Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

Judging from the video, both machines seemed to be dead... However, a heavy and slow drumbeat suddenly sounded in the dark screen, like the melodious primordial drumbeat. The second drumbeat sounded half a minute after the first one, but it quickly became more and more intense and higher and higher, until the entire conference room was shaking with the drumbeat.

That was the pulse of the Apostle, or perhaps the heartbeat of the Apostle. The Seraphim, after corrupting the Fetal Angel, possessed the pinnacle of regenerative abilities among all the Apostles. Even if the possessed body was completely destroyed, it could be resurrected once it found a new vessel. Amidst the roar of the waves, a melodious and ethereal sound, like that of a giant whale, faintly echoed.

"This footage was accidentally captured by the Lotus Kingdom while they were trying to capture the Seris submarine in the Indian Ocean. It was taken at 2:12 AM yesterday." Ritsuko Akagi, wearing a white lab coat, stood beside the screen and gently switched to a new video.

In the deep, silent ocean, a massive mechanical wreckage appeared within the searchlight's beam—the JA mech, blown away by the shockwave and still unrecovered. The wreckage bore the marks of melting and fracture, resembling the skeleton of a giant.

What's truly chilling is that the skeleton of the wreckage is covered with objects that resemble flesh and blood. These objects are even growing, extending pink tentacles that intertwine and regenerate, forming blood vessels and muscle-like structures.

The most terrifying thing is that the crimson core at the very center of the machine is gleaming faintly on the seabed.

The war between humans and Angels can only be ended through EVA.

The scene ends there, because what follows is a reckless Indian submarine attempting to salvage it and sell it for a good price. The result is the usual Indian-style ending.

The conference room lights suddenly switched on, and the audience gasped in unison. While watching the video, they felt as if heavy stones were pressing on their chests, making it difficult to breathe.

"Is that really the Seraphim?" Vice Commander Fuyutsuki Yukimasa pointed at the mechanical skeleton with flesh and blood growing on the screen.

He wasn't asking Ritsuko Akagi, but rather MAGI, the supercomputer's AI trio of sages. Only she could provide an accurate assessment.

“Although the video quality is low, I can still discern His spectrum. The color is confirmed to be blue, and it is definitely the thirteenth apostle, the angel of the hail, Badir.” MAGI’s mechanical female voice answered through the loudspeaker, but all of this seemed to carry a hint of liveliness.

“Minister Katsuragi’s plan is sound, but we underestimated the power of the Seraphim,” Fuyutsuki Yukizo said in a low voice.

In the conference room of Zone 1 at NERV headquarters, almost all the senior executives from various departments sat around the conference table, their faces, whether joyful, sorrowful, or bewildered, illuminated by the screen.

"When I arrived, the battle was over, and only the wreckage of Unit 3 remained. According to MAGI, Unit 3 was completely destroyed." The man who spoke was the head of the transportation department. "However, the cockpit that originally housed Unit 3's pilot, Toji Suzuhara, was miraculously preserved."

"He may still be alive, or he may be dead, but his body has high research value for NERV." Ritsuko Akagi, head of the development department, pushed up her glasses.

"For the already completed Seraphim, he's probably useless now," said Fuyutsuki Yukizo, glancing at the various executives before him. "But the most important issue now is that the Seraphim is still alive. You've misunderstood the crucial point. Evolution is merely the ability He gained by taking over the Fetal Apostles; His original ability is parasitism. Now that He's parasitizing the remains of the JA machine, is it possible that He's gained the JA machine's nuclear reactor capabilities?"

“That possibility cannot be ruled out,” Ritsuko Akagi said.

"The experiment enabled His birth; the first battle allowed Him to master the power of the fetal angels; the second battle allowed Him to be completed and also gained the function of a nuclear reactor. So what about the third time? Are you planning to make Him a god?"

At this moment, the man sitting at the head of the conference room finally spoke. He placed his hands under his chin, and his glasses reflected a strange fluorescence. Although his voice wasn't loud, the moment those emotionless words were spoken, the temperature in the entire room seemed to drop several degrees.

At this moment, all the high-ranking officials and ministers were like students being called on by a teacher, heads bowed and silent.

At this time, Misato Katsuragi, who had submitted several perfect answers, was one of the few good students qualified to mess with Gendo Ikari. "Things have reached a point where there is no time to lose. And coincidentally, we still have an ace up our sleeve."

“You’re talking about the Third Child, Shinji Ikari.” Ritsuko Akagi pushed up her glasses.

“Who can still claim to be certain of victory these days?” Misato Katsuragi said, her expression unchanged. “As the head of the combat department, I bear the responsibility for the evolution of the Seraphim to this extent.”

At this moment, the eyes of all 54 cadres present in the conference room lit up simultaneously. Although no one dared to speak, their meaning was very clear.

The reason NERV can still function normally in the face of two consecutive evolutions of the Seraphim is entirely due to the existence of Shinji Ikari.

Even though Shinji Ikari has been relieved of his duties at NERV, even though Shinji Ikari is no longer the pilot of Unit-01, and even though NERV is now powerless to fight against the Seraphim, they still regard Shinji Ikari as their ace.

There are some things that even Shinji Ikari himself doesn't understand, but these old hands see them very clearly.

Although this strongest candidate can sometimes appear arrogant, he is essentially a good person, the kind who would give his life to protect humanity. Since he's a good person, things are much easier.

So even though Shinji Ikari adopts an indifferent attitude, they still believe that he will return to pilot Unit-01 when the situation truly deteriorates beyond repair.

Gendo Ikari adjusted his glasses. "In that case, let's allow him to return. After the victory in the third counterattack, the past can be forgiven."

He nodded slightly to Misato Katsuragi, Shinji Ikari's guardian, "You can tell him to come back."

However, Misato Katsuragi, who is usually fearless of authority and one of the few who dares to look him in the eye, turned her head away this time, as if she were a little scared.

Does it seem like you're feeling guilty?

But what was she feeling guilty about? Even after two consecutive defeats that nearly led to the fall of Tokyo, she could still meet his gaze with unwavering determination and argue her case. This was precisely what Gendo Ikari admired about Misato Katsuragi, because only someone like her could confront the Angels and achieve victory.

But now, she's actually feeling guilty in front of me?!

"He's already here," Misato Katsuragi whispered.

Gendo Ikari's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous feeling began to grow in his heart.

The door opened. A handsome young man emerged from the light, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire conference room.

A scarlet sash adorned his chest, with a silver colonel's medal pinned to it, making even his oddly dressed clothes appear respectable. Shinji Ikari appeared before the officers with his undisguised flamboyance.

But what truly caught the eye was a black identity card held between his right index and middle fingers. The card was engraved with half a fig leaf, with a line of small print directly below it.

Even the NERV executives present would only regard this identity card as a replica of a NERV identity card. But for a very few, it symbolizes another identity within NERV.

—The Head of the Institute for Artificial Evolution, GEHIRN.

"Long time no see, everyone."

Shinji Ikari's lips curled into a deadly smile, but his gaze ultimately locked onto Gendo Ikari, who sat at the very top.

115: Happy Birthday, Shinji Ikari!

For the first time, Gendo Ikari's pupils wavered. He had an urge to rub the bridge of his nose with his index finger, a sign of restlessness.

"What are you doing here? This is not a place for you." Gendo Ikari reprimanded coldly.

Although Gendo Ikari's tone changed instantly, becoming more interrogative, Shinji Ikari maintained his smiling demeanor.

"Don't you understand? Or are you unwilling to accept the fact that you've been abandoned?"

Even after being publicly reprimanded like this, Shinji Ikari's expression remained unchanged, neither showing anger nor panic. He simply stood in the sunlight by the door, smiling with his eyes closed. He probably had already anticipated this reprimand, and even looked with interest at the arrogant Gendo Ikari sitting at the top.

But his arrival itself was a provocation.

Because this is the conference room of Sector 1, even if Shinji Ikari had been relieved of his post, or even if he were still the pilot of Unit-01, he would not be allowed to set foot inside without an invitation.

If he tries to force his way in and succeeds, MAGI will notify him of Shinji Ikari's arrival.

But neither Misato Katsuragi nor MAGI did anything, not even a notification; he simply reappeared before him. Yet, even so, he felt no panic whatsoever.

The main thing was the silver colonel's medal on his chest, and... the black identity card he held in his hand.

The latter, in particular, with the NO.002 symbol engraved in the lower right corner of the black card, sent a shiver down his spine. Because that identity represented—Yui Ikari.

At this moment, a long-dormant resentment began to grow in Gendo Ikari's heart. It wasn't directed at Shinji Ikari or Misato Katsuragi, but at SEELE, the SEELE that would be given to Shinji Ikari instead of the seat that belonged only to Yui Ikari.

How dare you?! How dare you all?!

That was a seat reserved solely for Yui Ikari, a taboo that was absolutely untouchable for the old Ikari. Not even his own son, not even Shinji Ikari, who also bore the name Ikari, was allowed to take it.

He didn't question Misato Katsuragi about why Shinji Ikari was there, because it was too pathetic, like a defeated wild dog barking wildly, something he had always despised.

He knew someone would explain it to him.

That was SEELE's contact person, Fuyutsuki Kosuke. If anyone knew, it was him.

Sure enough, Fuyutsuki Kosuke, who was sitting in the first seat to his left, spoke softly.

"He is not here as the pilot of Unit-01. He is here as the new head of the Inspection Department and as the second seat of the Human Evolution Research Institute, Shinji Ikari."

The cadres involuntarily sat up straight. The status of being a member of the GEHIRN Institute for Artificial Evolution was too dreamlike, instantly pulling them back to the pioneering era before the Second Impact.

In that vibrant era, while SEELE was a behemoth, it hadn't yet become the world's undisputed ruler, and the legendary Angels showed no signs of materializing. Even Hideaki Katsuragi, hailed as one of the most fundamental geniuses of the last century, was considered a fool by the scientific community. It was a vibrant and glorious time; those who now hold high positions were once penniless young people.

When humanity discovered Adam, the first apostle, and the original Dead Sea Scrolls at the Dead Sea, an organization was quietly established. Its predecessor was a United Nations research agency, the Institute for Human Evolution mentioned by Fuyutsuki Yukimasa, and one of the most prominent organizations of that era.

Systems like the current MAGI-SYSTEM computer system, the S2 theory's foundational work Super Spiral Management Theory, the Alpha-Cosmic Space Hypothesis, the Soul Materialization Hypothesis, the general-purpose humanoid decisive weapon, and GEO FRONT (the underground city of Hakone) are all masterpieces originating from the Institute for Human Evolution.

but--

The Institute for Human Evolution and the Institute for Human Evolution GEHIRN are different branches of the same tree.

Because the former later transformed into the extra-legal armed group NERV, dedicated to combating the Angels and protecting human safety. Its superior authority also changed from the United Nations to SEELE. The Human Evolution Research Institute GEHIRN is the hidden core within NERV, also known as the Head (GEHIRN), with a total of five seats, corresponding to the five seats of the Human Completion Committee.

The original five leaders were Yui Ikari, Gendo Rokubun, Yukimasa Fuyutsuki, Naoko Akagi, and Hideaki Katsuragi.

Rokubun Gigendo, now known as Ikari Gendo, is the director and first seat of the Artificial Evolution Research Institute, a scoundrel who sells his wares.

Fuyutsuki Kosuke, the liaison for SEELE and the key figure who connects everyone, is the third seat.

Hideaki Katsuragi, head of the Adam Regeneration Project, founder of the Super Spiral Management Theory (S2 Theory) concerning the Fruit of Life, proposer of the Golgotha ​​Object Hypothesis and the Soul Materialization Hypothesis, and the Imaginary EVA Hypothesis, went from being a controversial fool to a most outstanding genius scientist before his second strike, holding the fourth seat. This position has now been inherited by Misato Katsuragi.

Naoko Akagi, the true developer of the supercomputer MAGI, one of the founders of NERV, and the fifth seat, has now been succeeded by Ritsuko Akagi.

And Yui Ikari, who has now inherited the second seat.

Or perhaps this seat was originally meant to be his, a gift left to him by his mother. It's just that after ten years, it has finally returned to its rightful owner.

"Commissioner Shinji Ikari." The executives bowed in unison, showing a level of respect that even Shinji Ikari, who had previously been a savior-like hero, had never received.

In fact, the second seat remained vacant for a full ten years. This was because even the higher-ups, SEELE, harbored great suspicion towards NERV.

"The meeting is now adjourned. We still have some matters to discuss. Everyone else may leave," Yukimasa Fuyutsuki announced expressionlessly.

Seeing Shinji Ikari's menacing arrival, and considering the matter at hand—which was essentially a family affair of the Commander—the officers remained silent, keeping their eyes downcast and seemingly afraid of being noticed. They quickly rose to their feet. Although no one spoke, they formed a very orderly line according to rank and age, and swiftly left the meeting room.

Fuyutsuki Kosuke was the last to leave, exchanging a glance with Gendo Ikari.

In the end, only Shinji Ikari and Gendo Ikari remained, standing in the center of the huge conference room.

“Gehirn, the Institute for Human Evolution, this is what you wanted.” Gendo Ikari placed his hands on his chin. “Should I celebrate that you’ve achieved your goal, or is it true that half of my blood still flows in your veins?”

"So while we were gathering the world's strength to fight the Angels, you set off from the port, boarded a luxury cruise ship, and brazenly enjoyed the sea view with a beautiful girl; while other eligible candidates risked their lives to carry out the Sword of Damocles Project, you stayed in the most luxurious room at the Tamamo-no-Mae Hotel and even gave a speech at a press conference held by the Governor of Tokyo." Gendo Ikari stared coldly at the boy in front of him who bore no resemblance to him whatsoever. "While the world was wailing, you were the only one celebrating. I should applaud you, Commissioner Ikari."

To everyone's surprise, no one expected that when only he and Shinji Ikari remained, he would actually praise Shinji. But the response he received was—

Shinji Ikari, standing at the other end of the long table, raised his leg and delivered a powerful side kick.

There was a distance of five meters from the bottom to the top of the long table, but after the boy kicked it out, it was as if the classroom had been hit by a bomb. Dozens of long tables and the neatly arranged chairs next to them tilted towards Gendo Ikari in an astonishing instant.

Gendo Ikari felt a shiver run down his spine, and his veins seemed to contort in agony.

To be precise, the groans were coming from the nerves beneath his skin, which were currently being crushed by the tables and chairs.

"You're too long-winded, I don't want to listen." Shinji Ikari grabbed his hair, ignoring the sharp edges of the table that might harm the esteemed Commander-in-Chief, and forcibly dragged him out.

There are always some eloquent old fogies who can spout off about what justice and sacrifice truly mean. Shinji Ikari knew he couldn't win an argument with these old men. But he had his own preferred method: beating them, and beating them even more severely.

Sometimes Shinji Ikari would think back to what he would have done if he were his past self, given the opportunity to be alone with Gendo Ikari.

Perhaps we'll want to talk about the past, or about things that make the other person proud. About the Angels, about Unit-01, about Misato Katsuragi and the others, and many, many other things.

在痛揍碇源堂的这一刻，碇真嗣终于想起来，曾经的自己也是渴求被爱的孩子。

Thinking of this, he beat her even more vigorously.