Chapter 124: Have You Betrayed Us Too, Inspector?

Sara Mizuhara felt that if she let Qiao Zhe continue speaking, the Night Raider team might as well disband on the spot.

Hayato Kaibon, hearing his superior’s voice, obediently stepped back to the side, acting as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Sara’s gaze, Qiao Zhe spread his hands and said, "Sara, you won't let me be the commander, and I’m really short on personnel."

Previously, while discussing the operation plan against Zagi with Sara, Qiao Zhe had proposed that he be the leader of the Tokyo branch. He had no intention of being managed by others. Those three military mascots—Soma, Togo, and Koyanagi—were utterly useless in the TV show; they would be better off retiring to enjoy their golden years rather than causing high-blood-pressure-inducing disasters. Since Sara hadn't agreed, Qiao Zhe had resorted to this desperate measure of poaching talent.

"Sara, why don't you be my inside contact? With the equipment from North America, we could develop many formidable weapons."

Qiao Zhe looked at Sara with burning intensity. She was a scientist specializing in biochemical research and was quite skilled in creating specialized weaponry. The idea of taking down a Space Beast with a single, high-tech projectile wasn't entirely out of the question.

"This is called 'borrowing a hen to lay eggs.' A pretty good idea, don't you think?"

His boisterous plotting made cold sweat stream down Matsunaga’s forehead. This was disastrous; he knew a secret he shouldn't, and if he recalled correctly, the Inspector had claimed she was friends with the Ultra Warrior. This meant they were all in on it!

Sara clenched her fists tightly, taking a deep breath to keep her temper in check.

"Stop spouting such ridiculous ideas." She looked at Qiao Zhe with a dark expression and explained, "The matter of the branch commander is not something I can decide unilaterally; it requires consultation with other high-ranking officials."

"Then keep consulting, then," Qiao Zhe said dismissively. Regardless of whether the TLT gave him this respect, he intended to form his own team so he wouldn't be restricted by others.

"Enough, don't get in my way."

Waving his hand dismissively, Qiao Zhe looked at Sara and asked, "Can you really destroy Space Beasts and save humanity—save this Earth—by working with those insects?"

Sara was momentarily left speechless.

Qiao Zhe had already made up his mind. Even without the support of TLT equipment, he could still gather the original Nexus dunamists and form his own team. Besides, he hadn't forgotten about the XIG from the Gaia Earth.

A flurry of hurried footsteps approached. Mitsugi Kira ran over, wearing clothes that resembled a patient’s gown. Having made his choice regarding Ren Senju, Kira clearly didn't intend to trust Qiao Zhe so easily.

"Can you tell me the method to treat Ren now?"

With his ability to foresee the future, although the general situation currently seemed blurry, it wasn't entirely useless.

Qiao Zhe didn't waste any words; he placed his hand on Kira’s shoulder. As golden ripple energy surged into his body, Kira instantly felt his own condition become better than ever before.

"This vitality! No, it’s more than just vitality, it’s also..."

Kira immediately realized the deeper layers involved and became certain that this method would indeed work for Ren.

"Fine! I’m in!"

In any case, the future was a blur, and the Unknown Hand, Zagi, was already dead. The Night Raiders? Whoever wanted to stay there could stay.

"Ren’s talent is no less than mine. I hope you’ll let him join as well!"

Kira’s statement was remarkably similar to what Komon had said just moments before. As for the tasks assigned by the upper echelons, he had only followed their orders before because he lacked a patron. Now that he had such a powerful Ultra Warrior as his leader, who the hell would dare dictate his life again? Those who adapt to the times are wise; if he didn't seize this chance to fly out of the birdcage, he would be kicking himself in the middle of the night.

Kira immediately used telepathy to plot secretly with Qiao Zhe.

*Are we making a run for it now? We can just head that way; I have everything prepared!* He gestured toward the right while secretly communicating.

*No need,* Qiao Zhe replied telepathically, a strange look on his face. *I can teleport you all away at any moment.*

Good grief, he was certainly impatient. On second thought, Kira had been under surveillance since childhood; he must have harbored deep resentment for a long time.

Kira said nothing more, thinking to himself that an Ultra Warrior truly lived up to the name, even their psychic powers were so incredible.

Matsunaga’s brow was now slick with even more cold sweat. If even the operations advisor was running away, the Night Raiders really would have to disband on the spot! He looked toward Sara, but the Inspector remained silent, saying nothing. But what could she say? Sara had no way to deal with Jojo, and she couldn't afford to make an enemy of him. At the very least, Jojo intended to fight Space Beasts and save the Earth. Sara simply chose to let things play out.

Watching the silent Sara, and seeing her indifferent attitude, Matsunaga felt his composure crumbling.

*No, Inspector, say something! In this situation, you’re the only one who can talk to the Ultra Warrior, why are you staying silent!*

Facing Matsunaga’s pleading gaze, Sara turned away, pretending not to notice.

Matsunaga: "???"

*Your silence is deafening!*

Sara could afford to stay out of it because she could just walk away afterward and return to North America with no consequences, but Matsunaga was different. He couldn't go anywhere. Once the three military top brass, like Soma, found out about this massive mess, he would surely face severe repercussions.

With no other choice, Matsunaga steeled himself and said, "Jojo, actually, we can provide assistance." He didn't dare suggest Qiao Zhe join the Night Raiders, as the man clearly held them in low regard.

"We can provide weapons, heavy fighter jets, and various facilities and equipment. We also have many potential sites for a base." As he spoke, Matsunaga nudged Wakura and continued, "Captain Wakura, a man who has fought Space Beasts for years, has a wealth of experience! He is also a talent; just let him be an official member of your team."

Wakura: "?"

*Wait a minute, I’m being shipped out just like that? This is a demotion, right? This has to be a demotion!*

Before Wakura could react, Matsunaga had already made the arrangements. He realized Qiao Zhe was going to form a team, so he decided to offer support first and later tell the three military leaders that Night Raider Group A had simply become independent. Who did it? Why, it was Sara Mizuhara, of course. The Ultra Warrior was brought in by the Inspector, so it had nothing to do with him.

After hearing Matsunaga’s words, Qiao Zhe looked at Wakura and rejected the offer: "His R7 factor is too low, not even as good as Nagi Saijo’s."

"???" Wakura’s mouth opened slightly, his expression one of wanting to speak but holding back. *Young man, don't be so arrogant. If it weren't for the fact that you're an Ultra Warrior, you would have really pushed my buttons today!*