"Who cares about Unit-03 anyway."
Asuka gritted her teeth again and spat out the words.
Though she was deeply reluctant to part with Unit-02, the fact was that her official assignment had already been transferred to Japan's NERV HQ. Unit-02, however, was to be recalled. Faced with such a situation, Asuka had no choice but to agree to pilot Unit-03.
Just the thought of being separated from Unit-02 filled her heart with unease and regret.
"Alright then. Since that's been decided, let's leave it at that. When Kitazawa Ryōta gets back you can deal with him all you want, but for today you'd better focus on the test." Misato smiled faintly as she spoke.
Asuka pouted, saying nothing. But she knew this was her only option.
Just then, the voice of a news anchor suddenly blared from the television nearby:
"We interrupt this program with breaking news. Reports from Moscow indicate that the Russian Federation has launched a nationwide manhunt for two Japanese nationals and one British national. Their names are Kitazawa Ryōta, Kaji Ryōji, and Makinami Mari. According to official statements, the Russian government accuses the three of stealing highly classified military intelligence, causing grave consequences for the nation…"
"What?!"
Both Misato and Asuka nearly jumped in shock at the report. For a moment they thought they must have misheard, and exchanged stunned glances.
But when they rushed over to the screen to check, there was no mistake. The photo now flashing across the broadcast was unmistakably Kitazawa Ryōta. Even if he were reduced to ashes, Asuka felt she would recognize him. Let alone from a picture.
But… what on earth was Kitazawa Ryōta doing in Russia?
And together with Kaji?
And accused of stealing Russian state secrets? Now being hunted across Russian territory?
Neither of them could make sense of it. They just stood there, staring blankly at each other.
Unsurprisingly, the news of Kitazawa Ryōta being wanted across Russia soon shook the entire world.
You can hide nothing forever—especially not an operation of such scale. Word of Russia's mobilization inevitably leaked, sending shockwaves across the globe.
For the first time in human history, a great power had launched such a massive campaign to hunt down a single man. His name was Kitazawa Ryōta. (And, of course, Kaji Ryōji as well.)
Meanwhile, the three had already crossed the Sino-Russian border and were heading toward Beijing.
NERV's China branch was located there—home to Evangelion Unit-10.
That was the conclusion Kitazawa Ryōta had reached after much thought. Unit-10 was flight-capable, the newest model, built on entirely new technology unlike any previous EVA.
By his calculations, only by seizing Unit-10 could they possibly return to Japan in time—before Asuka was ever allowed to set foot in Unit-03.
But first, they would need to infiltrate Beijing and steal it.
Curiously, the news of Russia's nationwide manhunt had little impact inside China. The general public seemed largely indifferent to politics, and besides, both Kitazawa and Kaji could pass easily as locals with their Asian features. Moving through the city would draw little attention.
Still, as someone who had been Chinese in his previous life, Kitazawa Ryōta felt a stir of emotion upon setting foot in Beijing. Yet this world's Beijing was utterly unlike the one he remembered.
The scars left by Second Impact were everywhere, and the city lacked the bustling prosperity of his past life's capital. That, he thought, was a small regret.
According to his plan, the next step was to infiltrate the Beijing NERV branch.
That night, under cover of darkness, a lone figure slipped quietly into NERV Beijing.
The silhouette was slight, almost delicate. But her movements radiated fascination—for the Evangelion she was about to claim.
Ever since Bethany Base, Kaji had witnessed Mari's extraordinary aptitude as a pilot. Perhaps she was not inferior even to Asuka or Kitazawa himself. After all, in her very first sortie she had defeated the rampaging Third Angel. That level of talent was terrifying.
So when Mari volunteered to undertake the infiltration alone, Kaji hadn't objected.
Kitazawa, too, understood her motives. He only smiled knowingly, offering no comment.
And so, beneath the starlit sky, everything moved quietly forward.
But of course, what was bound to happen did happen.
With Mari's skill, breaking into NERV Beijing and seizing Unit-10 was hardly a challenge.
Moments later, an Evangelion burst upward, smashing violently through the branch's ceiling hangar. The colossal frame soared into the night sky.
"Quickly! Alert the commander—Unit-10 has been stolen!"
"Scramble the air force! Stop them at all costs!"
Soldiers and civilians alike came rushing out, staring upward in shock as Unit-10 climbed into the heavens. Rage and disbelief filled their voices over the comms. Some even drew rifles and opened fire into the sky.
To have their own Evangelion stolen—right under their noses—was an intolerable humiliation.
"Shoot! Bring it down!"
Gunfire rattled, but it was useless. Mari had taken Unit-10 to a height far beyond their reach. Only anti-air missiles could touch her now—and none were at hand.
The ground forces could do nothing but stand frozen, waiting for air support.
"So this is Unit-10, huh? It's even better than I imagined," Mari's delighted voice rang out within the cockpit.
"Alright, Mari, cut the sightseeing. Get to the rendezvous point—we still have to make it to Matsushiro. If we don't hurry, we'll run out of time."
Kaji's exasperated voice crackled through the comm. He shot a glance at Kitazawa beside him and shook his head. To think of stealing Unit-10 just to return to Japan—only someone like Kitazawa could dream up something this insane. One wrong step and the international consequences would be catastrophic.
"Okay, okay, don't worry so much. I'm just playing a little, nothing serious."
With that, Unit-10 rolled into a full 360-degree aerial maneuver, before diving at high speed toward where Kaji and Kitazawa waited below.
Pls drop some power stones supper me at my
PS: Access the complete chapters/series at