"That monster is called Bao‑on. It came to Earth by accident and poses no threat to humans."
After speaking with Daigo for a while, Yu Zhou explained Bao‑on's origin and its unique hypnotic ability.
Then, the three of them—Yu Zhou, Daigo, and Asuka—each rode their personal flight devices and hovered above the spot where Bao‑on had fallen.
The rest of the Super Victory Team conducted their ground investigation below.
Circling around the crater a few times, Daigo and Asuka got a clear look at the creature lying inside.
"Senior Yu Zhou, why does that monster… look like a pig?" Asuka asked, blinking in confusion.
"Huh—now that you mention it, it really does!"
Yu Zhou leaned closer, studying the slumbering Bao‑on carefully, and couldn't help but agree.
Bao‑on's ears were wide and floppy like a pig's, except they were hollow inside.
And its nose—almost identical to a pig's snout—was puffing softly, producing rhythmic snores.
Yep. No mistake about it. Definitely pig-like.
BOOM…
As the three discussed Bao‑on's appearance, the sleeping monster rolled over in its sleep, causing a mini landslide down the hillside.
Chunks of rock tumbled downward, forcing the Super Victory Team members on the ground to scatter and dodge for cover.
"No matter what it looks like, we still need to deal with the situation," Daigo said firmly. As the team's training instructor, he quickly refocused everyone's attention.
"Right, Daigo-senpai's right!" Asuka nodded. "Since it came from outer space, let's send it back into the universe."
Yu Zhou had no objections. But more importantly, he still needed to ask about the real reason he'd come to the mountain base in the first place.
"Daigo, you mentioned running into some difficulties—what's going on?"
As Daigo's original recommender to the Super Victory Team, Yu Zhou felt responsible. Helping out when bored was no big deal.
"Well, about that…" Daigo glanced at Asuka's flight device, then at his own. "It's both a small problem and a big one."
"I'm listening," Yu Zhou said.
"It's just… every time I pilot a jet together with Asuka, we crash."
Yu Zhou: "…"
What?! This curse was contagious now?
From what Yu Zhou knew of "Ultraman flight law,"
Daigo + Shinjo = Crash.
That was well-established.
Daigo alone = 80% crash rate.
Asuka alone = also about 80%.
But Daigo + Asuka together = 100% crash rate?!
"…Yeah, that's… kind of a tough one to fix," Yu Zhou admitted.
"Actually, see? Right now nothing's happening!" Yu Zhou pointed at both of their flying platforms. "You're technically flying together right now, aren't you? And it's fine."
"Guess you're right—oh wait—huhhhhhh—"
Before Asuka could finish his sentence, his flight device beeped "Low Power," then instantly shut down.
"Eh?!"
He dropped straight toward the sleeping Bao‑on below.
"Asuka—!"
Daigo reached out a hand to grab him, but his own flight board suddenly sputtered, belched smoke, and powered off as well.
He plummeted after Asuka.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Yu Zhou's jaw dropped.
What kind of spontaneous mid-air crash syndrome was this?!
At this rate, they'd have to drive cars for all future missions!
With no other choice, Yu Zhou dived after them, hoping to catch them before impact.
"I'll save yo—wait, what the—?!"
BOOM!
Mid-descent, Yu Zhou's own flight device exploded under his feet, hurling him through the air.
Fortunately, his body was tough enough to withstand the blast.
"Why did I crash too?!"
Three question marks practically hovered above his head as he fell in a perfect parabolic arc—straight toward Bao‑on.
Apparently, Daigo and Asuka's strange "crash curse" had extended to him as well.
But there was no time to think about that now.
Yu Zhou grabbed his Sparklence, pressed the activation button—and in a flash of light, he transformed.
At the same time, Daigo and Asuka each raised their own transformation devices—
and three beams of radiance burst forth into the sky.
Three Ultramen appeared at once.
"Senior Yu Zhou, why did you crash too?" Asuka (Ultraman Dyna) asked in bewilderment.
Daigo (Ultraman Tiga) also looked at him, equally confused.
"No idea," Yu Zhou sighed. "Anyway, since we're all transformed already, let's just send Bao‑on back into space."
"Understood!" Asuka nodded and approached the creature.
Seeing Dyna and two Tigas appear together, the Super Victory Team members wisely began to retreat.
With three Ultramen on the field, this was clearly beyond their scope.
Waving to them in Dyna's form, Asuka crouched down and tried to lift the still-sleeping Bao‑on.
Yu Zhou and Daigo simply watched from the side.
This was a simple task—best left to the junior.
But just then, Bao‑on's sleepy yellow eyes fluttered open.
It blinked, looking groggily around.
"Yu Zhou-kun, I think Bao‑on just woke up," Daigo warned, staring at its golden eyes cautiously.
Even if it wasn't hostile, a monster was still a monster—Daigo stayed alert.
"What the—?!" Yu Zhou exclaimed, raising a hand. "Asuka, quick! Cover its mouth!"
"Eh?"
Asuka froze, puzzled.
Why would his senior suddenly tell him to cover Bao‑on's mouth?
And with what, exactly?
Before he could react—
Bao‑on, now fully awake, began to cry.
A loud, resonant wail, like a train whistle mixed with a volcanic roar, shook the entire valley.
"Oh no—Daigo, cover your ears!" Yu Zhou shouted, clapping his hands over his own.
But then he realized something terrifying—
Ultramen can't actually cover their ears!
"Forget it—just fly!"
He yelled at Daigo and instantly shifted into his Sky Type, darting upward and away from the scene.
Daigo tried to follow the instruction and cover his ears anyway—but it was useless.
Bao‑on's crying penetrated even through Ultraman armour.
The sound waves hit him like a lullaby from another dimension.
Daigo swayed, his body losing balance—and with a heavy thud, he collapsed to the ground, instantly falling asleep.
If even Daigo succumbed, then poor Asuka, who was right next to Bao‑on, stood no chance.
Within moments, both Ultramen lay sprawled unconscious beside the weeping monster.
Up high in the sky, Yu Zhou hovered and exhaled—or tried to.
"Good thing I ran fast… or I'd be down there snoring with them."