The power of light coursed through Yu Zhou's limbs and bones — an ability he had once learned from the group of ancient superhumans known as the Digel.
Back in those distant times, Yu Zhou had merely imitated one of their energy-channelling stances, and immediately, the light within his body had gathered into his palms.
Since then, he had occasionally practiced controlling that inner light, striving to wield its power even while in his human form.
For instance, the small, shimmering energy blades he could now produce with a simple gesture — that was one of the abilities he had mastered as a human.
Besides that, his physical strength was far beyond ordinary people.
Breaking stones on his chest, lifting excavators barehanded, leaping as if defying gravity — feats that could rival the "lightness skills" from martial arts legends.
"I heard the Super Victory Team came to visit the factory today."
"Heh, with the weapons made by our arsenal, who even needs the Super Victory Team anymore?"
"Exactly! Forget the Super Victory Team — even Ultraman himself won't be necessary soon."
"Right! That monster on the moon the other day — Ultraman Dyna almost lost! Luckily, the Prometheus warship saved the day."
"…"
Hidden in a shadowed corner, Yu Zhou quietly listened to the conversation between the two passing technicians and shook his head slightly.
It seemed everyone in this weapons factory had been brainwashed by their superiors…
Or perhaps "indoctrinated" was the better word.
Yu Zhou tried channelling the light energy within his body.
In the next instant, a faint purple glow flickered across his skin — a sudden gust of air whipped around him — and then he vanished from where he stood.
Moments later, his figure reappeared at the end of the hallway.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"Did you see that? Some kind of purple flash?"
"I think so! And there was a big gust of wind, too!"
"Wind? In here? Where would that even come from?"
"Strange…"
The two men turned to look, confused — but by then, Yu Zhou was already gone.
At the far end of the corridor, Yu Zhou lifted a stolen identification card to eye level.
"I didn't expect I could use my speed ability like this," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Still cloaked in black, Yu Zhou swiped the card against the silver security door ahead.
"Beep — identification successful."
With a mechanical chime, the silver doors slid open from both sides. Yu Zhou stepped through without hesitation.
Inside the weapons factory, the space was enormous — at least the size of four or five football fields.
Then again, a facility capable of storing something like the Prometheus warship couldn't possibly be small.
There were plenty of workers moving about. Yu Zhou didn't have an invisibility power, so to avoid unnecessary trouble, he crept forward carefully, keeping to the shadows.
"If I'd known it'd be this much of a hassle, I'd have just waited outside," he muttered under his breath.
After all, the real danger for Asuka wouldn't come until after the Prometheus warship was hijacked and transformed by the Monera aliens.
All Yu Zhou really needed to do was step in then.
Charging into the weapons factory now? That was… kind of pointless.
"I'm an idiot," Yu Zhou groaned, slapping his forehead. "I'll have to make myself a bowl of pig-brain soup when I get back."
Still, since he'd already come this far, turning back felt even more troublesome.
With his enhanced speed, avoiding detection from ordinary humans wasn't too difficult.
He slipped into an elevator, descended into the lower levels, and soon spotted several members of the Super Victory Team in the distance.
Their distinctive uniforms — red, white, and black — stood out sharply against the steel-grey walls of the factory.
With a faint whoosh, a streak of violet light flashed, and Yu Zhou appeared in the shadows nearby, crouching low.
The black cloak melted perfectly into the darkness, rendering him nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Looking toward the Super Victory Team, Yu Zhou noticed a plump man in a blue uniform talking animatedly with Captain Hibiki.
That man was none other than Adviser Gondou — the same one Yu Zhou had often mentioned before.
Using Masaki's leftover research plans, Gondou sought to explore R'lyeh, aiming to grasp powers that could rival the giants of light — powers humanity could control.
He was one of those TPC officers who desired strength, but not dependence on Ultramen.
As Captain Hibiki spoke with Gondou, a calm female voice suddenly interrupted them, drawing everyone's attention.
"I apologize for not informing you in advance," she said. "But this project is of utmost importance, and we must proceed with caution."
Yu Zhou's eyes narrowed as he looked toward the speaker.
It was Dr. Rui Kisaragi, the chief director of this weapons program — and the creator of the Prometheus warship.
But Yu Zhou knew something was wrong.
According to the original story, Dr. Kisaragi had already been possessed by a Monera alien at this point.
The Prometheus itself was likely built under their influence.
"Excuse me… and you are?" Captain Hibiki asked, puzzled. Clearly, he didn't know her.
"She is Dr. Rui Kisaragi," Gondou said proudly, hands clasped behind his back. "Chief of this project — and creator of the Prometheus."
His tone carried admiration. After all, to him, this was a like-minded genius — someone who shared his vision that humanity could, and should, build weapons strong enough to wipe out any threat on its own.
And indeed, Dr. Kisaragi had made that vision reality.
"Prometheus… don't tell me—!"
Asuka suddenly realized what Gondou meant, his brow furrowing tightly.
With a snap of his fingers, Gondou lit up the entire hall.
Countless lights blazed to life, illuminating the enormous body of the Prometheus warship — and, quite conveniently, exposing Yu Zhou, who was squatting right on top of it.
"…Uh."
Crouched on the warship's hull, Yu Zhou froze. Dozens of stunned faces were staring up at him.
Seriously?! Who the hell knew this thing was the Prometheus?!
And who the heck turns on all the lights with a finger snap?!
Utterly awkward.
Lifting one hand, Yu Zhou gave them a small, sheepish wave.
Down below, the group gawked at the mysterious black-robed figure perched atop the warship.
"Y-You… who are you?!" Adviser Gondou stammered.
The Prometheus was housed deep inside a heavily guarded factory on a remote island — how had anyone gotten in?!
Meanwhile, Dr. Kisaragi's brow furrowed slightly.
From the cloaked figure, she sensed a faint — yet unmistakable — trace of light energy.