EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 188 Safe Journey...Shinji
"Hey...you're all here."

After the riot at the base ended, Shinji Ikari stretched his tired body and returned to the base.

They saw Rei Ayanami and Asuka walking towards them, and of course... Misato Katsuragi and the others followed closely behind.

However, the protagonist of this farce... naturally belongs to Shinji Ikari. So... the two girls who were determined from the beginning to stay by his side... have the privilege of being the first to accompany Shinji Ikari.

"...Idiot Shinji. Are you already preparing to go...to see your father?"

Asuka and Shinji Ikari... have become so close that they no longer need any further words to communicate...

"Ah, now is a good time after all—if Kaji's plan succeeds... with Tiga's reputation tonight, it should be able to keep the Japanese government stable for a while."

When his name was mentioned, Kaji Ryoji gave Shinji Ikari a thumbs-up and struck a pose as if to say, "Leave it to me."

Ever since Kaji mentioned whether Shinji Ikari should use Ultraman Tiga's power to slaughter humans, Kaji Ryoji has been thinking about what he can do for Ultraman Tiga and for Shinji Ikari.

The final result was that we needed to help him write a good script.

Since then, Kaji has been moving more closely among TV reporters and editors, and even online social media, all in search of a suitable opportunity to further enhance Ultraman Tiga's credibility in the eyes of humanity.

After all, even if SEELE is the deep government of the entire United Nations, it has the ability to remotely control the Japanese government to send troops to besiege NERV headquarters with a single order from afar.

No matter how well it's implemented on the ground, those who actually carry out the orders are still the rank-and-file soldiers. As long as in the end, it's about real, flesh-and-blood people who are able to intervene.

Originally, NERV using EVA to fight against the Angels already presented a very positive and proactive image to the general public around the world.

Not to mention Ultraman Tiga... this true, god-like savior... in the eyes of the world, he evokes a near-religious sentiment.

Japan is a polytheistic country... Noma no Kami Yaoyorozu is not just a name... With the blessing of these gods, countless small religious groups have been born in Japan.

These religions are all trying to claim Ultraman Tiga as the representative of their gods—with such fanatical obsession…

All it takes is a trigger for Ultraman Tiga's image to have an influence on humanity that far surpasses that of the government.

After all, politicians in government departments are just like any other human being... they eat with their mouths, use their butts to relieve themselves... they are ordinary human beings who experience birth, aging, sickness, and death... they've just been born into a slightly better family...

But Ultraman—he's a genuine… guardian deity who can single-handedly stop a catastrophe that could destroy the entire world.

"The effect is good. It's only been less than 30 minutes and it's already had millions of views."

Kaji Ryoji raised his terminal... and we can see that with only the simplest editing techniques... Ultraman Tiga, with a gentle wave of his hand, transformed all the war machines humans used to harm each other into piles of scrap metal...

It has already spread rapidly across the entire internet.

Even though the Japanese government is doing its best to suppress it, without NERV's support, the computing power controlled by the Japanese government alone is simply no match for MAGI, the most advanced artificial intelligence created to combat the Angels and the culmination of all human civilization.

"...In this way, even if SEELE continues to issue orders...those pampered idiots in Lonely Second New Tokyo City will behave themselves a bit."

Kaji Ryoji wore a smug smile. After all, tonight's thwarting of SEELE's plans was undoubtedly a powerful blow to those old men who were plotting their third assault.

Originally… Kaji hated them… If it weren’t for them launching the Second Impact for the so-called Human Perfection Project… Kaji’s life wouldn’t have ended up in this state of losing everything.

Even though they haven't directly located the old people yet... just being able to thwart their plans is enough for Kaji Ryoji to savor the exhilarating feeling of revenge.

"Ah! See...it's started."

Misato Katsuragi suddenly spoke and raised her phone at the same time...

The screen shows... Japanese citizens spontaneously taking to the streets, holding up protest signs, and surrounding the Japanese Prime Minister's residence in response to the Self-Defense Forces' special operations division's raid on NERV headquarters tonight... and even firing at Ultraman Tiga.

"So fast and smooth... that's impossible without someone guiding the procession. And not even riot police were deployed... there were even people in police uniforms mixed in with the marchers... I'm telling you guys..."

Shinji Ikari raised an eyebrow. Things were developing far too quickly and too smoothly. He absolutely did not believe that no one was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"Shinji-kun, no... Ultraman!"

Kenzaki Kyoya suddenly stepped forward… and spoke solemnly—

This was the first time Kenzaki Kyoya had ever referred to himself as Ultraman so solemnly since Shinji Ikari revealed his identity to him.

“Ultraman…this is a matter between humans. Just as SEELE sent its army to attack you…and used its Self-Defense Forces to encircle and annihilate the entire NERV…we are also human beings, resisting SEELE’s plans.”

As expected, it was Kenzaki Kyouya who had his intelligence department pull the strings... No wonder everything was going so smoothly; after all, the opponent was the intelligence department of NERV, one of the world's top spy agencies...

If we're going to compare them to, we'd be comparing them to the most outstanding intelligence agencies in history... like the KGB and the CIA...

While their direct combat capabilities certainly cannot match those of the regular Self-Defense Forces... when it comes to intelligence operations and instigating riots... to undermine the functions of the national government... don't expect the police in Tokyo Second District to be able to handle it.

"Ultraman... you only need to consider the enemies Ultraman faces. As for the enemies of humanity... leave that to humanity!"

Kenzaki Kyouya solemnly announced that this was to reassure Shinji Ikari... and also to demonstrate his own judgment regarding his choice.

Kenzaki Kyouya... just like Ayanami Rei, officially chose the human side.

"Really? I see."

Since Kenzaki Kyouya and Kaji Ryoji have already said so much, there's no need for me to say anything more.

At this moment... any further explanation would only be an insult to the wisdom and resolve displayed by Kenzaki Kyoya and Kaji Ryoji.

"Well, I'm going on a short trip. I'll leave the house to you guys."

"Ah."

Kenzaki Kyouya nodded solemnly, while looking at Suzuhara Toji and Makinami.

"The three of us will protect... protect the final dogma area."

It's impossible to unleash all of our fighting force, especially since SEELE still possesses the devastating weapon of mass-produced EVAs...

If everyone followed Shinji Ikari to the NERV branch in Berlin, Germany, then SEELE's plan to raid their base using mass-produced EVAs would fail completely.

Although it's unknown whether contacting Lilith with mass-produced EVAs alone, without Shinji Ikari and Unit-01, can trigger the Third Impact... there's still Kaworu Nagisa, that troublemaker, lurking in the shadows.

Having Kenzaki Kyouya, who can pilot Unit-04, stay behind with Suzuhara Toji and Makinami to defend the main force... and having Ikari Shinji and Asuka Rei head to Berlin... this is arguably the best allocation of combat power. Actually...

"Actually, I'm all alone..."

Before Shinji Ikari could finish speaking, he was met with fierce glares from Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu, forcing him to obediently shut his mouth.

"Okay, okay, I got it... Let's go together."

From the eyes of those two children, Shinji Ikari sensed Asuka and Rei's resolve... If he were to say anything more to them... such as asking them to stay and watch the house... he would be insulting them.

"...Potter, how is he?"

Seeing that Shinji Ikari's instructions were finished, Kenzaki Kyoya waved to the black-suited man waiting not far away.

"Yes, the coordinates of the NERV branch in Berlin, Germany... have been analyzed. By tracing back from the direction of the intrusion into headquarters MAGI, we can determine its exact location... Although we cannot confirm its authenticity with 100% certainty... it is highly likely to be true."

"That's enough, Porter... even the flight path, once it's ready... we'll set off immediately."

Shinji Ikari spoke firmly, allowing no room for doubt.

"What?! So soon?! Leaving tonight?!"

Misato Katsuragi let out a strange cry... She also thought that Shinji Ikari would take a break for a while after calming down the Self-Defense Forces' riot tonight.

"Of course... Although the surging public opinion and Ultraman's religious significance among humans can restrain the Japanese government for a while... it is estimated that after a few days, once this enthusiasm cools down... ordinary citizens will lose their enthusiasm and return to their own lives. At that time, they can use ground troops to suppress this headquarters a second and third time."

Shinji Ikari shrugged... He knew all too well that without leadership and organizational structure, it was impossible to directly defeat the Japanese government by relying solely on the passion of the masses.

Furthermore, Shinji Ikari had no intention of launching a coup to bring down the Japanese government... He just wanted the Japanese prime minister to stay put for a few days, giving him some free time to handle things with Gendo Ikari.

"So, while the Japanese Prime Minister is still mindful of the surging public sentiment here and has the courage to defy the orders SEELE issued to him... I definitely have to go now. Don't worry, Misato-nee, by the time I come back... everything will be over."

Seeing Misato Katsuragi's uneasy expression, Shinji Ikari gave her a reassuring smile.

"...Really, is it not necessary to airlift Unit-01, Unit-02, and Unit-00 over?"

Misato Katsuragi bit her lip tightly…she had begun to feel hatred.

She hated herself for always being able to watch Shinji Ikari leave, and for always being able to wait for Shinji Ikari's return from the safe rear.

"Ah, let's leave Unit-01 aside for now... After we depart, you should start installing Unit-02 and Unit-00 onto the transport plane. If anything unexpected happens, just send them over to us—"

At that moment, Porter drove the car over... This was a signal that the plane was ready to take Shinji Ikari and the other two to the tarmac.

"Well then, I'll be going now."

"Shinji-kun!!"

The moment Shinji Ikari opened the car door... Misato Katsuragi couldn't help but call out Shinji's name.

"...What's wrong, Misato-nee?"

"sorry…………!",

"what?"

Shinji Ikari was stunned... He couldn't understand why Misato Katsuragi would apologize to him.

"Shinji, you had such high expectations of me... and even appointed me as acting commander... yet I accomplished nothing. Tonight's attack was completely undetected. I let things unfold as they would!!"

Ah... so that's what she was blaming herself for...

After all, the Self-Defense Forces' encirclement was suppressed by Shinji Ikari transforming into Ultraman Tiga, and the subsequent handling and tactical planning were the responsibility of Kyoya Kenzaki and Ryoji Kaji.

Despite being the acting commander, he was completely unaware of what was happening... He could only watch helplessly as Shinji Ikari performed in front of him, like a passerby.

As an adult who wanted to be someone Shinji Ikari could rely on, this situation filled Misato Katsuragi with immense guilt and regret.

"I…………"

"Misato-nee. You said that after everything is resolved... I should become Ultraman and fly away?"

"…………ah?"

Shinji Ikari's sudden, incoherent question left Misato Katsuragi stunned.

"What's the meaning…"

"So, after eliminating all the apostles and monsters and bringing true peace to humanity... should I become Ultraman, fly far away, and never come back?"

"of course…"

"no…"

"...Oh my god!!"

Almost simultaneously, Misato Katsuragi, Asuka Langley Soryu, and Rei Ayanami all spoke up.

...If this story truly needs a perfect ending, it should never be at the cost of Shinji Ikari.

“That settles it... Since you still need me to come back—I need a place to stay here. And my place to stay... is your apartment, Misato-nee... Please, protect it, don't let me... be homeless.”

"…………I know…Seriously, I can't do anything with you."

Realizing that this was a gentleness unique to Shinji Ikari... and also a promise to the future where he would definitely return here.

"Don't worry, Shinji... While you're away, I will protect this family and your home. I will wait until you... return safely."

'Ah, then I'm relieved—'

"Have a safe journey... Lord Shinji."

(End of this chapter)