Choices and Consequences

Choice and Its Consequences is the second chapter of the seventh volume and the 28th chapter overall.

Summary
As Commander Erwin watches the Female Titan get devoured, he starts to order his scouts to retreat. However, seeing the vapor rise from the body, he is reminded of Hanji's theory. She believed it was possible for the human in titan form to safely escape in the cloud of smoke created from the remains of the body. Remembering this, he tells Levi to refill his gas tanks. Although not understanding the reason, Levi obeys the order while the remaining soldiers continue the retreat.

Further in the Forest of Giant Trees, Levi's Squad are relieved to see the signal, believing the mission to be a success. Erd Gin, still in charge, orders everyone to return to their horses. Petra thanks Eren for trusting them, attributing the success to his choice. Auruo questions his involvement, saying that all he did was panic and manage to stay alive. Annoyed at the bickering, Erd calls him and Petra out reminding them that they wet their pants on their first mission. Embarrassed, Petra fears that knowing that will cause Eren to lose respect for her. Erd and Gunter clarify that they never wet their pants, but tell them to save their discussion for later.

Hanji asks Commander Erwin why he ordered Levi to refill instead of retreating with the rest. Erwin presents his concern at the possibility of the person in the Female Titan's body escaping. Even though it was her theory, Hanji appears sceptical after seeing the limit of Eren's ability and his physical state after emerging from his titan form. Erwin reminds her that just because Eren is a beginner doesn't mean their target is. The Female Titan displayed skills they never thought to anticipate, causing their mission to fail. So, they must adapt their strategy quickly if they hope to outsmart her. He speculates that if the person was wearing Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear before they transformed, they would be able to escape unnoticed while the smoke screen was up, making it easy for them to blend in with the rest of the Scouting Legion.

As Levi's Squad contiues through the forest, they see someone quickly moving through the trees. Initially believing it to be Levi, they move closer. Gunter realizes it's not him as he closes in. Suddenly, the stranger attacks and Gunter is killed in the same fashion as a titan when the back of his neck cut out. Eren, in disbelief, is grabbed by Auruo as Erd gives the order to protect him. Petra, in a rage, challenges the attacker who is now hidden among the trees. As Commander Erwin continues to contemplate the Female Titan, he worries that it may go back into its titan form. Without warning, Eren and Levi's Squad hear an explosion behind them; the stranger has taken on her titan form again and is chasing them once again. Eren gets ready to transform as well, when Erd stops him. He orders him to head toward the Commander as fast as he can, while they take care of the titan. At first he resists, wanting to fight, but when they ask that he trust them he wishes them luck and heads out.

After dodging her first series of attacks, Petra and Auruo blind her by taking out her eyes. Now at a disadvantage, the titan covers the back of her neck and puts her back against a tree, waiting for her eyes to regenerate. Without saying a word to each other, Erd gives a signal and the team cuts the rotator muscles in her shoulders, causing her arms to fall. Eren, watching from a distance, admires their teamwork noting that it must come from the trust they have in each other. He thinks back to Levi telling him that whether he chooses to rely on his own strength or to rely on comrades, he never knows what the outcome will be. He glances back at his team again and sees Erd moving in to cut the muscles in her neck in hopes of exposing her weak spot. Just as he gets close enough to attack, the titan reveals that she has regenerated one of her eyes. Too late to stop, she catches him in her mouth and bites him in half. Petra, Auruo and Eren watch in horror as Erd's body falls to the ground. Petra at first doesn't understand how it happened and then sees that she concentrated her healing ability on just one of her eyes allowing it regenerate faster. The titan charges after Petra and Auruo warns her to adjust her balance. Before she has a chance however, the titan leaps through the air and crushes her between her foot and a tree. Auruo, who is now behind her, tries to attack the nape of her neck. Although he manages a direct hit, the titan hardens her skin at the moment of impact, breaking his blades. She turns and delivers a massive kick to Auruo in midair, breaking his back and crushing him. Eren, now regretting his decision to not transform, vows to slay her. Biting into his hand, he shifts midair and lands on the Female Titan ready to attack.