Yuzhou had not only discovered that Ultraman Taro was locked in combat with a monster—he also noticed a striking golden radiance nearby.
"That's Tartarus' wormhole!"
Not far from Yuzhou, Tartarus stood before his dazzling golden portal, speaking to a Blue Tribe Ultraman standing opposite him.
And that Blue Tribe warrior was clearly Ultraman Tregear—before his fall into darkness.
"I am the Ultimate Lifeform!"
"A warrior of the Absolutians!"
"Absolute Tartarus!"
With a dramatic sweep of both arms, Tartarus introduced himself to the still-unfallen Tregear.
"Let me show you your future… clearly."
As he spoke, Tartarus brought his hands together. A flash of red light flared—then a strand of golden radiance slowly flew from his right hand toward Tregear.
"Hey—who do you think you're showing that to?!"
Suddenly, a figure completely wrapped in radiant light burst in from the side. A blazing Shining Flying Kick, blazing with fierce brilliance, came crashing toward Tartarus!
"Who's there?!"
Tartarus reacted instantly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Boom!
The Shining Flying Kick slammed directly into the point where his arms crossed, sending Tartarus skidding backward through the air.
"Since you've sincerely asked—"
"—I'll graciously tell you!"
"To prevent the destruction of the World Cup—"
"To safeguard the peace of the universe!"
"I am Tiga!
I cross time itself,
and with all my strength—
I have come to your side!"
After delivering the kick, Yuzhou flipped backward and landed firmly on the ground, facing Tartarus.
"It's you again… Tiga!"
Tartarus clenched his fists tightly. Then, with one hand, he reached into empty space behind him and violently hurled something forward.
A surge of golden lightning, crackling with devastating power, tore through space toward Yuzhou.
"Shining Circular Barrier!"
Without hesitation, Yuzhou activated his shield. The light around his body intensified dramatically.
Pulling both arms back, he spread them wide—and unleashed a Shining Zeperion Ray straight at Tartarus.
However, the moment Tartarus released the golden lightning, he dove directly into the golden wormhole.
The portal collapsed instantly, vanishing without a trace.
The Shining Zeperion Ray did not stop.
It surged forward—and struck the monster that had been battling Taro not far away.
BOOM!
Without any suspense, the monster was blown apart into ash, completely erased from the universe.
"…He got away again."
Yuzhou dismissed the Shining Circular Barrier and reverted to Tiga's Multi Type, letting out a quiet sigh.
That guy always ran the moment he finished introducing himself. Slipperier than a rabbit.
"What just happened?"
After the monster was casually eliminated, Ultraman Taro hurried over, looking between Yuzhou and Tregear.
"You are… Ultraman Tiga?"
After a moment of recognition, Taro identified him.
The Ultraman who fought across other dimensions—Tiga.
"Yes. That's right," Yuzhou nodded. "Ultraman Taro, correct? This is our first meeting. Please take care of me."
He extended a hand.
Taro responded politely, clasping Yuzhou's hand in return.
"And you must be Ultraman Tregear, right?"
After speaking with Taro, Yuzhou turned to the still-dazed Tregear.
"Huh? Y-Yes!" Tregear snapped back to attention. "Ultraman Tiga, I've heard so much about you!"
Yet inwardly, he was confused—how could an Ultraman from another dimension know his name?
"What exactly just happened?"
Taro asked, still puzzled.
Just moments ago, he had been fighting a monster. Then suddenly, a golden figure emerged from a wormhole, radiating overwhelming pressure—and before anything could happen, Tiga appeared and stopped him.
"I'm not sure either," Tregear said hesitantly. "I only heard him say something about… 'Absolu-something.'"
"Absolute Tartarus," Yuzhou supplied calmly.
"That man crossed time itself," Yuzhou continued, looking directly at Tregear, "for one purpose—to take you away."
"What?!" Tregear was shocked. "I'm just a researcher. Why would he target me?"
Yuzhou smiled faintly.
Indeed, the current Tregear was still only a scientist, rarely appearing on the battlefield.
But deep down, Tregear longed to stand beside his childhood friend Taro, to join the Space Garrison and become a true warrior of light.
That very desire—and Taro's painfully straightforward personality, inherited straight from his father—had gradually caused cracks to form in Tregear's heart.
"Because in the future," Yuzhou said evenly, "Tregear becomes an enemy Tartarus cannot easily defeat."
Since Tregear knew nothing about the future, Yuzhou spoke freely.
"My… future?"
"The future Tregear?"
Not only Tregear, but even Taro was stunned.
"That's right," Yuzhou continued. "In the future, Tregear joins the Space Garrison and becomes one of the Ultra Brothers."
"I—I become an Ultra Brother?!"
Tregear's heart trembled violently.
This had always been what he admired most about Taro.
And yet—he himself would one day stand on the battlefield, protecting the universe?
"Not only that," Yuzhou added. "In battle against Tartarus, you severely injure him."
"That is why Tartarus came back through time—to lead the present Tregear, whose heart has begun to waver, down a different path."
Yuzhou spoke at length, improvising the entire explanation on the spot.
"…The doubts in my heart," Tregear murmured, fear creeping in.
If Tiga had not appeared—if he had followed Tartarus—
Then his future, his dreams… all of it would have been lost.
"Tregear," Taro said seriously, "if something's troubling you, tell me. Don't carry it alone."
Only then did Taro realize his friend's recent abnormal behaviour—and guilt washed over him.
His closest friend had been struggling, and he had failed to notice.
"Taro… I'll explain everything once we're back," Tregear sighed.
"Alright." Taro nodded, then turned to Yuzhou.
"Tiga, since you've come from such a distant time—why not visit the Land of Light?"