Chapter 123: What’s Wrong with You Blue Clan Scientists?

“I don’t know,” the scientist answered decisively. “At least, the current test data is insufficient for me to find an answer.”

No, you are the pinnacle of scientific research in this world—you must pull yourself together, Professor Hikari!

Seeing Yuki’s face full of disbelief, Hikari tilted his head in thought, then straightened up and continued, “The power objectively exists; it hasn’t disappeared. However, if you want to use it, some form of transformation may be necessary. After all, the dimensional mismatch fundamentally causes many issues. Many principles and theorems might not even apply.”

Hikari displayed a virtual image of Yuki’s Taiga Light Key on the screen.

“You’re already making some attempts, aren’t you?”

Yuki also took out the Light Key hanging at his waist and held it in his hand. The touch felt warm and smooth, like jade—no longer any metallic sensation.

“The Taiga Light Key seems to serve a kind of transformative function. It converts the power inherently contained within you, following certain rules, into a power you can actually use.”

That… could be a breakthrough.

Yuki was stirred by this realization.

He recalled the numerical points displayed above the Taiga Light Key.

So the transformation rule… seemed obvious—it was bonds.

Interacting with people in this world, deepening connections, elevating them into bonds. These bonds then become catalysts for power transformation—no, considering the points can be reset and allocated freely, perhaps it’s better to call them “channels” for power transformation. Yuki could freely choose where to open these channels, which powers to convert, and the numerical value represented the channel’s width—the wider it was, the higher the conversion efficiency, and the stronger the power unleashed.

Suddenly, the towering Ultraman of the Blue Tribe before Yuki vanished, replaced by a burly man standing three meters away, still wearing a dust- and static-proof white lab coat. The man took two quick strides forward, eagerly grabbing Yuki’s hand.

Yuki: “??”

Hikari: “In any case, Yuki, let me study you first.”

“…”

What’s wrong with you Blue Tribe scientists?!

The hand gripping Yuki’s wrist was as immovable as steel pincers. Despite having allocated three points to stamina on the Taiga Light Key, Yuki couldn’t break free. At this moment, he regretted not putting all points into strength—maybe then he could have escaped. But now, he was stuck, engaged in a strength contest with this frail scientist…and he lost.

“Yuki, I have to say, I understand your desire as a warrior to regain your power and fight. But clearly, if you fall on the battlefield, it would be a loss for the entire world.”

Hikari’s eyes burned with a kind of desire—Yuki couldn’t tell if it was curiosity or the thirst for knowledge—but it seemed to blend multiple intense emotions, making Hikari appear like a magnesium strip bursting into flame.

“You can leave the fighting to other warriors; it doesn’t have to be you. But exploring the mysterious four-dimensional realm—you are the only breakthrough.”

Seizing this precious sample before him was far more reliable than waiting and wondering whether the Bruton sample was really a four-dimensional being.

He wasn’t going to let go!

“…!”

Yuki suppressed his urge to retort and helplessly looked at the great scientist who unconsciously applied double standards.

How many people did the Land of Light sacrifice to produce a great scientist like him? Yet he himself charged into battle wielding a sword, not worrying in the slightest about the loss to the Land of Light if his valuable brain were to be shattered on the battlefield.

At that moment, two tall figures appeared at the door. Wearing identical white lab coats, they stood peering inside. Hikari noticed them too, and judging by his expression, he seemed to have been expecting them. He immediately released Yuki and reverted to his usual self to greet them.

Yuki: “…”

Silently, he gripped the Light Key and transferred the three bond points from stamina to strength before eyeing the two newcomers.

The Ultraman walking ahead noticed the tiny figure at the table and waved in greeting. “Hello, Yuki.”

The voice sounded distinctly young.

“Hello, Senior Mebius,” Yuki responded with a return greeting. Mebius then turned to Taro. “Instructor, did you tell Yuki about me?”

Taro, the chief instructor, looked puzzled and shook his head—he hadn’t even spoken to Yuki much yet.

Listening nearby, Hikari understood: Yuki must have seen Mebius during the four-dimensional spatial observation, which was how he recognized him immediately.

Mebius and Taro hadn’t just wandered into this scientific facility carelessly. After all, entering the Science and Technology Bureau’s research area requires changing into protective gear—the white lab coats they wore—followed by dust removal and disinfection. It’s quite a hassle, so they must have come on official business.

After exchanging pleasantries, Mebius turned to Hikari. “Hikari, you asked me to check on Laboratory 11 in Area A on my way here. I’ve been there—it’s true; the entire lab has been emptied.”

At this, Mebius activated a portable light screen on his arm and pulled up a document.

“This is the equipment loan application form. It’s under the Nebula Particle Project. The applicant is... the captain. And of course, the approver is himself.”

“…”

Yuki understood—this was him applying to himself and approving his own request?

Come to think of it, the captain was quite adept at this kind of operation—filing reports to himself, writing self-critical reviews...

“Nebula Particle Project?” Taro also noticed the familiar term, directing his gaze to the light screen Mebius had opened.

Mebius, knowing that the project utilized his own instructor’s battle data and sensing the appropriateness of Taro’s interest, nodded. “The project has restarted. All procedures were completed last month. The person in charge is the captain—yes, he was also the lead on the first phase.”

“But the research base is located on Earth, so all the necessary equipment had to be transported out. That’s why the original lab was cleared.”

“The equipment is packed at the starport but hasn’t been shipped yet.”

“?”

“??”

Three faces full of confusion.

Yuki couldn’t help but speak up: “Earth?”

Was all that advanced research equipment really being moved to Earth? Wait, could this be a setup for theft, robbery, or a ‘dangerous treasure’ scenario?

Seeing the three of them looking doubtful, Mebius added, “Of course, this equipment isn’t for human use. I suspect the captain intends to use it himself... currently, he’s the only researcher registered for the project.”

Mebius stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Honestly, I think moving the equipment to Earth isn’t very appropriate... but the director of the Science and Technology Bureau signed off on it, and the captain also signed. Since the captain signed, that means the council has agreed as well.”

If the upper echelons have approved, then all sorts of contingency plans must have been prepared.

Having understood this, Taro and Hikari both breathed a slight sigh of relief. But Yuki still frowned deeply, his mind instantly drafting tens of thousands of words in a script outline. He felt the captain’s actions seemed deliberately designed to steer this TV drama into the usual old clichés often seen in Ohtendo stories.

Now, although they say the captain only intends to use it himself, the fact is these devices are being shipped to Earth. It’s only a matter of time before some humans covet this equipment, and the classic human-versus-Ultraman scenario will unfold.

Yuki didn’t know exactly which devices were being transported but knew for certain they must surpass Earth’s native technology tree. Otherwise, why go through the trouble of moving them all the way from the Land of Light? Wouldn’t it be easier to just build a set locally on Earth?

Since these devices exceed Earth’s native technology levels, they might attract the attention of some unfriendly cosmic neighbors. Moreover, Earth today is a chaotic place teeming with all sorts of entities—no telling how many spies from other planets are active here.

Toregia once said that Earth is now the largest intelligence hub in the universe—a spy headquarters. So, it’s quite possible that the moment the equipment arrives on Earth, the entire universe will know about it.

Yet, Yuki couldn’t stop this from happening. No one in this room could. All they could do was watch helplessly.