After lunch, everyone prepared to leave the aquarium. But just as they were getting ready, a staff member from the facility came rushing over, breathless, and called out to Ryoji Kaji:
"Kaji-san, we've got a problem! A serious problem!"
"Hm? What happened? Slow down and explain."
Kaji frowned slightly.
"There's a large crowd gathering outside the front gates… they're protesting against NERV…"
The staff member's voice trailed off as he spoke.
"What?!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock. Protesting? Here?
Sure enough, when the group rushed to the entrance, they were left speechless by the sight before them.
Outside the gates was a sea of people.
Banners waved, slogans blared, and protestors packed every inch of the space beyond the facility's walls. The uproar was even louder and more intense than the crowd that had previously gathered at NERV HQ.
Somehow, word had gotten out—NERV's three EVA pilots were visiting the Marine Preservation Institute today.
Now, protestors had come in force, surrounding the research facility and completely cutting it off.
How had this happened?
Kaji's expression darkened. Who had leaked this information under his nose?
As NERV's chief inspector, he had already instructed Misato Katsuragi to keep a low profile. Clearly, someone had ignored that order—or worse, someone inside NERV was leaking information.
"NERV's pilots are traitors and murderers! They must be held accountable!"
"Get NERV out of Japan!"
"Japan doesn't want you—leave now!"
The mob shouted, jeered, and howled in anger. And the moment Ryota Kitazawa and the others appeared, the crowd's emotions erupted.
The scene was overwhelming—Kensuke Aida and Toji Suzuhara were visibly shaken. They had never witnessed such hatred before.
The faces in the crowd were twisted with rage—genuine, burning hatred that made them look more like demons than humans.
Asuka stood frozen, fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. Her entire body was tense, trembling with fury.
"Well, well, isn't that the trio of NERV pilots? Out on a leisurely field trip, are we?"
A sneering voice rose from the crowd.
A man was pushed forward in a wheelchair, his face twisted with malice as he stared at them.
Everyone recognized him instantly.
It was Kojiro Hattori—the man Rei Ayanami had once thrown into the ocean using Unit-00.
And now, here he was again, front and center at a protest.
"Hattori Kojiro,"
Kaji muttered coolly,
"Seems like you didn't learn your lesson last time. Care to be thrown into the sea again?"
After the infamous "sea toss" incident, the media had flocked to Hattori's side, painting him as a victim. His popularity had skyrocketed. Practically overnight, he'd become the frontrunner for the next prime minister.
And beneath his victim act, he was quietly fuming, determined to get revenge.
After receiving an internal tip, he had arrived at the aquarium with his supporters—and with the media close behind.
The result was what stood before them now: a carefully orchestrated public ambush, designed to smear NERV and its pilots.
Kaji clenched his jaw.
This guy is serious about taking us down. I need to find a way to counter this—fast.
But before he could act, something unexpected happened.
Ryota Kitazawa stepped forward.
Calm, composed, and even slightly smiling, he stood before the furious Hattori Kojiro and said:
"Chairman Hattori. To think you'd go this far. All for a few votes. You're willing to throw aside not just Japan, but all of humanity. That's… impressively selfish."
His tone was light, but every word struck like a hammer.
The protestors and reporters alike were stunned.
Hattori's expression stiffened.
"Ridiculous! I, Hattori Kojiro, stand tall before heaven and earth. My conscience is clear. The people know the truth! You think one speech can twist right and wrong?"
Straightening his back in defiance, Hattori refused to back down.
But Kitazawa only smiled.
"Oh? Then… perhaps you'll enjoy this."
"What's that? What do you have in your hand?!"
Hattori's voice rose an octave, eyes narrowing.
Kitazawa held up a black videotape.
"I'm warning you, Kitazawa—don't try to fabricate evidence against me!"
There was unease in Hattori's voice now. He didn't know what was on the tape, but instinctively, he sensed danger.
Everyone else—including Asuka—looked puzzled, unsure what Kitazawa was up to.
Only Rei Ayanami silently stared at Kitazawa, eyes full of quiet understanding.
He's really going to finish this, she thought.
"Since the Chairman has no objections,"
Kitazawa said pleasantly,
"let's play this tape for everyone to see."
With a wave of his hand, he motioned to the aquarium staff.
Since a portion of the facility had been funded by Kaji, the staff were cooperative. In no time, they brought out a television and a VCR.
As the setup began, tension rippled through the crowd. People exchanged confused glances. What was Kitazawa planning?
"Everyone, please watch closely."
Kitazawa calmly inserted the tape and pressed play.
The screen flickered, and then—
There he was.
Hattori Kojiro.
Clear as day.
His own face, his own voice.
Caught on camera.
A cold sweat broke out across Hattori's back.
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