Warrior (Chapter)

Warrior, is the 42nd chapter of Shingeki no Kyojin. It was released in the 13th of February 2013. The chapter is based on the mystery of the Armored and Collosal titan.

Summary
While Ymir is still recovering from her previous battle, Historia is pleading to Hanji to understand the truth behind Ymir’s actions, despite the recent revelation that she was a Titan-Shifter all along. Hanji accedes to Historia’s plea, and also addresses her as “Historia” from there on, having learned of her true name and her background.

Meanwhile, Eren, Armin, Reiner, and Bertholdt are having a discussion related to their recent skirmish. When Eren makes mention of them having passed their village, Bertholdt exclaims to Reiner that it’s time to return to their home village. But just before this peculiar declaration can continue, Hannes regroups with Hanji and the rest atop the wall, to deliver the report that “There is no breach.” This leaves them startled, as Hannes continues also that both Trost District and Chlorba District had no wall-abnormalities, as well as the fact that he hasn’t encountered a single Titan during the expedition. In the end, Hanji decides that the operation to plug the wall should be called off, and she and the others will position for standby in Trost District.

As Eren, Mikasa and Armin stand perplexed over these bizarre events, Reiner calls to Eren, needing to talk to him. As Hanji’s team leaves, Reiner readily tells Eren that he and Bertholdt destroyed the wall five years ago, that he is the Armored Titan, and that Bertholdt is the Colossal Titan. Eren is quick to reject this, and Bertholdt is distressed about Reiner’s sudden act; after revealing the details of their original mission, Reiner then claims that if Eren comes with them, they won’t touch the walls ever again. Eren is argumentative towards this sudden circumstance at first, but eventually……

A flashback occurs at this moment, detailing Hanji reading the report concerning Annie Leonhart’s background. Hanji reveals that Annie’s place of origin is similar to that of Reiner Braun’s and Bertholdt Fubar’s; both Reiner and Bertholdt were close to Eren during their trainee days in the 104th, but Annie was comparatively reclusive. Armin, Eren, and Mikasa; all three state that Annie was never close to Reiner and Bertholdt. But then Armin recalls his experience during Annie’s attack (as the Female Type Titan) on the Survey Corps’s expedition; to respond to Hanji’s inquiry about their possible interest in Eren’s location, Armin admitted that he gave Reiner an estimated guess as to his whereabouts. Not only that, but he recalled that Reiner had cut letters into Annie’s palm when he cut free, which would explain why Annie changed course while continuing pursuit.

……Eren just tells Reiner that he’s simply tired from all these recent events, to which Bertholdt concurs. Reiner then appears to lose it, believing that he was “surrounded by brats” all these years within the walls, feeling as though he had become feeble, having forgotten about his original mission; he removes the cast from his right arm and it suddenly regenerates. Bertholdt freaks at Reiner’s decision to act at this point in time. Just as Reiner is about to make his move, Mikasa jumps in and lops off Reiner’s right hand and strikes at Berthold’s neck. Mikasa screams at Eren to flee the area before being tackled off the wall by Reiner. Armin and Hanji’s team run to the scene. For one brief moment, Reiner and Bertholdt stand before Eren, until they transform into Titans, their forms exactly as Reiner said.

Reiner takes hold of Eren, whilst Bertholdt, in a half-formed state of his Titan form, snatches the still-unconscious Ymir. As Reiner slides off the wall in escape, Eren’s memories erupt, of his trainee years having been acquainted with them. Now seeing them as traitors, he manages to free his left arm and bite into his thumb, transforming him and thus setting the stage for battle.