"Unit-01's systems should have stopped."
"Why is it moving again?"
In the command center, Ritsuko Akagi stood by the remote control console. Red lips parted. This phenomenon beyond scientific understanding—she couldn't comprehend it.
Pilot's sync ratio at zero. Systems stopped. Remaining battery minimal. Why could Unit-01 still move?
"Could it be... berserk mode?" Ritsuko even wondered if Unit-01 was acting on its own consciousness.
"This state..." Gendo Ikari's hands crossed on the desk. Watched Unit-01 moving on screen. Slight frown.
This didn't look like uncontrolled berserk behavior at all.
On Tokyo-3's battlefield, the Fourth Angel swung its light-whip again. Lashed toward Unit-01.
CRACK CRACK!
Facing the incoming whip, Unit-01 dodged with extreme speed. Aerial flip backward. Let the whip strike the ground. Left two scorched marks.
Then, while the Fourth Angel's whip hadn't retracted, Unit-01 grabbed a destroyed half-tower nearby. Threw it like a projectile.
WHOOSH!
The heavy structure flew instantly. Filled the Fourth Angel's entire vision.
CRACK!
It swung its whip. Split the steel tower in two.
However, as the tower split open and vision cleared—it saw a fist coming like lightning!
The Fourth Angel: !!!
BOOM!
Unit-01 burst through the split building. A charged iron fist struck precisely on the Fourth Angel's flat head.
The Fourth Angel's figure flew backward instantly. Crashed into steel towers behind. Shattered two. Embedded deep.
The two boys watching from afar with binoculars saw this. Cheered loudly. "Nice hit!"
"That thing suddenly woke up! So awesome!"
Earlier, this giant robot had tripped over its own feet. Retreated repeatedly under enemy attacks. They'd thought it was doomed.
Now victory seemed possible.
"This combat power... worthy of Unit-01." Professor Fuyutsuki saw Unit-01's excellent performance. Praised it.
"Shinji, keep it up. Don't give the Angel breathing room!" Misato finally saw hope of victory. After reminding Shinji, she had backup weapons transported to Unit-01.
"Pilot's sync ratio with Unit-01 is zero. The AT Field should have disappeared too." Ritsuko saw this scene with deep surprise.
AT Fields were nearly absolute defense fields. Large Angels like the Third and Fourth had AT Fields that blocked almost all conventional attacks.
Only Unit-01—possessing its own AT Field—could neutralize the opponent's field and cause damage.
But Shinji's sync with Unit-01 had zeroed out. The AT Field should have vanished.
How did Unit-01 hit the Fourth Angel?
Ritsuko couldn't figure it out. Could only think in absurd directions.
'Could it be... without relying on an AT Field, pure brute force broke through the Fourth Angel's AT Field?'
The more she thought, the more absurd it seemed.
Impossible.
After this battle, she'd thoroughly inspect Unit-01.
Of course—assuming Unit-01 successfully dealt with the Fourth Angel.
"Internal battery only enough for one minute twenty seconds of activity. Not much time..." She looked at the screen. Vaguely worried.
The Fourth Angel had risen from the shattered steel towers. Abdominal legs writhing madly. Preparing to attack Unit-01 again.
"Something like a barrier wrapped around it..." In Unit-01's cockpit, Natsuki watched the Fourth Angel rise again. Contemplated.
That punch earlier—he'd aimed to kill. But a semi-transparent field around it absorbed most of the force.
"Amazing... Natsuki-san." Shinji watched from observer perspective as Natsuki piloted Unit-01. One strike repelled the Angel. Far better than his own performance.
"Nothing special. I'm ending this quickly." Natsuki controlled Unit-01 to dodge another incoming light-whip. Expression turned serious.
He sensed Unit-01's outer armor was a restraint limiting the main body. When the machine's power completely zeroed out while still in combat, Unit-01's true form might awaken.
An awakened Unit-01 would be far harder to control.
"Shinji, use the firearm near you!" Misato's reminder came through comms.
Surface gates near Unit-01 had opened. A structure with weapons rose rapidly. Backup weapons inside.
"Not necessary." Natsuki replied through comms.
"Not necessary?" Misato froze hearing this. Could Shinji eliminate the Angel without weapons?
This rollercoaster battle made her doubt her command experience.
Unexpected events one after another.
"Shinji..." Gendo kept staring at the screen. Hands clasped. Motionless.
He didn't know what had happened to his son. But judging from the current situation—not entirely bad.
As long as the Angel could be eliminated...
"Watch out, Natsuki-san!" Shinji saw the Fourth Angel charging rapidly at Unit-01. Urgently warned Natsuki.
"Expected." Natsuki replied.
Then Unit-01 stepped forward. Footsteps splashed layers of debris. Actually charged toward the Fourth Angel.
"Not using weapons... too dangerous." Misato saw Unit-01's action. Frowned.
Shinji completely ignored her commands. She guessed this might be youthful rebellion. After all, they'd put too much pressure on Shinji.
But actions made in defiance rarely had good results. Even if this battle could be won, Unit-01 would suffer significant damage.
And pilot Shinji would fully synchronize with Unit-01's pain.
"Shinji, calm down!" She still chose to tell Shinji to fight calmly.
But her words came too late. The battlefield distance was under a hundred meters.
The Fourth Angel extended its light-whip tentacles. This time preparing to bind Unit-01.
But Unit-01 made a move none of them could imagine.
Unit-01's right palm—white energy rapidly condensed. Rotated into a serrated light wheel!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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