The Key of Nebuchadnezzar, Kaji Ryōji knew, was an essential tool for producing artificial S² Engines—the very source of eternal energy.
So… could it really be that Russia's research into artificial S² Engines was for the purpose of launching a Third World War?
That was terrifying beyond belief! If such a thing were to happen, humanity itself would be thrust into a hellish nightmare.
Kaji didn't even dare think further on it.
Fortunately, back then, he had followed SEELE's orders, stolen the Key of Nebuchadnezzar, and delivered it to Gendō Ikari. Otherwise, who knew what could be done about it now?
Kitazawa Ryōta also silently nodded to himself. If what Mari said was true, then the lingering mysteries from The End of Evangelion could finally be explained.
After all, the original film had left far too many unanswered questions—secrets impossible to unravel. Though the truth was still unclear, one thing was certain: behind all of this, someone had been pulling strings in the shadows.
Only after coming to this world himself had he been able to experience firsthand just how terrifying the forces behind these events truly were.
"I trust MI6's intelligence," Kaji said, shaking his head, "but this matter is far too serious for me to believe it entirely. I hope you understand, Mari."
Kaji felt this was a thorny, very thorny problem. If Mari was right—if someone truly intended to ignite a third world war—then the forces backing such a move were beyond formidable.
What's more, the enemy was hidden in the shadows while they themselves were exposed, perhaps even being watched at this very moment.
That alone made Kaji feel as though a bone was lodged in his throat, unwilling to fully trust any report or intelligence.
"Of course," Mari replied with a faint smile, "you have every right to remain skeptical. MI6's intel isn't guaranteed to be correct either. Still, here we are in Moscow, and as foreigners, we're easy to be misunderstood. My suggestion is—why not work together from here on?"
"You mean… join forces?" Kaji chuckled, then turned to Kitazawa Ryōta with a look that clearly sought his opinion.
Mari caught the gesture and couldn't help but be quietly astonished. Kaji Ryōji—senior inspector, decorated operative, MI6's own unofficial "ace spy"—was actually seeking Kitazawa's approval?
It seemed this Kitazawa Ryōta was an even more capable figure than Kaji himself. Such a person was not to be underestimated.
Mari made a mental note of it, all the while meeting Kitazawa's gaze with a smile.
Seeing them both waiting for his answer, Kitazawa gave a slight nod.
"That works," he said evenly. "At the very least, we can watch each other's backs. But for now, shouldn't we discuss our next move?"
"Hmm… agreed," Kaji and Mari both nodded. "With the trail cold, it's time to decide on our next step."
"The next lead should be with the Sun Gang," Kitazawa said, tapping his chin. "Kirov is dead. The only one left who might know anything is the Sun Gang's boss—Miloshevic."
Since the Sun Gang was now their target, obtaining intel from them became the top priority.
Yamamoto Takehito, however, had nothing to do with this affair in the first place—he'd been dragged in purely by chance. Things were becoming more tangled and dangerous by the moment, so Kitazawa urged him to leave Moscow at once. Back in Japan, Yamamoto's safety would be assured.
After expressing his heartfelt thanks, Yamamoto departed.
Kitazawa, Kaji, and Mari exchanged a look. There was no telling—perhaps their next move could very well shift the balance of the world itself.
Moscow, like Beijing in China or Tokyo in Japan, was a city divided into districts, each reflecting wealth and status.
And in Moscow, none ranked higher than Rublyovka.
Here lived not only high-ranking officials but also billionaires in abundance.
Historically, this had been the favored home of tsars, statesmen, authors, and generals. The area boasted sixteen ducal estates, four count's manors, and two imperial palaces.
Rublyovka was, without doubt, a place of opulence—a bastion of generational wealth.
And today, in one of those grand estates, the Sun Gang's leader Miloshevic was deeply agitated.
The reason was obvious: those two foreigners from Japan.
Miloshevic knew exactly why they had come to Moscow and what they were trying to uncover. The thought alone made him all the more restless.
Even the attentions of his favorite young supermodel could not distract him—her touch only annoyed him further.
The truth was, despite the Sun Gang's prominence across Europe, they were still far from having the power to overthrow governments.
Yet not long ago, the gang had done something big. Something that had shocked the entire world.
And because the event had been so large and so sensational, Miloshevic understood perfectly well that, if exposed, both he and the Sun Gang would face utter ruin—beyond redemption.
It had only been a short time since that incident, and already this situation had come crashing down on him.
Indeed, there was no wall in the world so thick that the wind could not pass through. The Americans hadn't shown up yet—but the Japanese, like bloodhounds, had already sniffed their way here.
What were they after? What did they want? Miloshevic had no idea.
This veteran of Europe's underworld slammed the table hard enough to make the entire villa reverberate.
If Kirov hadn't come to warn him that someone was asking about Evangelion, he might still be completely in the dark—blissfully unaware of the danger closing in.
Unfortunately, despite sending out so many gunmen today, they had failed to eliminate the two Japanese. Worse still, Kirov himself had been compromised, forcing Miloshevic to have him silenced as well.
Over the years, Kirov had made him plenty of money. The thought brought a faint pang of sadness… quickly drowned by his ever-growing anxiety.
If the truth ever came out, the Sun Gang would find itself in an extraordinarily dangerous position on the world stage.
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