Ultraman: It turns out this is the easy mode.

A few years later, Earth ushered in a rare period of peace.

The streets were bustling with traffic, pedestrians wore relaxed smiles, children chased and played in the square, and sunlight shone on the rows of buildings, exuding peace and tranquility. Sergeant Gao Feng was driving, with his wife Xing Guangzi in the passenger seat, and their daughter in the back seat, clutching a plush toy, curiously peering out the window at the lively scene.

"Yes, a peaceful world." Sergeant Gao Feng looked out the window, his voice filled with emotion. There had been no large-scale monster attacks or alien invasions in recent years; such days were something he had never dared to dream of before.

Xingguangzi turned her head to look at him, a gentle smile on her lips: "Actually, it's similar to our side; it's peace that everyone has worked hard to protect."

“Indeed.” Sergeant Gao Feng smiled, but the next second, his eyes became more serious. “However, we still need to be careful, after all, we don’t know when or what kind of enemy we will encounter. Peace is never permanent, and only by staying vigilant at all times can we safeguard this stability.” Having experienced too many battles, he knew better than anyone that unknown dangers might be hidden beneath the calm surface.

Xingguangzi nodded gently, her tone tinged with emotion: "Every world has its difficulties. To maintain peace, someone always has to make sacrifices." She thought of those who had fought to protect Earth, her heart filled with admiration.

After a moment of silence, Xingguangzi suddenly remembered something and asked, "Speaking of Cui Ming, how has he been lately? I haven't heard from him in a long time."

Sergeant Gao Feng paused on the steering wheel, his eyes slightly unreadable, and said ambiguously, "Uh, him? He's making preparations. I don't know the specifics, I only know he's been busy with things at TPC." He actually knew what Cui Ming was busy with, but there were some things he couldn't elaborate on.

However, the atmosphere at the TPC EDF training ground was completely different from the relaxed atmosphere outside.

Dozens of new recruits, dressed in uniform, stood in neat rows, their postures upright and their eyes fixed firmly ahead. Cui Ming, wearing a simple red and white combat uniform and a red scarf given to him by Asuka, stood at the front of the group, exuding a powerful aura. He was the "Storm One" they were talking about.

"Very good, congratulations, you are now members of the TPC EDF division combat force." Cui Ming's voice was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the training ground through the loudspeaker. "I am Storm One, I believe you all know me. As your superior, I want to make one thing clear to you now—vehicles are your weapons, aids in combat, but weapons can be abandoned when absolutely necessary, that's right! Abandoned!"

His gaze swept over each team member, his tone stern: "Listen carefully! The resources invested in training you are more than those invested in building ten weapons or a hundred vehicles! I don't want to see these resources wasted, and I certainly don't want to see you sacrifice your lives in vain to save the vehicles!"

Under the focused gaze of his team members, Cui Ming continued, "Your normal mission is to be on standby at all times, to eliminate any non-Earth invaders that appear, and to protect the safety of Earth. Remember, your lives are more important than any weapon or vehicle! In battle, prioritizing your own survival is the only way to better complete your mission and continue to safeguard this peace! Understand?"

"Yes, sir!" All the team members responded in unison, their voices loud and clear, full of fighting spirit, so powerful that the air seemed to tremble slightly.

Looking at the energetic team before him, Cui Ming's eyes showed a hint of approval: "Very good! Now, dismissed! In ten minutes, go to the armory to collect your combat gear. Formal training will begin this afternoon!"

"Yes!" the team members responded again, then turned around in an orderly fashion and walked towards the equipment depot.

As Cui Ming watched his teammates' orderly departure, a faint smile slowly curved his tense lips, and he nodded in satisfaction. The determination and vigor in the eyes of this new team reminded him of his initial comrades-in-arms, and gave him a sense of reassurance about the future. Just then, he heard familiar footsteps behind him. Without turning around, Cui Ming knew it was Kijima Megumi.

“They’re all elite combatants.” Megumi walked to his side, her gaze fixed on the training ground, her tone full of admiration.

In recent years, she has been assisting in the preparation of the EDF division while also preparing for the upcoming Victory team. Now, seeing the state of the EDF players, she is even more looking forward to the cooperation between the two teams in the future.

Choi Myung turned to look at her, his tone earnest and expectant: "Yes, they will cooperate with the Victory Team you lead in future operations. The Victory Team is about to be formed, are you ready to be the captain?"

In recent years, Megumi has grown rapidly, transforming from a junior who was confused about the ancient civilization into a leader who can stand on her own. Choi Myung knows better than anyone that she already has the ability to lead the Victory Team.

Hearing this, Megumi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away shyly. She said softly, "Um... Choi... I feel embarrassed when you say that." In private, she was already used to calling Choi Myung by his name, but the thought of officially taking on the responsibility of "Captain of the Victory Team" and being so directly acknowledged by Choi Myung still made her blush.

Seeing her slightly embarrassed expression, Choi Myung's gaze softened, and he gently patted her shoulder: "Believe in yourself, you'll be fine, Hye-ja. I'm at ease with you leading the Victory Team." He only called her that when they were alone, his tone full of unique intimacy and trust.

"Hmm," Megumi took a deep breath, looked up at Choi Myung, her eyes regaining their resolve, and nodded firmly. Over the years, through countless late-night conversations as they fought side by side and prepared for the new team, Choi Myung had already won her over.

Former "seniors and juniors" are now each other's most trusted partners and will be "comrades-in-arms" protecting the Earth—he leads the EDF division, and she leads the Victory Team, working together to safeguard this peace.

Looking at Choi Myung beside her, Kijima felt a sense of peace as she recalled all the preparations she had made for the Victory Team over the past few years. She asked softly, "Do you need me to go with the EDF players to their training this afternoon? It would be good to coordinate with them in advance, so that the Victory Team and EDF can cooperate more smoothly in the future."

“Of course.” Cui Ming nodded, deliberately teasing, “I’d also like to see how our future ‘Victory Team Captain’ communicates with his teammates.” Seeing that Ju Jianhui blushed again, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Sunlight streamed through the training ground's roof, bathing the two in warmth and brightness. In the distance, the new EDF members were already receiving their equipment, their lively discussions faintly audible; beside them stood the two who would soon lead their respective teams to protect Earth.

Cui Ming wanted to know one thing right now: Was Gatanjah ready?

(End of this chapter)