Brave Volunteers (Chapter)

"Our goal... is to free the Eldian people."

- Yelena to Hange Zoë and Levi Ackerman

Volunteers (義勇兵) is the 4th and final chapter of the 26th volume and the 106th chapter overall of the Attack on Titan manga, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Overview
Armin recalls how Paradis encountered the first of many numerous ships sent from Marley and how the island decided to form an alliance with Yelena and Zeke Yeager to fight Marley. The two sides begin to pool their resources to bring the fight to Marley as they destroy the many war ships sent to Paradis.

He talks to the crystal holding Annie about how they buried their lost comrades and mentions Sasha's death, wishing a peaceful option was available instead of always having to fight; elsewhere, Eren, who is slowly becoming numb to the death and violence around him, resolves to continue fighting Paradis' enemies to the very end.

Summary
Holding onto a seashell, Armin recounts events from three years ago to an unknown listener. At that time, a Marleyan scouting vessel approaches the island of Paradis, preparing for landing. The captain resolves to inform Marley of the island's situation, when suddenly, the Attack Titan bursts up from under the oceans surface, lifting the ship up, before bringing it crashing down on the shore. Hange delivers an overly enthusiastic welcome to the cowering soldiers, inviting them to the island for tea as distinguished guests. Then, her and Levi bring in a captured soldier, from the vessel's advanced party, who begs his captain to shoot the two.

The captain refuses to listen to Hange and berates them as devils; Hange then reminds him of Eren's Titan standing behind him and asks how he plans on escaping. Refusing to yield to the islanders, the captain raises his weapon, when suddenly, a shot rings out. The captain falls over dead to everyone's surprise. Yelena, his killer, along with Onyankopon, orders the others to surrender their weapons, before accepting a bewildered Hange's invitation to come ashore.

As the members of the Survey Corps look from afar, they wonder who the woman is and if they can trust them. Eren admits that they were lucky he was able to obstruct the ship from landing. Inside the tent, Hange is amazed by the weapons Yelena and Onyankopon have with them; they reply it is standard equipment for Marley soldiers and inform Hange and Levi they have roughly one million soldiers and three fleets containing twenty-one battleships. Yelena admits they also are able to attack from the air; a shocked Hange asks why they have yet to come and destroy Paradis if they have this capability. Yelena responds that Marley has many enemies, and they considered Eldia to mainly stay contained by the Titans, expressing amazement when Levi makes an off-hand remark that the Eldians were able to kill all the Titans on the island. When Hange theorizes the two are spies who infiltrated Marley's military, Yelena admits they were forced in but were given a purpose by Zeke Yeager when he managed to show them hope.

At an assembly gathered between the heads of the military, Hange gives Zeke's demands in return for him helping the Eldians; sharing technology for weapons, start relations between Paradis and other warring nations fighting Marley, and provide support. When several members of the military object due to Zeke being their primary enemy for so long, Darius Zackly muses that they would not easily switch to peaceful talks after such a long time at war. Dot Pixis advises they listen to all the terms.

When Zeke's secret plan is mentioned (which involves Eren's possession of the Founding Titan and a Titan possessing royal blood), Eren admits that it is true and recalls his encounter with Dina Fritz's Titan. When Levi asks why Eren has stayed silent about this, Eren admits it was for Historia's safety due to being unreliable information at the time; despite Hange and Levi's disappointment in Eren's decision, Hange admits it does fall in line with Zeke's plan. Nile Dok is still against it, with other members of the Military Police chiming in and calling for Yelena's death due to not being trustworthy; Hange insists they need her forces to help them. Later, as Yelena radios to Marley under the guise of needing help, numerous ships are sent to rescue them but are destroyed by Eren or Armin's Colossus Titan.

As the two sides share advancements and train, Eren is at a shooting-range with both Armin and Mikasa; Armin states both sides are getting to know each other and the harbor will be completed soon, so they can travel across the ocean. Eren then asks Armin if he can see anything useful in Bertolt's memories while reflecting that his half brother only has three years left to live. Armin sadly reflects that this course of action will result in more deaths and hoped there was a peaceful way to clear the misunderstandings; Eren retorts the rest of the world still views them as monsters and the Marley soldiers glare at their walls in contempt. He further says to buy them time, Paradis needs to do something to ensure there is no interference.

Back in the present, the airship returns back to Paradis and the survivors prepare to bury the deceased, including Sasha. All those present share sorrowful looks, except for Eren who merely walks away. Armin admits that, despite intending to understand Eren more than anyone else (even Mikasa), he does not truly know Eren anymore. Both sides have now suffered the same fate; total destruction by an enemy force attacking their homeland and countless deaths. Knowing that Marley will retaliate soon, Armin admits their path to reconciliation has been cut off despite not having a choice. He looks up at the unknown person and it is shown to be Annie Leonhart, still encased within her hardened crystal. Armin begs Annie to respond in some way.

Outside, Zeke bemusedly states to Levi that the citizens of Paradis are calling it a victory despite not knowing anything. Levi merely states to Zeke that he will send Zeke back to Marley in pieces and is content to wait until his secret plan goes into effect. Zeke gives his thanks and asks if he is going to see Eren soon, noting that Levi is still glaring at him. Mikasa looks forward to the future, noting that Paradis and the Eldians will survive if they fight. In a separate location, Eren washes himself while echoing the same statement, resolving to fight and fight some more in order to win.

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