Hawks from the Land of Light are calling me a dove and an undercover agent in the chat group.

"I don't want to!"

See? Just as I expected.

"Get out if you're not going to pilot Unit-01!"

Holy crap!!

With his eyes wide open, Bruce, who was usually silent and expressionless, was completely dizzy and almost stumbled and fell. He was so angry at the scene being broadcast live in Shinji's world that he almost had his skull burst.

This is what they call a commander? What the hell? All of humanity's hopes are being led by this kind of scum? What a joke! Gendo Ikari is a hundred times more immature than Shinji, a fourteen-year-old kid!

Bruce could see it. He could tell that Gendo Ikari was deliberately manipulating Shinji, using his paternal authority, adult status, commander position, and savior position to oppress Shinji from a superior position, making Shinji completely under his control so that he would never dare to resist him again.

But the question is, is it even possible to do that?

From a moral, ethical, social, or standpoint perspective, this is absolutely unacceptable and should not be done. At the very least, who can guarantee that this method will make Shinji completely give up his resistance instead of rebelling to the end?

Just as Bruce was thinking this, he saw the indifferent Gendo Ikari turn around and order someone to bring out another candidate, indicating that the candidate would be allowed to pilot the EVA.

The new pilot was a girl named Rei Ayanami, who looked to be about the same age as Shinji and was lying on a mobile hospital bed with an IV drip, looking extremely painful. She was pushed to EVA and struggled to get off the bed, determined to take over the piloting.

[Don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Uncle Kassadin, everyone... what should I do?"

[I Don't Want to Pilot Unit-01]: "What should I do?"

Shinji Ikari wavered.

His father's authority oppressed him, and the lingering, unconscious expectation he still held for his father bound him. His moral compass, unable to stand by and watch a frail, wounded girl go to the battlefield, also swayed him.

Moreover, both his father, Gendo Ikari, and a female doctor named Ritsuko Akagi around him were asking him, "Do you want to run away?"

[Unwilling to Pilot Unit-01]: "Can't I run away? Am I wrong? If I run away, what will happen to Ayanami? It's something only I can do. If I run away, I—"

Shinji Ikari was in utter confusion. He knew that everyone in the chat group was treating him kindly, but that did nothing to help him in the current situation.

Everyone should just be an ordinary person. Maybe Sasuke has some special power, but as I've already said, he's not as good as the Angels. If that's the case, then apart from EVA, the world is doomed.

If I run away, and the whole world and Rei Ayanami die, wouldn't it be like it's my fault?

[The pro-war faction]: "Shinji!"

Shinji!!

Shinji!!!

Shinji Ikari, who was so dazed and confused that he was almost about to obey his father's orders, suddenly snapped back to reality.

Although it was just a text message in a chat group, at that moment, it was as if Shinji Ikari heard a melodious call in his ears, pulling him out of the ever-deepening darkness and giving him back the support of the leader.

[Pro-war faction]: "Shinji, I'm telling you, do it. Don't think about anything right now, clear your mind, and remember, do as I say."

[I don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Yes!"

[Pro-war faction]: "Tell Gendo Ikari to come down and see you, otherwise you will never go and pilot Unit-01."

"Father... no, Gendo Ikari, come down here and see me, or I'll never pilot Unit-01, even if it kills me!"

Looking down at him from above, Gendo Ikari's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart trembled!

"What's going on?!"

He looked at the vice commander beside him and found that the other was also shocked. Based on their countless attempts to draw Shinji's inner portrait, there was no way that the other should be showing such a truly tough attitude at this moment.

This wasn't the previous kind of feigned toughness, like a helpless pout, like "I don't want to pilot Unit-01, why me?" Now, Shinji seemed to have emptied his mind of everything, undergoing a complete transformation in a short period of time.

If you don't do what he says at this point, he really will turn around and leave; you can't manipulate him!

Suppressing the shock of the unexpected turn of events, Gendo Ikari calmly pushed up his glasses and said indifferently, "Do you only dare not run away if I'm here? What a cowardly piece of trash."

Using the typical tactic of turning the tables, he appeared completely at ease before taking the high-tech elevator down to the location of Unit-01, where he finally met his long-lost son face to face.

His gaze was cold and terrifying, making it hard for Shinji Ikari to breathe.

[Pro-war faction]: "Shinji, raise your left hand and strike him in the cheek with all your might."

But no matter how terrifying the pressure was, when Kassadin gave the order, Shinji Ikari acted without hesitation, his body acting before his soul.

"boom!"

The punch was fast and accurate, and extremely vicious. It made the unsuspecting Gendo Ikari stagger, his cheek immediately swelled up, and his glasses fell off his nose, revealing the astonished look in his eyes. The pressure he had been building up for so long vanished instantly.

Gendo Ikari was first stunned, then furious, unusually furious. Accompanying this fury was the shock of everyone around him, including the vice commander, Rei Ayanami, Misato Katsuragi, Ritsuko Akagi, and others!

[Pro-war faction]: "Now, tell them to immediately prepare all the necessary preparations for the activation of Unit-01. Anyone who wastes even a second on other things is being irresponsible to all of humanity."

"you……"

"Immediately begin the activation of Unit-01. The Angels are already close. Every second you waste is a waste of the lives of all humanity."

He choked.

Gendo Ikari's hand trembled involuntarily; he felt his brain shaking!

Over the years, even when facing the elderly members of SEELE who were far more prestigious than him, he had never been verbally belittled like this, nor had his moral high ground been so unilaterally occupied!

And the one who did this was actually his son, his cowardly, incompetent, awkward, insecure, craving-for-approval, friendless son who could only do whatever others told him to do, the foolish son who should have been his plaything!

[Pro-war faction]: "Ignore Gendo Ikari and tell the others that those who want to wait to die can talk to you about father-son issues right here."

"Those who want to wait for the apostles to come and kill you all, then talk to me about father-son issues right here."

Ritsuko Akagi and Misato Katsuragi, who were about to say something, were also speechless upon hearing this, just like Gendo Ikari. They looked at each other in bewilderment, and after a moment, accompanied by the shout from the inspector that "the Angel is approaching within three kilometers of the base," they both immediately organized the activation of Unit-01.

[Pro-war faction]: "Now, prepare to pilot Unit-01."

"Huh?"

Once the flow state is broken, the loser instantly reverts to their usual pathetic state.

[I don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Me, pilot Unit-01? Me, fight those monsters?...So I really can't run away after all?"

[Pro-war faction]: "This has nothing to do with running away or not. Shinji, don't be deceived. Having this ability does not mean you have to do this. Even if you don't pilot Unit-01, no one can blame you."

[Pro-war faction]: "It's only natural not to want to pilot such a thing in battle. This isn't escapism. Your father is being unreasonable and confusing the issue. Your fear isn't escapism, but rather the feeling of an ordinary child."

[I don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Then why are you making me do this?!"

[Pro-war faction]: "Because I want you to be able to defeat your father, Shinji."

[I don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Huh?"

[Pro-war faction]: "It's not because of my instructions, not because of my orders, but because you can do it yourself. You can face this man who is not qualified to be your father without fear, and defeat him with your own will. For that kind of will, you need to take this step. You need to surpass yourself!"

[I don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "But I..."

[Pro-war faction]: "I can assure you, Shinji, all you need to do is pilot that machine."

[I don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Piloting an EVA is enough...? Then, what about combat?"

[Pro-war faction]: "No need."

[Don't want to pilot Unit-01]: "Don't need it?"

[Pro-war faction]: "Fighting is for adults. You only need to pilot, not fight. Shinji—I assure you, you will not suffer the slightest harm. I will take care of the fighting. Trust me."

[Unwilling to pilot Unit-01]: "Believe..."

Does Uncle Kassa really possess the power of Unit-01? Can he really protect himself? Will he actually protect himself? Or will he even come to me?

Shinji Ikari clutched his chest, his heart pounding faster than ever before, a rhythm filled with fear and unease.

Should we believe him? Believe in Uncle Kasa, who gives him an incredibly warm feeling, but whom we've only just met, haven't even seen each other halfway, and have no idea whether he actually has any power.

"I……"

His throat bobbed, and Shinji Ikari's heart pounded!

"I understand, Uncle Kassa, I want to... pilot EVA Unit-01!"

Chapter 249 EVA Executives: Kill Ultraman!

"Keep an eye on things, I'm leaving for a bit."

At the Martial Arts Tournament, Kassadin patted Ace on the shoulder and gave him a word of advice. Ace nodded and didn't ask any further questions. There's no need for many words between Ultras; a clear mind is the foundation for unconditionally becoming one person.

[Pro-war faction]: "Sorry, Yuta, your project will have to be postponed again this time."

[Coward]: "No, there's no need to apologize for this! After all, I have Gridman and Minister of Justice on my side. Although it would take a long time without your help, we can at least resolve this locally."

[Coward]: "If I were to ask you to give up on Shinji's side under these circumstances, then I would despise myself and wouldn't deserve your help, Uncle Kassadin!"

A new conversation broke out in the chat group, but at this moment Shinji Ikari forced himself not to look at it.

He put on his special combat suit and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, resolutely entered the cockpit of Unit-01.

It wasn't because of courage, kindness, or a desire to impress my father.

However, the conclusion he had already made to Uncle Casa could not be overturned. This time, he would accept whatever the outcome might be. He wanted to open his heart, to believe, and to change his own life with his own hands!

After wasting fourteen years of his life, this moment is the only time he truly lives. Now, he is the protagonist standing on the stage called [Shinji Ikari]. The person he wants to approach, to believe in, and to gain recognition from is watching him from afar, across different worlds!

Ikari Gendo and all that, it doesn't matter anymore!

"EVA Unit-01, launch!"

Boom!

With that unwavering, fearless voice of a true man, Shinji Ikari took a deep breath, and the enormous purple robot suddenly rose from the ground. The moment the tremendous vibrations ceased, Unit-01 stood firmly on the earth, like a legendary giant!

"She's just like an angel."

Unaware of the full story, Misato Katsuragi instinctively gasped in amazement. This was the first time she had ever seen Unit-01 in action since joining NERV. For some reason, Unit-01 always gave her a more special feeling than Unit-00, sometimes like a mortal meeting an angel.

But no matter how much of an angel they are, they are still angels created by human hands, a symbol of human power!

"Shinji, imagine moving your feet!" Misato Katsuragi gave the order through the screen.

"Get your feet moving..."

Shinji Ikari tried to operate it, taking a step forward, but that was all. He even had difficulty controlling Unit-01 to walk slowly, while the Angels that had stormed into the city were already making preparatory moves for their attack.

Misato Katsuragi tensed up and immediately shouted, "Shinji-kun, dodge the attack!"

"Eh?" Shinji Ikari had also seen it. Although the huge and ferocious Angel had no expression, it seemed to be full of malice towards him. It had raised its terrifyingly huge fist, which, like a nail being hammered down, carried unparalleled power and pierced through him.

At that moment, looking at the unavoidable fist, Shinji Ikari could not hear any sound. This punch had already surpassed the speed of sound!

Can you dodge it? Didn't you say you didn't need to fight? You can't, can you?