After a period of silence from Russia, one day the balance of the war was suddenly shattered by a weapon descending from the skies.
From the distance, flying toward the battlefield, came… an Evangelion—its model unrecognizable.
And then, more and more Evangelions appeared, diving at terrifying speed straight into the ranks of the American forces.
Fire and explosions consumed the battlefield. The flames of war rose high into the air. And yet, the Evangelions fought on as though fearless of death, relentless, charging forward like the bravest of warriors.
When the smoke finally cleared, what remained was nothing but wreckage scattered across the earth—and countless bodies of fallen American soldiers.
Only afterward did the world learn the truth: these were Evangelions modified with S² Engines.
And not only that—they were unmanned. Remote-controlled Evangelions.
The revelation sent shockwaves across the globe. Outrage erupted. The United Nations condemned Russia for brazenly violating the Vatican Treaty, denouncing the deployment of artificial Evangelions as a gross breach of international law and global security.
But Russia had already unleashed them. One after another, these artificial Evangelions poured into the battlefield, turning the war into an inferno.
Now, at last, the world believed in Russia's ambition.
Could it be—they sought to overturn the entire human order itself?
The war intensified, spreading like wildfire.
All eyes across the world fixed on the U.S.–Russia front. By contrast, at NERV Headquarters in Tokyo-3, silence prevailed. The chaos of international politics seemed distant.
Ever since journalists had last besieged NERV's gates, world attention had shifted. Now it was riveted on the war between the superpowers. EVA and NERV had receded from the spotlight, eclipsed by a conflict that threatened the fate of humanity itself.
Yet inside NERV, the news of Russia's artificial Evangelions sent shockwaves through the organization as well.
In her dimly lit office, Misato Katsuragi sat quietly in the shadows, head bowed, lost in thought.
She had seen enough of the world to recognize what was happening: the crisis was spiraling into an entangled mess, a disaster that might well drag humanity to ruin.
It was clear now. Humanity's greatest enemy was not the Angels.
It was itself.
Misato shook her head, anxiety gnawing at her.
"Things have been quiet around NERV lately. You don't have to sit here all day, you know."
Footsteps sounded outside, and a familiar voice reached her ears. A young man stepped into her view.
"Ah… it's you, Kitazawa-kun."
Seeing Ryōta Kitazawa, Misato managed a faint smile and felt a trace of warmth stir in her chest.
Even if the world were to end, as long as Ryōta was beside her, she would not feel fear.
"Come on, eat something." He held out a lunchbox. "Things really have been calm. No word of any new Angels for a long time. Still, as Operations Director, you've got to stay ready in case one appears."
Inside was braised pig-trotter rice. Of course, the meat was synthetic—real pigs had gone extinct during Second Impact. All that remained were lab-grown imitations.
But Misato ate happily nonetheless. It was Ryōta himself who had made it for her.
"By the way, Kitazawa-kun," she asked after wiping her lips, "why did you and Kaji release that video? At the time, I can't imagine anyone wanted it made public—not even the Americans. Because once it was out, it forced both sides to the brink of war. I don't believe the U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn't know Russia was behind Carson City. They just chose to look the other way…"
"Well…"
Ryōta hesitated, his expression tightening. After a long pause, he sighed and gave a wry smile.
"To be honest… I don't really know. Maybe what I've been searching for… is an answer."
"An answer?"
Misato blinked, caught off guard by his seriousness. She couldn't grasp what he meant.
But Ryōta understood perfectly.
This world of Neon Genesis Evangelion was steeped in riddles. Now that fate had allowed him to step into it, to witness its events firsthand, there was one truth above all he sought: the true meaning behind the Human Instrumentality Project.
By his reckoning, the time of Instrumentality was drawing near. To admit it was selfish, perhaps. But if so—then let it be selfish.
He knew the risks of releasing the truth. He knew the chaos it might cause. But he believed, with Unit-01 in his hands, he could turn the tide. When the moment came, he would crush Instrumentality before it could take root.
Later, walking with Misato out of NERV Headquarters, the sound of street broadcasts reached them: news of the U.S.–Russia war.
Reports spoke of the conflict turning against the United States and its allies, of Russia's artificial Evangelions relentlessly advancing.
"Artificial EVAs… Just who gave them this technology?" Ryōta muttered under his breath.
He had wondered the same before—back when Unit-04 was driven into the Dirac Sea. The technique that enabled it—where had it come from? His investigations traced only as far as one fact: the source had ties to Japan.
And now, with the rise of artificial Evangelions, the mystery only deepened.
Could it be… him?
In his mind, the image of a man surfaced—lonely, enigmatic. In the manga version of Evangelion, he had walked a path of no return—for love.
Ryōta shook his head to banish the thought. Misato was watching him curiously, puzzled by his silence.
He smiled back at her, and together they turned toward home.
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