Everyone present looked back and saw Yui Ikari standing in the doorway, barely able to contain her anger.
"What Professor Fuyutsuki just said represents the wishes of the commander of NERV Japan Headquarters."
"Yui..." Fuyutsuki looked at Yui Ikari with both admiration and worry.
He admired her courage and her determination to defend the warriors who fought for humanity.
What worried him was that he had no idea how she would deal with these aggressive officials.
"Please don't do this, Miss Yui Ikari. This is our own choice," Mirror Knight hurriedly tried to stop her.
"Exactly! We absolutely can't drag you into this!" Glenfire, Jean-bot, and Jean-nine said in unison.
They had never wanted things to turn out this way. They would never agree to let the companions they spent every day with face such danger.
"And who are you? I don't recall anyone like you at the NERV base. What gives you the right to speak for NERV?" The official's manner turned icy again as he challenged Yui Ikari.
"I am Yui Ikari, acting commander of the NERV Japan Branch. For the time being, I have full authority over the branch."
"What?!" The two bodyguards accompanying the official let out restrained cries of surprise.
Hadn't Yui Ikari died in an experimental accident over a decade ago? Even her body had dissolved into Unit-01, so who was this woman standing before them now?
Had she faked her death? But if that were true, why did she look as though she hadn't aged at all?
A clone was even less likely. If they could clone Yui Ikari, why would Gendo Ikari have bothered cloning Rei Ayanami?
"Did she come back from the dead?"
"Keep your voice down..." The bodyguards behind the official began whispering among themselves.
A trace of shock crossed