With the destruction of the Fifth Apostle, the crisis at NERV headquarters was temporarily resolved. For most people, they soon returned to their original, peaceful, and normal lives.
But for Ritsuko Akagi and others, it was not the sa. After that day, Ritsuko Akagi almost worked tirelessly, trying to figure out what exactly blocked that strike from the Fifth Apostle!!
It wasn’t an AT Field, nor did it resemble any phenonon that current scientific thods could explain. Even after analyzing the observation data from that ti again and again, Ritsuko Akagi could only reach a conclusion that she herself couldn’t believe—that when that mysterious blue light shield appeared, everything around seed to stop changing, as if forcibly solidified by human intervention, forming an inexplicable mysterious structure.
Under this structure, let alone the Fifth Apostle’s attack, even if the attack’s power were multiplied tenfold, it wouldn’t be able to destroy this protective barrier!
This is not scientific at all! Where is the source of that mysterious energy? How does it work? Why can’t it be observed?
Ritsuko Akagi was perplexed, and the technical departnt was losing their hair trying to find the cause. As for Rei Ayanami, she was naturally kept at headquarters for various investigations and physical checks. But the results weren’t much different; after all, everything Rei Ayanami did at the ti was recorded. At least on the surface, Rei Ayanami didn’t do anything particularly strange, and the EVA manipulation records were very normal...
Currently, Rei Ayanami is still kept at headquarters for investigation, but Fang Zheng is not worried about her safety. After all, Fang Zheng applied protective asures to Rei Ayanami, and if those idiots were really stupid enough to harm Rei Ayanami, Fang Zheng would be more than willing to tear them apart directly.
A re NERV, even if all the world’s combat power were combined, wouldn’t match Fang Zheng’s finger. Currently, Fang Zheng chooses to promote things from behind the scenes because it’s easier to establish post-era order this way. If SEELE and NERV could be completely eradicated, then the earth’s future could still develop according to its own direction. To put it simply, it would be easier to clean up afterward.
But if Fang Zheng directly intervened, it would an a full intervention from the Heavenly Dao Palace, like aliens trying to dominate the earth... It might be sowhat troubleso to clean up afterward.
Simply put, Fang Zheng just wants to solve the current world’s crisis but doesn’t want to handle the aftermath.
But if NERV foolishly acts up, Fang Zheng wouldn’t mind providing them with after-sales service.
And so, while Ritsuko Akagi was troubled at headquarters with Rei Ayanami and a bunch of indescribable data, Fang Zheng had already brought Shinji Ikari along with Misato Katsuragi to the skies above the Pacific Ocean.
Here, they would et with the Pacific Fleet and receive the EVA Unit-02 sent to Japan.
Blue sky, white clouds, azure waves.
Stepping off the helicopter, looking at the Pacific Fleet before him, Fang Zheng yawned, while Shinji Ikari also stepped down.
"Mr. Fang Zheng."
"Hmm? What’s the matter, Shinji?"
"Um... Rei... is she okay."
"She’s fine."
Facing Shinji Ikari’s inquiry, Fang Zheng smiled and waved his hand.
"Dr. Akagi is taking good care of her, and she doesn’t have to worry about eating at anymore."
"Hahaha..."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, Shinji Ikari showed a bitter smile. He knew Fang Zheng was right. At ho, Fang Zheng lured Rei Ayanami to eat at by serving a dish of at every day, and the dishes were delicious too. Shinji Ikari didn’t mind these issues; he figured he’d burn off his calories in training anyway, not eating was basically a waste.
Rei Ayanami, however, clearly couldn’t be so "carefree." She really didn’t like eating at, but Fang Zheng kept tempting her, which made Rei Ayanami quite speechless...
Now that Fang Zheng is on a business trip with Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami doesn’t need to worry about eating at anymore, everyone’s happy.
Misato Katsuragi went to negotiate ergency power allocation with the Pacific Fleet commander, while Fang Zheng and Shinji Ikari t the second female protagonist of this piece.
"Are you the Third Qualified Individual?"
The girl in a beige dress raised her head proudly, gazing at Shinji Ikari and lifting her chin in triumph.
"I am the Second Qualified Individual, Asuka Langley Soryu, nice to et you."
"Hello."
Despite enduring Fang Zheng’s hellish Sparta training, Shinji Ikari was still inherently a shy recluse, so he felt sowhat uneasy facing this spirited girl.
"I am Shinji Ikari."
"Hmm..."
Scrutinizing Shinji Ikari, Asuka furrowed her brows.
"You seem okay, better than the photo."
And that’s obvious. Since falling into Fang Zheng’s hands, Shinji Ikari had undergone a month of transformation. A fourteen-year-old in puberty, trained daily by Fang Zheng, was already different from the weak, introverted boy depicted in the original ani.
Originally, despite being the sa age, Shinji Ikari was the shortest among the trio in the ani, leading Asuka to constantly ridicule him as a "kid." But now, after "guidance" from Fang Zheng, Shinji Ikari had grown to 1.6 ters, making him the tallest of the three, and he had undergone physical change. Although not boasting insanely exaggerated abs, at least he appeared healthy and upright...and, if nothing else, he had the deanor.
"Hello, Asuka."
Fang Zheng also walked over and greeted Asuka.
"I’m Fang Zheng from NERV; you might already know, starting today, I’ll be managing your daily necessities... Well, nice to et you."
"..."
Looking at Fang Zheng, Asuka hesitated a bit, but then she scoffed lightly without saying much, rely nodding.
"Well, I’ll go handle Katsuragi’s matters first. Shinji, try to get along with her."
"Ah, yes..."
Although Shinji Ikari cast a pleading look at Fang Zheng for help, Fang Zheng didn’t mind, only chuckled before turning away. He had already transford Shinji Ikari physically, now it was ti for Shinji Ikari’s internal growth, and that depended on himself, right?
Regarding Shinji Ikari and Asuka’s relationship, Fang Zheng temporarily didn’t care; he simply walked straight to the captain’s room, just as he opened the door, he heard Misato Katsuragi’s scream.
"Why are you here!!"
Hmm?
Hearing the voice, Fang Zheng peeked in, seeing Misato Katsuragi looking as if she’d seen a ghost, angrily glaring ahead. Before her stood a scruffy, unkempt man, chuckling as he picked up the docunts Misato Katsuragi dropped, handing them back to her.
"Really, are you so surprised to see ?"
"It’s even worse than I imagined! If I knew you were here, I wouldn’t have co!"
Taking the docunt handed over by the man, Misato Katsuragi sighed helplessly. At this mont, the man also noticed Fang Zheng walking in from outside the door and smiled as he extended his hand to him.
"Hello, I am Kaji Ryoji. Nice to et you. You must be Third Lieutenant Fang Zheng from NERV."
"Yes, hello, Mr. Kaji. It’s a pleasure to et you."
Looking at Kaji Ryoji in front of him, Fang Zheng slightly raised an eyebrow, then smiled and shook Kaji Ryoji’s extended hand.
Fang Zheng was naturally aware of the man in front of him. He was Misato Katsuragi’s ex-boyfriend and a mber of NERV’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. But in fact, he was also working for the Governnt of Japan. In today’s popular terms, Kaji Ryoji was a double agent.
However, Kaji Ryoji wasn’t exactly a bad person. In fact, he was constantly probing into the secrets of NERV and the Human Instruntality Project for the Governnt of Japan. If Kaji Ryoji could have found solid evidence to prove that NERV was trying to destroy the world, maybe things would have turned out differently. Unfortunately, Kaji Ryoji’s efforts ended in failure, and he still died at the hands of Gendo Ikari, which was sowhat regrettable.
Actually, several aspects of the ani show that there were always people within the United Nations monitoring and being wary of SEELE. Obviously, they were suspicious of SEELE’s plans. However, there was nothing they could do because, regardless of what tricks SEELE and Gendo Ikari were up to behind the scenes, there was no denying that only NERV and the EVA could fend off the Angel Envoys and save the world.
So these people could only continue to observe, investigate, and look for clues.
But unfortunately, these people never expected SEELE to act so decisively and turn all of humanity into orange juice. They didn’t even have ti to react. Actually, even the League Army, misled by SEELE in the movie, was in the sa situation. Their purpose was correct, but they couldn’t figure out who their real enemy was.
In the movie, the League Army launched an attack on NERV because they learned from SEELE that NERV was attempting to destroy humanity (and that intel was absolutely correct), leading them to forcibly attempt to occupy NERV. They just didn’t realize that the mastermind behind it was not NERV but SEELE.
So, SEELE turned around and sold out NERV, distracting others and taking the opportunity to initiate their Human Instruntality Project...
To put it simply, the entire movie was about SEELE and Gendo Ikari selling each other out, ultimately seeing who had the real skills... Yet, it was all in vain. In the end, they both failed, and no one’s plans succeeded.
This proves that humans really can’t outsmart fate.
A thousand thoughts flashed through Fang Zheng’s mind, but he showed no expression and rely shook Kaji Ryoji’s hand lightly before withdrawing.
"Third Lieutenant Fang Zheng, you’d better stay away from this man. He’s not a good person."
At this mont, Misato Katsuragi also ca over, glaring at Kaji Ryoji with dissatisfaction, while Kaji just gave a bitter smile.
"Co on, do you really have to say that about ? Or is he... your new fla?"
"Lieutenant Katsuragi and I are purely work-related."
Fang Zheng, of course, wouldn’t associate himself with Misato Katsuragi — he wasn’t interested in her at all.
"Is that so? I thought Misato was so uptight because she found a new lover."
"After all, there’s no one in the world worse than you!"
Amidst the bickering between Misato Katsuragi and Kaji Ryoji, their lovers’ quarrel held no interest for Fang Zheng. He leaned idly against the window, gazing at the vast ocean outside. But speaking of which, if he rembered correctly, there should be an Angel Envoy...
"Boom!!"
Yet before Fang Zheng’s thoughts were even complete, a sound of explosion echoed in the distance, followed by a massive water column shooting up into the sky.
"What’s happening!"
At this mont, the captain hurriedly rushed over, shouting questions.
"We’ve been attacked by an unidentified enemy!"
So it’s here, eh.
Watching the chaos in the command room, Fang Zheng silently observed. If his guess was correct, the attacker should be the Sixth Apostle, and next, as long as Shinji Ikari and Asuka go out in Unit-02 to showcase their prowess...
"Mr. Fang Zheng!"
Imrsed in mories of the animation, Fang Zheng didn’t react at first. It wasn’t until he saw Shinji Ikari and Asuka standing before him that he was taken aback.
"Why are you here? Didn’t you board Unit-02?"
"A bit too late!"
In frustration, Asuka slamd her hand hard on the table.
"We didn’t make it!"
"Didn’t make it? Where’s Unit-02?"
"Well... it already sank into the sea..."
"...Huh?"
Hearing Shinji’s helpless reply, Fang Zheng was also dumbfounded.
This can happen?
What about the supposed maneuver where both of you take on the Sixth Apostle with a point-blank shot?
Now that Unit-02 has sunk, how are they supposed to fight at all?
Retrieving his gaze, Fang Zheng realized that the Commander and Misato Katsuragi were already in a heated argunt in the command room. Misato Katsuragi was vehently demanding to retrieve Unit-02 before launching an attack. However, the Commander clearly stated that the creature was too terrifying, and the Pacific Fleet absolutely couldn’t win. If this continued, it would end in total annihilation, so he demanded an imdiate retreat and suggested returning to recover Unit-02 after the Apostle had left — it’s not like the thing would just float away on its own!
Although the Commander was undoubtedly right, the fact remained that this Apostle evidently intended to wipe out the entire Pacific Fleet. And with the fleet’s firepower, they couldn’t penetrate the AT Field nor withstand the Apostle’s attack. At this rate, they’d be demolished before they could even evacuate.
Without the EVA, the two pilots were at a loss, with Asuka seething in anger. Bad luck on her part, as she had intended to introduce Shinji Ikari to Unit-02 in accordance with the original plot, but before she could board the ship, that very ship housing Unit-02 got torpedoed by the Apostle, causing Unit-02 to sink helplessly into the sea...
What can you say? Just bad luck. Who knew the Apostle’s first target would be the ship with Unit-02?
No choice.
Watching Misato Katsuragi and the Commander argue with no end in sight, Fang Zheng shook his head helplessly.
Looks like I’ll have to take matters into my own hands this ti.
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