"Ultraman, we meet again." Yuzhou extended his hand toward the First Ultraman.
The veteran warrior nodded silently and clasped his hand firmly.
"This time, our enemy is far stronger than anything before," Yuzhou said, pointing at the towering form of Gatanozoa thrashing in the sea. "Honestly, I was hoping you could bring reinforcements."
"The Ultra Star only allows me alone to cross," the First shook his head. "No others can come."
"…I see." Yuzhou exhaled softly. There was no point dwelling on what was impossible. After introducing Cain to the First, he shifted into combat readiness.
Gatanozoa had no intention of waiting. From the raging waters, countless tentacles lashed upward like living spears, whipping toward the three Ultras.
Cain raised his palm, a shimmering blade of light slicing across the sea. The First summoned a wide energy ring and hurled it into the swarm. Yuzhou unleashed a volley of radiant arrows.
Several tendrils were severed with sharp cracks, yet far too many still surged forward. The trio backstepped through the spray, widening their distance as the tentacles slammed harmlessly into the waves.
"Ultraman, Cain — follow me! Daigo's Tiga remains petrified deep below!" Yuzhou shouted.
Cain already knew Daigo was still imprisoned in stone. He nodded once and dove into the dark sea with Yuzhou. The First, recalling Yuzhou's earlier hints of "two Tigas," finally understood and followed them into the depths.
Behind them, Gatanozoa bellowed, waves convulsing under its wrath.
Far beneath the surface, the three Ultras found the stone figure of Tiga lying on the seabed, frozen mid-strike, lifeless yet defiant.
They exchanged a glance and pressed their palms forward, channeling pure light into the blue gem on the statue's chest.
Inside that crystal prison, Daigo stirred. His eyes fluttered open, only to find himself trapped in a cramped crystalline cage, unable to move.
Laughter echoed around him. Cloaked figures materialized from the shadows — the Kirieloids.
"If not for you," one snarled, "we would have freed humanity long before the dark beast awakened!"
Daigo glared back. "So you're saying humanity should submit to you instead?" His voice was firm. He did not believe for a second that the Kirieloids could ever defeat Gatanozoa, nor that following them would save mankind.
"It's too late," a female sneered — the very one Yuzhou had once knocked aside with a hammer. "Our god has already abandoned this world."
Another leaned forward, voice dripping with disdain. "I told you before — you're not fit to be this planet's guardian."
Daigo strained against the crystalline walls, rage boiling inside. But the prison held fast, unyielding. Their cruel laughter echoed, mocking his helplessness.
Then, blinding light poured into the chamber. The Kirieloids shrieked as the radiance shredded their forms, vanishing into nothingness.
Daigo reached out instinctively. The light smashed apart the crystal shell, flooding into him. Strength returned — warmth, power, and purpose. The darkness shattered, and the space around him blazed with brilliance.
On the seabed, the Tiga statue glowed. The blue gem pulsed brightly, color bleeding back into the body. Armor, muscles, and silver-red patterns reignited with life.
Yuzhou thought of Mebius' revival in another world — bronze becoming flesh again. The sight was no less miraculous now.
"Yuzhou-kun… you came!" Daigo's voice resonated as life returned to Tiga.
"Forgive us, Daigo. We were late." Yuzhou's Tiga bowed his head.
"No need." Daigo lifted his gaze toward Cain and the First.
Cain lowered his head in guilt. "Daigo… I wronged you once. My misguided path caused you trouble. I am sorry."
The First merely gave a cool nod.
Daigo smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that now, you're fighting for humanity."
Before more could be said, the sea convulsed. Massive pincers surged through the depths, snapping toward them.
"Go!" Yuzhou roared, breaking the surface in a streak of silver and red light. The others burst forth after him — Daigo, Cain, and the First — rising together above the stormy waters.
The humans watching from the Artdesseis vessel gasped as another Tiga appeared beside the others.
"Daigo has returned!"
"Daigo, fight on!" Rina exhaled in relief, whispering encouragement.
From bunkers deep underground, voices echoed in unison:
"Ultraman, don't lose!"
"Two Tigas — this time we can win!"
But Gatanozoa's rage was relentless. The sea erupted as monstrous pincers lunged skyward, snapping toward the four giants.
"Stay sharp!"
The Ultras fired blasts of light to intercept — but the pincers absorbed the attacks and slammed into their bodies. One after another, they were hammered back into the sea.
None were felled, but the impact staggered them. Yuzhou's Tiga rose first, transforming into Power Type with a surge of red armor. He charged forward.
Daigo followed suit, crossing his arms at his forehead before shifting into Power Type as well.
The sea exploded with foam as tentacles lashed toward them. Cain and the First seized the appendages, straining to hold them back, giving the two Tigas a clear path.
"Perfect timing!" Yuzhou grinned, pressing forward with Daigo at his side.
Gatanozoa thundered, its colossal bulk surging forward in a brutal ram.
The two Tigas did not flinch. They launched their fists headlong, four massive strikes colliding with its armored body. The impact sent showers of sparks across the night.
The clash drove both Tigas back a step.
"This thing isn't just sturdy — it's unbelievably strong," Yuzhou growled, shaking out his fist.
Daigo nodded grimly. "I've struck it before. Head or shell, it makes no difference — the damage barely registers."
Then came the hiss of spreading darkness. Black miasma spewed from Gatanozoa, enveloping the two Tigas in an instant. Energy crackled violently across their bodies as sparks erupted from the corrosive haze.