Everyone in the Victory Team already knew the truth about Yuzhou, Daigo, and Masaki.
So, seeing those three absent, nobody questioned it.
As for Rena—she was Daigo's wife, so naturally she stayed with him instead of coming here.
"Rena and Daigo should still be in R'lyeh, that's why they didn't come," Shinjo explained, since he was aware of their recent movements.
But just as they were talking, the door swung open with a clack.
"I'm here too!"
The newcomer was none other than the very person they had just been discussing—Rena! Her arrival delighted everyone.
"Rena? Weren't you still in R'lyeh? How did you—?" they asked, surprised, and overjoyed.
"How could a battle for the Victory Team ever be complete without me?" Rena said with a smile.
"In that case, we'll move as one—with the Super Victory Team!"
After a moment's thought, Captain Megumi issued the order.
The Victory Team and the Super Victory Team, united. For the first time in history, both generations would fight side by side.
On the beaches of R'lyeh…
Camearra and the others were there, watching the sea shrouded in darkness.
Yuzhou and Hudra descended from the sky as twin streaks of black and violet light, releasing their transformations as they landed on the sand.
"Yuzhou, did you find anything? Do you know where this darkness is coming from?" Daigo asked quickly.
"It's a Heretic God sealed in the abyss beneath these waters," Yuzhou replied plainly.
"Sealed?" Masaki's brow furrowed.
"I don't know which Ultra-Ancient being did it," Yuzhou explained. "But the entire trench is bound by golden chains of light, binding the creature tightly. Somehow, though, it's managed to break a few links—and that's where this darkness is leaking from."
"That's dangerous!" Daigo tensed. To face a Heretic God of Gatanothor's calibre again…
"Not yet," Yuzhou shook his head. "The chains stretch across the whole abyss. So far, it's only broken a handful."
"That's good, then." Daigo exhaled in relief.
"And those chains are unbelievably strong," Yuzhou added. "When I entered the mist, I transformed into Dark Tiga. But the moment I touched even a particle of those chains, my dark power locked up completely. I couldn't draw on it at all."
"Then if it can still shatter such a seal…" Masaki stroked his chin, analysing. "That means this Heretic God is beyond terrifyingly strong."
"By the way, Masaki," Yuzhou said suddenly, "if we could place an artificial sun in the sky, that might make things easier."
"An artificial sun, huh…" Masaki thought for a moment, then nodded. It made sense. The Giants of Light were beings of light. To battle in a world drowning in darkness put them at a disadvantage. If they could pull an artificial sun into place, it would at least give them some aid.
"I'll contact HQ right away."
With that, Masaki began transmitting the request to TPC headquarters.
Camearra, however, seemed unfazed by the encroaching gloom.
She had once been a Dark Giant herself. Shrouding the world in endless night was something she could do in her sleep.
Yuzhou glanced at her, remembering also how even Hudra had been unable to touch the mist. He was struck by a strange thought.
So, is that the saying? 'Corruption triples your strength, but redemption makes you weaker?'
"If we're going to resolve this darkness," Camearra finally said, her gaze never leaving the sea, "we should strike now, before the seal breaks completely."
Yuzhou blinked, a little surprised, then nodded. "You're right. If we move early, maybe we can force it back into its prison."
"No problem," Daigo agreed. "Now is the best time to act."
Masaki finished his call to HQ. The response came quickly—permission granted.
The artificial sun orbiting Jupiter would be diverted temporarily.
Of course, only Captain Megumi herself could authorize such a command.
The task was handed to the Super Victory Team. They would pilot the Victory Phoenix—formed from Alpha, Beta, and Gamma units—to tow the artificial sun.
The Phoenix was similar to the old Victory Swallow EX, but could combine and separate freely, its versatility unmatched.
Super Victory Team launched for Jupiter. Asuka naturally received the notification.
But after Daigo and Yuzhou reached out to Captain Hibiki, it was agreed that Asuka would remain in R'lyeh to assist with investigations.
Just then, several yellow fighter jets roared overhead.
Everyone looked up. They recognized them instantly—the familiar Victory Swallow fighters.
And inside them… were the members of the original Victory Team.
The planes touched down along the beach, and one by one, the old teammates disembarked.
"Yuzhou! We've heard you were back for a while now, but never got the chance to meet," Shinjo and Horii exclaimed, visibly moved. "Finally, today we meet again!"
"Yeah… it's been far too long," Yuzhou smiled warmly, nodding.
"And you too, Daigo," Shinjo added with a grin. "You haven't set foot on Earth since your kid was born!"
Daigo chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head. It was true—he had stayed on Mars with his family ever since.
Rena, standing at his side, blushed a little. Shinjo had teased her about it plenty of times before, but hearing it again still made her embarrassed.
"Yuzhou, Daigo, Masaki," Vice-Captain Munakata finally spoke, cutting to the chase. "The three of you are the strongest here. Did you discover anything useful?"
Yuzhou gave a full account of what he had seen beneath the sea, so that they would all understand the stakes.
"By the way… who's this junior?" Horii suddenly asked, noticing the quiet young man nearby.
Other than Yuzhou and his group, they knew Camearra and her allies. But this youth didn't fit.
"Oh, him?" Yuzhou replied easily. There was no reason to keep it from his old teammates. "He's the new Giant of Light."
"Ultraman Dyna."
"Dyna?!"
The Victory Team veterans stared in shock.
Of course, they knew of Ultraman Dyna. But none of them had expected that he would be standing here—this junior from the Super Victory Team!