EVA: Daybreak

The epic clash with the Fourth Angel, Sachiel, had drawn global attention—and it had also alerted the military.

Inside NERV Headquarters, the main blast doors swung open in anticipation, though not a single staff member was stationed at the entrance to greet them.

NERV—formally the United Nations Special Agency—answered only to the UN, not the military. Yet power and weaponry override protocol.

A convoy of military vehicles rolled in. A figure in black boots and mirrored aviators stepped out—Captain Fujisaki.

Soldiers flanked him as he surveyed the underground HQ with a smirk.

> "NERV? Heh. In my eyes, they're nothing."

Boot crashing against the door, he strode forward without hesitation.

NERV personnel, already on alert, stood ready. The echo of boots shattered the silence.

Fujisaki barked, his voice icy:

> "Someone, bring me Gendo Ikari. Starting today, I—Captain Fujisaki—am in charge of all EVANGELION operations!"

Soldiers exuded a brutal intensity, freezing NERV staff with their presence.

> "So it's you, Fujisaki…"

A calm female voice drifted through the hall. She stepped forward in a red jacket—Misato Katsuragi.

> "Long time no see. Interesting timing for a visit—what brings the esteemed captain here today?"

Fujisaki flicked a half-smile at her.

> "Misato. The last time I saw you was in the military—seems like years have passed."

As NERV's Combat Director, Misato knew Fujisaki well—they shared a background at an elite military academy.

While once peers, Misato now commanded EVANGELION units, and they'd never fully reconciled their rivalry.

Misato had lent him respect—this was not mere courtesy, but strategy.

Fujisaki broke the small talk:

> "I didn't come here just to reconnect. I have orders. Inform Gendo Ikari: Effective today, the military is taking control of EVANGELION."

Misato's expression hardened.

> "Orders? From whom, exactly? NERV reports to the UN—not to you. Captain Fujisaki, you're overstepping."

He smiled darkly, unswayed.

> "I'm just following orders. I don't make them. You were the military once too—don't forget where you came from, Misato."

He stepped closer, voice low:

> "Three days. That's your deadline. After that, EVANGELION belongs to the military. In your hands, it's a time bomb. In ours, it's a tool to protect humanity."

Misato's jaw clenched. She thought of everything at stake—her own ambitions, unfinished history, and her allegiance to Gendo.

She responded quietly:

> "What if I refuse?"

Fujisaki leaned in, cold as steel.

> "Then you're out of the way. Remember—you aren't in command here. Our commander is Gendo Ikari, not you."

Until now, both Gendo and Fuyutsuki had remained unseen—deliberately absent, avoiding direct confrontation.

Misato exhaled, torn but resolute.

She understood—NERV's triumph over Sachiel via Ryota had triggered a tidal shift. The military wasn't interested in ethics. They saw power, and they moved to seize it.

In that moment, as tension crackled through the hall, Misato realized a harsh truth:

Gendo and Fuyutsuki were staying silent—for now.