"Comparing people leads to despair, comparing goods leads to discarding." Before watching the playback video, Daigo hadn't realized just how useless he was. It was utterly humiliating.
He was also a Giant of Light, after all. Maybe he couldn't compare to the Chief Strategist, but… At the very least, he shouldn't be this disgraceful!
As he covered his face in shame— Su Mo walked over.
"Everyone, don't say that."
He shook his head and said: "If the red giant hadn't protected the statue, the other giant wouldn't have been able to defeat the monster so easily afterward."
"Besides, judging by the red giant's movements, it's likely he hasn't fought for a long time and was a bit rusty, which is why he suffered."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have failed to unleash even one energy beam."
"If the red giant keeps training, he will definitely become stronger!"
When he said the last sentence— Su Mo looked directly at Daigo. Their eyes met, and Daigo instantly understood—Su Mo was encouraging him.
"Yes! I think so too! Thank you, Chief Strategist!" He immediately stood up, excited and grateful, looking at Su Mo with deep appreciation.
Chief Strategist Su Mo really is the best! Even though the others didn't mean to… They still made him feel worse. Out of everyone, only Su Mo encouraged him. Even when he transformed into a giant earlier, it was under the strategist's guidance that he turned into light.
Thinking about it, Su Mo truly deserved to be called his life mentor! Daigo's words were heartfelt—he was truly grateful for Su Mo's encouragement. But to the others listening, his reaction seemed a little… odd.
Shinjoh blinked in confusion and asked: "Wasn't the Chief Strategist talking about the red giant?" "Why are you so worked up, Daigo? Why are you thanking the Chief Strategist?" He looked completely baffled, clearly not understanding why Daigo was so emotional.
Horii was also puzzled. He couldn't help but joke: "Even if you're trying to flatter the Chief Strategist, Daigo, this is way too forced!"
"If it were me, I'd praise him for putting himself in danger and leading from the front despite being our leader!" "Frankly, it's shameful that we're the frontline task force and still didn't notice anything."
"It was the Chief Strategist and Daigo who first discovered the pyramid containing the giant statue!" As he spoke, Horii shook his head, looking at Su Mo with sincere admiration.
"That's right!" Shinjoh nodded in agreement.
"When Daigo's plane went down, we were scared to death."
"If anything had happened to the Chief Strategist, we would've lost the brightest brain of our Victory Team!" Everyone recalled what had happened before. They were still shaken.
To the Victory Team, Chief Strategist Su Mo was arguably more important than even Captain Megumi. If it weren't for Su Mo pushing things forward, they might still be doubting the data on the super-ancient machine. If that had continued, they might not have found the pyramid in time. And that could have delayed the revival of the giant statue.
If that had happened, Earth would have suffered greatly. Hearing all this— Captain Megumi clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention.
"You're all right. Su Mo is indeed an irreplaceable member of the Victory Team." "So, from now on, Chief Strategist Su Mo, please take care of your own safety—your life is important!"
She said this with emphasis, looking directly at Su Mo— Clearly not wanting him to risk himself again. Su Mo felt her concern deeply.
But— "Thank you for your concern, Megumi."
Su Mo nodded slightly and said: "But if the prophecy of the super-ancient machine is true, then the awakening of Golza and Melba is only the beginning."
"From now on, Earth will enter a period where monsters frequently awaken or are born."
"If that's the case, there's no place on Earth that can be considered truly safe."
"As members of the Victory Team, protecting humanity is our duty."
"So sometimes, no matter how dangerous it is, we still have a reason to charge forward."
Although Captain Megumi's concern was touching— Su Mo could not stay behind at headquarters forever. Not just to fight monsters, but also to further explore the powers of Ultraman Tiga.
To study the Cosmic Corona form from the Solar Corona form, theory alone wasn't enough—he needed real combat experience.
So, though moved, Su Mo still stuck to his principles. And after hearing his words— The Victory Team members were deeply touched.
Yes! As Victory Team members, protecting humanity was their responsibility. Even someone like the Chief Strategist—a brain, not a brawler— Was unafraid of danger and willing to go to the frontlines. What excuse did the rest of them have to be afraid?
Even Daigo's blood was boiling after hearing that. He couldn't wait to transform and go teach a monster a lesson.
Just then—
Clap! Clap! Clap!
A slow round of applause echoed.
Walking in was Director Sawai, founder of TPC and the head of the base, his hair now graying slightly. He clapped as he walked in, looking at Su Mo with admiration.
"'Even if it's dangerous, we still have a reason to fight'—well said!"
"As expected of a genius strategist. In both competence and resolve, you surpass us old folks."
"Hearing you say that makes me even more confident in the Victory Team!"
He had originally come to find the Victory Team for something else— But overhearing that speech made him break into spontaneous applause. With a strategist like this, how could the Victory Team not rise to the occasion?
But Su Mo showed no real reaction to the director's praise. He had dealt with this old man before. Back when he was job-hunting, Director Sawai had desperately tried to recruit him as his personal strategist.
Unfortunately, Su Mo had his sights set only on the Victory Team. So he declined the offer. The old man was disappointed but respected Su Mo's decision. He even established the position of Chief Strategist in the Victory Team just for him.
Because of this relationship, though they didn't talk often, they were close across generations. So Su Mo didn't think much of the praise—
Instead, he joked: "Well, since Director Sawai has such confidence in us, maybe you could increase our funding?"
The Victory Team was a TPC operational unit— Applying for funds and budget was a regular occurrence. Who didn't know how to play the poverty card? Su Mo was half-joking. After all, their current funding was decent.
However, unexpectedly— Director Sawai nodded seriously. "No problem. From now on, the Victory Team's budget will be increased by at least double."
Hearing this— The entire Victory Team erupted with joy.
"Really? Double the funding?!"
"Headquarters has always been stingy, and now they're being this generous…"
"As expected of the Chief Strategist—one word and we've got so much funding!"
"Long live the Chief Strategist!"
The Victory Team members cheered. Of course, they wouldn't misuse public funds— But whether it was researching new weapons, test-flying new aircraft, Or upgrading and modifying existing equipment— All of it needed money.
The original budget, while adequate, wasn't enough for a full upgrade. Now with double the funds— They could switch to top-tier gear!
Naturally, they were thrilled. But hearing this— Captain Megumi's expression became serious, as if realizing something.
"Such a sudden increase in budget—does that mean an important mission is about to be assigned to the Victory Team?" She couldn't believe in free lunches. Especially from a sly old fox like Director Sawai—there had to be a reason for such generosity.
"Ahem…" Director Sawai hadn't expected her to catch on so quickly.
Clearing his throat, he explained truthfully: "After thorough consideration, we've decided to assign all future search-and-combat missions against monsters to your Victory Team." "This budget increase is a special allocation to upgrade your weapons and gear." That was the real reason he had come.
The Victory Team had performed well in the pyramid search and in fighting monsters. So HQ decided they were the best choice for the job.
Originally— The Victory Team was a task force for investigating abnormal phenomena. But now that monsters were appearing— They had been given a new mission: Whenever monsters caused disasters or extraterrestrials invaded— The Victory Team would be deployed!
Hearing the mission— The team finally understood: they had new work ahead. But they didn't reject it. Captain Megumi thought silently for over ten seconds, then looked at Su Mo.
"Su Mo, what do you think?" She was inclined to accept the mission. And believed they were capable of fulfilling the duty. But she still wanted to hear Su Mo's thoughts.
And hearing her ask— Su Mo certainly wasn't going to decline. "If headquarters is placing its hopes on us, then of course we can't back down." Su Mo smiled slightly.
"Even though monsters are powerful, don't we still have the giants on our side?"
"So, it's fine—let's accept the mission!"
With that— Megumi naturally followed his lead. "Director Sawai, the Victory Team promises to complete the mission!" She said this earnestly, officially accepting the responsibility as their captain.
"Good!" Director Sawai was very satisfied that they accepted. With Su Mo around, Director Sawai had complete confidence in the Victory Team's capabilities. After the formal business was concluded— Director Sawai didn't immediately leave.
Instead, his gaze shifted to the screen displaying the footage of the Giant of Light in battle. "You mentioned the giant earlier," he said with curiosity. "That reminds me—what are your thoughts on these giants?" He turned to the team, genuinely interested.