Ultraman: He captures EyeQ at the start, a righteous and fun-loving man.

The colossal city that emerged from the time tunnel, the golden-haired enemy, and the first time a monster spoke before the people—all these elements pushed humanity's unease to its extreme.

It could be said that if the TPC previously decided to rely on armament to protect the Earth, then now the public is also pushing for the TPC to armament.

Although human inclinations seemed to favor the hardliners, Director Yoshitaka was not happy.

He could sense it. Humanity was becoming increasingly irrational. Under such circumstances, the proper use of weapons was virtually impossible.

He wants humans to control weapons, not humans to be controlled by weapons. Therefore, he's now acting contrary to his usual stance, advocating for rational militarization, much to the astonishment of his hawkish subordinates.

Time passed amidst the noise and chaos. Most of the monsters that appeared were dealt with by Tiga. After upgrading their weaponry, even the GUTS team single-handedly defeated a monster that was approximately twenty or thirty meters tall.

That day, Director Yoshitaka came to see Director Sawai again for a small meeting to discuss the issue of militarization.

Although to outsiders he and Director Sawai seemed like sworn enemies, the two were actually longtime friends who had known each other since the old defense force era.

Just then, a subordinate handed over a report. Director Sawai glanced at it, and his brows immediately furrowed.

Director Ji Gang asked calmly.

"Sawai, what happened?"

Director Sawai rubbed his temples. His tone was a mix of helplessness and exhaustion.

“A monster emerged from a volcano and is heading towards the Zelda gas.”

Director Ji Gang pondered this familiar term. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he spoke.

"Zelda gas, you mean that failed new energy source? What if all the Zelda gas in that base leaked..."

Director Sawai calmly responded.

"Then one-tenth of Japan's land will be swallowed up... Help me get to the GUTS team."

The staff around him immediately began making communications. Director Ji Gang also left the room.

Meanwhile, the GUTS team, who were preparing for a guerrilla war with the strange bird, suddenly received a communication. Director Sawai bypassed Captain GUTS and issued an order, demanding that the GUTS team directly confront the strange bird.

This order directly led to the downing of Hien-1. Hien-2 was also damaged. Daigo and Munakata were seriously injured on the spot. Daigo suffered a broken chest. Munakata nearly went blind on the spot.

Faced with Megumi's questioning, Director Sawai explained the situation to her. Megumi understood that this was the best solution. She could only extend Daigo and Munakata's leave by a few more days (not counting sick leave).

Just as the GUTS team was considering how to deal with the monster bird, Chief Yoshigoro summoned Dr. Masachika Nezu, the developer of Zelda Gas, and held a private meeting with his subordinates.

At the meeting, Director Ji Gang was the first to inquire about the possibility of using Zerda gas for weaponry. He desperately wanted a new weapon to silence people, even if it was just a pacifier. He wanted to curb people's short-sighted thinking.

If Zelda gas can indeed be made into weapons, then such pollution-free weapons would be enough to temporarily satisfy people's desires. At least Zelda gas was developed by humankind itself; its origins are well-known.

Director Ji Gang was even more worried that someone was heading in the unknown. In this era of frequent monsters and aliens, if humanity were to be tainted by unknown forces, it could very well face annihilation.

Rather than watching humanity go astray, Director Ji Gang should first propose a direction. At least then, it will remain under his control.

Upon hearing his question, the reactions of the surrounding hawks differed from those of Director Ji Gang. Hearing about the new weapon, many became excited.

"Dr. Nezu said in a panic."

"Director Ji Gang, Zildar gas is an extremely dangerous new energy source that is difficult to transport. Less than one cubic meter of it could destroy one-tenth of Japan's landmass. Its danger surpasses that of nuclear weapons!"

Dr. Nezu didn't want to belittle his invention like that. However, he originally developed this gas to create a new energy source, not for use in war.

Moreover, given the painful lesson learned from his own daughter, there was absolutely no way he would agree to use this gas for weaponry.

Upon hearing Dr. Nezu's words, the surrounding hawks paid no attention. In their view, all weapons were dangerous. As long as they could control them, they were good weapons.

Moreover, this weapon doesn't have the radiation drawback of nuclear weapons. An official was the first to ask a question.

"Dr. Nezu, since Zelda gas can be sealed, it means there are methods to store it. If we hire you as a consultant and allow you to continue researching Zelda gas, what are the chances of him being armed?"

Dr. Nezu suddenly roared.

"That's impossible! Zelda gas reacts as soon as it leaks into the air; the high temperature and pressure could cause it to explode. If used for weaponry, it would be a completely uncontrollable weapon!"

As he spoke, his body, ravaged by years of experimentation, could no longer hold on. He began to cough incessantly.

He finally understood. If their ambitions weren't completely thwarted, the research on Zelda gas would certainly continue.

In that case, he'd rather personally destroy the future of Zelda Gas. Let it remain dangerous; at least the danger will deter those with ill intentions.

Hearing the founder say this, most of the hawks gave up their ideas. After all, if a sword is a double-edged sword, then even if it can kill the enemy, it is completely unusable.

Zelda gas is so dangerous and so powerful. What if a monster appears in the city one day? One shot could destroy the entire city. What would be the point of protecting anything then? Would humanity be doomed?

Just then, another voice suddenly asked.

"In other words, this is a weapon even more powerful than nuclear weapons. Is it feasible to use it in space warfare in the future?"

Director Ji Gang looked over upon hearing the voice. The speaker was a junior official. His name seemed to be Quan Teng. The man suited his taste perfectly; he was a promising junior colleague.

Dr. Nezu said irritably.

"This is just a failed new energy source, even in space warfare. Transportation is also a major problem; a single mistake could lead to the collective self-destruction of the troops."

Gondo's eyes flickered for a moment. He sat back down in his seat.

A failed new energy source... energy... if it could be combined with another TPC technology... energy with such high energy density might lead to a greater breakthrough in that technology.

Hearing this, Director Yoshitaka roughly understood that Zelda gas couldn't be used as a pacifier. He ordered the meeting adjourned. Gondo didn't press the matter further. Instead, he headed towards a secret research facility inside TPC.

Chapter 63 Regard Returns

Inside the volcano, the strange bird Sheila dreamed again of the little girl who had once cared for her.

The girl smiled as she fed her. Suddenly, her keen sense of smell detected a strange odor. She flew around, trying to alert the little girl, and lured her towards the window.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Tragedy still struck. A massive fire engulfed the entire house and leveled the surrounding area.

The little bird survived by sheer luck. It absorbed the volcanic energy amidst pain and hatred, and resolved one day to destroy the Zelda gas.

Her body grew enormous. It became hideous. Until she felt she was strong enough to leave Earth carrying the Zelda gas. So she set off for the secret base where the Zelda gas was stored.

While flying, she didn't intend to attack the GUTS team. However, they charged at her head-on, leaving her no choice but to knock them down. She suffered severe injuries and had to return to recuperate.

What can she do? Even if it absorbs volcanic energy, it's still essentially a bird. A plastic gun firing BBs could shoot it down. Even if it evolves into a monster bird, it's no match for the GUTS team's weapons.

Whenever she wanted to give up, she would hear the girl's laughter and remember the girl's screams before she was engulfed by flames. This was enough to keep her going.

She managed to heal her injuries and set off again towards the Zelda gas.

This time, she was determined to fight to the death. No matter what difficulties or obstacles lay ahead, no matter who stood in her way, she was determined to destroy the Zildar gas.

The strange bird has been detected reappearing. The GUTS team has deployed Flying Swallow No. 1 and No. 2. Daigo is still recuperating at the base due to serious injuries.

In their view, if the monster comes into contact with the Zelda gas, it will be a catastrophe for the country.

Although they now understood the strange bird's identity and were saddened by the death of Dr. Nezu's daughter, they knew that allowing Sheila to destroy the Zelda gas would lead to even more deaths in the disaster.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nezu received news from elsewhere: a strange bird was heading towards the Zelda gas he was developing. Upon seeing a picture of the strange bird, he instantly thought of the little bird his daughter kept.

"Is it... Sheila? But why? Does it still hate the Zelda gas that took my daughter?"

Dr. Nezu, filled with remorse, clutched his hair and sat by the roadside, agonizing over his actions.

It's all because of him. If he hadn't insisted on researching new energy sources, his daughter wouldn't have died, and that little bird wouldn't have become so ugly.

It's often said that human progress is fraught with difficulties. But how many families? How much love has been lost amidst these setbacks? Others might say they carry on with their pain. But they cannot forgive themselves.

Dr. Nezu suddenly looked up. He hailed a taxi and headed towards the secret base.

As the developer of Zildar Gases, he naturally knew where these gases were stored.

He knew he might not even get to the outer perimeter before being stopped by the TPC. But it was the only thing he could do now.

No matter what, I will do what I can. I must do something... I absolutely must!

Sheila had landed on the outskirts of the base. She carefully avoided the fleeing defenders and resolutely headed towards the base.

On Flying Swallow 1, Shinjo said angrily.

"Damn it, what is this monster after?! It's willing to sacrifice more people like Nezu Mami just to destroy the Zelda gas!"

Zongfang covered his injured eye and issued the battle order.

"Attention all aircraft! Prevent the monster from approaching Zelda Base! Texas, prepare!"

The Flying Swallow 1 fired a green laser. Meanwhile, the Flying Swallow 2 deployed its central cannon, beginning to charge its Texas Cannon.

Compared to the monsters the GUTS team has encountered before, this monster is far too weak. Previously, lasers hitting other monsters were merely minor damage, but hitting this monster caused considerable harm.

She had only taken a few blows when she collapsed to her knees, powerless. Her eyes were half-open, and in her dazed state, she seemed to see her little master waving at her.

“Sheila… let’s play… Sheila…”

Its gaze hardened once more. Soon. Soon it would complete its mission. Then. It would go down and see her again.

She struggled to her feet. Tears welled in Sheila's eyes. These tears contained the sorrow of losing her little master, but also the joy of impending success.

She staggered forward two steps. Her forcibly evolved body quickly gave way. Blood began to flow from Sheila's beak.

Lina said with a heavy heart on the plane.

"This monster... it's crying. Why? Why is it still moving forward even though it's spitting blood? Does it hate the Zelda gas that much for taking away its little master?"

The new city behind him seemed to be trying to hypnotize itself, speaking in a firm tone.

"Lina, no matter what reasons Sheila has, she is a monster now! What we need to do is protect the people from this monster!"

The Flying Swallow 2 had its Texas Cannon fully charged. A flicker of pity crossed Munakata's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

"Texas Cannon, fire!"

A thick yellow beam of light shot towards Sheila. It aimed directly at the unwavering little bird.

Inside the base, Daigo and Megumi stared at the screen. Daigo tried several times to take out his Spark Lens, but ultimately put his hand down.

Suddenly, a gigantic cloak appeared out of nowhere, swallowing the yellow beam of light whole, as if it had been devoured, and dissipating it into nothingness.

In the sky, a massive spacetime vortex suddenly appeared. From it flew a gigantic figure, landing beside Sheila and draping the cloak over himself.

The sudden turn of events surprised everyone. Lina looked closely and exclaimed in delight at the newcomer's name.

"It's Reggart, he's back!"

Hope ignited in the eyes of the GUTS team members. Daigo and Megumi, inside the base, also unconsciously wore smiles.

Zongfang stared at Regat with hopeful eyes.

"If it were you, what would you do, Reggart..."