They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 180 Aftermath and Gendo Ikari as the Scapegoat

The blood rain over Third New Tokyo City had stopped, but the stench of rust, which seemed to seep into one's very bones, still lingered in the air, mingling with the smell of post-war gunpowder smoke to create a nauseating and eerie atmosphere.

Even more oppressive than this atmosphere was the perpetually dimly lit top conference room at NERV headquarters.

The holographic projections of black stone tablets stood coldly, each representing the supreme power behind humanity—SEELE.

Surrounded by these massive stone tablets, Gendo Ikari appeared small and isolated, as if he were standing on the judge's bench.

"Ikari. We need an explanation."

Speaker Kiro Lorenz's voice was electronically processed and devoid of any emotion.

At his signal, the surface of a stone tablet lit up, clearly playing a battle video of Unit-01's awakening.

With its halo surrounding it, tearing through imaginary space, and its godlike posture, every detail was precisely captured and magnified.

"Unit-01 has entered 'awakening' mode."

Another committee member's voice rang out, carrying an undisguised question.
According to the Dead Sea Scrolls, this is a realm that can only be reached after possessing both the "fruit of knowledge" and the "fruit of life".

Unit-01, a clone of Lilith, was born with the former's abilities.

So, where did Ikari's 'Fruit of Life,' also known as the S2 Engine, come from?

The air seemed to freeze.

Gendo Ikari clasped his hands together, his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, were as deep as an abyss, revealing no emotion.

But the taut lines of his jaw betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

S2 Agency...

It naturally came from the necklace left behind by Zhang Qi.

Just before the meeting began, Ritsuko Akagi had already submitted a preliminary analysis report.

The red crystal's energy pattern was almost identical to that of the Apostle's S2 mechanism, as if it were the product of some advanced technology that purified, solidified, and crystallized it.

But he couldn't say.

In SEELE's mind, Zhang Qi was a pawn recruited and controlled by Ikogendo.

Even if that thing really has nothing to do with him, these people won't believe it.

Acknowledging the existence of the necklace is tantamount to admitting that he had long mastered the technology of the artificial S2 mechanism and even distributed it to his subordinates.

This is undoubtedly a declaration to SEELE: I, Gendo Ikari, have already obtained the key to create gods, and I am hiding something from you.

Once the seeds of doubt are sown, they will grow wildly and completely tear apart the already fragile trust between the two parties.

Unless... he hands over the technology, along with the remaining two crystal necklaces.

But that's also impossible...

Therefore, he could only remain silent.

SEELE interpreted his silence as tacit agreement.

"It seems you have nothing to say."

"You secretly developed the S2 mechanism, attempting to encroach on the realm of the gods, causing our plans to deviate from the established script... Ikari, your ambition has exceeded the limits of what we can tolerate."

"This is a betrayal of all humanity!"

"Your privileges must be suspended immediately!"

The other committee members raised their accusations one after another, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.

However, amidst the commotion, Kiro Lorenz raised his hand, and all the noise instantly subsided.

"Everyone."

He said slowly,
"We still need Commander Ikari's strength before we can eliminate all the apostles. However, uncontrollable factors must be eliminated."

"I have decided that, effective immediately, EVA Unit-01 will be sealed and frozen."

No further combat operations may be undertaken until the relevant issues have been thoroughly investigated.

Gendo Ikari's pupils suddenly contracted.

"The gap in its combat capability will be filled by EVA Unit 3, which is about to be transported to Japan."

Kiro Lorenz's voice was irrefutable; he delivered the final verdict.

"Start preparations immediately and begin the startup test of Unit 3 as soon as possible."

As the words fell, the black stone tablets went dark one after another, signifying the end of the meeting.

In the empty command room, only Gendo Ikari remained.

He slowly untied his clasped hands and exhaled a long breath.

Sealing out Unit-01 is the best outcome we can hope for right now...

But there was no relief in his heart. A heavy gloom had descended upon him.

For the first time, he felt that the script he had painstakingly crafted over the years was deviating from his vision...

……

Meanwhile, news of Unit-01 being sealed away was also conveyed to Shinji Ikari through Misato Katsuragi.

This means that for a long time, he will not need to pilot the EVA anymore.

This is really... somewhat strange.

Shinji Ikari leaned against the window, watching his classmates running and laughing on the playground below, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart.

Just recently, he had made up his mind to fight with his own hands, to protect the world, and to safeguard the people around him.

But in the blink of an eye, the right to fight was taken away.

It's like a soldier who has mustered all his courage, only to be told that the war is no longer his concern.

"Idiot Shinji..."

Just as he was lost in thought, a lunchbox was rudely handed to him.

"Is this... for me?"

Shinji Ikari was startled and looked up, only to see Asuka's face with a slightly awkward expression.

"Don't get me wrong!"

Asuka immediately turned her head away, her gaze drifting to the window, her ears slightly flushed.
"It's just... I accidentally made an extra one this morning! It would be such a waste to throw it away!"

As she spoke, she forcefully shoved the lunchbox onto Shinji Ikari's desk...

Just as Asuka withdrew her hand, Shinji Ikari clearly saw a band-aid with a bear pattern on her fair index finger.

A thought instantly dawned on him.

Misato once said that Asuka is a complete culinary idiot who can't even boil water.

This bento box probably wasn't an "accidental" extra, but rather a way to thank him for saving my life.
"Thank you, Asuka."

As he spoke, he opened the bento box. Inside was golden curry rice, piled high like a small mountain, with a crooked smiley face drawn in ketchup on top of the curry sauce.

The presentation... looks pretty good.

Seeing this, Shinji Ikari couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it wasn't some kind of indistinguishable culinary disaster.

Then, he picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

The next second, an extremely complex and indescribable taste exploded on his tongue like a mini nuclear explosion!

Sweet, salty, spicy, sour, and even a faint hint of bitterness—these flavors, which should complement each other, now seem like a group of soldiers locked in a fierce street battle on his taste buds.

"How about it?"

Seeing him stop what he was doing, Asuka immediately came closer, her bright blue eyes sparkling with barely suppressed anticipation and nervousness.

"not bad……"

Shinji Ikari swallowed the curry with difficulty, forcing a natural smile onto his face.

Based on his years of experience in reading people and his understanding of Asuka's personality, if he were to say the word "disgusting" here, he would most likely experience a physical shock that was even more terrifying than the taste shock he had just experienced.

"Really?"

Asuka's eyes shone even brighter.

"Ah."

Shinji Ikari nodded heavily, then scooped up a large spoonful and stuffed it into his mouth with the air of someone going to their execution, mumbling indistinctly,

"delicious."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Asuka's face instantly lit up with a radiant smile—a genuine, unpretentious joy. She proudly puffed out her chest, placed her hands on her hips, and declared triumphantly:

"Of course! This genius is the best at everything he does!"

"Yes Yes……"

Shinji Ikari smiled upon seeing this; it seemed Asuka had recovered.

……

And so, time slips away quietly in the course of daily life.

Several days later, the day arrived for the experiment to begin with Unit 3...

(End of this chapter)