Thus spoke Shinji Ikari

Bang, bang, bang!!!

Unit-01 hefted a giant Gatling gun. With every burst of shell-sized bullets that struck a red spherical organ, another Virtual Angel exploded.

"They're so weak," Shinji Ikari couldn't help commenting.

"It's practice, after all. The point is to teach you how to fight. You've already learned to neutralize an AT Field? That was fast!" Misato Katsuragi's delighted voice came through the communicator.

As the system ran, not only did Unit-01 spring into action, but the Virtual Angels also began to move vividly and attack in more flexible ways.

But these Virtual Angels were absurdly weak. They couldn't even dodge or block the heavy rifle in the EVA's hands.

Shinji Ikari sent Unit-01 charging like a maddened beast, barreling straight into the group of Angels without slowing as he sprayed rifle fire.

He rammed one Virtual Angel into the air and shattered its core with point-blank rifle fire. The impact and ensuing explosion blasted the surrounding Virtual Angels away.

One that had escaped the barrage rushed in from the flank. Shinji Ikari made Unit-01 draw the High-Frequency Vibrating Particle Knife from its shoulder and casually hurled it into the Virtual Angel's core.

As the Virtual Angel toppled backward, Unit-01 leaped up and landed astride it, driving the knife deeper while pouring bullets into it.

Efficient, frenzied, and elegant-that was everyone's unanimous assessment of Shinji Ikari in the command room.

"The kid I'm looking after is pretty good, isn't he?" Misato Katsuragi looked at her colleagues and her friend with pride written all over her face, her eyes gleaming smugly.

"My assessment of him has only ever been one word-outstanding!" Ritsuko Akagi replied evenly to Misato Katsuragi's boasting.

Then she abruptly added, "You can keep your relationship going."

Misato Katsuragi, who had been brimming with satisfaction a moment earlier, suddenly stiffened. "Ah... um... you can tell that too?" she stammered.

So that was why her friend had become chief technician, even though they'd graduated from the same university.

"After all, a certain penniless woman is already planning to take him abroad despite barely having any money. Clearly, you two get along well."

Misato Katsuragi blushed slightly at Ritsuko Akagi's words.

"Oh, that's what you mean. Well, we've already gotten to know each other. It's perfectly normal for friends to go on trips together..."

After just a few words, Misato Katsuragi suddenly lost some of her bluster, and even her voice sounded much less confident.

Ritsuko Akagi had originally thought that good interpersonal relationships would help keep the pilots cooperative. Now, however, a trace of doubt crept into her mind.

She stared intently at Misato Katsuragi, her eyes full of concern and confusion. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should you go to the Medical Center?"

Misato Katsuragi put on a fawning smile and waved her hand guiltily.

"Uh, no need. I'm fine. Don't worry, I'm perfectly well. I don't need a checkup. Really, nothing's wrong... don't mind me..."

Ritsuko Akagi frowned, her sharp gaze sweeping over Misato Katsuragi's strained expression. "As long as you're fine..."

But a moment later, as she watched Misato Katsuragi stumble over her words, her eyes suddenly widened in disbelief. "You... don't tell me... no way!?"

Ritsuko Akagi's mind was already racing. Her clever brain always worked quickly, and her extraordinary intelligence had already begun automatically conjuring images and sounds.

But a shrill steam whistle suddenly sounded, interrupting the chief technician's imaginings.

The engineers handling the final equipment adjustments stood up and quickly withdrew at a brisk trot.

They rushed toward the elevators in the surrounding corners and rode them up to the Aerial Platform.

There was only one reason for this: the simulation training had ended.

The staff below also gathered of their own accord, looking up at the Third Child who had performed exceptionally well in the simulator.

Every staff member present, along with their families, lived in Tokyo-3.

If an Angel's rampage lasted even a little longer, their families' safety couldn't be guaranteed, even if they themselves could remain in the relative safety of headquarters.

And as the Sword Bearer who wielded humanity's ultimate weapon, the more outstanding Shinji Ikari was, the more confidence he gave them that they could survive this age of despair.

Shinji Ikari emerged from the cockpit in a full-body, skintight suit.

The suit was a piece of advanced technology too, with built-in life-support interfaces and biosignal amplifiers throughout. It also provided protection during the EVA's violent movements.

Unit-01 was purple, so Shinji Ikari's combat suit was purple as well. It was a psychological cue designed to strengthen acceptance and identification-in simple terms, it helped increase the synchronization rate.

Of course, Shinji Ikari didn't need that sort of psychological cue to raise his synchronization rate. He wished Unit-01 could become a skintight suit he could wear at any time.

The boy was as handsome as ever. The deep-purple suit had been tailored specifically for him and fitted his tall, slender figure perfectly.

With a casual sweep of his hand, he smoothed his wet, short hair back into a neat, slicked-back style, lending him a sharper edge.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Thus spoke Shinji Ikari, and thus the people listened. Like a preacher and those seeking the truth.

Thus spoke Shinji Ikari

Ritsuko Akagi fell silent. Watching the boy who seemed like a savior and the crowd of believers who appeared on the verge of fervor, she felt momentarily dazed.

She was looking at the boy, yet it felt as though she were seeing herself, back when she hadn't dyed her hair blond and hadn't had so many people around her.

Just as her thoughts began to drift, a mood-killing voice interrupted her reverie:

"Ritsuko dear, it's time to analyze the data. How did Shinji's training go this time? I need an analysis report to put together his next training plan!"

Misato Katsuragi stood beside Ritsuko Akagi. The atmosphere was growing more and more enthusiastic, and everyone looked at Shinji Ikari as though he were a great hero.

"Don't talk to me. Perversion is contagious," Ritsuko Akagi replied coldly, looking at Misato Katsuragi with undisguised contempt.

Seeing this, Misato Katsuragi hurriedly waved her hands and explained, "Hey, don't say that! We'd had too much to drink!"

"So you really did it!? And you let him drink, too? That's... grooming!"

Ritsuko Akagi was shocked, as though she had never expected her friend to venture ever further down the road of crime.

Misato Katsuragi: "..."

As Shinji Ikari approached, Ritsuko Akagi glanced at Misato Katsuragi and said, "Shinji, I know everything. Do you need legal assistance?"

"Don't be like that, Ritsuko dear! I really am innocent!" Misato Katsuragi was frantic.

Ritsuko Akagi ignored her. What criminal didn't claim innocence before confessing?

Seeing Misato Katsuragi's fawning expression as she faced Ritsuko Akagi, Shinji Ikari knew the secret was out. But the Lord was merciful. "No need."

As though she had just heard testimony in her favor in court, Misato Katsuragi breathed a sigh of relief.

Ritsuko Akagi showed no disappointment. She merely gave Misato Katsuragi a long look before turning to another matter.

"That's it for today's training. Also, Unit-00's second synchronization test is this weekend. Don't oversleep."