Globor appeared at the edge of a dense forest, where towering trees blocked the sky except for narrow cracks through which moonlight slipped.
Deep within the forest…
An abandoned warehouse stood in silence.
Its concrete walls were cracked.
Its roof unfinished.
Its exposed pillars rose like the ribs of a forgotten skeleton.
Globor had purchased this warehouse recently for a negligible price.
No one wanted it.
People believed it was on the verge of collapse.
For him?
It was perfect.
He pushed open the rusted metal door—
A long creak sliced through the stillness of the forest.
He stepped inside.
At the center of the warehouse,
beneath a direct beam of moonlight pouring through a gap in the ceiling—
Sat the former Number 5.
Chained to a metal chair with heavy restraints.
His head was raised.
Despite his condition… he did not look afraid.
He spoke calmly:
— "So… you're the alien we were hunting."
Globor did not step into view.
He stood in a corner untouched by light.
Just a shadow… with faintly glowing eyes.
— "Yes."
— "You may call me Globor."
— "The one known as Koichi… no longer exists."
A faint smile appeared on Number 5's face.
— "I know."
— "You took over his body… after he died."
A brief silence settled between them.
Globor replied steadily:
— "It seems you know what happened."
— "Then there's no need to repeat the story."
He paused.
— "Your comrades… the Numbers… will arrive soon to rescue you."
— "Before I kill you."
Number 5's expression did not change.
— "So you're here to kill me? Isn't that right?"
Globor answered immediately:
— "I am not a savage who kills without reason."
— "All I want… is my ship."
— "I promise you… I will leave this planet without causing trouble."
Moonlight reflected off Number 5's face as he breathed slowly.
— "Unfortunately…"
— "I do not have enough authority to return your ship."
— "It is in the hands of my subordinates."
— "And when they obtain something valuable… it becomes theirs."
Silence.
Then—
Globor stepped forward once.
He did not fully emerge from the shadows… but his voice drew closer.
— "Then… you are of no use."
His tone shifted.
Colder.
— "It seems I will have to use some violence to retrieve it."
— "I do not allow anyone… to keep what belongs to me."
His words were calm—
But saturated with unmistakable threat.
For the first time… Number 5 tightened his fists within the chains.
Then—
Globor turned.
He walked toward the metal door.
He opened it…
Paused for a moment…
Without turning back.
— "Prepare yourself."
— "Tonight… the rules of the game will change."
The door shut behind him.
Darkness reclaimed the warehouse.
Number 5 remained alone… beneath the moonlight.
Outside…
Globor moved between the trees, his steps nearly silent.
The air was cold.
Night insects filled the forest with sound.
He murmured quietly:
— "Perhaps the leader of the Numbers… Number 1…"
He paused.
His eyes flickered.
— "Perhaps he will be… my path to reclaiming my ship."
At the top of Tokyo Skytree — the tallest tower in Japan —
Tokyo stretched below like an ocean of shimmering lights.
The wind swept calmly across the immense height,
and the city's distant noise rose like a faint murmur.
Number 1 stood near the edge of the rooftop.
Before him, sitting on the metallic ledge with his legs hanging over the void, was a figure watching the city in silence.
He wore ninja attire—
But not a simple, traditional one.
A dark robe tinged with midnight blue,
embroidered with delicate silver threads resembling constellations.
A wide belt secured his equipment with precise order.
The fabric of his mask was flawlessly fitted, concealing his entire face—
Revealing only sharp eyes reflecting the city lights.
He did not turn around.
He spoke in a deep, calm voice:
— "It's been a long time… Number 1."
Number 1 replied steadily:
— "Yes… longer than I expected."
A brief silence passed.
The wind moved between them.
The ninja continued, still gazing at the horizon:
— "Let me guess…"
— "Someone you couldn't handle… forced you to come to me."
— "Am I right?"
A faint smile crossed Number 1's face.
— "It seems you still possess the sharp perception… that made me choose you."
The ninja's shoulders shifted slightly.
— "Don't flatter me."
— "Just tell me… what's the payment?"
Number 1 stepped closer.
— "Tell me… what do you want?"
The ninja rose slowly.
He finally turned toward him.
His eyes remained in shadow—
But the weight of his gaze was undeniable.
— "You know what I want."
Number 1 did not hesitate.
— "You want to know his location."
A spark flashed in the ninja's eyes.
— "So… you found him."
Number 1 answered in a measured tone:
— "Almost."
— "I encountered him by chance… during one of my operations."
Silence.
Then the ninja spoke, his voice low, charged with something deeper than mere interest:
— "Good."
— "Make sure you keep your promise."
— "The flames of revenge inside me… have not died since that day."
Number 1 responded coldly:
— "Save your fire for after the mission."
— "Because what awaits you… is no ordinary target."
He pulled out a slim black file—
And tossed it toward him.
The ninja caught it smoothly without even looking.
He opened it.
His eyes paused.
— "Wait…"
He lifted his head slightly.
— "An alien?"
His voice lost its mockery, turning serious.
— "Is this some kind of joke?"
— "Unfortunately, no,"
Number 1 replied calmly.
— "I was just as surprised."
— "He possesses unusual abilities… and intelligence beyond conventional calculation."
The ninja fixed his eyes on Globor's photo inside the file.
Silent evaluation.
Then he said:
— "A mission is still a mission."
— "Whether the target is human… or something else."
He paused.
— "In fact… this may be far more interesting."
Number 1 nodded.
— "I knew you would say that."
— "That's why I rely on you."
He turned and left the rooftop, his steps steady.
The ninja remained alone.
He looked once more at the vast city.
The lights…
The sky…
The wind…
He whispered:
— "A being from beyond this world…"
— "Perhaps at last… a battle worth waiting for."
He closed the file.
Then—
The wind surged suddenly.
His cloak fluttered violently.
And then—
He vanished.
No sound.
No trace.
As if his existence had been nothing more than a passing shadow over Tokyo.