EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 61: Stop Your Daydreaming [Two-in-One 5000 Words! ]

NERV headquarters, deepest...

The final Dogma area - a top secret restricted area.

The place was originally off-limits to all staff members, but due to the sudden large-scale power outage, the headquarters' functions were completely paralyzed and lost their confidentiality.

Under the orders of Deputy Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki, busy technicians connected a large number of power generation equipment, including old internal combustion engines... into the final dogma area again and again.

Although no one knows what is hidden behind this door that cannot be opened, it is obvious that Fuyutsuki's order is to give priority to providing power here, even at the expense of the life support systems of the dying patients in the intensive care unit of NERV Hospital.

And now, the culprit who caused this riot...the man who is seeking the truth, Kaji Ryoji...is resolutely walking towards the final door.

“…Don’t move!”

Just as Kaji Ryoji reached into his arms to take out his ID card, a murderous voice and the muzzle of a black gun... were pressed against the back of Kaji's head from behind.

In an instant, Ryoji Kaji instinctively lowered his hand to his waist, and his muscle memory wanted to draw his pistol... But when his reason told him that the owner of this voice was his ex-lover with whom he had lived for two years... Ryoji Kaji gave up all resistance.

He smiled bitterly and raised his hands in surrender.

"It's you, you came much faster than I expected..."

Although I didn't expect to be completely unnoticed... I didn't expect to be caught by Misato Katsuragi before I even opened the door.

"This is your true identity, isn't it? Special Investigator Kaji Ryoji of NERV's secret agency, and also a spy planted in NERV by the Japanese government's Ministry of Internal Affairs Investigation Department... How ironic."

"... "

Kaji Ryoji raised an eyebrow in silence... It turns out Katsuragi Misato knew even less than he thought...

She only knew about the Japanese government, and she didn't know that she was actually a spy for NERV, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs, and SEELE...

In an instant, every moment of her life with Misato Katsuragi during her school days came to mind... If Katsuragi didn't know about SEELE yet, would there be any possibility for her to avoid being involved?

...Continuing like this, living a carefree and happy life with Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami... knowing nothing, is this the best outcome for Misato Katsuragi?

"Hey! Say something! Don't underestimate us NERV! Seriously! While initiating a total power outage, you've left just 2.2% of the circuits open, just enough to power the Final Dogma area to its minimum capacity! Your intentions are completely clear!"

It was obvious that Ryoji Kaji was thinking about whether Misato Katsuragi could still escape from this series of conspiracies... but Katsuragi thought that he was resisting with silence, and became even more angry and hit Ryoji Kaji's head with a gun.

"Oh~ You're so perceptive? Did Xiaolu discover it? Or... have you become more clever since breaking up with me?"

"Stop being so slick! You actually managed to paralyze the base! Do you really think you can get away with it?"

"Of course not... I never intended to leave here alive. But, Misato... although I know it's pointless, please allow me to apologize for hiding this from you."

"...!"

Misato Katsuragi's expression was visibly shaken. It was unclear whether it was because of Ryoji Kaji's resolute attitude... or because he had already prepared himself for death. No matter which one it was... it was something Misato Katsuragi could not find in the former Ryoji Kaji.

No—to be precise, he had always had it… but had never revealed it to her.

"Even if you apologize, I won't be happy... Stop it! Liang, now is still not too late. I won't tell anyone about what happened today! But - if you continue... Commander Ikari will not let you go if he finds out!"

From the muzzle of the gun pressed against the back of his head... Kaji Ryoji felt a noticeable tremor, a sign that Katsuragi Misato was wavering.

"...I'm sorry, I can't stop. Commander Ikari already knew my identity, and they're just using each other for their own benefit. Besides...both the Commander and Ritsu-chan have hidden a lot from you—let me tell you."

Having made a decision... Kaji Ryoji pulled his ID card from his pocket. Since the Final Dogma area maintained minimal power consumption... Katsuragi Misato could see the ID card under the light...

"Vice Commander Fuyutsuki's ID card! So you stole it... I see. Immediately after the theft, cut off the power to the MAGI... so the request to cancel the ID card wouldn't be transmitted here!"

Misato Katsuragi understood what Ryoji Kaji wanted to do...but she didn't shoot or stop him immediately...because she also realized that NERV was hiding something and was waiting for Ryoji Kaji to reveal it all to her.

I swiped my ID card, and the door opened naturally... After walking through a long, dark corridor, I finally arrived at the room...

"Artificial Evolution Research Institute… Branch Room 3?"

What she ended up arriving at was not the magnificent giant institution that Misato Katsuragi had expected, but a long-abandoned laboratory.

Broken glass bottles and beakers, scattered capsules and pills, bandages, fallen IV stands and damaged medical equipment... It was just a room... that had long been sealed in the past.

...and the room where Rei Ayanami lives alone, which Shinji Ikari saw for the first time...is similar to his.

And—at the far end of the room…there was a dim presence, like a water tank. Due to the lack of light, I couldn't see clearly, but I could only see a large mass…sunk at the bottom of the tank.

“…Where is this…”

The Artificial Evolution Research Institute... This was an institution that Misato Katsuragi had never heard of in her years at NERV... However, the one she had hoped would answer her question, Kaji, now revealed a look of deep regret.

"So, that's how it is... I've been tricked. Turns out this isn't the path to the Ultimate Vertical Trench... but to Rei Ayanami's room. Tsk... Ikari Gendo, you old fox!"

The intelligence was wrong, which resulted in his only chance not being able to reach the core area... This made Kaji Ryoji feel completely hopeless and frustrated.

"Ayanami...!? What the hell are you talking about..."

Hearing the unexpected name, Katsuragi Misato was filled with confusion and desperately sought an answer, but at this moment...

"?!"

The violent shaking... shook the entire room, no... shook the entire NERV base.

"earthquake--!?"

"No, it's the apostles. The apostles are attacking."

Ryoji Kaji took out his cell phone and took a look... As expected, the cell phone of Ryoji Kaji, the instigator, could still receive information from the outside world.

Just now, the Eighth Angel's appearance was confirmed. He's advancing towards Tokyo-3... However, because Kaji Ryoji had disrupted the entire city's power supply and information transmission, NERV had been unaware of this information.

"Hurry up! Restore the power! If we're invaded by the Apostles now, everything will be over!"

Katsuragi Misato was truly panicking now… If the power couldn't be restored, she wouldn't even be able to insert the plug into the EVA! This fortress city built to fight against the apostles… was now like a deserted city.

"I can't do that. The power won't be restored until midnight tomorrow... Ugh!"

"Snapped--!"

Looking at Ryoji Kaji who seemed to have given up on himself, Misato Katsuragi slapped him in the face in anger at his lack of fighting spirit.

She glared at Kaji Ryoji angrily and opened her mouth to say something... but knowing that nothing could be said now, she turned and ran outside.

She is the battle commander! The apostles are coming! She must fight on the front lines!
Looking at Misato Katsuragi's departing back, Kaji Ryoji murmured in frustration...

"It doesn't matter... Anyway, that being called Tiga... will help humans defeat the apostles. There's no point in humans fighting..."

As a result, with Ryoji Kaji's departure... the laboratory where Ryoji Kaji should have been left alone and depressed, suddenly a third person's voice was heard.

"Stop your wishful thinking. Ultraman will only appear to help humans when they fight with all their might."

“…Shinji-kun!!”

Kaji Ryoji stared in bewilderment at Ikari Shinji, who had appeared at the doorway, his gaze coldly down upon him. "I should have said... as long as humanity continues to resist... as long as humanity continues to fight! Humanity will not lose... But on the other hand, if even we choose to give up... neither EVA nor Ultraman can help humanity."

This is the line Shinji Ikari used to comfort data analyst Shigeru Aoki when he was in despair, during the attack of the Seventh Angel, the Sky Angel... After witnessing the N2 aerial bomb, the culmination of human technology, being unable to penetrate even the Sky Angel's AT field...

It's just that... last time it was an affirmation of human efforts, and this time... the second half of the sentence was added - if humans themselves give up resistance... lose the will to fight against the sad fate and cruel world... no external force can bring salvation to mankind.

"Shinji-kun, why are you here..."

"Mr. Kenzaki has reported to me more than once that there's a traitor within NERV, a spy who has the power to bring down the entire city of Tokyo-3...a high-ranking one within NERV. I can't think of anyone else but you, Mr. Kaji Ryoji."

Although Shinji Ikari's attitude was not excited, these words exploded in Kaji's mind like thunder.

Kenzaki-san, report? That... Kenzaki? The cold, tool-like figure who controls the entire NERV intelligence system... Kenzaki Kyoya, Ikari Gendō's loyal lackey?

Kenzaki Kyoya is actually in contact with Ikari Shinji... and judging from his tone... it seems that Kenzaki Kyoya is very cooperative with Ikari Shinji's actions.

"That's not what you're asking, Mr. Kaji."

Shinji Ikari's casual words interrupted Kaji Ryoji's thoughts... His attitude was completely different from his usual humbleness, his brows were furrowed... and he exuded an oppressive aura without even getting angry.

"...that tone of voice, and...so, since you're in charge of monitoring the pilot, you're able to easily grasp the whereabouts of the unknown lifeform Tiga and you, Shinji-kun...so, that's how it is...no wonder that Kenzaki Kyoya obeys you."

Although he had guessed it in his heart...but when Shinji Ikari suddenly revealed the truth before him, Kaji Ryoji still felt a sense of disbelief and absurdity.

"What is this room? What do you mean by this being Ayanami's room?"

Seeing Kaji Ryoji's face full of disbelief, Shinji Ikari didn't intend to continue to argue... and went straight to the point.

If Kaji hadn't mentioned Ayanami's name, Ikari Shinji would have silently watched the farce between Kaji Ryoji and Katsuragi Misato and left without a trace...

But Kaji Ryoji mentioned a name that couldn't be ignored, so he had to clarify it for him - and besides, this room made Shinji Ikari very uncomfortable...

A familiar disgust... Just breathing the air here reminds Shinji Ikari of Keigo Masaki's Cytech Technology Company... It's exactly the same... the stench of the rotting human heart that tramples on and desecrates human morality and conscience.

"Is that so... You revealed your identity to increase your negotiating power. This way, I can't refuse to answer your questions... Is that right, Tiga-san?"

"I'm Shinji Ikari, I'm human."

He decisively refuted Kaji Ryoji's words, saying that even though he had the ability to transform into Ultraman Tiga, he would never give up his human fighting style and would not rely on Ultraman's power for everything.

If I can't do anything except transform into Tiga... can't protect anything... then I am not worthy of having this power.

This is what Shinji Ikari has always required of himself, so whether he was piloting Hiyan in the past or Unit-01 now... he always leads the charge and fights on the front lines.

Instead of looking for a place to transform into Ultraman Tiga the first time he sees an apostle or a monster.

"…This is Rei Ayanami's room. That child was created… right here."

"manufacture?"

This harsh word made Shinji Ikari feel disgusted.

"What... So you didn't know yet."

Kaji Ryoji smiled unexpectedly, his smile full of madness and disgust for the ugly faces of human beings... Then he picked up his mobile phone and operated something on the terminal.

"Well, let me show you—this is the ugly true face of NERV."

With the cold mechanical sound... the originally silent water tanks around were activated... the dim light reflected the dirty yellow liquid... and the countless people immersed in the liquid... - Ayanami Rei.

"...!"

Cloning - without a doubt...creating these, soulless bodies!

When he first met Rei Ayanami... that pitiful look of her, like a doll, who didn't know what love was, and who was so lovable... flashed before Shinji Ikari's eyes again and again.

So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is…Father, no…Ikari Gendo!

Even if I had prepared myself mentally, when I actually witnessed it with my own eyes... my teeth clenched uncontrollably, my fists clenched subconsciously... my brows, which had always remained kind, were twisted by uncontrollable indignation.

"...You're trembling, Shinji-kun. Trembling with anger... You're even cuter than I thought, Shinji-kun."

I don't know why, but when I saw Shinji Ikari's expression completely out of control, his anger flowing uncontrollably... Kaji Ryoji's eyes, which had been filled with despair, regained a little vitality...

He failed to seize the only chance to reach the real restricted area...Adam and Lilith's room.

Even if he left this place, what awaited him would be liquidation by Ikari Gendo... That's why he decided to say a few more words to Ikari Shinji.

But at this moment—Ryoji Kaji realized that the boy before him… was a human with the power of Ultraman Tiga—even if he couldn't transform into an Ultraman, or even pilot EVA Unit-01…

With his unyielding will that will not yield to humanity... and the unbridled indignation he feels at this moment... he can burn the arrogance and cunning of SEELE and NERV... to ashes.

What I have to do now is to choose to bet on Shinji Ikari... and add fuel to the boy's indignation.

"Shinji-kun... please save Asuka. That child, only you have a chance to save her."

"...What happened to Asuka? She should be upstairs now... I asked Ayanami to accompany her."

His thoughts were in a state of confusion, and the amount of information in the basement was too vast...it was more than Shinji Ikari could accept in an instant.

Even so, when Asuka's name was mentioned... Shinji Ikari couldn't ignore it.

Haha... I'm really easy to understand. I was attracted by Ayanami Rei's name before, and now I can't just leave Asuka alone... This man must have noticed this... That's why he keeps tempting me again and again.

"I hope you saved Asuka... and not that [thing] up there."

Shinji Ikari's emotions were completely frantic, and he completely disregarded the usual etiquette... He reached out and quickly grabbed Ryoji Kaji's collar, dragged him directly in front of him, and stared into the spy's eyes.

"Excuse me, Mr. Kaji. My mind is completely confused right now, and I can't make sense of anything... So please stop asking riddles and explain yourself. Otherwise, even though I know torture won't work on a professional spy like you, I'm in a bad mood right now... Just consider this as me taking my anger out on you."

As he spoke, Shinji Ikari raised his fist, which was clenched so tightly that veins popped out. Ryoji Kaji had no doubt that if he threw this punch, he would break his neck directly.

"So, I'll give you one more chance... Explain clearly to me. What do you mean by saving Asuka? And what does that thing up there mean?"

Unexpectedly, even though Shinji Ikari was threatening him with life and death... the joy on Kaji Ryoji's face was growing greater and greater.

This is how it should be... No, this is the only way it should be!
The pilot of EVA Unit-01... the son of Ikari Gendo and Ikari Yui... should possess this kind of awareness, this kind of will, and this kind of drive! Only then can he overturn this irreversible deception...!
“…Aren’t you going to tell me?”

Shinji Ikari narrowed his eyes and saw that he was about to be beaten half to death by a punch, so Ryoji Kaji quickly waved his hands.

"Sorry, sorry! I just don't know the details... The European branch's confidentiality level is so high that even I can't get the details."

As he spoke, Kaji Ryoji paused...and his attitude became sincere and humble.

"All I know is... I want you to save Sōryu, not... Shikinami."

[The 5000-word chapter is here!]
The editor told me that tomorrow's follow-up reading may determine whether I can get into Sanjiang! Let me beg for a follow-up reading!
I've been thinking about it and I still don't know how to ask for it, so I'll just update it! If there is really a chance tomorrow, Sanjiang! I'll update 10,000 tomorrow!
So everyone, be sure to come and read it tomorrow, Monday. If you want to stock up and read it together, you don’t have to read it until the end!

It is really important to read the book! 】

(End of this chapter)