Ultraman: It turns out this is the easy mode.

The street barbecue stalls at dusk were filled with the rich aroma of meat, and the charcoal fire crackled and popped. Cui Ming and Xiang Xiushu sat at a small table in the corner, with several skewers of charred meat and vegetables in front of them.

Hideki picked up an ice-cold beer, snapped the tab open, and let the foam overflow from the bottle. He tilted his head back, took a sip, and sighed contentedly. Meanwhile, in front of Choi Myung was a bottle of orange-flavored carbonated drink, his fingers resting on the bottle as he occasionally picked up a skewer of grilled mushrooms and ate them slowly.

Hideki Xiang couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Choi Myung drink his beverage. "After all these years, you still don't touch alcohol or cigarettes. You're more particular than a rough guy like me." He had known Choi Myung's habits for a long time. From the time they met until now, he had never seen Choi Myung touch these things. Even at the celebration banquet, he only drank juice or beverages.

Upon hearing this, Cui Ming shook his head slightly: "I'm used to it. Touching those things always feels uncomfortable. Drinks are much more refreshing." As he spoke, he picked up a skewer of grilled chicken wings and handed one to Xiang Xiushu, "Try this. The boss grilled it really well."

Hideki took the chicken wing, took a big bite, and the juices burst in his mouth. But the smile on his face slowly faded, and his eyes became filled with emotion. He put down his beer, looked at Cui Ming, and said seriously, "Old Cui, to be honest, if it weren't for your help, my wife and older brother would probably be gone by now."

"It's all in the past, why bring it up again?" Cui Ming said calmly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter. "Your situation was special back then, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

“But for me, that was a life-saving grace.” Hideki Go’s voice was a little hoarse. He took another sip of beer, his eyes full of gratitude. “I’ve never been truly impressed by many people in my life, but you, Old Cui, are definitely one of them. Whether it was saving my family before or helping me deal with the trouble caused by those aliens later, you never uttered a single complaint. I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life.”

Looking at Hideki Hideaki's sincere expression, Choi Myung felt a warmth in his heart. He picked up his beverage bottle and gently tapped it against Hideki Hideaki's beer bottle, making a crisp sound: "We're friends, so don't be so formal. If you ever need anything in the future, I'll definitely help if I can."

The lights from the barbecue stall shone on their faces, and the heat of the charcoal fire dispelled the chill of the night. Hideki looked at Choi Myung, nodded vigorously, picked up a skewer of meat, and began to eat heartily. His gratitude needed no words; it was simply a tacit understanding between them that required no deliberate effort. Occasionally, a gentle evening breeze would blow by, carrying the aroma of meat and beer. This simple street gathering was more comforting than any grand banquet.

When Hideki heard Choi Myung's nonchalant tone, he slowly shook his head, tapped the beer bottle in his hand lightly on the edge of the table, and his gaze gradually drifted towards the distant night, as if he had returned to those days that made his heart pound.

“It’s not that I want to bring it up, it’s just that that memory is too terrifying, I can’t forget it at all.” His voice was low, with a slight tremor. “Do you remember? Back then, the Nackle aliens kidnapped my older brother and wife, deliberately using them as bait to lure me out, and they even released monsters to destroy the city, just to make me lose my mind in anger and anxiety, so that they could take the opportunity to steal my power.”

At this point, Hideki Go picked up his beer and took another big gulp, as if trying to cool down the heat in his heart with the cold beer. "Back then, I was like a headless fly, searching for them everywhere, but the Nackle aliens' camouflage techniques were too good, I couldn't even find their traces. I could even imagine what would happen to them if I couldn't find them—I know better than anyone how ruthless those aliens are."

He turned to look at Cui Ming, his eyes filled with lingering fear: "Really, without you, my wife and older brother would both be dead." "I still remember it to this day." Xiang Xiushu's voice choked up a little. "Only then did I realize that I wasn't fighting alone. If it weren't for you, I might have been blinded by hatred long ago, and not only would I not have been able to save them, but I would have also fallen into the hands of the Nackle aliens."

Seeing his agitated state, Cui Ming didn't say much, but simply picked up his drink bottle and clinked it against his: "It's all in the past now. Your family is all well, and that's more important than anything else."

Hideki nodded vigorously, wiped his face, and regained his usual cheerful smile: "That's right! Life is good now, all thanks to you, Lao Cui. Here, this skewer of grilled kidneys is for you!" He picked up a skewer of grilled kidneys and handed it over, the gratitude in his eyes more sincere than any words—some kindness doesn't need to be spoken often, but is forever engraved in the heart.

Hideki handed the grilled kidneys to Choi Myung, his eyes full of sincerity. The tension he had felt earlier due to the memories gradually transformed into a solemn sentiment. He put down the beer bottle, gently clenched his hands on his knees as if making a decision, and looked at Choi Myung earnestly, saying, "Old Choi, I know you never want to trouble others, but for me, you saved my whole family. I can never repay this kindness in my lifetime."

He paused, then raised his voice a few decibels, his sincerity leaving no room for refusal: "So listen to me, if you encounter anything difficult in the future, don't try to handle it all by yourself. As the human form of Ultraman Jack, I have nothing to repay you with, except this power. You can use it as you please, so please don't hold back."

“You don’t need to do this.” Choi Myung put down the grilled kidneys and tried to decline, but was interrupted by Hideki Hideki.

“I’m not being polite with you!” Hideki Go leaned forward, his eyes unwavering. “Think about it, if you hadn’t helped me before, how would I have had the chance to continue using Jack’s power to protect the Earth? The Earth is not peaceful now, and the Seth team’s mission is getting heavier and heavier. If you can use Jack’s power, not only will it be easier, but you can also protect more people.”

He picked up the beer bottle, took another sip, and softened his tone, but still remained stubborn: "Besides, we're brothers, my power is your power. In the future, whether it's dealing with cosmic villains like the Nackle aliens or responding to sudden monster crises, as long as you need me, even just a signal, I can come immediately and make Jack's power work for you."

Looking at the genuine trust in Hideki Hideaki's eyes, Choi Myung felt a warm current rise in his heart.

He knew that Hideki Go wasn't just being polite; he was entrusting his safety and the protection of Earth to him. After a moment of silence, Choi Myung picked up his beverage bottle and clinked it heavily against Hideki Go's beer bottle, his voice tinged with emotion: "Okay, I'll remember that. If things really come to a head, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Upon hearing this, Hideki laughed instantly, revealing his bright teeth: "That's more like it! Come on, let's drink! Oh, no, you drink your beverage, let's have a toast!" He raised his beer bottle, clinking it against Choi Myung's beverage bottle. In the night, their figures appeared especially warm under the lights of the barbecue stall—a promise of unwavering strength became the most touching testament to this deep friendship. (End of Chapter)