NERV Headquarters — subterranean combat training room.
At that moment, Unit-02 was in the middle of a simulated combat exercise.
Even though Asuka had already learned of Europe's decision to reclaim Unit-02, she stubbornly continued her daily training without taking a single day off.
Misato Katsuragi, of course, had known about this for some time. Whatever her personal relationship with Asuka might be, the fact remained that Asuka was still an EVA pilot—
—and not just any pilot, but the ace. An irreplaceable member of the team.
"Asuka."
Standing beneath the towering form of Unit-02, Misato called up to her.
"What is it? You need something from me?"
The reply came from inside the Entry Plug—Asuka's voice.
"I know you're upset. Losing Unit-02 must be hard for you," Misato said, shaking her head. "But you have to understand—there's nothing we can do. With the escalation of the Vatican Treaty issue, it was inevitable that Europe would want Unit-02 back. Even now, its operating clearance still officially belongs to them. The odds of getting it permanently transferred to Japan were almost zero from the start."
"You don't have to say any more," Asuka replied, her voice outwardly calm but underpinned by tightly reined-in emotion. "If that's the case, then I just won't pilot an EVA anymore."
"There's no need for that. Even without Unit-02, you could still pilot Unit-03," Misato countered. "You've probably already heard the news—Unit-03 will be arriving in Japan soon. You might as well take a look at it when it gets here. Who knows? You might even come to like it."
"Maybe… but Unit-03 will never be Unit-02."
Asuka let out a quiet sigh, almost murmuring the words to herself.
NERV Commander's Office.
A secret meeting was underway. The room was shrouded in darkness, and at the desk sat Commander Gendo Ikari, facing eleven shimmering holographic monoliths—
—the members of SEELE.
These eleven individuals effectively controlled the world's financial and commercial systems, shrouded in mystery to a degree few could even imagine.
Almost no one knew SEELE existed. Fewer still knew that Gendo Ikari was SEELE's twelfth member.
"We've already lost Unit-05, and now Unit-04. This is a serious blow to our plan," one of the monoliths said—the one designated "SEELE 09."
"It shouldn't matter too much," Gendo replied calmly. "Human Instrumentality is still in revision. Losing two EVAs isn't critical. Our main combat power remains here in Japan. Unit-01 is our true fighting force. Even though it's only a prototype, its combat capability far surpasses the others. And then there's Unit-02—soon to be recalled to Europe, yes—but we can't deny it has full combat potential."
"Even with Unit-02 gone, we still have Units-00 and -01. And now, the Americans insist on gifting Unit-03 to Japan, and your government has agreed," SEELE 09 continued. "This will greatly increase your combat strength, especially after the loss of Units-04 and -05. Unit-03 is, after all, the newest model."
"The eradication of the Angels is still ongoing," Gendo said. "Prototype units don't inspire confidence. If we could secure additional budget for the restoration of Unit-00, it would be much appreciated."
"The fate of the prototype has already been decided. There's no need to invest further in Unit-00."
"That's right," another voice chimed in. "There are far more important matters ahead."
"What we truly anticipate," SEELE 01 spoke, "is the arrival of Evangelion Unit-06. Its creation aligns perfectly with Lilith's resurrection. The Human Instrumentality Project must not proceed until that is complete."
"I understand. Everything is proceeding according to SEELE's scenario," Gendo replied.
The holograms vanished, and the room fell silent.
When the lights came back on, Fuyutsuki Kouzou was standing at Gendo's side, his expression just as grave.
"It seems the reports were accurate. SEELE really is beginning their god-making plan," Fuyutsuki said, shaking his head. "Ikari… what do we do now?"
"We accelerate the schedule. We'll awaken Unit-01," Gendo said slowly.
"And about Unit-04?" Fuyutsuki asked. "I can't shake the feeling that the Americans sending us Unit-03 isn't a good sign. Back at the Vatican meeting, they were desperate to secure more EVAs for themselves."
"If it wasn't built under Headquarters' supervision, then problems are to be expected. It was only a matter of time," Gendo replied coolly.
Their conversation, every word of it, was being heard in real time—
—not in NERV, but in the back of a truck parked on the outskirts of Tokyo-3.
Inside sat a man with long hair and a trace of stubble on his chin, wearing headphones. His deep, penetrating eyes carried a certain dangerous charm.
It could only be Ryōji Kaji.
At the moment, however, his expression was clouded with unease.
"Was it really… just an accident?" he murmured.
Acting on SEELE's orders, Kaji had been tasked with investigating the disappearance of NERV Second Branch in Nevada.
From the start, his suspicions had settled on Gendo Ikari, and his surveillance operation was now in full swing.
But so far, he hadn't found enough proof to link Gendo directly to the incident.
Bang.
Suddenly, there was a loud noise. The truck's cargo door swung open from the outside.
"Who's there?!"
Kaji barked the words and drew a pistol from his waist, aiming it squarely at the figure before him.
"The disappearance of Unit-04 has nothing to do with Gendo Ikari," the man said calmly, shaking his head.
"…You?!" Kaji's eyes widened in shock. "How did you find me here?"
The newcomer was none other than Ryōta Kitazawa.
Kaji's grip on his pistol only tightened. His stance made it clear—he was ready to shoot at any moment.
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