Hometown

The hometown (故郷) is a settlement territory belonging to the people of Marley. Several antagonistic Titan shifters originate or operate from this location.

History
Before the Paradis Island Operation, Reiner Braun, Bertolt Hoover, Annie Leonhart, and her father lived their days in a settlement of Marley which Reiner and Bertolt would later refer to only as their "hometown". Before Annie's departure from the hometown, her father ensured her that he would support her even if all the world hated her, and that he would only ask that she would return home.

During their days spent in the 104th Training Corps, Reiner and Bertolt claimed that their hometown lied in the southeastern mountainous region of Wall Maria and that their town had been overrun by Titans without warning during the fall of Wall Maria. Reiner in particular expressed a strong desire to return to his hometown in the future.

Clash of the Titans arc
During the Wall Rose invasion when the Survey Corps recruits battle the Titans at Utgard Castle, Reiner comes close to death by a Titan and fears for the end of his life before he is saved by Bertolt. At this time he strengthens his will, filled with determination to return to his hometown. He shares his resolve with Bertolt, who understands the true meaning of what Reiner says and agrees with his hopeful words.

The next morning, when Reiner begins to lose hope for his situation due to an injury inflicted on his arm at Utgard, Bertolt encourages him by reminding him of their imminent return to their hometown. Not long afterwards, the two reveal their Titan identities as the Armored and Colossus Titans and attempt to capture Eren Yeager, whom they must bring to their hometown as part of the plan to regain the Founder. They succeed in capturing him and escape to a Titan Forest.

While in the Titan forest, Reiner reminds Bertolt that their most favorable course of action is to return Annie Leonhart, Historia Reiss, and the "Coordinate" to their hometown in order for their mission to be complete. Reiner also suggests that Bertolt should confess his true feelings to Annie upon their return, but Bertolt denies any such affections. Later, when Reiner and Bertolt attempt to escape with their captives Eren and Ymir, they inform the others that Eren's life is not up for negotiation and that he is going to be taken to their hometown. Armin taunted Bertolt at the thought of leaving Annie behind, causing him to attempt an attack and exposing a vulnerable moment for Erwin Smith to free Eren.

Ymir and the fleeing warriors arrive in the ruins of Shiganshina District later that night, where Reiner lets Ymir know that her rescue is hopeless if they take her to their hometown. Ymir accepts her fate, believing that she owes Reiner and Bertolt a favor for indirectly freeing her from her life as a Titan five years before.