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Shadis gazed at the fresh-faced cadets before him with a firm yet encouraging expression.
As he surveyed the group of new soldiers, he could feel their eagerness and determination to serve humanity.
With a commanding voice, he bellowed, "Dedicate your hearts!" His words hung in the air for a moment before the cadets responded in unison, their voices ringing out with conviction and patriotism.
They stood at attention, their arms snapping up in a crisp salute.
"Yes, sir!"
The sound of their unified response echoed through the training ground, filling Shadis with pride and hope for the future of humanity.
As Shadis went on with his detailed explanation of how all the trainees who successfully passed the rigorous training corps could select three preferred military branches, Naruto's mind wandered off, uninterested in the other options.
"Number ten is Sasha Blouse." The relief that flooded through her was overwhelming, and she let out a deep sigh as the weight of her worry lifted off her shoulders. She knew she would never again have to worry about going hungry.
"Number nine is Connie Springer." The Shorty sighed in relief; he couldn't wait to see his parent's faces; he knew they would be proud of him.
"Number eight is Marco Bott." With a swift movement, Marco wiped away the beads of sweat from his forehead, and with a confident smile, he stepped forward, knowing he could serve the king.
"Number seven is Jean Kirstein." Jean couldn't help but glare at Eren, knowing the suicidal bastard had shown better skills than him, but nonetheless, he was looking forward to joining the Military Police.
"Number six is Eren Yeager." Despite not being in the top five, his green eyes gleamed with determination, knowing the time had come to fulfill his promise and kill all the Titans.
"Number five is Bertolt Hoover." his back was straight, and his eyes were fixed firmly on the horizon; he couldn't help but look up at the sky, wondering how much longer this mission would last.
"Number four is Annie Leonhart." Her face remained stoic, without bothering to look at anyone around her.
"Number Three is Reiner Braun." He glanced briefly at Krista before looking south, knowing all this would end soon, and he would return home to his family.
"Number Two is Naruto Yeager." He took a deep breath and gripped his father's glass hanging from the hem of his shirt. He wondered what his father would think of him now. Well, it seems I became a soldier father, not really a doctor, but I can still heal friends of the Survey Corps, Naruto thought, trying to keep a straight face. Not quite what he wanted to become, but at least he would be there to watch over Eren and use his ability to fight the Titans and heal people.
"Number One is Mikasa Ackerman." The girl wasn't surprised to hear that; everyone knew who would be the best of them.."
The top 10 cadets lined up in perfect formation, their uniforms crisp and their faces determined. The instructor stood at the front of the line, his eyes scanning each cadet as they saluted him in unison.
With a resounding voice, Shadis told them that tonight was a special night, a night for celebration, as they had just become soldiers and were now ready to give their lives for Humanity. The majority of the new soldiers cheered; their hearts swelled with pride and excitement. Among them was Sasha, her eyes shining with elation. But, as her stomach growled hungrily, she couldn't help but think of the delicious meat dishes she could now enjoy.
As the new soldiers marched into their common room, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. For the past three years, this room had been their sanctuary, a place where they had shared countless meals, laughs, and camaraderie as cadets.
It didn't take long for the party to start. Naruto sat with Ymir, Krista, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Marco, Sasha, and Connie. The beer and wine were flowing like a river, especially from Ymir, who was holding two jugs in her hands and her right arm around Krista, who looked a little flustered from the close contact with the Freckles girl.
Naruto wondered just how close the two were. He knew something was between them, but he never bothered to point it out; it was their business, not his. If they wanted to tell him what was happening, they knew where to find him.
Naruto looked over his shoulder and saw Annie's familiar blonde hair. She was sitting alone at her table as always, with a jug of beer and the food served to them. Naruto frowned slightly; since yesterday, his girlfriend had been more withdrawn than usual. She was always a little secretive about herself; Naruto wasn't blind; he knew Annie was hiding something from him, but he didn't ask her; he knew he himself had his own demons hiding in his closet, if he weren't willing to share his burdens, then he wouldn't blame Annie for not wanting to share hers, whatever they were.
Naruto escaped his thoughts when he felt an arm around his shoulder. He quickly looked up to see Jean, who was putting his other arm around Marco, who looked a little uneasy. "Hey, look at us. We will become Captains in no time. The Military Police won't know what hit them." Jean announced with a stuttering voice.
Naruto arched an eyebrow before looking over at Marco, who looked just as confused as him.
"Jean, are you already drunk, man? The Party just started!" Naruto said, a little baffled. Jean wasn't one to drink. Well, he was one of the few who got drunk back at Ymir's birthday, but he got drunk only after hours of celebration, not right away.
"Nah." Jean drawled, his eyes somehow cloudy, before looking at both Naruto and Marco with confusion. "Why are you two glued to me, what do I look like to you? Your Daddy?!" Jean stammered as he tried to push both of them away.
"You wish, is not my fault that no girl wants to call you that." Naruto said with a smirk as he sat near Ymir.
Jean turned bright red as the others nearby laughed, especially Connie, who started slamming his jug against the wooden table, almost breaking it.
"Why are you laughing, Connie? It's not like you have someone." Jean quickly said heatedly, trying to salvage any scrap of face he had left; Connie grumbled before drinking from his jug.
"It's only a matter of time, every girl in the Military Police will learn how handsome I am." Connie boasted, clearly a little drunk.
"Who told you that? Your mom." Jean quickly added as he laughed more. Connie looked embarrassed, suddenly not wanting to stay near them.
"What about you, Naruto? Since you started this, do you have anyone to warm your bed?" Ymir suddenly came out of nowhere, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and bringing him closer to her. Since he was shorter than her, it looked a little ridiculous.
Naruto grumbled, while Krista looked at Ymir in disapproval for asking such a private question. For the first time, Ymir wasn't paying attention to Krista as she looked down at Naruto with cloudy eyes and a blush on her cheeks. Naruto knew right away she was a little drunk, especially with the smell coming from her mouth.
His blue eyes subconsciously went to the blonde hair that he liked looking at. Annie had told him that she wanted to keep their relationship a secret. He didn't really understand why. There was nothing wrong with that. At least he was sure there was nothing wrong with their friends knowing the two were dating, especially since Ymir would finally shut up about it. But Naruto had agreed to keep it a secret to respect her wish.
Naruto had yet to tell Mikasa and Eren about it. He was sure his big brother would have no problem with him dating Annie; all Eren cared about was killing Titans, after all. Naruto wasn't so sure about Mikasa, though; his sister could get a little defensive at times, and she didn't have the highest opinion of Annie. So, he was hoping that when the day comes that he tells them he and Annie were a thing. Mikasa won't decide that the best course of action is to kill Annie for corrupting her little brother.
"Not yet, Ymir," Naruto said, trying to sound convincing, but it seemed Ymir could see right through him. A smug smile appeared on her freckles face, while Sasha looked delighted to hear Naruto's answer for some reason. Ymir moved Naruto even closer to her. Now, he could feel her annoying breath against his face, especially since she was leaning a bit more forward than usual.
"Ugly Freckles. I appreciate it, but I'm not into giants. You should try to find a Titan." Ymir laughed out loud before moving away, closer to Krista. Naruto could finally breathe easier.
"Naruto, I don't understand why you still want to join the Survey Corps. Come with us to the Military Police. There, you can have food and meat and be safe," Sasha suddenly said out of the blue as she slammed the empty jug on the table. Naruto saw that her second jug was empty, and she blushed.
"That's my little brother!" Eren exclaimed proudly, clapping Naruto on the shoulder. "He knows there's more to life than hiding behind walls eating fancy food."
"Eren, don't encourage him," Mikasa said quietly, her dark eyes filled with concern. "We already have to worry about you. I don't want to lose both my brothers out there."
"She's right, Naruto. Someone like you will be a Captain in no time." Connie added enthusiastically, with hope in his eyes.
Armin shifted uncomfortably in his seat before speaking. "The Survey Corps does need good medics... but Mikasa has a point about the risks. Though I suppose I'm not really in a position to tell you what to do."
"The risks don't matter," Eren cut in fiercely. "Naruto and I made a promise, and we're going to keep it."
Naruto couldn't help but not like it; he knew he would have to say 'No' to their offer. Jean was the only one who remained silent; he knew Naruto would not change his mind.
"No," Naruto said with a voice that made it clear that he wouldn't change his mind. Sasha opened her mouth to say something, but Naruto quickly raised his hand to stop her. "I'm not changing my mind," Naruto added, this time with more strength in his words as he looked at their faces. Krista looked down at her lap. Naruto didn't like seeing her smile disappear; she looked much better when she smiled.
"I...I promised Eren that we would see the world outside, and I always wanted to be a doctor." Naruto paused, gripping his father's eyeglasses, which were still hanging from his shirt's hem. "And I'm sure the Survey Corps will need someone that can help the injured one. So, I take the best of both world. I help Eren and Armin to reach the Ocean and I get to help people in need." Naruto explained confidently. Sasha looked down at her food, looking saddened.
"How do you know that you will live that long, Naruto, I don't want you-" "Sasha. I appreciate your concern. You are a good friend, but I won't die. I will not die until I have seen everything out there. I will Live; I have too many reasons to live." Naruto said with clear ambition and determination in his eyes, his blue eyes glittering, but he didn't notice the way Sasha's face fell when he called her a 'Good Friend.'
"After all, someone has to call you Ugly Freckles," Naruto quickly added in a lighthearted voice. Ymir groaned loudly and tried to push him away from her. This time, Naruto was trying to give her a big side hug. The gesture achieved what Naruto wanted. Connie, Krista, Marco, and Sasha laughed out loud, while Jean merely chuckled as Ymir kept trying to free herself from Naruto's strong hug.
"You are not going anywhere until I give you a hug."
"Shut Up, toddler. How are you so strong?! Krista, help me, dear." Ymir begged, looking at the cute blonde girl with puppy eyes. Much to her horror, Kristan instead pushed her gently against Naruto. Now, both of them hugged her sides. Ymir turned bright red from embarrassment as many laughed at their antics, including Naruto and Krista. Ymir sighed, accepting the hug. If it meant that Naruto and Krista would be happy, she would accept the stupid hug.
Their little moment was interrupted when Eren started discussing the outside world with Jean until Armin came in and told them not to fight, at least today.
"Bowl Head is right. We should drink!" However, Ymir's excitement was met with a deadpan look from Armin, who couldn't help but roll his eyes at the absurd nickname.
Armin touched his own hair and turned to look at Mikasa.
As Armin nervously fidgeted with his hair, Mikasa's gentle voice broke through his anxious thoughts, "Your hair is perfect, Armin." With a smile as cute as a button, she reached out to fix a stray lock of his hair.
As Ymir's hand wrapped around the handle of the heavy jug, she couldn't help but feel the excitement bubble up inside her. The frothy golden liquid sloshed against the sides. She turned to face Krista, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she extended the jug toward her. "Drink up, my dear Krista," she teased, a sly grin dancing across her lips. But Krista hesitated. She glanced nervously at the beer, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts.
What if she got drunk? Ymir had already snatched the jug and forcefully thrust it towards Krista's lips, not allowing her a moment to consider the consequences. The bitter liquid burned as it trickled down her throat, and Krista could feel her head growing dizzy as she struggled to keep up with Ymir's relentless pace. Just as she was about to protest, Ymir yanked the jug away, leaving Krista gasping for air and feeling more disoriented. The latter gasped as the crisp breeze filled her lungs; she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, the sweet oxygen a welcome reprieve from the stale, boozy atmosphere of the crowded party. As she took in deep, ragged breaths, she felt the familiar burn of alcohol coursing through her veins, making her head spin and her stomach churn. Beer spilled from her lips and dripped down her chin, cascading onto the floor below in a frothy, amber stream.
"Ymir, you're crazy!" at her dear friend's seemingly reckless behavior of consuming large amounts of beer, Ymir couldn't help but laugh boisterously, still clutching onto the jug of bubbly liquid with a tight grip. Despite her friend's disapproving gaze and scolding tone, Ymir felt liberated and carefree, relishing in the moment of pure bliss and indulgence.
With tears streaming down her face and a look of disappointment etched on her countenance, Sasha suddenly shouted, "There's no meat!" She gripped the sides of her head with both hands, messing up her hair. Her heart had been set on devouring a hearty stew with chunks of juicy meat when she joined the army, but instead, she found herself staring down at a bowl of stew with small and almost undetectable meat chunks. She had hoped to savor the taste of succulent meat as a reward for becoming a soldier, but all her dreams had been shattered. The little meat in the stew wasn't enough even for a bird, leaving her disappointed and frustrated. Several soldiers laughed at her antics; Connie, sitting beside her, rolled his eyes.
"Bahh, don't worry. Once you enter the Military Police, you won't have to worry about food anymore." Connie reminded Sasha, hoping to make Potatogirl smile; his words had the desired effect of making Sasha laugh bitterly.
As the Sun set on the army base, the common room was filled with the boisterous cheers of new soldiers who were celebrating their hard-earned success of passing the grueling training and being initiated into the prestigious rank of soldiers. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly brewed beer, and the sound of bottles clinking together in merriment echoed through the room. The walls vibrated with the laughter of the inebriated soldiers, which could be heard from far away. Despite the fact that many were already tipsy, the revelry showed no signs of slowing down as they continued to dance and sing. The jolly atmosphere was interrupted when Samuel shouted. "We can't defeat them."
Everyone's attention turned to Eren, who stood up, looking at Samuel with unyielding determination, his eyes almost ablaze.
"Five years ago, everyone inside the Walls believed the Walls would protect us. Many believed that we were safe as long as we were inside the Walls. Five years ago, The Colossal and The Armoured appeared and Destroyed the gate. That day, we all saw that those walls were not indestructible and that living inside them was not the safe haven we all thought it was." Eren stopped talking, letting his words sink in. Many soldiers had solemn faces, but everyone was listening to Eren; all of them fell silent; among them, a certain red-haired soldier with a questionable haircut appeared to be particularly impacted by Eren's words.
"The walls will fall if we do nothing. It is not a matter of if but when. If we don't fight, we will lose. If we lose, we die. Only if we fight can we Win. Whenever it awaits us beyond the wall, it might be heaven or maybe just another hell, but only those That Keep Moving Forward Will Ever Know, and that's what I will do." Eren's piercing green eyes seemed to almost glitter in the flickering candlelight.
"I will keep moving forward. Until I destroy all The Titans." Eren's words made everyone go silent, leaving his comrades in silence, and many of them felt a chill run down their spines.
As Jean sat there, his cheek rested heavily against his palm, and his mind wandered to Eren's words. The words reverberated through his mind like the chimes of a resonant bell, echoing endlessly and refusing to fade away.
Damn you, suicidal bastard, Jean thought with clenched teeth before deciding to go outside and take a breath of fresh air; perhaps he needed to calm himself.
After Several Jugs of Wine and Beer Later...
"This is perfection, the best party in the world." Ymir stammered, leaning against the back of the chair. Due to her height, her head hung upside down over the back of the chair, looking at everyone else behind her.
"I think Ymir has already kicked the bucket." Naruto said, a little impressed by the many jugs she was able to drink. The others weren't doing that well. Sasha and Connie had started singing, saying they could sing better than him, but all their singing did was earn bursts of laughter from everyone, including Naruto and the others.
Naruto occasionally looked at Annie, who was still sitting by herself. Once Ymir and Krista left, Naruto decided to sit with her, and since the freckled girl was almost out of her wits, it wouldn't take that long for that to happen.
"That's bullshit, Naruto. The night is still young." Ymir stammered as she leaned forward with her upper body, a little too hard since she slammed herself against the wooden table, but still with a wide smile.
"You are right. Ymir, let's get you to your bed." Krista said, struggling as she tried to lift her up, but Ymir kissed her on the cheek, her face red like flames.
"Ohh, to my bed. Krista, what are you trying to do to me? I didn't take for someone who took advantage like this, though I quite like it." Ymir said with an alluring smile, giving the cute girl a side hug and bringing her closer. Krista's face had turned bright red, and Naruto was sure it wasn't because of the beer.
"Ugly Freckles, just shut up. Let's get you to your bed," Naruto said, putting his arm under her shoulder and helping her stand up easily.
Walking Ymir outside felt awkward, especially since she was tall. Much to his surprise, she had fallen silent, but her eyes were wide open. He had expected her to say something; she was drunk, after all, but since they took her outside, she had yet to utter a single word. Instead, she looked down at the grass with cloudy eyes.
"Thank you for helping, Naruto." he pushed, and Krista pulled her into her bed, but he knew better than to stick around for long; Shadis would go mad with rage if he saw him in the girl's dormitory.
"No worries. She might be taller than me, but I'm still stronger than her." Naruto said humorously, earning a giggle from Krista. He turned around, ready to leave, when Ymir's voice stopped him.
"Naruto, your dream-" Ymir stopped mid-sentence when she looked up as Naruto turned around and looked down at her.
"You are worth more than your dream, Naruto. You are more worthy than any dream." Naruto looked at her strangely. Ymir had never been against him joining the Survey Corps. Hell, she used to joke that she couldn't wait until he joined so she could have Krista all for herself, but she never tried to question his decision.
"I appreciate it, beautiful Freckles. You know, despite your words, your dry jokes-" Ymir growled as Naruto smiled innocently, but soon he spoke with tenderness, the kind of tone he had never used with her before. "But you are a Good Friend. I'm relieved to know you will join Krista in the Garrison, even when I'm not around, as long as you are with her. She will be safe. Ymir...you are a dear friend to me." Naruto said sincerely, with the moon glittering behind him; his blue eyes seemed brighter than ever as he looked down at Ymir, who was speechless.
"Why are you so kind dammit..." Ymir growled to herself. "Helping people...Naruto, your dream to become a doctor, stick to it. The outside world, what your brother desires. Is...It might not as beautiful as you three think, you, Eren and Armin." Ymir stammered, her head rolling around to the side of the bed.
Naruto looked at her strangely; for a moment, he wondered if she knew something he did not, but he quickly dismissed that thought. This was Ymir; she would have told them everything if not share her secrets with them, then who? Before he could ask why she sounded scared, he heard a snor, and her eyes closed.
"Well, she officially kicked the bucket." Krista japed. Naruto chuckled slightly as both walked outside. He knew Krista would stay with Ymir, so he started making his way to the others.
"Naruto." He turned around and saw Krista right in front of him.
"What—" His words were interrupted when she walked on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. He felt a sudden jolt of electricity, but it quickly disappeared within a second as Krista backed away.
"Please, don't die out there, Naruto," Krista spoke meekly, but she was taken by surprise when Naruto hugged her closely and kissed her forehead.
"I will always return, Krista. For you, for Ymir, and for Annie. You three are important to me. I will always return."
.
.
"What is a beautiful lady like you doing here alone?" Annie looked up to see Naruto standing before her, his face a little flushed from the alcohol he had drunk.
"It seems the beer have made you a bigger fool than you usually are." Annie said with a disinterested tone, but Naruto knew she cared; she just wanted to keep acting like she didn't care. He didn't know why it was so important to her, but that didn't change how he felt. Not one bit.
"Maybe, but my eyes are still working fine, and you are quite beautiful, and someone like you shouldn't be here alone." Annie looked away but still smiled in amusement before stepping away for him to sit with her.
"I'm honored, my Ice Queen." Annie rolled her eyes at his antics.
"Congratulations on being in the second place. You should have gotten the first place, you deserve it more than anyone else," Annie said sincerely, showing a rare smile that she had only when talking to him.
Naruto wanted to say that Mikasa deserved the first place just as much as him, but he knew that Annie and Mikasa never looked eye to eye with one another, but a week ago, during a Hand to Hand combat, while Annie was showing Eren a move, well, more like using him as a punching bag. Mikasa had interfered before challenging Annie in a fight. Annie, being Annie, had accepted right away, but before the fight could start and turn into a bloodbath, Shadis had intervened and since that day. Annie and Mikasa seemed to be even more hostile towards one another.
"Thank you, Annie. I'm sure you could have done just as good as me." She knew he was right, but she didn't care in which place she was as long as she was in Top Ten.
"Well, I never really cared as long as I was top ten. I don't understand why you were trying so hard to be in the Top Ten?" Annie asked curiously, knowing one didn't need to be in the Top Ten to join the Survey Corps; they could be at the bottom and still join the Survey Corps. Upon hearing her question, Naruto had a thoughtful look on his face; suddenly, he seemed nervous.
"My brother's dream is to see the world outside these walls, but..." Naruto paused, touching his father's old glasses that hung from his neck. "I always had a different dream. Ever since I was little, watching my father treat patients in our home in Shiganshina, I wanted to be a doctor like him. He taught me everything he knew, showed me how to help people, how to save lives."
"When Wall Maria fell and we lost him, I thought that dream died too. But these abilities I have, this power to heal - I know now more than ever that I could help people, just like he did. Yet after what happened that day in the forest with those kidnappers, I realized this world isn't just about titans versus humans. Sometimes humans can be worse monsters than any titan."
"The reason I pushed so hard to be in the Top Ten wasn't just about having options. It's because I need to be strong enough to protect Eren while still holding onto my own dream. Once we reach the ocean, once I know my brother's dream is fulfilled and he's safe, I'll leave the Survey Corps to become a full-time doctor, like my father before me." "Naruto." But he ignored her as he continued.
"Being at the top will have its benefits. I can buy both of us a good house, live there happily for the rest of our lives, and maybe one day, we will hear little footsteps walking around the house." Naruto finished with a dreamy look on his face, looking at Annie, who wore a shocked expression.
She felt touched that he wanted a life for them both together and had already thought of a house for them, but deep down, as much as she tried not to think about it. She knew her time in this Hell was not long; her time was running out fast, but if she had learned one thing from the moron that had touched her heart. The world is Hell, but can still be beautiful.
She knew it was selfish; she knew she could never give him what he wanted; she knew she should have never started this relationship; she should have spared him the heartbreak he would soon feel, but she wanted him all for herself. She wanted him to look at her, the look that always made her feel happier. She wanted that and more.
"I like that dream, so don't die out there." Annie agreed. Her words brightened Naruto's face like a star in the night sky. She couldn't remember him looking so happy.
"Can we talk alone?" Naruto stood up with her, and both walked outside. Soon enough, they found themselves at the same place in the forest where they had trained for almost three years now, and the full moon caused the river to glitter like silver.
Naruto sat on top of a trunk. Annie sat beside him, and since they were alone, her hands grasped his, their fingers intervening, her head resting on his shoulder.
They remained in silence, enjoying each other's presence, but Naruto could tell something was bothering his girlfriend. It still felt a little weird to think of her like that, and he liked it much more this way. Her hand felt soft. He could still remember the way she felt, but most importantly, her beautiful blue eyes that he could get lost in for hours.
"What is bothering you?" Naruto eventually asked, breaking the silence. Annie looked up at him, looking surprised.
"Don't look at me like that. I've known you for three years, and I'm your boyfriend now. Is my duty to know when something is wrong." Annie looked at the river.
How could she tell him what will happen tomorrow? She wanted to tell him, but she knew she couldn't. She knew Naruto would hate her guts. She didn't want that; she didn't want his kind blue eyes to look at her with rage, the same way he had looked at the bandits when they attacked Mikasa. She had never seen such rage in his eyes, and she didn't want him to look at her that way. She wanted him to always look at her the way he always looked at her, with kindness, love, and softness.
"Tomorrow. It will be five years since the Colossal Titan attacked Wall Maria." Annie said in a hushed tone and a hint of warning.
"Annie—" Naruto now understood why she was concerned for him and why she had been so withdrawn; while it felt good to have someone who cared for you, he wanted her to know that everything would be alright.
"I don't think anything will happen tomorrow, but even if it does, I will be careful. I will join the Survey Corps. We will eventually have to face him, as long as that Titan is out there, he and the Armoured Titan. We will never be safe," Naruto said determinedly before placing his hands on her shoulder. She looked up at him; her eyes looked so vulnerable.
"You will never be safe, even behind Wall Sina, but I will take care of myself, you know me."
Annie smiled with slight amusement. "I know you, that's why I'm telling you to be careful." Naruto chuckled as her hands reached up, resting on his shoulders, her fingers moving through his blonde hair as their foreheads touched, her pretty blue eyes like clear water. They looked so beautiful.
"Well. I will be extra careful. No matter what happens, I will always return back to you." Naruto promised his thumb on her cheek. Annie accepted his words. She knew he had never lied to her, so she knew he would return to her. She didn't know why, but she felt the same silly feeling; her stomach tingled as his blue eyes looked at her affectionately.
"You better, Naruto," Annie said in a hushed voice as she closed the gap and kissed his lips.
Tomorrow
As the Sun began to rise above the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the city of Trost, the members of the Survey Corps began their routine preparations for their mission. With each of them donning their signature green capes and maneuvering gear, they set out on their journey outside the towering walls of Wall Rose, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead as they made their way toward their destination.
A small crowd had gathered to see them off, including Eren and quite a few from the Training Corps, including Naruto. Eventually, his eyes found him amongst the sea of soldiers from the Survey Corps. There was no doubt anymore.
So that's Erwin Smith...hmm, the one they say is the best Commander the Survey Corps has had for decades, Naruto thought, not knowing what to make of the man before walking away. He figured he would get to know him through his strategies and tactics once he joined the Survey Corps.
Later
As he stood atop the towering Wall Rose, Eren took a moment to inhale a deep breath of crisp, refreshing air, feeling the tension in his muscles slowly dissipate. His eyes scanned the vast expanse of lush, green landscape that stretched out before him as far as the eye could see. The verdant fields, dotted with clusters of trees and punctuated by winding rivers, seemed to go on forever.
Naruto wondered why Eren was looking at the lands beyond. When he suddenly felt something...something felt very wrong.
"Everyone back away from the edge—" was suddenly interrupted by a bright yellow flash of lightning that struck perilously close to Wall Rose, shaking the ground and causing the soldiers to stumble.
In the blink of an eye, a massive head devoid of skin emerged, blocking their view. Eren, Connie, and Sasha were frozen in terror. The Colossal Titan had appeared right in front of them, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as the young soldiers tried to comprehend the enormity of what was happening.
"Everyone, use your ODM Gear!" Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs as a wave of heat blasted them all off the wall.
However, Naruto's quick reflexes and training as a soldier kicked in, and he swiftly activated his ODM Gear, using his grappling hook to attach himself to the side of the wall and avoid falling to his death. Everyone quickly used their Gear to attach themselves; Samuel was the last, but thankfully, Naruto's warning had been enough for him not to get caught off guard by the appearance of the Colossal Titan.
Before Naruto could think of doing something, suddenly, everyone heard a loud sound echoing throughout the entire city of Trost; looking over his shoulder, he saw the debris from the gate of Wall Rose hurtling through the air, uncontrollably crashing into the city below. The force of the impact was so great that it instantly destroyed many of the houses in its path, and tragically, several unlucky people lost their lives.
Annie, Mikasa, Armin, Ymir, Krista. God, please let them be alright, Naruto thought, feeling like someone was gripping his chest.
"The Wall is Destroyed."
"Ohh God, No. We are all Dead."
"The Colossal Titan is right here, don't let him get away. We kill him right here." Eren shouted as he started using his ODM Gear to reach the top.
"Brother, wait." Naruto shouted, but it was too late. He quickly looked at everyone who still didn't know what to do.
"Everyone retreat, go back to the Headquarters, and wait for orders. I will protect Eren," Naruto ordered. As he quickly used his ODM Gear to reach the top, he saw Colossal's Titan Hand rushing towards him. This was his first time seeing a Titan. He looked horrifying, but Naruto wasn't scared as he looked at the approaching hand that was dragging across the wall.
He's destroying the Cannons! He's intelligent! Naruto realized as his giant hand pushed the Cannons off the wall one by one. Naruto cursed under his breath. He could not grow trees so far from the ground, but he wasn't entirely useless.
Naruto quickly rushed forward, launching his grappling hook to his wrists; he knew his entire hand was too thick for his swords. With a burst of speed, Naruto cut through the flesh, and Colossal's thumb and index finger suddenly were sliced off.
Naruto smirked once he noticed that his hand had stopped moving, but the best part. The Colossal Titan was distracted, his eyes wide with fear.
"What will happen if you can't even see me!" Naruto shouted as he launched his two grappling hooks; one punctured his right eye; he quickly retreated back the grappling hook, causing the entire right eye to burst out like a balloon. Blood gushed out, and Naruto saw that Eren was rushing towards the nape.
Suddenly, a burst of heat wave crashed against him in full force; he closed his eyes as his other grappling hook was shot away. Naruto was free-falling, but he quickly used his Gear to return to the wall. His entire body felt hot, and suddenly, the hot steam disappeared like magic. He quickly turned around; the Colossal Titan had disappeared completely.
Where did he go?
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