, repeating the vice-captain's words, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the PDI screen.

……

……

At this very moment, the person at the center of the discussion remains as calm as ever.

Gu Nuo slowly stuffed his textbooks into his schoolbag, his ears filled with the enthusiastic discussion among his classmates about the video.

"Have you heard? The account that first posted the video has been banned!"

"It must be official intervention; this is solid proof, right?"

"I knew there was something wrong with that giant. How could a normal person grow that big..."

"..."

Gu Nuo zipped up his backpack, his expression calm as if he hadn't heard anything. To him, these comments were no different from background noise.

"Nono, shall we go home together?"

Hana saw Anna peek in, with a slightly tired-looking Himegami Karen standing beside her.

The three walked side by side on the sun-drenched street, when Himegami Karen suddenly let out a long sigh.

"There are just too many of these strange rumors lately..."

She kicked a pebble at her feet with a hint of annoyance, her tone tinged with helplessness: "First there was that rumor about the angel, and now there's this Giant Video thing."

"Hmm? Karen-chan, you believe in these things too? It doesn't seem like it," said Anna, somewhat surprised.

"No, not me..."

Himegami Karen explained:

"It's my grandma. She's been really into these things lately, talking nonsense all the time. Now that the angel rumors have suddenly disappeared, I really don't know if she can handle it..."

Banami leaned closer curiously: "Old people? People their age would suddenly believe in angels?"

"It's more than just believing."

Himegami Karen rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache: "Grandma used to attend those religious gatherings all the time, but now that the rumors have suddenly disappeared, she's completely disoriented."

Gu Nuo paused slightly: "If she's very old... doesn't she live with her family?"

"Um...no, because although I call her Grandma, she is actually my aunt's mother-in-law. Her son passed away a long time ago, and my aunt is busy with work, so she now lives with my cousin."

Himegami Karen's voice became somewhat troubled: "He's only in the third grade of elementary school. Before that, his grandmother dragged him to all sorts of gatherings all the time, saying that they were going to welcome the descent of angels..."

Anna couldn't help but interject, "But those rumors are clearly all false!"

"My cousin doesn't believe in any of this at all,"

Himegami Karen shook her head and continued, "Don't let his third-grade status fool you, he's a computer genius. He's already investigated those 'angels' and, although he didn't find out what they were in the end, at least he proved they were fake."

Yagami's eyes widened in surprise: "Eh? That's amazing?"

"yes,"

Himegami Karen's expression was somewhat regretful: "But Grandma doesn't listen to him at all. The day I went to pick him up to play, the look on Grandma's face when she talked about this was terrifying..."

"Actually, in the end,"