After departing on an expedition to find a route to Shiganshina,
the Survey Corps encountered an intelligent female Titan.
As soldiers fell one after another,
the survivors ran into a forest of giant trees,
with not a clue as to why they were doing so.
If the Levi Squad, don't stop it, who's going to?!
Another person died!
We might've been able to save him!
Decide.
Either you believe in yourself
or the soldiers of the Survey Corps, myself included.
I'll keep going!
Fire!
Could they be...
capturing that Titan... alive?
Well, Eren?
See that?
We captured that Titan!
This is the power of the Survey Corps!
Don't underestimate us, you dolt!
Well? You get it now?!
Yes!
Looks like it's immobilized.
We can't let our guard down yet.
At any rate, good work guiding it to this point.
We were able to buy time thanks to the rear squad that gave their lives fighting.
Without them, it wouldn't have been possible.
Is that so?
That's right.
Thanks to them, we can meet the one in this thing's nape.
I just hope they're not pissing themselves inside.
Erwin Smith The 57th Expedition - Part 4
An Abnormal...
Or is it the same as the Colossus Titan?
Could Commander Erwin have...
Hey, quit spacing out!
Eren, save the thinking for later.
We'll stand by farther ahead!
Ma'am!
Wait, Levi.
It's an eye for an eye.
Squads 2 and 3.
Fire!
Empty the reserves!
Um... it's climbing up.
Well, I guess I'll move aside once it gets up here.
Then again...
I suspect withdrawal orders will be issued in just a bit.
Is that because of the explosions we heard coming from inside the forest?
Maybe.
Mikasa, what do you think is making those sounds?
Could they be firing cannons inside the forest?
It didn't look like they were carrying any cannons though.
There's a real racket coming from inside.
Hey, Bertolt,
any idea where Krista is?
Sorry, no clue.
I don't get what's going on.
What're we doing and why?
I want to go back.
Let's move a bit, Armin!
Okay!
Looks like the bastard's got the hang of it.
It's getting better and better at climbing.
That means they have the capacity to learn.
Frighteningly so.
But likely some more so than others.
Armin, it sounds like something is going on inside the forest,
and I have a good idea of what that might be.
We led that female Titan here to capture it, didn't we?
To be precise, it's to capture the human inside it.
Commander Erwin's goal...
was that all along.
That's what it was, right?
But new recruits like me aside,
why did they not tell Survey Corps veterans like all of you?
Shut it!
Are you implying that we're not trusted by the Commander and the Lance Corporal?!
No, but that's what it seems like!
Petra, yank his teeth out!
Swap his front teeth with his molars!
No, it's just as Eren said.
I think the Commander had a reason for keeping this from us.
Like what?
There's only one reason to not trust your comrades.
A transforming human...
Or perhaps, a spy who's working with such a person is amongst us.
You thought so too, right?
Someone in the Corps...
Yeah.
I'm positive.
A spy...
Do you really think that?
At any rate, that's what the Commander must be suspecting.
I dare say only the survivors from five years ago were informed of the plan.
I see. So that's what it was.
There's no doubt about it.
Well, Eren?
There you have it.
Yeah, if that's the case, it makes sense.
Yes.
Maybe they're assuming the enemy slipped in five years ago, when the wall was first destroyed,
and narrowing down suspects accordingly.
Then the spy is also the one who killed Sawney and Bean?
So that's what the Commander meant back then...
What can you see?
Who do you think the enemy is?
His question... Now I see.
If we had answered to that,
we may have been able to participate in the true operation.
I don't think such a person exists though.
I knew it all from the start.
But you see, I chose not to answer.
Do you guys understand why?
Why?
What, you don't?
Well, given your levels, I'm not surprised.
You guys aren't quite up to par with me, after all.
Hey, are you still trying to copy Lance Corporal Levi?
The Lance Corporal wouldn't say that.
If this succeeds, we'll be that much closer to the truth of this world.
But... even if it's for such a cause...
too many people have died.
Do you think the Commander is mistaken?
You can't say this was right.
If we knew there was a Titan privy to inside information,
things would've gone differently.
Like the case of your squad leader...
No, he wasn't mistaken.
Huh? What do you mean?
Just how many soldiers do you think died in vain?
Jean, it's simple to say what should've been done in hindsight.
However...
Nobody's able to predict the end result.
But despite that, the time for a decision will surely come.
It's inevitable.
The lives of a hundred comrades
or the lives of all those within the walls...
The Commander made his choice.
He decided to cast off the lives of a hundred comrades.
Eren, you've yet to realize it, but I'm sure you will soon enough.
The reason why Erwin Smith was entrusted with the Survey Corps...
the hope of mankind.
Lance Corporal Levi puts his full trust in him, after all.
That's assuming you survive long enough to find out though.
I haven't lived long enough to prove it, but there's something I'm certain of.
If there are humans who can bring about change,
they're surely those who are capable of abandoning everything.
People who, when required to surpass even monsters,
are capable of tossing aside their very humanity.
People who are unable to abandon anything
will likely fail to produce any change.
Fire!
How's that feel?
You can't scratch even if you get an itch.
Moving a muscle is out of the question.
Probably forever.
The idea is that the more your wounds heal, the stiffer your joints get.
But really, why haven't they gotten the key target out yet?
What are Levi and Mike doing?
The ability to shield a part of the body with tough skin, huh?
It closely resembles what I've heard about the Armored Titan.
Each three-dimensional maneuver blade attack continues to weaken it, huh?
We have no time to test this out.
Which leaves...
Sir.
Prepare the explosives.
Blow off the target's hands.
Sir.
But with the firepower of what we have at hand,
there's a possibility of killing the person inside.
Then we'll attempt to sever the wrists.
On my signal, commence together.
Yes, sir.
Hey, won't you come out already?
We don't have all day, you know.
Say, what do you think will become of you?
Do you think you'll be able to escape this predicament?
I wish you'd consider the trouble you're causing us.
If I'm not mistaken, you killed my subordinates in various ways,
but did you take joy in any of it?
I'm actually enjoying this moment.
Hey, you felt the same, right?
I'm sure you, of all people, understand.
Oh, right.
There's something I want to ask.
Is it all right if I sever your hands and feet?
They'll grow right back, won't they?
I'm talking about your real body.
It'll be a problem if you die, after all.
Why you...
That was quite the scare.
Was that its death throes?
Erwin, it smells.
Direction?
Multiple, from every direction. All at once.
What's with them?
They're all going in together!
Why are they ignoring us all of a sudden?
What?
All of them were Abnormals?!
Doesn't matter!
Don't let them through!
Engage the enemy!
What's going on?
Wait a second!
I recognized that shriek earlier.
From the forest I lived in...
It's the voice of a cornered animal that's abandoned everything.
I was taught that the end of a hunt was the most dangerous.
So I should be careful?
Be twice as careful as usual!
You'll die if you underestimate the forest!
I was also raised on the mountains though.
A girl that grew vegetables wouldn't understand!
I see.
True, Sasha's instincts are usually accurate.
More so when it involves any sort of danger.
Armin guessed Eren would be at the center rear, didn't he?
Hurry the explosives!
Erwin, they'll come from the east first.
They're getting close.
Wagon escort squad, intercept them!
They ignored us?! Are they Abnormals?
Three Titans have slipped past!
Lance Corporal Levi!
Hey, you...
You pulled something earlier, didn't you?
They're targeting the female Titan?
Titans from every direction!
All soldiers, engage the enemy!
Defend the female Titan!
It's no good!
All soldiers, retreat!
Assume the formation.
Return to Karanese District!
We've been had.
Just look at you.
Don't tell me you...
This shows the enemy was prepared to abandon everything.
To think they'd have themselves devoured to avoid leaking information...
Here we are, after everything we said at the trial...
If we go back empty-handed, who knows what'll happen to Eren and us?
Let's consider that after the fact.
We should concentrate on getting back with minimal losses first.
For now, at least.
The air is clouded by the corpses steam.
This might hamper the use of smoke signals.
I'll call up my squad.
Wait, Levi.
Resupply your blades and gas.
We're short on time.
What I have on hand should last. Why?
It's an order.
Obey.
Understood, Erwin.
I'll trust your judgment.
We're withdrawing.
They want us to withdraw and head back on horse.
Ma'am!
What?
It's over already?
We can go back! Hooray!
What in the world's going on?
How's Eren?
Looks like we're done here.
Mount your horses! Prepare to withdraw!
Guess so.
Why don't we go see what the shitty bastard that was inside looks like?
Did we really get them?
It's all thanks to you.
I didn't do much.
You believed in us, remember?
It's because you stuck with us then that we arrived at this result.
It's rather difficult to make the right decision, you know.
Hey, don't spoil him so much, Petra.
What are you saying he did?
He was just shamefully making a racket, no?
Well, I guess returning alive is enough the first time.
But you can't be sure of that until the operation's over.
Listen, brat.
The expedition's not over until you're back home.
Jeez, I get it already.
Oluo, Petra,
you two have come a long way since wetting yourselves on your first mission.
Huh?!
Don't tell him!
What'll you do if he loses respect for me, Eld?!
Wait, so it's true?
Can you deny it?
For the record, I didn't wet myself, Eren.
You idiot!
I'm the one who has the better record in kills and everything!
I'm better, you dolt!
Kill records alone can't indicate a soldier's worth.
Shut up, stupid!
Petra, does that mean it leaked everywhere in midair?!
That's enough already!
You lot on a picnic or something?!
We're beyond the wall, you know!
Just saying, I didn't wet myself either, Eren.
Oh.
That must be from Lance Corporal Levi.
We'll meet up with the Lance Corporal! Save the rest for after we're back.
Erwin.
Why'd you have Levi resupply?
We don't have time.
The female Titan was devoured.
But... did you see the person inside get eaten?
I didn't.
- Don't tell me... - Exactly.
Just as you deduced before,
if they're a type that can move to some extent even after transforming...
Furthermore,
assuming they had a three-dimensional maneuver device equipped...
Wearing the same uniform as us, the one controlling the female Titan could...
Lance Corporal Levi?
No, that's not him! Who're you?!
Huh?!
Gunther!
Wait, what happened?!
Gunther!
They have slipped into our ranks.
The capture operation failed.
The female Titan appears before Eren once more.
The ones barring its path are a group of Titan-slaying experts
known as the special-ops squad.