Yu Zhou gripped Degouf's massive foot tightly. With just a twist of strength, he hurled the Dark God through the air.
Boom!
Degouf crashed heavily into the earth, throwing up a wave of dirt and rubble.
Compared to the smaller Ultraman, this newly arrived Giant of Light was on an entirely different level.
"You are—!"
Tsubasa stretched out a hand toward him, shock and confusion mixing in his voice.
Yu Zhou turned his head, glanced at the boy, but gave no answer. Instead, he placed a hand over his own Colour Timer. A surge of radiant energy flowed outward, streaming into Tsubasa's chest.
The moment it entered, Tsubasa's Colour Timer flickered back to life, glowing a steady azure blue. The flashing red light was gone.
"My energy's… restored completely!"
Tsubasa looked down at the brilliant blue gem on his chest, then up again at Yu Zhou, momentarily lost for words.
After restoring him, Yu Zhou looked toward the fallen Degouf. He clenched his fist, silver light running over his form as the crystal on his forehead gleamed. His whole body shifted into a silver-and-red form, his aura growing fiercer.
Degouf crawled up from the dirt, staring at the approaching Yu Zhou. Fear flashed within him. From the way Yu Zhou had casually caught and thrown him just now, Degouf knew—this opponent was far beyond him.
Still, retreat was not an option. With a guttural roar, his bulbous eyes blazed with light, twin beams lancing at Yu Zhou.
But Yu Zhou had anticipated it. He stood unmoving, his own Colour Timer shining brighter, unleashing a beam of radiance that clashed against Degouf's attack.
The two forces collided silently—then Yu Zhou's brilliance swallowed Degouf's beams, driving straight back into the dark giant.
Sparks burst from Degouf's eyes. With a sharp crackle, the glowing orbs shattered like glass.
He was blinded.
Yu Zhou ceased his light, stepped closer, power gathering into his right fist. Degouf thrashed wildly, swinging his arms in desperation, but he could not see his target.
Yu Zhou's charged fist drew back—and slammed into Degouf's chest.
BOOM!
His armoured plates shattered, red light flaring beneath as his entire body trembled, then detonated in a magnificent explosion.
"So strong…"
Tsubasa stood frozen, watching in awe. His own Tiga form had struggled even to scratch Degouf. Yet this nameless Tiga before him had destroyed the Dark God in just a few strikes. The difference in strength was like heaven and earth.
"Unbelievable!"
On the ground, the villagers and warriors were equally stunned. The sudden appearance of this new Ultraman had ended the crisis in an instant—it was almost too much to believe.
Tsubasa approached, ready to demand answers.
Yu Zhou only gave him a small nod before his body dissolved into particles of light, fading back into human form.
Tsubasa, exhausted, also dispelled his transformation. When he landed back on the ground and finally saw the man revealed in the glow, he froze.
"You… you're…"
The man stood before him in modern clothing, his face sharp and handsome, if not quite as familiar as his father's. Yet Tsubasa's heart jolted in recognition.
"Uncle Yu Zhou!"
He shouted in delight, excitement brimming in his voice.
Tsubasa had only heard stories of this man through his parents. He vaguely remembered being held as a baby, but of course, had no real memories. Still, he knew one thing—there were only two men in this world who could become Ultraman Tiga: his father, Daigo, and the man his father always spoke of… Uncle Yu Zhou.
"Little Tsubasa."
Yu Zhou smiled kindly, treating him as he would any junior of his own family.
"It really is you!"
Joy filled Tsubasa's heart. Lost in this ancient age, he had felt despair. But with his uncle here, surely there would be a way back to his own time.
"Uncle?"
Mahoroba and the others approached, puzzled. Hearing Tsubasa call this strangely dressed young man "uncle" was bewildering.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Yu Zhou—Tsubasa's uncle."
Yu Zhou greeted them with a friendly wave.
"Ah… hello."
They hesitated, then nodded back.
Yu Zhou's eyes flicked through the crowd and he chuckled. "Well, well, isn't this something? I didn't expect to see doubles of Captain Munakata and Horii here."
He was right—two men looked remarkably like his old comrades.
"They're not my Uncle Horii and Uncle Munakata," Tsubasa quickly corrected, thinking Yu Zhou had mistaken them.
Yu Zhou just patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about the details."
At that moment, a small boy came running over, a shining crystal on his forehead.
Yu Zhou instantly recognized him—Amui, the chosen heir of light from five thousand years ago. But since Degouf had already been destroyed, the boy had lost his chance to fight.
"Is the monster defeated?!"
Amui's eyes were wide, looking around eagerly.
Someone explained the battle in full, pointing toward Yu Zhou.
"So… Tsubasa's uncle is a Giant of Light?"
Amui's jaw dropped, staring at Yu Zhou in astonishment.
"To be precise, I'm not the Giant of Light of your era," Yu Zhou explained. "That role belongs to you, Amui."
"Me…?"
Tsubasa blinked, stunned. He hadn't expected Amui to be the Ultraman Tiga of ancient times.
Realizing this, Tsubasa solemnly handed the Bronze Sparklence to Amui.
"Me…"
Amui stared at the sacred rod in his hand, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. Even with the Witch Isarie's words in his mind, it was hard to believe.
Yet the path of destiny was already opening before him.