EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 100 Very reliable... Sister Misato [Second update 45006000]

"Wow...it's so spectacular!"

NERV headquarters after school, the renovated First Internment Camp.

In order to accommodate all the EVAs, the camera space and capacity were deliberately increased... This time, all the EVAs can be accommodated.

Ayanami Rei, Ikari Shinji, Asuka, Suzuhara Touji, Makiba... all the qualified candidates gathered together except Nagisa Kaworu who had not yet returned from Matsushiro Base.

Combined with Unit-00, Unit-01, Unit-02, Unit-03 and Unit-08 behind them... there is quite a majestic beauty.

"Then... I leave it to you, Colonel Katsuragi. Even in Commander Ikari's absence, your duty remains unchanged. Destroy all the apostles... This is humanity's only hope."

Deputy Commander Fuyutsuki Kozo, who was nominally the supreme commander, patted Katsuragi Misato's shoulder meaningfully...

Things went unexpectedly smoothly, and Misato Katsuragi almost naturally filled the vacancy left by Gendo Ikari's disappearance... Kozo Fuyutsuki had no intention of fighting for power, and he approved all of Misato Katsuragi's proposals... which almost blatantly demonstrated his enterprising spirit.

"yes…!"

Misato Katsuragi couldn't understand what this kind old man was planning... Did he really think that he could replace Gendō Ikari now that Gendō Ikari was not around... Or did he have other intentions?

In any case... I have already preliminarily achieved the power required for "Plan U"... At least I can reasonably keep Unit 03 and Suzuhara Touji, who have been infected by the Angel, here and prevent them from being taken away by other NERV branches.

"…Unit 03, is everything alright?"

Before leaving, Dongyue Gengzao gave some uneasy instructions.

After all, Unit 03 was a machine that was invaded and occupied by the Ninth Angel... Even though it seems to be completely fine now, the psychological barriers are still difficult to eliminate easily.

"It has been inspected by Dr. Akagi... Unit 03 is now identical to the other EVAs, with no abnormalities whatsoever."

"Is that so... That's good—"

Ritsuko Akagi has also returned to the base... to continue her work in the Technology Development Department... For some reason, Misato Katsuragi felt that she was a little strange... calm, and a little unnatural.

Deputy Commander Fuyutsuki slowly walked towards the elevator... the elevator leading to the command room. Others didn't know... but Misato Katsuragi knew very well that the command room... was not just a command room.

It's also a communication station with the "SEELE" committee. Previously... Commander Gendō Ikari was the one who communicated with them... Now, will Fuyutsuki Kozo be in charge?

As if he had seen through Katsuragi Misato's inner concerns, Fuyutsuki Kozo smiled like a kind old man who was not interested in worldly affairs...

"It's okay, Katsuragi Ichizo. If... there's any emergency, just make the decision based on your own judgment."

As he said this, Dongyue's slightly hunched body disappeared into the elevator.

Watching the deputy commander leave, Asuka and the others breathed a sigh of relief... After all, in their opinion, the base was now clearly divided into two factions.

The original faction consists of Gendo Ikari, Kozo Fuyutsuki, and Ritsuko Akagi... while the other faction, which appears to be composed of Misato Katsuragi, Ryoji Kaji, Kyoya Kenzaki... is actually centered around Shinji Ikari.

"That's too obvious, Asuka."

Shinji Ikari gave Asuka, who was standing next to him and making no secret of her wariness, a speechless look.

They made their attitude so clear, as if they were really afraid that others wouldn't know that they were planning to start a new business... If Ikari Gendo was here, he would probably be able to tell at a glance that these people had bad intentions.

"I can't help it, I just get nervous!"

"Alright, alright, everyone... Although the tasks have changed a bit, defeating the apostles remains the same. So daily training is still essential, especially Suzuhara-kun. Do you understand?"

“…………Yes, I understand.”

Suzuhara Touji lowered his head in shame... Only his synchronization rate remained at a level that made it difficult to even activate the EVA. "Well, everyone... let's continue with our daily synchronization training. Ah, Shinji-kun, please come here."

All qualified people were made to repeat the synchronization rate training day after day, except for Shinji Ikari who was called out.

"What's wrong, Miss Misato?"

"..."

Misato Katsuragi didn't say anything, but looked at Touji Suzuhara with a wary look.

"Shinji-kun, according to your decision, we did not take any measures against Suzuhara-kun..."

"It's okay. Don't worry, Miss Misato."

Naturally knowing what Misato Katsuragi wanted to say, Shinji Ikari comforted her with a smile.

Suzuhara Touji's loss of control...is due to the invasion of the Ninth Angel and the monster genes implanted by Cerebro.

If it were Asuka or Rei Ayanami... I guess any other driver except myself would go crazy on the spot if invaded by these two things.

In that case... there is no need to deliberately defend against Suzuhara Touji, it will only increase his psychological pressure.

"Is that so... I understand. Then, in the following tactical planning, I will treat the fourth qualified individual, Suzuhara Touji, as a normal combat unit without any special features. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

After receiving the affirmation from Shinji Ikari, Misato Katsuragi finally dispelled the last bit of worry in her heart.

"I see. Thank you, Shinji-kun. And... Kaji seems to have something to report to you in the second conference room. I hope you can go there."

"Report...? Ah... about Black Rei?"

Shinji Ikari thought about it and it seemed that apart from Rei Ayanami's clone, he had not asked him to investigate anything else.

Could it be that the results were so quick? Was it so efficient? A blessing in disguise?
"Okay, I understand. I'll go right away."

He walked towards the second meeting room with great anticipation, but Shinji Ikari suddenly remembered... he shouldn't just leave like that.

"Miss Misato...!"

"...? Anything else, Shinji-kun?"

After reporting on the matters at hand, Katsuragi Misato was about to go back to check on the success of the qualified candidates' training. Unexpectedly, Ikari Shinji suddenly turned around and looked up in surprise.

"Thank you. My willfulness these past few days has put so much pressure on you."

"What the hell... Shinji-kun. Don't misunderstand me. Although it was your request... I didn't just follow you blindly. I made my own judgment based on the situation..."

Shinji Ikari knew this very well. After all... Misato Katsuragi was one of the few women who could resolutely carry out her will.

This is very similar to Kaji Ryoji——

That's why... I trust her.

"And... you look so reliable standing in the front giving orders... Misato-nee!"

"!? You're teasing me again, aren't you...! Shinji-chan!!"

(End of this chapter)