"You..."
Watching Unit-00 act this way, Ishiki Kishimoto found himself at a loss for how to respond. For the moment, all he could do was bark out another harsh threat:
"Ayanami Rei! I'm warning you one last time—if you insist on protecting Kitazawa Ryota, no one will be able to protect you! Because of your actions, all the people of Japan will curse your name for generations! I'm giving you one final chance: choose. Will you protect Kitazawa Ryota, or the hope of the Japanese people? Make your decision."
Originally, Kishimoto had assumed that once he uttered these words, even if Ayanami Rei didn't submit on the spot, her resolve would at least begin to waver. After all, what reason was there to endanger oneself just to protect someone else?
But this time, Kishimoto had miscalculated—completely and utterly.
Because what happened next was beyond anything he had anticipated.
Without delay and without the slightest hesitation, Ayanami Rei made her decision.
She stepped forward—just one step from Unit-00.
That single step could have crushed those soldiers underfoot and flattened countless military vehicles. But she didn't.
Of course, if she wanted to, she could have done it at any moment. In fact, she wanted to. But she didn't.
She was waiting—for Kitazawa Ryota.
As long as Kitazawa Ryota gave the word to kill, then the new Tokyo-3 would instantly become a blood-soaked battlefield.
Kishimoto's face turned green. The soldiers of the Self-Defense Force turned pale. They all knew exactly how terrifyingly powerful Unit-00 was. Flattening all of Tokyo-3 wouldn't even be difficult.
Unit-00 simply stood there, looming silently like a mountain, completely blocking their way.
As if to say: As long as I am here, no one shall pass.
Her intentions were clear. Her will was unmistakable. She would rather fight than surrender Kitazawa Ryota.
And the gap in strength between both sides was insurmountable.
Because Unit-00 could reduce this entire area to rubble at any time—so what power in this world could possibly stop her?
In essence, this was no longer a standoff, or even a negotiation. This was a blatant and unmistakable display of overwhelming force.
Challenging rules with power. That's right. In this world, no rule matters—only power does.
Before absolute strength, any and all schemes are futile.
Misato Katsuragi understood that now. So she smiled.
Ryoji Kaji understood too. He scratched his head, a look of helplessness on his face, thinking to himself: Kitazawa Ryota, just what kind of person are you? Even someone as emotionally detached as Ayanami Rei, after being around you long enough, has started to show this kind of cunning? You're quite the intriguing character.
Kashimoto, too, had come to understand this truth. Which is why, in the next moment, his face twisted with an expression that looked like he had just swallowed feces.
When no power in this world can threaten a person anymore, that's when they can truly ignore and challenge all rules.
Just like Ayanami Rei—and Kitazawa Ryota—standing before him.
"You... you're ruthless! I, Ishiki Kishimoto, will remember this grudge! But don't think this is over. This operation was personally signed by the Cabinet! You people at NERV will have to explain yourselves to them. Hmph!"
Spitting out this final threat, Kishimoto turned to leave. The situation here had already become chaotic enough. He had to get out of here fast to start managing the fallout. After all, openly clashing with NERV wasn't exactly a smart move.
"Wait."
Just as Kishimoto was about to leave, a voice once again echoed from inside Unit-00.
"Hm? What now, Ayanami Rei? What do you still want?"
Kishimoto turned back, glaring viciously at Unit-00. He wasn't sure what she was planning—was she not satisfied with getting the upper hand? Was she going to flatten everything outright?
But Ayanami Rei simply pointed at Kishimoto's car and said in a calm, quiet voice:
"Everyone else can leave—but not the person in that car."
"…What did you say? Do you know who's in that car?!"
Kishimoto was instantly startled, and his face twisted in fury. He roared at Ayanami Rei.
"I don't care who he is. All I know is—anyone who targets Kitazawa Ryota must pay the price," Ayanami Rei replied, shaking her head.
"You bitch! You think you can do anything to me?!"
At that, Hattori Narumi could no longer stay silent. He stormed out of the car and began cursing at Ayanami Rei:
"Who do you think you are?! I'm Hattori Narumi, the son of the Speaker of the House! You've got some nerve!"
"…What?"
The crowd fell into stunned silence.
Even Kishimoto stood frozen in place. Then, a pale, ashen expression spread across his face.
He'd seen fools before—but never this foolish. Right in front of so many people, Hattori Narumi had outright blurted out his identity. Wasn't that the same as admitting that, because of his political background, he had the privilege to fabricate charges at will?
In that instant, even the soldiers started casting suspicious glances at both Hattori Narumi and Ishiki Kishimoto.
So many comrades had died today. Some were friends, others were family, and many were battle brothers. Did their deaths mean nothing?
Some of them began to question this. But Hattori Narumi remained blissfully unaware.
"Master Hattori, let's go. Don't waste your time with these people," Kishimoto said through gritted teeth, grabbing Hattori and trying to drag him away.
If they stayed any longer, something worse might happen—and that would be a disaster.
Especially since Hattori Narumi's brazen arrogance had been seen by everyone.
"Hmph! Kitazawa Ryota! I'm not done with you! One day, I'll settle this score with you!" Hattori Narumi shouted, still loud and belligerent, almost as if he were afraid others might not know that he had powerful backers.
Right now, Kishimoto was so furious he could barely keep himself from strangling Hattori on the spot. But he didn't dare. Because Hattori Narumi's father was Hattori Kojiro—Japan's most likely next Prime Minister. Even if Kishimoto himself fell from grace, Hattori Kojiro could easily pull him back into power.
"Hold it. Did I say you could leave?"
Just as the two of them were about to walk away, a calm voice cut through the air.
They turned around to see Kitazawa Ryota, who had finally stepped forward, his face composed and expressionless.
"Kitazawa Ryota… what are you trying to do now?" Kishimoto demanded, glaring coldly at him.
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