"Shinji..."
Yui looked at him. Surprise in her expression.
Her son's personality differed significantly from her expectations.
"If I leave here, you won't be able to pilot Unit-01 anymore."
She said.
Precisely because she gave her soul to Unit-01, Shinji could pilot it in combat. This was the only gift she could leave her son as a mother.
Also Shinji's only weapon for self-preservation in the coming dangers.
Additionally, Unit-01 was SEELE's backup plan. Abandoning it now would likely trigger immediate action against them.
"This world is more dangerous than you imagine."
"Even stronger Angels will appear after this."
Yui spoke earnestly. Hoped Shinji would listen.
Unit-01's power was necessary.
As long as her soul remained inside, she could always protect Shinji.
"I already said—whether it's Angels, SEELE, or anything else."
"Anything that steals lives, steals dreams—I'll stop it."
Shinji's gaze remained resolute.
He knew excessive thinking, excessive hesitation would only stagnate him.
He didn't want to trap himself in his inner world anymore.
These recent experiences taught him a new way of living. He liked this version of himself.
Don't overthink complex, profound matters. Whatever difficulties arise, act first. Then find ways to save everyone.
Before finding his true dream, protect others' dreams. That's what Natsuki-san told him.
And now, he believed this was his dream.
"This is Shinji's own choice. What we should do is support him, shouldn't we?"
Hearing Shinji's determination, Natsuki smiled. Then told Yui.
Youthful dreams were the purest, most precious things.
These dreams might be twisted or abandoned for various reasons. But right now, Natsuki wouldn't let this boy's dream be tarnished.
Otherwise, it would affect his entire life.
"Natsuki-san..."
Hearing his words, Yui recalled what she'd witnessed from inside Unit-01's cockpit—Shinji transmitting special energy to Unit-01, then releasing an extremely powerful light wheel.
Her soul consciousness inside Unit-01 wasn't always awake. But that time, she saw it.
"Why help us... help Shinji?"
She asked.
Hearing this question, Natsuki smiled faintly.
"Because... I'm Ultraman."
This question had multiple answers. Different positions offered various explanations.
But Natsuki believed right now, this one sentence was enough.
"Ultra...man."
Yui savored the name.
Then looked at Shinji. Smiled and nodded.
"A name that brings peace of mind just hearing it."
"Then... Mother won't stop you."
"Let me see Shinji's dream too."
After speaking, Yui's form gradually vanished.
Natsuki and Shinji both withdrew from the white space. Returned to Unit-01's cockpit.
"Your mother and father have completely different personalities."
Natsuki compared Yui and Gendo's images in his mind.
Regarding love for Shinji, Yui far surpassed Gendo.
He'd initially thought Yui would have a stern demeanor.
"Mother... felt warm."
Yui's image still lingered in Shinji's mind.
Either way, today he finally met his mother. And afterward, could live with her.
All this... felt like a dream.
"Natsuki-san, please."
Shinji requested in his mind.
"Don't worry."
Natsuki smiled in response.
Channeled energy at a special frequency into the bracelet's crystal.
Soon—
Hikari's image appeared.
"Oh... so this is the Unit-01 you mentioned."
Upon appearing, Hikari immediately examined Unit-01's structure inside the cockpit.
"Organic life combined with machinery. Somewhat crude, but not without merit."
"A soul trapped inside the machine body... mm, the physical body can be directly restored."
"The key is the soul remains. Much simpler than several other scenarios."
Hikari quickly grasped the situation.
As the universe's top scientist, his knowledge was dimensional superiority here.
"Did you bring the solidified life?"
Natsuki asked.
"Brought it."
"It's in your bracelet."
Hikari pointed at Natsuki's bracelet.
"This bracelet has that function?"
Natsuki was somewhat surprised.
"Of course."
Hikari nodded. Then tapped his arm several times in the air. Prepared to begin remote operation through the bracelet connection.
"When reporting to the Garrison Commander, he thought you'd had another accident."
"Is that so... the old man hasn't changed at all."
Natsuki chuckled.
Life Solidification Technology couldn't be used casually. Using this technology to resurrect someone required internal reporting to the Land of Light. Could only be used after obtaining the Commander's approval.
This prevented chaos in the universe's natural life-death cycle.
"Alright, I'm beginning."
Hikari's phantom came before Natsuki. Waved his hand. Brilliant light emerged from the bracelet. Floated before them.
Then, under his control, this light subdivided into countless tiny light points. Like threads extending to every corner of the cockpit. Connecting with Unit-01.
"Wuuu—"
"ROOOAR—"
In that moment, Unit-01—not activated by NERV—suddenly moved. Mouth opened. Unconscious roar. As if becoming a primitive beast.
"What!?"
"What's Unit-01's status!?"
In the monitoring room, Gendo saw this scene. His heart instantly wavered. Quickly turned to Ritsuko.
"Power cables aren't connected. Unit-01... activated its internal power source!"
"This is... berserk!"
Ritsuko's eyes widened. Looked toward Unit-01.
The eyes beneath the restraint armor turned red. Seemed ready to destroy everything here!
Unit-01 went berserk!
"Damn it!"
"That bastard really can't be trusted!"
"Quick, prepare the bakelite!"
Gendo ordered Ritsuko. Have personnel rush over immediately.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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