As soon as Tiga appeared, he charged at the subterranean shark, grabbing its dorsal fin in an attempt to stop its forward momentum.
But even in his composite form, Tiga couldn't hold the shark back—it surged past him.
Tumbling across the ground, Tiga rolled to his feet. Crossing his hands over his forehead and slicing down to his sides, he shifted into Strong Type, silver and red.
Charging forward again, Tiga grasped the shark's fin. This time, he successfully halted its advance and, with all his strength, lifted the mechanical shark off the ground.
With a heavy thud, the shark landed a short distance away. Everyone could now clearly see the creature's form: a pointed snout, rows of sharp teeth, sapphire-like eyes, and a crocodile-like tail.
The shark flipped over, letting out a piercing screech before lunging at Tiga. Its long snout slammed into Tiga's chest, sending him sprawling through the dust.
The shark leapt again, aiming for a follow-up strike—but a shell from the Victory Team's Sharlock vehicle intervened, striking the mechanical beast.
The shark's attack went awry, and it toppled onto the ground.
Tiga recovered, repositioned behind the shark, and grabbed its tail, hammering its back with fists.
But the mechanical shark felt no pain; each blow merely produced a harsh, metallic shriek.
At that moment, Rena arrived in her fighter jet. Tiga seized the shark's dorsal fin again, angling its head toward the aircraft.
Two beams fired from Rena's jet, hitting the shark's head and causing partial explosions. Sparks flew, and short-circuited circuits flashed across its mechanical face.
"Commander! Look at that monster!" Rena shouted in surprise.
"A mechanical monster?!" Munakata exclaimed.
If it was mechanical, it was almost certainly man-made.
Tiga, or rather Daigo, didn't dwell on the thought. He hoisted the shark, threw it aside, and gathered energy in his Strong Type form for his finishing move: the Delacium Beam.
A crimson energy sphere formed in his hands before the glowing blue timer on his chest.
Just as Tiga prepared to fire, a man suddenly appeared in the shark's sapphire eyes.
"Daigo… you've gained abilities far beyond human evolution. Why waste them on such trivial things?"
The man was none other than Keigo Masaki, the creator of Geozark—the same figure Daigo had seen aboard Hyphen One.
Shock and confusion washed over Daigo. Why was this man inside the shark's eye? Who was he, and what did he want?
To learn more, Daigo dispersed the energy in his chest. The timer gem on his chest flickered.
"Do you think you're the only chosen one?" Masaki said calmly. "You just stumbled upon Tiga's pyramid by coincidence."
"I'm different," he continued, a smirk crossing his face. "I found the ancient ruins on my own!"
Daigo's mind reeled. He found the ancient ruins… does that mean he discovered the Ultraman statues too?
Before Daigo could process this, the shark fired a beam from its eye, knocking him away. A tail sweep followed, sending him crashing to the ground again.
Daigo steadied himself and fired the Delacium Beam at the shark.
Boom! The mechanical shark shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground.
But Tiga, having endured two powerful strikes, staggered—Daigo felt the strain in his own body. Despite this, he soared into the sunset, eventually disappearing from view.
Night fell over the amusement park. Though evacuated, the rides still ran—the carousel spun with cheerful music and bright lights.
Daigo lay on the rain-dampened ground, slowly regaining consciousness, scanning the area. The ambush had taken a heavy toll, reflected in his own body as well.
"Good work," a voice called from the carousel. "Even as Ultraman, it's still Daigo's body expending energy."
Daigo looked up. Masaki stepped off the carousel, wearing a contemptuous expression.
"Why bother becoming him for such a tiresome job?" Masaki sneered.
"I… that's because—" Daigo tried to explain, but Masaki interrupted.
"You're just indulging in the satisfaction of being praised for saving people," Masaki laughed.
Daigo remained silent, wary.
"Alone, Tiga can't save a world on the brink of ruin," Masaki continued, approaching. "Explain that to me."
Suddenly, Masaki punched Daigo in the face.
Weakened and exhausted, Daigo was knocked down again, blood trickling from his mouth.
He rose, striking with a kick, but Masaki dodged effortlessly. A punch followed, which Daigo barely avoided.
"I possess intellect unmatched by ordinary men. And I am born this way," Masaki boasted, showing no regard for Daigo.
Daigo pressed on, but another kick sent him sprawling across the ground.
"I've trained my body as well," Masaki continued, removing his shirt to reveal sculpted muscles. "I've worked hard to be a superhuman!"
"You, on the other hand, have done nothing," he spat, jealousy in his eyes.
Squatting beside Daigo, Masaki unzipped Daigo's jacket, seizing the Sparklence.
"Give it back!" Daigo shouted, grabbing Masaki's leg.
Masaki kicked him aside, holding the Sparklence. "Ah… this is what I needed. Something to transform my body into light."
With the Sparklence in hand, Masaki ran off.
Daigo's heart sank as he watched him disappear.
"Daigo!"
"Daigo!"
Shouts from Horii and Shinjo echoed in the distance.
Not yet… I can't go back until I get the Sparklence back, Daigo thought, dragging himself into a shadowy corner to avoid detection.
Yu Zhou, searching the park for Daigo, suddenly spotted a familiar figure sprinting past.
"Keigo Masaki!"
Having seen Masaki's profile on his phone, Yu Zhou recognized him immediately.
Masaki paused, hearing his name, and turned toward Yu Zhou.
"Where's Daigo?" Yu Zhou demanded. "You're not leaving today."
"You can't stop me," Masaki said, assuming a combat stance.
"You want to fight, huh?"
Yu Zhou smirked, donning his helmet and brandishing a hammer and kitchen knife.
Masaki froze, speechless.