EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 105 EVA Simulation Battle - Part 1
Following an order from Shinji Ikari, Unit-01 and Unit-00 simultaneously aimed their rifles at Unit-02, which was still crawling on the skyscraper.

One in front and one behind, one on the left and one on the right, the spewing tongues of fire outlined a top-secret blockade line in the air.

“…Don’t underestimate me!”

Unit 2 didn't even think about running away or hiding... Showing the same toughness as Asuka's way of survival, Unit 2 slammed its feet against the wall.

"boom--!!"

With a loud bang, the building, originally designed to be the strongest in reality, collapsed under the immense force of Unit 2...

This brought about an explosive speed, transforming Unit 02 into a bright red meteorite, hurtling downward at a speed far beyond Rei Ayanami's expectations.

"...!"

Rei Ayanami was shocked because she was aiming at the original position of Unit 02... and the explosiveness of Asuka's mental power was able to make Unit 02 burst out at a speed that surpassed its trajectory!
"...Amazing!! Asuka's synchronization rate has already exceeded 85! This is much higher than in previous training...even when fighting against the apostles!"

Misato Katsuragi, who was observing the battle, exclaimed. The original intention was just to let them get familiar with fighting against EVAs...or even fighting against humans.

I didn’t expect there would be an unexpected gain…

"Because to that kid... Shinji-kun is special, right? And since Shinji-kun just told him he wanted to show me his true strength... it's only natural that his fighting spirit would be high."

“Ah!!… It’s so cold!!”

Ryoji Kaji came up from behind with a can of coffee and mischievously put the cold can against the back of Misato Katsuragi's neck.

"Really... you're still doing this childish thing. And... wasn't that kid obsessed with you before? Shinji-kun completely took her away."

Faced with this awkward topic, Ryoji Kaji could only surrender by teasing him in retaliation.

"Please spare me... I'm not someone who can bring happiness to others. If I could offer salvation to someone... I wouldn't have broken up with you, I wouldn't have left you - we are all just simply drowning in sewage... pitiful people desperately seeking help. Whether it's me, you, or Asuka... we are all just sympathetic. We can't truly make each other happy..."

"..."

Misato Katsuragi never expected that her joking remark would make Ryoji Kaji talk about such a heavy topic. She couldn't help but look at Ryoji Kaji's face... but found that there was no sadness on his face, only a lively and longing look.

"Only those who...are not struggling in the water, but are on the shore...who extend a helping hand...have the power to pull those in the water out...and offer salvation and happiness."

That person - is naturally... the boy on the screen at this moment.

Although there are heavy and depressing topics going on in the outside world...it is not like that inside.

"……cut!"

Asuka's lips curled up in displeasure. This idiot Shinji... actually calculated so precisely!?
He was already accelerating at a speed beyond his limit... The trajectory he predicted shouldn't have hit Unit 2, but... why was this idiot aiming at the exact spot he had reached after accelerating?!
"Of course it's because I believe in your ability, Asuka~"

As Ikari Shinji's warm greetings came over the public channel, Unit-01 was showered with bullets from a hail of bullets... The intense impact and stopping power brought Unit-02 to a sudden halt mid-sprint...

However, since it was still some distance from the ground, Unit 2 was unable to continue running and could only fall down miserably.

“It hurts so much aa ...

However... Asuka's wailing could be heard from the channel.

"…Miss Misato?"

Shinji Ikari confirmed this with a slight unease. "Ah, didn't I tell you? The nerve transmission ratio is the same as in real combat, so the pain sensation should be the same, otherwise it would slow down the EVA's movements."

"…You didn't say it before. Next time, please say it earlier."

Shinji Ikari put away his playful attitude. After all... it was just a joke, but he didn't really want to hurt Asuka.

Hearing the tone that almost sounded like crying, Shinji Ikari felt a little uncomfortable as if something was blocked in his heart.

"Rei, I leave it to you. If Asuka gets up, suppress her with fire—she's cut off the power, and it will be out in five minutes."

As it said that, Unit-01 threw the rifle in its hand to Unit-00.

"Okay… Ikari-kun??"

Unit 00 took the gun obediently and aimed at Unit 2, which had fallen to the ground with a bang and hadn't gotten up. Asuka must have been seeing stars at that moment.

But why did Shinji Ikari give up using firearms...?
"It's hard to control the force with a gun. Since the pain is still at the actual combat ratio, there's no need for me to use it."

As it spoke, Unit-01 drew a high-frequency particle dagger from its shoulder and swung it in the opposite direction of Ayanami Rei.

"Unit 2's surprise attack has failed. Those hiding down there... it's time to come out. Hiding any longer is just a waste of time."

As Shinji Ikari mocked on the public screen, his location was revealed...a pink hand suddenly crawled out from under the floor in front of Shinji Ikari.

"Unit 8... Hmm, so you, a cat, can dig holes?"

"Ah, that's the princess's tactic. Climbing out from underground takes time... Originally, I needed the princess or Suzuhara-san to create a loophole before I could move... I have to thank you, Wang-chan, for forgoing your ranged weapon. Otherwise, you could have just fired a volley at me right now and it would have been game over."

After a long time of effort, Makiba finally moved Unit 8 out. He also drew out his short sword and confronted Shinji Ikari with full fighting spirit.

"You don't use guns...?"

"The gun is too far away... If I can't get closer, how can I have... intimate contact with you, Wang-chan!!"

Before he finished speaking, the sharp edge arrived... The attack was even faster than that of Unit 02. The high-frequency dagger held in his backhand slashed towards Unit 01's neck without the slightest hesitation.

"It's really dangerous, people could die..."

"You're lying! You didn't even frown...!"

The sharp slash was missed as Unit-01 took a small step back as if it was a matter of course... Even at the moment when the particle dagger swung in the air and passed in front of Unit-01 -

“Waaaaaaa…!?”

Unit-01's kick hit Unit-08's right hand, which was wielding the dagger... Caught off guard by the kick, the particle dagger flew out of its hand and flew straight into the air.

"The murderous intent is too obvious, but..."

He caught the moment when Makiba lost all control due to the overly precise kick in front of him, leaving the goal wide open...

Unit-01 switched from a standing position to a grappling position, lowered its center of gravity and lunged forward, pinning Unit-08 beneath its body without any resistance.

(End of this chapter)