Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

While Shinji Ikari may indeed be indispensable in terms of destiny, he's mistaken if he tries to control himself solely in terms of combat power. The new mobile suit resulting from the fusion of the Embryo Angel and Unit-03 will become Headquarters' new ace.

Unless, a new soul takes up residence within it.

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Despite being a high-ranking official, Misato Katsuragi only learned of Shinji Ikari's dismissal in the afternoon.

"Shinji! Is he alright?!" When Misato Katsuragi rushed home, she only saw Asuka lying on Shinji's body pillow, eating Shinji potato chips and playing Shinji PSP.

“He has already moved out. Around noon, he called a large truck and took all his belongings away. These are the things he left me!”

"Where can he go by himself? He's still a child! Where will he sleep tonight?!" Misato Katsuragi's voice was filled with barely concealed anger. "The Commander has gone too far! Even if his pilot status is revoked, he shouldn't be forced to move out!"

Just imagining Shinji Ikari wandering the streets with his suitcase, his bewildered figure in the darkness, made Misato Katsuragi want to cry.

She was the one who brought him from Tokyo-2, so she should be responsible for him. Even if the Commander was cold, cruel, and emotionless, she was. Misato Katsuragi made up her mind that she would go and bring Shinji Ikari home no matter what.

Asuka chewed on a potato chip and thought for a moment, "He seems to have a large, luxurious ocean-view apartment in the port area, 200 square meters, bigger than our dorm room."

"Huh? Ah! He also has a 200-square-meter ocean-view penthouse? How come I didn't know that?" Misato Katsuragi was a little dumbfounded.

"It's probably because Minister Miri's salary is too low. He feels that saying such a meager income would hurt your feelings."

Just like Gendo Ikari asked before, if you put aside your identity as the pilot of Unit-01, what are you?

Even setting aside his past glories, in this world he still holds the rank of captain and is a star in Third New Tokyo. He has no shortage of money, love, or even followers.

The news of Shinji Ikari's demotion had a smaller impact on the school; his epic life battling the Angels was irrelevant to these students. Only a few girls were eager to try their luck, thinking that Shinji, now dejected, must be incredibly distraught—perfect timing for their advances!

But the boy remained unchanged, even sitting in the second-to-last row by the window, with a faint smile.

"Let's start taking attendance now. Hikaru Toki, Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Soryu, Mana Kirishima, Shinji Ikari, and... um? Why... Toji Suzuhara is absent?" The teacher frowned as she carefully looked at the attendance book, then glanced at an empty seat at the back.

Class monitor Hikaru Toki stood up and said, "Teacher, Suzuhara Toji was called to the principal's office not long ago and hasn't returned yet."

At this moment, Hikaru Toki thought back to the recent new pilot selection program, and a very bold idea suddenly popped into his head. Impossible, right? At least not that kind of idiot, is he?

But in reality, sometimes when judging whether someone is qualified to drive, the first thing we might look at isn't their manners, but whether they have a mother.

Clearly, Suzuhara Toji has it, and more importantly, he had it before but doesn't have it now, so his qualifications are completely top-notch.

—NERV Headquarters, Hakone, Second District, Third Test Site.

"First pressure test of the experimental apparatus! Pipeline pressure 800 atmospheres, valve open!"

"Main power connection is normal, all restraints are normal."

"Circuit test for the first time! Full switches, full load ready, turn on!"

"The propulsion system is undergoing trial operation at 80% output!"

"Memory metal film is ready to be powered on! Green mode is running smoothly!"

In the test field, hundreds of meters high, researchers are conducting final tests on the new machine. Technicians are shouting loudly as thousands of cables connect to the new black machine, and dozens of instruments flash around it.

The black machine was adjacent to the power room of the test site. Even the concrete insulation walls could not block the heat emanating from the power room. The temperature in the test site exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. Even with the central air conditioning running, the pressure test would still produce a hurricane-like airflow, causing the hot air in the entire test site to circulate at high speed. There was also terrifying ultrasonic noise. However, none of the technicians in the test site showed any discomfort. They were completely focused on their work and shut out anything unrelated.

Still wearing his school uniform, Suzuhara Toji walked along the corridor beside the test site, looking at the huge mechs so close to him, and had the illusion that he was a tiny person who had accidentally wandered into a land of giants.

Even now, he feels like it's all a dream.

Although he no longer harbored resentment towards Shinji Ikari after witnessing Unit-01's battle against the Angel of Day, and even considered him a target, he also knew that as an ordinary student, how could he possibly catch up with the legendary pilot, especially the strongest ace pilot?

But I never expected that just one phone call would suddenly change my life.

"You are the sixth Child, Suzuhara Toji?" The bald old man in the white coat looked at the boy in front of him.

"Hai! It is I!" Suzuhara Toji bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle. The old man was somewhat taken aback, looking at Akagi Ritsuko, who was also wearing a white coat, beside him.

101: The Choice of Fate

“Toji Suzuhara, there’s no need to be so nervous. Dr. Shamash, who’s from the European branch, is also in charge of the new Unit 3. He’ll be your contact person for a long time to come,” Ritsuko Akagi reassured her.

The person in charge of the new mobile suit was not Ritsuko Akagi, and even most of the researchers at the testing grounds were not employees of the development department. This was entirely because Project Marduk, which combined (modified) the Angel with the EVA, was not a product of NERV headquarters. And this Dr. Shamash was the person in charge of the original modification of the Third Angel.

It was not the Bethany base of the Soviet branch, but the European branch, and the technology was entirely shared by both sides.

After the Third Apostle was captured, the dissection of the Third Apostle was first carried out at the European branch, and then transferred to the Bethany base for sealing and research.

According to Misato and his colleagues when discussing the Vatican Treaty, "in addition to the loss of the European branch of Unit 5 and the Soviet Union," it is even possible that Unit 5 itself belonged to the European branch.

It's ironic, really, that NERV Hakone, the Japanese headquarters, works tirelessly every day to fight the Angels, while the branches in various countries, despite not really respecting the headquarters, have a relationship as close as honey.

This was perhaps intentionally done by the highest-ranking Seele. They seemed to have seen through Gendo Ikari's wolfish ambitions, but had no choice but to use them.

"Is this my EVA?" Suzuhara Toji looked at the white part hidden under the black shell, and for some reason, he felt an unknown fear.

"Of course not. Your EVA Unit-03 is still at the American branch. We're currently applying for its transfer, and it should be delivered tomorrow." Dr. Shamash placed his left hand on Suzuhara Toji's shoulder, his eyes fixed intently on the behemoth before him. "For now, we'll use the JA unit as a support for adjustments. Lord Suzuhara Toji, you will soon possess an ultimate weapon that can be considered NERV's new trump card—an EVA!"

"Can the ultimate weapon compare to Shinji Ikari?" Toji Suzuhara suddenly asked.

Dr. Shamash paused for a moment, then crossed his hands, his two index fingers twirling rapidly. “Theoretically, there is absolutely no problem. The final product of the Marduk Project will be an ultimate weapon that far surpasses experimental and combat mechs, and it will also be a custom-made mech exclusively for you.”

At the Third New Tokyo Municipal Hospital, a boy in a school uniform with his sleeves rolled up strode down the corridor.

Upon learning that he was the Fourth Child, Suzuhara Toji did not immediately return to school to show off or run to Shinji Ikari to flaunt it. Although he did want to do so, his heart was driven to come to the hospital.

"The injured person in room number twelve has reached the point where surgery is necessary."

"That seriously injured person from the E incident? He's been in the hospital for quite a while now, and his injuries seem difficult to treat. He's probably still a primary school student."

"This level of injury must be very difficult. Can you get a top-notch surgeon to perform the scalpel procedure?"

The nurses in the corridor were whispering amongst themselves, while Suzuhara Toji walked past them without looking to either side, stopping right in front of the 12th ward they were talking about. Inside lay a little girl in a blue and white hospital gown.

Sakura Suzuhara, his younger sister, was the reason for his conflict with Shinji Ikari.

He looked to be only elementary school age, with dry, yellowish-brown hair. He was still asleep, and Suzuhara Toji didn't disturb him, but simply sat quietly beside the bed.

He didn't wake his sister; he simply sat by her bedside, holding her pale, cold little hand, as if trying to draw strength from her.

------

Shinji Ikari's heart is not indestructible.

After leaving Misato and Rei Ayanami, and moving into a luxurious 200-meter-long ocean-view penthouse, Shinji Ikari, lying on his nine-meter-long blue bed, still felt a chill of loneliness. He planned to take advantage of this rare opportunity to be alone with himself, to have a dialogue with his inner self, and to strengthen his mental well-being.

That evening, his ex-girlfriend, Furin Wu, knocked on the door, and they decided to work together to improve their mental well-being.

The next evening, his ex-girlfriend, Sheng Tianmu, knocked on the door, and they worked together to improve their mental well-being.

On the third night, Misato Katsuragi came to knock on the door. She didn't join in any "spirit building" activities; she just came to deliver bedding, gave a few words of advice, and then turned and left.

On the fourth day, ex-girlfriends Ayano and Ryouha, along with ex-girlfriend Miyako Okura, knocked on the door half an hour apart. Two hours later, they also worked together to improve their mental state.

On the fifth night, I ignored the knocking and rested for a day.

On the evening of the sixth day, teacher Naruko Yokoshima knocked on the door. After several postponements, I reluctantly agreed, and we also worked together to improve our mental well-being. The next morning, she left a note with a five-star review.

On the seventh day... before nightfall, Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami strolled along the beach in the port area.

Even though we see each other at school every day, I don't know why, but it always feels like we're apart for a long time. Is it because we're not honest with each other?

A roaring sound came from the direction of the sea. In the dark, cloud-covered sky, only wildly dancing lightning snakes could be vaguely seen, but it seemed that some flying beast was rushing towards them, accompanied by wind and thunder.

This was not good weather; in fact, the salty sea breeze carried a slightly ominous smell of blood.

Shinji Ikari raised his head, gazing up at the enormous black creature that unleashed a deafening roar that tore through the clouds.

"What is that?" Shinji Ikari asked.

He wasn't asking about the transport plane, of course. He was familiar with NERV's dedicated transport planes. However, the object being transported by that plane brought a very brief moment of palpitation the instant it flew overhead.

He was very familiar with this feeling of palpitations, having experienced it at least nine times.

“Unit 3 was brought from the American branch,” Rei Ayanami replied.

Shinji Ikari raised an eyebrow, then instantly revealed a smile that Rei Ayanami couldn't decipher.

"Oh, I see. It looks like we'll be seeing a good show soon."

"What good show?" Rei Ayanami asked, not understanding.

"The theaters are re-airing Miyazaki Hayao's 'Porco Rosso.' Porco Rosso is my favorite protagonist in Miyazaki's works. Do you want to come with me to see it? I'll buy you coffee."

"I can't sleep at night because I drink coffee." Although Rei Ayanami said this, she still followed Shinji Ikari around like a little tail.

With the arrival of the third aircraft in Hakone, the Marduk Project has only just begun its initial construction phase.

The so-called custom-made is not a completely new manufacturing, but rather a refurbishment and enhancement of the machine, with a new cockpit made according to Suzuhara Toji's physique and neural connection characteristics.

This would undoubtedly cost a huge amount of money, but the First Branch of the United States generously paid a large sum of money into the Marduk Agency's account (which was actually the NERV account) as expenses related to the modification of the mobile suits. Dr. Shamash was very happy to invest all of this money in the new mobile suits of the Marduk Project.

The matter passed uneventfully, and everything continued as usual. In a few days, the first test drive experiment would be carried out intensively. Dr. Ritsuko Akagi from the development department had already sent over various materials and instructed Toji Suzuhara to study them carefully.

102: Wishing you great success in your military endeavors.

As cicadas chirped, a black cat, bored under the shade of a tree, scratched its neck with its hind legs and watched the boys approaching the convenience store.

"Let me do it!" Suzuhara Toji hopped into the room on one leg, took out his wallet and bought two ice creams. "Okay, I'll go with Okanofuku and Yuki-Dan-Dan. I choose Okanofuku because I like the red bean paste filling."

"Wow, that's rare. You've never treated anyone before. What's going on?" His friend Kensuke Aida, standing next to him, clicked his tongue as he ate the ice cream his friend had treated him to for the first time. He knew all too well how stingy his friend was.

“I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not, but it feels pretty good.” Suzuhara Toji raised his eyebrows. “My sister’s health has improved, and soon the top doctors in the country will be performing surgery on her.”

"Of course this is a good thing, a great thing! Why do you feel like it's not?" Kensuke Aida looked at his friend warily and nudged him in the lower back with his elbow. "Or are you hiding something from me?"

"Do you know cicadas? Although they are buried underground for many years, I heard that their pleasure is seven times that of humans. That's why they sing out loud for a whole summer, even though their lives are fleeting."

"What kind of topic is this? Toji, you've never even experienced the most basic pleasure!"

"Baka! I'll soon be surrounded by countless girls. My shoe cabinet will be filled with love letters from many beautiful girls. If you're willing to kneel down and fawn over me now, I don't mind sharing one with you."

After leaving the hospital, Suzuhara Toji felt a little restless. Although he had been told not to reveal his identity as a Child Being for the time being, he figured it wouldn't hurt to show off to his friends.

"Compared to that, I still want to see EVA," Kensuke Aida honestly replied.

Suzuhara Toji suddenly turned his head, looking at his friend in shock. Although he knew that human sexual fetishes were varied and strange, he had never seen anyone so aroused by a large robot before.

"Have you heard about Unit 3? I heard that EVA has been shipped to Japan. Many people have seen huge transport planes carrying the unit in the port area, and you can even find photos of it online."