Oh, a new member?" a girl peeked out.
"Captain, stop calling us idiots! It makes us feel bad!" complained a heavyset young man sitting in the back as he looked up.
"Exactly, totally agree!" another girl raised her hand in support, though her gaze remained fixed on Hayata. "Mister, what's your name?"
"Go ahead and introduce yourself," Anzhu turned to Hayata.
Hayata nodded, stepped forward, and spoke with a serious tone: "My name is Hayata Shin. I was transferred from TPC Bay Prison. I'm skilled in operating various vehicles and once won the Off-Road Ace Award in mountain terrain. My expertise includes astronomy, physics, meteorology, alien research, and scientific studies. After my third year in prison, Captain Anzhu took interest in me, and I agreed to his invitation to serve while atoning for my crimes."
His words left everyone with their mouths agape in surprise. The young man who had spoken earlier jumped to his feet exclaiming, "You're even more impressive than my dad!"
The first girl who had spoken tilted her head and asked, "What crime did you commit?"
The others looked at him with admiring gazes. Hayata shook his head, indicating he preferred not to discuss it.
Anzhu said, "Now it's your turn to introduce yourselves. Mirai, you go first."
The excited team member straightened his uniform, appearing endearingly awkward to Hayata: "I'm Horii Mirai, twenty-seven years old, specializing in computers, physics, and biology!"
Anzhu added, "His father is the famous Horii Masami, who developed the world-renowned Universal Language Translator and was one of the top talents in the first GUTS team."
"Very impressive," Hayata murmured, recalling fragments of Earth defense teams documented in the Land of Light's records.
"Mister, I'm Yanagitake Mayume," waved the twin-tailed girl who had spoken first. She was rather short, a head shorter than Hayata, but appeared exceptionally spirited.
"She's our team's ace shooter, and six months ago she piloted a fighter jet to take down a monster attacking the city," Anzhu explained.
"My turn," the middle-aged man who had been observing Hayata stepped forward and extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Masaki Keigo. Like you, I'm also serving while atoning for my crimes."
"Masaki Keigo, fifty-seven, the most knowledgeable among us. MIT graduate, founded a prestigious company in Kumamoto. A world-renowned physicist and extreme genius who was the first to completely analyze the process of human-to-light conversion," Anzhu introduced.
Hayata shot a glance at Masaki, finding the man smiling at him.
Masaki quickly shifted his gaze to Anzhu, joking, "Don't describe me like I'm some demon. If you had the opportunity to become light, wouldn't you also become an Ultraman?" Suddenly, he turned his question toward Hayata.
Hayata's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "That's difficult to answer, but if such an opportunity existed, I would try it, provided it wouldn't harm others."
"Well!" Masaki waved dismissively with a disappointed expression. "So you're here to mock me too."
Hayata was completely puzzled.
"Hahaha!" Another female team member burst into laughter, pointing at Masaki. "Senior Keigo got shut down!"
Hayata looked at her, noticing she was significantly older than the others.
"That's Sena Hana, thirty-seven, our deputy captain and ace pilot. Her mentor was the famous marksman Shinjo Tetsuo."
After acknowledging her, Hayata met the remaining two members:
One: Aida Tomoki, genius computer hacker, 28 years old. He solves all computer and circuit problems in the team. His mother is Aida Megumi, former captain of the first GUTS team and current director of the Brazilian Intelligence Bureau.
Two: Fuyugokoro Go, underground boxing champion and ace marksman, 32 years old. The strongest fighter in Earth's Super GUTS, who graduated top of his class from the TPC Training Academy alongside Sena.
Hayata realized this team was extraordinary, especially Masaki Keigo. The phrase "completely analyzed the human-to-light conversion process" shocked Hayata tremendously, suggesting Masaki had nearly mastered the process similar to how the Plasma Spark Core transforms humans into Ultramen. From their conversation, it seemed Masaki might have become an Ultraman before? The lunar base destruction could be connected to him. Hayata made a mental note to keep an eye on him.
Anzhu announced, "From today on, we're a team. Don't worry, this multi-talented veteran has a good personality. For Earth, for humanity, let's work hard together!"
He extended his hand, and the others followed suit. Hayata also reached out, looking up to find his gaze meeting Masaki's. Everyone's hands stacked together, forming a tower with Anzhu's hand on top. As he pressed down, he exclaimed:
"For Earth, for humanity, for the future of the world! Together, let's do our best!"
His hand pressed down then rose, and everyone except Hayata cheered, "Ha!!!"
Just then, a piercing telegraph sound rang out.
'Ding—————!'
Everyone turned as Aida, responsible for communications, stepped forward to answer the call.
"Hello? This is TPC Far East Headquarters."
"What? You say you saw... an Ultraman?"