Chapter 545: The White Unit-03
These words cleverly transformed Asuka's "disappointment" into an "exclusive mission" and a "crucial collaboration."
He didn't invalidate the evaluation results but instead mapped out a more challenging and exclusive future for her: she would no longer simply be piloting a repaired machine, but participating in forging a unique, enhanced EVA integrated with far more advanced systems.
Asuka stared blankly at Ryo, the fury and grievance in her eyes gradually replaced by a complex emotion.
Dr. Ryo hadn't just offered hollow, empty comforts like the others; he had given her a tangible, promising objective to look forward to, and explicitly expressed his "trust" and "need" for her.
This feeling of being valued and entrusted with a major responsibility diluted her sense of loss over Unit-02 to a certain extent.
She lowered her head, her voice softening slightly, yet still carrying a trace of her signature stubbornness: "...Are you telling the truth? Can Unit-03... really become even stronger than Unit-02?"
"In my blueprint, yes," Ryo's reply was absolute and definitive. "But this will require the joint efforts of both you and me. Are you willing to accept this challenge?"
Asuka remained silent for a few seconds before finally giving a gentle nod. Though she didn't speak, her stance was entirely clear.
Despite still harboring a deep sense of loss over losing Unit-02, the new path Ryo had paved for her—along with the trust and expectation embedded within it—acted like a faint ray of light illuminating her currently dark state of mind. Her reliance on Ryo subconsciously deepened by another layer under the circumstances of being granted guidance and hope during such a vulnerable moment.
In her heart, Dr. Ryo had already become an indispensable presence who could understand her, support her, and bring about a turnaround and validation of her worth.
Meanwhile, Ryo had successfully bound an important combat asset more firmly within his sphere of influence, smoothing the path for the subsequent in-depth modifications of Unit-03.
Perhaps as a form of implicit compensatory reassurance for Asuka losing Unit-02, or based on the reliability Ryo had demonstrated in the technical field and the tactical value proven by the "Cherubim" system itself, NERV's higher-ups smoothly approved the detailed plan Ryo submitted for comprehensively elevating Unit-03's performance and weapon integration.
This meant that the authority for the subsequent deep modification and system integration of EVA Unit-03—a unit that had experienced Angel parasitism, forced stripping, and massive repairs—had largely fallen into Ryo's control. He obtained the opportunity to further shape it according to his own technological concepts, causing the unit to substantially begin bearing more of his personal imprints.
The first step of the modification plan was the alteration of external identification.
Ryo proposed that to clearly differentiate it from its prior state of being parasitized by the Ninth Angel, and to align with the visual identification of the new armament system, the paint scheme of Unit-03 should be altered. This proposal was approved.
Thus, inside the hangar, Unit-03's original dark-colored armor plates were detached, processed, and repainted piece by piece.
The new paint scheme utilized white as the primary tone, replacing the previous dark color, and added sharp, highly technological red stripes across the shoulders, chest armor, and key areas of the legs.
When the repainting concluded, the entire unit was thoroughly refreshed. The white primary body appeared crisp and solemn, while the leaping red stripes hinted at the powerful strength and aggressiveness contained within. This new Unit-03 was visually distinct from its past self, clearly declaring its entry into a new stage spearheaded by Ryo.
Naturally, the modifications extended far beyond the paint scheme.
Ryo systematically pushed forward his full-system "Cherubim" integration. Standard-interface multi-purpose grenade launcher modules were mounted at the shoulders, and rapid-release mechanisms for carrying "Cherubim-Type I" grenades were pre-installed inside the forearm and leg armor plates. The back interface was redesigned to more efficiently connect to and supply power for that miniaturized Positron Cannon. The internal fire control system and data links were also comprehensively upgraded to accommodate the aiming and firing requirements of the equipped "Cherubim-Type II" special warheads.
In addition to this, Ryo "optimized" several of Unit-03's internal systems under the pretext of "enhancing operational efficiency and pilot safety guarantees." This naturally included his deep research and covert modifications of the Dummy System.
In official records, this was an enhancement of system stability and a refinement of redundant backups. In reality, based on the underlying logic he had thoroughly decoded, Ryo implanted a series of extremely hidden control protocols and priority override commands. He ensured that he possessed ultimate veto power and control authority over the system when necessary, transforming it from a shackle that could threaten the pilot into a potential tool.
Or rather, when Ryo truly required it, Unit-03 would still be a puppet—but a string-controlled puppet in his hands.
Regarding the energy system, he also proposed some "theoretically verifiable" adjustments aimed at elevating Unit-03's internal energy utilization efficiency after disconnecting from the external power supply. Though the margin was limited, it was explicitly laying the technical groundwork for completely independent operations that might be required in the future.
As each modification measure was implemented, the white Unit-03 stood silently inside its exclusive hangar, its internal essence already vastly different from when its repairs first began. It was no longer merely a NERV-standard EVA, but was gradually evolving into a testing platform and exclusive armament for Ryo's technological concepts.
In NERV's records, this was a deep modernization overhaul of Unit-03. Yet in Ryo's blueprint, this was the first ultimate weapon entity he had grasped in this world that could, to a certain extent, respond to his will.
When Ryo displayed the redesigned Unit-03 paint scheme renderings to Asuka, she was initially a bit frozen.
On the renderings, the machine that originally bore deep, dark tones was covered by large swaths of white, supplemented by sharp and powerful red stripes. Its overall aura was entirely different from the Unit-02 she was familiar with, carrying a cold and precise technological edge.
She stared at it silently for a few seconds; the anticipated rejection or nitpicking didn't manifest.
On the contrary, a complex emotion quietly sprouted within her heart. This white machine was no longer an alternative she was forced to accept that carried the shadow of failure. This unique appearance seemed to explicitly declare its complete break from the past, symbolizing a completely new beginning.
More importantly, this was a paint scheme designed specifically for her—or rather, for the collaboration between her and him—by Dr. Ryo. This sense of "exclusivity" subtly touched the part of her inner heart that yearned to be valued and recognized.
"...Not bad," she finally opened her mouth, her tone attempting to remain flat, but a trace of unnoticeable softening in her closing cadence gave away her true feelings.
She couldn't help but steal another glance at the striking red-and-white color scheme on the rendering, and the more she looked, the more she felt that this machine seemed to establish a wondrous connection with her. It was no longer a cold "Unit-03," but a brand-new unit that was about to be jointly shaped by her and Dr. Ryo, belonging solely to them.
A subtle sense of belonging, like tiny vines, began to entwine within her heart.
She raised her head and looked toward Ryo, her red eyes shimmering with a more complex brilliance than before, mixing gratitude, trust, and a gradually deepening admiration.
"Doctor, thank you... for fighting for these things for me, and for this design," her voice was much gentler than usual, losing some of the sharpness and adding a trace of sincerity. "I know that if it weren't for you, even my opportunities to pilot an EVA might have become bleak... let alone owning such a special machine."
In her eyes, Dr. Ryo had not only given her direction and hope when she was at her most despondent, but was now building a unique platform for her through his actions. His technical strength, his persistence, and his defense of her made her feel that being able to follow his steps and participate in this challenging modification plan was an honor and a stroke of luck in itself.
This admiration, woven from rational judgment and emotional reliance, quietly took root in her heart, continuously growing with each display of capability and responsibility from Ryo.
She began to firmly believe that under Dr. Ryo's leadership, this white Unit-03 would boundlessly display powerful strength that surpassed the past. And she herself would, along this path, reclaim her own inherent worth.