Ultraman: I am really just a human.

Chapter 436 Welcome to the Club

"HAHAHAHA!"

The mocking laughter from the broadcast was still echoing in the base when, in the next moment, Knight Eberl appeared in front of Xia Chuan amidst the smoke.

The actual distance from the East Capital Wharf to the North Capital Research Institute was not particularly far, still within the original Tokyo area, but the resulting spatial fluctuations were much stronger than before.

After Eberst obtained the Evolution Belt, the power of Pandora's Box he wielded became even stronger.

"Ahem, Kakuju-sensei."

Upon seeing Natsukawa again, Ebert appeared somewhat smug, and, panting, dragged his heavy steps into the observation room.

"I still haven't gotten used to the Knight System. I only used two percent of my power and I'm already like this. But even so, those knights in the Eastern Capital are still no match for me."

Xia Chuan silently observed Eberl's belt.

The genuine product seems to have extremely high danger level requirements, which is obviously impossible for Isadora Soichi's body to meet. He said that, but in fact, he was under a huge burden from forcibly transforming and could only fight with two percent of his strength.

"The plan seems to be going well."

Katsuragi Shinobu's forehead twitched through his gas mask. Through the broadcast, he could see that Kiryu Sento and the others were instantly reverted to their original forms. Kiryu Sento, in particular, was attacked by poison and continued to struggle in pain even after his transformation was over.

"Don't worry, Katsuragi-sensei," Ebert chuckled and withdrew from his transformation, seemingly noticing Katsuragi's unusual behavior. "Your son can hold out for at least three days. Regardless of whether we can retrieve Pandora's Box and the energy bottle, I will eventually remove the poison."

Katsuragi Shinobu stiffened as he removed his mask: "As long as I can open up a new world, I don't care about anything else, not even Takumi."

"Haha, the teacher is really aloof, but isn't that precisely why he became a great scientist?"

Eberl smiled broadly, then turned to Xia Chuan, whose face remained calm, with a hint of deeper meaning.

"It seems that Professor Kakui discovered this a long time ago. That's right, the person in charge of this research institute is Professor Katsuragi Shinobu. It was Professor Katsuragi who recommended you to me. Welcome to join us. With the help of the two professors, we will definitely be able to open the door to a new world."

"A new world?"

"The teacher will find out then. Let's start developing the Evolution Driver now. The teacher has already seen how powerful the original is. If the imitation is even one-tenth, no, one-hundredth, it will be a huge success."

Xia Chuan's lips twitched slightly.

That's quite a boast. The genuine Evolution Driver is indeed powerful, but it's impossible for it to be a hundred times stronger than the fake Evolution Driver.

The true combat effectiveness of this thing mainly depends on its accessories.

Without revealing that he had completed the pseudo-evolution driver, Natsukawa quietly followed Katsuragi Shinobu out of the observation room.

Seemingly to show their sincerity, the base prepared a new research lab for him, giving him more freedom.

He'd finally gotten past the "scientist" hurdle; now it was his turn to speak.

I'm not here to help Ebert with any scientific research.

"Now, it's about time I went back to Tokyo."

Sensing that Eberst's aura had disappeared from the research institute, Xia Chuan quickly packed his things.

Although the East Capital Research Institute is just a stepping stone, it cannot be given up easily.

He also needs to maintain contact with the main characters.

"Director Kakuju." Shinobu Katsuragi appeared at the door of the research lab.

"You can just call me Yu, Katsuragi-sensei," Natsukawa replied with a smile. "I am truly amazed by your talent, sir, to be able to analyze the Evolution Driver to that extent."

Even Dan Retsu admired the scientist's abilities from the bottom of his heart.

The fact that Earth has been able to survive until now is largely thanks to Shinobu Katsuragi.

Over the years, the other party has been lurking around Eberl, and their research on the Evolution Driver and Pandora's Box has almost reached its limit.

Even without Dan Kuroto, it was only a matter of time before the pseudo-evolution driver was completed.

This is because Shinobu Katsuragi's main focus is currently on researching the Lost Striker.

The Lost Slammers seem to be related to the New World Project.

He didn't know how the other party had fooled Ebert. In his mind, the real New World Plan should be a world reset to completely eliminate Ebert and the other vampires.

"None of this matters," Katsuragi Shinobu frowned and shook his head, looking at Natsukawa with a deep gaze. "Is Director Kakuju going back to Tokyo?"

"Yes, I've only been in office for a few days, I can't just leave it unattended. Don't worry, I will definitely complete the pseudo-evolution driver on time."

"Be careful on the road."

Katsuragi Shinobu stared intently as Natsukawa's figure disappeared outside the base.

"Yuya Kakui... there is no such person at all."

……

Dongdu (Eastern Capital)

Xia Chuan's return did not attract much attention.

The institute staff seemed to have gotten used to the new director's mysterious ways, and because of the death of the Tokyo Prime Minister, no one was in the mood to pay attention to Xia Chuan at the moment.

"Two days have passed since Prime Minister Himuro Taizan's death. The interim prime minister of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has stated that peace talks will continue and that they will remain patient with the Saitama Metropolitan Government..."

"The prime minister has been killed, and you still have patience?"

In the research institute's lobby, watching the news reports, everyone was filled with pessimism. Outside, people were also in a state of panic, with sirens blaring incessantly.

Research could no longer continue under these circumstances, and many people asked Xia Chuan for leave, saying they wanted to return to their hometown in Beidu.

Panic has begun to spread.

Xia Chuan remained calm and did not make things difficult for the staff who had previously expressed some dissatisfaction with him. In the end, he even directly announced the temporary closure of the research institute.

Anyway, the Dongdu government wasn't in the mood to deal with him.

But what about that murdered Prime Minister of the Eastern Capital...

Xia Chuan turned his gaze to the obituary on the office computer.

When he was appointed as the director of the new research institute, the former prime minister seemed quite excited, feeling that he would be the new hope of Tokyo.

I never expected that he would die so tragically at the hands of Eberl.

"Chief," the assistant knocked on the door, "that woman said she needed to see you last time."

"Oh?"

Dongdu University Hospital.

Natsukawa, led quickly by Takikawa Sawa, arrived outside the emergency treatment room, where Banjou Ryuga and the other long-haired knight stood guard along the corridor with grave expressions.

"The doctor said that because the composition of the toxin is unknown, treatment cannot be performed."

"Director Kakuju," Takikawa Sawa said anxiously, "we only have one day left. If we don't find a way soon..."

"Sawa," the long-haired knight said, shaking his head to stop Takikawa Sawa, still not in high spirits when he saw Natsukawa arrive. "Don't make things difficult for the director. Ebert didn't inject any Earth toxins, and besides, the director isn't a virology expert."

"But……"

Sawa Takikawa clearly seemed to be desperately seeking any treatment.

"Chief of the Corner Residence may have more information about Eberst..."

"I'm sorry, I've already handed over all the information that Shinobu Katsuragi left behind to you."

Natsukawa peered through the small window at Kiryu Sento, who was still struggling in pain inside the treatment room.

Dark lines spread along the blood vessels to the face, indicating severe erosion.

His abilities are all in combat, so he definitely can't save Kiryu Sento, and there's no need for him to do so.

Ebert has no reason to lie.

That guy never really tried to kill the main characters, since they were just tools.

"Shouldn't you give me an answer by now?"

Eberst Ishido appeared at the corner of the corridor, hands clasped in his pockets, smiling lazily as he asked a question.

"Let's decide quickly whether to make a trade or not. Zhan Tu can't wait much longer. It's Pandora's Box versus your partner's life. It should be easy to make a choice."

"Ebolt!"

"Unforgivable!" Misora ​​Ishidou bit her lower lip, staring intently at her familiar father's figure. "How could she possess my body and do such a despicable thing..."

"You haven't figured out my identity after all these years, and you, as my daughter, still have the nerve to say that?"

"Give me back my dad!"

Ebert smiled casually, remaining completely still as his adopted daughter, who was charging at him and unleashing the power of the Martian Queen, charged forward: "Come out, Bellnaga!"

"Bang--!"

An explosion of energy erupted in the hospital corridor, sending everyone flying backward under the impact of the golden light. However, Ebert, at the center of the storm, was only blown around by the wind.

"Just as I thought."

Eberl, braving the energy storm, grabbed his adopted daughter's wrist in return, and the clash of their forces intensified.

The entire corridor felt like being in space, with objects spinning and flying around, and cracks spreading across the floor.

As time went on, Ebert's smile remained, but sweat began to bead on his forehead.

However, the Martian princess was in even worse condition.

After the initial burst of energy, the golden light weakened, and the energy visibly dimmed.

The green light filling Misora ​​Ishido's eyes clearly showed some panic.

"Your power is waning," Ebert grinned. "Your soul is already a candle flickering in the wind, Bellnaga!"

"call--!"

Wan Zhanglong leaned against the corner, his arm shielding the bench and backpack that had been blown away, struggling to look at the center of the battle through the storm.

They are all extraterrestrial life forms that have possessed humans, yet they can display such power simply by using human bodies.

At this moment, Xia Chuan's figure, located behind Ebolt, also came into Wan Zhanglong's field of vision.

Despite being in the same storm field, Xia Chuan seemed completely unaffected.

"Bang!"

Without giving Wan Zhanglong much time to think, Eberth, who had the upper hand, unleashed his power and sent his adopted daughter flying.

The Martian Queen's power receded, while Ishidou Misora ​​collapsed unconscious with her neck tilted to the side.

"Misora!"

As the storm subsided, Wan Zhanglong and the others rushed to Shi Dongmei's side.

Ebert on the other side didn't continue to attack, but simply returned to his original state and urged, "Alright, hand over Pandora's Box and all the remaining energy bottles. Don't force me to get serious, or not only Zhan Tu, but all of you will die."

(End of this chapter)