The Trash Returned from Warhammer

’This is Shinji-kun? He’s even more unique than the rumors suggested.’

On one side of the deck, a man with scruffy stubble watched everything in silence.

Ryoji Kaji had no intention of revealing himself yet. He had let Asuka take the lead to see if those rumors were true. As it turned out, after just a brief encounter, he realized the rumors were actually too conservative.

’Is this kid really fourteen?!’

Aren’t fourteen-year-olds supposed to know nothing? They are either oblivious, using clumsy disguises to make themselves look powerful, or simply drowning in chuunibyou delusions, ignorant of the world’s scale.

But Shinji Ikari was different. That unique temperament was entirely natural, as if he were a veteran who had experienced countless despairs and crossed the line between life and death a thousand times. There wasn’t a trace of ”pretending” to be strong.

He simply was strong, and he didn’t care to hide it.

”No wonder SEELE is obsessed with Commander Ikari. This kind of aura isn’t something you can educate into someone; you have to experience cruelty firsthand, crawling and rolling through a sea of blood. The Commander wouldn’t be that bored, would he?”

Kaji was suspicious. He considered himself to have a good eye, and given his broad experience, he knew there were places in this chaotic world that trained killing machines like this. But that would be detrimental to piloting an EVA; too much cruelty leads to PTSD—unless one had spent a hundred years in that sea of blood until it became a reflex as natural as breathing.

’I don’t get it. I really don’t. If he were forty-one, I could understand.’

The man rubbed his stubbly chin. Suddenly, his heart jumped. He saw the boy in the distance turn his head to look over, give a slight nod, and continue walking.

Gulp.

In that moment, Ryoji Kaji’s scalp went numb. He suddenly understood why Asuka was being so well-behaved today. Being stared down by that person...

’I’ll be well-behaved too.’

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”Who is that man with the short ponytail and the stubble?”

Shinji asked as he walked. Had this not been a United Nations warship—a place representing absolute security—he would have already dragged the voyeur out and held him up by the throat.

’Short ponytail? Stubble? No way...’

Misato Katsuragi’s eye twitched. Before she could speak, Asuka jumped in.

”That’s Kaji-senpai! He’s an amazing person—mature and charming. You can’t compare him to a kid at all.”

She looked like a child who had seen a cooler toy belonging to an older kid and couldn’t wait to show off.

”Full name, rank, affiliation.”

Asuka’s mouth fell open. Shinji’s response was unexpected again.

’That’s not the point at all!’

”That is Major Ryoji Kaji, belonging to the Inspection Department. He’s likely here to escort Unit-02 back to headquarters,” Misato finally said, her expression complicated.

”You know him?”

”Uh, y-yeah, you could say that.” Misato’s forehead broke into a sweat, not understanding why she was so nervous.

’Inspection Department... so he’s connected to SEELE.’

Shinji didn’t care about Misato’s emotions. He pondered for a moment; through Mark, he knew many secrets. For instance, the Inspection Department ostensibly oversaw the behavior of NERV branches—checking for corruption or negligence—as a supervisory body of the UN system.

In reality, however, the Inspection Department was one of the tentacles SEELE used to secretly manipulate the globe. It didn’t just monitor NERV; it collaborated with other departments to smear disobedient politicians.

’Interesting.’

He said no more and followed Misato to the bridge. There, they met a Rear Admiral of the former US Navy. The meeting was not pleasant.

The Admiral began with a series of sarcastic remarks—terms like ”Boy Scout leader,” ”Special departments are so impressive,” and ”Robot toys.” Misato, however, was used to this and stood her ground, arguing logically.

This was why Shinji had come for the handover. Though he had anticipated it, only through personal experience did he realize how deep the friction ran.

If NERV was a Chapter and the EVAs were Astartes, then the UN Forces were like the PDF (Planetary Defense Forces). However, they were far more independent; Shinji had rarely encountered a PDF quite this arrogant.

They didn’t even bother to hide it. The Admiral’s distrust was written all over his face when he saw the children. One couldn’t blame them; as professional soldiers, it went against their nature to respect fourteen-year-olds.

’The world needs these kids to protect it? Don’t be ridiculous. Where does that leave the pride of adults?’

”Judging by appearances can’t be helped. At least Astartes have the suppression of massive physical size. When a two-meter-tall behemoth stands before you, even if he says nothing, it makes a person’s eyes clear up.”

Shinji listened quietly. The underlying conflicts were numerous: disputes over funding, resources, and command authority. If the Third Angel hadn’t proven immune even to N2 mines, the EVAs would never have been allowed on the field. Yet, nations hadn’t given up their own efforts—like the Jet Alone project.

Leaving Gendo Ikari alive was the right choice. These troublesome matters required him to coordinate and allocate resources through ”peaceful” means.

He confirmed his previous plan was correct. Astartes were simply not suited for dealing with these people; they would just solve everything with a single word: Kill. If it were a matter of building and developing, the Ultramarines would be better suited for it.

It should be noted that the UN Forces were far inferior even to a PDF. A PDF is at least under the jurisdiction of the Departmento Munitorum, whereas the UN Forces—specifically the Pacific Fleet—were composed of several nations. The Vice Commander, for instance, was Russian. Their own command structure wasn’t even unified.

”No, no, no. The Pacific Fleet’s job is to escort that big toy. I won’t allow you to act recklessly on my ship. Sign the documents? We’ll talk about that once we reach Yokosuka, Major.”

The Admiral, with his full white beard, sharpened his tone, acting completely uncooperative.

Misato’s eyebrows twitched with rage, but there was little she could do. NERV and the UN Forces were equal-ranking units, and NERV was viewed more as a research department outside of the EVAs. How was she supposed to reason with the military?

”In the event of an emergency, NERV holds supreme command. Please do not forget that.”

”The collective mobilization of the Pacific Fleet is specifically to avoid emergencies. By the way, which one of you is the pilot of Unit-01?”

The Admiral asked suddenly, scanning the children with interest and quickly locking onto Shinji. The other two were looking around like civilians, but he remained focused, standing with perfect military posture.

”I am. Does the Admiral have any instructions?”

Shinji stepped forward. His ”Iron and Blood” soldierly demeanor caused the Admiral to nod repeatedly.

’Hmm, this kid is much easier on the eyes. Even if he’s a ’Boy Scout,’ this is how a soldier should look.’

”Not instructions, per se. I heard from comrades about your performance against the Fifth Angel. You are younger than I imagined.” The Admiral’s tone softened as he looked Shinji over. ”If there is an opportunity, I look forward to working with you.”

”I also look forward to witnessing the valor of the UN Forces. To protect humanity, we shall all give our everything,” Shinji replied without hesitation, showing no trace of disdain for the conventional military.

The Admiral was even more surprised. He had dealt with Asuka and assumed these kids all had that ”the world revolves around me” bratty attitude, which infuriated men who had spent their lives studying warfare.

”Including your life?”

”Of course. Giving one’s life for humanity is the highest honor.”

The boy’s conviction didn’t seem faked. It drew the attention of every soldier on the bridge. They were shocked that a child of this age possessed such resolve.

Why are soldiers respectable? It is because of their spirit of sacrifice—knowing death is certain and their efforts may be meager, yet still using their bodies of flesh and blood to block the Angels.

”Do you have a military record?”

”Uh, Shinji-kun holds the rank of Second Lieutenant,” Misato chimed in. She suddenly realized that Shinji was better suited to being with these soldiers than being in school; they shared a common soul.

EVA pilots naturally had military status and salaries, though usually no one cared. Here, it was clearly different.

The Vice Commander, also holding the rank of Rear Admiral, stood up immediately and saluted: ”I salute you, Lieutenant.”

Shinji looked at the red star on his uniform. This man was from Russia; about twenty years ago, they were a much more powerful nation.

”Thank you for your recognition, Admiral.”

”Bring the documents here, Major.”

The Fleet Commander proactively took the files, scribbled on them, and handed them back. ”I authorize you to place the EVA’s external power supply in Deck Area C. Note: do not damage my beautiful aircraft.”

’What? Weren’t you just calling it a ’robot toy’ a second ago?’

Misato was utterly confused. Why had this old fossil suddenly become so easy to talk to? She looked at Shinji, who remained at attention.

’Fine. This is a case of ’one of our own’ recognizing the secret code. He used his connections.’

She hurriedly thanked them and turned to leave, but was called back at the door.

”Major Katsuragi, to be honest...” The Admiral pointed at Shinji’s perfect military bearing and shook his head. ”Shinji-kun acts more like a commander. You are the novice.”

Misato’s mouth moved, but she eventually fled with her face in her hands, deciding she would never go out with that kid again.

’Wow, this guy is such a poser.’

Asuka had observed the whole thing. Several times she wanted to interject but couldn’t find the words. She looked down on those ”relics”—why were a bunch of ”tax thieves” so proud of themselves? The Angels wouldn’t be solved without her piloting an EVA. Seeing Shinji gain their recognition made her a bit jealous.

Watching the boy in front of her constantly returning salutes, she bit her lip.

’It’s an act. It’s all an act. He has some strength, but how could he possibly mix well with those tax thieves?’

”Hey, Shinji, how about you deal with the UN Forces from now on? I lose so much hair every time I talk to them,” Misato said dejectedly, feeling like she had lost her standing as a human.

”Please do not shirk your responsibilities. These matters fall within your scope of work as the Operations Director.”

’Hmph, see? It was an act.’

Asuka stepped forward, tilting her chin up slightly. ”Why do you bother sucking up to those tax thieves? If an emergency really happens, they won’t be able to help.”

”You are wrong. Every warrior can help. Never underestimate the power of a single multi-melta.”

Shinji looked at her sternly, his tone becoming educational. ”It is true we are the elite, but we also require the assistance of millions of PDF troopers.”

Asuka didn’t quite understand some of the terms, but she got the gist. She said defiantly, ”Are you honestly interacting with them? What’s the point?”

”I have already explained the point. Asuka, you can be proud, but you must not be arrogant. Do you know what our relationship to them is?”

Shinji saw the girl’s immaturity and automatically assumed the role of an elder brother.

The girl felt as if she were looking at an elder; her expression froze. ”What?”

The boy slowly turned his head. As they walked through the long steel corridor, his heavy words drifted from afar.

”We are all the Emperor’s currency. The only difference lies in our value, not our status.”

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