15. I strive for perfection, yet I embrace the present with grace.

After two hours of fruitless searching for the Zulukans, the group returned to the offshore base.

In the command room, Nagi Saijo once again reported the full details of the incident. When she mentioned that today’s Ultraseven not only allowed the monster to kill people but even obstructed their rescue efforts, she asked Dan Moroboshi:

“Is the Warrior of Light truly on humanity’s side? Can we still trust him now?”

Akira Kishi, sitting beside them, said, “Of course not. We must treat him as an enemy.”

“I propose that the next time Ultraman appears, we open fire at full force immediately, so Ultraman understands the consequences of not treating humanity as his own kin.”

Saijo’s words reminded him of a scene from Ultraman Orb: after the berserk Dark Orb destroyed a plane, the Wit team repeatedly transformed Orb to fight the monster, protecting millions in the city, yet their efforts were completely disregarded as they prioritized firing at Orb first when Orb and Gepard appeared together.

Saijo glared coldly at Kishi, thinking him utterly shameless.

After all, it was his reckless actions that worsened the disaster, and he hadn’t even atoned for it yet!

Dan Moroboshi frowned. “Don’t jump to conclusions. Let’s observe longer. Kishi, come with me.”

Yamanaka and Kishida exchanged smug smiles, thinking the captain was about to reprimand Kishi harshly for disobedience.

Once inside the secluded room, Moroboshi demanded, “Why did you let those five die without rescue?”

Kishi nonchalantly grabbed a chair and sat down. “They were just a few social scum. What’s the fuss?”

“They deserved to die for what they did. The neighbors were practically ready to pop champagne.”

Moroboshi spoke gravely, “People can change. Haven’t you considered that they might repent?”

“These five almost killed Sayuki. Change? Wait, captain, you’re not an abolitionist, are you? We have different principles. Looks like we’re going our separate ways.” Kishi sat up quickly.

His words struck a nerve. Moroboshi’s tone softened as he invited Kishi to sit again.

“No, bad deeds deserve punishment, but it must be through the law.”

“You don’t care whether those five live or die? What about public opinion toward you and Ultraman?”

Kishi replied, “I didn’t kill them. And do the public only see me not stopping the monster and losing some scum? Don’t they see that I fought off the monster and protected a whole town?”

“If every human on Earth is like that, I truly can’t serve them. You’d better find someone more competent.”

Kishi’s firm stance made it impossible for Moroboshi to change his mind.

Seeing Moroboshi repeating the same arguments, Kishi interrupted, “Enough of this topic. Let’s talk about serious matters.”

He informed Moroboshi that from the upper management of TPC down to the frontline operatives, many were dangerously extreme.

For the sake of Earth and humanity’s future, the organization needed a bloodline change.

The two chief strategists in leadership had both targeted human hosts under the original series.

Given Tetsuo Tsuchihashi’s personality, if given the chance, he might harbor malicious intentions.

A wise man avoids standing beneath a crumbling wall; this environment was perilous for Kishi.

He had to fight external invaders and beware of internal schemes.

If the leadership were replaced by capable people like Director Sawai, Captain Semizumi, and Commander Ishimuro, things would be much easier for him.

Before Kishi’s arrival, some orders from the strategists had already caused Moroboshi much distress, but he had no better candidates.

“I think Furubashi is not bad,” Moroboshi finally said, recalling his former teammate.

Kishi responded, “Furubashi won’t do.”

In the Ultraseven OV, Koji’s descent into darkness began because during a battle against alien invaders, most of his teammates were killed or injured. When Koji wanted to pursue the retreating alien fleet, Furubashi refused.

He said, “We’re not at war. As long as we protect our loved ones from the invaders, isn’t that enough?”

Koji, holding the helmet worn by his deceased lover, said, “That’s foolish. It’s either kill or be killed. Defeating or being defeated—that’s what fighting those aliens means!”

“When they return with overwhelming power, we won’t stand a chance!”

But Furubashi stood firm: “Enough! The fighting is over! No need to cause more sacrifice!”

Koji’s eyes burned with fury: “Your cowardice causes more deaths! I misjudged you!”

Although Koji’s later acts were often reckless, Kishi fully agreed with his stance here.

Moroboshi certainly wouldn’t rely on Furubashi. In this crisis-ridden world, such a gentle and compassionate dovish mindset was destined to fail.

Seeing no viable options, Kishi sighed, thinking they could only maintain the status quo.

Decapitating Koji or Tsuchihashi was useless—they each led factions and represented distinct wills.

A complete purge was even less appropriate; he might have to return someday, and although these men had problematic ideologies, at least they were active.

If he left, leaving a paralyzed TPC to face this tumultuous world? He couldn’t bear that.

He decided to consider it a last resort, letting extreme hawks confront the encircling enemies “ace versus ace.”

Kishi said, “We just have to be cautious.”

Moroboshi nodded. “Exactly.”

Kishi’s gaze darkened. “I hope those strategists are careful not to spy on me. If they find anything, I’ll have to ‘handle it urgently.’”

Moroboshi looked puzzled.

Shouldn’t you be the one to stay cautious, hiding your special traits carefully to avoid suspicion?

“All right, that’s enough for today. Captain, keep an eye out and scout for managerial talent.”

Kishi picked up his tablet and began gathering intelligence to better understand this world.

“The world’s top 100 unsolved mysteries: the annual mass disappearance of children on Halloween”—that must be the witch from Ultraman Tiga, still at large?

“Frequent minor earthquakes in T7-B area force tunnel construction halt”—probably an underground monster causing trouble.

Moroboshi had not left. He said there was no rush for flight training, but cultivating good relations with teammates was essential for cooperation.

Kishi replied, “That depends on whether the others are friendly and reasonable. I get along well with Emi.”

Moroboshi asked, “What about Yamanaka and Kishida? Accumulated conflicts aren’t good.”

Kishi said, “The quickest way to resolve conflicts is to escalate them. I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry.”