Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

"Of course, it's possible. She's the Fifth Child from Bethany Base, and like the Second Child, she seems to be an outsider. But in reality, her background isn't with the Soviet branch, but with the Human Instrumentality Committee."

"Wouldn't that be the same as blessing..." Ibuki Maya covered her mouth.

Ryoji Kaji, the former deputy head of the inspection department, was always a taboo subject within NERV. He had extremely close relationships with many high-ranking officials, but ultimately his actions amounted to kidnapping the deputy commander, murdering the head of the intelligence department, leaking NERV's internal secrets to the Self-Defense Forces, colluding with external forces to steal 18 billion yen in subsidies, illegally occupying farmland for vanity projects, illegally interfering in judicial activities, severely polluting the political environment, resisting organizational review, engaging in superstitious activities, violating the spirit of the headquarters' eight-point regulations, interfering in personnel promotions and adjustments, and even infiltrating a nursing home to sexually assault and kill a 100-year-old woman… He committed numerous heinous crimes and was ultimately killed by the righteous Chief Prosecutor Shinji Ikari, a truly satisfying end!

Although some of these actions were taken after his death, forcibly pinning the blame on others, it still reveals just how heinous and vicious Kaji Ryoji truly was.

"Take a look at this." Ritsuko Akagi handed the tablet to the other person. "This is another deleted file that I found through MAGI."

"A student from the Department of Bioengineering, Kyoto University, Class of '90?" Maya Ibuki looked up in surprise at Ritsuko Akagi. "Isn't that...?"

“Yes, she’s Commander-in-Chief Gendo’s junior,” Ritsuko Akagi nodded. “She also chose Associate Professor Yukimasa Fuyutsuki’s metaphysical biology course in her third year and became his student.”

"A close friend of the Commander-in-Chief from his student days, a student of the Vice Commander, and a qualified candidate of the Human Completion Committee—he's up to no good."

The train had already arrived at the platform when another blue Mazda inexplicably drove up to the same spot. Everyone knew this unassuming car was the beloved vehicle of Operations Chief Misato Katsuragi.

This time, however, it was Shinji Ikari from the Inspection Department who was in the pilot's seat. Stepping out of the passenger seat was Mari Makinami, the Fifth Child they had just been discussing. With her long, dark purple hair flowing, she walked with an air of superiority towards the simulation testing grounds.

“Overbearing aura.” Ritsuko Akagi pushed up her glasses.

"So, should we test her quality?" Ibuki Maya asked quietly from the side.

"No rush, let's not try anything funny today. Let her show us her strength, Miss Mary, the Fifth Child."

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PS1: This is Note 1 from the previous chapter. In the game *The Created World*, Geshiren is the Artificial Evolution Research Institute, a subordinate organization recognized by the League of Nations. Therefore, Geshiren operates the Artificial Evolution Research Institute as a front for its activities. Deepest understanding: Geshiren's goal is Project Adam Regeneration (Project E).

PS2: The dream world is filled with Shinji Ikari's experiences in different timelines, including Kamen Rider Ultraman vs. Godzilla and Rei Ayanami's daily school life. Those who watched the final episode of the TV series should understand Shinji's true state. However, the part where Asuka gives birth to Shinji was a real disappointment. There are many ways to bring him back; why choose the most absurd one? It makes me wonder what kind of mental state the author was in when writing that story.

217: Ava's Curse, or Blessing?

【FIRST.C - Rei Ayanami TERST PLUG00】

【THIRD.C - Shinji Ikari TERST PLU001】

【FIFTH.C - Mari Makinami TERST PLU002】

In the simulated testing area, during the mental assessment, three light yellow insertion plugs were partially submerged in a blood-red liquid; so far, everything was normal.

Shinji Ikari goes without saying, and Rei Ayanami's mental endurance is also quite outstanding, but the fact that the newcomer Mari Makinami could still persevere to this extent is quite surprising to everyone.

"Let's see if it drops another 0.3," Ritsuko Akagi instructed.

She wasn't surprised by the result, after all, she was one of the few pilots capable of independently killing an Angel (the new Third Angel). Although she directly lost a full-type EVA in that battle, leaving the Soviet branch looking grim, she could still sense that extremely resilient spirit and the mad nature hidden beneath her exquisite appearance during the two previous battles against the Angel of the Womb.

The exact extent to which it can be achieved will depend on this test.

Ritsuko Akagi stopped the test only when the machine emitted a sharp warning sound; she stared intently at the screen in front of her.

"Is this data correct?" Ritsuko Akagi asked in a deep voice.

“All the measurement systems are operating normally, and MAGI has not shown any data errors.” Ibuki Maya turned to look at her.

Although Ritsuko Akagi was usually serious, Maya Ibuki rarely saw her admired senior with such a serious expression. Looking at the data sheet in front of her, she quickly realized the root of the problem and her eyes widened instantly.

"The Fifth Child doesn't even need to replace its core? It can achieve this data synchronization rate with Unit-02!" Maya Ibuki suddenly exclaimed in shock. "It's unbelievable, to be precise, it's almost impossible."

"But it is indeed the truth. Since it is the truth, let's accept it first and then explore the reasons." Ritsuko Akagi pushed up her glasses.

The four EVAs that have been built and are currently in the public eye all have their own dedicated drivers.

Being able to become the exclusive pilot of Evangelion not only means being the most outstanding among the qualified candidates, but also means having a synchronization rate and combat power with the EVA you pilot that far exceeds that of others.

If we consider the EVA as its physical body, then the dedicated pilot is the soul best suited to that body, just like Rei Ayanami for Unit-00 and Shinji Ikari for Unit-01. The dedicated combat suit, simulation tests, and core data of the mobile suit are all auxiliary tools designed to help the dedicated pilot better adapt to the mobile suit.

The first two machine exchange experiments proved that a dedicated pilot can only perform at their best in their own dedicated EVA.

However, the newly arrived Fifth Child, Mari, does not need these. She simply achieves the synchronization rate of a dedicated pilot as the most independent individual, which means that she can become a universal connector among pilots.

Ritsuko Akagi looked at the yellow icon representing the Fifth Child on the screen, took off her glasses, and said, "The timing is wrong, what a pity."

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[The Central Dogma is currently under lockdown. Please use access routes A03 to A09 to reach other areas.]

MAGI's mechanical female voice came over the loudspeaker. Asuka, wearing headphones, was playing a game in the narrow elevator.

After the Apostles breached the defenses twice, Hakone's internal security system has become significantly more robust. Defenses are even tighter in the Second District, where the Apostles are being studied, and more importantly, in the Central Dogmatic District.

After all, the torn defensive layer not only protected against the Apostles' attacks, but also against certain ill-intentioned guests. But these things had nothing to do with him; he was currently just a Hokage player protecting Konoha.

At this moment, she raised her head with some alertness. At the end of the narrow elevator stood Mari Makinami, wearing a pink combat uniform. Her dark purple hair shone with a beautiful crimson color under the light. She slightly raised her chin, her smile both arrogant and reserved.

"Oh, Your Highness, we meet again, meow."

Asuka's lips twitched involuntarily, her gaze unfocused, clearly not wanting to acknowledge the new candidate before her. Since she was wearing headphones, she decided to pretend she hadn't heard.

"If all the apostles are wiped out, what will become of us qualified candidates?"

"These are things for those important people to think about; I'm not interested in them," Asuka said calmly. As soon as she finished speaking, Asuka felt an urge to cover her mouth. Why was she still being talked to?

Mari smiled. "We are all cursed by EVA. Eva's divinity flows in our veins, and we have a long life ahead of us. If we can find someone who can influence and understand everything we do, perhaps this curse can turn into a blessing."

You're afraid of first encounters with people because that way you won't know them, and there won't be any deception or betrayal. Even if there is deception, it won't hurt. But this doesn't make you forget loneliness, because humans are inherently lonely.

Asuka felt like she was hallucinating, as if she were seeing another parallel universe, another Mari facing another version of herself, calmly weaving words together.

Between people, it's like atoms in an energy space. Originally, it's a collision of unrelated, hard objects—a collision inherently hostile and alienating, even if they seem to be getting closer.

Life is a tapestry of joys and sorrows; how many touching moments can we truly cherish, how many friends will stay with us until the end? This world comes and goes in a flash, never stopping for anyone. In the course of a lifetime, what we search for vanishes in the blink of an eye; once missed, it can never be regained.

"Bye-bye, Asuka, meow. Soryu is a better name for you than Shikinami, meow."

Asuka watched Mari walk towards the A08 transport corridor carrying her helmet, feeling that this woman was acting strangely. Was she just standing at the elevator entrance to say these things? But recalling what she had just said… if you can find someone who can influence and understand everything you do, perhaps this curse can turn into a blessing.

[Currently, the Central Dogmatic Area is under development; please enter via Movement Route 3.]

The broadcast was extremely penetrating, clearly audible through the walls into the driver's locker room.

Shinji Ikari sat on the central bench, his elbows resting on his thighs and his hands supporting his chin. The overly peaceful atmosphere of the past few days gave him the illusion that the story had already ended.

But openly, there are two other apostles. Aside from the terrifying angel who hasn't been revealed to the public, there is one more.

This final messenger is the key; he, or rather, He, is the deity himself.

Rei Ayanami wasn't there, as she was still undergoing physical maintenance with Dr. Akagi. As Shinji passed by, he overheard Dr. Akagi muttering a regretful thought: if this chosen one named Mari Makinami had arrived sooner, she might have become his second-best ace.

However, the fact that her identity was questionable, and that she was also a pilot for the Human Completion Committee, made Ritsuko Akagi very wary.

Shinji Ikari knew something about Mari Makinami's identity, having crossed paths with her in the New World. His first impression of her was that of a cheerful, bespectacled girl with twin tails. However, Shinji didn't particularly like the way she looked at him. It gave him the illusion of looking through him at someone else.

Maybe it's not an illusion.

A knock came at the door, followed by a high-pitched voice: "Hello! Is anyone home? If no one's home, I'll come in. If someone is home, I'll still come in!"

Shinji Ikari watched as the door lock turned green. This was the pilots' changing room; only pilots could enter by swiping their security cards through the electronic lock. Just then, the cheerful, bespectacled girl who had been deep in thought walked in. She wore a gray coat over a pink combat suit, and carried a pink helmet in her left hand. What was with this strange combination?

"Isn't the 'three-nothing second-generation' type Rei-chan here, meow? I thought she would definitely be here. I hope she won't bother you guys."

“She has some things to do,” Shinji Ikari stared at her helmet, “and what’s with your outfit?” Shinji was a little confused about the bespectacled girl in front of him.

"I got this as a prize in a lottery on the way here. It's pink. Don't you think it matches my combat uniform perfectly, meow?" As she spoke, the sound of an air valve being opened filled the changing room.

As Mari placed the helmet on the nearby wardrobe, her combat suit deactivated. Mari first unfastened the compression layer around her neck, and after the life support system's deactivation warning sounded, she reached out and unzipped the back of her suit, then stopped mid-action—

—Mari turned to Shinji Ikari and said, "Shouldn't you have avoided this? Men and women shouldn't touch each other!"

"We're all just people of the world, why bother with these formalities..." Although Shinji Ikari wanted to say this, he still gave Mari a sincere smile. "You haven't shown any intention of avoiding me. If I were to avoid you, wouldn't it make Miss Mary seem unattractive?"

Mari stared into Shinji Ikari's crimson eyes, her beautiful eyebrows slightly raised, perhaps because of Shinji's reply. His frankness was somewhat surprising. Then, a slightly provocative smile appeared on her face.

"Then help me unzip my jacket, my arm is so sore, meow. I guess it got caught in the door handle when I got out of the cabin," Mami asked, tilting her head.

Shinji Ikari had no objection, nor did he delve into whether her hand had been pinched. He simply smiled and nodded at the girl, "No problem. Please sit on the chair with your back to me."

"Is it that troublesome? I don't want to move, meow." Mari sat on the bench, winked at Shinji Ikari, but her face had a provocative expression that said, "Go ahead and try if you dare."

Seeing that she didn't turn around, I roughly understood that Mari meant to unzip her back like this, facing me.

Unzipping a girl's clothes is like taking them off. If you're facing away from her and can't see her face, the embarrassment and nervousness will naturally dissipate. But if you're face to face like this, even a seasoned womanizer will feel a little shy.

But this doesn't include Shinji Ikari. Even if he took the supergravity cannon of the Battle Moon head-on, he would still be left with two thick patches of skin.

Seeing Shinji Ikari approach, Mari closed her eyes and did not respond at all. Shinji then took the initiative to place his left knee between Mari's long legs, and his left hand went around her neck to her back and gently pinched the zipper. At this moment, Mari's eyelids, which were only ten centimeters away from him, suddenly opened.

"I'm not wearing anything underneath, meow."

As the sound faded, the zipper went all the way down. Her combat suit fell with gravity, like a piece of silk that wrapped around her curvaceous body slipping off her.

Beneath the pink combat suit, her body was alluring, and her beautiful neck and the exposed skin below were completely visible. However, it wasn't as if Mari was completely naked, as she claimed. Although the combat suit only hung down to her hips, the exposed edges suggested that she was at least wearing panties.

After unzipping her jacket, Shinji Ikari politely stepped back. Like a classical aristocrat removing a fallen leaf from a lady's shoulder, he was elegant and gentlemanly.

However, although his behavior was very gentlemanly, his gaze never left Mari. That somewhat intense gaze made Mari instinctively clutch her chest, until—

"I heard you were affected by Amishal. Are you alright?" Shinji Ikari asked earnestly, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"You actually want to ask me if I've been corrupted by Him, right?" Mari realized what Shinji Ikari meant and suddenly felt bored, pouting. "I didn't directly touch Him, and the level of corruption is under control. I'm also someone cursed by Ava, you know. A little corruption only deepens the curse."

Shinji Ikari also understood the meaning behind Mari's words. The so-called EVA curse is the inevitable assimilation phenomenon that qualified users experience while piloting EVAs, which manifests as Angelification in the body. However, the degree of Angelification varies depending on the frequency of piloting and the level of synchronization, but even the mildest degree can maintain youthful appearance and immunity to common diseases.

However, in some people's eyes, this kind of eternal youth, longevity, and good health is a curse. The angel's contamination of the womb only deepens Mari's apostle-like transformation, which is actually a good thing for a pilot.

"Are you thinking about a girl? Let me guess, is it Asuka or Rei Ayanami?" Mari suddenly leaned closer to him.

Shinji Ikari was somewhat surprised that Mari was so alert, because he was indeed thinking about the two of them. This was because, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Asuka's soul did indeed possess the mental pollution of the Bird Angel. This pollution gave Asuka a higher synchronization rate but also instability and very low mental tolerance.

But Mari's situation offers no help whatsoever. Mental corruption is far more troublesome than physical corruption. As for Rei Ayanami… could he say that he actually wanted to sacrifice the Uterus Angel to allow Rei and Unit-00 to awaken?

In Rei Ayanami's mental world, he attempted to pluck her heart to strip the Fruit of Life from the womb angel. Separated by the divide between spirit and reality, Shinji Ikari didn't know if his actions were successful. It wasn't until he returned to Hakone that he heard of the Fifth Child, Mari Makinami, shining brightly.

Meanwhile, the development team did not find any fragments of the Fruit of Life that should have been present when they dissected the remains of the angel Amishar from the womb.

218: My Heart is for You AIR