Of course, ever since the incident in Nevada, the entirety of NERV Headquarters had been thrown into chaos, everyone frantically conducting investigations. Yet, in the end, a month later, the only conclusion that the head of the Technical Division, Ritsuko Akagi, could deliver to Gendo Ikari's desk was a single, terse statement: "Sabotage."
Gendo took one glance at the report, then immediately burned it to ashes.
After that, he remained in the Commander's office for quite some time, speaking at length with numerous unknown individuals. Only once that was done did he slowly emerge from the room.
Since it was sabotage, the truth had to be uncovered.
One urgent call went out to Fuyutsuki Kouzou, still in the United States, ordering him to return to Japan immediately. That very afternoon, Fuyutsuki boarded a flight bound for the new Tokyo-3.
At the same time, another call was placed—to Misato Katsuragi's cell phone.
"What? What did you say? There's been a result on the disappearance of the Second Branch and EVA Unit-04?"
The sound of running bathwater echoed all around. At that very moment, Misato was standing completely naked in the tub, phone in hand, utterly incredulous.
Once she had the confirmation, she hurriedly dressed and rushed to NERV HQ.
By the time she arrived, Gendo was already seated at the command dais, and Fuyutsuki had likewise returned to Headquarters.
"This is the data for T+10, zero-point sector. These are the residual images we were able to capture. Due to the intensity of the earlier energy fluctuation, even now the satellite network can't get a complete read."
On the main display, a satellite projection flickered—showing nothing but a blank expanse. The entire area seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Seeing this, Misato swallowed hard and shook her head. "That's… brutal. Nothing left at all. Have you determined the cause?"
"Based on previous data, it appears to have been an A.T. Field collapse. But the exact cause remains unclear. What we do know is that Unit-04 was the epicenter of the explosion," a technician reported with a shake of the head.
"Our EVAs shouldn't have this kind of problem, should they?"
At that, Gendo posed the question, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Ritsuko immediately answered: "Unit-04 was an experimental model, developed to test a new type of internal S² Engine intended to solve the operating time limit. Its development was handled independently by the Second Branch in Nevada. But the Americans kept their guard up—even with us at Headquarters, they only disclosed limited technical data."
The room fell into a heavy silence. While they had confirmed that Unit-04 had suffered an accident, the investigation was stuck in a dead end.
Because, in the end… nothing conclusive had been found.
After a long pause, Gendo spoke again—his next words sending a ripple of shock through everyone present.
"One more thing. We've received an official notice from Europe. They intend to recall Unit-02."
…
Europe was recalling Unit-02?
The news exploded through the ranks like a bombshell, and word soon reached Asuka Langley Soryu herself.
But Asuka was now formally assigned as a pilot under NERV HQ, so she would not be returning to Europe with Unit-02.
Which meant… Asuka would be losing Unit-02 forever.
At the same time, another piece of news arrived.
In light of the Dirac Sea incident, and fearing that Unit-03 might suffer a similar failure, the Americans had decided to gift Unit-03 to Japan.
That news spread quickly throughout the country.
One week later, at NERV First Branch in Massachusetts, a jet-black EVA was slowly loaded onto a transport plane, heading eastward.
Meanwhile, in Japan, outside a small shop—
"Boss, three ice creams!"
The voice belonged to Tōji Suzuhara.
Since Ryōta Kitazawa had stopped coming to school—the nature of his last incident far too severe—he'd withdrawn entirely. But today, at Suzuhara's invitation, the three of them had managed a rare get-together.
On the way, Suzuhara had even treated them to ice cream. Considering that his parents were gone and he supported both himself and his younger sister, Sakura Suzuhara, he was usually incredibly tight-fisted. Treating friends like this was unheard of.
"Well, this is rare. Never thought you'd treat us, Suzuhara," Kitazawa said with a faint smile, looking at the ice cream in his hand.
"Haha, what're you talking about? I'm generous by nature," Suzuhara replied with a grin.
"Come on, just admit it—you're celebrating because your sister's feeling better," Kensuke Aida teased from the side.
"Shut it! Nobody asked you to talk, you idiot!" Suzuhara barked back, clearly flustered.
"I see," Kitazawa nodded.
It seemed Sakura Suzuhara's recovery had lifted Tōji's spirits considerably.
Passing by the basketball court, Tōji grabbed a ball and sank a clean three-pointer.
"Hey, Kitazawa—heard Unit-03's coming to Japan. That true?" Kensuke asked quietly.
"Yeah. That's right," Kitazawa confirmed with a slight nod.
"Knew it!" Kensuke slapped his thigh. "I heard there was some accident in the States, so they're sending it over! And apparently, they still haven't found a suitable pilot for Unit-03. Maybe I'll get the chance!"
"I wouldn't know about that," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "Besides, what's so great about being a pilot? You're putting your life on the line every second."
"Being a pilot is awesome! Hey, Kitazawa—why don't you put in a word for me, help me get the job? How about it?"
"You're better off asking Misato-san. I can't help you," Kitazawa refused without hesitation.
"Man, you're cold! If you won't even help me with this, how am I supposed to become a pilot? Aaagh!"
Kensuke's voice echoed across the empty court.
He never noticed that beside him, Kitazawa's brow had furrowed tightly.
Unit-03… so it's finally coming? Kitazawa thought.
Because he knew—Unit-03 wasn't truly an EVA at all. It was the incarnation of an Angel.
In his previous life, he had seen the movie version—he knew full well that Asuka had been infected with an Angel while piloting Unit-03, leaving her comatose.
But now that he had come to the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion, armed with the War God System, he would never allow such a tragedy to occur.
Still… what exactly was Asuka doing right now?
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