Japanese Terrorist: What? I'll fight Hellstar!

"I don't know who is telling the truth between you and Ultraman Seven, but I do know one thing: when it comes to cleansing away filth, nothing is more valuable than light. Before the giant of light, which symbolizes justice, neither filth nor evil gods can prevail... Toshiyuki, do you agree with me?"

Hinako Fukami's attitude began to become more composed.

She stopped thinking about what the truth was and instead placed her hopes and trust in Ultraman Seven.

Why would she follow someone else's instructions and go to see a suspicious fox spirit when there is clearly a giant of light?

"this……"

Chang Xishou was speechless.

How to refute it?

If you want to refute this, you can only argue that Ultraman is a fictional tokusatsu character, rather than refuting whether Ultraman Seven has such abilities.

However, the problem is that Ultraman Seven has already appeared in the real world, and Hinako has witnessed the power and form that Ultraman Seven has displayed.

No matter what he says, it can't compare to Hinako's trust in Ultraman Seven, that much is certain.

"So I have to stay here and not wander around, otherwise Ultraman Seven won't be able to find me. Or rather, Kosuke, you brought Ultraman Seven here, and if what you said is true, then go and explain it to Ultraman Seven. Ultraman Seven isn't someone who doesn't distinguish right from wrong."

Hinako Fukami, with a serious expression, spoke to Tokiyuki.

Tokihisa remained silent.

"...Alright, Hinako."

After a moment of silence, he nodded, accepting Hinako Fukami's suggestion with composure.

"I'll go and explain things to Ultraman Seven and invite him over. Until then, Hinako, wait here for a moment and don't go anywhere."

Tokiyuki gave Fukami Hinako a deep look with a complex gaze, a gaze that held too many unspeakable emotions: worry, helplessness, and a hint of gloom that Hinako couldn't decipher.

He didn't say anything more, but simply bowed slightly, turned around and walked out of the temple, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Hinako Fukami stood still, her hand gripping the lamppost tightly. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus, and her gaze swept across the entire shrine.

The bloodstains on the bluestone slabs had not yet dried, and the shadows cast by the vermilion imperial pillars resembled the lurking claws of beasts. Every gust of wind that swept past the eaves made her taut nerves throb.

Hinako slowly moved her feet, retreating to the pillar and pressing her back against the cold wooden post, wary of any danger that might yet appear.

Time passed by, second by second.

I don't know how much time has passed; maybe only a few minutes, maybe half an hour.

In this space where there is no rotation of the sun and moon, it is impossible to judge the flow of time.

"Hinako..."

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the divine gate.

Hinako Akami shuddered, her pupils contracting sharply.

That voice...that voice is—

"Hinako...come here..."

It was that voice again, with a tone she knew all too well, even clearer than before, as if the person calling her was getting closer.

The owner of that voice... was Sakiko!

It's Sakiko Igarashi's voice!

Hinako's heart clenched, and almost instinctively she turned to look at the divine gate behind her. The heavy door remained motionless, and the bronze beast-face ring hung silently, yet the sound clearly came from outside.

"Hinako... come here quickly... I'm here..."

Sakiko's voice continued, each note clearer and more urgent than the last.

Deepwater Hinako's breathing became rapid.

Sakiko...

That childhood friend, that guy who borrowed 500 yen from her and still hasn't paid it back.

She's dead!

Not long ago, right before her eyes, a body covered in spider lilies collapsed on that empty village road and never rose again.

Ultraman Seven said that she died, and he tried to save her with his power of light, but it was too late.

Therefore, Sakiko is dead.

What is calling out to her now?

Hinako Fukami bit her lower lip hard, the rusty taste of blood spreading across her tongue. The pain cleared her muddled mind and gradually erased the hesitation and wavering in her eyes.

It's a trap!

Hinako took a deep breath and stood still.

The calls from outside the gates abruptly ceased.

A deathly silence descended upon the shrine once more, broken only by the mournful sound of the wind whistling through the pillars.

Hinako Fukami gazed in the direction of Shinmon.

Although there was no sound, the sense of crisis intensified.

Suddenly, the heavy divine gate was violently smashed open by a tremendous force, and an invisible shockwave swept in, accompanied by scarlet mist, pouring in from outside the gate.

A distorted figure slowly emerged from the mist, each step accompanied by a heavy dragging sound, like a puppet controlled by strings.

Hinako's breathing stopped, and her pupils dilated slightly.

The figure was dressed in a tattered white priestess's robe, the embroidered spider lily pattern on the hem of which was already soaked with blood. The golden crown on her head radiated like sunlight, making her face look even more ferocious.

Sakiko's face, which originally belonged to her, was now covered by a layer of pale skin, her eye sockets were sunken into black holes, and the corners of her mouth were torn to the roots of her ears, revealing her gleaming white teeth.

Her right hand held a spiked magical weapon, the metal spikes gleaming coldly in the crimson mist, while her left hand dragged a rusty iron chain, the golden scythe at the end of the chain making a piercing, sharp sound as it scraped across the bluestone slab.

It's Sakiko, yet it's not Sakiko.

"Hinako... I've come to save you..."

The strange, monstrous witch let out a chilling roar that pierced the eardrums.

"Sakiko..."

Hinako Fukami's face was slightly pale. She wanted to deny that the monster was Sakiko, but her intuition and sixth sense told her that the monster dressed as a shrine maiden with the same voice as Sakiko was very likely Sakiko.

"Hinako!"

With a roar, the shrine maiden Sakiko fiercely pounced on Hinako Fukami. Her seemingly stiff body unleashed terrifying power, shattering the bluestone slabs beneath her feet. The spiked magic weapon she raised high stirred up a gust of evil wind and slammed down towards Hinako Fukami.

Deepwater Hina instinctively raised the lamppost to block.

"clang--!!"

With a loud crash, the spiked magic weapon slammed into the lamppost. The immense impact sent Deepwater Chuko's arms numbing, and she was thrown back several meters by the blow, leaving two black marks on the bluestone slab with the soles of her shoes.

Before she could even regain her footing, the chains came hurtling towards her.

The iron chain, like a venomous snake come to life, swept in from the side, its blades slicing through the air with a sharp, piercing sound.

Hinako quickly ducked to avoid it.

The blade grazed her back, shaving off a few strands of hair. Before she could straighten up, the chain had already retracted and lashed out again, this time aiming straight for her face.

Hinako Fukami rolled away to dodge, the blade grazing her ear as it struck the ground, sparks flying. The impact created a deep crack in the stone slab, and shards of stone flew onto her face, leaving several small, bloody scratches.