Chapter 27: If Everyone Is Self-Disciplined, Who Is Slacking Off?

In the universe of the new Ultraman, technology is highly advanced, and Mephilas possesses the capability to project his memories, transmitting them to the Star of Light as evidence. Whether he succeeds, however, remains uncertain.

Jojo has no way of knowing this; had he been familiar with the plot of the new Ultraman, he would likely applaud Mephilas’s actions enthusiastically. For the Star of Light, upon discovering humanity on Earth, immediately dispatched the celestial Zeton, intending to eradicate Earth and the entire solar system. According to Zoffy of the Star of Light, humans on Earth have the potential to evolve similarly to the Star of Light’s people. Moreover, it is well-known throughout the universe that Earth's billions of humans can be used for the creation of gigantic life weapons. To prevent such a threat, the Star of Light decided to abandon humanity, considering them insignificant and expendable compared to the universe’s 13 billion advanced life forms.

Now, that distinguished figure has truly become Zoffy. If it were the Land of Light, they would never devalue another’s life so lightly; in fact, the Ultramen of the Land of Light have a particular fondness for humans.

On Gaia’s Earth, Jojo still needs to practice the Eightfold Light Wheel and the Rainbow Specium Ray in reality, since only his spiritual consciousness enters the special training field. The mind may understand, but the body does not necessarily follow. Yet this is not a major issue—experience makes mastery easy and proficiency comes swiftly.

After breakfast with the Takayama family and Mumu’s parents, Jojo finds an excuse to leave. Takayama Shigemi watches him depart, noticing that Jojo is still wearing the same black coat as yesterday, and wonders to herself, “Jojo didn’t bring any luggage—does he have no clothes to change into?” She regrets charging him for last night’s lodging and sighs at his predicament.

Judging by outward appearances, Jojo and Mumu are only two years apart. Of course, if his past were included, Jojo would be considered quite old, but his youthful mindset leaves him unconcerned with age.

Shigemi decides to go shopping later and buy Jojo some clothes, since Mumu had said Jojo was a very good friend.

After leaving the house, Jojo takes a detour to a secluded rocky area, transforms into his full Ultraman form, and leaps into the ocean. Nowhere is more suitable for practicing skills than the depths of the sea—the underwater rock formations make perfect targets, and perhaps he might even discover a sunken ship.

Meanwhile, back at the XIG airborne base, Mumu begins modifying the EX craft. After finishing her tasks with the logistics staff, Joji notices Mumu fiddling with the EX craft.

“Hmm? Is that... Mumu?” she mutters, a mischievous smile appearing as she deliberately calls out, “Hey! What are you doing?”

Focused on his modifications, Mumu is startled by the sudden voice, dropping his tool to the floor. He turns around in a panic, instinctively trying to hide his work, but a burst of sparks burns his hand, forcing him to pull back quickly.

“Oh, it’s you,” Mumu breathes a sigh of relief upon seeing Joji. “Joji, don’t sneak up on me like that.”

Joji smiles mischievously, growing curious as she approaches. “What are you secretly working on here all alone?”

Mumu grows nervous. “I’m just taking a technical interest—just looking around, nothing serious.” He tries to block Joji’s view, pretending to inspect something.

“Ohh~” Joji’s elongated reply betrays her skepticism; she immediately senses Mumu’s guilty conscience. “Just technical curiosity? Hey, it looks like there’s a short circuit here.”

“No, as a technician, I can tell instantly if something’s shorted!” Mumu, desperate to avoid discovery, quickly reaches out to cover the spot.

A shower of sparks erupts; his hand recoils once more. “Ugh, that’s hot!”

Joji now understands—Mumu is secretly modifying the EX craft. With a sly expression, she smiles and extends her hand.

“What do you want?” Mumu asks, confused.

Joji chuckles, “Hush money.”

Upon hearing this, Mumu’s face falls, feeling he’s suffered a great loss. After some bargaining, Mumu ultimately pays the price: treating Joji to ice cream.

When they return to the command room, Atsuko notices the ice cream in Joji’s mouth and gives Mumu a pointed look.

Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Mumu decides it’s not the right time to stay at the base. He recalls the communicator he finished and hasn’t yet delivered to Jojo, so he goes to Commander Ishimuro to request leave.

Since Mumu had just been summoned back to the base after returning home last time, Ishimuro approves his request without hesitation.

Mumu boards a flight back to the surface. Bored during the journey, he gazes out the window and suddenly notices something strange on the sea below. Alarmed, he leans closer to investigate.

A massive shadow moves rapidly through the water. “What is that?!”

He activates the communicator on his wrist, calling the airborne base. “This is a call to the base!”

“This is the command room,” Atsuko answers Mumu’s video call. “Mumu, are you heading home again?”

Mumu’s expression turns serious as he reports, “I’m currently over Chiba Bay—a huge object is moving through the sea!”

Atsuko opens the detection system, scanning the Chiba Bay area, but finds nothing unusual.

She suspects Mumu is exaggerating. “There’s absolutely nothing there.”

“How can that be?” Mumu peers out the window again, but the sea appears perfectly normal—the shadow from earlier seems to have vanished.

Atsuko’s teasing voice comes through the communicator. “You just don’t want to go home, are you afraid your parents will scold you?”

In the video feed, Joji waves behind Atsuko, holding another ice cream, possibly another hush payment.

“Come on, it’s not that,” Mumu retorts, glancing once more at the sea. “Strange...”

Meanwhile.

Inside Fujimiya’s private base, a variety of equipment monitors Earth’s conditions. Seated on exercise equipment, Fujimiya trains while his eyes remain fixed on posters plastered across the wall—news clippings of JOJO and Gaia vanquishing monsters.

Even as he pants from exertion, his gaze never wavers, or perhaps most of his attention is focused on JOJO.

To some extent, Fujimiya’s discipline is precisely why Agul is such a formidable presence.

‘I will find you!’

‘And Mumu—joining XIG of all places—it’s time to have a talk with him!’

In Fujimiya’s mind, Crisis’s predictions are never wrong. JOJO carries a dark aura, clearly scheming against Earth. Perhaps the other plans to betray the Invaders and seize control of Earth for himself.

And Mumu’s joining XIG, in his view, is equally mistaken. An Ultraman should not protect humanity; he need only safeguard the planet.

Unbeknownst to Fujimiya, his secrets have already been uncovered by Mumu.