Silence. Silence was the bridge of tonight.
Gen was completely dumbfounded, his body stiff, expression dazed. He felt an impulse to silence the witness permanently.
How can an Ultraman be this shameless?
What Gen didn't know was that Xia Yan was an Ultraman, yet not entirely.
Therefore, his moral bottom line was exceptionally flexible. Otherwise, he wouldn't have resorted to eye-jabbing, groin-kicking, or throwing 'quicklime'.
The adult world had stripped away naivety. Everything he had done so far had a purpose, including the recording he was currently holding.
After becoming an Ultraman from a human, he clearly understood what to do next.
Like the seagull's answer: to live is to go to the pier for some fries.
Right now, Xia Yan just wanted to gather light energy—get stronger, stronger, and even damn stronger!
The two locked eyes. In the end, Gen backed down.
"Sumimasen! I was too loud just now! Please, please don't let this get out!"
He suddenly bowed deeply, his attitude and tone incredibly sincere.
Xia Yan stepped before Gen, helping him up with a hand, a wide smile on his face: "Don't want this recording to get out? What a coincidence. I have something I need your help with."
Gen felt the smile on Xia Yan's face looked utterly detestable. However, he put on a serious expression:
"Xia Yan-san and I are comrades who fought side-by-side! I'll help with anything!"
Saying this, he thought keeping the recording was a bad idea and was about to ask for its deletion. But before he could continue, the door clicked open.
Dan Moroboshi stood in the doorway leaning on his crutch, observing Xia Yan and Gen's 'brotherly respect and modesty'.
A hint of gratification appeared on his stern face: "It seems you two are getting along quite well."
These words made Gen's嘴角 twitch. He wanted to say he might not be the most virtuous person, but Xia Yan was truly a dog.
Unfortunately, with the recording still existing, Gen didn't dare say more.
Entering the room, Dan Moroboshi handed a stack of documents to Xia Yan. Staring directly at him, he said bluntly:
"I've examined your body. Your power hasn't been fully developed, and your combat skills are lacking."
"Join the MAC team. I'll help create a training regimen for you to get stronger in the shortest time possible!"
Taking the documents and hearing Dan Moroboshi's words, Xia Yan's mind involuntarily conjured the image of a jeep speeding out of a cloud of dust.
His expression immediately became uneasy.
Seeing his change in demeanor, Dan Moroboshi thought Xia Yan was feeling guarded. He patted his shoulder, his voice gentle:
"There's no need to be nervous. I am Ultraman Seven."
Then, pointing at Gen beside him, he continued: "He is Ultraman Leo. We will do our best to help you."
Gen beside him quickly nodded, looking eagerly at Xia Yan, his expression somewhat excited: "Xia Yan-san, let's protect Earth together, and defeat those evil aliens!"
Seeing Gen's enthusiastic demeanor, Xia Yan fell silent for a moment. Look how happy the kid is.
I look forward to seeing you wear the mask of pain later.
But Xia Yan still needed human hope power, so Earth indeed needed protection.
To be honest, humans on Earth in the Ultraman universe lived in dire straits.
Because whether it was aliens or monsters, they all loved coming to Earth. Yet, humanity's current technology couldn't stop them.
Xia Yan suddenly remembered the Science Special Search Party (SSSP) from the first series, with all sorts of black technology and the 'skyrocket' that could one-shot Zetton.
It just didn't make sense...
So the key question arose: Why was the MAC team's equipment, in comparison, seemingly technologically regressed and worse?
Thinking this, Xia Yan looked at Dan Moroboshi and fell silent again.
Spoiling could really ruin someone, even an entire race, it seemed.
Perhaps people had grown accustomed to relying on Seven's power.
Regarding the invitation to join MAC, Xia Yan thought it over and didn't refuse, but he raised a condition:
"Fine. But I'll only be responsible for ground patrols."
He needed an income to cover his living expenses on Earth, as his body hadn't transcended human needs yet. Seeing Xia Yan agree to join MAC, a hint of joy appeared on Dan Moroboshi's stern face. Hearing Xia Yan's condition, he was momentarily taken aback but agreed after some thought.
Ground patrols were fine too. Dan Moroboshi was very lenient towards the 'child' of his fellow Ultra Brother.
So what if he had some demands? He's just a kid.
Walking to the window, Dan Moroboshi opened it. Using his iron crutch, he pointed at the just-risen sun.
With a face full of gratification, he warmly encouraged Xia Yan:
"Look. If I am the setting sun, then you are like the rising morning sun. Your future will undoubtedly shine brilliantly!"
Gen: "???"
Doesn't that sound familiar? Didn't the Captain say something similar to me not long ago?
Even though Xia Yan-san also joined MAC, even though we can fight side-by-side...
Why don't I feel happy...
Damn it, the Captain is smiling so brightly. Could this bastard Xia Yan-san be his illegitimate son?
Gen inwardly complained incessantly.
He remembered when he first agreed to join MAC, the Captain didn't smile like this.
He even ambushed him, throwing him far away, saying a warrior must always remain vigilant.
Looking at it now... bullshit!
Gen felt he had been thoroughly duped.
As for Dan Moroboshi's motivational speech, Xia Yan let it go in one ear and out the other. He replied perfunctorily: "You're absolutely right, Captain."
To put it bluntly, trusting him was less reliable than trusting his own cheat ability.
But Dan Moroboshi's attitude towards him felt a bit off...
Like... looking at a junior.
Just as he was full of疑惑, Dan Moroboshi, having finished his感慨, turned his head.
Placing a hand on Xia Yan's shoulder, his smile was as bright as the neighbor's old man looking at the neighbor's son—radiant.
His eyes intense, he said solemnly: "Xia Yan, actually, you should call me Uncle Seven."
"?"
"I've thought about it for a long time. I still feel you should know this. After all, it's your origin. Your father... is the original Ultraman from the Land of Light!"
"??????"
A flurry of question marks popped up over Xia Yan's head. Looking at Dan Moroboshi's earnest expression as he recounted the tale, he was utterly baffled.
Huh? What on earth is all this?
I'm not even from this world. How could I possibly be related to the original Ultraman? Dan Moroboshi, are you lucid, hello!?
Did getting your leg broken by the twin monsters also scramble your memories?
Beside them, Gen was utterly shocked, his eyes wide as he listened to Dan Moroboshi's story.
The more he listened, the more colorful his expression became.
Having feasted on a massive piece of gossip, he couldn't help but感慨 internally. So the original Ultraman-senpai back then had such a tragic, poignant love affair with a human.
Though it's a bit unethical, leaving Xia Yan-san on Earth without taking him back to the Land of Light... that's too渣男 of him.
Seeing Dan Moroboshi's story getting more and more outrageous, as if he had personally witnessed his birth, Xia Yan quickly raised a hand to stop him:
"Wait, wait!"
"I have absolutely no relation to the original Ultraman!"
Seeing Xia Yan's face full of resistance, Dan Moroboshi thought he couldn't accept it. He patiently reasoned:
"I know you hold resentment. I've already sent an Ultra Sign to the Land of Light. Brother Original will come to see you."
"When the time comes, the Land of Light will be your home. No matter what you do, we will support you unconditionally!"
Hearing this, Xia Yan immediately shut his mouth, swallowing his反驳 back down.
His mind raced, thinking of other solutions. Getting a father foisted upon him was, of course, unacceptable. But he really couldn't bear to part with the Land of Light either.
How can you tempt a comrade with such things? Am I the kind of person who succumbs to temptation?
What light from the Ultra Brothers, the True Power of Father of Ultra—I have absolutely no thoughts about such things in my heart. Really!