Chapter 87: Hikali: Why Has the Sky Darkened? (14)

Is there such an Ultraman in the Land of Light?

The Father of Ultra pondered for a moment, his gaze settling on Belial’s head. “What are you talking about? There’s no Ultraman like that in the Land of Light.”

“Keep pretending!” Belial sneered, his expression full of mockery. “I already know this is the result of Hikari’s research!”

“To think you created an Ultraman embodying both light and darkness, and even catalyzed him prematurely into an adult form.”

“Tsk, tsk. Kain, I never expected you all to be even more ruthless than me.”

These words made the Father of Ultra’s expression tense. Seeing how serious Belial seemed, he immediately pressed, “Explain yourself! What exactly did Hikari research?”

“Yes, that’s the look I wanted to see.” At this moment, Belial’s face brimmed with excitement. “Let me graciously reveal the truth to you.”

“In an unknown space, I met a brat! He admitted himself that he was an Ultraman from the Land of Light.”

“But seeing your clueless face now, that brat must have been abandoned.”

“What!?” The Father of Ultra’s pupils seemed to quake. Connecting Belial’s words, he suddenly thought of an Ultraman.

Jojo!

But isn’t Jojo part of that warrior’s plan?

Belial’s tone turned harsh. “Seeing your heartache makes me happy—ha! Get lost!”

“Belial!” The Father of Ultra fixed his gaze on Belial, his voice filled with accusation. “Speak clearly—what’s going on?”

But Belial deliberately refused to say another word, clearly intending to leave the Father of Ultra anxious.

His crimson eyes dimmed, and he simply blocked out the surroundings, sinking into slumber.

“Belial!” Rage twisted the Father of Ultra’s face.

“Bastard! Tell me everything!”

No matter how he shouted, Belial never responded.

The Father of Ultra clenched his fists.

He couldn’t tell if Belial was just saying this to provoke him, but what if it was true?

What if Jojo, that child, was picked up by that legendary warrior by chance?

Such things happened often in the Land of Light—Ace, for example, was picked up by Zoffy back then.

“No, I must ask Hikari!”

With a flourish of his cape, the Father of Ultra could not set his mind at ease.

He strode out of the Cosmic Prison, heading straight for the Bureau of Science and Technology.

Cosmic Science and Technology Bureau.

Hikari, engrossed in his research, suddenly felt the light above him dim.

“How odd, we’re within the range of the Plasma Spark Tower—why do I feel it’s getting darker?”

He looked up, puzzled.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed.

Turning around, the Father of Ultra stormed in, his face livid. “Hikari! Have you been conducting secret research? Did you create a child?”

“Huh?” Hikari looked bewildered.

What is he talking about? Aren’t all my researches above board?

Seeing Hikari’s silence, the Father of Ultra felt a pang of dread.

This is bad! Hikari isn’t denying it—could it really be true?

Pain clouded the Father of Ultra’s expression as he grabbed Hikari’s shoulder. “Hikari! How could you do such a thing!”

His fists clenched as he spoke.

“It seems I’ve been too lax with you over the years, which has led you to make such a grave mistake!”

As he finished, the Father of Ultra raised his burly arm, preparing to deliver an Ultra slap!

“Wait! Wait, Captain!”

Hikari finally came to his senses, quickly grabbing the Father of Ultra’s arm. “I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me!”

“You still won’t admit it!” The Father of Ultra’s face was stern as he shook off Hikari, ready to resort to physical discipline.

Seeing this, Hikari’s face turned pale—he was just a scientist, no match for the Father of Ultra in a fight.

Besides, he hadn’t done anything!

“Captain! At least let me know what I’m supposed to admit to!”

Hikari didn’t want to suffer a beating for nothing, so he protested loudly, “Maybe you’re misunderstanding! I didn’t do any of those things!”

The Father of Ultra paused, remembering Belial’s character—it couldn’t all be trusted, but what if it was true?

“Have you ever researched combining the powers of light and darkness?”

Hikari shook his head quickly. “No! All my research is officially approved—I’ve never done anything like that!”

“Really?” The Father of Ultra was still doubtful.

Hikari affirmed, “Really!”

Then, recalling something, he continued, “If you mean merging Ultraman powers, I have thought about it.”

“But I haven’t found any clues, so I haven’t started researching that topic yet.”

The Father of Ultra fell silent. If it wasn’t Hikari, then what was going on?

At that moment, the Mother of Ultra arrived, asking the Father of Ultra, “Weren’t you at the Cosmic Prison interrogating Belial? What’s happening now?”

“It’s because of a child.” The Father of Ultra sighed, explaining the situation.

“I once entered a special space and met an Ultraman named Jojo—he isn’t even a year old, yet his body is that of an adult Ultraman.”

“This child possesses both light and dark powers, and I’ve always been concerned.”

“Today, Belial met him too, and told me Jojo admitted himself that Hikari created him.”

Hikari: “???”

Slander! This is slander!

“Captain! You know me—I’ve never left the Land of Light, and I would never do such a thing!”

Hikari hurried to explain, not wanting to be wrongly accused.

“I want to believe you,” the Father of Ultra said, looking at Hikari with complicated emotions. “But Jojo is very familiar with the Land of Light.”

“Thinking about it, he could very well be one of us, which would explain why he knows so much.”

“No, it really wasn’t me!” Hikari looked thoroughly frustrated.

The Mother of Ultra suddenly had an idea and reminded the Father of Ultra, “Kain, is it possible…”

“Jojo hasn’t appeared yet—perhaps he’ll show up in the future?”

“You mean!” The Father of Ultra immediately understood. “Jojo might be from the future!?”

The Mother of Ultra nodded, then turned to Hikari. “Hikari, don’t feel burdened. Perhaps it’s something your future self did—it has nothing to do with you now.”

Hikari: “???”

Wait, so it’s not me after all?

The Father of Ultra, now understanding, looked at Hikari.

He placed a hand firmly on Hikari’s shoulder, his tone solemn. “You must continue your research. If you change the future, Jojo might disappear—and that must not happen!”

Hikari: “.”

Isn’t there a possibility that it was never me in the first place?

Such heartless deeds could only be done by a dark Ultraman—how could I, Hikari, ever turn evil?

Unfortunately, the Father and Mother of Ultra were firmly convinced by this theory about the future.

So together, they earnestly urged Hikari to carry on his research.

(End of chapter)