After freezing Arstron solid, Yuzhou calmly approached, lifted the massive body, and flew into space.
"Now then… where should I dump you?"
Out in the vast silence of the cosmos, he thought for a moment before casually hurling the frozen monster onto the moon.
It can't fly anyway. Even if it's still alive, it'll never make it back to Earth.
Job done, Yuzhou quickly returned to the battlefield. His Flight Form, empowered by the Plasma Spark's energy, had gained tremendous speed—he was back beside Geed in no time.
"Wow, senpai, you're so fast!" Geed exclaimed in awe.
"...?"
You're fast, your whole family's fast!
Yuzhou nearly pulled out his ultimate frying pan on the kid. So young, yet already talking so disrespectfully to his seniors.
Of course, he couldn't actually scold him. That would ruin his aloof and dignified image.
He turned his gaze toward Zero, who by now had beaten Fire Golza to a pulp. With a roar, Zero unleashed his Zero Stream Ray.
"Hm?"
Yuzhou froze for a second. Golza was puffing out its chest, as though ready to absorb the ray. Right—Golza could absorb energy beams, and this fire-infused variant was even stronger, its body hardened by magma power.
But before it could succeed, Yuzhou fired a Freezing Beam at Golza's head. Ice spread across its body, locking its movements.
The Zero Stream Ray struck dead-on. This time, unable to absorb the blast, Golza exploded in a thunderous detonation, scattering fragments across the battlefield.
With the monsters dealt with, Yuzhou wasted no time. He soared skyward, careful not to linger lest Fukude Kei notice anything unusual.
"Do your best, Geed," Zero said, patting the younger Ultra on the shoulder before taking off himself.
Geed watched both Tiga and Zero vanish into the sky. Naturally, he didn't stay either—he leapt into the clouds and disappeared.
"Eh? Where did you go just now?"
Arashi Takashi, who had been staring at the disappearing giants, suddenly noticed Yuzhou walking casually from the side.
"Ah, just stepped away for a moment."
Yuzhou gave the most universal excuse possible.
"Oh." Arashi nodded, then looked up at the sky again. "Hey, Yuzhou… where do you think the Ultramen go after flying off like that?"
"That…" Yuzhou thought for a moment. "Most likely, they return to their homeland."
"Ultramen have a home too?" Arashi blinked.
"Of course. If humans have families, why wouldn't Ultramen?" Yuzhou replied, meeting his gaze.
"…Makes sense." Arashi nodded thoughtfully, convinced by the simple logic.
At that moment, a car pulled up in front of them. Out stepped a man and woman in uniform—AIB's Moa and Zenna. Moa carried a pet carrier.
"Hello, we're from the… health department," Moa announced. "Please hand over your pet. It's a newly identified rare species!"
Yuzhou raised a hand in greeting. "Well, if it isn't Moa and Zenna. What a coincidence."
"Yuzhou, you're here too!" Moa smiled brightly.
Their real purpose was to take Moco. As an alien creature, it posed potential danger to humans, so AIB had to secure it.
Just then, Riku, Laiha, and even Leito came running over.
"Moa?" Riku's face lit up with surprise.
"Riku!" Moa was equally happy to see him.
"I won't let the health department take Moco!" Arashi suddenly declared with uncharacteristic bravery.
"Health department?" Riku glanced at Moa in confusion. "Moa, is he talking about you?"
"Y-Yes!" Moa stammered. "I told you before, didn't I? I work in… health!"
"But aren't you a saleswoman for Nico Nico Insurance?" Laiha cut in, eyebrow raised.
"Right!" Moa quickly struck a cute pose, clutching the pet carrier. "Nico Nico Health Insurance sales, that's me!"
"…Since when does the health department have sales reps?" Laiha muttered. "Moa, what exactly do you do?"
"Th-The health department handles all sorts of work!" Moa said nervously, clearly out of patience. She turned to Arashi. "Anyway, I'm taking Moco."
"Hey! That's not fair!" Arashi cried in dismay.
"Wait, he really cares about it," Riku protested. "Moa, that's too much."
"But this is my job…" Moa faltered, her expression conflicted. Hearing such words from her childhood friend hurt her deeply.
"Alright, Moa," Yuzhou finally spoke. "Return Moco to him. I won't interfere with your duties, but I can offer a suggestion."
"What suggestion?" Moa asked quickly, hope flashing in her eyes.
"Let Arashi bring Moco to your office for regular check-ups. Or your team could conduct periodic visits to ensure safety."
"That… might actually work." Moa turned to Zenna. "What do you think, Zenna-senpai?"
Zenna thought for a moment before nodding. "Acceptable."
Later, Leito—possessed by Zero—sought Yuzhou out privately.
"What is it?" Yuzhou leaned casually against a tree, addressing Zero.
"That boy who transforms into Geed… he's your partner, isn't he?" Zero asked. He had noticed Yuzhou near Riku when they first met.
"Yes." Yuzhou nodded. "But Riku doesn't know I'm Tiga."
"I see." Zero considered this, then asked casually, "Do you know his origins? His appearance… resembles Belial."
"I know." Yuzhou didn't hide it—Zero would learn eventually. "Riku was created by Kei Fukude using Belial's genes. In other words… Belial's son."
"What?!" Zero's eyes widened in shock. "Geed is Belial's son?!"
"That's right." Yuzhou nodded. "But Riku rejects that identity. He only wants to protect humanity and uphold peace."
"…I understand." Zero exhaled slowly. Yuzhou's reassurance was enough. Judging by Geed's battles so far, the boy clearly fought with genuine resolve.
"By the way," Yuzhou added with a sly smile, "in terms of seniority, Geed outranks you."
"…Huh?" Zero blinked.
"Belial and the Father of Ultra are contemporaries. That makes Belial's son the same generation as your father, Seven. So technically… Riku is your uncle."
"…That… actually makes sense." Zero's face twisted in disbelief. Did that mean the nineteen-year-old kid was his uncle?!
"No way!" Zero shook his head vehemently. "I refuse to call him 'uncle.' At best, he's my little brother! He even called me that just now!"
What kind of twisted logic is this? Yuzhou chuckled and shook his head. Zero was as tsundere as ever.
"Well, since he's your partner, give this to him."
Zero handed Yuzhou an Ultra Capsule—the one containing Cosmos.