Riku had always assumed that Zero knew Tiga's true identity but had simply chosen not to tell him.
Now that he had seen it with his own eyes, Riku wanted to tell Zero that he had discovered Tiga's human form.
But what shocked him was that Zero actually asked him—what does Tiga look like as a human?
Could it be that Zero himself didn't know who Tiga really was?
But according to RE.M. and Laiha, when those three monsters appeared earlier, Zero and Tiga had appeared together at the same time.
That made the whole situation even stranger.
"Ah, I know Tiga," Zero explained, "but I don't know what he looks like as a human."
"I see…" Riku nodded, finally understanding.
"Then tell me," Zero continued, "what does Tiga look like when he's human?"
"Um…" Riku thought for a moment, but struggled to describe him. "I can't really put it into words… but he looked really cool."
"Cool?" Yu Zhou raised an eyebrow. "How cool?"
"Well, if I have to compare…" Riku tilted his head thoughtfully. "Cooler than you, Yu Zhou."
Yu Zhou: "…"
He knew Riku meant it as a compliment, but somehow it still felt like an insult.
Still, Yu Zhou understood immediately—Riku must have seen him when he had taken on Daigo's appearance.
Fine, Yu Zhou admitted it: Daigo was a little more handsome than him. Just a little.
Behind a shattered stone slab, Fukude Kei slowly stepped out.
"Even though I ran into Tiga and Zero… the plan is back on track."
Leaning on his cane, he muttered to himself.
Then his thoughts drifted far beyond the galaxy, into a dark crimson dimension.
"Lord Belial."
Wearing his black leather coat, Fukude Kei appeared before Belial's massive head. He stared into Belial's glowing scarlet eyes and spoke respectfully.
"How are things progressing, Strum Alien?" Belial's deep voice rumbled.
"Zero and Tiga found me," Fukude Kei reported. "And I also saw Tiga's true face."
"Who is he?" Belial demanded.
"As a human, his name is Daigo."
As he spoke, Kei projected the image he had seen—Yu Zhou in Daigo's form.
"Excellent." Belial sneered wickedly, pointing a claw at the image. "Daigo, is it? Then let him wait for the day I return."
"Also, one of the Capsules ended up in Zero's hands last time," Kei continued. "Now, Zero has passed that Capsule on to Geed."
"So even Zero is helping my son gather Capsules," Belial laughed darkly. "Didn't expect that, did you, Zero? You're actually advancing my plans yourself."
"And Geed's power is gradually awakening," Kei went on. "In this battle, he even summoned the Geed Claw."
"As expected of my son. Truly exceptional."
Fukude Kei had escaped, and Yu Zhou made no attempt to track him to Asakura Riku's house.
As long as the Little Star kept appearing, Kei would always show up nearby, scheming to ensure Geed obtained more Ultra Capsules.
By Yu Zhou's estimation, it was about time for Hikari, that infamous "cheat-seller," to show up and hand Zero a power-up.
Once Zero gained his Ultimate Form, the battles would get much easier.
"Maybe I can get Hikari to give me a cheat too?" Yu Zhou muttered.
Sure, he already had his "Ultimate Light Frying Pan," but with his cool, aloof image, pulling out a frying pan in a fight just felt… off. Like it dragged down his style.
Look at Ginga's rival, Ultraman Agul—he had his own glowing sword, and his fighting stances were all ridiculously stylish. Now that was top-tier flair.
"Man… acting cool is harder than it looks."
Yu Zhou slumped on the couch, staring at the news on TV with a sigh.
Well, once Hikari showed up, he'd ask for a proper cheat.
"The most anticipated survey result—the public support rate for Ultraman Geed!"
"It has already reached 52%!"
The news broadcast displayed the results. More than half the population supported Geed now.
"This should give Riku a big confidence boost," Yu Zhou nodded, watching the report.
The days passed quickly. Yu Zhou often wandered through the streets, trying to see if anyone carried the light of the Little Star.
But his searches yielded nothing. So he went to AIB, asking Zenna and the others to help.
Even the Pitt Alien, the one who had once sliced his frying pan in half, had now joined AIB and was researching the cause of the Little Star's appearance.
Yu Zhou already knew the truth from the original story: the Little Star was caused by Fukude Kei, the Strum Alien. Kei released a substance called Carreran Molecules that entered people's bodies and nurtured the light within them.
Humans who possessed Ultra Capsules were even more likely to develop light, which in turn allowed Kei to identify who carried them.
As for Kei's recent activities, Yu Zhou kept tabs. Kei wasn't just a novelist—he was a famous public figure, always in the spotlight.
And now, he was preparing to hold a special lecture.
Yu Zhou narrowed his eyes.
After being beaten down by him and Zero, Kei still dared to show his face? Bold move.
But in the original plot, that lecture had been a trap—an attempt to get rid of Zero.
So clearly, Kei was planning something again.
This banquet of doom… Yu Zhou had no choice but to attend. Partly to see what tricks Kei was plotting, and partly to find another chance to kill him.
"Nooooooo!"
Inside Galaxy Mart, the store manager clutched his head, shouting in despair.
"What's wrong with him?" Laiha asked Riku curiously. "That's the third time, isn't it?"
"Didn't get picked in the lottery," Riku explained. "He wanted to attend Fukude Kei's special lecture."
"What a headache…"
Yu Zhou shook his head at the manager's fanboy antics. This lecture was destined to be anything but peaceful. If possible, it would be best if the manager didn't go.
"Eh? Riku!"
At that moment, Riku noticed Leito walking over with his family.
"We just happened to be passing by," Leito said with a smile, introducing his wife Lumina to Yu Zhou and the others.
"If you don't mind, take a look around our supermarket—I'll give you a discount," Riku said politely to Lumina.
"Sure."
Lumina agreed happily and began browsing the shelves. She picked up a book—and froze.
"It's a novel by Fukude Kei!" she exclaimed, delighted.
The manager perked up instantly, joining Lumina in excited conversation about Kei's books.
But both of them soon grew dejected when they realized neither had won a ticket to the lecture.
"Leito," Yu Zhou pulled him aside and whispered, "Fukude Kei is dangerous. Best if your wife doesn't get too involved with him."
"I know. But I can't exactly tell her the truth, can I?" Leito sighed helplessly. At the very least, she was only reading novels—nothing more.
Just as Lumina and the manager were happily chatting, someone walked up to them. Everyone froze.
"Professor Kei! Oh my god!"
Lumina and the manager were stunned to see Fukude Kei himself standing before them.
Yu Zhou and Leito immediately tensed, ready to strike—but hesitated, worried about the civilians standing so close.
After all, both Lumina and the manager were right there in front of Kei.
"Professor Kei, why are you here?!"
Riku, unaware of Kei's true nature, was just as shocked. Why would a famous novelist like Fukude Kei appear in such a small supermarket?
"You signed up for the lecture, didn't you?"
Kei smiled as he spoke, his eyes shifting toward Leito and Riku. But even as he scanned the room, he did not see the one face he was truly looking for—
The face of Daigo.