One by One

One By One is the second chapter in the fourth volume and the fifteenth chapter overall.

Summary
Two years after the first attack of the Colossal Titan and three years before their graduation from the 104th Trainees Squad, Mikasa, Eren and Armin are working in a field. A small group of Military Police officers are walking by and discussing productivity. The officer in charge is complaining because the fields are behind schedule. His subordinate says that most of the workers were kicked out and sent to recover Wall Maria, likely killed. Armin, glaring at the soldiers, tells Eren and Mikasa that his parents were sent on that mission not for recovery, but so the government would have less mouths to feed.

A short time later, Armin is now in boot camp. The drill instructor, pacing through the ranks, singles out Armin, asking his name. After a short, intimidating speech, the instructor moves on to another trainee. Two nearby officers recall their time in boot camp, with one questioning the point of intimidation. The other answers that it is used to cultivate the necessary qualities of a soldier. As the drill instructor questions Annie, she seems unaffected, leaving one to say that she's been through her rite of passage. The instructor notices the look on a lot of the faces, and assumes it was because of the attack from the Colossal Titan. Now onto Jean, he asks why he is here. Jean answers to join the Military Police and live in the Inner District. With that, the instructor head butts Jean, causing him to fall. The instructor then adds insult to injury and says that he never gave him permission to sit. He asks Marco the same, Marco answers that he's from Jinae Town and wants to join the Military Police so that he can be of service to the King. The next up is Conny, who mistakenly uses the wrong hand in his salute. While giving him a hard time, the instructor notices Sasha, who is eating while in formation. He rushes over to her and asks what the big idea is. She's still chewing her food which causes her not to answer, so he gets louder. He asks what she is eating. She replies a steamed potato and as the situation gets more tense she breaks it in half and offers it to the instructor.

Now out of formation and at the barracks, Eren and others watch as Sasha runs laps well into her fifth hour and having to skip lunch. They begin to talk more about where they are from. When the conversation gets to Eren, he tell them he is from Shiganshina District, which surprises the others and causes him to constantly be asked about the Colossal Titan. As more and more questions come, Eren starts to think of his mother being killed and he get nauseous. Marco and Conny notice and apologize for making him talk about it. Regaining his composure, Eren dismisses it and says that he can't wait to fight and kill the titans. At hearing this, Jean accuses Eren of faking it while actually pissing his pants. Deciding to let it go, the two apoligize for the short argument. Mikasa walks by, which grabs Jean's attention. He tells her that he's never seen anyone like her and that she has pretty hair. She thanks him and walks away. Outside, she catches up with Eren; Jean sees the two together outside. Eren denies almost getting into a fight and tells Mikasa that her hair is getting too long; it could cause her to get into an accident. She asks him how long she should cut it. Seeing this, Jean wipes his hands on Conny's shirt. Conny angrily asks if his shirt looks like a tissue and what did he wipe on it. Jean replies that it was his trust in others.

Sasha now done with her laps, is on her way to her bunk when she collapses. Christa walks nearby with a little bit of bread, causing Sasha to lunge at her, grabbing the bread. Christa says that she brought it for her and asks if she wants any water. Grateful, Sasha sees Christa as her savior. She's helped by another girl in getting Sasha to bed.

The next morning, the students start their Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear training. Tying ropes to their sides, they will test their balance. Mikasa, Jean and Conny are doing well, but Eren seems to be having problems, leaving him embarrassed.