Chapter 64 96: Opportunity.

"Please, Shinji-kun! Let us borrow Rei again today."

Shinji stood at the school gates, watching the girl being pulled away by her friends. He saw Ibuki Yu bowing with hands clasped in apology and noticed Asuka's smug expression.

He didn't know what Asuka was so proud of, but he was very clear that Rei had been doing quite well lately—exceeding expectations, in fact. One could no longer see even a trace of the "doll" she had been when they first met.

That doll had first turned into his little shadow, becoming more cheerful and making more friends; now, she didn't even head home from school with him. Yet, he felt no jealousy, only a sense of gratification in his gaze.

Perhaps this was what a normal person's life was supposed to be: having many friends, possessing broad interests, and establishing bonds with more people.

It was better this way.

Hearing the girls cheer about "forming a band for a lifetime," Shinji smiled faintly. Recently, the amount of time they spent at NERV headquarters had decreased as well. Until the Ito team produced new armaments, there wasn't much point in going there. Rather than soaking in LCL fluid, it was better to enjoy life; after all, these were just fourteen-year-old children.

'If we have the strength to spare, we should build happiness upon the foundation of survival.

Do we not fight the Angels to the death precisely to prolong these peaceful days?'

The words of Misato and Asuka flashed through Shinji's mind as he slowly stretched. He had never slackened; if anything, his will had become purer.

'Your wishes must be realized by me—whether the threat is the Angels or SEELE.'

There was no need for self-indulgent sentimentality. An Astartes was born bearing heavy responsibilities: purging internal threats, resolving external foes, conducting crusades, and reclaiming lost territory. They never truly rested for a moment, and such combat was eternal.

"The current pace of battle is already a blessing from the Emperor."

Shinji was truly satisfied. He now not only had time to think about the school festival, but after obtaining the Dead Sea Scrolls, he could even faintly see the endgame of this conflict—something that was previously unimaginable.

An end to all fighting? Sorry, that didn't exist in 40K, not even in death.

Since Misato was working overtime today, Shinji wasn't in a hurry to return. He wandered through the city, eventually reaching a pedestrian bridge. He rested his hands on the railing, watching the constant stream of cars below.

Tokyo-3 couldn't be called bustling, yet on an ordinary day, one could see no trace of it being a fortress. Boys and girls in school uniforms played on the sidewalks; everything was so peaceful.

He stood there quietly until someone joined him. The youth didn't look over, continuing to watch the road below as he spoke in a low voice.

"Are there any new discoveries?"

The newcomer was Ryoji Kaji. He had a cigarette in his mouth and leaned his back against the railing.

"Don't be so impatient. I specifically came to thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"For Asuka. Despite her tsundere act, that child actually had a tragic past. She suffered severe psychological trauma and has to protect that sliver of self-esteem with extreme caution. Sometimes she goes too far and ends up hurting others instead."

Kaji blew out a smoke ring, a fatherly melancholy on his face.

"I used to be quite worried about whether you two could get along peacefully. It seems I overthought it. She can finally take off that heavy mask and act like a child who likes to be difficult—laughing freely when she's happy, and showing it when she's not, without having to suppress it."

Shinji listened quietly. Kaji's words were rambling, like the sound of a great weight finally being lifted from his heart. As for Asuka's tragic past, he had heard about it from Misato—something about her mother's mental breakdown, mistaking a doll for her daughter, and eventually committing suicide by hanging.

That was why Asuka strove to be first in everything, craving the attention and recognition of others. In modern terms, she was "starved for love" and had to use a tough exterior to protect herself.

"She was always a child," Shinji replied matter-of-factly.

'Aren't you one too? Well, alright, you certainly don't act like one.'

Kaji gave a bitter smile for a moment and crushed his cigarette butt under his foot. "However, there's one more thing I need to thank you for. Asuka needed a psychological anchor, and now I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Don't mind her twisted personality."

"As long as nothing goes wrong in battle, I won't mind. Asuka isn't going to shoot me in the back with a bolter."

'Uh, it feels like we aren't talking about the same thing?'

Kaji didn't know how to explain. He figured Asuka was still in the "stubborn mouth" stage; once she reached the next stage, Shinji would know what a headache felt like. Even Kaji couldn't handle that kind of passion. And don't forget, there was also a difficult-to-handle doll nearby, and a Misato who already showed "criminal tendencies."

Things were going to get interesting.

He really wanted to offer a friendly warning, but the more he thought about it, the more it felt wrong.

'This kid's situation is so enviable it makes me want to weep tears of blood. Why the hell am I worrying for him?'

"Let's talk business."

Kaji finally turned serious and lowered his voice. "According to my informant, because Commander Ikari violated Directive A17, SEELE has dispatched the 'Owls' to penetrate NERV. These people are their true confidants. It seems the old men are becoming increasingly distrustful."

"Owls?"

Shinji raised an eyebrow. He had heard Mark mention them, but they were difficult to track. After Kaji's explanation, he soon understood.

These people were the ultimate enhanced version of the Security Department—elites who had undergone special training and reported directly to SEELE, just like Kaji. That was how Kaji got the information.

'Mission Impossible meets elite soldiers, I see.'

Shinji wasn't worried. Psychic power was a capability that transcended this world's understanding. All the puppets he controlled had self-destruct orders; once captured, they would blow their own heads off without hesitation.

Originally, SEELE wouldn't have gone to such lengths, but since the "King of Blame" Gendo Ikari was becoming more and more disobedient, it was normal for them to turn up the heat.

"You're not worried?"

"They will find nothing. Why should I worry?"

Hiss.

Kaji took a sharp breath.

'Who exactly is controlling NERV? Could it be that the Security Intelligence Department is truly in his grip?'

But what benefits could this boy promise, and how could he guarantee the absolute loyalty of his subordinates? He found it difficult to comprehend, but then the youth asked:

"How do these 'Owls' compare to you?"

"Far above me. They possess the absolute trust of SEELE and are the executors of SEELE's will. You're not planning to recruit them, are you? It's impossible. These people are specially trained; they are the ultimate inner circle."

"Since they are so trusted, they must know the true identities of the SEELE members."

"Presumably so. They are much more trusted than Commander Ikari."

Shinji fell into thought. The reason he hadn't moved directly against Gendo Ikari was because the man was useful. If he couldn't dig up information about SEELE from him, turning him into a puppet would be a bit of a waste.

That man's psyche was already on the verge of breaking; he would soon become a marionette. And just as Shinji thought, he didn't need to do anything—those people would provide the leads themselves.

Using Gendo Ikari as a puppet to control NERV and then tracing the Owls back to the source was the most efficient plan.

In a few moments, Shinji had an idea.

"Can you find these people?"

"Hey, are you really planning to make a move? If you're exposed, SEELE will purge all of NERV. Don't forget the Angels are still here."

Kaji was startled. He had never seen someone so reckless and began to advise him earnestly: "SEELE is a very secretive organization with members scattered all over the globe. They are fundamentally impossible to oppose."

"I am asking if you can find them," Shinji repeated. He watched the man's expression change rapidly.

Kaji was struggling. To move against SEELE before the Angels were eliminated—did Shinji really not fear a human civil war that would let the Angels win by default?

"It's not that easy. I don't know them, nor do I know their specific identities. But I do know of an opportunity."

Kaji grit his teeth and decided to trust the boy.

"Commander Ikari is becoming more and more disobedient. SEELE is preparing to give him a lesson, and the 'Owls' are the ones who will carry it out."

'A man of talent.'

Shinji's gaze softened slightly. A person who acted on their own free will was far superior to a puppet whose AT Field had collapsed and was controlled by psychic power. The latter, like Mark, could only execute specific commands.

"So, what kind of 'lesson' is SEELE planning to give him?"

Ryoji Kaji took a breath, leaned in, and began to speak in a low voice. Shinji nodded continuously, a smile quietly surfacing on his face.

Indeed, it was an opportunity.

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