Note: The following chapters are an interlude before entering the training camp—honestly, it's full of nonsense.
Late at night, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, his grandfather, and Carla slowly made their way through the narrow streets of Wall Rose. Ahead of them, Katsura strode confidently, proudly carrying his large sack. His steps were light and energetic, as if nothing weighed on his mind—a stark contrast to the somber mood of those around him.
Armin walked along, eyes fixed on Katsura's back, his mind awash with mixed feelings. How could someone like Katsura, who clearly isn't entirely honest, be so important to us now? he wondered. Katsura often talked about freedom and honor, but Armin sensed something off about the "treasure" Katsura was carrying. Maybe it was looted, or maybe Katsura was taking advantage of the situation for his own benefit.
Yet Armin couldn't ignore the fact that, without Katsura's help, his grandfather would likely have been sent back to the front lines as part of a sacrifice to hold back the Titan invasion. His grandfather was the only family he had left, and without him, Armin didn't know what his life would become. Without Katsura, we wouldn't have a place to stay. Grandpa might have been sent outside the wall. Armin gently clenched his fist, feeling trapped in a moral dilemma.
I can't let this go on, but I can't turn him down either. Katsura may be wrong often, but he's truly helped us.
Behind Armin, Mikasa walked with her usual determined expression, but in her heart, she knew something felt wrong. Katsura… he's unlike anyone else I've met. He doesn't have the discipline or calm of a soldier, but he's helped us. Whatever methods he used to get that treasure, in the end, he's made us safe. Carla, Armin, Eren, his grandfather… all of them had been saved by him.
But like Armin, Mikasa also knew it wasn't entirely right. Katsura was hiding secrets, and she felt that if they got more involved, things might get more complicated. But as usual, as long as Eren was safe, Mikasa was willing to face any risk.
Meanwhile, Eren looked forward, his eyes glistening with mixed emotions. Katsura… he saved us again. I don't know what to think. He might be strange, he might do things I don't understand, but he's always there at the right time. He even saved Mom.
Eren wanted to thank him directly, but from past experiences, he knew that every time he tried to have a serious talk with Katsura, the man would steer the conversation in a ridiculous direction. If I thank him now, he'll probably go off about pants or that odd "freedom" of his… thought Eren, gritting his teeth. But… he still felt he owed Katsura his gratitude. After all, Katsura had saved their lives.
When they reached the empty house Katsura had "bought" for them, the atmosphere was calm and quiet. No one had noticed their move; Katsura had planned it all carefully to ensure they didn't draw attention. The house looked old, but it was much better than the crowded stables awaiting refugees at the harbor.
Armin's grandfather, who had tried not to trouble the others too much during the journey, finally spoke in a tired but grateful voice. "Armin… Eren… Mikasa… I never thought we'd make it to a place like this. This is more than I could've hoped for. We're safe… for now."
Armin gently held his grandfather's hand. "We're safe, Grandpa. For now, we're safe."
Once they were all inside, Katsura proudly placed his treasure sack in the corner, then turned to them with a triumphant look. "So, do you see? Here's our new home! Captain Katsura always has a brilliant plan!"
Eren looked at him, still feeling a strong urge to say thanks but holding back. He'll just talk about freedom again if I thank him now, thought Eren. Instead, he simply nodded slightly, though inwardly he deeply appreciated what Katsura had done.
Katsura, seemingly not needing direct acknowledgment, walked over to the window and dramatically pulled open the curtain. "From now on, this is Captain Katsura's headquarters! And here, we'll live comfortably inside Wall Rose!"
After everyone had settled into their spots, Katsura began pacing around the room, pointing to different corners as if on some grand tour. "Hmm… here I can put a giant map for our master plan. And over there, I can place my proud sword… ah, it will be the perfect headquarters!"
Mikasa, watching his antics, could only sigh. "Katsura, you talk too much."
Armin looked at Katsura with a puzzled expression. "Do you really need a giant map in the house?"
Katsura turned to Armin with a wide grin. "Of course! Every great leader needs a map to plan their grand moves!"
Eren, feeling increasingly tired, finally couldn't hold back. "Katsura, all we need right now is rest. No one needs a giant map or a sword… we need sleep."
Mikasa shook her head and whispered, "He really hasn't changed."
Armin gave a small smile, though doubt lingered in his heart. "Yeah… but somehow, he's always there when we need him."
Eren, who had initially been annoyed by Katsura's absurd behavior, could only sigh deeply. At least he's really here… even if he's always so strange.
And under the night sky of Wall Rose, they finally managed to rest, accompanied by Katsura's bizarre antics.
Next day
Days had passed since Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Carla, and Armin's grandfather moved into their new home within Wall Rose. The house was located in a quieter area, far from the bustling refugee camps clustered near the harbor. Although this house was better than the crowded stables, the tension and anxiety never really faded.
Carla, her leg gradually healing, still spent most of her time in bed. Every day, Mikasa carefully tended to her mother, bringing food and treating her with fresh bandages. Armin and his grandfather took care of the household chores, while Eren often sat outside, gazing toward the horizon, his eyes filled with anger and determination.
Behind this calm routine, Armin was deep in thought, his mind filled with unanswered questions. We might be safe here now… but for how long? he wondered, glancing around the house, which seemed cozy on the surface but was shadowed by uncertainty. Refugees continued to pour in, and the scarcity of resources was becoming more noticeable throughout Wall Rose.
Armin sighed, his gaze shifting to Eren, who was sitting outside. Eren is always full of rage… but I know I can't just sit back either. If we don't take action, things will only get worse. His grandfather often told him stories of the past, about how greater disasters might come. Now, with the Titan threat looming closer, Armin felt their time was running out.
But amid all this, there was one thing he couldn't ignore—Katsura. The strange man who had saved them time and again, yet always acted without a clear plan. Katsura… he's always doing things I can't predict. He makes me feel entangled in his schemes, even though I know many of the things he does aren't entirely right. But I can't deny that without him, we might have lost Grandpa… and maybe even Eren's mother.
Armin glanced toward Katsura, who was wandering around the yard with his large sack of treasure, as if he was planning something no one else understood. Armin gave a small, puzzled smile, torn between gratitude and concern.
Inside the house, Mikasa carefully fed Carla. Though her mother was starting to recover, worry remained in her heart. Yet one thing that always brought Mikasa peace was Eren's presence. Eren is always strong, even when he's angry and frustrated. He never gives up, and that's why I'll always trust him.
Mikasa glanced briefly out the window, where Eren sat with a look of unwavering resolve. Even in hard times like these, I know Eren will keep pushing forward. He always wants to protect those he loves, just like I'll always protect him.
But while Mikasa had great faith in Eren, there was one person who always left her feeling unsure—Katsura. The odd man who's saved us during our toughest times. I know Katsura has helped us many times, but his ways… they're always strange. There's something about his actions I just can't accept, but in the end, he's still helped us. Even with gratitude, Mikasa remained cautious. I can't fully trust him, but… without him, we might not be here now.
Outside, Katsura began another one of his strange plans. "I need a huge statue in this yard!" he announced, talking to himself in a loud voice.
Eren, initially lost in thought, looked up. "What are you talking about now?"
Katsura suddenly leaped onto a fence post, striking a dramatic pose. "Alright! I'll start preparing for this grand project! You'll all be amazed at the magnificent Statue of Freedom I'll create!"
Mikasa could only shake her head, while Armin stared at him, confused. I don't know what's going to happen with Katsura here, but as long as he doesn't cause too much trouble… maybe we can survive here a little longer.
And so, their days went on, with Eren, Mikasa, and Armin trying to adapt to their new life, while Katsura busied himself with his grand project.
That night, despite the calm atmosphere in their house within Wall Rose, Eren's mind was restless. Lying awake, he stared at the cold ceiling, memories from the past swirling in his thoughts. He remembered his father, Grisha Yeager, who had mysteriously disappeared after the Titan attack on Shiganshina District.
Father… where did you go?
The memory was hazy but vivid. His father had given him a key, saying something strange—about the basement of their home. One day, you have to go to the basement, Eren. That's where the answers lie. Those words lingered in his mind, puzzling him but also stirring a sense of something important hidden there. After handing him the key, Grisha had vanished without a trace. No one knew where he had gone.
Eren let out a deep sigh. I don't know what happened to Father, but I'll find out. But the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. What exactly was Father hiding? What's in that basement?
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud, odd sound coming from outside the house. Something loud, nonsensical, and full of excitement. Eren got out of bed, curious, and headed to the door.
When he stepped outside, he found Katsura standing proudly in the middle of the yard, waving his arms toward a strange "statue" he had just "created." The sculpture… looked like a pile of unshapely debris.
"The statue of Captain Katsura! A grand symbol to inspire resistance against the Titans!" Katsura proclaimed loudly, drawing Eren's attention.
Eren stared at the sculpture in disbelief. "What… is this?"
Katsura turned to him with a confident smile. "Ah, Eren! You arrived just in time! This is part of my big business! I'll sell my sculpture to anyone who wants to feel the true spirit of peace!"
Eren tilted his head, not quite believing what he was hearing. "This… looks like a pile of junk."
Katsura burst into laughter. "A pile of junk? Hahaha! Eren, you're so wrong! This is art! This statue represents humanity's struggle under the Titan threat! Look at the details! See how its form is full of meaning!"
Eren took a deep breath, clearly confused by Katsura's explanation. "I don't know what you're seeing, but this 'struggle' looks a bit… ugly."
At that moment, Mikasa and Armin stepped outside, drawn by the noise coming from the yard. Mikasa, as calm as ever, stopped as soon as she saw the sculpture. Her eyes narrowed, trying to make sense of what was happening.
"What is this, Katsura?" Mikasa asked flatly.
Katsura grinned widely, as if waiting for this moment. "Ah, Mikasa! Right on time! I created another masterpiece just for you!" He stepped aside, revealing a smaller statue hidden under a cloth—one that was clearly meant to represent Mikasa.
But the statue was far from what Mikasa expected. Its face was disproportioned, its body looked strange, and even the sword it held looked like a bent stick. Mikasa stared at it with disbelief.
"You… think this is supposed to be me?" she asked, her voice tense.
Katsura nodded confidently. "Of course! This is my artistic interpretation of your strength, Mikasa! Look… your face shows incredible courage, and the sword symbolizes unshakable resolve!"
Mikasa could only gape at the statue, her mouth slightly open. "This… is awful."
Eren, watching Mikasa's reaction, couldn't hold back a laugh. "Katsura, this statue is terrible! Even Mikasa's mad!"
Unbothered by their reactions, Katsura simply shrugged. "You all don't understand true art! This statue represents the human spirit in the fight against the Titans! It's a masterpiece that will inspire all mankind!"
Armin, who had been quietly observing, nodded slowly. "I'm not sure this will inspire anyone, Katsura. It's more like… something that will make people run away."
But Katsura remained unfazed. "Hahaha! You might not appreciate this now, but one day you'll see how important these statues are! And now… I'll start a grand business selling them! Everyone in Wall Rose will want their own statue of freedom!"
In the midst of this chaos, Mikasa closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. I can't believe he made this hideous statue for me. Is this how Katsura sees me?
Meanwhile, Eren, despite being irritated by the strange statues, began to notice something odd. Since they'd moved into this house, food had never been an issue. Every day, Katsura somehow managed to get enough food, even though the situation outside was growing more dire.
"Katsura," Eren asked suddenly, "how do you always have food? And money? You never work, but you always have enough to buy everything we need."
Katsura gave a mysterious smile and hoisted his large sack onto his shoulder. "Ah, this, Eren. This is what I call… the 'magic sack.'"
Eren eyed the sack curiously. "Magic sack?"
Katsura nodded with confidence. "Yes, the magic sack! Inside, there's enough money to buy food and everything we need! And the money never runs out!"
Mikasa looked at Katsura suspiciously. "But where does it come from?"
Katsura chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, that's a big secret, Mikasa. Don't worry about it. As long as we have this sack, we'll always have enough food."
Armin, who had been listening carefully to the conversation, felt something was off. He always refuses to say where it came from. He must be hiding something. But for now, Armin decided not to press him further.
Though there were many things that troubled them, the truth was that thanks to Katsura and his "magic sack," they could still survive amidst the refugee crisis spreading throughout Wall Rose.
That night, after everyone had gone inside, Katsura lingered outside, gazing proudly at his statues. "Someday, you'll all understand the meaning of true art," he muttered softly before finally entering the house and closing the door.