The newcomer was none other than Yu Zhou.
Seeing Asuka recovering, Yu Zhou smiled and gave him a small nod of greeting.
To be honest, Yu Zhou had a reason for calling Asuka to R'lyeh this time.
It wasn't just to "help him refresh his mind."
As everyone knew, Ultraman Zero had not only his normal form, but also two additional ones — Luna Miracle Mode and Strong Corona Mode.
Those powers were given to Zero by Ultraman Dyna and Ultraman Cosmos together.
Which meant that Dyna had the ability to lend his own power to other Ultramen.
"Yu Zhou-senpai, your soup is still as delicious as ever!"
Asuka grinned from his hospital bed after taking a sip.
"I'm glad you like it, Asuka." Yu Zhou smiled gently.
Asuka wasn't seriously injured — he'd only fainted from exhaustion after pushing himself too hard in battle.
The soup Yu Zhou had prepared, made with gastrodia and pig brain, was meant to nourish the mind.
"I also made a few side dishes. Himala's bringing them over."
"Really?! That's awesome!"
To Asuka, Yu Zhou-senpai was beyond amazing — not only did he always help in combat, but he often treated him to good meals.
There was truly no other senior like him.
Beep beep beep…
Suddenly, Asuka's communicator went off. When he connected it, Daigo's voice came through.
"Asuka, are you alright?"
Daigo knew that Asuka had just finished a tough battle. He had planned to lend a hand, but once Yu Zhou joined the fight, Daigo backed off.
With Yu Zhou there, a few monsters were hardly a problem.
Still, as the current instructor for Super Victory Team, Daigo couldn't help but worry.
After all, Asuka was his junior.
So, when Asuka didn't report back after the battle, Daigo decided to contact him.
"Ah, Daigo-senpai!" Asuka answered, "I'm in R'lyeh with Yu Zhou-senpai!"
"You're in R'lyeh?" Daigo paused for a second, then sighed in relief.
"That's good. As long as you're fine."
"Thanks for checking in, senpai!"
Asuka was genuinely touched by Daigo's concern.
Having such a reliable senior… it felt great.
After ending the call, Asuka and Yu Zhou chatted for a while until Himala brought over the rest of the food.
Truth be told, Asuka really needed the energy after how badly he'd drained himself.
Yu Zhou had prepared an entire feast — plenty of rich, restorative dishes.
Grilled kidneys, goji soup, stir-fried bull whip… and more.
"Senpai, I'll start eating then!"
Drooling slightly, Asuka picked up his chopsticks and dug in eagerly.
"Eat slowly, don't choke."
Yu Zhou could only shake his head helplessly at how impatient Asuka was.
Still, he wanted Asuka to eat well — once they started the power transfer, it wouldn't be good if Asuka's energy ran low.
"I really should have brought a Sublimator with me," Yu Zhou muttered.
Thinking about borrowing power reminded him of something he regretted — back in Geed's world, he'd missed the chance to get one.
It would have made channelling other Ultras' powers much easier.
Once Asuka had eaten his fill, Yu Zhou finally brought up the main reason he was here.
"Asuka, how's your stamina now?"
After Himala cleared away the dishes, Yu Zhou looked at him and asked.
"Senpai, I feel great! Like I could take on three monsters at once!"
Asuka threw a few mock punches in the air, his energy clearly restored.
But after a moment, he scratched his head.
"Though… why do I feel kinda hot all over?"
Yu Zhou froze.
"…Hot? That's actually a good sign!" he quickly explained. "It means you've got too much energy stored inside, and your body's trying to release it!"
Of course, that wasn't entirely the truth.
This food was no ordinary meal.
Yu Zhou had secretly added some powdered fragments from pills he'd brought back from the Earth-like planet — things like Dragon Essence Pill and Great Strength Pill.
"Uh? Then how should I… release it?" Asuka asked earnestly.
"Maybe you should ask Ryō?" Yu Zhou blurted out before realizing what he said.
"Huh? Ask Ryō? What's that got to do with him? Did Ryō… release his energy before?"
"Ah— cough, never mind that." Yu Zhou waved it off quickly and changed the subject. "Come with me."
"Okay, senpai!"
A while later, at a secluded beach in R'lyeh.
"Asuka, feeling calmer now?" Yu Zhou asked as the ocean breeze blew over them.
The wind off the sea could help clear one's mind.
"Not really, senpai. Still feel hot."
Asuka fanned himself with both hands, his short sleeves doing little against the heat.
Yu Zhou rubbed his chin, scanning the surroundings.
The place was deserted — a quiet stretch of shore with dense trees beyond the sand, making it a perfect hideaway.
Then, glancing at Asuka's flushed face, Yu Zhou subconsciously tightened his jacket, suddenly a bit wary.
He had only brought Asuka here to borrow Dyna's power, but this situation… was starting to feel awkward.
"Asuka, how about you try taking a swim? The water should help you cool off."
"Alright, senpai!"
Without hesitation, Asuka handed Yu Zhou his Reflasher (the Shining Sword), stripped down, and ran straight into the waves.
Watching Asuka dash into the sea, Yu Zhou finally felt a bit safer.
He looked down at the Reflasher in his hand, curiosity sparking.
"The Shining Sword, huh…"
It was his first time seeing Asuka's transformation device up close.
On its surface was a distinct emblem shaped like Dyna's head.
"Asuka Kazuma…" Yu Zhou murmured, speaking the name aloud.
That name came from Asuka's father, Kazuma Asuka.
They said Dyna's light was inherited from his father. Yu Zhou wasn't sure if Ichirō could hear him through the device, but he gave it a try anyway.
However, the Reflasher remained silent. Yu Zhou let it be.
According to what he knew, the Reflasher had some level of awareness.
There was even an episode where it refused to let Asuka transform — likely his father's doing.
He gazed toward the ocean.
Asuka was splashing about in the waves, looking much calmer now.
Kicking off his own shoes, Yu Zhou stepped into the surf, the cool water brushing against his ankles.
Now that Asuka had cooled down, it was time to get to work.
"Asuka!"
The icy waves lapped at Yu Zhou's feet as he called out.
"Yes, senpai?"
Asuka poked his head up from the water, looking back toward shore.
"If you've cooled down, come back up. There's something important we need to do."