Ultraman, special training

Everyone present stared blankly as Zero flew away.

No one noticed Shinji sneaking back.

"Those guys should thank me for keeping that robot intact. Otherwise, I'd have sent it into space by now," Zero said confidently.

Zero wasn't wrong. Even the weakest mechanical enemies he had fought were formidable opponents on a cosmic scale. JA couldn't even begin to compare.

Meanwhile, Ritsuko quietly called Gendo Ikari.

"The giant disrupted the plan. He took care of JA."

"One more thing: this time, the giant demonstrated the ability to change his size at will."

Gendo Ikari said calmly, "It doesn't matter. The result is the same. We reached the same destination by a different route."

"As long as we achieved our objective."

"Also, the giant apparently contacted Misato through some unknown method. We suspect telepathy."

"Is that so? Give Misato a psychological examination when she gets back."

Based on his experience, Gendo Ikari believed this could cause mental contamination.

And so, after the three of them were sent back to Tokyo-3, this happened.

"I told you I'm fine! Let me go!!"

Misato struggled and shouted as the medical staff held her.

"Ritsuko, say something for me! Tell them there's nothing wrong with me!"

"It's just a few days of observation. Settle down, Misato."

Misato was bundled into a vehicle and taken away.

"Looks like we won't need to save dinner for that lady for a few days," Zero said lazily, his hands on his hips.

The house could finally be a little cleaner.

"Shinji, let's eat out tonight. Saves us the trouble of cooking."

"Sure, okay."

"But you'll have to train afterward."

"Didn't you say I could have a day off?"

"Forgot to tell you it was only half a day off. ^_^" Zero grinned mischievously.

"...Fine..." Shinji was speechless. His big brother really loved teasing people.

Meanwhile, in the commander's office, Gendo Ikari was speaking with several illusory figures in a pitch-black space.

The figures appeared in blue, yellow, white, green, and red.

They were SEELE, the architects of the Human Instrumentality Project.

The white figure was an old man with an electronic device covering his eyes.

Gendo Ikari spoke first. "In short, everything is currently progressing steadily according to the script."

"Except for the giant. However, I personally see no need to consider the giant for now."

Green: "Perhaps the giant is indeed a minor issue for now. What matters is that you make good use of Eva and NERV."

Red: "I hear you gave that toy to your son. How much more time and money will you two spend?"

"The Human Instrumentality Project is the one thing that must not be delayed."

Yellow: "Exactly. It is our only hope in the desperate situation we face."

White: "In any case, we will allocate funds to you."

Four lights dimmed, leaving only the old man and Gendo Ikari.

"Following discussions at the United Nations, the giant has been named 'Ultraman.'"

"Ultraman, then."

"A pity humanity no longer has any possibility of evolving into something like that."

Light reflected off Gendo Ikari's glasses as he said coldly, "In any case, if this thing called Ultraman attempts to interfere with the Human Instrumentality Project..."

"I will destroy him at any cost."

"Hmph. I hope you mean that."

In another universe, Father of Ultra was gathering the highly respected veteran warriors.

Father of Ultra headed toward the Garrison headquarters with Zoffy, Taro, and Hikari.

Taro had only just learned about the Human Instrumentality Project. His shoulders rose and fell as he struggled to contain his anger.

Hikari and Zoffy remained perfectly calm, walking slowly behind Father of Ultra.

Seven elderly Ultramen were already waiting at the Garrison headquarters.

They belonged to the Red Tribe and Silver Tribe, and had beards like Father of Ultra's.

Some also had prominent scars on their faces.

Two or three wore even more medals on their chests than Zoffy.

"Ken, why have you called us together so urgently? Has there been more news about the Absolutians?" asked a warrior with a thick beard.

A warrior wearing medals added, "Two of our warriors are still traveling through space. Are you sure we shouldn't wait for them?"

"Everyone, I summoned you today because of a matter concerning humanity in another world."

Father of Ultra explained the Human Instrumentality Project, and how Zero had unexpectedly gained the right to intervene.

"Humans actually intend to achieve this so-called instrumentality through such extreme means? That's madness!" an elderly Red Tribe warrior said angrily.

"Since young Zero is already in that world and has decided to intervene, he may do something similar to what his father did," the second medal-wearing veteran analyzed calmly.

"Delacion, Galactron, Leugocyte... If they truly carry out this plan, the civilizations and life-forms that enforce 'justice' and 'fairness' throughout the universe will certainly not let them off," the second Red Tribe warrior said worriedly.

"But until we confirm extraterrestrial involvement, we cannot directly interfere with this plan," Father of Ultra said gravely.

Taro swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue about going to support Zero.

In the past, he would have rushed off to help Zero on impulse. But now he was the Land of Light's chief instructor, and had to think things through.

"Our current opening is the man called Gendo Ikari."

"If we can revive his late wife, there is a strong chance we can bring him into our plan."

"The life force is ready. As soon as Zero obtains Adam's embryo, I'll set out," Hikari said.

"Then our priority for now is helping Zero revive the human woman named Yui Ikari," Zoffy said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Let's discuss some backup plans as well."

The Ultra Warriors continued their meeting.

In the end, they decided on their first-stage strategy for stopping the Human Instrumentality Project: revive Yui Ikari and win Gendo Ikari over.

After the meeting ended, Father of Ultra looked up at the sky.

"The humans of that world are counting on you, Zero."

"Will King intervene in this matter...?" Father of Ultra murmured to himself.

"Captain?" two voices asked.

"Nothing. Let's go."

Back in the Eva world, Shinji's stamina had improved considerably after several days of training under Zero's guidance.

Running, carrying logs, jumping, and using tree branches as parallel bars.

Whenever he wanted to give up, Zero encouraged him. Then he would remember his dream of protecting the lights of every home, and his fighting spirit would flare up again.

He had even developed some definition in his lower abs.

At last, Zero told Shinji happily:

"Shinji, you're ready to learn Space Martial Arts now!"

"Wow! That's great, Big Brother Zero!"

"Then come on in!"

A gate of light appeared before Shinji.

"Huh?"

Before Shinji could react, the gate sucked him inside.

He landed on a patch of grass.

"This is an alternate space I created. It isn't as good as the space I made when I trained a certain junior back then, but it'll do."

Shinji turned around and saw that Zero had taken on Dan Moroboshi's appearance, wearing a black suit.

"Time flows differently here than it does outside."

"Now, it's time to teach you Space Martial Arts. My master, Ultraman Leo, taught me this."

Zero began his demonstration. Shinji watched with complete concentration, trying to memorize every movement and the key points for generating force. As Zero demonstrated, he patiently explained everything, from the most basic stance and punching angles to complex combinations, holding nothing back.

These were insights Zero had developed from Leo's techniques and his own years of combat experience across the universe.

Zero even used telekinesis to show Shinji the movements in slow motion so he could understand them.

After demonstrating several times, Zero had Shinji try copying him.

At first, Shinji was extremely clumsy. He even lost his balance and fell while attempting a kick.

So Zero patiently reached out to guide Shinji as he performed the movements.

Because this was a space Zero had created specifically for Shinji.

Shinji could understand and improve at a faster rate. Combined with his earlier physical training, this meant that after his initial clumsiness, he could pick up Zero's newly taught techniques fairly quickly.

Even a full day here amounted to less than half an hour outside.

This was much gentler than Zero's own training had been. If Zero couldn't get something right, Leo would usually kick or punch him.

Shinji lost himself in training, forgetting all about time and needing no rest.

Finally, after nearly ten days of training inside the space, Shinji had essentially mastered all the key principles of Space Martial Arts.

"I've learned it!" Shinji shouted happily at the sky.

Zero straightened his suit and took up an attacking stance in front of Shinji.

No matter how well someone performed in practice, actual combat was always the only true test of the results.

"Attack me, Shinji!"

Shinji took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes. He clenched his fists and charged at Zero.

He threw a fierce straight punch. Zero easily sidestepped it, then reached out and gave him a gentle shove. Shinji lost his balance and nearly fell.

Refusing to give in, Shinji charged again, following up with a side kick aimed at Zero's leg. Zero hopped slightly, deftly avoiding him once more.

As Zero dodged without moving from his spot, he said, "Not bad. You've learned well, but it's still not enough."

"Compared with that one-third-baked amateur, you really do pick things up quickly."

Shinji grew bolder as he fought, constantly combining the techniques Zero had taught him. Zero gradually became more serious too. He stopped dodging in place and began counterattacking with simple movements, mostly pulling his blows.

After several exchanges, although Shinji was taking a one-sided beating, he was making good progress in practical combat experience.

Finally, Shinji spotted an opening, fooled Zero with a feint, then punched swiftly, stopping his fist in front of Zero's face. (In truth, Zero had deliberately left that opening.)

After all, making a beginner like Shinji fight Zero, a warrior with years of combat experience across the universe, was asking far too much of him.

Achieving this result was already very impressive.

Back then, he had trained Z for ages... Even when he gave Z opportunities, Z couldn't seize them...

Shinji lay on the ground, thoroughly satisfied, panting for breath.

"I feel like I'm terrifyingly strong now..."

"All right, go back to your room and rest."

After taking a bath, Shinji collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep the moment he touched the sheets.

Once Shinji was asleep, Zero remembered that Shinji had forgotten to do his homework.

He quietly took over Shinji's body and sat at the desk to help with his homework without disturbing Shinji's consciousness.

He confidently answered all the questions, then closed the workbook and went back to sleep.

The next day, all the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank answers in Shinji's math homework were correct, but he hadn't shown any working for the longer problems...

His math teacher gave him a furious scolding and made him stand outside.

In Japanese class, the teacher said what he had written was completely incomprehensible, and scolded him again...

Zero had answered according to his understanding from the Land of Light...

"Why didn't I check it?!" Shinji looked at Zero, his face full of frustration. This was the first time he had lost his temper with Zero.

"Uh... Sorry... That was my fault..." Zero immediately apologized.

Fortunately, his English answers were all correct, and he received some praise.