Nobita's Time Heist

"Ikari mentioned to me before that those guys had reached some kind of cooperation with the soul vessel of the First Angel (Kaworu Nagisa) and learned a lot of forbidden knowledge from him. Those mass-produced machines are forbidden fruits born from this knowledge. It is foreseeable that they will not be willing to let NERV escape their control and will definitely step up their research to find a breakthrough in biotechnology. Once they have confidence, they will launch another purge operation to kill all those in the base who know about it."

Fuyuki shook her head, looking at the wrinkled back of her hand, and chuckled to herself, "While I was here, it might not have happened yet, but I probably don't have many years left to live..."

“Therefore, I hope that you can train a successor for the base,” Nobita said frankly. “I personally recommend Misato Katsuragi.”

“Commander Katsuragi?” A glint flashed in Fuyutsuki’s eyes. Mentioning the young man’s name seemed to give him a glimmer of hope. “You seem to trust her exceptionally much. Ikari told me that you have an unusual dependence and infatuation with her, but it has nothing to do with love. It’s more like you’ve found a familiar figure in her.”

"Really?" Nobita raised an eyebrow. "Now that you've said that, my guilt has lessened considerably."

“He always likes to analyze people’s minds and then set traps to exploit their weaknesses. This trick has always worked very well… Of course, in the face of absolute power, schemes and tricks are really worthless.” Fuyutsuki shrugged. “I understand your thoughts, but Katsuragi is not a suitable candidate. She is impulsive, likes to fight for justice, has a strong sense of individual heroism, and always likes to take risks to get through crises. You may not know, but she is the only survivor of the Second Impact.”

"After she was rescued, she didn't speak for three whole years. Then, as if seeking revenge, she became a talkative optimist. Behind this optimism lies a rather emotional side; she could very well lead the entire organization into danger..."

At this point, Fuyutsuki seemed to realize something and couldn't help but laugh out loud. He looked at the ruins again and shook his head inwardly.

"However, compared to the risks taken by the first commander, it is certainly nothing."

As the scene became clearer and the rubble was gradually removed, Gendo Ikari's remains were inevitably exposed.

Strangely, he had no obvious wounds, nor was he covered in blood as Nobita had imagined. He lay quietly on the ground, his eyes closed, as if asleep, with severe bruising on his temples, suggesting he had died from internal bleeding. His glasses had fallen nearby, the frames deformed from the pressure, and the lenses shattered.

Regardless, all the schemes and plots of his life came to an end with the falling of the boulder.

“Perhaps we should hold a funeral for him—a short one, so that if those two kids ever change their minds, they'll still have a place to see him. Don’t underestimate time, Nobi-kun. Even the greatest hatred will gradually fade away with time.” Fuyutsuki picked up his glasses, blew off the dust, and unconsciously smiled. “I understand you. Actually… the reason I’ve been holding on to this position all this time is for this very reason.”

"I want to protect Yui Ikari's son, that's all."

In front of the deceased, Fuyutsuki smiled and confessed the secret he had kept buried in his heart, finding it somewhat amusing.

Gendo Ikari dedicated his entire life to his plan, cautiously and ruthlessly pushing forward, all to interfere in the Human Instrumentality Project and revive Yui Ikari. And he, in turn, was there to protect the only remaining memory Yui had left on Earth. Thinking about it this way, it's almost laughable that the key positions in saving humanity are filled with such extreme individuals.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

“My expectations for Shinji go far beyond this.” Nobita turned around and looked at the gradually repaired ground and walls, muttering, “They no longer need anyone’s protection.”

"Conversely, I hope they can provide shelter for others."

Chapter 398: The Ticket to the Fairy Tale World

"Nobita, are you... leaving already?"

Although he had expected this, Shinji still felt a void in his heart when he asked the question, as if something was missing. Even Asuka, who was usually in high spirits, seemed a little listless, like a sulking child, hugging a cushion, sitting on the sofa, and turning her head away from them.

After the Messiah has absolved all humanity of its sins, he will ultimately return to heaven.

So does he.

Shinji was still somewhat unwilling, "But I heard that you are now the Commander-in-Chief of NERV Base."

"It's just a nominal position; the real work is handled by Professor Fuyutsuki. The Human Instrumentality Project has ended, but the threat from the SEELE organization has not been eliminated. You... and the survivors in this base all need a shelter like this. As long as everything is functioning properly, it doesn't matter whether I'm here or not."

"Besides... I still have things to finish 'over there,' I can't stay here too long." Nobita held the [Black Hole Ballpoint Pen] between two fingers, letting it spin between them, his tone somewhat complicated. He thought he had long since gotten used to parting ways through countless adventures, but when the moment actually came, he couldn't help but feel melancholy. "I should go home."

"Family."

Lingbo was stunned by the word for a few seconds. She could understand the meaning of the word to humans, but she could not empathize with it like Nobita.

However, at least in this matter, she was no longer alone. A home is only a place where family is; otherwise, it's just a cold, empty house, and Ye Hui felt chilly lying in bed. Counting on his fingers, it wasn't hard to see that of the three children, only Shinji had a family, and his family was quite influential. Now, even with all three of them together, they couldn't even muster a single family member.

Homeless children can only rely on each other.

"Don't make that face. The apostles will eventually be defeated, and you'll all grow up eventually. Even without me, you can live a good life here." Nobita pulled four glittering gold tickets from his pocket and gave a mysterious smile. "Before we go back, we'll have a big celebration party."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Are we really going to go in from here?"

Looking at the dark tree hollow, Shinji couldn't help but shudder. Having lived in such an environment since childhood, he had an innate fear of darkness and cramped spaces. The tree hollow wasn't very high, just enough to fit Nobita's body, and faint echoes seemed to emanate from within.

"Why are you dawdling like a girl?" Asuka nudged his shoulder with some displeasure. "Look, even the top student got in."

"I'm a little uncomfortable in narrow spaces..."

"Hurry up! You're a boy, right?!" Asuka pushed his back and shoved him inside without saying a word.

The entrance is indeed very narrow, but the space inside is quite spacious, which is completely different from the view from the outside. There is no feeling of crowding.

The soft, yielding sensation underfoot was like walking on a path strewn with fallen leaves in late autumn, feeling the leaves crumble beneath your feet. Lively laughter drifted from the other side of the tunnel, like the sounds of friendly relatives visiting when I was a child, chatting and snacking around the TV until 9:30 PM before I knew it. The children needed to go to bed, but even in bed, covered by blankets, the cheerful laughter of adults could still be heard from the living room.

It's lively, yet it makes you feel at ease.

The light came from the other side, but it wasn't too bright. It felt like only a few dozen steps away from the exit.

"What is this?!" Shinji couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Despite having prepared himself mentally, what he saw still made his jaw drop—it was a town like something out of a fairy tale, and the residents were all anthropomorphic little animals, everything was infinitely similar to a picture book story. And the little animals seemed to be used to it all, simply enjoying this incredible thing as if it were perfectly normal.

Looking down at his hands, Shinji was startled once again—his slender fingers were gone, replaced by what appeared to be furry black claws.

"me……"

"I've turned into a hedgehog?!" He waved his little paws, unable to believe it. "I've turned into... no, this is completely unscientific, there's absolutely no scientific basis to it!"

"Honestly, you idiot Shinji, what's all the fuss about at a time like this? This is normal for Nobita, isn't it?" Asuka's voice came from behind, filled with a pleasant mood. Turning around, she transformed into a graceful crane with long, slender legs and smooth, woven feathers, practically embodying the word "noble".

Because of the cartoonish art style, Asuka's expression is still clearly visible on her face; she is obviously very satisfied with her new look. She even flapped her wings a couple of times, becoming even more excited after discovering that it actually generated lift. Although she can now use her telekinesis to wrap her body in place of gravity and achieve flight, this is a different concept from manipulating a part of her body to fly.

"These are the [Fairy Tale Paradise Admission Tickets]. Those who hold these tickets can be invited into the world of fairy tales. Once inside, you'll become one of the little animals in the story." Nobita hooked the four tickets with his paws and waved them in his hand. He transformed into a furry sloth, speaking slowly and deliberately. "By the way, what animal you become depends entirely on your own heart."

"Ha, ha, ha!" Asuka half-covered her face with beautiful feathers and let out a classic triumphant three-part laugh like a young lady. "I knew it! That's right. Only a crane as beautiful as this is worthy of an elite like me."

“This is a crested ibis,” Ayanami suddenly said, adding, “In reality, it’s an endangered species.”

"Did you hear that, you idiot Shinji? It's an endangered species. Hedgehogs are everywhere, they're not rare at all. Crested ibises are like that..." Asuka boasted smugly, then was startled.

Because Rei Ayanami is still Rei Ayanami, she hasn't transformed into any animal, she stands there quietly, just like always.

A human suddenly appeared among a group of small animals, and the whole scene changed. Everyone's attention was drawn to her, and they stared at her curiously.

“Perhaps it’s because I still have the biological genes of the Second Angel in my body.” Rei Ayanami stated this fact calmly, without showing any regret or loss. “From a physiological point of view, I and humans are actually two different species.”

"Two species..." Asuka suddenly had a sudden thought and asked curiously, "So, does that mean top students can't have children? There must be reproductive isolation between different species, right?"

"Asuka!" Shinji was so shocked he almost choked on his saliva, his spines standing on end. "What are you saying?!"

“Not necessarily,” Rei Ayanami replied calmly. “After all, the genetic similarity between Angels and humans is very high, and I also have some human genetic information in my body. Horses and donkeys can still have offspring, but their offspring, mules, will lose their reproductive ability, and I should be that type.”

Shinji, somewhat exasperated, covered his ears and protested, "Ayanami too, don't talk about this kind of topic in such an detached tone—!!"

Chapter 399: The Coward

"A long time ago, my friends and I came here. Back then, I looked quite different from how I am now; I was a slow-moving tortoise. Maybe the system recognized my laziness and turned it into reality. Anyway, tortoises and sloths are much better than tarsiers... My best friend was turned into a tanuki. He hates being mistaken for a tanuki, but he accepted it. Because here, the most important thing is to get into character to experience the fun of a fairy tale world."

Nobita the sloth looked at this somewhat unfamiliar town, his mouth moving like a clockwork toy, unable to stop. Scenes from the past flashed through his mind, making him unable to help but smile.

In the center of the town stood a fountain, where a continuous musical fountain show unfolded. Accompanied by soft music, the water jets leaped and swirled, creating a beautiful water dance. Clear jets of water shot high into the sky, the sparkling droplets shimmering in the sunlight, attracting small animals to play and frolic nearby. At times like these, the advantages of humankind became apparent. Rei Ayanami cupped a handful of spring water in her hands, took a sip, and licked her lips with lingering enjoyment.

"It's sweet, it tastes like honey."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding animals, as if discovering a new continent, all crowded around, cupping their hands to drink the spring water with gusto and uttering exclamations of praise. Asuka flapped her noble wings, trying several times, but found that she couldn't hold the liquid like her claws, until Ayanami took the initiative to scoop up a handful and carefully presented it to her without spilling.

"A...a top student, are you kidding me...Do you really expect me to drink water from your hands like a bird?" Asuka's tone became somewhat high-pitched, but unlike her usual pure disgust, it carried a hint of embarrassment. This little genius, who had completed university studies at just 14, couldn't even drink water independently and needed her companion to hold it for her. Even though it was only temporary, this strange feeling of being cared for was still unbearable for her.

"Get into character, Asuka," Shinji said, enjoying the spectacle. "Didn't Nobita say that everything here needs to be done in character?"

"Damn it, you idiot Shinji... You'll remember this..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Having enjoyed the house made of gingerbread and candy, and eaten the chocolate door, they arrived at the "Jack-o'-the-Bean" stand. By placing five four-leaf clovers—collected along their journey through town—they could obtain a small Jack-o'-the-Bean. Nobita deliberately found a secluded spot and planted the pea seed. The next instant, a thick vine burst forth from the ground, its broad, sturdy leaves becoming its foothold, carrying the four of them, and soaring into the sky at the speed of a space elevator.

"boom----"

The wind howled past, but it didn't hurt the eyes at all. The bustling town quickly disappeared from view. Before long, everyone rose into the clouds. The clouds here had the texture of cotton candy. If they were all stuck to your face, you would inevitably leave a sweet and sticky feeling on your cheeks. It was a kind of "sweet trouble".

The four of them stood on the leaves in perfect unison, opened their mouths, and let the cotton candy come to them on its own, enjoying the silky clouds melting on their tongues. Nobita didn't really want to use the word "lingering" to describe a flavor, but it was true; the lingering sweetness blossomed on their taste buds, as if they had entered another fantastical realm.

Breaking through the clouds, we arrived at a boundless ocean. The sky above was not as empty as the real world; instead, stars hung there like fruits. Dolphins and whales darted back and forth among the starlight, emitting heart-stirring low cries. The clouds were imbued with a flowing quality, and the bright moonlight shone upon them, reflecting into countless silver threads, creating an ethereal and otherworldly beauty.

"【North Wind Tablecloth】—!!"

Nobita spread out a prop on the beach that, apart from its name, served the exact same function as the "Gourmet Tablecloth." Clearly, it was a fairytale version specially made for this occasion. They seemed to have returned to the beach where they first arrived at the Sky Base, relaxing and having fun, leaving all their worries behind. The girls rode in starships, tumbling on the waves of the sea of ​​clouds, their silvery laughter echoing among the shimmering stars, lingering for a long time.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Shinji watched their figures from afar. Even amidst the churning sea of ​​clouds, their starships still shone brightly, marking their location.

"...Is now the time?"

"Yeah, now." Nobita took out his black ballpoint pen, removed the cap, and shrugged casually. "I've done this before. Making new friends always makes me happy at first. I always meet good people, but... there will always be times when we have to part ways. But I don't like to make partings too sad. Parting when they're happiest is better for both of us."

"Ah."

Shinji pursed his lips, unsure of what words to use to face the parting. He simply changed his posture, adopting a more formal sitting position, as if discussing serious matters.

Nobita laughed from the bottom of his heart and patted him on the shoulder. "Look at you, Shinji. When I first met you, I thought you were still an insecure teenager. Now I can hardly believe you're only 14 years old."

“You’ve grown a lot in such a short time, so… personally, I think I should tell you this before I leave…”

A shadow crossed Nobita's face. The girls' laughter came from the sea, as if they were from a different world.

But in the end, he managed to squeeze those heavy words out of his throat.

“I killed your father, Shinji.”

The world seemed to fall silent at that moment. Shinji's expression was first one of astonishment, then one of suspicion. He glanced again at the starry sky in the distance, which was as beautiful as a fairy tale picture book, and his melancholy brows furrowed together, as if asking, "Do you really have to say these things at this time and in this place?"

“He pulled out a gun at me, and I fired first. The bullet pierced his right hand. Up to this point, you should have seen the whole thing. But after that, as Human Instrumentality was about to be activated, I suddenly had a strong premonition… that this man shouldn’t be allowed to live.”

Shinji's eyebrows twitched.

"His desires are too strong and too dangerous. Even if the survival of all mankind were on the scales, he would not hesitate for a second. As long as he is alive, there will be no truce and no surrender. He will tirelessly tie everyone onto the vehicle and drive them to their doom."

“I pierced his knee with a bullet to make sure this wouldn’t happen.”

"..." Shinji ran his hand through his hair.

"His body has already been buried. If you and Ayanami want to visit him in the future, there's at least one place left..."

“You know what, Nobita? There were many moments when I fantasized that he still had the most basic love for me, a father’s love.” Shinji’s tone was uncertain, with a hint of self-mockery. “When I could no longer deceive myself, it all became a joke.”

“I envy you so much. You have loving parents, caring friends, and so many amazing adventures. Even if I had another hundred years, I still couldn’t become someone like you… I’m just…” He curled up his legs, his smile fading, “a coward who doesn’t dare to do anything when it comes to the crucial moment.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Nobita turned around and quietly watched him.

The starlight of fairy tales shone on him, as if veiling him in a sacred gauze.

"You said something like this before, when you were confronting Kaworu, right? — If I hadn't come, maybe you wouldn't have been able to come out of the Instrumentality World, wouldn't have been able to face your feelings so honestly, and maybe you would have just drifted through life in a daze..."

With a "snap," Nobita grabbed Shinji's hands and gripped them tightly.

"I don't think that's a correct statement."

"you can."

He looked directly into Shinji's eyes and said, each word distinct and forceful, "Even without me, the process might be a little more difficult. But you can refuse Instrumentality with your own will, you definitely can!"

"Because, on the night we first met, you were clearly terrified..."

"Yet they still stood in my way."

The Crimson Goddess Descends

Chapter 400: When the World Enters a Dream

"call……"

The air in the back mountain was always so fresh; taking a deep breath felt like being reborn. Standing under the thousand-year-old cedar, Da Xiong closed his eyes, savoring the long-lost tranquility, as if entering a wondrous state from which he was reluctant to wake.

Counting on his fingers, he realized that starting from the New Year's Eve festival, his group set off for the Demon Realm and underwent a four-day super decapitation operation. Due to various coincidences, he was sucked into the Hundred-Eyed King's "Heavenly Eye," which connected to the multiverse, and stayed in another universe for nearly a month.

When I came to my senses, I realized that I had been away from my hometown for a long time.

"Finally... I'm home. This is the first time I've felt this way. It's strange." Nobita leaned against the thick, rough bark of the thousand-year-old cedar tree, slowly sat down, and let out a long breath. The sky was still the clear, azure blue he had imagined. This was his carefully chosen vantage point since childhood; from here, the entire town could be clearly seen. Tsukimidai Town was as usual, and for him, this was the greatest comfort.

"Let me see, today is Thursday, January 15th... Oh, I see, it's two weeks from now."

The flow of time is incomparable between different universes, especially since Nobita had spent half a month in Fourth New Tokyo, where the flow of time could be adjusted. He had long since lost any concept of the normal flow of time. He specifically wrote a letter to his companions, telling them to use the "Imitation Robot" to temporarily replace him and carry out their daily lives in this world so as not to arouse their parents' suspicion. This wasn't the first time he had done something like this, so presumably he wouldn't give himself away.

As the excitement of their long-awaited reunion gradually faded, Nobita simply lay down on the soft soil, leisurely crossed his legs, and began to consider what to do next.

Numerous signs indicate that the organization manipulating time and space behind the scenes, the Apairon Foundation, has temporarily fallen silent. Perhaps their schemes have been thwarted time and again by their own group, and the Time Police have intensified their crackdown, forcing them to make a temporary retreat. Coincidentally, Nobita and his friends are also preoccupied with the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, and both sides tacitly choose to temporarily cease fire and not interfere with each other's progress.

However, this doesn't mean it's all over, and Da Xiong doesn't think those guys will obediently go home.