"This artificial sun being tested on Jupiter… it isn't the same type as the one used on R'lyeh, is it?"
Yu Zhou turned to ask Masaki.
If it were the same model as the one installed on R'lyeh, then it would be of little use—because the artificial sun there gave off no heat, only providing a soft glow of energy.
"Of course not," Masaki replied. "The one we're testing on Jupiter generates temperatures of over six thousand degrees. That's more than enough to provide both light and heat to a planet."
"Not only that—the artificial sun's energy is powered by plasma."
"I see."
Yu Zhou nodded at Masaki's explanation. In that case, this artificial sun should, barring accidents, work as intended on other planets.
"…Wait, why am I setting up a flag here?"
The thought suddenly struck him, and Yu Zhou smacked his forehead.
He never imagined that even he would end up jinxing things. And just like that, the chances of something going wrong with the artificial sun seemed to rise dramatically in his mind.
"Masaki, keep a close watch on the artificial sun's condition," Yu Zhou warned. "We can't afford any unexpected mishaps."
"Of course," Masaki nodded firmly.
Back at the Crystal Palace, Yu Zhou saw Daigo and his family coming out through the gate.
They were carrying luggage, apparently preparing to move into the small villa that Camearra had arranged for them.
Just a few days earlier, Yu Zhou had received a call from Captain Hibiki, asking about something he'd promised long ago—arranging a training instructor for the Super Victory Team.
The Super Victory Team certainly had its own strengths. But what Hibiki meant was someone like Yu Zhou himself: a veteran member of the original Victory Team.
If a former Victory Team member came to the Super Victory Team to share their past battle experience, it would help the younger team grow much faster.
Yu Zhou hadn't forgotten his promise. He had already said he would bring back Daigo from Mars—the one who once tended gardens there.
Now that Daigo had returned, it was time to ask his opinion.
The only catch was that Daigo and his family had settled on R'lyeh. If he were to serve as an instructor at TPC, it would mean constantly crossing half the globe.
R'lyeh was in the Southern Hemisphere, near Australia, while TPC headquarters was in the north.
Still, Daigo needed work to support his family. So, Yu Zhou decided to raise the subject.
"Daigo, would you be interested in serving as a training instructor for the Super Victory Team?" Yu Zhou asked directly.
"Eh?" Daigo was stunned by the sudden question. "But… the Super Victory Team members can already handle themselves, right? Do they really need an instructor? Besides, I'm not much of a teacher."
"You're a member of the Victory Team. That means you have experience to pass down," Yu Zhou replied. Seeing Daigo's lack of confidence, he added, "They may already be capable, but with your guidance as their senior, they could grow even further."
"…Then why don't you go instead, Yu Zhou-kun?" Daigo asked curiously.
After all, they were both veterans of the Victory Team. Why single him out?
"Well…" Yu Zhou grinned sheepishly. "I can't even pilot a jet. If I went, I'd just embarrass myself."
Daigo: "..."
That was… actually a pretty convincing reason. He couldn't argue against it.
"And besides," Yu Zhou continued, "since you've returned to Earth, you'll need steady work anyway. You've got a family to support."
"True," Daigo admitted with a nod. He had to provide for his daughter, Hikari—and soon, for a son as well. The burden felt heavier than ever.
"If you're willing, you can meet with Captain Hibiki right away," Yu Zhou said.
"Alright. But let's go in a few days—I still need to get my family settled into the new house."
Daigo nodded, then bid Yu Zhou farewell and went to move his things.
A few days later, Daigo sought Yu Zhou out. Together, they went to meet with Captain Hibiki.
Yu Zhou summoned his spaceship at the shore, and the two of them boarded, flying north.
On Earth, the craft's speed was extraordinary. In no time, they landed on a deserted beach.
"If I'd had something like this to pilot in the old days," Daigo said with a wistful sigh, "I wouldn't have crashed so many times."
Yu Zhou: "..."
So, Daigo really was aware of his reputation as the 'Crash King.'
"I'll get you one of your own, if I can," Yu Zhou said with a laugh.
Landing on a remote beach kept their presence discreet. From there, they switched to flight units and headed toward the TPC mountain base.
"Captain Hibiki, Asuka—you're both here."
When Yu Zhou and Daigo walked into the Super Victory Team's main hall, they found the members busy with something.
"Yu Zhou-senpai! Daigo-senpai!"
Asuka's face lit up when he saw them, and Captain Hibiki also greeted them warmly.
But their smiles quickly faded.
"What's wrong? You all look troubled," Yu Zhou asked. Not only Hibiki and Asuka, but the whole team seemed tense.
"There's been an incident in Antarctica," Captain Hibiki said gravely. He didn't hide anything from two former Victory Team veterans—after all, they were family in arms.
"Antarctica…" Yu Zhou frowned, deep in thought.
At that moment, a middle-aged man in a white uniform, standing beside Hibiki, spoke up. He glanced at Yu Zhou and Daigo, clearly unsure who they were.
"They're both former members of the Victory Team," Captain Hibiki explained. "Yu Zhou and Daigo."
"I see." The man's tone suggested he wasn't particularly impressed. Turning back to the Super Victory Team, he introduced himself. "I'm Jiang Zhi, from the Ocean Development Bureau.
"Right now, the seabed temperature in Antarctica is rising at an alarming rate. Vast stretches of ice are beginning to melt.
"If this continues, the world will soon be submerged."
"But the Antarctic seabed cooling system should be functioning," Captain Hibiki said quickly. "We need to determine the cause as soon as possible."