Daigo had no idea that, at this very moment, countless eyes were watching him.
Even if he had known, it wouldn't have changed anything. All he could do was fight with everything he had.
"Tiga!" Lina cried out in panic as a massive tentacle coiled tightly around Tiga's neck.
"Come on, Tiga!"
"Tiga, don't give up!"
"Tiga! Tiga!"
Inside the underground shelter, children huddled around a monitor showing the live battle. Seeing Tiga strangled, their small voices joined together in desperate cheers.
Dragged downward, Tiga's body strained as the tentacle tried to pull him into the depths. He steadied himself, arms crossing before his forehead before sweeping outward—his form shifting into the silver-and-red Power Type.
Now facing the massive tentacle, Power-Type Tiga grasped it with both hands, muscles surging, and ripped with all his strength.
Gatanothor's body convulsed in the water as pain shot through it. The tentacle tightened in retaliation, strangling harder.
With a sharp crack, Tiga tore it apart. Sparks burst like fireworks from the severed end, crimson light scattering into the sea.
Gatanothor roared—a sound between an ox's bellow and an elephant's cry—half pain, half fury.
Daigo felt a surge of confidence. Power Type might be enough. He waded through the waves, drove his fist into the beast's armored shell. Unlike before, sparks exploded across its hide—his punches were finally leaving marks.
One, two, three strikes—each blow sparked like a blazing hammer. Tiga leapt high, clasped his fists together, and brought them crashing down on Gatanothor's skull.
But the sea boiled again. From below, a massive pincer thrust upward.
Tiga turned, firing a Hand Beam that struck the claw dead on. The gigantic pincer wilted, sinking back beneath the waves. Yet another claw rose soon after, slashing toward him. Tiga caught it, locking into a stalemate.
Before he could break free, another tentacle lashed across his back, hurling him into the sea.
Daigo rose again, battered but unyielding. His first instinct was to unleash his final power. Yet Yuzhou's words echoed in his mind—hold on, don't transform recklessly. Gritting his teeth, he restrained himself.
Inside the Artdis, Yuzhou exhaled in relief. "Good. He didn't go for the final form immediately." But his heart was heavy. Time was running out. If Torinos didn't arrive soon, Daigo would be crushed.
The hall doors opened. Captain Hayate stepped in.
"Everyone." He nodded a greeting.
"Finally! Wind Boy, you're here!" Yuzhou let out a sigh of relief.
"They're right behind me," Hayate replied, pointing back.
Moments later, Torinos and—shockingly—Masaki Keigo entered the room.
"What? Masaki?!"
Everyone stared in disbelief. He had been imprisoned—how could he appear here? Was this Yuzhou's doing?
Masaki ignored their confusion. His gaze fixed on the screen, where Tiga fought desperately against Gatanothor.
"Even knowing he cannot win… he still fights." Masaki's voice was a whisper, almost reverent.
"Yes," Yuzhou answered calmly. Then he turned to Masaki, eyes steady. "So—will you truly become light? For humanity, for this world, not for yourself?"
Masaki hesitated. Pain flickered across his face. "I… I failed before. I couldn't become light."
"No," Yuzhou said firmly, shaking his head. "You can. Believe me. Remember—this isn't about you. It's for humanity."
"For… humanity…" Masaki echoed softly, as if testing the weight of the words.
On the screen, Lina's cry tore through the hall. "Tiga!!"
Everyone turned back. Tiga was being overwhelmed, his limbs bound by countless tentacles and pincers. Black mist surged over him, exploding in violent sparks. His Color Timer gem flashed wildly, faster and faster.
"This is bad—too late!" Yuzhou's face darkened.
Gatanothor's head loomed forward, a beam of violet energy bursting forth. It pierced through Tiga's body.
The hall fell into silence.
"Daigo!!!"
Lina's scream shattered the air. Tears streamed down her face.
"He… he won't lose," Captain Megumi muttered, trembling, her voice wavering with denial. "Tiga… can't lose."
But on the screen, Tiga struggled to move, reaching feebly toward the monster—only for his body to petrify, hardening into stone.
A statue now stood over the ruins of R'lyeh.
"Daigo… is Tiga…" Norui whispered, trembling, the truth striking like a blade.
Memories flooded the team—Daigo's strange disappearances, his near-miraculous survival from crashes, the times Tiga appeared but Daigo was absent.
"Daigo…"
"Daigo…"
"Daigo…"
Their voices carried both grief and awe.
Masaki's heart shook violently as he stared at the stone figure.
"Masaki! Come with me—Daigo can still be saved!" Yuzhou suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled.
"What are you doing?!" Masaki stammered, bewildered. The Shining Stick was gone, the converter destroyed—how could he possibly transform?
Yet Yuzhou didn't stop. The others, stunned, followed them out of the hall.
Outside, Yuzhou produced the Photon Converter from his spatial bracelet, setting it on the ground.
Masaki's eyes widened. "The converter… you had it all along? But without Daigo's device, it won't activate."
"Take this."
Yuzhou thrust something into his hands.
Masaki froze. "The… Shining Stick?! How—how do you have this?!"
"Questions later. Succeed now. Become light!" Yuzhou barked.
Masaki's chest rose and fell. Daigo was gone. Humanity was cornered. And now, the chance was his. Without hesitation, he set the Shining Stick into the converter, stepping forward.
Arcs of lightning crackled across his body. Unlike before, there was no unbearable pain—only warmth, energy flowing through him.
The others watched, confused.
"What are they doing…?" someone muttered.
Then—light exploded across the shore. Masaki vanished in radiance. A massive figure rose from the glow.
A silver, red, and black giant, familiar yet changed.
"It's him—the giant that appeared in Kumamoto City!" Norui shouted.
Not just him—everyone stared, stunned.
"So it really was Masaki Keigo back then…" Horie whispered in disbelief.
Yuzhou studied the giant carefully. Something was different. The black patterns on his body had faded, his presence less twisted, more harmonious.
Inside the towering body, Masaki flexed, moving carefully. Unlike before, his thoughts were clear, his will steady.
"Masaki, how is it?" Yuzhou called up.
"I feel… good," Masaki's voice rumbled from above. "No madness this time. I can control it. But right now—saving Daigo comes first."
Yuzhou nodded, relief flashing across his face. Masaki had finally succeeded. Perhaps because this time, he fought not for himself, but for others.
"Then take me with you," Yuzhou said firmly, retrieving the Shining Stick and sealing the converter back into his bracelet.
Masaki tilted his head. "Take you…? Wait—you mean… you too can—"