Silence hung heavily—until Aida Kensuke broke it.
"Um… Ryōta-kun… thank you for saving us. If not for you, Tōji and I would've died long ago."
A weak smile tugged at his lips as gratitude filled his expression. Indeed, without Ryōta's intervention, they likely would have been crushed by the shockwaves.
Ryōta turned to face them, his tone calm but pointed. "But don't count on luck next time. True strength is earned, bit by bit—no one ever finds hope raining from the sky. Excellence comes from sweat and hard work. If you want to be stronger, you must train harder. Understand?"
His firm gaze was clearly directed at Tōji, as his words carried extra weight. And when Ryōta locked eyes with him, an electric chill shot down Tōji's spine.
Memories of every confrontation with Ryōta flashed through his mind. In that instant, Tōji realized a devastating truth:
He had never been Ryōta's equal.
Ryōta's enemies belonged in a far wider arena—against Angels.
Tōji forced a pained smile, his eyes brimming with awe. He was genuinely humbled.
"From now on, Ryōta-kun, my life is yours—through fire and knife!"
He sank to one knee, hands flat on the ground, head bowed deeply—a gesture echoing ancient Japanese samurai loyalty.
This was true submission: total, heartfelt surrender.
Ryōta nodded quietly. He accepted that vow—Tōji would soon become an Eva pilot and face Angels too. Ryōta didn't want to see him die on the battlefield.
In the original world, Tōji had been critically injured in his first mission—his legs ruined, his future shattered. Ryōta didn't want to witness that fate again.
---
Meanwhile, in a military command center, Captain Fujisaki slammed his fist onto the table, splintering wood sending vibrations through the room.
They'd done it again—Ryōta had flawlessly defeated the Fifth Angel and saved humanity. That angered him—no, infuriated him to the bone. His rage boiled into hatred every time he thought of Ryōta.
A voice spoke with calm authority from the room's shadowed corner.
"Ah, Major Kishimoto…"
Fujisaki stiffened, then composed himself as Major Ishiki Kishimoto emerged. Young but powerful—a UN-affiliated elite commander respected even above Fujisaki.
"Relax, Fujisaki," Ishiki smiled. "He's just a kid, nothing more."
Fujisaki ground his teeth. "Nothing more? This Ryōta is my nemesis—I want him dead!"
"I understand," Ishiki replied gently, "but don't panic yet. NERV's position is shaky—those scientists think they can rival the military. It's laughable. Weapons are meant for soldiers, not researchers."
Fujisaki's expression shifted—was Ishiki hinting at inside information?
"Any news?" he asked, eager.
Ishiki's grin deepened. "Not yet, but soon. I wonder how SEELE will respond this time…"
Ishiki gazed past the window to the horizon. Indeed, after the Fifth Angel fell, NERV had plunged into chaos.
An order had just come from the UN stationed in Tokyo-3: All Evangelion operations must cease immediately and await inspection from a UN-appointed inquiry team, effective immediately.
EVA's stunning victory had triggered seismic ripples in international power structures. A weapon that strong couldn't be ignored—conflict between NERV and the military was inevitable. A global narrative war had already begun:
"EVA isn't that powerful—only the military can truly protect humanity."
A storm was brewing… and the winds were rising.
Author notes: Ishiki Kishimoto is a OC character in this story. Happy reading..
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