"What... are you talking about?"
Shinji listened, completely confused.
The gray-haired boy before him truly revealed mystery everywhere.
Even though he'd already guessed his identity, still couldn't see through him.
"Nothing."
"Just... I'm happy."
"Shinji finding his own happiness—I'm truly happy."
Kaworu smiled sincerely. Genuinely happy for Shinji from his heart.
The more he said this, the more puzzled Shinji became.
They definitely hadn't met before.
Why would someone meeting him for the first time say such things?
"Um... can I ask you a question?"
Shinji hesitated a second. Asked him.
"Of course. I'll answer any question."
Kaworu smiled.
Shinji looked at him. Asked the question weighing on his mind.
"Are you human, or an Angel?"
If human, then someone he should protect.
But if an Angel... might become an enemy.
Facing this question, Kaworu didn't answer immediately.
Instead, in a counter-question manner, said:
"Yes or no options can't explain this question."
"If you want to know the answer, then think about this question."
"Are you human, or... Ultraman?"
Human or Ultraman.
Shinji froze. First time thinking about this question.
Before meeting Natsuki-san, he was undoubtedly just a somewhat cowardly human. But now...
"Both."
Shinji gave his heart's answer.
He was a human wanting to protect others. Also an Ultraman possessing such power.
Hearing Shinji say this, Natsuki also smiled with satisfaction.
"Me too."
Kaworu looked at him.
"I'm both human and Angel."
Right now, he had Angel instincts. Also possessed human wisdom.
"Then... can I trust you?"
Shinji asked.
He hoped they could be companions.
"Of course."
"Anytime, you can trust me. And I trust you."
Kaworu smiled.
Shinji also smiled and nodded.
From intuition, he was willing to trust Kaworu.
"However, you seem to know a lot of special intelligence."
At this time, Natsuki asked Kaworu.
Travelers wouldn't replace people who already existed. This guy wasn't a Traveler. But possessed so much intelligence.
Could it be because of Adam's soul inside him?
"Correct."
"I also know you're investigating that guy in SEELE. And Ghost Angel."
Kaworu said.
"You mean Zao Jefferson?"
"Where is he now?"
Natsuki asked.
If he could learn the location from Kaworu's mouth, the matter would be half complete.
But Kaworu shook his head.
"Even if you find his location now, it's useless."
"He hid his true body. Those appearing outside are all clones with his memories."
Hearing this, Natsuki frowned slightly.
This guy was quite cautious.
"What you said earlier—this world being unexpected, what's that about?"
Natsuki asked.
Too many suspicious points in that sentence.
Hearing this question, Kaworu hesitated several seconds.
He was thinking whether to reveal the truth.
But thinking that the person before him truly could decide this world's direction, nothing left to hide.
With his own power, he already couldn't cause much impact on this world.
"This isn't my first time waking in this world."
Kaworu spoke. Face wearing a faint smile.
"And each time waking in this world represents a new possibility."
He spoke mysteriously.
Natsuki immediately understood his meaning.
This world passed through loop after loop.
Each time Kaworu woke represented a new cycle.
"And this time, everything's different."
Kaworu looked at Shinji.
Everything completely deviated from track. This was already a brand new world.
They wouldn't undergo Instrumentality anymore. The world would continue developing.
Whether Travelers or Ultraman—their arrival broke this destined loop.
"So I felt like I'd seen you somewhere because in previous loops, we really met."
Shinji also reacted.
Kaworu nodded.
"This time is the last."
Past matters no longer needed consideration.
Countless worlds. Countless loops. Shinji always walked to that final step. Faced painful choices.
But meeting the light broke all this destiny. Power fully sufficient to challenge fate.
"I see."
Natsuki nodded thoughtfully.
Though this place was small, matters were quite complex.
A group of humans plus Angels actually created so much chaos.
"However, two guys still aren't resolved. Not time to completely relax yet."
Natsuki crossed his arms.
This world escaped the loop.
But if two Travelers acted freely, this world might truly walk toward its end.
"Right."
"From now on, let's work hard together, Kaworu!"
Shinji smiled at Kaworu.
Seeing his energetic state, Kaworu found it really hard to connect this boy with Shinji.
Really—changed too much.
"Mm."
He smiled and nodded.
Meanwhile.
American NERV branch. Spacious conference room.
Zao Jefferson sat before the office desk. Told several stone-monument-like projections before him:
"The Adam container won't have accidents."
"Several Angels still haven't been eliminated."
"And as they continue eliminating Angels, I'll also resolve the Ultraman obstacle."
Jefferson looked at world line alteration progress. Spoke calmly.
Dispatching Kaworu to NERV headquarters, having him approach Ultraman—he did it intentionally.
Once conditions were met, he could apply for judgment measures.
From the start, he never intended to clash directly with Ultraman.
After searching NERV headquarters fruitlessly, Ghost Angel also decided to unfold his next plan.
"Adam's embryo disappeared... only option is direct assault."
"Angel combining with Lilith can similarly trigger an Impact. Kill the vast majority of life."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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