"What is this?!"
"What's going on?!"
As the footage began to play on the large screen, the crowd stared on in confusion, unable to make sense of what they were seeing.
What appeared on screen was unmistakable: Kojiro Hattori, and one of his most trusted aides.
"If we can launch a public protest against NERV, it'll no doubt boost your approval ratings, Chairman Hattori."
The scene showed Hattori's subordinate bowing respectfully, his posture low, voice filled with flattery.
"The more mistakes NERV makes, the more your leadership will shine by comparison. The more their failures stand out, the more your reputation for competence and strength will grow. At that point, the prime minister's seat will practically be yours."
"No… no! This can't be! It's not true! You… you at NERV fabricated this!"
Hattori's face had gone pale. His legs were trembling uncontrollably. He had no idea when this footage had been recorded—or how it had ended up in Ryota Kitazawa's hands.
The sheer unknown of it all filled him with dread.
And worse—he could feel the gazes turning toward him from all sides: shock, unease, anger… and fear.
That fear, he realized, came from his own subordinates. For them, Hattori had been a rising star, a near-guaranteed successor to the prime minister's office. If he fell now, their own ambitions and investments would crumble with him.
"It's fake! All of it! Don't believe them! That man in the tape isn't me! NERV must have used some trick to frame me! How dare you fabricate evidence against a Cabinet Chairman!"
The surrounding crowd fell into a hushed silence.
Hattori swallowed hard and began shouting in desperation.
But Kitazawa was utterly unbothered—calm and composed, he smiled and said:
"Chairman Hattori, don't panic. The tape isn't over yet."
"What?!"
Hattori froze. His subordinates exchanged nervous glances.
Was there more? Could it get worse?
They didn't dare imagine what was coming—but fate wasn't about to show them mercy.
Sure enough, the video jumped to a new scene—inside an office.
There sat Kojiro Hattori, at his desk. On the table before him lay piles of cash.
> "Then I'll leave it in your hands, Chairman Hattori. Please accept this 20 million yen as a token of gratitude."
"Hahaha! Very well—consider it done!"
Hattori laughed heartily on screen, scooping up the stacks of bills without hesitation. His greed was on full display.
"Th-this…"
Now, Hattori was truly rattled.
He remembered that bribe—the donor was a businessman he had known for years.
How had this been recorded?
Around him, a deathly silence fell.
Every eye was locked on Hattori. No one said a word.
"These are lies! Don't believe them!"
He stood up straight, trying to project confidence.
"I, Kojiro Hattori, answer to heaven and earth—I have a clear conscience! I would never do something so despicable!"
But his trembling voice, and the way his body shook, betrayed the truth.
"Still got something to say, Hattori?"
Kitazawa shook his head.
"You manipulated the people of Japan for your own gain. You incited hatred against NERV, completely ignoring the safety of this nation—and of all humanity. You're worse than an animal."
"You—! Kitazawa Ryota!"
Hattori clenched his jaw, wanting to lash out—but he couldn't speak. Because now, he could hear it:
The furious roars of the crowd.
"Kill that lying bastard!"
"Yeah! Beat him down! How dare he lie to us! Rotten politician!"
Insults and threats rained down around him. Hattori turned pale, completely at a loss.
"You… you can't believe this! I'm Chairman Hattori! Cabinet Chairman! Don't come any closer! Where are my bodyguards?!"
Backing away in terror, he shouted for help—but no one came.
From their vantage point, Kitazawa and the others could see shadowy figures quietly slipping away into the crowd. His own people had abandoned him.
They knew it was over.
After several more desperate cries, no help arrived. Hattori's face was ghost-white now, his heart pounding with dread.
If he were left at the mercy of this mob… he might not survive the day.
But then—
Sirens.
The sound of police sirens suddenly echoed through the street.
One after another, patrol cars pulled up outside the aquarium. Dozens of uniformed officers spilled out, forming a perimeter.
"The police?!"
> "Tch! Of course! The corrupt protect the corrupt! These politicians and their lapdogs are all the same!"
The arrival of law enforcement only drew more curses from the crowd. But the officers forced open a path through the masses.
"Police! You're just in time! Arrest those NERV people! They've fabricated evidence, slandered me! This is defamation—I demand they be prosecuted!"
Hattori's face lit up with glee. He pointed at Kitazawa and the others, shouting wildly.
But the police officers did not smile.
Instead, their faces were stern, eyes cold.
Then came the command:
"Kojiro Hattori—there is credible evidence of treason and bribery against you. You are hereby ordered to come with us to the station for investigation."
"This warrant is issued directly by the Cabinet."
With that, an official arrest warrant was held up before his eyes.
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