"Alright, let's wrap up today's training here," Yu Zhou said as he saw Leito struggling through his push-ups. "I still have something important to discuss with Zero."
In an instant, Leito—now overtaken by Zero—pressed himself up with one hand and slipped his glasses off with the other.
Seeing that Zero had taken over, Yu Zhou stepped aside.
"What's the matter? Is it time to move?" Zero's voice was firm, his expression serious as he stood.
"Let's talk while we walk," Yu Zhou replied evenly.
Laiha could only sigh. If Zero had urgent business, Leito's training would have to wait.
"I just met with Asakura Hammer," Yu Zhou said as they made their way down the street. "I learned where Fukude Kei is hiding."
"Perfect." Zero nodded, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "Taking down a major threat early is always a win."
"Still… I'll need to change my appearance first."
Yu Zhou paused in thought. If they failed to eliminate Kei and he saw Yu Zhou's true face, it wouldn't be hard for him to connect Yu Zhou with Tiga.
He reached into his coat and pulled out the brooch crafted by Lemu, pinning it to his chest.
"Now then… what look should I go with?"
According to Lemu's instructions, the brooch could freely alter his outward appearance. Yu Zhou had practiced operating it. With a twist of the dial, his reflection shimmered and shifted before Zero's eyes.
In the blink of an eye, Yu Zhou had become a strikingly handsome young man.
"Yu Zhou, don't you think looking this handsome makes you a little… conspicuous?" Zero frowned at him.
"Heh."
Yu Zhou strolled over to a shop window, checking his new reflection.
If Daigo himself were here, he would be shocked—because staring back from the glass was none other than his own face. Yu Zhou had transformed into Daigo's likeness.
"No problem. This face will do just fine," Yu Zhou said with a grin. "Fukude Kei doesn't know who Daigo is anyway. Shouldn't cause trouble."
Zero sighed but didn't argue further. The two pressed on together.
It didn't take long to find him.
Fukude Kei remained where he had been all along, seated at a roadside tea table, gazing at the sky as if lost in thought.
Yu Zhou and Zero quietly sat at a nearby table, ordering two cups of tea. Casually sipping, they observed their target.
"We'll need to lure him somewhere deserted," Yu Zhou murmured. "If we start here, it'll cause too much of a scene."
"Agreed," Zero said with a nod.
Although Kei appeared calm, he was far from oblivious. He had noticed them the moment they sat down, aware of their gaze locked on him.
A cunning man, Kei restrained his urge to act first. His cover as a celebrated author on Earth was still too valuable.
So, he simply stood and walked off.
Yu Zhou and Zero exchanged a glance, then rose to follow him in silence.
"Uh… did those two pay?" the tea shop owner blinked at his staff.
"Um… I don't think so."
The owner scowled, but Yu Zhou and Zero were already long gone.
The pursuit led into a narrow, deserted alley.
Fukude Kei stopped and turned, a crooked smile on his lips.
"You've been tailing me for quite some time. What exactly do you want?"
"Your life, Sturm Alien," Zero said coldly, eyes fixed on him.
"Heh. Only two beings on this planet would dare say that to me." Kei's smile didn't falter. He looked at Zero. "You must be Ultraman Zero."
Then his gaze slid to Yu Zhou.
"And you… you're Tiga, aren't you?"
Yu Zhou didn't flinch. With Daigo's face, there was nothing to betray his true identity.
"That's right. I, Daigo, am Tiga!" Yu Zhou declared, eyes locked on Kei.
"Hahahaha!" Kei's laughter rang through the alley. "Daigo, is it? Lord Belial has been longing for you!"
"Then tell Belial this—one day, I will purge that traitor with my own hands," Yu Zhou said firmly, refusing to yield even in words.
"Arrogant fool!" Kei's expression turned ice-cold. "Lord Belial is not a name you're worthy to insult!"
"Enough chatter." Yu Zhou glanced at Zero. "Let's do this."
"Right!"
Zero lunged first, his body a blur, leg extended in a flying kick.
Yu Zhou drew his Victory Hyper Gun, circling wide as he unleashed a volley of energy blasts.
Kei swiftly raised his staff, catching Zero's kick with a heavy clang. The force drove him back several steps.
"As expected of Zero," Kei smirked. "Even bound in human form, your strength is impressive."
But Yu Zhou's blasts streaked in next. Kei swung his staff with ease, deflecting every bolt. The weapon, forged from some mysterious alloy, remained completely unscathed.
Zero pressed the attack again, while Yu Zhou holstered his gun. Instead, he pulled out—of all things—a frying pan.
"Yu Zhou… what kind of weapon is that?" Zero blinked mid-fight.
"No choice. I just find this handy!" Yu Zhou grinned, swinging it straight at Kei's head.
For once, Kei looked genuinely startled. Who in the galaxy brought a frying pan to a deadly battle?
He ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, but Yu Zhou followed up with a sharp kick to the chest.
"Guh—!" Kei staggered back, clutching his ribs.
"Nice one!" Zero shouted, springing forward with another flying kick.
Kei countered with a vicious punch, fist colliding with Zero's boot.
Boom!
Zero hit the ground hard, while Kei merely stumbled back a few steps. His alien body was resilient; human-sized blows weren't enough to injure him seriously.
Yu Zhou's eyes narrowed. Enough holding back.
He pulled out the Spark Lens, pressed it to his chest, and activated the trigger.
A crystalline chime rang out, light bursting forth. Yu Zhou's body expanded, wrapped in brilliance—until standing in the alley was no longer a man, but the giant of light: Ultraman Tiga.
"Heh… Tiga." Kei chuckled, energy crackling from his form. "Let's see why Lord Belial values you so highly."
His aura flared violently, surging toward both Tiga and Zero.