Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

176: An Unneeded Existence

Heaven or hell, it really is Kaji Ryoji's choice.

"You died twenty-one years ago, leaving behind only a vengeful spirit in this world. Hatred fuels your inner life, Yoshiji."

“You investigated me.” Kaji Ryoji took out a cigarette from his pocket.

“Your past is not difficult to investigate. Although it was handled very well, in front of MAGI, the life trajectories of all humans on this planet are a string of data that can be viewed.” Shinji Ikari looked at Ryoji Kaji.

The man in front of him was not as calm as he appeared. Although he took out a lighter from his pocket, he failed to light the cigarette several times because his left hand was trembling. He seemed to realize what Shinji Ikari was going to do: to dredge up his past pain from the depths of his memory.

"After the Second Impact, the world was on the verge of collapse. Many cities were abandoned, and only homeless children and military bases were active. You were a member of a small group of homeless children. Due to hunger, your small group had to rely on stealing canned meat and previously abandoned garbage from military bases to survive. However, when it was your turn to steal canned food, you were caught by soldiers who had long suspected you. Under torture and threats to your life, you confessed the whereabouts of your friends."

Shinji Ikari spoke calmly, as if he were reading aloud from a textbook without any expression in class. Yet, even with such ordinary words, Ryoji Kaji couldn't hold his cigarette steady.

"When you realized you had done something wrong, it was too late. You took advantage of the guard's inattention and hit him on the head with a can of food, then ran away and escaped. When you returned to that bloody room, the friends you had betrayed had been tortured beyond recognition by the soldiers for their amusement and then shot to death."

"Enough, shut up." Kaji Ryoji said, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his blood rushing to his head.

Past memories surged in his mind like molten lava. Now they had finally surfaced, and pain reached out to him once more. Later, through his investigation, he finally understood that his enemies existed in the dark side of the world, and the way to find them was to become a part of that shadow.

“You remember the faction those soldiers belonged to, right?” Shinji Ikari said. “The Marduk Organization. In essence, it was just an empty advisory body. Their true identities are SEELE and NERV.”

The truth that Kaji Ryoji had been searching for his whole life was casually revealed by Shinji Ikari, meaning that the object of his hatred from beginning to end was the very force he served.

Perhaps it can't be described as loyalty, because his joining was only for betrayal. This also provides a perfect explanation for some of his seemingly illogical actions.

"Damn it," Kaji Ryoji muttered, whether referring to his younger self or the organization he served, it was unclear.

A blood-stained left hand gripped his ankle tightly. It was Honda Yu, the intelligence chief, whose heart had been pierced. The blood flowing from his chest almost soaked the entire balcony floor, yet he was still alive, displaying an astonishing vitality.

Kaji Ryoji expressionlessly pulled his right foot away from his hand. At that moment, he finally lit the lighter. The steel wheel rubbed against the carbide and ignited. He steadily held the flickering flame to the cigarette butt in his mouth with his left hand, took a light puff, and then slowly said.

"For the past twenty-one years, I didn't know what I really wanted. Was it the true face of the Marduk Organization? Or the truth about the Second Impact? Or was it just wanting to find a reason to live? But now I understand that people live to redeem themselves."

What you don't want to lose will eventually leave you. Everything of value that people crave is destined to be lost from the moment they obtain it; none of the things that people are willing to prolong a painful life to pursue simply exist.

"In the email I sent you, regarding the Marduk report, I wrote..."

“I’ve already seen it,” Shinji Ikari interrupted him. “You’re very bold, Ryoji Kaji.”

Shinji Ikari had never seen anything of this caliber reported via email before. It was like plotting a rebellion on a forum—utterly ridiculous.

But this action itself was also Kaji Ryoji's last test before his death.

“As expected, MAGI is now yours.” Kaji Ryoji wore an expression that said, “This is what I promised, the data that I’ve kept as a backup, and the Nebuchadnezzar’s Key, a byproduct of my research on Adam.”

Kaji Ryoji pulled a portable hard drive from his pocket, while the silver box containing the key to Nebuchadnezzar was right at his feet.

“The hard drive contains what I’ve investigated over the years. And the latter can connect a person’s spirit to the divine, the divine in the true sense of the word,” Kaji Ryoji said.

Having explained everything, Kaji Ryoji revealed an unprecedentedly open smile as he looked at Shinji Ikari before him.

"So now, what will you do with me? Will you hand me over to the Human Instrumentality Committee, or will you kill me like Gendo Ikari did?"

“I feel we’re still friends, at least you’ve helped me a lot with my work.” Shinji Ikari smiled. “But right now, at least the individual bearing the name Ryoji must die. When the time is right, make a pact with me in the name of the Prophet, and then I will forgive your sins and no longer remember your evil deeds.”

“That will be Li Lin’s third contract.” Kaji Ryoji closed his eyes.

The act of making a covenant might evoke images of a sacred God like Jehovah. But Shinji Ikari did what Moses did, acting as a mediator between God and humanity.

Just as the Hebrew authors said—

Holy brothers who share in God's calling, consider Jesus, whom we consider our messenger and high priest. He was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful to all God's household. He is far more deserving of glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house is more honored than the house itself. For all houses are built by men, but God is the builder of all things.

NERV Headquarters, Quarantine Facility 4.

In the darkness, Misato Katsuragi slowly opened her eyes, sensing footsteps approaching the room she was in.

The head of the Second Intelligence Section, dressed in a purple suit, walked up to him carrying a black box. "Thank you for your cooperation." Inside the black box were his pistol and ID card.

"Can I leave now?" Misato Katsuragi looked up in surprise. She was familiar with the way the intelligence agency operated; she was unlikely to be released until the deputy commander or Ryoji Kaji were captured.

"Yes, thank you for your cooperation. The matter has been resolved," the head of the Second Intelligence Section replied, bowing his head.

“Is that so?” Misato Katsuragi put the items back into the box. “And what about him?”

Misato Katsuragi hadn't expected to receive an answer to her question. After all, given the man's status, he couldn't possibly know something of that level; she had only asked casually.

"Ryoji Kaji used the deputy commander's ID card to infiltrate the new command post, kidnapped Intelligence Director Honda, and attempted to assassinate the commander-in-chief, but was ultimately shot dead on the spot by Captain Ikari," the head of the Second Intelligence Section replied.

"Whose person are you?" Misato Katsuragi frowned. She was certain that the man in front of her couldn't possibly know information at this level; it was only possible that someone was using him to tell her this established fact.

"Of course they are the Commander's men. The intelligence department is loyal to the true head of NERV."

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The new command post, inside the central command room.

Upon returning from the fourth quarantine facility, Misato Katsuragi resumed her post and immediately began the counterattack against the Fifteenth Angel.

"What's the situation now?" Misato Katsuragi asked.

"Just as before you left, the Bird Angel remains motionless, currently hovering above the Arctic Ocean due to Earth's rotation," Maya Ibuki replied. The moment her voice fell, a beam of shimmering blue laser light shone down from the ceiling, and a holographic projection of the Bird Angel gradually took shape.

The once magnificent and noble life form shrank to a size that could fit in a conference room, which greatly reduced the fear of the crowd.

“I see. It seems it’s not the right time for Him to descend to earth.” Misato Katsuragi crossed her arms and looked coldly at the projection of the bird-like life form in front of her. “But even if He doesn’t make a move, He won’t tolerate such a sword of Damocles hovering above our heads.”

“But EVA can’t intercept the Angels in satellite orbit; that’s more than three times the distance,” Hyuga Makoto from the operations department immediately said.

“Since He won’t come down, let EVA go up.” Misato Katsuragi raised an eyebrow.

"You mean... the Earth Biosphere Monitor? Reactivating Project Sword of Damocles?" Hinata Makoto instantly understood.

A month and a half ago, during the lull in the battle against the Seraphim, the lack of Shinji Ikari, a force capable of securing victory, meant that it took three attempts to defeat the Seraphim who had taken over Unit 3 before they were able to succeed.

Aside from Shinji Ikari's killing of Him in Unit-01, the closest they came to victory was the Sword of Damocles plan, devised by Misato Katsuragi.

The plan was to launch the EVA into space, where it would orbit a satellite and recharge at the nearest base every two hours. Once the MAGI system detected the target Angel, it would act like the Sky Angel of old, protecting the EVA with its incredibly powerful AT field and unleashing the Sword of Damocles from the sky.

Such a massive, supersonic attack would have been a victory had the Seraphim not been fortunate enough to infest the wreckage of the JA machine.

"But with our technology, we can only launch EVA into low orbit, which is still a long way from where the Bird Apostle is located," Hinata Makoto said, as usual, pouring cold water on the idea.

Although they are both satellite orbits, the difference between low and high altitudes is quite dramatic.

Low altitudes, ranging from 150 to 200 kilometers, are greatly affected by the atmosphere; medium altitudes, from 350 to 1500 kilometers, are also somewhat affected by the atmosphere. High altitudes, such as the location the bird apostle is currently referring to, are at 35800 kilometers, at which point human technology is completely incapable of launching an attack.

“This height is fine. The ones who will truly confront Him are our... Evangelion.” Misato Katsuragi glanced in the direction of the Chosen Ones. “All we can offer this time is a place where they can fight to their hearts’ content.”

"Yes!"

Over the next few days, the restart of the Earth Biosphere Monitor system and a series of operations surrounding the new plan proceeded in an orderly manner.

The tense atmosphere within the new command post instantly changed, although much preparation work still remained, such as the EVA launch platform, the large composite rocket for high-mass orbital deployment, the SRB ignition device, and the EVA solid rocket booster. Although most of the equipment was already readily available, it would still take at least another half month before it could be put into actual testing.

However, they wouldn't panic, because having the means to counterattack and not having the means to counterattack are two different things. Even if the target apostle changed its course and moved closer to Earth during this period, it wouldn't matter.

At that time, there will naturally be human Evangelism warriors to confront Him.

While NERV staff were working overtime with great enthusiasm, the heads of the two most core departments at NERV were leisurely sipping coffee on the top floor of the new command post.

"Have you decided on the personnel to confront the Apostles for this restarted Earth Biosphere Monitor System?" Ritsuko Akagi asked casually, her left arm draped over her arm in the back of her chair and her legs crossed.

"The primary candidates are Unit-01 and Shinji Ikari; they are the key to ensuring victory." Misato Katsuragi said, exhaling a puff of smoke towards Ritsuko as she smoked.

“Everyone knows Shinji Ikari will be there. We have plenty of time to prepare for the battle, and there must be someone else in the plan to provide cover.” Ritsuko Akagi lit a cigarette. “Is it Unit-00 and Rei Ayanami, or Unit-02 and Asuka Langley Soryu, or perhaps Unit-06 with the Puppet System, or maybe the Fifth Child from Lake Reed?”

"Unit-00 and Rei Ayanami, she has the highest level of synergy with Shinji Ikari," Misato Katsuragi frankly stated the answer.

Although only Shinji Ikari was announced as the chosen candidate, Misato Katsuragi, the second person responsible for providing cover, was not revealed at all, only that it was still under consideration. However, Rei Ayanami had actually been internally selected as the second candidate to participate in the war.

As expected, Ritsuko Akagi tilted her head back and gave a knowing smile. "It's still Rei Ayanami, isn't it? But your proud princess isn't in good shape. Her pride is on the verge of collapse. Aren't you really going to consider letting her play?"

"I care about Asuka too, but no matter what, when facing the Angels, victory should always be the primary goal." Misato Katsuragi impatiently stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray, then stood up. "I'm only telling you this, so don't spread it around, or I won't be able to explain it to Asuka."

Although Misato Katsuragi was also distressed by Asuka's twisted mental state, as the operations commander, victory was the primary objective. Therefore, the worse Asuka's condition, the less likely she was to be involved in the battle.

At this moment, Misato Katsuragi really wished it were still a ground battle. That way, she would have a perfect reason to let Asuka pilot Unit-02 into the battle, casually fire a few shots to provide support, then close the door and release Shinji Ikari, cleanly and neatly eliminating the target. How wonderful that would be.

This ensured victory, and Asuka also gained some achievements. Although the achievements were somewhat unreliable, at least it alleviated her twisted mental state.

As for Li, she's a sensible child and wouldn't care whether she appears on screen or not.

Back in her apartment in Hakone, Asuka was still training for the selection of the second candidate a week later. She did push-ups with one hand, gritting her teeth, her hair sticking to her skin, and sweat dripping onto the tatami mats under the force of gravity.

"Asuka, have you seen Shinji?" Rei Ayanami asked, pushing open the door and looking at Asuka on the tatami mat.

"He seems to have left this afternoon. He said he was going to Tokyo No. 2, didn't he tell you?"

Asuka, who had just finished a set, got up from the tatami and glanced at Rei Ayanami with a hint of pride. "It seems like she was accompanying Suzuhara Toji's sister, Suzuhara Sakura, to do some kind of fire-lighting ceremony in your Japanese culture. It's probably like the seventh day after death or some kind of funeral custom."

But Rei Ayanami completely failed to understand Asuka's gaze, simply nodded slightly, and turned to leave.

Asuka didn't care. It was good that Rei Ayanami was so indifferent. She stretched her limbs and started a new set of burpees.

The future you will definitely thank the present you for working so hard.

177: Hikaru's Summer Travel Guide

Today's sunny weather is perfect for holding a fire-sending ceremony.

The location for the Tokyo Fire Offering Ceremony is Hanamigawa on the northeastern shore of Tokyo Bay, or more precisely, the entire coastal area from the mountains to the coast. Perhaps it was the heat emanating from the numerous stalls and tourists participating in the festival, but the evening heat showed no signs of abating. Lively music rang out from time to time, and summer seemed to melt into the air, as if one could taste the flavor of summer with just one breath.

"How annoying! Why did you have to drag me along? With your indifferent attitude, I really wonder if this is the time to fight the Angels?" Asuka leaned against the stone wall surrounding the Grand Shrine with her arms crossed, saying annoying things that were hard to swallow, but there was no trace of annoyance in her eyes.

"He's probably just bored. After all, Suzuhara Toji is our classmate, so it would be good to see him off." Shinji Ikari closed the car door and looked at the beaming Asuka and the aloof Rei Ayanami, still feeling a bit superfluous.

Starting from August 8th, the day of the Beginning of Autumn on the calendar, the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan holds a "welcoming spirit" fire-lighting ceremony. As an important part of the "Rokudo Shrine Visit" event, it lasts for four days, day and night, until midnight. It is a routine ritual for the Japanese to send off the souls of their loved ones and return home.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Asuka and Rei Ayanami.

A month ago, after meeting Suzuhara Sakura and Toki Hikaru at the cemetery where they were lighting the torch, they made a promise to send Suzuhara Toji off again at today's torch-lighting ceremony. It was originally just a matter between the three of them, and Toki Hikaru didn't even invite Asuka. However, Shinji Ikari received a call from Rei Ayanami saying that she was coming too. So he just drove back home and picked up Rei Ayanami and Asuka.

Yes, if it's about Rei Ayanami, then it's related to Asuka.

Asuka wouldn't mind if she went out with Suzuhara Sakura and Hikaru Toki. But if Rei Ayanami was there, the situation would be different. Don't be fooled by Asuka's excuse that it would interfere with her training to fight the Angels; if she were really left behind, Asuka would definitely sulk for months.