Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

Chapter 53: Meaning Tomorrow

"Praise the Emperor, for even aliens should appreciate this supreme glory."

The moment the golden halo appeared, the fish apostle hidden in the water once again felt the fear that his predecessors had felt.

At this moment, the Fish Apostle writhed on the seabed like a suffering whale, crimson smoke spreading from its mouth and rapidly staining the ocean floor. Its survival instinct drove it to spit out the machine it had just devoured, but now Unit 2 gripped its jawbone tightly, its mechanical arm deeply embedded in flesh, while the golden wheel of light rotating in its other arm cleanly severed most of its head with unstoppable force.

"You could also make a dish of steamed fish head with chopped chili peppers," Shinji Ikari commented, before cleanly chopping it down.

Asuka stared in astonishment at the scene before her. The light wheel sliced ​​through flesh with even greater ease than the high-vibration particle blade. The flesh was cleaved in two the instant it touched the light wheel. Even the hastily deployed Absolute Territory shattered like glass struck by a heavy object before the far more domineering light wheel.

Until that golden halo struck the crimson core.

At this very moment, on the sea surface west of Shin-Yokohama Port, Misato Katsuragi gazed at the red light rising from the seabed. Even though the battlefield was taking place four hundred meters underwater, the blood-red cross, symbolizing the annihilation of the apostles, still stood tall on the sea surface. Commander Robert no longer struggled to retrieve the walkie-talkie. He watched the hazy blood rain drift into the vast sea, ultimately leaving only the blood-red cross, seemingly burning towards the sky.

"May God bless America." He took out the silver cross from his pocket and prayed devoutly.

“It’s over,” Misato Katsuragi said softly.

Rei Ayanami, however, gazed at the deep seabed, kicking the melted strawberry ice cream at her feet into the water, her eyes vacant and distant.

The great battle between the Angels and Unit 2 has turned the seabed into chaos, and now, in this dim underwater world, it is unusually quiet.

They were so quiet that they could only hear each other's heartbeats.

"You seem nervous. Do you feel it's a bit cruel?" Shinji Ikari stared into the girl's eyes, and through those eyes, he could almost see her soul trembling.

“…Not really.”

"But we absolutely cannot be careless with the Angels." Shinji Ikari shifted back slightly, sitting up straight. "The Angels may be aliens, but they are near-perfect life forms. Any living being attacked will feel pain, fear, or reveal weaknesses. But the Angels will not. Neglecting them would be a devastating blow to our comrades and the people they protect."

Even though Shinji Ikari had already slain several so-called Angels, he still acknowledged their exceptional abilities. They possessed unique forms, limitless vitality and energy, incredible regenerative speed, and terrifying learning and evolutionary capabilities. The thrill of tearing their bodies apart was unprecedented.

Shinji Ikari wiped his lips, revealing an indescribable smile.

“But you’re enjoying it, aren’t you?” Asuka said softly. “I can feel it. It’s like, at a certain moment, it’s as if my mother is right beside me.”

At this moment, Asuka was still holding Shinji's wrist, as if she were still in the atmosphere from just moments before. The only ones connecting her life to the world were Shinji... and her mother.

She couldn't quite define the emotions swirling within her. On one hand, there was the urgency of the approaching apostles, and on the other, the feeling of being in her mother's arms. These two conflicting emotions stemmed from the moment the man gripped the control stick—more precisely, the strange sensation that arose when synchronization exceeded 100%. She couldn't help but think back to their date that day; what would have happened if she hadn't left?

She nestled in his arms, savoring that moment of motherly warmth. But Shinji Ikari remained seated upright, his hands even placed formally on the control stick. There was none of the intimacy, embrace, or whispered affection she had anticipated.

But there was nothing, absolutely nothing, but that's fine.

Shinji Ikari placed his hand on the control stick, just as he was about to propel Unit-02 out of the sea and onto the surface. For the first time ever, however, the machine did not respond.

Only Asuka, who had turned around, rested her forehead on his neck and whispered softly.

"Let me lean on you like this for a while, just a little while."

…………

…………

With an elegant figure like a dragon ascending to the sky, but this time it was not the fish apostle Gagil that flew across the sea, but the crimson first unit number two.

At Yokosuka Port, Ritsuko Akagi, who was handling the finishing touches, stood next to Misato Katsuragi and witnessed everything.

"Congratulations, you've won another great victory." Ritsuko Akagi, wearing a white lab coat, stood straight in front of Miri Katsuragi, who was lying on a bench, holding a tablet in her left hand.

"Ah, actually I wasn't much of a help. Damn it, I should have expected a naval battle." Misato Katsuragi draped her arms over the back of the bench, leaning back without any regard for her image, her dead fish eyes staring at the clear blue sky.

"That's really strange, you're actually reflecting on yourself."

"Haha, what does it matter? Anyway, we've already obtained the most valuable research data." Misato Katsuragi waved her hand.

Ritsuko Akagi didn't lie down on the bench like Misato Katsuragi. Her work had just finished, and hers was just beginning. She gazed at the sailors being rescued from the sea and the NERV employees in their yellow protective suits. The entire Yokohama port resembled a giant construction site, and the humans worked busily and methodically, like ants.

“You’re right, it is indeed very valuable research data.” Ritsuko Akagi withdrew her gaze.

"Defeating the Seventh Angel, Gaquil, was not a pivotal battle that fundamentally altered the strategic posture of the United Nations, but it did reveal two key issues. Even the former rulers of the seas would find it difficult to contend with ultimate life forms like the Angels alone, and the general-purpose humanoid decisive weapon EVAngelio remains the best countermeasure at present," said Ritsuko Akagi.

Then, she looked towards the distance where the white cockpit of Unit-02 had popped out. A few seconds later, accompanied by plumes of white smoke and thick yellow liquid, the two pilots emerged from the cockpit, helping each other out. To be precise, Asuka was being supported by Shinji Ikari, but after landing, she quickly shook off his arm, like a pair of young lovers in Seris, afraid of being discovered by their teacher.

"Secondly, it overturns the conjecture that pilots and mobile suits are mutually restricted. At least in Shinji Ikari's hands, mobile suits can unleash combat capabilities far exceeding expectations. And this expectation can be looked towards even higher."

"Of course! Shinji is my pilot, you know who his operations commander is!" Misato Katsuragi suddenly sat up from the bench, slapping her thigh excitedly. "But that bastard Kaji actually ran away in a helicopter during the crisis! He's at headquarters by now, what a scoundrel!"

Meanwhile, the bastard they were discussing—Ryoji Kaji—had indeed arrived at headquarters, specifically in the Central Dogmatic Zone, which Shinji Ikari had yet to set foot in.

"It was a truly exhilarating journey, but it's a bit of a shame I didn't get to see Shinji Ikari fight the Seventh Angel, Gagill." Kaji Ryoji scratched his head. "Misato Katsuragi is probably cursing me out right now, but there's nothing I can do about it."

In the commander's office, he opened the silver briefcase he was carrying. The source of all the hardships the Fish Apostle had been searching for was now revealed to Gendo Ikari.

"This is something we agreed upon. A lost number kept as a preparation. This signpost will connect the spirit to the gods." Kaji Ryoji, unusually suppressing his fake smile, solemnly presented the item to Gendo Ikari as if holding a shrine.

It was a strange creature encased in hardened yellow resin, with a structure resembling the veins and bones of a human. A key-like device was attached to its neck.

Unlike nerves and blood vessels, it also has invisible circuits that permeate its entire interior. Even with the resin coating, one can still feel the invisible surge of hot water the moment they get close—

“Indeed, this will open the door to the Human Completion Project.” Gendo Ikari also showed a rare smile at this moment. He did not touch the holy relic in front of him with his hands, but only stroked the cuneiform script on the main axis of the device with the pad of his index finger and thumb.

— Nebuchadnezzar.

The Key of Nebuchadnezzar, as Kaji Ryoji said, is a signpost that will connect the spirit to the divine. And he will use it to open the door to the Human Perfection Project.

Chapter 54: A Friend Comes from Afar

【Asuka Langley Shikinami.】

Asuka stood tall and proud, walked across the podium to the seat the teacher had given up, and went to the blackboard to write her English name. In front of all the students in her new class and new environment, she looked down at them with disdain, showing no sign of fear.

"Shikinami Asuka Langley, nice to meet you."

Her appearance itself was a crimson storm.

Her slightly wavy blonde hair was casually tied up, the ends falling smoothly down one side of her face. Her eyes were bright and piercing, her eyelashes were long and curled, and she possessed the fair skin and clear features of Caucasians as well as the delicate features of Asians. She was clearly a mixed-race girl who had inherited the best features of both races.

Her face was exquisite, even comparable to Rei Ayanami, but her figure was more graceful. Compared to Rei Ayanami's ethereal, ghostly aura, she was a princess who constantly exuded presence; no one would doubt that she was a member of an idol group, and a central figure at that.

However, there are two exceptions.

Asuka's disdainful gaze swept across the room, as proud as a princess surveying her territory. However, she paused slightly after her sweep. The second-to-last row, by the window, was not occupied.

"You mean Ikari-kun?" Ms. Kobayashi pushed up her decorative flat-glasses and looked at the empty seat, already used to it.

"He does occasionally skip class unexpectedly, like today."

Asuka felt a little disappointed, but only a little. She felt that it was that idiot Shinji's loss that he couldn't see her in class, and she didn't need to feel sorry for him.

After scanning the room, her gaze finally settled on the blue-haired girl on the other side of the seat.

Petite and slender, with a seemingly gentle and submissive appearance, and short, fluffy blue hair that looked like it had been dyed with cheap, rough dye, yet her skin was fair and translucent. How to describe her? To use a less flattering adjective, she was like a chilling ghost. Furthermore—

What is most striking is her aloof and otherworldly demeanor.

Like a puppet. Asuka thought to herself.

During the lunch break between classes, Rei Ayanami sat on a bench at the edge of the playground reading a book.

A shadow fell from the side, obscuring her view. She didn't pay it any mind, simply turning to the side where the sunlight was. As if playing a trick, the shadow moved to her side as well.

At this moment, Rei Ayanami finally raised her head and met Asuka's eyes, who was standing with her hands on her hips.

"Nice to meet you, Shikinami Asuka Langley Soryu."

The haughty princess gave the exact same self-introduction she had given in class. Now, she stood on a flowerbed in the nearby garden, tilting her head and smiling as she gazed at Rei Ayanami.

"You may not know me, but I'm the dedicated pilot of EVA Unit-02, an absolute genius, leader, and ace. Let's get along!"

Rei Ayanami merely glanced at it indifferently. "Why?"

"Because this will make the work go more smoothly. We will have a time to cooperate sooner or later, just like me and Baka Shinji. In short, let's maintain a good relationship."

When a familiar name was mentioned, Rei Ayanami finally reacted.

She looked at the girl standing on the flower bed for a few seconds, then turned her gaze back to her book.

"If this is an order, I will do it. If not, please don't disturb me while I'm reading, thank you."

Seeing the girl's almost completely indifferent expression, Asuka's initial enthusiasm was completely extinguished. She frowned as she looked at the girl in front of her, who was like a puppet on a string, and pouted, "Why are all the pilots at headquarters so weird?"

—Physical education class, on the playground.

Here, Asuka finally met that person.

"Ikari-chan, you're so cute!"

The cheers of the girls echoed across the other end of the playground, deafeningly loud.

Amidst the cacophony of voices on the lawn, Asuka, dressed in sportswear, sat down as if summoned by the noise. She watched the excited girls and Shinji Ikari on the track, constantly overtaking his predecessors and reaching the finish line first.

"What is it? Nothing special." Asuka muttered under her breath.

Most people who see Shinji Ikari for the first time might think he's a good student, but his deviation score is only 55, indicating that he is severely weak in his subjects.

If he were interested in taking exams, it's clear he never attended classes seriously, yet he finished his math exam in just ten minutes. Even the notoriously strict teacher, Yamada, who was jokingly called the "old nun" by the students, had to give him full marks. He rarely practiced instruments like the cello, but his cello solo of "The Swan" at the Spring Festival performance made him an undisputed star of the festival.

Calling him a good student is absolutely impossible. During the Japanese language exam, Shinji Ikari didn't show up until the very end, infuriating the head of the grade, Yuko Miyamura, who roared that she would expel this lawless student. However, upon seeing Shinji's promotion to lieutenant on television, she acted as if nothing had happened.

But that doesn’t mean he’s unpopular. At least among the girls, there’s a subtle competition between them, seeing who can win his favor next.

During a conversation with her new classmates, Asuka suddenly received some shocking news.

"What? He's already had nine girlfriends?!" Her voice trailed off in utter astonishment.

Shinji Ikari, who was still on the playground, suddenly saw that golden-red figure striding towards him.

“Hello, Miss Langley, the school uniform suits you very well.” He had just raised his hand to greet her when he saw that she was already close to him, staring intently at him. “Trash! Despicable! Unclean! Playboy! I almost dated a guy like you before!”

It seems like her past has been discovered, but why is she so angry?

"What's wrong with dating me? Is it because I'm serious about every girl?" Shinji Ikari raised an eyebrow.

"How could you say that?" Asuka gritted her teeth.

Shinji Ikari solemnly corrected her, "Because my love is limited, I don't want to waste my feelings. In each relationship, I only love one person. So I make sure that every relationship has a beginning and an end."

"A two-day flowering period with a beginning and an end? I really misjudged you before!"

He simply said those words and then stormed off.