Alien Yapool's dark cloud loomed over Tokyo-3.
Kaji and the agents returned to NERV headquarters with samples of the blood rain for testing.
But when they arrived, they found an officer from the Self-Defense Forces complaining to Misato.
"Nearly a thousand people have vanished all at once across several cities centered on Tokyo-3. What the hell is going on?"
"And those are just the cases reported so far. Who knows how many more will come in?"
Misato asked in confusion, "Would missing people alone really warrant involving the Self-Defense Forces? And why bring it to us?"
Unable to contain his fear, the officer shouted:
"Of course ordinary disappearances wouldn't reach us. The problem is that this situation is completely beyond our understanding!"
"Every single case is a mass disappearance. The reports we've received all describe roughly the same thing."
"According to survivors, a flash suddenly appeared near a place where people had gathered, and large numbers of them vanished instantly."
"There's no connection or pattern between the locations where these disappearances happen."
"The only thing they have in common is that most of the missing people are children. Apart from that, we haven't found any pattern at all!"
"Hello? What? Another group disappeared in K District?" the officer's aide said incredulously as he answered the phone.
"See what I mean? It's happened again."
After the officer left, Kaji and Misato discussed the matter.
Misato frowned. "With this many disappearances, aliens must be behind it."
Kaji said, "I think so too. Call Shinji back. Let's ask Zero."
Then his expression grew serious.
"By the way, I saw Hayato Noda outside today."
"He suddenly appeared in front of me, then vanished just as suddenly. I'd like to pull up the surveillance footage from that location."
Misato scratched her head. "Hayato Noda? I'd