"Ugh... feels like my body's falling apart..."
"Me too. So tired... consciousness getting fuzzy."
After a morning plus afternoon of training—Kafka Hibino and Reno Ichikawa clearly felt the training intensity. And why—before training started—they absolutely had to be prepared.
One sat in wheelchair. One pushed wheelchair. Faced the sunset—returned to hospital.
Reno—eyes vacant—sat in wheelchair. Kafka—leg in cast—pushed from behind.
Excessive muscle damage—barely treatable. But mental exhaustion—absolutely real. Seeing both near their limits—Natsuki let them return.
"Senpai... almost at the hospital. We need to switch back." Reno—seeing the hospital approaching—forced himself alert. Told Kafka.
As an ordinary person—harder to adapt to sudden high-intensity training.
"Can you hold on?" Kafka looked at Reno—even lifting a finger took effort. Asked uncertainly.
Today—every one of Reno's training exercises aimed at surpassing human limits. That intensity—truly hellish.
"Can still... hold on a bit." Reno stood from wheelchair. Let Kafka sit. Then pushed the wheelchair into the hospital. But his facial expression—not very natural. Soul about to fly out his mouth.
"Hang in there, Ichikawa."
"At this rate—we'll definitely join the Defense Force!" Kafka clenched his fist. Encouraged him.
He believed—other members taking the exam with them absolutely hadn't experienced such training. Their passing probability—very high.
Two months later—Defense Force exam's initial selection. Three months later—second selection. Also practical combat exam.
"Yeah... though just the first day—I also felt very obvious stamina improvement." Reno—pushing the wheelchair—nodded.
Today's training—how many times did he break his body's limits? Already countless.
"Wait... Ichikawa, look at that!"
Suddenly—passing through the hospital lobby—Kafka's attention caught by TV news. Eyes widened. Pointed at the TV—signaled Reno to look.
"Wha... what!?"
"Already wanted this fast!"
Reno saw the news—wanted notice for Kaiju No. 8. Eyes equally widened.
"I... does this count as being on TV?" Kafka's focus somewhat unique.
"Is that the point!?" Reno retorted.
Then quietly reminded: "Wanted by the Defense Force... and a numbered kaiju. Senpai—you absolutely can't transform in front of others anymore. Otherwise very dangerous."
"I suppose so..." Kafka looked at the TV—his own fierce portrait. Nodded somewhat fearfully.
Defense Force people—acted too efficiently.
Afterward—they stayed in the lobby a while.
After several other news items—they saw another shocking yet reasonable news piece.
"Natsuki-san... also wanted."
"Eh?"
"Wait! Natsuki-san!?" Kafka saw this news. Nearly stood up from wheelchair.
Himself as kaiju being wanted—normal. But why was Natsuki-san also wanted?
"Probably... the undocumented issue." Reno guessed.
"No good!"
"If Natsuki-san gets arrested—who'll train us!" Kafka grabbed his head. Completely unwilling to accept this reality.
Today's training—incredibly effective. He familiarized himself with his power. Even found the feeling for partial transformation. In two days—could achieve partial transformation. But now—teacher about to be arrested.
Where's the justice?
"It's fine, senpai." Reno recalled what Natsuki-san said last night. Comforted him. "The Defense Force probably can't catch Natsuki-san."
"Besides... still plenty of time until the Defense Force exam."
"We'll make it."
However—just as he finished speaking—
The TV's next news item directly stunned them in place.
"Excuse me, Vice Commander Itami—why did the Defense Force suddenly move up the recruitment exam?" In a conference hall—a reporter asked the man at the podium.
The man answering reporters' questions—vice commander of all Japan's Defense Force. Though no hair on his head—the visible scars and upright posture showed—a hardened warrior.
"This year's kaiju disaster frequency increased over 50% compared to last year... The government hopes we can better protect citizens in the future... so adjusted Defense Force selection exams. Hoping to recruit more excellent warriors."
Hearing Vice Commander Keiji Itami's answer on TV—
Kafka and Reno both gaped.
"What!?"
"Defense Force selection exam—the day after tomorrow!?"
This change—momentarily hard to accept.
Too sudden!
Meanwhile—
Isezakicho. Natsuki walked the bustling street. Gaze swept shop fronts on both sides.
"What to eat tonight?" He touched his hungry stomach. Pondered today's dinner.
Training two people—he also consumed considerable stamina. Must have a full meal to replenish.
Earth food—truly delicious.
"But... seems this dinner temporarily unavailable."
Natsuki noticed—fewer and fewer pedestrians on the street. Faces somewhat panicked. Realized what would happen next.
Soon—all pedestrians evacuated.
Storefronts all closed. The entire street—only Natsuki remained.
Coming toward him—three military transport vehicles.
"Civilian evacuation complete. Next... prepare to bring the suspect back." Purple-haired Vice-Captain Hoshina walked out from a transport vehicle's cargo area. Wore dark green combat suit. Silver-white light armor boots—clear sounds on the ground.
He reported to the captain through his earpiece.
Then—with two accompanying members—walked forward. Came to the street center. Narrowed eyes—met the gaze of the man in floral shirt.
Members from the other two transport vehicles also disembarked. Held weapons. Looked prepared for combat.
"Well... you really made us search."
"Though sudden—could you please come with us?" Hoshina asked this mysterious man.
Whether he was a kaiju—still speculation stage. But illegal entry—confirmed.
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