Yu Zhou could clearly see the sorrow and regret in the man's eyes — but also the yearning when he looked up at him. Yu Zhou understood exactly what the man was thinking.
"Nagano, do you want to become light?"
The man froze for a moment, then his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Tiga… can I?"
This man was none other than Nagano Hiroshi, the actor who had once portrayed Daigo, the human host of Ultraman Tiga.
Ever since monsters and the real Tiga had appeared, Nagano had been constantly interviewed by the media. Every time someone asked if he could really become Tiga, he would pull out the Sparklence prop he used during filming and press the transformation button with a smile.
Of course, he couldn't transform — and he never truly expected to. For Nagano, Tiga had always been a belief, a guiding light in his heart. The motto of Daigo — "Do what you can" — had long become his own way of life.
So, when the monsters appeared, Nagano had been driving down the road. Seeing a few disabled people struggling nearby, he stopped and took them into his car to flee together.
But fate had other plans — an overturned truck, thrown by a rampaging monster, crashed onto his car. There was a blinding impact… and then nothing.
Until now.
"You can."
Yu Zhou nodded, raising his hand as the Dika Capsule appeared — the capsule containing the copy of Tiga from the digital world.
"Merge with him. Become one in body and soul — this will be your new body for battle."
The Dika in question was a replica of Tiga — an imitation capable of fighting, but without independent will. Aside from the combat routines and techniques Yu Zhou had programmed into him, Dika had no consciousness of his own.
"One in body and soul… a body for battle…"
Nagano repeated softly, staring at the second Tiga standing before him.
He knew the story well — how the real Tiga had once left behind his battle body inside the ancient pyramid, returning his essence to the light.
Could it be… that now, Tiga was entrusting that body to him?
Yu Zhou extended both hands, sending streams of purple and crimson energy into Dika's body.
Being a digital duplicate, Dika couldn't originally change forms. But Yu Zhou, still in his Shining Tiga form, had more than enough power to refine and strengthen him.
He had done something similar before — once, in the world of Dyna, trying to share his power with Asuka. It had nearly succeeded.
This time, the compatibility should be far higher. Dika, being a copy of Tiga, should easily accept the energy of light.
Soon, the transfer was complete. The crystal on Dika's forehead glowed brightly, pulsing with new strength.
"But… what do I do now?" Nagano asked, confused.
Yu Zhou thought for a moment, then released a ray of light into Dika's body. From Dika's colour timer, a beam extended outward — shining directly onto Nagano's hands.
"Huh?!"
Nagano looked down in shock.
In his hands was the same Sparklence prop that had fallen earlier. But under the shining beam, the fake screws melted away, the plastic gleamed with crystalline purity, and the weight changed — it felt real.
It radiated with a genuine glow, resonating with Dika's light.
"The Sparklence… it became real!"
Nagano's eyes went wide in astonishment. His treasured memento — the one he had carried since filming — had transformed into a true transformation device.
"Try it."
Yu Zhou himself was surprised. He hadn't expected this outcome. He had merely tried to connect Nagano's essence to Dika's body — and somehow, the light had responded, transforming the prop into something real.
"Alright!"
Nagano's expression turned determined. He assumed the iconic transformation stance he had used countless times on set.
The golden wings of the Sparklence unfolded — and in a burst of radiant light, Nagano's body dissolved into energy, merging into Dika.
"It worked!"
Nagano's voice echoed through Dika's body. Looking down at his new, massive hands, he moved them experimentally, joy lighting up his features.
Yu Zhou smiled and nodded approvingly. "Not bad."
Now, this world had gained another Ultraman.
Yu Zhou hadn't expected Nagano to truly become light, but… he recalled Daigo's words:
"Anyone can become light, through their own strength."
Maybe Nagano had done exactly that.
Or maybe… Nagano was the Daigo of another parallel world. Either way, it was not surprising that he could shine.
"I… I really became Tiga!"
Nagano clenched his glowing fists, his heart racing with exhilaration.
Ever since the monsters appeared, the thought of becoming Tiga had lingered faintly in his mind — a childish dream.
Now, it had come true. He finally had the power to protect others.
"Roooaaar!!"
Suddenly, the ground burst open as a Golza erupted from beneath the hillside, roaring furiously.
Shaking the dirt off its body, the monster locked eyes on the two giants of light standing before it — and charged.
"This one's your test." Yu Zhou said, stepping back. "Show me what you can do."
"Leave it to me!"
Nagano — in Dika's body — bent his knees slightly, assuming the familiar opening stance of Ultraman Tiga. His eyes burned with resolve as Golza lunged.
The monster leapt into the air with a deafening roar, claws outstretched.
Nagano dodged instinctively, rolling aside. Boom! Golza crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves across the hill.
It wasn't much for Golza — the creature quickly got up and swung its massive tail, whipping it toward Nagano.
Caught off guard, Nagano was struck and slammed into the dirt.
"He's strong!" he grunted, feeling the raw force through his new body.
Climbing to his feet, Nagano raised his hand and fired a small beam of light.
Zap! The blast struck Golza's chest, exploding in a small burst of smoke.
"So, this is… using light energy."
Nagano looked down at his glowing hands, wonder in his voice.
"Then… let's try flying!"
He crouched slightly, then launched himself upward — and to his amazement, soared into the air, hovering above Golza.
The monster looked up, furious.
How dare this opponent fly when it couldn't?
Beasts have their pride too.
Raging, Golza curled its tail inward, forming its body into a compact sphere, then slammed itself into the ground and launched upward like a cannonball.
BOOM!
Nagano, still unsteady in the air, was struck mid-flight. The impact sent him crashing back down in a burst of dust and debris.
From a short distance away, Yu Zhou sighed and shook his head.
"His first transformation… and he's already worse at it than I was."