Suddenly, the alarms of Tokyo-3 roared to life. Piercing sirens echoed throughout the city, rattling every street and building.
The citizens, lulled by too much peace, froze in shock—including Ryōta Kitazawa himself.
Could it be… the U.S.–Russia war had spread to Japan?
But no. The truth became clear within moments.
The Angels had come.
An Angel had returned at last.
Chaos erupted in the city as the reality sank in: this was the Tenth Angel.
"Attention all citizens: proceed in an orderly fashion to the nearest evacuation route. Follow guidance to the emergency shelters."
"Passengers aboard city trains: disembark immediately and board the designated platform elevators."
The city's automated announcements blared everywhere. Meanwhile, inside NERV Headquarters, emergency combat readiness lit up instantly.
Staffers rushed to their stations. Even Asuka and Rei hurried in from the city.
But today Rei Ayanami looked different. She was dressed in a simple skirt—a softer figure than before. Even her gaze toward Ryōta seemed… changed.
Could it be that the ice was finally starting to melt?
In the command center, Misato Katsuragi had already taken her seat, eyes locked on the radar display.
"Listen up, everyone. We don't have time for a full briefing—the Angel is already here, and it's moving fast. All units prepare for immediate engagement! Deploy the surface-to-air batteries!"
Her orders cut through the room.
And then, without warning, the Tenth Angel manifested above the city.
Jets scrambled skyward to intercept. Artillery roared in endless volleys.
But the Angel only paused briefly. Its crimson "eyes" flared with light. In the next instant, its A.T. Field expanded outward—enveloping everything around it.
BOOM.
A storm of destructive force swept out, ripping through the city. Buildings shattered, entire districts flattened in an instant. The ferocity of the A.T. Field tore Tokyo-3 apart as though the very air had turned to a hurricane blade.
Structures crumbled by the dozens. Towering skyscrapers fell. The Tenth Angel's power was overwhelming—terrifying in its scale.
"S-such power…"
Staff swallowed hard as they watched the live feed. Sweat beaded across their brows. Even in the depths of NERV HQ, the ground shuddered violently. Above, the ceiling of the Geo-Front cracked open, chunks of concrete raining down.
"One A.T. Field strike… and even down here we felt it," Misato muttered grimly.
On the display, reports streamed in one after another:
"Fourth District has suffered a direct hit. Casualty status unknown."
"Report: all surface armor layers have dissolved!"
"Twenty-four layers of reinforced armor—gone, in a single blow…"
In the Commander's office, Gendō Ikari and Kouzou Fuyutsuki watched the monitors in silence.
"The Tenth Angel," Fuyutsuki murmured, "the ultimate rejection-type Angel… its destructive power exceeds all estimates."
Back in the command center, Misato snapped into action.
"Full deployment! Mobilize every weapons system in the fortress city! Bring them all to maximum output! And—Kitazawa Ryōta, prepare to sortie in Unit-01!"
Her command shocked the room into silence.
"What?"
Somebody finally spoke up, hesitant. "Major Katsuragi… what is the battle plan for this operation?"
"This time—there is no plan!" Misato barked, her tone firm, her eyes blazing. "We will throw everything we have at it. Our objective is simple: defeat the Tenth Angel at any cost!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The staff snapped to attention. Their only hope now lay in Ryōta Kitazawa—the ace pilot. With him in Unit-01, surely the Angel could be destroyed.
And then, a voice cut through the tension.
"Wait."
The single word froze the command center. Heads turned at once, searching for the speaker.
A tall, imposing figure stepped forward. Gendō Ikari.
"Commander Ikari…"
Murmurs rippled through the room as Gendō's gaze swept across them, cold and authoritative.
"This battle—I will take direct command." His voice was calm, immovable. "Katsuragi, you have no objection, I assume?"
"None, sir," Misato replied quickly. "But with the Tenth Angel devastating the city, I ask that you issue orders immediately!"
"Very well." Gendō's eyes narrowed. "Rei Ayanami. Prepare to sortie."
His gaze fixed on her, sharp and unreadable.
"Yes."
Rei nodded without hesitation and strode to the launch deck. She was already ready for combat—but she had not expected to be the first ordered into battle.
Behind her, Asuka stood frozen, her expression twisted with envy and frustration. Why her? Why wasn't she chosen first?
Meanwhile, an unease gnawed at Ryōta Kitazawa's chest. A bad premonition. Something about all of this felt wrong. But he couldn't yet grasp what it was.
All he could do was steel himself, watching Gendō's impassive face—searching for a hint of intent.
But there was nothing. Gendō's expression revealed neither sorrow nor joy. Nothing at all.
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