EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 102: Scumbag Ikari Gendo! 【22006000】

“…Sorry for losing my composure…”

In the second conference room, Ryoji Kaji looked pale. He covered his red and swollen forehead with an ice pack in one hand while apologizing to Shinji Ikari.

"Although I anticipated she might resist, and I wasn't letting my guard down... but... I don't know why... I was clearly concentrating the entire time... but suddenly I lost focus for a moment... Sorry, Boss, I was just making excuses..."

Looking at Ryoji Kaji who was in extreme self-blame, Shinji Ikari waved his hand nonchalantly.

"Don't worry about it. It wasn't something you could handle in the first place. The fact that you're still alive is already a reward beyond the treatment."

That weapon was definitely not the one that Black Rei Ayanami had on her from the beginning... otherwise he wouldn't have been able to carry her unconsciously throughout the entire process without her noticing.

It must be the enemy who invaded this base, released the black Rei, and gave her the monster's weapon.

"…Mr. Shinji! The entire base has been inspected."

An agent from the Intelligence Department hurried over, holding a file. The respectful address and deferential expression... were completely different from those used on ordinary qualified candidates.

It seems... even if Kenzaki Kyo didn't specifically explain it... these subordinates have gradually realized Shinji Ikari's special status.

"After investigation, it turns out the explosion occurred in MAGI's auxiliary database, resulting in a significant loss of data... However, surveillance equipment didn't capture any outside intrusion. Section Chief Kenzaki suspects... an inside job. Let me ask you... do you want to initiate an internal investigation?"

The internal investigation—without a doubt, the target was… Ritsuko Akagi and the technical development department she led.

Ritsuko Akagi is a die-hard member of Gendo Ikari's faction... so the technical development department she leads is naturally a department that Shinji Ikari's U plan will find difficult to infiltrate.

Now, while Ikari Gendō is away... Katsuragi Misato can temporarily take advantage of the situation, but no one knows if Ikari Gendō will suddenly come back...

Kenzaki Kyoya's implication was clear... should they use this invasion as an excuse to eliminate Akagi Ritsuko and the operators within NERV who still had an unusually fanatical loyalty to Ikari Gendō...

"no need."

Shinji Ikari shook his head... After all, he knew full well that the answer wasn't as simple as a traitor... The opponent was a monster with the ability to fold space—as evidenced by the D4 that tore through the dimension and the monster's short thorn that escaped through the dimension...

Using this excuse to slander and taking the opportunity to gang up on others... Although it is effective, Shinji Ikari does not like this style of behavior.

However, these are just Shinji Ikari's personal opinions. With a calm smile, Shinji Ikari changed the subject.

"Of course, I don't think so. This is just my humble opinion. When it comes to internal audits within the organization, Mr. Kenzaki is the expert, and we trust him completely. Please tell Mr. Kenzaki that if he determines that emergency measures are necessary, he can communicate directly with Ms. Misato. I don't want to make the foolish mistake of an amateur giving orders to the experts."

Shinji Ikari still has self-awareness... He has just undergone training... and can become a warrior like Tiga to fight monsters.

Apart from defeating apostles and monsters, all I can do is to encourage others with empathy... I may be a knight who leads the charge, or an impregnable fortress... but I will not be a king hiding at the back.

I am neither suitable nor capable enough to lead an entire huge organization...that's why I need people like Kenzaki Kyoya and Katsuragi Misato.

"I see--"

Hearing the hidden meaning of Shinji Ikari's words, the intelligence department's agents retreated.

"Shinji-kun...you're becoming more and more like Commander Ikari."

Once they were alone again, Kaji Ryoji smiled teasingly and uttered a comment that made Shinji Ikari's scalp tingle.

"Tsk, I don't feel like you're praising me. Rather... your scolding is really awful."

Not satisfied with just complaining, Shinji Ikari simply kicked Ryoji Kaji's butt as he lay on the bench to rest.

"Since you have the energy to talk nonsense, get up and work!" "Hey... this is a compliment. Even if you don't want to admit it... but Ikari Gendo is indeed a man with a unique charm... At least, he conquered the two Professors Akagi with his masculine charm alone, and made them work for him wholeheartedly, right?"

The two Professors Akagi...that is, Ritsuko Akagi and her mother...Naoko Akagi.

"...I just don't understand Auntie's aesthetic. I can't fathom how an old man who's lost even his humanity could possibly be so attractive. Could it be something physical...? No way??"

As if deliberately guiding the conversation in this direction, Kaji Ryoji nodded affirmatively.

"Hey, Boss, if you didn't bring it up, I really don't know how to start… According to my investigation, Akagi Ritsuko and Commander Ikari Gendō did have a close relationship that went beyond the ordinary superior-subordinate relationship… I can't confirm whether it was between a man and a woman—but… there were indeed several times when the two of them entered the same room at night and left together in the morning…"

"……vomit…"

Although he knew that his mother had passed away long ago, Gendo Ikari was free to do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted.

But - even if he didn't consider that man as his father, hearing that his own blood relative did such a thing... Shinji Ikari still felt nauseous instinctively.

"If... that old bastard really just needs love and wants to find a young wife, I'd actually be happier."

Shinji Ikari sighed helplessly. He had already guessed what Ryoji Kaji was going to report.

"Ah... just as you guessed, Boss, Commander Ikari Gendō is simply exploiting Akagi Ritsuko's affections... to make her work for him wholeheartedly. Just like Akagi Naoko who passed away five years ago."

"Stop beating around the bush—just tell us what you've found out... You're being so hesitant. That's not like you at all."

Shinji Ikari realized that Ryoji Kaji was constantly trying to induce him and then agree with his topic... What was he worried about?

"...I just don't know how to start... After all, even if you don't want to admit it... he's still your father... Shinji-kun."

Kaji Ryoji sighed and finally got to the point.

"I... checked Rei Ayanami's room... and confirmed that the black Rei Ayanami is the third person."

"Third...huh? Then...the one who lives next to me is second, then what about first?"

"The first one, Rei Ayanami... died five years ago—murdered by Akagi Naoko. And then... Akagi Naoko, out of fear of the crime... committed suicide."

"What...!? Tell me more."

The developer of MAGI… Dr. Akagi’s biological mother… Ikari Gendo’s mistress… actually killed the first Rei Ayanami and then committed suicide? ?

"Yes... the specific process is no longer possible to speculate... but based on the few remaining words... the conclusion I can draw is—"

"………………!!!"

After hearing Kaji Ryoji's speculation... inexplicably, without any reason... Ikari Shinji knew... that was the correct answer.

Shinji Ikari's teeth clenched involuntarily.

Ikari Gendō abandoned Naoko Akagi and used Rei Ayanami, then only eight or nine years old, to stimulate Ritsuko Akagi's spirit. He forced Naoko into a corner, strangled Rei, and then committed suicide by jumping off a building.

That man didn't love Akagi Naoko, nor Akagi Ritsuko, and even his feelings for Ayanami Rei... were just a false pretense...

At this moment, Shinji Ikari felt ashamed that he had his blood flowing in his veins!
"

(End of this chapter)