Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

This way of opening the door is clearly imitating the gate of the Central Dogmatic District, and Shinji Ikari doesn't mind.

Behind the door was a magnificent yet very simple hall with a pure black floor that seemed to extend endlessly, making one's eyes dizzy as if they had mistakenly entered the sacrificial site of some cult.

Sometimes Shinji Ikari really couldn't understand the aesthetic sense of Gendo Ikari and the other higher-ups. Wearing gloves and sunglasses, or putting his hands over his lips, was just a personal habit, I suppose. But Shinji couldn't compliment their aesthetic sense in the office at all. It was like an anime crew with a tight budget, just drawing a spacious hall and putting a table in the middle and calling it a day.

Sometimes it's like they're trying to save money; they don't even turn on the lights, and they wear sunglasses in the dark. Aren't you afraid of not seeing where you're stepping and tripping and falling flat on your face?

Their aesthetic sense also influenced NERV employees, resulting in a large number of nearsighted people.

In the center of that simple, black hall, there were two chairs and a table, and Fuyutsuki Kosuke sat directly opposite them.

Fuyutsuki Yukimasa also noticed that Shinji Ikari was holding the aluminum sealed box they had been desperately searching for these past few days. However, he did not ask Shinji to leave and bring it over. Instead, he tapped his fingers on the table and said, "There are some things and a document in each of the file folders. If you are interested, go and take a look."

Shinji Ikari approached his seat and began opening one file bag after another, from which rolled out all sorts of badges and certificates.

The first folder contained certificates indicating that some former staff members of the operations department had been appointed as chaplains of the Strategic Self-Defense Force. Shinji Ikari knew about the position of military chaplain; it was similar to the political commissar in the armies of socialist countries, but this was Japan, after all, so it sounded somewhat like a mishmash.

Shinji Ikari continued reading. The second document folder contained more certificates, embossed and hot-stamped. These certificates, issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, appointed twenty-four qualified pilots, including Mana Kirishima, Keita Yamauchi, and Musashi, as pilots of the new mobile suits. They also bore the seal of the Vice-Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Miyuki Shinomiya.

The third folder contained financial statements, with several transactions involving billions of dollars specifically highlighted on the first page.

The fourth folder contained a document with a lot of information, but the gist of it was that NERV and the Self-Defense Forces had formed a secret alliance, and that it was part of the Neon Genesis Evangelio machine manufacturing technology for Project E.

The fifth folder contained a photo of Fuyutsuki Yukomasa and Tsurumaki Kazuya, along with information about the current relationship between NERV and the Self-Defense Forces, demonstrating their shared commitment.

The sixth folder contained a land deed stating that the entire Hakone mountain range, along with the Third New Tokyo City, had been incorporated into NERV.

“These are the first batch of resources the Self-Defense Forces have given us.” Fuyutsuki Yukimasa pointed to the third file folder. “Now sit down in that chair, and I’ll tell you about the second phase of our deal. I think you need to know this.”

"I understand roughly now."

“I understand roughly. It seems that Ms. Kirishima from the Self-Defense Forces trusts you a lot, telling you everything.” Fuyutsuki Yukizo looked into Shinji Ikari’s eyes. “No one has seen the contents of this box, has anyone?”

“No, it’s safe,” Shinji Ikari said, placing the sealed aluminum box on the ground. He didn’t care about its contents. In fact, Yukimasa Fuyutsuki didn’t care either.

Although Kaji Ryoji is hailed as the man closest to the truth, he is actually detached from those who know the truth and keep it secret. He spent his entire life striving to get closer to the truth, but some people are the truth itself.

"If you don't mind, I have some personal business to attend to." Shinji Ikari stood up from his seat, turned around, and walked towards the back.

"Kashi Ryoji, he's still alive, right?" Shinji Ikari heard Fuyutsuki Kozo's voice behind him as he walked to the door.

"No, Kaji Ryoji is completely dead." Shinji Ikari waved his hand and left the office without looking back.

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The cell apoptosis operation on the two simulators is scheduled to proceed after the MAGI system is restarted.

[Assignment confirmed, 450 to 670 omitted]

[The command post has confirmed the mission and is awaiting further instructions.]

In the cluttered development department office, a synthesized, mechanical female voice blared from the loudspeaker. Ritsuko Akagi typed rapidly on her keyboard, countless strings of numbers and symbols incomprehensible to the untrained eye flashing across the screen.

Ibuki Maya sat down behind her, holding a cup of coffee in both hands. She seemed a little reserved, and after hesitating for a while, she asked softly, "Senpai, do you think the Second Child, Asuka-san, will be able to pass the mental test?"

"Through which aspect? Is it just breaking through the neural synapse level, or diving deeper into some range?" Ritsuko Akagi asked without turning her head.

"That's it, the one that tests your mental resilience through the contamination of the apostles, and the new test of mental endurance," Maya Ibuki whispered.

"No." Ritsuko Akagi replied succinctly.

“Can’t I?” Ibuki Maya was a little surprised. After saying that, she realized that her voice was a bit loud, so she shrank back to Akagi Ritsuko’s side. “But I think Asuka-san’s spirits are very good after the Bird Angel’s counterattack.”

"You know it was after the battle against the Bird Angels, right?" Ritsuko Akagi finally finished her work and looked at her favorite junior. "It may sound cold, but if it weren't for Shinji Ikari, do you know what would have happened to Asuka, who was involved in the Angel corruption?"

"What is it?" Ibuki Maya asked in a very low voice, afraid of disturbing someone.

“You can go check out the tenth district; you have the authority to access all the research facilities there,” Ritsuko Akagi suggested, instead of giving her a direct answer.

In the tenth ward, Ibuki Maya shrank back. Within the city of Tenjo, the tenth ward was known for its cheapest land and worst crime rate. Because of the cheap land, it was filled with facilities that other areas avoided, a region dotted with nuclear energy, biological research facilities, and animal incineration plants. The only cemetery in Third New Tokyo City was also located here.

"Senior, please stop talking, it's a bit scary." Ibuki Maya's voice was trembling with tears.

"You actually believed it? Of course it's fake." Ritsuko Akagi smiled. "After all, she's the dedicated pilot of Unit 2, a hero who has fought against Angels. She wouldn't go too far. But don't even think about her personal freedom. It's normal for her to cooperate with experiments occasionally."

Even without Shinji Ikari, there's still Misato Katsuragi. There are some things Misato knows perfectly well, but she chooses to ignore them to avoid getting annoyed. However, if you dare to lay a hand under her nose, she'll show you what it means to be the third-in-command of NERV.

"I was just mentioning it casually, don't actually go. There are some things you'd better not see, they'll affect your mood," Ritsuko Akagi said softly.

At the same moment, after swiping her access card, Asuka and Misato Katsuragi parted ways and, following the instructions of the voice assistant MAGI, took the A52 elevator to the designated location.

Similar to previous visits to the Japan Ecosystem Marine Conservation Organization, washing, rinsing, and disinfection were essential procedures before entering. The process was even more stringent; even spare clothes were not permitted.

After undergoing the seventeenth round of disinfection and rinsing, Asuka finally stepped out of the bathroom and turned her head to see Shinji Ikari.

199: The rain falls in torrents, and the old hometown is overgrown with weeds.

The mist from the disinfection process filled the room. The first thing Asuka saw was a pair of scarlet eyes, then Shinji Ikari's face, and his body, which was completely unprotected, just like hers.

Asuka knew that Shinji Ikari was accompanying her to the mental health test to take care of her feelings. Asuka didn't know if it was good or bad, but something inside her was gently tugged at.

“Some things are pointless except for wasting time.” Asuka and Shinji looked at each other. “I’m not a little baby who needs a parent to take me to the hospital for a shot. You’re making me feel like a child myself.”

"Just take this opportunity to get the mental health test done together, don't overthink it." Shinji Ikari glanced at her, his eyes crisp and clear, like starlight shining on a shallow pond.

Asuka took a deep breath; she wanted to say something more. Then, she saw the same Rei Ayanami emerge from the other hatch.

She immediately turned away from Shinji Ikari. Although she hadn't shown much shyness when they were alone together, her face quickly flushed with a hot blush as Rei Ayanami appeared.

With the sound of gears turning, the silver iron door at the front, painted with CAUTION-3, slowly opened.

“You can come out now. Go through this door and go directly into the insertion bolt.” Ritsuko Akagi’s voice rang out from the upper right.

Just like last time, Shinji Ikari was the first to walk out of the room, waving to the two people behind him.

Asuka watched his retreating figure. Despite their open and honest conversation, despite her own tendency to sometimes indulge her desires in private, she felt no romantic thoughts whatsoever now.

She followed closely behind and also came out of the room.

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[All drivers are ready and awaiting instructions.]

The mechanical female voice of MAGI rang in someone's ears, and for that person, this ordinary mechanical synthesized voice brought a different meaning.

"Test begin," Ritsuko Akagi gave the order.

[Automatic driving device begins recording; monitoring shows no abnormalities; simulated insertion plug inserted.]

[The system has been connected to the simulated insertion plug. Connection complete. It is now under MAGI control.]

With data rapidly scrolling across the display screen, over a dozen inspection tasks were completed in just a few minutes. But this was only the initial stage; the real task remained the mental health assessment.

Perhaps to alleviate Asuka's mental stress, her mental health test was filmed last. In order of appearance, it was the third Child, Shinji Ikari; the first Child, Rei Ayanami; and the second Child, Asuka.

At this point, Rei Ayanami's test results had come back.

"The simulation data for the first candidate is exactly the same as the previous ones. The synchronization rate at the neuronal synaptic level has remained stable at 1.9% and 36.7%." Ritsuko Akagi didn't know whether to say that Rei Ayanami was stable or that she hadn't improved at all.

But thinking about Asuka's highly volatile personality, she actually felt that this kind of data was quite good.

“What about the third Child?” Maya Ibuki craned her neck to look.

“Don’t look, it’s not here. There’s something wrong with the third eligible candidate; it might be a problem with the machine,” Ritsuko Akagi said.

"A machine malfunction? Are you sure?" Ibuki Maya was taken aback, because as a researcher, how could she trust a person if she didn't trust a machine? People can lie, but machines can't.

“Yes, his synchronization rate is 0.” Ritsuko Akagi didn’t hide anything from Maya Ibuki.

“The machine is definitely malfunctioning,” Ibuki Maya said immediately. “Let’s check it again.”

Data collection is complete and review is underway.

[MAGI will begin testing the second eligible candidate in ten minutes. If you wish to cancel, please give the command before the countdown ends.]

This time it wasn't a broadcast, but only the MAGI system's female voice sounded in Ritsuko Akagi's headphones. She looked at the data that MAGI had transmitted to her tablet and nodded slightly.

"Let's test it again when we have time. It's the second candidate's turn now." Ritsuko Akagi stared at the red insertion plug on the screen.

Inside the red simulated insertion plug, Asuka crossed her arms, like a mummy lying in a sarcophagus, and closed her eyes, waiting for her test to begin.

But what she didn't know was that the simulated insertion plug she was in was slowly sinking.

The neural connection was completed instantly, and Asuka immediately felt the heavy pressure pressing on her heart. But thankfully, she could still bear it.

But the next second, it was as if the lingering echo of chalk rubbing against a smooth blackboard reverberated deep within Asuka's mind.

"Oh no!" At this moment, she was still conscious.

After the battle against the bird angels ended, she would occasionally hear that voice, usually in her dreams, and sometimes in reality.

Asuka struggled to open her eyes, like someone trapped in a nightmare trying to return to reality. But what she saw when she opened her eyes was not the yellow LCL liquid, but a near-black blue, as if she were in the depths of an old-world ocean.

Light shone down from above, filtering through the water, casting ripples on her face. She floated in the endless waves, unable to hear her own heartbeat. There seemed to be shadowy figures moving on the surface; she tried to rise, but she had no strength, not even a finger could move. She could only watch as bubbles rose beneath her, each one reflecting images of her past—

—There are memories of a young child excitedly holding up their test paper to go to their mother, only to see her hang herself; there are memories of standing alone at a crossroads, watching a boy being held in the arms of his parents and elders in front of a black car.

The boy had features similar to Shinji Ikari. The two young children looked at each other, then the arrival of the young Gendo Ikari blocked their view. They could only watch the black sedan drive away.

It seemed as if everyone in her life had left; she spent every important moment of her life alone. Asuka drifted on the seabed, watching those important people in her life stand on the surface, looking down at her, their faces seemingly filled with sorrow. She felt like a drowned soul, alone, watching her friends pray for her.

Ugh, ugh, this is so awful! Asuka tried to struggle but her whole body was ice cold. It was so cold. She tried to curl up in fear, but she couldn't. It was so quiet. She wanted to talk to someone, but she couldn't say anything. It was so despairing. So this is what death is like.

The moment the golden arc of electricity drilled into her brain, she saw that almost sky-like azure blue again. Asuka then realized that she was not in the seabed, but in the universe, and that what enveloped her was—the fifteenth apostle, the bird angel Alar.

Is it a memory, or a dream?

Suddenly, everything was torn apart! The sea, the sky, the vast black universe—everything was ripped open by the platinum-gold spear of light! It was as if the world had been ripped apart, and a gigantic head was revealed at the crack—the face of Unit-01! Beneath that twisted and ferocious yet sacred face lay the will of Shinji Ikari.

Unit-01 tore apart the body of the Bird Angel, bathing in blood like the rebirth of a demon. Shinji Ikari tore apart the wall of his own heart, allowing himself to truly regain control of his body.

"Stop! Stop the experiment!" Asuka finally shouted out her own voice in reality.

Inside the control room, Ibuki Maya looked up at Akagi Ritsuko, somewhat bewildered, unsure of what to do. Although she knew her senior was consciously training her, she instinctively turned to her for guidance when faced with a situation.

"Stop the experiment," Shinji Ikari's voice rang out from the side.

"But the testing isn't finished yet. The contamination by the Angels is still a big problem, and as things stand, Asuka's mental map is already showing signs of disorder..."

"Hyuga, get your identity straight." Shinji Ikari turned to the young man beside him, his voice resolute, his eyes devoid of their usual gentleness. "You just need to obey orders."