Two days later, off the coast of Tokyo-3.
A Pacific Fleet, authorized by the United Nations, slowly sailed into the designated sea area, guarding a massive aircraft carrier like loyal knights.
On the deck, a colossal object was heavily wrapped in thick canvas and restraints, but its vaguely visible outline and a dazzling flash of crimson unequivocally indicated the terrifying power contained within.
NERV Japan Headquarters, dedicated helipad.
Misato Katsuragi stood with her hands in her pockets, her face showing a hint of hangover-induced laziness and a subtle headache.
"Seriously, making such a big fuss. Anyone who didn't know would think a head of state was visiting," she muttered softly, her gaze sweeping over the two young people beside her.
Shinji Ikari stood tall in his clean school uniform, his eyes calmly fixed on the distant sea.
After Hansen's training, he was no longer the shrinking boy in the corner of a crowd. His composed demeanor made him appear much more mature than his peers.
Rei Ayanami was as quiet as ever, her light blue short hair gently fluttering in the sea breeze.
Her crimson eyes were like two translucent gems, only occasionally and unconsciously drifting towards the empty spot beside Shinji, as if waiting for someone.
"Listen up, you two."
Misato cleared her throat, her expression turning serious. "What's arriving shortly is Evangelion Unit-02 from the German branch, along with its dedicated pilot, the Second Child, Shikinami Asuka Langley."
"Her rank is Captain, and she's known as the 'Ace of the European Air Force'—a true genius."
She paused, her tone becoming somewhat subtle: "But... geniuses always have their quirks. In any case, as NERV Headquarters' Evangelion pilots, show some magnanimity and don't stoop to her level, understood?"
"Yes." ×2
Shinji and Rei Ayanami responded in unison.
No sooner had they spoken than a tremendous roar echoed through the sky.
A formation of several large transport aircraft approached from afar. One of them opened its cargo bay above the aircraft carrier, and a massive mechanical arm extended, grasping the wrapped red giant and slowly flying towards the helipad.
The wind howled, making it hard to open one's eyes.
When Evangelion Unit-02's iconic crimson body and four-eyed design were fully revealed to everyone, even Shinji couldn't help but be awestruck by this aggressive machine.
It was like a red beast poised to strike, distinctly different from the mysterious eva unit-01 and the simple eva unit-00.
The transport aircraft hovered, and a figure descended along a cable with an impossibly agile and precise movement, landing steadily before the group.
The newcomer was a girl who appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old.
Her sky-blue eyes gleamed with undisguised pride and wildness, and her fiery orange long hair was tied into two vibrant twin pigtails, tracing playful arcs in the air with her movements.
She wore a highly stylish, form-fitting red plugsuit that perfectly accentuated her youthful physique, somewhere between a girl and a woman.
She was Shikinami Asuka Langley.
"Guten Tag!"
Asuka spoke with her hands on her hips, in an almost declarative tone, imbued with German assertiveness.
"Long time no see, Misato." She smiled and waved at Misato Katsuragi, then her gaze aggressively swept over the remaining two.
"You two are the pilots of the prototype and test units? You don't look like much."
"Oh dear, Asuka, you're still so... energetic." Misato's gaze was doting yet held a hint of embarrassment. She had known the girl had a fiery personality, and it seemed absolutely nothing had changed.
Upon seeing Rei Ayanami, Asuka pursed her lips, as if evaluating a lifeless ornament: "A puppet of a nepotist?"
Rei Ayanami remained expressionless, simply watching her as if she hadn't heard.
Then, Asuka's gaze fell on Shinji Ikari.
She scrutinized the seemingly delicate and handsome boy from head to toe, her eyes almost overflowing with disdain.
"So you're the second-generation official, Shinji Ikari?"
Asuka's chin lifted slightly, her tone full of provocation: "What's this? You look like a girl, and you reek of a stray dog."
"I heard you caused severe damage to your unit on your first sortie? Don't disgrace Evangelion pilots!"
Such harsh words from a top-tier beautiful face made Misato Katsuragi sigh, about to interject and smooth things over.
However, the anticipated reactions of anger, shame, or bewilderment from the boy were completely absent.
Shinji Ikari simply met her gaze calmly, without even a flicker in his eyes, his heart utterly clear.
"Hello, Miss Shikinami Langley." He spoke, his voice not loud, but exceptionally steady and clear. "I am Shinji Ikari. Welcome to Tokyo-3."
Neither humble nor arrogant, polite yet distant.
"Huh?" Asuka felt as if her punch had landed squarely on cotton. All her fighting spirit and prepared taunts were stuck in her throat, neither up nor down, an indescribably uncomfortable feeling.
She had anticipated a hundred different reactions from him, but never this one!
She had originally intended to use this opportunity to provoke and test the headquarters pilots' strength, and to establish her authority.
This development was a path she had never envisioned.
Did this guy not understand that she was insulting him?
Or did he simply not care?
"Is that all the reaction you have?! Onda Baka!?" Asuka's volume unconsciously rose, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I'm not complimenting you, you idiot Shinji!"
For some reason, the nickname slipped out, as if she had used it countless times before.
But Shinji Ikari remained calm, merely tilting his head slightly, his clear, university-student-like eyes showing a hint of confusion, as if looking at an unreasonable child.
"I'm not called Idiot Shinji," he corrected earnestly.
"Pfft—" Misato Katsuragi couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
"You... you guy!" Asuka's face instantly flushed crimson, half from anger, half from embarrassment.
She felt her pride and dignity being brutally trampled by his dismissive attitude.
Just as she was consumed by rage, ready to rush forward and grab Shinji's collar to make him understand who the ace was—
Footsteps, neither light nor heavy, came from behind.
Though it was only one person's footsteps, they seemed to carry a peculiar rhythm, instantly overpowering all the noise on the helipad.
The wind, the hum of machinery, people's whispers... all sounds were invisibly suppressed at this moment.
An indescribably heavy pressure, like the deep-sea's water pressure, silently enveloped the entire space.
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