Levi's Daughter

16

Sakura snickered at Jean, who was sitting upright in the carriage, dressed as Eren.

"This isn't funny." Jean hissed at her.

"You look so much like Eren." Sakura giggled. "This plan is going so well!"

Levi smiled at his daughter's antics, glad that she was feeling like her usual self after the expedition outside the walls.

The ride was quiet after Sakura had let out her giggles and leaned her head on her father's shoulder.

Seeing the flash of yellow light, Sakura and Riza both tensed up, Riza's ears twitching in the direction of the yellow light.

Sakura, Levi, and Jean all exchanged looks.

"Well, it looks like the fight has started."

□□□

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Erwin greeted as he walked in the room, Sakura, Armin, Mikasa, Jean, and Haru.

"Not at all, sir." Eren stood up. "You guys! U-Um..."

"We have identified a person of interest who may be the Female Titan." Erwin informed. "This time, we won't let her escape. The operation will be in two days. It will take place in Stohess District, on our way to the capital. This is our first and last chance. Once we pass that point, Eren will be remanded to the capital. Or pursuit of those who seek to destroy the walls will become fraught with difficulty. Ultimately, humanity stands to go extinct. We will stake everything on this plan."

Eren nodded at Erwin.

"Here it is." Erwin continued. "When we pass through Stohess, Eren will act as a decoy and lead the target into this underground tunnel. If we can get her to the lowest level, given the tunnel's size and structural integrity, even if the target transforms, we can immobilize her. But if she transforms before then, Eren, we'll need your help."

"Yes, sir." Eren looked up. "As for the target... Are we sure she's in Stohess?"

"Yes, our target is a member of the Military Police." Erwin answered.

"The Military Police?" Eren repeated. "It was Armin who arrived at that conclusion. He believes the target also killed the two captured Titans. She may be a former trainee from the 104th, the same as you."

"W-Wait a second..." Eren's eyes widened. "The 104th?"

"The name of the girl we believe to be the person of interest is..."

"Hey, wait..."

"Annie Leonhart."

"Annie's the female Titan?" Eren repeated. "Why? Why do you think that, Armin?"

"From the start, the Female Titan knew what you looked like." Armin explained. "And she reacted to your nickname, 'suicidal bastard', which only the 104th trainees would know."

Suicidal Bastard?

I'll tell you the story later, dad.

"And the biggest reason is that I believe Annie killed the test subjects, Sawney and Bean." Armin added.

"How can you tell?"

"Only someone very skilled could have done it." Armin told him. "And they'd have used their own Maneuver Gear, which they're accustomed to."

"Yeah, wasn't that why they inspected our Maneuver Gear?" Eren remembered. "But they didn't find anything on Annie."

"Annie brought Marco's Maneuver Gear to the inspection." Armin clarified. "That's why she managed to avoid getting caught."