EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 145 Humanity's Battle

He suppressed the impulse…

The sound that whistles past your ears... a sound that makes you want to rely on it.

A surge of rage within... a brutality that makes you want to immerse yourself in it.

More than ten minutes have passed since Unit-01's umbilical cord was severed and it began fighting the Eleventh Angel... with its internal power completely depleted...

Shinji Ikari has lost even the ability to observe the surrounding situation through the LCL...

But, for no reason at all, Shinji Ikari was still able to see everything in front of him.

It's no longer through Unit-01's LCL electro-optical vision function... but rather... it's as if Unit-01's own eyes are directly scrutinizing every detail around them.

"That girl is in danger... Aren't we going to save her, Shinji?"

Seeing the beast-like Unit 2 tearing apart the Eleventh Angel's Absolute Territory layer by layer... a warm female voice rang in my ears once again.

"...You cherish that child, don't you? Your mother loves her too... So, go save her... Shinji."

Warm and loving, a gentle warmth slowly enveloped Shinji Ikari... softly speaking.

A vaguely certain fact stirred deep within his mind... Shinji Ikari knew that, even if it defied common sense, even if it surpassed human intelligence... there was no reason for it.

But, he knew—if Shinji Ikari just nodded at this moment… and completely relaxed his consciousness, surrendering it all to this woman [his mother]…

Even when its power is depleted, EVA Unit-01 can stand up again...

No, it's not just about standing up. It's about closing your eyes and completely surrendering yourself to the warm embrace that's currently surrounding you…

That moment was when EVA Unit-01 revealed its true form.

but----

"It's up to you, Toji..."

But—he chose to ignore it.

Shinji Ikari didn't hear a woman's voice... Shinji Ikari shouldn't have heard a woman's voice...

A five-minute and fifty-nine-second battery limit... a poorly executed but opportunistic standard weaponry... these are the cards humanity holds.

…Ayanami, Asuka, Toji…they’re still fighting on the front lines, they haven’t given up! How could I possibly submit to this voice of unknown origin!

…Can't we win?
Can't you protect them without becoming Ultraman? Can't you defeat them without going berserk?

Don't be ridiculous! Humans are not such insignificant beings!
"...Is that so, Shinji...So this is your choice..."

Seemingly sensing Shinji Ikari's choice, seemingly feeling Shinji Ikari's resolve... the voice gradually faded away, the originally bright LCL solution grew dimmer and dimmer, and finally fell completely silent.

The crimson hue that once graced EVA Unit-01's eyes was extinguished completely by the choice Shinji Ikari made.

…This is the normal situation. Humans relied on electricity and fire…to create civilization and protect their home.

With the power depleted and fuel exhausted, one should remain completely silent. This is the rule of the game that humanity should abide by—even if one falls, they are still fighting on... One must never betray their sacrifices!

"...You've grown stronger than I imagined, Shinji..."

In a daze, he seemed to hear… a woman's farewell. “Since you've made your choice… then, goodbye… Shinji…”

“Ua ...

Suzuhara Toji let out a battle cry... forcing himself to transform the intense tearing pain from his two joints into his indomitable fighting spirit.

My skills are absolutely inferior to those of Mari Makinami, the Fifth Child, in every aspect!

But Shinji... chose to send himself to the front lines... chose to take his place and bear the pressure of the Eleventh Angel head-on!
So, what is it that Shinji Ikari is thinking about... that he possesses while Mari Makinami lacks...?

The answer is already self-evident!
A buzzing sound came from my right eye... a large number of bubbles gurgled out, almost as if they were igniting the LCL solution... overflowing wildly from my right eye socket.

The blue light spots, those are the ripples of the apostles... now engraved on Suzuhara Toji's bloodline!
Looking back... looking back, when I was possessed by the Seraphim... that feeling, disregarding the laws of physics and biology, the feeling of wielding my limbs at will!

In order to pull Unit 2, which is about to be pierced by the Eleventh Angel, to a safe position, and to make the previously unreachable distance possible in the future...!
Suzuhara Toji unlocked his sealed right eye…! The power of the Ninth Angel—! He filled the gaps in his arms with an unknown viscous substance… increasing his arm span by more than three times!
It suddenly reached out from below, grabbed Unit 2's feet, and slammed it to the ground... dodging the Eleventh Angel's fatal spear.

“…NICE! Suzuhara…!”

Misato Katsuragi's surprised voice came through, allowing Asuka to roughly guess what her current state was like...

"Suzuhara!! Throw...!!"

"what!?"

"Hurry up! Throw me high in the air! Hurry—!"

Although Suzuhara Toji didn't know what Asuka was talking about... Shinji Ikari had told him that as an inexperienced rookie, he had to unconditionally follow the instructions of his seniors on the battlefield!
"Waaaaaah!!"

The excessively elongated arm caused an abnormally severe decrease in strength. Suzuhara Toji forced himself to ignore the sharp, tearing pain and burning sensation that was occurring at several joints at the same time. With all his might, he flung Unit 2 into the air from bottom to top.

beep—

Just as Unit 2 was thrown into the air... a huge cross-shaped beam of light shot into the sky in front of the Eleventh Apostle.

"Eee-ya-uh-ah-ah-ah—!?"

A piercing wail escaped... because, no matter how hard Suzuhara Toji tried... the speed of his wave was never as fast as the speed at which he could ignite light and fire...

The entire elbow joint of Unit 3, which had been extended, was completely covered by the hastily rising pillar of fire... The special armor on its arm melted into molten iron in an instant... exposing the scorched, torn flesh and blood.

If one were not close to the apostle's absolute domain, a mere fleeting touch would be enough to turn both arms into nothingness.

"Quick! Cut off the nerve connections between the two arms..."

Misato Katsuragi knew all too well that this level of intense heat... was enough to cause excruciating pain that could instantly cause someone to go into shock!
"No, no way!!!"

But just as Misato Katsuragi was about to give the order, she was interrupted by Toji Suzuhara with a heart-wrenching cry.

Suzuhara Toji knew he was nowhere near as strong as Ikari Shinji or anyone else… At this moment, the excruciating pain was making him see stars, feel dizzy, and so disoriented that he was losing his sense of direction… He was about to pass out.

But, let alone fainting... even if I were to die the next second, I... would still complete my mission!!
"Go—!!"

That mission was... to grab onto Unit 2 in mid-air and smash it down on the Eleventh Angel with all your might, even if it meant breaking your arm!

(End of this chapter)