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Night.
Inside Wall Maria, near the breach created by the Colossal Titan—the Survey Corps camp.
A figure dressed in night clothes and wearing a black mask stealthily infiltrated the area, heading straight toward where Reiner and Bertholdt were being held.
"I knew you'd come."
As the figure approached, Levi—who had been lying in ambush—stepped forward with his squad and blocked the path. His sharp gaze fixed on the intruder as he spoke coldly:
"So those two really do have an accomplice."
As he spoke, Levi drew his blades and slowly advanced.
"Let me see where you crawled out from."
The other members of the Survey Corps also drew their weapons, but they did not rush in. Instead, they spread out into formation, surrounding the intruder and cutting off all escape routes.
"Hey."
Levi stopped a few meters away, pointing his blade at her.
"Since you came to rescue them, you must have the same ability to transform into a Titan, right? Aren't you going to transform?"
Although Naruto had said that the two—no, three—captured recruits possessed Titan powers, none of them had actually been seen transforming.
But now, it was impossible to prevent it.
Rather than letting her transform unpredictably, it was better to force it now and deal with it head-on.
Hearing Levi's words, the intruder's eyes flickered.
She clenched her right hand—the one wearing a ring.
The thorn on the ring pierced her skin.
In the next instant, a massive skeleton formed amid a burst of scorching steam. A Titan with female characteristics—nearly fifteen meters tall—appeared.
"It's real…!"
Levi and the others were visibly shaken.
At that moment, they were finally certain—Titans truly were transformed humans.
"Stay sharp!"
Levi snapped back into action immediately.
"The type may differ, but the weak point should still be the nape of the neck. Aim there!"
"This time—we kill it!"
"Go!"
The moment Levi gave the command, he activated his Three-Dimensional Maneuver Gear and charged first.
Using the momentum, he slid low beneath the Female Titan and slashed fiercely at her ankles.
At the same time—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
From the rear, soldiers fired gunpowder-driven heavy crossbows at the Titan's neck.
The Female Titan reacted instantly.
She stepped back, narrowly dodging Levi's strike. At the same time, her fists hardened with a crystal-like layer.
She swung rapidly—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every incoming bolt was deflected.
Then—
She leaped.
Boom!
The Female Titan crashed down toward the location where her companions were being held.
But the moment she landed—
The ground collapsed.
A deep pit filled with sharp metal spikes swallowed her instantly, piercing through her body. At the same time, the pit was soaked with fire oil.
This was no accident.
It was a trap—prepared specifically for her.
Whoosh!
Flaming arrows rained down like a storm.
Boom!!!
The fire oil ignited instantly, triggering a massive explosion. A scorching shockwave erupted outward, sending flames scattering into the sky.
The Female Titan was blasted out of the pit.
Her body was devastated—limbs torn apart, torso charred black, flames still burning as she lay motionless.
"Did we get her?"
Levi approached cautiously, blades ready.
Suddenly—
The Titan body dissolved into steam.
In its place, a completely unharmed human figure emerged.
She sprang up and dashed away.
"Don't even think about it!"
Levi immediately gave chase with his gear.
However, the explosion had thrown her outside the encirclement. With no obstacles ahead—and with clear familiarity in using the terrain—she deliberately ran through narrow areas where the Three-Dimensional Maneuver Gear became ineffective.
Levi's speed dropped drastically.
"Damn it…!"
He clenched his teeth, watching her pull farther away.
He should have finished her when she was down.
If she escaped now—
He might truly regret it for the rest of his life.
Ahead—
The Female Titan's host glanced back.
Seeing Levi falling behind, she was just about to relax—
When suddenly—
Someone appeared in front of her.
Blocking her path.
It was Naruto.
"You—!"
She recognized him instantly.
Without hesitation, she bit into her palm, attempting to transform again.
But—
Nothing happened.
Her body did not change.
The transformation failed.
"What…?!"
Shock filled her eyes.
"Surprised?"
Naruto walked toward her calmly.
"The power of the Titans… should never have existed in this world."
"From now on, no one will be able to use it."
Having gained Ymir's approval, Naruto now fully controlled the Founding Titan's power.
With her help, he could suppress other Titan shifters—so long as he was close enough.
"Is this… your doing?"
She quickly understood.
Naruto didn't answer.
"Surrender."
He continued walking forward, his tone cold.
"Tell me who you are and why you came. I'll guarantee your life."
"If you resist—"
"I'll kill you."
"Hah."
She let out a mocking laugh.
Then she raised her guard, assuming a fighting stance.
Clearly, she had no intention of surrendering.
Naruto sighed inwardly.
In the next instant—
His figure blurred.
He appeared behind her.
Chop.
A precise strike to the back of her neck knocked her unconscious instantly.
Despite his cold words—
He still couldn't bring himself to kill her.
"Naruto."
Levi arrived moments later.
He glanced at the unconscious woman, frowning.
"Why didn't you kill her?"
In his view, Titan shifters were dangerous enemies that had to be eliminated.
"Not yet."
Naruto shook his head.
"I've already figured out the source of Titan power. If I kill her, it will simply transfer randomly to someone else."
"That would make things worse."
Capturing her alive was the better option.
"I see…"
Levi accepted the explanation quickly.
Though the idea of Titan power randomly reincarnating was… deeply troubling.
"Right."
Levi looked at Naruto again.
"You said you figured out the origin of Titan power."
"So what exactly is it?"
Naruto exhaled softly.
"It's… a tragic story."
He didn't explain further.
"Let's find Commander Erwin first."
"I'll tell you everything there."
"Tch."
Levi clicked his tongue and turned away, slightly annoyed.
In recent years, Naruto and Erwin had grown closer and closer.
It almost felt like—
He had become the outsider.
Annoying.
"Wait."
Naruto called out.
"Take her back first."
Levi stopped and glanced back.
"What about you?"
"I'm going to find Kenny Ackerman."
Naruto's tone turned serious.
"There's something I need to ask him—face to face."
Deep down—
Naruto still couldn't accept it.
The idea that he had eaten Eren Yeager.
Only Kenny knew the truth.
He needed to hear it himself.
"..."
Levi didn't question further.
He picked up the unconscious woman and left.
Another person who seemed to be drifting closer to Naruto.
How irritating.
Elsewhere—
Survey Corps headquarters.
The man Naruto was searching for—Kenny Ackerman—was currently being chased by a Titan.
A Titan with a large head and sharp teeth.
The Jaw Titan.
Its host was a graduate of the 104th Training Corps.
And the reason she was chasing Kenny—
Was simple.
He had killed her closest friend—
Historia Reiss.
Historia's true identity was the daughter of Rod Reiss.
Though a member of the royal family, she had lived as an illegitimate child and joined the military.
Before discovering Naruto, Rod had intended for Historia to inherit the Founding Titan.
But once Naruto appeared—
Those plans were abandoned.
Kenny knew this.
After witnessing Naruto devour Eren Yeager and inherit the Founding Titan, he viewed Historia as the final potential threat.
So—
After killing Rod Reiss—
He tracked her down and shot her in the head without hesitation.
She died without even knowing why.
The Jaw Titan's host—
Ymir—
Had been Historia's closest friend.
After witnessing her sudden death—
She lost control.
Transforming on the spot, she began hunting Kenny relentlessly.
Although the Jaw Titan was among the weakest in raw power—
It was the fastest.
And its jaws possessed terrifying biting strength.
Kenny, despite being one of humanity's strongest—
Was no match.
Especially without maneuver gear.
Bang!
The Jaw Titan slammed him to the ground.
Raising its claws, it struck down in fury.
"Die, you bastard!"
Boom—
Just as the claws were about to tear him apart—
Steam erupted.
The Titan vanished.
Ymir fell back into human form, stunned.
"What… happened?"
She stared at her hands in confusion.
She hadn't released the transformation.
It had simply… ended.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
She looked down.
Kenny lay on the ground, pistol raised.
The bullet had already pierced her heart.