The ocean cleanup project has achieved phased results far exceeding expectations.
After continuous and precise release of "catalytic particles," the entire designated bay area has been transformed. The unsettling, blood-red color of the past has completely faded, replaced by a vast and clear blue expanse.
Although the complex marine food web is far from being rebuilt and biodiversity in the water remains scarce, the visually stunning reversal—from "red" symbolizing death and pollution to "blue" representing life and hope—has immeasurable political and propaganda value for NERV.
NERV's top management astutely seized this opportunity.
A positive image of actively working to "heal the Earth's wounds" and reverse some of the effects of the Second Shock is crucial for maintaining its special status within the United Nations framework and securing continued political and financial support.
Therefore, more resources were being allocated to the Ninth Research Institute at an unprecedented rate.
Soon after, a large-scale, state-of-the-art marine ecological restoration complex was erected along the bay coastline under Osiris' leadership.
Several massive, closed-loop aquaculture farms made of high-strength transparent polymers are arranged along the coastline like giant crystal palaces, equipped with state-of-the-art water quality control, environmental simulation, and life support systems.
A team of more technicians and biologists was added, and various specialized research vessels and automated monitoring platforms were put in place one after another. The scale and strength of the Ninth Research Institute are now vastly different from what they used to be.
"This is unbelievable, Suzuki-senpai!" The young researcher, Tanaka, stood in the central control room, looking out at the azure bay and the brand-new facilities through the huge observation window, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement. "Look at all this new equipment, and that sea outside! We... we're really bringing this sea to life!"
Beside her, the more experienced Miyuki Suzuki operated the control panel, accessing real-time monitoring footage of the newly built farm.
In the video, the first batch of introduced coral seedlings are slowly unfolding in the clear artificial seawater, while some resilient fish swim among the rocks.
A genuine smile appeared on her lips as she replied, "Yes, this is not just about purifying the water; we are now trying to replant life."
Although the road ahead is long, with these resources and this sea that has already turned blue as a foundation...
Perhaps we really can be the first to rebuild a miniature, healthy marine ecosystem in this bay. This will be a seed of hope for the future.
From the few remaining "clean zone" sanctuaries in the world that have been preserved with great difficulty, as well as from NERV's own vast biobank, batches of extremely precious marine seedlings, coral germplasm, and algae samples were carefully transferred here to begin systematic conservation and propagation attempts.
An unprecedented atmosphere of confidence permeated the entire Ninth Research Institute, as if everyone saw a feasible path that could gradually heal the wounds of the Earth.
Although everyone knows that fully restoring the global marine ecosystem is a near-impossible dream, at least here, in this bay, hope has been ignited and is receiving increasing resources to nurture it into a brighter flame.
Osiris showed moderate interest in this new phase of the project.
He participated in some of the planning discussions and put forward some constructive technical suggestions on the circulation and purification of aquaculture water, simulating natural light cycles, and how to use the residual effect of "catalytic particles" to maintain a low level of water pollution.
His involvement made the initial operation of the farm much smoother.
However, everyone knows that with the second wave of the pandemic severely damaging the foundations of the global marine ecosystem, truly restoring a self-sustaining ecosystem is far more difficult than simply purifying the water.
This requires long-term, massive, and unreturnable investment, as well as global collaborative efforts—while NERV and its backer SEELE have always focused on the Human Instrumentality Project, lacking a fundamental driving force for such long-term ecological engineering projects that are unrelated to the core objectives.
But at least on the surface, the investment has been made.
Inside the huge aquaculture farm, various fish, shellfish and seaweed grow slowly in a controlled environment.
The institute plans to release a portion of these organisms into the cleaned bay in batches once their population reaches a certain size, to observe their adaptation and survival, symbolically taking the first step in "rebuilding the ocean".
Osiris walked along the observation corridor of the aquaculture farm, watching the schools of fish swimming in the azure sea.
He knew that it was all largely a performance, part of NERV's grand narrative.
On the other hand, these living creatures, and this attempt to reverse the extinction process, themselves constitute an interesting large-scale experiment.
He recorded the data and evaluated the process, partly to maintain the facade, and perhaps, subconsciously, to retain a scrutiny of "Genesis" and "revival" that transcended the task itself.
The success of the marine ecological restoration area is not only a scientific achievement, but also a model of NERV's carefully crafted political propaganda.
This sea, which has transformed from a blood-red, lifeless expanse to a vibrant blue, has been portrayed as a symbol of humanity's indomitable spirit and relentless efforts to rebuild their home after the Second Impact.
To maximize its promotional impact, NERV decided to open certain areas to the public on a limited basis and organize visits for specific groups.
On this day, students from the Third New Tokyo Municipal First Junior High School became the first lucky ones to be invited to visit.
Among the crowd, Osiris, who already knew two key figures through the materials—Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami—also followed the class into the bay facility surrounded by glass corridors and observation windows.
Wearing the institute's white uniform, Osiris, as the project leader, personally participated in the reception and explanation work.
His explanations were professional yet easy to understand, introducing both the principles of water purification and showcasing the various marine organisms bred in the aquaculture farm.
His gaze would occasionally sweep across the crowd, seemingly casual, but actually precisely watching the reactions of the two boys.
Shinji Ikari appeared somewhat reserved and curious, his gaze often drawn to the swimming fish and colorful corals. However, when his eyes occasionally met Osiris', he would quickly lower his head, displaying his usual shyness.
Rei Ayanami remained calm as always, following behind the group. Her red eyes swept over everything around her like sensors recording information, revealing no emotion.
During a relatively relaxed break in the tour, Osiris seemingly unintentionally walked near Shinji Ikari.
He didn't show excessive concern, but spoke in a gentle tone, like a friendly elder: "Isn't the scenery here nice? Although it's mainly a research place, we don't completely prohibit outsiders from visiting."
If you have some free time in the future and are interested in marine life, you can come and have a look. Think of it as... a large aquarium where you might need to go through some complicated procedures to get in.
His tone was relaxed and humorous, aimed at easing the other person's tension.
These words sound like a warm-hearted scientist offering ordinary encouragement to a younger colleague. They express appropriate goodwill and openness, laying a seemingly natural groundwork for potential future contact, without appearing too eager or unusual, perfectly matching his current status.
Shinji Ikari was somewhat surprised, paused for a moment, and then replied softly, "Th-thank you."
All of this was quietly observed by Rei Ayanami, who was not far away, and her expression remained unchanged.