The man named Kano Okaji (name altered to avoid using the real one) was the actor who had once portrayed Shin Asuka, Ultraman Dyna.
As for why Yuzhou looked at him with undisguised hostility—it stemmed from the actor's own disgraceful behaviour.
Visits to certain shrines, along with various other actions, had long since ruined his reputation and left him infamous.
Originally, Yuzhou had no intention of paying the man any attention. After all, out of sight, out of mind.
Shin Asuka had been such a straightforward, earnest young man. To think that he could be associated with someone like this—it was genuinely irritating.
Yet just as Yuzhou was about to leave, Kano Okaji walked straight toward him.
"Excuse me," Kano said casually, stopping in front of Yuzhou. "Do you happen to know where all the people from that certain company went?"
"I'm sorry, I don't," Yuzhou replied flatly, his expression indifferent. "I'm not a local. Just passing through."
"Oh?" Kano raised an eyebrow. "Then where are you from, kid?"
With his slick, greasy appearance, Kano clearly saw Yuzhou as nothing more than a young passerby.
"I'm from Huaxia," Yuzhou replied, lifting his brow slightly.
The moment those words left his mouth, Kano's expression changed.
The thin veneer of politeness vanished, replaced by open mockery.
"Oh, Huaxia?" he sneered. "Heh. Was your Huaxia destroyed by monsters already? Is that why you've come running to our island nation?"
"Are you sick in the head?" Yuzhou said, looking at him as though he were witnessing something absurd.
He had merely stated where he was from—and this man immediately responded with scorn?
"A Huaxia guy dares to insult me on my land?" Kano's excitement flared. His oily face leaned closer, his posture aggressive, as if he were ready to strike at any moment.
"Take your greasy face away from me," Yuzhou said coldly, without a trace of courtesy.
"Heh. There's no law left in this world anymore," Kano cracked his knuckles, clearly itching for a fight. "If this were the old days, maybe I'd hesitate."
"You want to fight?" Yuzhou snorted, his sharp gaze locking directly onto Kano's eyes.
Kano had fully intended to teach this "arrogant Huaxia man" a lesson.
But the moment their eyes met, his heart skipped.
What… a terrifying look.
That single thought surfaced unbidden in Kano's mind, and he halted his advance.
"Huaxia trash, crawl back to your Huaxia," Kano spat, still running his mouth despite backing down. "Ultraman belongs to our island nation. You think you can get his protection? Dream on!"
"Now that Ultraman and monsters exist in this world, just wait. One day, when I truly become Dyna—heh—your Huaxia's good days will be over!"
With that, Kano spat a glob of phlegm at Yuzhou's feet.
"You really believe you're Ultraman Dyna?" Yuzhou laughed. "You truly think you're Shin Asuka?"
"Of course!" Kano said smugly. "Shin Asuka is Kano Okaji, and Kano Okaji is Shin Asuka!"
"Shin Asuka would never be like you," Yuzhou replied with a cold chuckle. "You're not worthy of him. He was a hot-blooded, courageous kid. You? You don't even qualify."
"A kid?" Kano burst out laughing. "Who do you think you are? What a stupid bastard!"
His laughter drew the attention of nearby passersby.
"Hey… doesn't that guy look familiar?"
"Yeah, yeah, I've seen him somewhere."
"Wait, wasn't he the one who played Ultraman Dyna?"
"That's right! Could he really be Ultraman?"
"Probably not, right?"
"Even if monsters exist now, people are still just people."
"…."
Despite the apocalypse, the area near the company building remained relatively intact. The space was wide and undamaged, so survivors passed through frequently.
Once the crowd recognized Kano, they began to gather around him. Some even asked for autographs.
Kano looked extremely pleased with himself. He shot Yuzhou a mocking glance before starting to sign for the crowd.
In this ruined world, holding his autograph gave these survivors the illusion that they, too, were under Ultraman's protection.
"Hm."
At that moment, Yuzhou cleared his throat loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Beat him up," Yuzhou said calmly, "and all of this is yours."
With a casual wave of his hand, over a hundred cans of luncheon meat appeared on the ground.
In a world where supplies were scarce, this was priceless treasure.
"Th-that is—"
"Canned food!"
"Meat! Real meat!!!"
"How long has it been since I ate meat?!"
"I want it!"
"…."
No one questioned how the cans appeared.
Seeing the food, several people lunged forward, attempting to grab it.
But every one of them was knocked flat the moment they reached Yuzhou.
"I already said it," Yuzhou stated, pointing at Kano. "Beat him once, and everyone gets one can. Try to steal, and this is your outcome."
He deliberately placed the beaten scavengers beside the pile of cans as a public warning.
"I'll try!" one man said, still holding Kano's autograph. He stepped forward and punched Kano square in the face.
Then he hurried back to Yuzhou.
"Here," Yuzhou said, handing him ten cans. "First brave soul gets ten."
"Second gets nine. Third gets eight. Fourth gets seven…"
Yuzhou raised his voice.
Instantly, the crowd's eyes lit up like wolves spotting prey.
They stared at Kano as if he were a plump lamb dropped into a pack of starving beasts.
"Y-you… what are you planning to do?!" Kano stammered, clutching his face.
Moments ago, these people had been begging him for autographs.
Now their expressions had completely changed.
"I want the cans!"
"Me too!"
"Take this!"
"…."
In no time, Kano was swallowed by the crowd.
Occasionally, miserable screams echoed from within.
"Here, yours."
"This one's for you."
"Don't rush. Everyone gets one. Line up."
"…."
Soon, a neat line formed in front of Yuzhou to collect the canned meat.
As for Kano Okaji—he lay sprawled on the ground, face swollen and bruised beyond recognition.
At least… he was still breathing.