---o---
[Sosuke Aizen: Alien Empera, if he wasn't trying to lure out the Ultra Brothers and Father of Ultra, Mebius would have died at his hands long ago. The difference in their power is clear at a glance.]
[Utaha Kasumigaoka: When you think about it, Mebius is really quite pitiful. He's the youngest among the Ultra Brothers, at an age that would barely be considered adult in human society. Then, just a few months after arriving on Earth, he has to face a horde of monsters that even his own brothers couldn't defeat.]
[Detective Conan: Indeed. Although they are both geniuses, Mebius seems like a late bloomer compared to someone like Zero, who was at his peak the moment he appeared.]
[Father of Ultra: Whether it's Mebius or Zero, they are the pillars of the younger generation. With them and the countless other excellent successors, the Land of Light... can be safely entrusted to them.]
[The God of Shinobi: Ooh, nurturing the strength of the younger generation? In a time when the universe is not yet at peace, this is indeed very important.]
[The Great Emperor of the Dark Universe: The younger generation of Ultra Warriors, heheh... they are nothing but a pack of stray dogs. Before me, an Ultraman is nothing.]
Light Curtain Commentary—
As Alien Empera's statement appeared, the comments in the projection scrolled by rapidly.
[Galaxy Baseballer: Alien Empera? He's pretty arrogant for someone who isn't even a match for Zero in a fight.]
[Universal Loiterer Zero: Hmph. He just relies on his cosmic fleet to pull some cheap tricks. If he wants a fight with me, Zero, he's still twenty thousand years too early!]
[Alien Mephilas: Hmph... Cheap tricks? No. Perhaps your power is indeed great, but His Majesty the Emperor has merely given the power of choice to humanity itself. No matter how strong you are, can you control who humanity chooses, Ultraman Zero?]
[Yukino Yukinoshita: Humanity is not that kind of ungrateful, heartless species! They would never abandon the Ultramen to embrace the darkness!]
[Universal Emperor Belial: That's not necessarily true. The Land of Light has already fallen. At a time like this, wouldn't it be better to curry favor with Empera, one of the few beings in the universe who can stand against the Swarm?]
---o---
[On the light curtain, just as Belial said, human nature is the most difficult thing to fathom.
The moment Emperor Empera's voice faded, countless people began clamoring for GUYS and the government to hand over Ultraman Mebius.
They didn't know that Mirai from the GUYS team was Ultraman Mebius, nor did they care who Ultraman Mebius was. They only wanted to trade Mebius's life for the Emperor's protection.
Countless reporters swarmed the entrances of government buildings and the GUYS headquarters, demanding to know the identity of Ultraman Mebius on Earth.
And the members of GUYS, who knew the truth, would of course never expose Mebius's identity.
However... when the Swarm first invaded Earth and Mebius transformed in public, the members of GUYS were not the only ones who saw it.
Other workers, including people in shelters, pointed out Mebius's identity one after another: "It's a member of GUYS, Mirai Hibino!! The members of GUYS colluded with him, they knew his identity all along but kept it a secret! They want to see human civilization completely destroyed!!"
"Ultraman Mebius is Mirai Hibino, who has always been with the defense team!!"
Upon receiving this news, Yabuki from the National Security Bureau arrived at their doorstep. "The GUYS Japan branch knew that Mirai Hibino was Ultraman Mebius, yet you concealed this fact and even allowed him to become a member of the defense team!"
Assistant Inspector Tsuruyama was taken aback, his eyes darting to the side. "Is... is this true?"
Yabuki replied coldly, "The one I'm here to question is you."
Seeing Yabuki's attitude, Tsuruyama couldn't help but feel angry, but then he remembered his own past attitude towards Mebius and swallowed his anger.
Just as the members of GUYS returned to the base, Tsuruyama intercepted Ryu Aihara. "You're just in time. There's still much to be done. Go and rest for a while."
Knowing the purpose of the man from the higher-ups, and adhering to the principle of stalling for as long as possible, Tsuruyama tried his best to prevent the GUYS members from coming into contact with Yabuki.
But Ryu saw through the charade and fell silent for a moment. "We don't need to rest. And we won't hand Mirai over."
Hearing this, Tsuruyama shuddered, then staggered backward with a series of twitches.
He had clearly received a great shock.
Seeing Ryu's attitude, Yabuki spoke sternly, "The future of the Earth should be protected by our own hands. This is a saying left behind by a former defense team captain. You know that, don't you?"
Hearing the familiar words, Ryu paused. "Yes."
"Even if you call them Ultra Warriors, they are still aliens. To entrust the protection of Earth to an unknown entity, don't you think there's a problem with that?"
Yabuki's tone was extremely harsh, seemingly negating all of Mebius's previous help with a single sentence.
Seeing this, Ryu's face darkened. "We don't think there's a problem! Because Ultraman Mebius... no, because Mirai is our partner!"
"Partner?" Yabuki let out a cold laugh. "Since when did GUYS become a friendship club? I demand that you hand over Ultraman Mebius and compile all information on the other Ultramen to be submitted to the government!"
The icy words made Ryu clench his fists. He knew that Yabuki's words already represented the government's stance.
And the Japanese government... in a way, represented a portion... or even the majority of humanity's attitude.
The so-called "don't you think there's a problem with entrusting our protection to an unknown entity" was nothing more than a shameless and nauseating form of moral blackmail!!
Mebius had already saved the Earth from danger more than once.
Not just him, but the other Ultra Brothers had also protected the Earth and humanity countless times.
Even when the Swarm was raging, when the Land of Light was on the brink of destruction, the Ultramen had never abandoned Earth.
They did it because they loved the Earth, loved the human race. Just as Zoffy had said, they looked forward to a future where they could fly side-by-side with humanity.
That was why they came to Earth, one after another, to protect this remote and weak little blue planet!!
And now, Mirai Hibino... was on the verge of life and death precisely because he was protecting humanity. Yet, some humans wanted to expel Mebius and his brothers from Earth, to cast these warriors who had protected Earth countless times into the abyss!!
"If we forcefully take Mirai away, he'll die!!" Ryu said impulsively, his voice filled with uncontrollable rage.
"I'm sorry, but we're out of time," Yabuki replied with cold indifference, which infuriated all the members of GUYS.
Just then, Assistant Inspector Tsuruyama stepped in front of Yabuki.
His voice was weak, but it carried a different kind of resolve. "Please wait! This young man, Mirai Hibino, I know him very well. He may be clumsy, but he works harder than anyone! He is kinder and more honest than anyone...!"
At this point, his voice choked with emotion.
But before Tsuruyama could finish, Yabuki grew impatient. "Please step aside."
Tsuruyama's eyes became resolute. "He is my... irreplaceable subordinate!!"
Taking a deep breath, Yabuki looked down at Tsuruyama from his superior position. "Is this your statement as the Assistant Inspector of the GUYS Japan branch, or is this your personal opinion?"
Assistant Inspector Tsuruyama froze, seeming at a loss.
At that moment, the main door to the GUYS control room slowly opened.
"What he just relayed was the intention of the Director of GUYS Japan."
A familiar voice rang out, causing everyone to turn their gaze toward the door.
Seeing the Director of the GUYS Japan branch arrive, Yabuki frowned and continued, "Regardless of the reason, I can interpret your actions as the will of the entire GUYS Japan branch, correct?"
"You can understand it that way. I have no objection."
The man's words didn't change the expression on Yabuki's face, but out of official courtesy, he still greeted him. "It's been a long time, Director Sakomizu."
That's right. The person who had arrived was the captain of GUYS, Shingo Sakomizu, who was also the Director of GUYS Japan.
For all this time, he had concealed his identity, wanting to fight alongside everyone in GUYS and the Ultra Warriors.
However, even though he was the director, Yabuki still said coldly, "Captain Sakomizu, I am here on behalf of the government to demand that GUYS hand over Mirai Hibino! I also demand your resignation."
But Sakomizu, who had long known the purpose of his visit, simply said with relief, "I accept. But before that, please allow me to perform one last task as director."
"One last task...?" Yabuki was taken aback, not knowing what Sakomizu was talking about.
Captain Sakomizu merely gave a look to Misaki Yuki behind him. She nodded and connected the database provided by the Pendragon's engineer, Kumano, to the GUYS system.]
---o---
Light Curtain Commentary—
[Ace Pilot of the Death Squad: Of course. Those high-level government officials never disappoint. They immediately chose Alien Empera and abandoned the Ultramen.]
[The Uchiha Dancer: Hmph. An expected outcome. Therefore... such humans are not worthy of salvation at all.]
[Flame-Head Captain: No... Although it's true that some people would want to use us to bargain for peace with Alien Empera... there will also definitely be people who believe in us, just like GUYS.]
[Director of the Land of Light Meatpacking Plant: Humanity is complex, but I firmly believe... the light in their hearts is surely dazzling and brilliant.]
[The Yokai Sage: Ultramen still choose to believe in humanity even now? What a bunch of impossibly good people...]
---o---
[On the light curtain, inside the GUYS base, in the meeting room.
Shingo Sakomizu had changed into his GUYS Japan director's uniform and placed a small box from his pocket onto the table.
He took a deep breath and looked at the camera in front of him.
And just like that, the live broadcast began.
Shingo Sakomizu nodded at the camera.
"Everyone, I am the Director of GUYS Japan, Sakomizu."
The broadcast, playing out across the world, appeared on every television set and on the screens of large buildings.
"The deadline is in one hour. First, I must convey something to you all."
"Ultraman Mebius is a member of GUYS!"
As Shingo Sakomizu said this, the citizens watching the broadcast all showed expressions of shock.
"What did he say?"
"Is it true or false?!"
The citizens erupted into discussion, chaos ensuing.
Shingo Sakomizu continued, "Many of you must be shocked right now, but please, listen to a little of my personal story."
"A long time ago, I was flying through space at sub-light speed. At that time, I encountered an Ultra Warrior who was secretly fighting to protect the Earth from the threat of invaders..."
At this point, the screen shifted to a flashback of Shingo Sakomizu's memories. In that moment, he met Ultraman Zoffy.
"He told me," Sakomizu's voice narrated.
"'Until the day comes when humanity can fly side-by-side with them, they will be our shield to defend against invaders. They love humanity and have always fought desperately to protect it. We have a responsibility to respond to their feelings.'"
"'The Earth must be protected by the hands of we humans.' Those were the words left behind by Captain Kiriyama of the Ultra Guard."
"'But this does not mean we don't need the Ultra Warriors. Rather, it tells us that we cannot rely solely on their power! We must also fight alongside them!'"
"'Never give up hope until the very end. Cheer on the Ultra Warriors. Even just by doing that, you can say you are fighting alongside them—and that will give them strength!'"
Shingo Sakomizu took a deep breath. Tears were now glistening in his eyes. "I'm asking you all, please, show your courage now! Do not yield to the threats of an invader. Show them the will of humanity!!"
"I ask that each of you honor what is in your heart and make your final decision."
"Thank you for your time."
Shingo Sakomizu bowed deeply to the camera.
The broadcast ended.
And with the end of Shingo Sakomizu's live broadcast, differing opinions arose regarding the decision of whether or not to hand over the Ultra Warrior.
"What should we do?"
"Let's just hand the Ultra Warrior over. What does it matter what the GUYS Director says? What right does he have to decide for us?!"
"Don't be stupid! The Ultramen have always been helping us! How can we do this to them? Are we even human anymore?"
"But what if all those robots attack at once? Human civilization will definitely be destroyed, just like with the Swarm, right?"
"If Ultraman Mebius and GUYS lose... humanity will surely be annihilated!"
"They won't!!" A little boy holding a Mebius action figure stood up and said to the woman beside him, "The Ultra Warriors won't lose! Right, Mom?"
"Right! The Ultra Warriors won't lose!"
"Don't drive the Ultra Warrior away!"
"My brother and I both believe in Ultraman Mebius!"
A group of pure and innocent children spoke in unison. They, in their pure-hearted kindness, couldn't understand why the adults were hesitating over this. Mebius had always protected them, as had all the Ultramen. So wasn't the answer to this choice simple?
"My daughter said she will support Ultraman Mebius until the very end!!"
The voices of the children eventually converged into a continuous torrent, influencing countless people. The sincere feelings representing humanity began to gather, bit by bit.
In an instant, voices of support for Mebius and GUYS began to rise up from all over.
"Go, Mebius! Go, Ultra Warrior!"
"Mebius and the Ultramen have protected us so many times. This time, it's our turn to protect him!"
"We humans must also show our own courage!"
"How can we just surrender to an invader?! Whether it's the Swarm or the Cosmic Emperor, we will fight to the very end!!"
"Mebius and GUYS are our hope!"
Countless people in countless regions began to spontaneously take to the streets, cheering for the Ultramen and GUYS.
Their goal was one and one only... Don't drive Mebius and the Ultramen away!!]
---o---