EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 103 This is... EVA Simulator!? 【42006000】

"Are you okay, Shinji-kun? What happened?!"

When we returned to the command room, the daily synchronization training had already ended.

Misato Katsuragi and other qualified candidates hurried over and asked about Shinji Ikari's condition with concern.

“…Ikari-kun, your hand…!?”

Rei Ayanami, who was most sensitive to the changes in Shinji Ikari's body, noticed at a glance the layers of bandages wrapped around Shinji Ikari's left hand... because he continued to move after the rough bandage... the center of the white gauze was already stained red with blood.

"fine."

Looking at Rei Ayanami who was a little uneasy and wanted to touch his left hand... the face of the child Rei Ayanami who was abandoned by Gendo Ikari and strangled to death by Naoko Akagi... although he had never seen it before, it inexplicably appeared in front of him.

"...Blood is seeping out. Ikari-kun, I need to change..."

"Didn't I say—Huh…"

Realizing that the tone was too bad... Shinji Ikari swallowed the second half of his sentence back into his throat. He... was just taking his anger out on others.

Because the man who committed those despicable acts that I couldn't understand, couldn't accept, and certainly couldn't allow... was actually venting my anger on someone who shared the same blood as me... How shameful...

"...It's okay, don't worry... Ayanami."

After a short breath, the intensity of anger inside his body had completely cooled down... Shinji Ikari's face returned to its usual calm and gentle expression.

He gently turned over his palm and placed his left hand in Rei Ayanami's small palm... telling her that although the bandage was soaked, the bleeding had stopped, so it didn't matter if he didn't change it.

"Is that so... That's good."

Ayanami Rei also keenly sensed that the anxious anger lingering around Shinji Ikari had disappeared, and she also revealed a relieved smile.

"Shinji-kun, the situation is..."

Misato Katsuragi deliberately waited until the two of them finished flirting before approaching... Unlike other qualified candidates, she had received first-hand information from the Intelligence Department and already knew that the headquarters had been invaded.

"Lost these files..."

The list of MAGI's lost documents was handed to Misato Katsuragi. On it were hundreds of documents including injection training records, synchronization rate records, physical examination records, battle damage records, etc.... and only one item in the most inconspicuous corner was circled by Shinji Ikari with a red pen.

That's—Ikari Shinji's medical examination record...

After defeating the Seventh Angel, Shinji Ikari returned to Earth in the form of Tiga, but was exhausted and fell into a trance and coma.

At that time, Ritsuko Akagi gave him a detailed physical examination report... and also took a lot of blood samples.

"I feel like everything else is just a cover-up. This is the only important thing."

Shinji Ikari sneered. "You're quite well prepared... You had Rei Ayanami attack me with her vampire thorns while also stealing my medical report and blood sample from MAGI. You're prepared for both scenarios..."

Do you really want to get my genes?
At this point, Shinji Ikari was actually quite curious... Since the other party could use the genes of monsters, apostles, and EVAs to create a terrifying creature that could annihilate the synthetic mecha beasts...

Now that he has obtained his genes, it is estimated that the next time the apostles attack... no, in the worst case scenario, all the remaining apostles will be transformed into monsters by Cerebro - with power no less than any powerful enemy he has fought.

Okay! Let’s do it then…! Who will win is still uncertain!

Although the fighting spirit is high, it is obvious to the naked eye that the current combat power is not sufficient... The next battle will definitely not be like the previous one... because the combat power gap between Ultraman and the apostles is too huge, and they can be killed in seconds with a wave of the hand.

"Miss Misato... let's move on to the next training." "The next training?"

After hearing this, Suzuhara Touji and Asuka were both puzzled. After all, normally, after completing the daily synchronization training, it was time to go home.

"Oh... I see."

Since Shinji Ikari did not elaborate on the specific details of the explosion, Misato Katsuragi did not delve into it. She followed Shinji Ikari's suggestion and told it to all eligible people.

"...Because, the last Ninth Apostle possessed the ability to parasitize EVAs! I've discovered that, while EVAs now have ample tactical reserves against Apostles, they're completely unprepared for battles against other EVAs. So—today's special training...a team competition between qualified individuals!"

"…………ha?!"

Asuka and Suzuhara Touji widened their eyes when these words were spoken... while Makiba had an expression of "Oh, this is interesting".

Only Ayanami Rei and Ikari Shinji had no reaction. After all, one was indifferent and the other had known about it for a long time.

"Wait a minute! Wait for me, Misato...!! Are you saying, let's... drive EVAs and fight each other?! Someone could die!!"

Asuka was the first to jump out and scream.

"Of course not! Just listen to me...!"

Katsuragi Misato suppressed Asuka's protest with dissatisfaction, then pressed a few buttons on the control panel...

On the helipad of the second shelter... five strange EVAs, equal to the number of pilots, were slowly hoisted up from underground.

Rather than saying it's an EVA... it's more like a wreck...

Not to mention hands and feet, there is not even a body... Only the brain and spine are exposed... Because the external armor has been removed, the mechanical sense is lost, and the remaining biological sense is too strong... It makes people feel creepy at a glance.

"This, this is..."

"EVANGELION Simulation—translated to EVA simulation device. It can generate combat data internally through the MAGI's central data processor, simulating combat... Oops! Why are you saying all that? Just try it out and you'll know! Just drive it like a normal EVA!"

Realizing that she couldn't explain the principle as clearly as Ritsuko Akagi, Misato Katsuragi simply gave up explaining and directly asked a few people to insert the plug and sit down.

"Katsuragi-sensei—I have a question, nya!"

Before the game even started, the enthusiastic Makiba raised his hand to ask a question.

"I understand the EVA simulation competition, but what if there are five of us? An asymmetric match?"

"The original plan was to deploy AI on the side with fewer people, but..."

Misato Katsuragi was interrupted by Shinji Ikari before she could finish her words.

"There's no point in training you by joining the human-machine. So let it be, after all... it's just to give you some experience in resisting EVA—"

Shinji Ikari didn't finish his words... According to Ryoji Kaji's information, SEELE has been secretly building a mass-produced EVA... Considering the situation later, it would be better to let these children get used to EVA combat.

"How do we group them?"

"…I'm in a group with Ikari-kun."

Without giving Misato Katsuragi a chance to speak, Rei Ayanami took the initiative.

(End of this chapter)