Pride (Chapter)

Pride (矜持) is the 4th and final chapter of the 31st volume and the 126th chapter overall of the Attack on Titan manga, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Overview
Upon meeting up with Theo Magath and Pieck Finger, Levi Ackerman and Hange Zoë suggest they combine their forces in order to defeat Zeke Yeager and the Yeagerists. Elsewhere, Connie Springer tries to feed Falco Grice to his mother in order to restore her life as a human, but he is foiled by Armin Arlert, who attempts to sacrifice himself in Falco's place.

Pieck rescues Yelena and Onyankopon from execution and also smuggles out Jean Kirstein while Mikasa Ackerman, Armin, Connie, and Annie Leonhart find Reiner Braun. He is surprised to see them with Gabi and Falco, and Connie informs him that they are now a united front that intends to save the world.

Summary
Hange shoots the final two Yeagerist soldiers sent after herself and Levi, returning back to their camp soon after. She muses over how Levi survived after all his soldiers were transformed into Titans; reflecting back on her conversation with Djel Sannes, Hange laments how they are powerless to do anything and must rely on Armin and Commander Pixis to formulate a plan to stop Zeke Yeager.

Shortly after experiencing Eren using the Founding Titan to speak to all the Eldians, Levi awakens and immediately tries to get to his feet; Hange states that Zeke is long gone and asks what happened. Levi admits he was not aware that Zeke was prepared to die and was careless in not preparing for it.

Several days later, after encountering Theo Magath and Pieck, Levi mentions they both share an interest in killing Zeke. While intrigued, Theo still has a desire to shoot Levi but decides to hold off for now. Pieck remarks how Hange knows as much as they do and asks if she witnessed the Founding Titan herself; Hange replies no, but agrees they should combine forces.

As Connie and Falco camp for the night, Connie contemplates how he should feed Falco to his mother. Conflicted about killing a child, he pleads for Sasha to help him. The next morning, they arrive at Ragako and Falco makes Connie aware that he overheard him talking to himself the previous night. Upon opening a curtain displaying his mother, Connie is asked why he brought Falco here.

Just then, Armin and Gabi arrive with the latter warning Falco of Connie's intent; Connie immediately grabs Falco and holds a blade to his throat, threatening Armin to stay away. Falco is still processing how he killed Galliard and obtained the Jaw Titan while Connie begins to ascend a ladder to the rooftop. Armin begs Gabi to forgive Connie and flies to a support beam right above Connie's mother; he intends to sacrifice himself instead of Falco, but Connie lets go of the youth and saves Armin. Connie laments how he almost killed a child and reflects on what his mother would think of him, while Armin continues to doubt himself over his future; wishing to properly be a soldier his mother would be proud of, Connie decides to go help people who are in actual trouble. Meanwhile, Mikasa visits an infirmary and notices Louise on a bed wearing her scarf; Louise admits she held onto it despite both Mikasa and Eren telling her to throw it away. Mikasa promptly takes it back and leaves her.

As Floch continues to proclaim how the Yeagerists have won due to the Rumbling having occurred, Armin and Connie take Falco and Gabi to get some food; sitting down, both of them notice Annie sitting next to them scarfing down a pie hungrily. Upon noticing them, Annie becomes visibly uncomfortable and confused to see her former comrades while Armin tries to reign in Connie's excited outburst. Hitch arrives soon and notices that Annie is gone, having left a note saying she left with her former friends and teammates.

Floch and Jean take Yelena and Onyankopon to the roof of the destroyed headquarters and prepare to execute them; however, Jean shoots four times into the ground next to Onyankopon and missing them. Immediately, the Cart Titan arrives and swallows the two volunteers along with Jean. Floch orders the Yeagerists to follow them and is surprised to see Mikasa is missing as well. Arriving back to Magath, Levi and Hange, Jean is asked by Onyankopon why he decided to help them instead of staying with Floch and the Yeagerists; Jean replies in a cryptic way and does not elaborate. When Yelena inquires why they were brought too, Hange reveals it was a personal request from Magath.

While the Cart Titan ambushed the Yeagerists, Mikasa, Armin, Annie, Connie, Falco and Gabi leave the capital via the opposite end while everyone was distracted. Arriving at their destination, Annie notices a sleeping Reiner and kicks him awake; Reiner is surprised to see her again and starts to panic after seeing his former friends surrounding him. As Falco and Gabi calm him down, Connie tells Reiner to hurry up, stating they need him to help save the world.