Chapter 78 110: Cherished Things.

"This is the Human Instrumentality Project?"

Downstairs, by the trash cans, Ryoji Kaji held a document, reading it by the faint glow of a streetlamp. His hands were trembling slightly; the further he read, the more horrified he became.

"A plan for literal self-annihilation? Are these old men insane? How did they come up with the wild idea of merging all of humanity into one?"

Wait—how did he get his hands on this?

Kaji didn't doubt its authenticity—after all, he had uncovered quite a few secrets himself—but his gaze was somewhat vacant.

A document of such monumental importance, a matter concerning the entire future of the human race, top-secret intelligence that could shake the world with a single sentence... and here we are, meeting like this?

He glanced at the brightly lit apartment building, hearing the faint sound of singing from a room, then looked at the trash cans and the youth holding a garbage bag.

'Uh, isn't this a bit too... mundane?'

As an ace spy, he wasn't looking for a scene out of a TV drama—that would be too forced—but at the very least, they could have met in a cable car cabin. Instead, a single phone call brought him here to conduct a hand-over at the base of an apartment block.

"Shinji-kun, I'm starting to doubt the reality of this plan."

Kaji's tone was bitter. To find even a trace of the secrets he currently held, he had risked his life and operated with the resolve of a dead man. Yet this youth, in a mere few days, had produced the complete version.

He had originally planned to find a breakthrough via Gendo Ikari, forced to act as a double agent and dirtying his hands with questionable deeds. Now, the prize had simply appeared in his grasp.

Shinji didn't look down on his lack of experience. Earth was the entire world to Kaji; if Shinji were back in the 40K universe and saw a Chaos plot to turn the entire galaxy's population into orange juice, he would be just as shocked.

"A foolish question. I obtained this from a member of SEELE; the probability of error is extremely low."

"Huh? You went looking for those old men?"

Shinji nodded and gave a brief explanation. Cold sweat broke out on Kaji's forehead for reasons Shinji understood perfectly.

"You were being baited. The Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs is also under SEELE's control. You've only lived this long because your handler was cautious enough not to report upward. But once he is exposed..."

"Then I'd have a 'flash of inspiration' right through my skull."

Kaji unbuttoned his shirt, feeling as though he had just walked past the gates of hell. If he had uncovered core secrets, the Ministry would have reported it, and it would have landed directly on SEELE's desk.

"It seems you're better suited for spy work than I am. Your capabilities are far superior."

Shinji shook his head. Kaji was already among the peak of mortals; there was no need for self-deprecation. Without the psychic powers he brought back, Shinji wouldn't be able to achieve many of these things either—he would only be able to solve enemies physically, rather than pursuing a grander objective.

"Now that the script is in hand, what do you plan to do?" Kaji lit a cigarette and asked somberly.

"What is your suggestion?"

"To stop the Human Instrumentality Project, obviously. I still want to chase girls; I have no desire to become orange juice." Kaji thought for a moment, holding the cigarette between his fingers as he paced. "While eliminating the Angels, we find the locations of the remaining SEELE members. I'll find the right people within the UN to conduct physical assassinations and halt this madness."

It was a logical suggestion, and a risky one. Kaji would have to distinguish who was trustworthy while simultaneously eliminating global shadow-masters—enough material for ten Hollywood action blockbusters.

"That won't be necessary. If the fundamental problem isn't solved, humanity will never know peace. Do you think Adam and Lilith are the only ones?"

Shinji's low question left the man stunned.

Indeed, no one knew if Adam and Lilith were unique. The Dead Sea Scrolls only stated they were "seeds" seeking suitable planets for sowing—Adam arrived first, and Lilith usurped his place, much like a script from a war of the gods.

If they aren't unique, even if humanity doesn't kill itself, what happens when another Adam, Lilith, or something else arrives? Would humanity stand a chance?

'God' had already given humanity a "script cheat"; if not for the Dead Sea Scrolls, they'd still be trying to fight Angels with tanks and cannons.

"The fundamental problem you mean... is the Negative Universe they came from? I've heard Ritsuko mention the concept, but information is limited. How do we solve that?"

"Akagi Ritsuko's research isn't focused on the Negative Universe; she's just the head of Project E. SEELE's research, however, goes extremely deep. Did you see the final step of the plan? They can actually trigger a resonance between the Negative Universe and the human soul through a ritual, deploying an Anti-AT Field to achieve Instrumentality."

Kaji scratched his head. He saw it, but he couldn't understand it. It was "stream-of-consciousness" content; he still didn't grasp the principles of the ritual.

"Uh, I don't have an education in religious studies. For that matter, what kind of religion is this? Jesus, Allah, Buddha—which one?"

"None of them. Those are just concepts added by men. But 'It' is not a deity in the sense I understand, either."

Shinji didn't know how to explain it. 40K had real gods, but a prerequisite for godhood was having a subjective will.

(Then again, looking at the Great Crusade era documents found by the Blood Ravens, the Emperor repeatedly stated he was not a god. Cough, getting sidetracked.)

"If you don't understand, look for clues. I won't move against SEELE for the time being. I need their assistance to open the boundary between the material universe and the Warp—no, the Negative Universe."

Kaji didn't understand the Negative Universe, but he understood Shinji's intent. He had to admit, it was incredibly courageous. He remembered his own shock when facing Lilith, while this youth was already contemplating how to "slay God." Their perspectives weren't even in the same dimension.

"But what about the Third Impact? The core of the Human Instrumentality Project is triggering the Impact in SEELE's way."

This was Kaji's greatest concern. No matter how you looked at it, the Impact was unavoidable.

"Obviously, I won't let all of humanity be the sacrifice. That is the premise of my plan."

"The Negative Universe is a complete unknown. Are you sure you won't... screw it up?"

"I will conduct a proper assessment. As I said, this is Plan B. If it proves impossible, I will take the simplest route: eliminate the Angels and SEELE, and secure a temporary peace."

Kaji took a breath, his mind in a whirl. Obtaining SEELE's script was shocking enough, but in just two days, this youth had mapped out a future direction and prepared multiple contingencies.

By the dim streetlamp, he looked at Shinji's expressionless face. For a moment, his thoughts even spiraled into wondering if this was Shinji's own conspiracy—to use humanity as the price to ascend to godhood.

Then, hearing the girl's clear singing and glancing at the brightly lit room upstairs, his gaze gradually grew steady.

"Do Misato and the others know about this?"

"They don't, and they don't need to. Aside from causing them distress, they can't help. It's better for them to maintain their current rhythm of life. I will resolve everything."

Shinji spoke calmly. He wouldn't hide things, but he wouldn't proactively inform them either.

Hearing this, Kaji's gaze turned peculiar. He sighed. "Shinji-kun, you are the most 'manly' person I've ever met. I can't even begin to compare to that heart of iron."

Sacrificial spirit, a sense of responsibility, shouldering everything, and doing exactly what he said he would do—in this moment, Kaji truly admired the boy. Capability is always secondary; the key is whether one has a heart of iron to face destiny and every hardship head-on.

Suddenly praised like this, Shinji's gaze also became peculiar. "Ryoji Kaji, if I recall correctly, your orientation is toward women."

'Strike the previous comment. This guy isn't an Earthling.'

Kaji covered his face, and the atmosphere lightened slightly. He crushed his cigarette butt and stood up straight.

"Fine. What do you need me to do?"

As a spy willing to sacrifice his life for humanity, his loyalty was unwavering.

'The expected result. The psychic seed would have led him to make the choice beneficial to me regardless.'

Since Shinji had shown the plan to this man, he was certain of the outcome. He didn't waste words.

"I have already brought a member of SEELE under my control. Even if he isn't on the Instrumentality Committee, he will provide cover for you within the organization."

'Controlling a member?'

Kaji was incredulous but didn't ask. He nodded. "Then I can be a bit bolder. I doubt anyone expects a mole within SEELE."

As a shadow organization with highly aligned goals, SEELE members were wary but shared a high degree of mutual trust. (Except for Gendo Ikari.)

"Yes. Even if you are investigated, I can mislead the inquiry and make someone else take the fall."

Shinji valued a talent like Ryoji Kaji who possessed independent will, much like Dr. Ito.

"Your task is to penetrate the UN. I don't want human infighting when I settle things with SEELE; we need to maintain global stability."

"Don't worry about that. I'm a triple agent for a reason."

Kaji agreed without a second thought. He already had a small group; he had just been cautious before to avoid exposure. SEELE were not Primarchs, nor did they have supernatural powers; they merely controlled the UN indirectly through power. They weren't quite as exaggerated as the world imagined.

"Good. When it comes to forcing the other old men out, I will need your cooperation. Remember, do not leak the Human Instrumentality Project entirely."

"I understand. That thing would throw the world into chaos."

Kaji returned the document to Shinji. As for how much to reveal, he had his own ideas.

Shinji trusted the man's skill. The psychic seed existed for this very purpose—otherwise, if everyone were a mere puppet, he couldn't control the entire planet even if he worked himself to death.

"Huh? Kaji-senpai?"

Just then, a familiar voice called out. Kaji, a veteran of many battles, didn't show a hint of nervousness at being caught in a secret meeting. Instead, he waved enthusiastically.

"Yo, Asuka! Long time no see."

Standing at the stairwell was Asuka. For some reason, she no longer had her old enthusiasm, instead maintaining a certain distance.

"That idiot beat me at video games—no, wait, I just suddenly felt like coming down for a walk and taking out the trash."

'I see. Rei crushed you in a game, and as punishment, you were sent down to take out the trash.'

Shinji read the situation instantly. Asuka walked over, tossed the trash, and then looked suspiciously at the two of them.

"What are you two doing? Looking all secretive like spies at a hand-over."

'Well, that is exactly what we are doing.'

Kaji didn't know how to respond to that, but he didn't need to think twice for an excuse.

"Shinji-kun, remember to give the gift to Misato. It's all up to you."

"Okay."

Shinji nodded. Just as he was about to speak, he felt a sudden force on his arm as Asuka dragged him into a run.

"Never mind that! Hurry back and help me teach that girl a lesson! She's clearly losing herself in play, yet she acts like she's won everything!"

"Hey, if I recall, you were the one who piqued Rei's interest in the first place."

"I don't care! Anyway, back at the inn when I won so many times, I never punished you guys!"

The voices grew distant. Kaji lowered his hand awkwardly; he had intended to say goodbye.

'Guess that isn't necessary.'

Watching Asuka skip upstairs, her orange hair bouncing happily, he suddenly understood why he trusted this youth. He smiled and lit a second cigarette.

Human beings... can never destroy the things they cherish.

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