Crucifixion

Crucifixion (磔刑 Takkei) is the forty-fifth chapter of ULTRAMAN by Eichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi.
== Synopsis ==
Ace Killer overpowers Shinjiro and Dan. He crucifies them to draw out Seiji. 
== Plot ==
Before Dan went to the house, Seiji was eavesdropping on them while prepping his Ultraman Suit. He is using Shinjiro and Dan to thin out the mercenaries. Then, a colossal explosion obliterates the house, much to Seiji's surprise. Shinjiro rushes into the flames and finds Dan, who tells him to run. Shinjiro contacts Edo and Ide about Dan's condition, but suddenly, nine laser sights are cast on his body and head. A group of heavily armed and armored mercenary grunts marches up to him. Seiji realizes from his observing point the situation has gone downhill. He puts on his helmet and blasts off.
Shinjiro asks who the mercenaries are when their leader walks out. He questions why there are two Ultraman when the contract only included one. The Alien Nepenthes to his left tells him these SSSP Ultramen are not their target and could get them in trouble if harmed. However, the leader decides to get rid of them anyways, partly due to his now exposed human meat processing business. Dan does not find that to sound like a mercenary. The leader explains they are not like Earth's mercenaries but hired killers. He deactivates his Mimicry System and reveals himself as Ace Killer, leader of the Ace Killer Squad.
Shinjiro does not care about that and asks where Seiji is. Coincidentally, Ace Killer is also looking for him and blasts Shinjiro with his gun, telling him to be quiet. Dan tries to get up but cannot. Ace Killer walks over to Shinjiro and turns him over: a bullet from his gun had almost pierced the suit. He stomps on Shinjiro's chest and compliments its integrity. Enraged, Shinjiro swings his left Spacium Blade at him, but Ace Killer destroys it with another bullet. He then aims for the softer part of the suit on Shinjiro's abdomen and opens fire. Shinjiro screams out of pain while Dan cannot do a thing. After a while, Ace Killer stops firing and is surprised to see the armor could withstand the Dagalette rounds from his gun. Dan finally gathers enough strength to stand, but Alien Woovelve presses him to the ground again. Ace Killer starts firing again while an observing Seiji starts regretting not listening to Yapool's advice.
Finally, Ace Killer stops, and Shinjiro spurts blood from his mouth. Ace Killer gives a command to Nepenthes, and the latter shoots plantlike tendrils out of his back. They grab Shinjiro and Dan and hoist them into the air, holding their arms to the sides as if crucifying them. Meanwhile, Ace Killer calls Seiji to come out of hiding. Not too far away, Seiji sees the crucifixion and is paralyzed by fear...
== Appearances ==
=== Ultramen ===
* Shinjiro Hayata
* Dan Moroboshi
* Seiji Hokuto
=== Kaiju ===
* Edo (Mentioned)
* Ace Killer
* Alien Nepenthes
* Alien Woovelve
*Yapool (Mentioned)
Category:Chapters
Category:ULTRAMAN (2011 manga)
Category:ULTRAMAN (2011 manga) Chapters