"How… how did you know Moco was hidden in my shirt?"
Takashi Arai's eyes went wide with shock as he clutched his chest.
The tiny creature he'd secretly sheltered—his little monster—was something he'd named Moco, simply because its cry sounded like that word.
Just like Pikachu endlessly chirping pika pika, Moco would always call out moco moco.
From the start, Arai had never shown the young man this companion, nor mentioned it aloud. He had kept Moco pressed close to his heart. So how could Yu Zhou possibly know?
"You don't need to worry about that." Yu Zhou's expression remained calm. "Just lend it to me for a while. Once we're done, it will be returned safely."
Arai hesitated. He was no fool—clearly, this stranger had gone to such lengths, spent so much money, all because of Moco. And to Arai, Moco was like a treasure. The thought of it being mistreated or harmed was unbearable.
"Don't worry." Yu Zhou read his doubt instantly. "I won't hurt it. I only need its help to heal someone's injuries."
Arai's feelings toward Moco were complicated. He hadn't yet realized how deep his attachment truly ran. In the "original story," Moco had been taken away by the AIB, who disguised themselves as public health officials. Arai had reluctantly agreed, thinking it would be given a better life. He had felt some sadness then, but not despair. Yet later, when Moco was chased by monsters, Arai had risked his life without hesitation to save it.
Clearly, deep down, he cared far more than he admitted.
Arai lifted Moco gently from his chest and cupped it in his palms. "Moco, are you willing to go with him?"
"Moco, moco."
The little creature tilted its head, then nodded. It understood—and agreed.
Reluctantly, Arai looked at Yu Zhou. "Fine. But promise me… you must not hurt Moco!"
"You have my word." Yu Zhou patted his shoulder firmly.
For all his flaws—greed, foolishness, and questionable morals—Arai's affection for Moco was genuine.
Yu Zhou took the tiny creature, its fluffy tail twitching in his hand. With Zero already in control of Rito's body, the two men approached the old figure waving tirelessly by the roadside.
"Mr. Asakura, greetings."
"I've been waiting for you a long time," the old man replied warmly. Then he flexed his arm with a faint smile. "Though truth be told, waving this hand so long has made it sore."
"Ah—my apologies." Yu Zhou bowed, embarrassed. "Something delayed us."
"No harm done. Come inside; we'll speak there."
The three of them sat down together, Asakura Sui facing Yu Zhou and Zero across the low table.
"You must already know my secret," Yu Zhou said quietly.
"Yes." Asakura nodded. "I know when you arrived, and I know who you are. An Ultraman warrior."
Yu Zhou's chest tightened. Does he even know which world I came from?
"And do you know where I came from?"
"No." Asakura shook his head. "When I saw you appear, I tried to peer into the vortex behind you. But I couldn't enter."
"…Good." Yu Zhou exhaled softly. If Asakura had known his origin—the world of films and fiction—it might have caused unimaginable consequences.
Zero leaned forward, speaking through Rito's body. "Then you know who I am as well."
"Of course. You are Ultraman Zero."
Zero gave Yu Zhou a sidelong glance. "You said this man carries the Father of Ultra capsule, correct?"
"That's right." Yu Zhou nodded.
"Which means he possesses the ability to perceive everything." Zero tapped his chin thoughtfully. Then he looked straight at Asakura. "So, you must have overheard our conversations already."
Asakura gave a gentle smile. "Correct. You seek the whereabouts of Belial."
"That can wait." Yu Zhou placed Moco on the table. "First, let's have this little one heal you and Zero."
"Oh?" Asakura's eyes softened as he studied the furry creature. "Very well."
But then he asked curiously, "Tell me—how did you know I was ill?"
Yu Zhou froze for half a second, then forced a straight face. "Because I know a little… divination. You've heard of Taoist fortune-tellers from China, yes?"
"I see." Asakura chuckled, accepting the excuse without pressing further.
Yu Zhou bent toward the table. "Moco, could you heal this elder?"
"Moco!"
The tiny creature wagged its tail, then radiated a gentle light. Strange waves of energy rippled outward, flowing into Asakura's body.
Crackling sounds echoed faintly inside his frame, like old branches snapping. The old man's eyes widened. "Ahh… refreshing!"
He stood, stretching powerfully. His wrinkles smoothed away, skin glowing with youth; even his posture straightened until he looked decades younger. Only his hair remained white.
Yu Zhou blinked. Incredible. It really restored him to his prime.
"However," Zero noted, watching the light fade, "the glow of the Little Star will attract monsters. We should be ready."
"No need." Asakura waved a hand. "I've already placed a shielding barrier around this area. Nothing outside can see the light."
"Good." Zero nodded, reassured.
"Zero," Yu Zhou said, turning to him. "Now it's your turn. Transform, and let Moco heal your wounds."
"Understood."
Zero pulled out his Ultra Eye, pressed it to Rito's face, and transformed—this time not to giant size, but into his Earth-scale form.
Asakura didn't flinch. With his insight, he had already seen the process countless times.
"Moco, it's up to you now," Yu Zhou said, holding the creature forward.
"Moco!"
The little monster glowed again, waves of healing washing over Zero.
"…Amazing." Zero's voice carried awe. "I can feel my injuries mending."
The process took longer than with a human. Healing Ultraman flesh demanded more than a single flash. But gradually, the light waned, and Zero's wounds were gone.
Yu Zhou noted that Moco didn't even look drained. So the healing isn't its own energy—it must come from the capsule sealed within it.
Zero released his form and returned to Rito's body. For once, a rare smile crossed his stern face. He reached out, stroking Moco's soft fur.
"Thank you, little one."
Then he turned to Yu Zhou. "This capsule… it's Ultraman Cosmos, isn't it?"
"Correct. Cosmos' gift of healing—that's why Moco is so powerful."
Yu Zhou thought back to the day he let Hikari tempt him into creating his own capsule—one tied to Ultraman Tiga. I wonder… what unique power will mine reveal when the time comes?