But now, Misato knew it was far too late for jealousy.
The soldier opposite had drawn his gun—and Ryota Kitazawa was unarmed.
Clenching her teeth, she glared at the soldier, desperation flashing in her eyes. Rei Ayanami stood nearby, calm as ever—either utterly confident in Ryota, or detached.
At the crack of the shot, Kitazawa moved again.
His pace quickened—not just to incapacitate, but to kill.
Slipping and darting through the soldiers, each blow dropped a man with brutal precision and force. This was from his War God training—strikes meant to kill, not merely incapacitate.
Clamor erupted as soldiers raised their rifles, mouths down triggers, yet nobody dared a second shot.
"Shoot! Shoot!" Captain Fujikawa shrieked, cackling with fury. "Kill him!"
He knew Kitazawa was no ordinary boy—left alive, he'd become unstoppable. The rifles blazed, each bullet whistling close—but all missed. The man was practically untouchable.
Fujikawa's face contorted in rage.
In an instant, Kitazawa appeared before him. With a phantom-like movement, he struck—severing Fujikawa's airway in a crushing grip.
The barrel of a rifle clicked empty, then a chilling silence. The captain's features lugubriously slackened.
Kitazawa tightened his hand—and with a sickening snap, obliterated Fujikawa's skeleton. The man collapsed, dead.
"Stop!" "Ryota!" "Don't!" voices rang out.
Stepping forward were Gendo Ikari, Fuyutsuki, Captain Ishiki, and Misato. Their faces went pale at the sight.
You killed him…you actually killed a military officer, Ryota Kitazawa. What crime is this?
Ishiki ground his teeth and spat, indignation burning in his eyes.
Gendo and Fuyutsuki, though shocked themselves, shook their heads.
This was supposed to be a controlled game, they thought. SEELE allowed military pressure on NERV only to prod Gendo and Fuyutsuki—not to let things spiral out of control.
But they never expected someone to break the rules…to flip the table.
And that someone was Ryota Kitazawa.
Kitazawa lifted his head, unwavering: "He murdered in cold blood—did you grant the military exclusive right to kill?"
A tense hush filled the air.
Ishiki's lips curled into a cold laugh as he cocked his pistol. "You murdered Fujikawa—now I'll bring you down."
At last, Gendo stepped forward, voice low and weary:
"Put down your weapon. The game is over."
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