"The military is the one truly responsible for protecting the lives and property of the Japanese people. Since when does NERV get to meddle in those affairs? If you ask me, NERV only exists to serve its own interests and to pursue personal gain! Don't you all agree?"
Hattori Kojiro smiled faintly and turned to face the massive crowd of protestors behind him, speaking in an indifferent tone.
"That's right! Chairman Hattori is absolutely right. NERV is nothing more than a self-serving organization. It should be the military that protects the people!"
"Exactly! With the way NERV acts, it's only a matter of time before they try to overthrow the Japanese government and seize power for themselves!"
The crowd erupted into chatter once more. It was blatantly obvious these were Hattori Kojiro's planted agitators.
"Mom, wasn't it the EVANGELION that chased away the monster last time?"
Amid the noise, a timid voice suddenly rang out.
It was a little girl's voice. Following the direction of the crowd's gaze, one could spot a small girl tugging on her mother's sleeve, speaking nervously.
Her innocent eyes were wide open, blinking with curiosity, soft and full of light.
But her mother looked horrified. She quickly covered the girl's mouth with her hand.
"Don't say such nonsense! If you do, Mommy will have to punish you!"
She hastily looked up at the surrounding crowd and forced a smile.
"She's just a child talking nonsense, please don't take it seriously. Please don't mind her."
The mother and daughter stood at the very back of the crowd. From the looks of it, they were just bystanders who happened to be passing through—not there to protest NERV intentionally.
And yet, that single comment from the little girl instantly reinvigorated everyone from NERV.
Yes. That's what we're here for.
To protect humanity? To protect the world?
No—to protect the people and the things we love.
So what did it matter what others said? As long as they stayed true to their hearts, that was enough.
"So that's how it is. Out of all these people, it takes a little girl to finally speak the truth."
A woman in a white lab coat stepped out from behind Misato Katsuragi. It was none other than Ritsuko Akagi. She adjusted her glasses and spoke slowly:
"Since NERV's founding, we've done countless things—things that every citizen of Tokyo-3 has witnessed. They've seen it with their own eyes. They won't be swayed so easily by the words of politicians. Protest all you like, but when the Ninth Angel appears next time, I hope you'll still be here in front of NERV HQ, chanting your slogans. Misato, let's go."
And with that, Ritsuko turned and calmly walked back into NERV headquarters. It seemed she had come solely to say those few words.
Watching her go, Ryota Kitazawa couldn't help but sigh deeply.
As expected, Ritsuko Akagi understands the situation clearly. Misato, on the other hand, is still too hot-headed.
"She's right. Let's go," Misato said, turning to leave. But before she went, she shot a look back at Hattori Kojiro:
"You really think you can deceive the Japanese people like this? Aren't you afraid you'll one day be utterly disgraced?"
"Heh. I, Hattori Kojiro, stand tall and walk straight. I don't fear NERV's dirty tricks."
Hattori sneered coldly, then turned back to the crowd:
"You all saw that, didn't you? I will never bow to NERV's evil influence! Shout with me—NERV, get out of Japan!"
A fresh wave of slogans erupted, even more nauseating than before.
This so-called Chairman Hattori would clearly do anything for votes.
People couldn't help but feel sick to their stomachs. In that moment, many wished they could toss the man into the ocean just to be rid of him.
"Rei, it's all yours now."
Ryota Kitazawa gave a faint smile. It was as though he could hear the silent thoughts of everyone around him. He didn't look the least bit angry. With that, he turned and walked calmly back into NERV headquarters.
As the massive doors closed behind him, the protestors outside continued shouting louder than ever—but from that moment on, there was no further movement from inside NERV.
Hattori Kojiro, however, was in high spirits.
This was a grand performance, he thought to himself. The more NERV messes up, the more my popularity will rise. When the general election comes, I won't have to worry about votes at all.
Of course, those who had helped plan today's action deserved to be handsomely rewarded too—something he made a mental note of.
But just as Hattori Kojiro was reveling in his triumph…
Suddenly—the ground shuddered.
Yes, it was just a single tremor—but sharp and unmistakable. Then, another, more intense quake, like an earthquake. Everyone stumbled underfoot as if the ground itself had jolted beneath them.
"What's going on? What happened?!"
People looked around in confusion. Some screamed. Panic began to spread through the crowd.
"Go check. What's happening?"
Hattori Kojiro's face darkened, and he quickly gave low instructions to two men standing beside him.
These two had been pretending to be protestors but were actually his bodyguards, embedded in the crowd to ensure his safety.
Hearing his command, both nodded and immediately slipped off in separate directions.
Watching them leave, Hattori felt an ominous chill settle in his chest.
A premonition. Something bad—very bad—was about to happen.
And that feeling didn't linger for long—because in the very next moment, the entire crowd let out a terrified scream:
"EVA! It's an EVA!!"
"What?!"
Hattori Kojiro froze. Sure enough—he saw one of the launch silos rising from beneath the city. At the same time, a towering unit—its armor painted completely yellow—came into view.
There was no mistaking it.
It was Unit-00.
"What's happening? Is NERV... staging a coup?!"
That was the first terrifying thought that flashed through Hattori Kojiro's mind. His heart began to race.
Could NERV really be rebelling?
If that were the case, there was no way Nagatachō or even the Japanese military could stop them. Not with Unit-00 on the move.
Then, something even more terrifying gripped his heart.
He realized—with a jolt of raw terror—that Unit-00's eye was fixed on him.
Dead center. Staring directly at him.
Amid the chaos, Hattori tried to find his men—but there was no sign of them.
His heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest. He tried to run—but after just a few steps, his legs gave out, as if rooted to the ground.
He wanted to scream "Help!"
But no sound came out. His body was trembling uncontrollably.
Could it be? Had NERV finally had enough? Were they now prepared to take him out—no matter the cost?
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