In a forest outside Tokyo, Ryan stood quietly and looked toward the distant city.
From here, everything seemed peaceful.
Lights glowed across the skyline. Cars moved through the streets. Life continued as if nothing had happened.
But Ryan knew the truth.
The monster hadn't left.
It was still somewhere inside the city, hiding in the dark and carrying out its own plan.
"Seven injured it yesterday," Ryan muttered. "Will it come back tonight?"
He frowned.
If the monster appeared again… maybe this time he could do something.
But the thought quickly faded.
Ryan remembered the moment the alien had attacked him.
His body had frozen completely.
He hadn't even been able to move.
Ryan sighed.
"Yeah… right."
Wooden boards, bricks, and training posts were scattered in front of him.
Ryan had dragged them here earlier.
He wanted to toughen up his body.
But after several attempts, he had already given up.
Karate techniques were one thing.
Strength was another.
Even though Ryan had been training every day and doing strength exercises alongside karate practice, the improvement only went so far.
His punches and kicks were much stronger than before.
But splitting bricks or wooden boards with his hands like Gen Ootori did?
Still impossible.
His karate training had improved a lot too.
At least he understood the basic movements now.
He could even exchange a few moves with Takeshi.
But that didn't mean much.
In every sparring match, Ryan still lost in two rounds or less.
Karate might be popular around the world, but mastering it took time.
Lots of time.
Real combat experience.
Endless training.
And right now, time was the one thing Ryan didn't have.
Even if he mastered karate, it wouldn't guarantee he could defeat monsters.
But it would at least give him a chance to fight back.
Without it, he would have no chance at all.
And besides karate…
Ryan had no other ideas for getting stronger.
Then suddenly—
A memory flashed through his mind.
Seven fighting the monster.
Ryan's eyes widened.
"Maybe… Seven's training could work."
But the next moment he remembered how brutal that training had been.
Gen had suffered through it constantly.
And Gen wasn't even human.
If Ryan wanted to reach monster-level strength quickly, Seven's training would probably have to be even harsher.
Ryan wasn't afraid of hard work.
But still…
Was that really the only option?
Ryan rubbed his temples.
"Is there some way to get Seven's training… without the responsibility?"
He sighed.
Yes, he wanted to protect people.
But risking his life every time a monster appeared?
If he succeeded, no one would remember his name.
If he failed, he would simply die.
That night, police sirens passed by the club again and again.
Ryan sat alone in the lobby, listening to the distant wail of sirens.
The sound faded.
Then returned again.
He felt restless.
Where was Seven right now?
When Ryan noticed a police car stop not far from the club, he stood up immediately and walked outside.
Just as he stepped out, someone got out of the vehicle.
Ryan squinted.
It was Moroboshi Dan.
"Captain?"
Was he here to find him?
Ryan walked closer, planning to ask about the monster.
But Dan simply stared at him.
The look in his eyes made Ryan uneasy.
"Captain…?"
"Come with me."
Dan turned and walked away.
Ryan sighed quietly.
Why does he always say that…
Still, he followed.
Dan led Ryan to a crime scene.
The sight was horrifying.
Ryan already knew what the monster did to its victims.
But seeing it in person was different.
The body had been cut cleanly in half.
Ryan turned pale.
He almost threw up.
Fortunately, the investigators quickly removed the remains, leaving only the chalk outline behind.
"Ryu," Dan said quietly. "Look at this."
He handed Ryan a small object.
It was a blue crystal-like piece of metal.
A symbol was carved into it.
Ryan's eyes widened.
"Leo…"
He recognized it immediately.
In the original story, the monster used objects like this to frame Ultraman Leo.
Ryan's thoughts raced.
Why was Dan showing this to him?
Earlier, Dan had looked at him strangely.
Did he suspect Ryan was the giant from before?
But that didn't make sense.
Dan had fought the monster himself yesterday.
"Captain, I—"
"This is made of cosmic metal," Dan said calmly.
"That means the recent murders were all committed by the same alien. The one from yesterday."
He paused.
"What were you about to say?"
Ryan forced a smile.
"Nothing."
Cold sweat formed on his back.
"I was just saying… the alien probably left this here to frame the giant from before."
Dan tilted his head slightly.
"The giant?"
Ryan cursed silently.
He had slipped.
"We gave him a name," Ryan said quickly. "Leo."
Dan studied him for a moment.
"…That's a good name."
He didn't question it further.
Instead, he continued.
"You're probably wondering why I brought you here."
Ryan stayed quiet.
"These incidents don't involve you directly," Dan said.
"But you've seen what's happening."
He looked toward the chalk outline.
"As long as that alien is alive, more families will lose someone they love."
Dan turned back to Ryan.
"Ryu. The MAC team needs you."
Ryan stiffened.
"Captain… I can't fight monsters."
"Then train," Dan said immediately.
"I'll train you."
Ryan blinked.
"I asked President Omura about you. You've been working hard to learn karate."
"But that's not enough."
Dan's voice grew firm.
"Join the MAC team. I'll train you into a proper warrior."
Ryan frowned.
"But the MAC team already has plenty of skilled people. They're stronger than me."
He looked straight at Dan.
"So why me?"
Ryan suspected Dan had already guessed something.
Maybe he suspected Ryan had something to do with the giant.
But the truth was complicated.
Ryan could only transform because of the system.
And right now, the system wasn't responding.
Even if he transformed again…
Would that really be enough to defeat monsters?
Dan stayed silent for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"Because of my instincts."
Ryan blinked.
"I believe you can reach the level I expect."
Ryan rubbed his forehead.
His thoughts were a mess.
Two voices argued inside his head.
One said:
If you don't fight, more people will die.
The other said:
You're not strong enough. Fighting monsters now would just get you killed.
One voice said:
Seven will guide you.
The other warned:
Seven might push you until you sacrifice yourself.
Ryan shook his head.
Finally, he gave a tired smile.
"Captain… give me some time to think."
He turned and walked away.
Dan watched him leave.
Then he called out.
"Ryu!"
Ryan stopped.
Dan's voice was steady.
"A person may protect their own life."
"But if protecting yourself means letting many others die…"
He paused.
"That cannot be forgiven."
Ryan walked back to the club.
Dan's words echoed in his mind.
"…Maybe he's right."
Lost in thought, Ryan didn't notice the glass entrance door.
BAM.
"Ow!"
He smacked straight into it.
"Ryu!" Omura shouted.
He winced sympathetically.
Right on the nose again.
Ayumi crossed her arms.
"Serves you right."
Her voice was sharp.
"We've been worrying here while you disappear who-knows-where."
She glared at him.
"You have zero sense of responsibility."
Momoko sighed.
"Ayumi… really."
She looked at Ryan.
"Come inside first, Ryu."
Ryan rubbed his nose.
"What's going on?"
Everyone looked tense.
"What happened?"
Omura hesitated.
"It's Hirono…"
Ryan frowned.
"We just got a call," Omura continued quietly.
"His father was killed."
Ryan froze.
From the corner of the room, someone shouted.
"Damn that giant!"
The voice trembled with anger.
Ryan turned.
It was Hirono.
Usually the quietest kid in the club.
Now tears streamed down his face.
Hirono threw something to the floor.
"What kind of hero is that?!"
He stomped on the object again and again.
"Ultraman?! What a joke!"
Ryan picked up the item.
His heart sank.
It was the same blue cosmic metal Dan had shown him.
And carved into it—
Was Leo's symbol.
Ryan whispered quietly.
"…Leo."