Shinji Ikari, the pilot of Unit-01 during the Spirit Awakening Era

"What do you want?" Shinji Ikari looked at the large group of people who had suddenly surrounded him. He turned around and looked at these guys. They were all basically acquaintances. I really couldn't accept their enthusiasm.

Basically, all the major powers from the major worlds have arrived. Except for TERRA, who did not participate, even the high-ranking members of the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau, who were seriously injured and covered in blood, were here to study the situation. However, the bridge, which had been crushed into a pancake by Unit-01, could not be investigated to find anything of any value. The only thing that could be confirmed was that the core of the Evil Spirit Battleship was inside.

"Shinji, do you have any clues about what's inside this thing?" Izumo no Okuni asked. They had already extracted a lot of things that could be used as references from the thing that Shinji Ikari had crushed in Unit-01, including some things that looked like control devices. But to be honest, the entire bridge had been crushed by Unit-01. Even if they had extraordinary abilities, how much could they possibly use?

It wasn't that they thought Shinji Ikari was wrong; looking at the devastation at Yokosuka Base, who among them would dare say such a thing? If Unit-01 hadn't stopped the advance of that evil warship, they could only imagine what Neo-Tokyo would have become, and just thinking about it made their scalps tingle.

"What do you think?" Shinji Ikari straightened up. "I know what you mean. The only thing I know is this." Shinji pointed to the wreckage in front of him, then rolled his eyes. "If you ask me, the whole incident is too coincidental. If you put it all together, many of the suspicious points point to the Ghasts, or even that it was deliberately pointed at them." Shinji shrugged. "It's hard to imagine a yakuza group going to such lengths..."

Shinji Ikari looked utterly helpless. Everyone understood what he meant. They immediately understood why Shinji was so incredulous. They looked at each other and fell into silence. Indeed, Shinji's doubts were very real. What did it mean for a yakuza to have such fighting power?

The recently destroyed Ghost Ship was already at the peak of A-rank, practically on the verge of S-rank. Why would a gang like this bother with this? Are they tired of living? Or do they have too much money to burn? Or are they just plain stupid? Without a doubt, after today's events, regardless of whether the Ghost Group is truly innocent, the official organizations will definitely punish these bastards for the sunken warship. So, there's no need to discuss this further.

"No matter the reason, killing them is the only option. It's like ridding the people of a scourge. These guys deserve to die." The remaining burly man from the Bureau of Abnormal Measures said through gritted teeth. Shinji Ikari glanced at him a few times but couldn't recognize him. However, he seemed to be a man wielding a knife.

“That’s right, killing these people doesn’t require a good reason. This reason is just right. And since someone wants them dead, obviously someone should be willing to help. We just need to investigate normally…” Gojo Satoru, who was next to Shinji Ikari, looked at a small gadget he had picked up from Cambridge. There were many interesting things on it.

"Shinji Ikari, you didn't show the same fighting power as last time in this battle. I thought you would come up like last time, with your hands emitting high temperatures and then instantly killing this thing in front of you!" Izumo no Okuni looked at Shinji Ikari with great doubt. After all, Shinji Ikari's last move of crushing the Angel at the very end had really shocked everyone.

"This guy's fighting ability is nowhere near that of that guy..." Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes. He couldn't very well say that he hadn't been drinking and had tried it, but had no reaction at all...

“That’s true…” The group of people looked at each other. They didn’t deny this point. Compared to the previous Angels, the strange combat power in front of them was not even worthy of carrying their shoes. Everyone’s eyes flickered. It seemed that Shinji Ikari would have to pay some price to use that move. If the opponent was not strong enough, Shinji Ikari would not be willing to use this move.

If Shinji Ikari knew that he couldn't use the "Explosive Finger" technique he'd previously used because he hadn't drunk-driving an EVA, he'd laugh himself to death. You guys really know how to guess! But right now, Shinji himself is wondering why he couldn't use the "Explosive Finger" technique when he tried it before. Is it because his mother prefers men who smell a little like alcohol? He'd probably get killed if he asked that.

"NERV's helicopter is here. Looks like you're going to be transported back." Izumo no Okuni gestured to Shinji Ikari to turn around and make contact, then they turned to look at the ocean that was turning black. "The area of ​​pollution is really outrageous. If it's not completely cleaned up, I don't think it will be long before Tokyo Bay is in big trouble. Who was the most wicked person to come up with such an idea?"

"So I think this is more like something a gang would do. For them, some hypnotic tools would be more useful than this! Could it be that a gang leader is more ambitious than the Prime Minister?" Looking at the NERV gyroplanes that were slowly descending, he had a smile on his face. It was indeed a good thing that things could be resolved quickly.

As for the cleanup afterwards, it seems he doesn't need to worry about it. This matter has gone on such a big scale that it will definitely be thoroughly investigated. The only question is whether, as Shinji Ikari guessed, there is another player secretly manipulating everything behind the scenes. After all, Shinji Ikari simply cannot understand how a yakuza could achieve near-application-level development with such terrifying technology!

After all, this whole set of technology involves two levels of application, and it is close to solving all the problems! From the hearse to the evil warship, both of them exhibit the characteristic of devouring souls, and Dou has already completed the technology development of soul attachment or entrustment to a certain matter. How did he do that?

"Shinji!" Misato Katsuragi stood in front of the open hatch of a gyroplane and called out loudly, beaming like a wealthy woman declaring ownership of the top host club member.

Of course, Shinji Ikari's status now far surpasses that of a top host club member. If the Totsuki Culinary Organization is primarily known for its chefs, then the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang), the curse masters, and so on are Japan's main fighting force in suppressing various anomalies. Add to that the official Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau, and they basically constitute all the main fighting forces. This anomaly, which was at least a near-S-rank, was completely beyond their control, and Shinji dealt with it in just 5 minutes!

With this level of combat power, wouldn't they have completely crushed these delusional guys? When NERV needs funding next year, they can raise their voices by twenty or thirty decibels.

"What about Unit-01?" Shinji Ikari looked at Misato Katsuragi, who was waving at him and gesturing for him to board the plane with her. Shinji had a curious expression on his face. Mom's still here! How can I just leave like this?

"The recovery team is in place and will airlift Unit-01 back." Misato Katsuragi said very directly. Although airlifting such a large thing back would be very conspicuous, it would also be a publicity stunt for NERV. After all, look at how many of you have suffered heavy losses; we're the ones who have to clean up the mess. "Well done this time!" Misato Katsuragi patted Shinji Ikari on the shoulder and praised him loudly.

"So, a bonus?" Shinji Ikari looked at Misato Katsuragi. What's the use of praise, sister? Give me something practical! Don't you know I'm short of money?

"Eh... is it really that pragmatic?" Misato Katsuragi looked somewhat speechless. After Helena Barbem and Shinji Ikari chatted for a while longer, NERV didn't hesitate to extend Shinji's financial contract, directly paying him a salary instead of the previous "living expenses." There were indeed clauses on combat allowances and bonuses in the contract, so Shinji's request was quite reasonable.

“That’s right!” Shinji Ikari looked at Misato Katsuragi, who suddenly pulled him into her arms. “Hey, isn’t this inappropriate?”

"SEELE exists." As the gyroplane ascended, amidst the noise of the propellers, Misato Katsuragi whispered in Shinji Ikari's ear, then released him and continued teasingly, "Isn't your big sister's embrace especially touching?"

“It is indeed quite good.” Shinji Ikari said with a smile. It was clear that Misato Katsuragi had discovered something and would investigate further, but she had obviously sided with Shinji Ikari. “If you are interested, I will make a cake tomorrow morning. Surely you won’t cut back on my vacation this time.”

"Of course not!" Misato Katsuragi flashed a peace sign and made a promise with Shinji Ikari with a grin. It seems the details will have to wait until tomorrow.

"A very impressive young man, and Unit-01 performed exceptionally well. It seems the opponent was still a bit weak." On the other side of Shantou, Helena Babem lowered her binoculars. "NERV has indeed obtained an unexpectedly powerful tool. The boy we've been waiting for, don't let us down."

After saying this, Helena's gaze turned to the huge brown sphere behind Tokyo Bay, which resembled the surface of her home planet... "We'll meet soon, Ayato!"

Chapter 95 Inspection Items

"Why do I feel like I have more tests today than before?" Shinji Ikari looked at the tray full of tubes being pushed away in front of him, all filled with his blood. Was Ritsuko Akagi planning to drain him dry today? Shinji Ikari had a pained expression on his face. He sighed as he looked at the blood plasma being injected into him on the other side.

"It's just a necessary check!" Ritsuko Akagi said with a smile while sitting in her office. The data from Shinji Ikari's two sorties in piloting Unit-01 were vastly different. Their technical department's preliminary analysis revealed that the synchronization rate of Shinji Ikari's sorties this time did not exceed 53% in any of the indicators. The combat power displayed by Unit-01 was not as awe-inspiring as before.

After all, in the last battle, just the beating of the Water Angel as an appetizer showed that Shinji Ikari had already demonstrated a fighting power that exceeded everyone's expectations. That violent punch almost shattered everyone's imagination of EVA in one round. The terrifying wind pressure that gathered on his fists afterward left many people speechless with surprise. Even before EVA Unit-01 used the Blazing Palm, at this point, the entire NERV was already shocked speechless.

The technical department simply printed out the image of Unit-01, which had crushed the Water Angel's core and was covered in blood, with a strange crimson blood mist swirling around it, and hung it in their department as a form of self-motivation. They planned to remove it once they figured it out.

These two comparisons convinced Ritsuko Akagi of something quite obvious: the biggest difference between Shinji Ikari's two attacks was that Shinji didn't drink alcohol! Yes, the bottle his girlfriend gave him seemed to be made from so-called five grains of liquor.

"Good job, Shinji. I'll be waiting for your intelligence later!" Ritsuko Akagi teased Shinji. There was no doubt that because NERV was relatively far away, by the time NERV's second batch of forces arrived at the scene, all the other forces had already started what they were going to do and were almost too busy to get involved. So the information that could be obtained depended entirely on the social skills of NERV's intelligence department. In this regard, Ritsuko Akagi believed that Shinji was much more capable than the intelligence department.

As for why it was the second batch instead of the first, the first batch led by Misato was, of course, focused on retrieving Shinji Ikari and EVA Unit-01 first. Otherwise, leaving them there would just be giving them away for others to study. A whole bunch of bastards were incredibly interested in why the combination of EVA and Shinji could generate such great interest.

Several high-ranking members of the Onmyoji Guild recently made it clear that they didn't consider Shinji an outsider. They said it was Shinji who refused to level up, and that the young man was just collecting so many identities, like a stamp collector! He's letting down our Shinji!

The Totsuki Group also had a lot of complaints about this. They were just studying here peacefully, so what was NERV doing? What was their Commander-in-Chief anyway? Our old man Nakiri had seen Shinji far more than him.

So, Shinji Ikari can be left under the noses of these bastards? Misato Katsuragi arrived a little late, and then what? A group of people have already surrounded Shinji Ikari, and they've started asking him about his EVA piloting experience and why he didn't put on such a terrifying fight this time, since, based on the fighting power EVA displayed last time, he could have completely crushed his opponent in an instant.

So the moment Misato Katsuragi arrived, she immediately took Shinji Ikari away. Look at that Izumo no Okuni, she's already shamelessly pounced on Shinji, yelling that she wants to go inside the cockpit of Unit-01. What kind of crazy thing is that? Luckily, Shinji ignored her.

And you too! Those women of the jutsu school! The way you all fawned over Shinji Ikari was truly disgusting! Feeling that her own chicken was about to be lured away by these wild foxes, Misato Katsuragi's protective instincts exploded, and she immediately used the excuse of keeping a secret to send Unit-01 and Shinji Ikari back first.

In this battle, Shinji Ikari seemed to have a grudge against Yokosuka. During the repeated battles with this massive ghost warship, the entire Yokosuka harbor was constantly being battered by the waves and smashed by Shinji Ikari and the ghost armor. As a result, Yokosuka was almost completely destroyed. However, by this time, most of the American warships were already wet, so the main victims were the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

There's too much mess to deal with here, and Misato Katsuragi doesn't want to be caught. In fact, the Self-Defense Forces, who have suffered heavy losses in this incident and desperately need to shift the blame, would arrest and detain them without hesitation, no matter how loudly they plead for tactical guidance.

"So... Ritsuko-nee, you're hesitating about whether to drink this, right?" Shinji Ikari had somehow slipped into Ritsuko Akagi's office. "Will my friend's arrival tomorrow add a lot to my workload?"

"Your friends?" Ritsuko Akagi asked in confusion for a moment, then immediately realized what Shinji Ikari was talking about. "Oh, you mean that? No problem, I'm ready anytime. And I've already prepared some very rare experiences for them, so I guarantee they'll find this trip worthwhile."

"Your suggestion makes me feel like I shouldn't have brought Ryoko Sakaki along." Shinji Ikari sighed. Someone's assurance made Shinji feel incredibly guilty. Although Ryoko was somewhat interested in using the situation to let her get a free medical check-up, after all, she had been practicing what Shinji had taught her for quite some time, and she also wanted to know the specific condition of her body.

"Please be sure to bring her. She's a good girl, and I'll check her over carefully from head to toe. Trust my skills; I won't miss any details." Ritsuko Akagi winked at Shinji Ikari. Shinji's girlfriend, while a decent candidate, didn't particularly interest Ritsuko compared to Shinji. However, she still wanted to meet her and have a good chat with her. Women always have a gossipy side, especially... for certain reasons. Ritsuko Akagi felt she should help Shinji vet her.

"The way you're talking makes it sound like a premarital checkup." Shinji Ikari covered his face. This conversation was ruined. Was he trying to stir up trouble by being so eager?

"Anyway, trust me! I'll be very gentle." Ritsuko Akagi said with a grin, while tapping Shinji Ikari on the head. "But the most important thing is still that little kid you mentioned."

“Yes, please don’t pity him, and I estimate he will be very cooperative!” Shinji Ikari’s smile was very malicious. “We are now almost his last lifeline. He has almost no choice. As for whether the process can be reversed, it would be best if there is a chance. If not, we will do our best.”

“No, as long as it can be proven that what you’re saying is true, there are plenty of people around the world willing to spend money on it. All I need to prove is that it’s true. This is rejuvenation! Do you understand what that means? With this technology, you can even say that you have the definition of life and death.” Ritsuko Akagi simply stated her assessment.

"But I heard from that guy that this thing was originally developed as a poison." Seeing Ritsuko Akagi's eyes light up, Shinji Ikari felt a little uneasy. With that aura of yours, you could kill an Angel, you know that?

“Poison…rejuvenation? Heh, I’m starting to get interested.” Ritsuko Akagi nodded. “So, is there anything else? If you’re not planning to treat me to cake, I’ll decline.”

"How realistic." Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes, turned around and slipped away to check on Rei Ayanami in the rest area. He didn't mention that the poison was a small capsule that could theoretically kill quickly. There are many poisons that can do this, and many methods that are undetectable by ordinary testing methods. So, theoretically, there was no need for Ai Haibara to develop a separate one.

Furthermore, it's hard to say whether the liquid Gin gave Shinichi Kudo was just ordinary water; it might have been something like a catalyst or reactant. Otherwise, why would he have put it in this black box?

There are many doubts. Now Shinji Ikari can only hope that someone like Ritsuko Akagi, who is highly accomplished in both biology and mechanics, can turn the impossible into reality. However, she is not a scientist like a wish-granting machine in some manga, and her technology cannot achieve creations that seem to come out of nothing.

"Shinji came looking for you?" Misato Katsuragi walked in just as she saw Shinji Ikari leaving, and shook her head. "That guy is always so secretive."

“That’s right! Shinji Ikari has been a very mysterious person from the very beginning, we all know that, don’t we?” Ritsuko Akagi laughed. “His identity, abilities, background, circle of friends, everything about him is completely unfamiliar to us, he’s turned the Intelligence Department into a laughing stock for the entire NERV, hasn’t he?” Ritsuko Akagi stopped herself from saying the second half of her sentence, “Miri, haven’t you been acting all mysterious with him lately?”

Misato Katsuragi hesitated for a moment, then picked up a small wine glass and silently drank it down.

"What you said makes a lot of sense." Misato Katsuragi pouted. Drinking during work hours? Ritsuko seems to be under a lot of pressure lately.

Misato Katsuragi's investigation into NERV has been progressing smoothly lately, but she suddenly realized something: her investigation is being guided by Shinji Ikari, who joined NERV much later than her! This situation has piqued her interest to some extent. Just how many secrets does Shinji still hold in his mind?

Chapter 96 Using Our Method

"The annual mountain god festival is about to begin. How are the ingredients being prepared?" Morishita Yamato, who had raised his beloved pet for so long only to have it killed by NERV, showed no sign of dejection on his face. He was in his kitchen directing his underlings to prepare the food for Morishita-ya's business that evening.

"Yes, all the necessary materials are ready. The main ingredients for the dishes presented to the gentlemen are basically complete. The dishes shipped from the farthest place will arrive in a day or two." A young man pushed up his glasses; he was 6...

Throughout the kitchen, Morishita Yamato's disciples and their descendants were busily working in an orderly fashion. Some were preparing ingredients, plates were being stacked up in categories, various meats were undergoing final washing and cutting, and various dishes were being carefully prepared, all in preparation for the evening.

Undoubtedly, based on the clues revealed earlier, Morishita Yamato was well aware that many individuals and organizations had already focused their attention on them. However, these people currently lacked any truly conclusive evidence; some ambiguous claims were simply insufficient to justify the other side mobilizing a large-scale force to eradicate the Evil Soul Group. After all, they were currently in New Tokyo, the face of all of Japan. A large-scale battle? Would they even want the city? Even without Little Cutie, he wasn't completely without options.

"Brother Morishita!" A thug quickly walked up to Morishita Yamato and whispered a few words behind his back. Morishita Yamato, who had always maintained a composed demeanor, suddenly changed his expression drastically. From his usual calm and collected appearance, he instantly became extremely gloomy, his face ashen, and the pen he was holding was easily crushed in his hand. "How interesting. Let's go see them!"

"Hi!" A dozen or so underlings bowed and followed Morishita Yamato in front of them, walking out in a grand procession, heading straight for the most luxurious hall of Morishita's house.

"These are truly rare guests!" Morishita Yamato didn't wait for the two kimono-clad beauties in front of the door to push open the paper door, and very roughly pushed it open himself. His eyes, which were no longer filled with a hint of hatred, were now glaring at the people in front of him. "Dojima Gin! Shiomi Jun! Shinomiya Kojiro! Mizuhara Fuyumi! Nakiri Senzaemon!" Morishita Yamato announced the names of the people sitting upright inside one by one.

“Morishita Yamato…” Nakiri Senzaemon took a deep breath. The person in front of him with a distorted face was once a student of Totsuki Academy. He was very talented and his cooking was famous for being unconventional. However… at the end of unconventionality was betrayal of all ethics.

“Yes! The pinnacle of the Totsuki Group, the old codger of the Nakiri family.” Morishita Yamato’s eyes flashed with a cold light. In his view, there should be no obstacles on the path to pursuing the ultimate flavor, but the group in front of him would not allow it! Yes! They betrayed him! They believed he had gone astray, become a so-called heretic, and ultimately expelled him from Totsuki Academy, ruining his reputation and making it impossible for any restaurant to hire him as a chef!

“You’re still holding a grudge.” Nakiri Senzaemon sighed as he glanced at the former first seat. “Let’s serve the food. We’ve ordered. Let me see just how far you’ve gone astray.”

"Hmm?" Morishita Yamato looked at the kimono-clad beauties beside him, his expression already quite sinister. "What did they order!" These kimono-clad beauties naturally knew very well what kind of person their boss was, and quickly took out a backup menu and handed it over, which Morishita Yamato grabbed.

"You've got a good eye for ordering!" Morishita Yamato glanced at the dishes and noticed they were all unmistakably difficult to prepare; even a slight mishandling could drastically alter the taste. Of course, these were Morishita's signature dishes, and naturally, the prices were quite high. The dishes Nakiri Senzaemon and his group ordered, while few in number, were definitely expensive. But, is the Totsuki Group short of money? Isn't that a bit of a joke?

"Wait!" Morishita Yamato glanced sideways at the dish in front of him, then turned and left! The other party had ordered these dishes without a doubt, intending to test his culinary skills, perhaps even to see if he had truly gone astray. "You'll regret this!"

Since being expelled from Totsuki Academy, Morishita Yamato has gone through many things, but he has never let his culinary skills slip by! Since you want to see it, then let's see!

Saw it

An hour later, Grandpa Nakiri led the people from Totsuki Academy out of Morishita-ya, got into a car, and left.

"..." Meanwhile, Morishita Yamato stood in the room where Nakiri Senzaemon and the others had just been, his whole body trembling violently, his eyes filled with an indescribable conflict and ferocity. In front of him was a row of dishes, the signature dishes that Morishita-ya was so proud of...

Everyone only took one bite of each plate...

Nakiri paid the money. Logically, Morishita Yamato shouldn't have cared so much; he was just an old man who thought he was someone important! Morishita Yamato thought he should have let it go long ago! He should have let it go!

But the way Senzaemon Nakiri tasted every dish and walked past him without saying a word was far more humiliating than a verbal attack! After all, he used to be a top chef at Totsuki Culinary Academy, someone who could frequently make the old master show off his muscular physique, but now…

"Senior...you...are too deeply involved." The only person who exchanged a single sentence with him was Dojima Gin, who was just a junior when he was a student. His simple question left Morishita Yamato completely silent.

“He’s not the same person he was back in Totsuki Academy anymore…” Senzaemon Nakiri sighed. He was very reluctant to expel Yamato Morishita from the academy. Although his ideas were rather extreme, when has Totsuki Academy ever lacked unconventional individuals?

But this guy's extremism ultimately led him down a path of no return, a path of demonic fall that he chose himself. His food, like his path, was full of intoxicating flavors that made people fall into depravity, but it was also filled with an ironic sense of evil. He was like a demon attached to the shadows, silently beginning to control your soul when you were happy.

"I still think the taste is quite good." Mizuhara Fuyumi gave Morishita Yamato's dishes a positive review. "It's just that some of the ingredients..."

“Yes, his dishes are more about controlling other people’s sense of taste. If you get used to his dishes, it will undoubtedly make you dependent on them…” Dojima Gin shook his head. He couldn’t understand how his once spirited senior had become like this.

"A greedy fellow like him can only produce something of this caliber." Shinomiya Kojiro pushed up his glasses, his sharp wit radiating from his recent French medal. "If I hadn't heard that you guys had gotten your hands on something that's supposedly the blood of the gods, I wouldn't have wanted to waste my time coming back."

“There’s only a little bit left in the icehouse. If we don’t use it soon, it might dissipate.” Senzaemon Nakiri closed his eyes and remained expressionless, his hands tucked into his sleeves. His expression revealed neither joy nor sorrow, but those who knew him well knew that Senzaemon Nakiri was extremely disappointed.

"Thank you very much." Shinomiya Kojiro nodded to Nakiri Senzaemon. It was for the Water Angel Essence that Dojima Gin had collected that he had flown all the way back from France. This amazing ingredient had shocked the entire culinary world, and countless people were drooling over it. There was no doubt that when NERV killed the Angel next time, many people would come to salvage it. The Totsuki Group had even bought a yakiniku restaurant on the outskirts of Tokyo-3 as their base. There was a shop next to it that was under renovation and was said to be preparing to open a motorcycle shop.

"So what Shinji said is true?" Shiomi Jun, with his baby face, asked curiously. When they arrived, all they could see was the bridge of the huge wraith warship that had been crushed by Unit-01. The barnacles and other seafood hanging on it that hadn't been crushed by Unit-01's hand were all taken away by them, and they were all of pretty good quality.

However, both the Onmyoji Bureau and the Spellcaster Association were utterly astonished by the nature of this matter. According to the information provided by Shinji Ikari, although there are many suspicious points in this matter, the Demon Soul Group is basically involved. Furthermore, the advice given by the Exorcist Queen was disseminated on a small scale.

Then Dojima Gin saw the familiar name. After hesitating for a moment, he quickly reported it to Nakiri Senzaemon. After summarizing the information and informing him, Nakiri Senzaemon remained silent for a long time before making a decision, which led to this visit.

“It’s pretty much true.” Shinomiya Kojiro tilted his head slightly. “Although it’s very well concealed, the stench inside this Morishita-ya is really strong.”

"..." As chefs, none of them were ordinary people, so they were fully aware of what Shinomiya was saying. At this point, they had nothing more to say!

"And those chefs and waiters all had the symbols of the Evil Spirits on them!"

"There's enough evidence already, no need to say anything more!"

"But Chief of Staff! He is, after all, one of our men from Totsuki."

"Then we'll handle this in Totsuki."

I'm being discharged from the hospital today, and I'll probably be busy with a lot of things, so updates will be delayed. Sorry for the delay! (Repeated 7 times)

Chapter 97 Anyone who tries to stop me from eating shall die!

"What? You're planning to have a food battle? Hmm, I'm not kidding, Gintoki, it's been a while since you've had a food battle like this." Shinji Ikari turned his phone around, reached out, and let the person next to him draw 300 milliliters of blood from his body.

Shinji Ikari is currently paralyzed. To speed things up, NERV has specially set up a machine for him to draw blood and administer injections simultaneously, ensuring there will be absolutely no problems. Shinji only needs to circulate his internal energy for a while to ensure there are no obstacles. Moreover, both the Invincible East Style and the Holy Light Aura have strong healing abilities for the user, so Shinji is really not worried about anything.

"The situation is serious, and... to be honest, Morishita's cooking skills haven't declined; in fact, they've become even better than before. So good that we don't dare eat too much, as it would severely damage our sense of taste." Dojima Gin sighed. This senior of his, although he had indeed gone astray, was truly incredibly powerful. However, Dojima Gin didn't think they couldn't win.

"So... taste paralysis?" Shinji Ikari's mind wandered and he thought of a very strange angle. It's really hard to tell how well Chef Xiao Dian is cooking, but he is definitely white and big.

"What a novel angle!" Dojima Gin was taken aback. "As expected, you're also from our Totsuki Academy's reserve academy. You came up with such an interesting angle so quickly. Perhaps I can make use of it. "Want to come and observe? It'll probably be in a few days."

“Of course, no problem.” Shinji Ikari nodded immediately, then picked up a bottle of nutrient solution handed to him by the person next to him, drank it all in one gulp, then frowned at the bottle in his hand, and glanced at the grinning Maya Ibuki next to him with dead fish eyes. “I’ll regret missing out on this kind of top chef showdown for the rest of my life. Is this a real Food War?”

"Yes, but I suspect someone will try to stop him..." Dojima Gin smiled wryly as the food battle began. He was always unwavering in his determination, but there was almost no doubt that his opponent would resort to underhanded tactics. After all, the Evil Souls Group was never an organization that did good deeds.

"Anyone who prevents me from having this bite, I'll beat them all to death!" Shinji Ikari immediately put on a fierce expression. What a joke! Shinji Ikari still vividly remembers the meal he had with Gin Dojima last time. His fighting power today is all thanks to eating.

"I'm relieved to hear that." Gin Dojima suddenly laughed upon hearing Shinji's words. Although Shinji wasn't the strongest fighter in the Totsuki Cumberbatch, Gin Dojima was very serious when he said he was going to eat and would beat anyone who tried to stop him. "I'll let you know when the time comes!"

"Okay!" Shinji Ikari replied crisply, preparing to hang up the phone, but was shocked by Gin Dojima's next words.

"I've spoken with Ryoko Sakaki, and she will be my assistant for this food battle." Dojima Gin's move was undoubtedly a promotion for Ryoko Sakaki. To become his assistant, not just any cat or dog would do. Ryoko Sakaki would inevitably receive a lot of guidance from Dojima Gin in the process, and how much she would benefit from it would depend entirely on how hard she worked.

"This... thank you, Gintoki." Shinji Ikari took a deep breath. Although this action was not exactly taking on a disciple, in fact, it was Gintoki personally guiding Ryoko Sakaki. This was much simpler than giving Shinji face.

"Why are you being so polite? Come back and visit when you have time. The Commander-in-Chief misses you very much." After saying a few polite words at the end, Gin Dojima bid farewell to Shinji Ikari and then hung up the phone.

"By the way, where's Ritsuko-nee?" After hanging up the phone, Shinji Ikari looked at Maya Ibuki, Ritsuko Akagi's number one follower, who was drawing blood from him.

"This..." Ibuki Maya was a little embarrassed to say. After helping Shinji Ikari with his examination yesterday, Akagi Ritsuko simply drank the little bit of wine that Shinji Ikari had given her. Then, when Katsuragi Misato turned around, Akagi Ritsuko had already collapsed on the table. The banknote in her hand only had the words "hot and spicy" written crookedly, and the rest of the words were unrecognizable.