pjbooks Chapter 118 The Flying Iron Block
Chapter 118 The Flying Iron Block
Viewers didn't have to wait long. Amidst clamor for more episodes online, Gu Nan Studio released this week's bombshell—episode 7 of "Ultraman Seven: Project Origin": "The Flying Iron Block."
The title of this episode sounds like a romantic fairy tale, but viewers familiar with Seven OV's style, especially those in Lao Tang's live stream, have already sensed something unusual in those words.
"A giant iron block that flies through the air? That name sounds like something out of a science fiction fairy tale for kids."
While adjusting the microphone, Lao Tang said, "But knowing Gu Nan's nature, the more righteous and glorious the title, the deeper the knife might be hidden inside. Brothers, be prepared."
The screen flashes, and the main feature begins.
This time, the opening was devoid of any build-up or sentimentality; it was a breathtaking visual bombardment from the start.
In the vast and profound universe, a massive missile, exuding an aura of death and trailing a long plume of flame, ripped through the silent starry sky. Its target was a planet designated TM-22C located in the Taurus constellation.
There were no warnings, and there were no negotiations.
The moment the missile struck the planet's surface, a massive burst of fire engulfed everything. Immediately afterwards, the entire planet disintegrated amidst violent crustal movements, transforming into countless tiny specks of dust in space.
In an instant, a huge planet was destroyed.
The scene shifts, and the camera moves to the operations conference room of the Earth Defense Force (TDF).
The screen was showing spectacular footage of planetary destruction, but the staff officers present showed no remorse whatsoever; instead, they wore an indifferent indifference as if it were perfectly natural.
"This is the 'Friendship Project'."
He Zhi, a radical staff officer, stood up, his voice impassioned, as if he were reading a great battle report.
"It is speculated that intelligent life may exist on this planet. Although it is only speculation and cannot be 100% certain, for the safety of Earth, this approach of 'better to kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free' is necessary!"
The moment this line was spoken, the live chat exploded.
【Wait, what? They're still doing this? Haven't they learned their lesson from the last episode?】
This marathon of self-destruction... they haven't changed at all...
The Friendship Project... is nothing more than a cosmic arms race.
They just blew up someone's planet? The only reason given was a "potential" threat? The defense forces are practically the villains...
[Sigh, the name "Friendship Project" is so ironic. "Physical Friendship," huh?]
Humanity has become the very thing it hates most.
On the screen, Staff Officer He Zhi did not stop his rant.
He pointed to the star map, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism: "In just 450 years, humanity will be able to clear away all obstacles in the universe that pose a threat to Earth! That is the meaning of our Earth Defense Force!"
However, not everyone agrees with this crazy logic.
"This scope of attack is far too exaggerated!"
Captain Bai Yong stood up abruptly, his face ashen, suppressing his anger. "We weren't invaded by those aliens at all, so how can you just destroy someone else's home like that? Don't you think you jumped to conclusions too quickly?"
Staff Officer He Zhi sneered, turned around, and looked at Bai Yong with the eyes one would use to look at an innocent child.
"This goes without saying; history will prove everything."
He walked to the window, turned his back to everyone, and uttered the "Dark Forest" theory that sent chills down the spines of all the audience members.
"When two civilizations collide, the one with the superior civilization will absolutely destroy the other. This applies not only to Earth, but is an immutable law of the universe."
"Therefore, we must continuously improve our technological development and constantly defeat our opponents!"
Gu Nan filmed this dialogue scene with great tension.
There were no violent actions, only a fierce clash of ideas. The arrogance and ruthlessness of Staff Officer He Zhi were portrayed with remarkable depth.
At this moment, the camera focused on the Rimi team members who were listening in.
The female team member, who had always firmly believed in justice, now had eyes filled with confusion and pain. The education she had received since childhood, the ideals instilled in her by her father, all seemed to crumble in the face of the defense forces' blatant brutality.
"Science should be used where justice is served..."
Rimi muttered to herself.
But now, everything the defense forces are doing is going against the grain.
Feeling down, Rimi decided to take a break to clear her head. She and her teammate Yumi went to Chiba Island, the place where her father was buried.
This is a beautiful island where the sea breeze seems to blow away the gloom in your heart.
During Rimi's flashback, viewers learned about a past event.
Rimi's father, Hayakawa Tamaro, was once the president of a publishing house. In Rimi's childhood memories, besides her father, there was also a mysterious "uncle".
That uncle wasn't from Earth, but a Kru alien who had accidentally landed on Earth.
It's worth mentioning that he also plays Obik.
He adopted the alias "Henmi Yoshiya" and formed a deep friendship with Rimi's father.
In order to return to his homeland, Yoshiya Henmi wrote a science fiction novel about the science and technology of his planet, titled "The Great Iron Block Flying in the Sky," and asked Rimi's father to publish it.
He hoped to find human scientists who could understand the technology in the book and help him repair his spaceship through this method.
However, reality is often crueler than fiction.
The publishing house was suddenly struck by a mysterious fire, which killed Rimi's father. The cause of the fire remains unknown to this day.
Going back to reality.
Shortly after Rimi and Yumi arrived on the island, an undercurrent began to stir.
A mysterious man wearing a hat and with a sinister expression has been secretly following Rimi.
"That must be an alien."
Old Tang immediately saw through the deception. "These guys don't look like good people. They're probably after that book."
Sure enough, the plot moved forward rapidly.
At that moment, the defense base detected a massive energy reaction. Near Mingze Mountain, a huge object, resembling a block of rusted iron, burst from the ground and hovered in the air.
That is the legendary "big iron block".
The defense forces immediately launched an attack, but strangely, all the missiles were instantly converted into particle energy by some force before they even touched the large iron block, and then greedily absorbed by the large iron block.
This huge iron block is like a bottomless pit.
Captain Bai Yong immediately contacted Rimi, because Rimi had previously submitted a report pointing out that the large iron block was exactly the same as the illustration in the novel published by her father.
No one cared at the time, but now it has become the only clue.
"This is no mere coincidence!"
At the base, Mizuno, the team member in charge of science, was reading the electronic version of the novel when he was completely shocked.
"Look at these symbols! They look so much like the gravity-blocking system and quantum energy conversion system that the Earth Defense Force is researching and developing!"
"This book is over twenty years old! How could such design drawings have been produced back then?"
All the mysteries point to the book "The Big Iron Block Flying in the Sky".
On Chiba Island, Rimi, driven by curiosity, tries to track the mysterious man in reverse, only to find herself cornered on the edge of a cliff.
The hat was knocked off, revealing the ugly true face of the Galo aliens.
"I'm looking for the next episode of 'The Giant Iron Block Flying Through the Air'!"
The Galo alien approached menacingly, "This book is excellent, but it can't possibly be without a sequel! Yoshiya Henmi clearly gave the manuscript of the sequel to your father!"
"The previous episode didn't explain how to control it; this is the most crucial information regarding the giant iron block!"
It turns out that the Galo aliens had been lurking on Earth for twenty years.
They discovered the secret of the book and manufactured the giant iron block using the techniques described within. However, due to the lack of the core control code for the next part, the giant iron block remained a half-finished product that could not be fully controlled.
In order to get a sequel, they even went so far as to create that fire twenty years ago, killing Rimi's father.
The truth is revealed!
The live chat was filled with insults.
Damn it, so this is the person who killed my father!
That explains it; no wonder these aliens are so obsessed with a novel.
[Humanity is indiscriminately killing innocent people while carrying out friendship programs, while the real invaders are exploiting humanity's blind spots to cause destruction. It's so ironic.]
Rimi refused to reveal any information, and the enraged Galo alien pushed her off a cliff.
At the critical moment, an uncle who was passing by saved Rimi.
When Rimi woke up and saw the man's face, childhood memories flooded back.
"Uncle Bian?"
That's right, the old man living in seclusion in the cave is the Kru alien who wanted to go home back then, and also the true author of that novel.
This reunion scene wasn't given much attention.
There was no earth-shattering embrace, only a sense of vicissitude and helplessness that transcends the years.
Even just these simple, descriptive shots can be incredibly moving.
Yoshiya Henmi tells Satomi that he originally only wanted to build a spaceship to go home, but he never expected that his knowledge would be used by the Galo aliens and turned into a weapon of slaughter.
"I lost my spaceship. In order to return home, I want to rebuild an identical spaceship, which is the Big Iron Block."
Henji Yoshiya sat by the fire, the firelight illuminating his weathered face. "Your father knew everything, and he was willing to help me. But I never expected... that only the Galo aliens would pay attention to this book."
"They're searching everywhere for the next installment in order to finish the giant iron block."
Rimi's eyes welled up with tears: "Uncle, so that fire back then..."
Henji Yoshiya closed his eyes in anguish: "Your father was killed by them while protecting the second volume of the book."
Upon hearing this, the audience felt a chill run down their spines.
An alien came to Earth with peaceful intentions, wanting only to return home. A human sacrificed his life to protect his friends and the truth.
Now, this interstellar friendship has become easy prey for the invaders.
"Not only that."
Yoshiya Henmi sighed, pointed to the sky, and said, "There's another reason why the Galo aliens want to destroy Earth."
"It's because of that 'Friendship Project'."
"Humanity's attempt to use powerful weapons to destroy all obstacles in the universe is inherently unjust. It is precisely because of the Friendship Project that the Galo aliens have launched their counterattack."
These words struck like a heavy hammer, slamming into the faces of all the radicals who were still cheering for "striking first."
Just then, a commotion arose outside the cave. The Galo aliens had caught up.
To protect Rimi, Yoshiya Henmi gave her the second volume of the manuscript containing the key secret.
"Get back into the cave right now! I've written everything that's about to happen in the manuscript!"
"I want my supporters to understand me!"
After saying that, the elderly alien resolutely rushed out.
However, being a civilian researcher, Yoshiya Henmi was no match for the ruthless Galo aliens.
After a few rounds, he was knocked to the ground.
At the critical moment, Seven's alter ego, Kazemori, arrived just in time and saved Henmi Yoshiya.
As he helped the old man up, Yoshiya looked into Kazemori's eyes and suddenly revealed a knowing smile.
"I think you're an alien too, right?"
Seven, who was transformed into Feng Sen, paused for a moment but did not deny it.
"Ultraman Seven, just like you are now, that's how you looked on Earth. Yoshiya Henmi... is how I looked on Earth."
Two strangers stranded on Earth felt a deep sense of kinship and understanding at that moment.
The group asked, "Since you're the author, please tell me, how can we defeat the giant iron block?"
Yoshiya Henmi shook his head, his face filled with despair: "The giant iron block is the perfect weapon; even Seven can't do anything about it. These problems all stem from the book I wrote, so... I will solve all the problems myself."
Before the group could react, a roar suddenly rang out in the distance.
Enraged, the Galo aliens, seeing no hope of seizing the book, forcibly activated the giant iron block!
Even without the core code for the next episode, this unfinished product still possesses devastating power.
Rumbling--
The earth trembled.
The enormous, heavy-bodied robot began its march into the city.
It doesn't need any complicated tactics; its massive size and endless energy absorption capacity alone are enough to make it invincible.
Earth Defense Force fighters swarmed in, but in front of the giant iron block, they were like a few annoying flies.
All the lasers and missiles were absorbed the moment they hit the large iron block.
Wow, that's maxed out physical resistance!
[The technology of these Kru aliens is incredibly advanced!]
How precious it is to possess advanced technology yet maintain a peaceful heart...
Compared to humans who devised the Friendship Project...sigh...
"This thing is so cheating!"
Old Tang couldn't help but complain, "This is a mana-sucking monster! If Seven plays, won't he be drained dry?"
In the scene, Dan Moroboshi no longer hesitates.
The Ultra Glasses flashed, and a red light shot into the sky.
"Jooo!!"
Ultraman Seven has arrived!
However, as Yoshiya Henmi said, this was a desperate battle.
As soon as Seven landed, he raised his hand and fired his signature Emerium Beam.
The green beam of light struck the episode's big boss precisely—the giant iron block.
However, the beam of light, powerful enough to cut through gold and jade, disappeared into the armor of the large iron block as if it were a mud ox sinking into the sea, without even a spark.
Immediately afterwards, the energy core on the chest of the large iron block lit up, and a thick bolt of particle lightning shot out!
Caught off guard, Seven was sent flying by the immense force and crashed heavily onto the mountainside.
[So they've already lost?]
[I can't damage him at all!]
This robot must be a Seven killer; all its attacks are energy-based, and they're all ineffective.
The massive iron block gave Seven no chance to catch his breath.
It extended its huge mechanical arm, and a powerful suction force burst forth, pulling Seven directly in front of it.
Then, the terrifying energy-absorbing device was aimed at the timer on Seven's forehead.
sizzle-
Seven struggled in agony, but the light energy within him was being frantically drained. His red body began to flicker, and his power was rapidly dissipating.
At the crucial moment, Seven displayed astonishing willpower. He struggled to break free of his restraints, tumbling down the hillside with the large iron block in his arms, attempting to find an opportunity through hand-to-hand combat.
But the large iron block remained completely still.
Before Seven could even get his footing, the giant iron block fired another beam of light-emitting particles.
boom!
Seven was hit head-on, white smoke billowed from his chest armor, and he half-knelt on the ground, his forehead timer flashing wildly.
A desperate situation.
A true dead end.
Just then, Henmi Yoshiya, who had been hiding in the shadows, stepped forward.
He stared at the rampaging monster, a resolute glint in his eyes. He remembered the settings he had written in his book.
"To complete the large iron block, what is most needed is a positive mindset."
"The quantum-level conversion system can convert human thoughts into energy. If I were to enter the giant iron block, that god of destruction... would surely be transformed into a god of justice."
This is the only way.
Rather than letting the Galo aliens pilot this empty shell and wreak havoc everywhere, it's better to become its "heart" and thus control it, or... destroy it.
"I cannot allow this beautiful planet, the planet where my good friends live, to be attacked by aliens."
Without further hesitation, Henji Yoshiya walked towards the Galo alien and shouted, "Take me in! I can help you complete it!"
The foolish Galo alien thought the other party had surrendered and, in a fit of ecstasy, sucked Henmi Yoshiya into the large iron block.
However, they were wrong.
When Yoshiya Henmi merged with the giant iron block, he indeed completed the last piece of the robot's puzzle.
The massive iron block's aura surged instantly, its entire body radiating a dazzling light.
But at the same time, the Galo aliens also noticed something was wrong.
Although they had gained power, they discovered that the old man was firmly holding onto control!
The large iron block froze in place.
During this brief stalemate, the voice of Henji Yoshiya came from inside the large iron block.
The sound echoed throughout the battlefield through the enormous loudspeakers, reverberating in Seven's ears.
"Defeat me! Seven! Defeat me!"
Seven stared in shock at the robot before him. Inside was an innocent soul, an old man who only wanted to go home.
At this moment, their consciousnesses were connected.
Behind Dan Moroboshi was the phantom of Seven.
Behind Henmi Yoshiya was the phantom of the Kru alien.
"But... that would mean you'd be sacrificed too!"
Seven's voice was filled with pain and hesitation. How could he do it? Those were his own kind, aliens who loved this planet just as much as he did!
"My consciousness will soon be controlled by the Galo aliens! Once the giant iron block is complete, Seven, even you won't be able to defeat it!"
The large iron block's body began to tremble violently; it was Henmi Yoshiya using his last bit of willpower to fight the Galo aliens for control.
"Why did you run in! Why! Why did you sacrifice yourself!" Seven roared, unable to understand.
"It was a girl...that reminded me."
Henji Yoshiya's voice softened, as if he could see through the thick armor and see the girl who called him uncle in the cave.
"Science...science should only exist for the sake of justice!"
"That makes sense!"
"Alright, let's get started, Seven!"
These words struck like a thunderbolt, resounding in the ears of all the audience members.
Science can only exist for the sake of justice.
This is a truth that an alien learned through his own life, yet at this moment, it delivers a resounding slap in the face to those humans who promoted the "Friendship Project."
At this moment, Rimi finally arrived at the battlefield.
She clutched the manuscript tightly in her hand; it was the last thing her uncle left her.
Seeing Seven raise his arm, Rimi screamed in despair, "Stop! Seven! There's someone in there...someone who shows me how to live!"
"A very important person! Someone like my father!"
"He's inside! Please stop!!"
Rimi's cries were heart-wrenching.
But Seven knew he had no choice.
If we don't take action, once Henmi Yoshiya's consciousness dissipates, this fully formed giant iron block with a "heart" will completely destroy the Earth.
Seven's hands trembled...
However, he still chose to rush forward and seize the "heart" of the large iron block.
This is probably the heaviest battle in Sevenov's history so far...
"Hurry! Seven! Attack now!"
Inside the massive iron block, Yoshiya Henmi let out his final roar.
"Jooo..."
With Seven's endless sorrow and respect, his arm pierced through the body of the giant iron block and pulled out the "heart".
Rumble—!!
A massive explosion resounded through the sky, and flames shot into the heavens, turning the tragic robot and the great alien visitor into ashes.
"Uncle!!!" Rimi knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
The battle is over.
As the sun sets, the afterglow is like blood.
Seven stood quietly amidst the ruins, remaining there for a long time.
His back looked so lonely and so tired.
At this moment, he was no longer a god, but a warrior who had to get his hands dirty to protect others.
The scene slowly zooms out, and a voiceover begins—Old Tang's familiar voice, but it sounds unusually low at this moment.
"Even though I am just an alien, I am willing to sacrifice myself to protect my friends on Earth."
"Because science must exist for the sake of justice, it must never be used for killing or destruction."
"This is a lesson learned by the Kru aliens at the cost of their lives, and it is also the most painful gift they have given to humanity."
……
The series ended, and the end credits song began to play.
Old Tang sat in the live broadcast room, his eyes red-rimmed, and remained silent for a long time.
Only after the screen went completely black did he take a big gulp of beer and let out a long sigh.
"Brothers, this is Ultraman Seven."
"This episode... is a satire of the previous episode, 'Glory and Legends.' It satirizes the Defense Force's arrogant 'Friendship Plan' and also celebrates true friendship and sacrifice."
"While we humans are recklessly destroying other planets in the name of security, an alien is willing to sacrifice himself to protect Earth."
"The contrast is truly embarrassing."
Old Tang pointed at the screen, somewhat agitated, "Especially that last line, 'Science can only exist for justice.' Gu Nan, that kid, is using tokusatsu as a front to deliver a true anti-war message!"
"The core of these two episodes is the creation of gods."
As Lao Tang explained, the live stream chat was filled with people in tears.
[A tribute to Uncle Henji! This is the spirit of Ultraman!]
Seven's final hesitation was so well acted; I was torn with anxiety just watching him.
[On one side is humanity's "first strike wins," on the other is the aliens' "self-sacrifice"—this episode aims for godlike status!]
When Rimi cried at the end, I couldn't hold back my tears either. This isn't for children; it's too heavy.
[Gu, you old scoundrel, although you were ruthless in your attacks, I give this episode full marks! Science and justice, this is what science fiction should be like!]