Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

Yes, Asuka's confidence comes from Misato Katsuragi and Shinji Ikari, or more precisely, Shinji Ikari.

She had previously resented Rei Ayanami's status as a "connected" employee, but now that it was her turn to be one, she felt quite at ease. She felt it was also part of her own abilities.

Shinji Ikari nodded, then turned his head to look at a man with a buzz cut, wearing a black suit and sunglasses, who walked up to him.

Asuka frowned slightly at the typical attire of the intelligence department. She remembered that the intelligence department was directly under the general affairs department, and Shinji Ikari didn't seem to have a good relationship with his commander father. What was he doing here all of a sudden?

The man wearing sunglasses leaned down and whispered a few words in Shinji Ikari's ear. He nodded, then turned to look at Asuka. "Sorry, those old fogies at SEELE have something to discuss with me. I'll go shopping with you another time."

"Colonel Ikari, this kind of thing can't be said to outsiders! You'll easily get into trouble if you do this!" The spy member wearing sunglasses looked around in alarm, only to find that not many people were paying attention to them.

But he remained vigilant, because a real spy wouldn't reveal their intentions so easily.

But he only started moving after Shinji Ikari kicked him in the backside. Shinji Ikari nodded to Asuka, then turned and got into the black sedan parked nearby, driving towards the nearest Hakone entrance.

Somewhere underground in Hakone, in a dimly lit room with a faint red glow, stand twelve stone tablets.

This is what is known as SEELE, the highest-level meeting in the world. This group of people called SEELE decides the future of this world, not Commander-in-Chief Gendo Ikari. He is just an executor chosen by SEELE.

Nominally, SEELE is still NERV's superior unit.

This was Shinji Ikari's first time here, and also the first time he had met these behind-the-scenes controllers of the world.

"You are very calm, but of all the invitees, you are in the best condition." The sixth stone tablet slowly lit up with a faint light.

Shinji Ikari looked at the symbol on the stone tablet, the Eye of Horus. That familiar name filled him with mixed feelings. "Well, not really, I'm just a little disappointed. I came here for the meeting, but it turns out to be a bunch of cowardly cowards."

No one expected the boy to start with such a speech. They should have been at least humble and respectful, showing a submissive side, if not trembling with fear. Ritsuko Akagi and Misato Katsuragi had both been here before; leaders from various countries considered it an honor to receive their praise. If they knew what SEELE was, they would never have made such outrageous remarks.

SEELE, an organization that not only manipulates NERV but also has political influence within the League of Nations, was formed before the Second Impact. This "Human Instrumentality Committee," comprised of five individuals including Kiro Lorenz, whose nationalities are British, German, French, American, and Russian, has branches in various countries around the world.

The United Nations has six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. However, in reality, SEELE has bypassed the General Assembly and become the highest authority within the United Nations, dominating UN affairs.

However, they believed that Shinji Ikari was not unaware of SEELE, but simply despised it.

He wasn't targeting anyone in particular; he always treated everyone with equal contempt.

"Shinji Ikari, NERV's ace pilot, some say you are God's ark for mankind, everyone is paying attention to you." Laughter came from the ninth stone tablet, "Actually, we are all paying attention to you, Yui Ikari's child."

The familiar name, Yui Ikari, made Shinji Ikari pause for a moment. Then he saw a three-dimensional image appear before him.

It was a woman wearing the same white lab coat as Ritsuko Akagi, with short, ear-length brown hair. She looked remarkably like me, almost 90% similar, but her facial features were softer, closer to Rei Ayanami's, and her smile carried a warm strength.

"She was an excellent bioengineering scholar. When she was at Kyoto University, her articles caught the attention of Fuyutsuki Yukimasa, then an associate professor of metaphysical biology. However, at that time, she seemed to want to be a housewife, but such a naive idea that was incompatible with her status would only bring trouble."

"Calamity?" Shinji Ikari brought up the word again.

"Yes, because her naive ideas attracted the attention of a man, your current father, Gendo Ikari," the eighth stone tablet continued.

“He has been a rather mysterious person since his youth, and his purpose in approaching Yui Ikari was only to join SEELE. At that time, he was still called Rokubungi Gendo, and he deliberately used a drunken fight to get in touch with Fuyutsuki Yukimasa, and through him he got to know Yui Ikari.” Stone No. 10 continued.

"Perhaps, Gendo Ikari's feelings for Yuima Ikari. In any case, they met, dated, eventually married, and ultimately had you," the third stone tablet spoke.

"His claim that he has no feelings for others is a generalization. Everything he does is driven by a strong purpose. He is an extremely detached person who disregards humanity and emotions in order to achieve his goals, whether it is his own life or his marriage. You should be able to sense that cold and cruel side of his humanity. You and Yui are just stepping stones for him to achieve his goals."

"So, the seats that originally belonged to you and Yui Ikari were taken by him, and even the head position of the Artificial Evolution Research Institute, which should have been returned to you, was only returned to you through us."

"Now is the time for you to take back what is rightfully yours."

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PS: Regarding the fact that the old theatrical version did not end, it is actually that the timeline of the old theatrical version shifted towards ANIMA.

These two stories are actually different flowers blooming from the same vine.

Both the original theatrical version and ANIMA start their new storyline from the point when the TV series concludes with episode 24. The difference is that the original theatrical version is led by Unit-01 in completing the Human Instrumentality Project, while ANIMA is led by Unit-02.

Thanks to the activities of Kaji, a member of NERV's Special Investigation Department, SEELE's plan to forcibly occupy NERV with the Strategic Self-Defense Force and to enforce the Human Instrumentality Project using mass-produced EVA units was detected beforehand. In the Anima timeline, Shinji Ikari arrived at the scene at the crucial moment, thwarting the Human Instrumentality Project and saving Asuka. The story then moves towards a new future where the Human Instrumentality Project fails and all of humanity survives.

However, since it starts from the old theatrical version instead of directly from the TV version, my world line advantage is still gone.

194: A swarm of bloodthirsty ants, attracted by carrion.

The black door swung open, and the security guards hidden in the shadows stared coldly at the woman standing in the doorway.

"How is it?" Seeing Shinji Ikari come out, Misato Katsuragi stepped forward and asked with concern.

She had spoken with SEELE a few times, which was considered an unparalleled honor by outsiders. However, Misato Katsuragi's experience was not good. The atmosphere inside was so oppressive that it felt like falling into an icebox. Although she couldn't see their faces, Misato Katsuragi imagined a group of emaciated old monsters with snorting cold air.

"They're just a bunch of boastful old fogies; nine out of ten of what they say is true, but one out of ten is false," Shinji Ikari said calmly.

Since parting ways at his mother's grave, Shinji Ikari's last shred of hope for Gendo Ikari had been completely extinguished. But even if he deserved to die, he would naturally kill him himself; it was none of these old fogies' place to interfere.

SEELE, NERV, Shinji Ikari, Gendo Ikari, and the Human Completion Committee have a relationship that is sometimes hostile and sometimes cooperative.

After the battle against the Seraphim, SEELE used himself to restrain Gendo Ikari, who had too much power in NERV. Then, on the eve of the appointed day, they reconciled again to suppress him. Now, SEELE wants to join forces with him to kick Gendo Ikari out of the game.

So what?

Shinji Ikari wasn't a competent politician like Gendo Ikari; he despised false promises. He saw himself more as a worthy leader, someone worthy of his warriors' loyalty. If you weren't willing, he wouldn't bother with you; at most, he'd crush you into dust if you became an obstacle in his path.

Therefore, during the battle against the Seraphim, Gendo Ikari was able to reconcile with the Human Completion Committee, thus keeping Shinji Ikari in check. But Shinji Ikari wouldn't do what Gendo did and kick this useless old man out.

Perhaps it stemmed from the arrogance of the nobility, which prevented him from acting with the most pragmatic mindset.

Faced with SEELE's pressure, NERV chose to cooperate with the Self-Defense Forces, revealing some details of Project E regarding the mobile suits in exchange for funding to repair the Hakone and the mobile suits, which had been previously held hostage by SEELE.

For the Self-Defense Forces, with the technical support of NERV, the last few hurdles in the development of the AKASIMA mobile suits were overcome, allowing them to finally possess their own EVAs. Although Shinji Ikari, after reviewing the data, felt that the mechanical giants powered by the 2N reactor couldn't really be considered Evangelions, the Self-Defense Forces insisted on calling them that, and there was nothing they could do about it. Incidentally, the first pilot for those 3A mobile suits under construction was none other than Mana Kirishima.

Of course, this couldn't be revealed. Only Kaji Ryoji, a triple agent, had noticed anything amiss. And precisely because Kaji Ryoji knew so much, neither the Human Perfection Committee nor Gendo Ikari could allow him to continue living.

As dusk settled, the silvery moonlight and the morning sun bathed the Ludwigsburg Residence in a soft glow. Due to the time difference, it was nearly noon in Japan, while Germany was just beginning to greet the first rays of sunlight. Hidden behind the stone monument, the elderly gathered, shared a simple communion, and began a long meeting.

Gendo Ikari is also a member of SEELE, and even the Human Completion Committee, but he has never sat at the same table with them like this before. From beginning to end, SEELE has always treated Gendo Ikari as a fierce and useful dog that will turn on its master.

Those qualified to attend such meetings, besides the elderly, are only young and handsome male waiters. The young boys either wait behind the curtains or jog around, serving the elderly they serve.

"So, can you tell what that little guy is thinking?"

"The word 'can' is too euphemistic; he didn't mean to hide his sarcasm at all."

"He is even more arrogant than his father, and he doesn't even bother to hide it. Does he think we can't do anything about him?"

"Compared to us old guys who have never met us before but call themselves elders on our first meeting, that expressionless and cold Gendo Ikari is probably more pleasing to the eye. Haha, he really is an ungrateful wolf cub."

“He is not a wolf cub, he is the mediator, the Canaanite, the promised one of God.” The hunched old priest said softly, “According to the Book of Exodus in the Bible, when he led the people across the Red Sea, God caused the sea to part, revealing a dry land, and the sea formed walls on their left and right. The people crossed the sea as if walking on flat ground.”

"When the Egyptian soldiers chased them into the Red Sea, the gods caused the sea to close up, drowning their pursuers and allowing them to escape." Another old man added the second half of the sentence, "So, according to the myth, aren't we just arrogant Egyptians?"

“In that case, let’s retrieve Unit 6,” Chairman Kiro said.

"Even if we only have Unit-01, we can still take on the Angels, right?"

Shinji Ikari, who had just stepped out of the meeting room, was greeted by Misato Katsuragi's rambling.

She wanted Shinji Ikari to be more gentle in his dealings with people; when facing a behemoth like SEELE, at least some superficial respect was necessary.

But Shinji Ikari didn't care; what he loved most was crushing his enemies in a fair and square manner.

Therefore, all Shinji Ikari could do was ignore SEELE's pressure after the battle against the Angels. He allowed Gendo Ikari to issue the order to freeze Unit-01 and Unit-06 in exchange for the next round of funding.

When the topic of Unit-06 came up, Shinji Ikari felt a slight unease. After returning from the New World, he finally understood the true nature of that mobile suit.

Although its performance in the battle against the Angel of Power wasn't particularly outstanding, it's a machine modified from a naturally divine body. When it was discovered at the lunar base, it had a similar appearance to Lilith, equivalent to the Mark series' Unit-01. It's a far superior product of the Marduk Project, far superior to Unit-03, and it's in its awakened state when properly piloted. If it weren't for the Puppet System and was piloted by Kaworu Nagisa instead, it should have been able to defeat the Angel of Power.

Before the agreed date, this is SEELE's trump card for restraining Unit-01.

But upon arriving at the area where Unit-01 and Unit-06 were frozen, the two were slightly taken aback. A massive hoist slowly lifted a blue machine resembling Unit-01 from the deep abyss.

They saw a woman in a white coat standing in front of the railing; Ritsuko Akagi was there too.

"What's going on?" Misato Katsuragi asked, walking up to her friend.

“SEELE suddenly sent a message saying that Unit 6 still has some problems and will be handed over to the lunar base Tabgah for repairs.” Ritsuko Akagi watched the blue machine slowly rise into the sky.

“Tabgah, a lunar base? That sounds like the name of an ancient Israeli city.” Misato Katsuragi frowned. “There’s a base on the moon?”

"It is indeed the name of an ancient city-state of Israel, meaning 'Seven Springs,' which is the 7th Branch of NERV, and is the most mysterious." Ritsuko Akagi seemed to have guessed what Misato Katsuragi was thinking, and then added, "Besides Unit-00 and Unit-01, which are truly general-purpose humanoid combat weapons belonging to headquarters, we only have temporary rights to use the other two, including Unit-02. Unit-02 belongs to Europe, and Unit-06 belongs to the 7th Branch on the Moon."

"Honestly, the final battle is almost here, and they're still dragging their feet." Misato Katsuragi couldn't help but complain, though she was already used to it.

"It's precisely because the final battle is approaching that they're holding us back," Ritsuko Akagi said quietly. No one understood this mentality better than her.

Shinji Ikari turned around and headed back the way he came. Since Unit-06 was going to be recalled, there was no need to watch anymore.

"Shinji-kun." The gentle yet firm voice seemed to travel through a long tunnel to his ears.

Shinji Ikari stopped in his tracks. Faintly, he heard a voice again, one that only he could hear, from a distant place behind him. He turned around again. Misato Katsuragi was talking to Ritsuko Akagi, the engineers were doing their jobs, and the blue Unit-06, lifted by four cables, was slowly moving out of his sight.

At that moment, Shinji Ikari felt a strong sense of déjà vu as an experience he hadn't taken to heart was unearthed from the depths of his memory.

In a parallel future world similar to this one, in the Geo Front Abyss where Lilith and Central Dogma are buried, Unit-03, which he himself had destroyed, is also buried. As he left, he seemed to hear Asuka's voice echoing in the wind reverberating from the abyss.

This made Shinji Ikari wonder if he had overlooked something crucial.

But in reality, Asuka stood with her arms crossed at the edge of the abyss, coldly watching him; and the voice sounded just like Kaworu Nagisa's. If nothing unexpected happened, Kaworu Nagisa should still be on the Seventh Branch on the moon at this time.

Shinji Ikari hesitated for a moment, then resolutely continued walking forward.

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Low-lying clouds drifted in from Tokyo Bay in the west, and at 8 p.m., Third New Tokyo was hit by another round of heavy rain.

The street was flooded, the muddy waves were surging, and the water was up to the calves. The streetlights downstairs were flickering, which made Misato Katsuragi, who had waded downstairs, a little worried. She then dialed the phone, "Moshi moshi, is that Shinji?"

"It's Rei." Rei, who was at home, answered the phone. "Shinji is getting ready to take a bath."

"Rei," Misato Katsuragi said, flicking her wet hair as she entered the elevator, "did you have fun this afternoon?"

“I’m happy,” Rei Ayanami said.

They parted ways shortly after leaving Hakone. Shinji Ikari was dragged along by Asuka, who insisted on going to Disneyland. She even invited Misato Katsuragi and Rei Ayanami as if she were the hostess. However, Misato Katsuragi looked at Ritsuko Akagi and chose to go to a bar with her old friends to catch up.

Misato Katsuragi slowly ascended in the elevator, listening to Rei Ayanami recount her afternoon's experiences: they had ridden TRON Lightcycle Power Run together, dressed up as pirates from the Caribbean, participated in the evening parade, and were even invited by Winnie the Pooh to ride on a float and dance hand in hand.

As a conversation partner, Rei Ayanami was undoubtedly unsuitable; her content was dull and tedious, but Misato Katsuragi listened with great interest. As their guardian and self-proclaimed parent, Misato could detect the hidden joy beneath Rei Ayanami's monotonous words.

"That's good. As long as you have fun."

"Should I call him over?" Rei Ayanami asked.

"No need. Just tell them I won't be coming back today. Remember to tell Shinji not to mess around too much and not to let Asuka stay up too late. Remember to drink a glass of warm milk before you go to bed tonight and keep the house clean. I wish you both sweet dreams tonight."