Yanagaki lunged straight at Tiga, its hulking frame aiming to pin the giant of light beneath sheer mass.
Tiga sidestepped sharply, seizing the monster's head and hurling it forward. Yanagaki crashed to the ground, rolling once before clambering back to its feet with a guttural roar.
Not giving it time, Tiga leapt high and clasped his fists together, smashing them down on the beast's skull. Dizzy from the blow, Yanagaki staggered—only for Tiga to follow with a series of sharp kicks that ended in a crushing strike to its abdomen, sending it sprawling once more.
Inside the giant's body, Daigo was already debating whether to unleash a finisher and end it early.
He hesitated too long.
With terrifying speed, Yanagaki snapped upright and swung its crocodilian tail like a dragon whip. The blow cracked against Tiga's face with a flash of sparks. The force launched him off his feet, crashing him down hard.
"Don't give up! You mustn't lose!"
The voice rang out from the lakeside. Director Eiji Tsuburaya had arrived, his hands clenched as he shouted encouragement.
Breathing heavily, Tiga staggered back to his feet, shaking off the dizziness, and charged once more.
"Relax," Yuzhou said calmly, stepping up beside the director. "You're the director. If you say Tiga won't lose, then he won't."
"Yuzhou? You're here too?" Tsuburaya blinked, instantly recognizing the young man from the day's performance.
"That giant… is his name Tiga?"
"Yes." Yuzhou nodded. "Tiga… Ultraman."
"Ultraman…" The director repeated the word softly, eyes shining. Slowly, he reached into his coat and revealed a gleaming red gem.
The Ultra Star.
Yuzhou's eyes lit up at once—he knew this artifact well. A gift from the original Ultraman himself, a token of friendship.
"You know this hero's name," Tsuburaya said with a faint smile. "That means you're no ordinary man either. I've spoken with Nagano. He told me he doesn't know anyone called Yuzhou."
Yuzhou shrugged. "True enough. That 'Nagano' fighting monsters earlier? Also not him."
The director chuckled lightly, then grew solemn. "This gem, the Ultra Star, was given to me by a friend… from the M78 Nebula. I suppose it's only fair I tell you—I am a Venusian."
Yuzhou was not surprised; he had seen this revelation in the original story.
Meanwhile, Tiga faltered. Yanagaki's savage blows rained down, battering him into the ground. A brutal headbutt sent him flying. The monster pinned him, jaws gaping toward the crystal on his forehead.
"Come on! A hero cannot fall here!"
Moved by the director's desperate plea, the Ultra Star blazed crimson. It tore free from his hand, swelling with power, and shot straight toward Yanagaki.
"It's here."
Without hesitation, Yuzhou drew his Shining Stick and pressed the trigger.
Light erupted across the lakeside. A second giant of silver, crimson, and violet rose beside Tiga.
Another Tiga!
"What—another one?!" Charija, hovering nearby, gaped at the sight of two identical Ultras.
The Ultra Star did not stop. It hammered Yanagaki's skull with bursts of light, knocking the beast back step after step. At last it flared brilliantly and transformed into a forty-meter giant of red and silver.
The original Ultraman had arrived.
Daigo, still struggling in his Tiga form, stared in awe. Yuzhou had told him the truth: there were indeed others.
Even the first Ultraman himself!
The elder warrior gave a curt nod to both Tigas, then raised his hand. A beam of Specium energy streaked from his arms, slamming into Yanagaki.
Daigo and Yuzhou followed, crossing their arms to unleash twin Zepellion Rays.
Three beams struck as one. Even the so-called "strongest beast in the universe" could not withstand such firepower. Yanagaki exploded into fragments, scattering across the ground.
"Yanagaki…" Charija howled in grief. If only he had taken it away instead of letting it rampage, it might have survived.
But it was too late.
"Ultramen! We will meet again!" Snarling, Charija dissolved into smoke and vanished.
The three giants stood together in silence. Then Ultraman stepped forward and shook hands with both Tigases. The director, watching from the shore, smiled like a man witnessing a dream.
At last, the original raised his head skyward, preparing to depart.
"Wait!"
Yuzhou's Tiga lifted a hand. Ultraman paused, looking back.
"The Ultra warriors of Earth's ancient past are all gone," Yuzhou said. "Now only human-fused Tiga remains. If a world-ending crisis ever threatens this planet… I ask that you come. Help us protect Earth."
Ultraman considered, then reached out his palm. "Take this Ultra Star. If you need me, use it to summon me."
Yuzhou bowed his massive head, accepting the crimson gem. "Thank you."
"Maintaining peace is the path of all Ultras," the original replied. Then, with a final nod, he ascended into the sky, vanishing among the stars.
Yuzhou and Daigo dissolved back into light, reforming before the astonished Tsuburaya. The Ultra Star shrank with Yuzhou's size, resting in his human hand.
The director's gaze moved to Daigo, realizing the truth—this young man, a mirror of Nagano, was Tiga himself.
"Director," Yuzhou said softly, "the world doesn't just need monsters. It needs heroes."
"You're right," Tsuburaya said firmly. "We need heroes."
"Just… make sure you don't actually film Tiga and the other Ultra. At least give them different names."
The director chuckled. "Of course. I understand."