Several days had passed since the battle in Stohess District. The city remained in ruins, and survivors were gradually returning from their shelters. The chaos left behind by the Female Titan was still palpable, but the troops had returned to their headquarters to analyze the situation.
Inside the strategy room, Erwin, Levi, Armin, Adam, Mikasa, and several selected soldiers gathered.
"We've narrowed down the list of suspects," Erwin said, staring at the map before him. "Based on Armin's analysis, the Female Titan is someone who trained alongside you in the military."
Armin nodded, his expression serious. "From the way she fights, her speed, and her ability to harden her body… there's only one person who matches this profile."
All eyes turned to him as he continued.
"Annie Leonhart."
The room fell silent.
Adam crossed his arms. "So, you're completely sure?"
Armin took a deep breath. "I don't want to believe it, but everything fits. She uses the same fighting techniques she taught us during training. Also, her expression during the attack showed that she had a specific goal. She wasn't just a Titan killing aimlessly."
Mikasa clenched her fists. "If that's true, we need to capture her before she escapes again."
Erwin looked at them all before finally saying, "We will conduct a covert operation to trap her. We will make sure she has no chance to transform into a Titan again."
Levi smirked slightly. "We'll capture her… this time, there will be no escape."
The next day, the operation began. Eren, Armin, and Mikasa were tasked with luring Annie into the prepared area—a narrow underground passage where she wouldn't be able to transform into a Titan.
Adam, Jean, Levi, and the rest of the squad positioned themselves around the area, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Above ground, Armin approached Annie with a small smile. "Annie, could you help Eren and me for a moment? We need to escort him to headquarters for an investigation."
Annie gazed at him with a blank expression. "An investigation? What exactly are you doing underground?"
Eren tried to act casual. "Just a routine check… nothing suspicious."
But Annie only smiled.
"You think I'm that stupid?" she said, her eyes narrowing sharply.
Armin immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Now!" he shouted.
Mikasa lunged at Annie from behind, but in mere seconds, Annie bit her finger, and a blinding light illuminated the street.
"DAMN IT!" Adam yelled from a distance as a blast of steam hit everyone nearby.
In an instant, the massive form of the Female Titan emerged in the middle of the district, crushing the street beneath her feet.
The townspeople screamed in terror, running for their lives.
"She transformed faster than we expected!" Levi shouted, drawing his blades.
Adam launched himself onto a rooftop, assessing the situation. "No other choice… we have to fight in the city!"
The Female Titan rampaged through the streets, destroying buildings and eliminating anyone in her path.
"She's trying to escape!" Jean yelled.
Eren clenched his fists. "Not this time… I won't let you get away!"
With a roar of fury, Eren bit into his hand and transformed into a Titan.
The battle between Eren's Titan and the Female Titan began.
Annie struck first, delivering a powerful punch to Eren's chest at high speed. But this time, Eren was ready—he caught her fist and countered with an elbow strike that shattered part of her face.
"HE'S LEARNING!" Armin shouted from afar.
But Annie didn't back down. With incredible agility, she spun and landed a powerful kick to Eren's head, sending him crashing into a building behind him.
Mikasa and Adam sprang into action.
"We need to cut her Achilles tendons!" Adam shouted.
Mikasa nodded, and the two of them attacked from different angles, slashing the backs of the Female Titan's legs.
Titan blood sprayed everywhere, and Annie collapsed to her knees.
Levi saw the opening and launched himself at her nape at blinding speed.
But Annie once again used her hardening ability to protect her nape!
"Damn, she's shielding herself again!" Jean shouted.
But this time, Eren rose once more. With a feral growl, he pummeled the Female Titan's head repeatedly, weakening her further.
Annie was cornered.
"There's no way out for you this time," Adam muttered, preparing for the final strike.
But before they could capture her, Annie did something unexpected.
She encased herself entirely in a crystalline barrier, creating an impenetrable prison around her.
Everyone stared in shock.
"She… sealed herself away?" Armin murmured.
Mikasa slashed at the crystal, but there wasn't even a scratch.
Levi narrowed his eyes. "Damn it… she escaped again."
Eren glared at the crystal in frustration, wanting to break it but unable to.
Adam gritted his teeth. "She can't move, but we can't touch her either…"
Erwin finally arrived at the scene. "We've captured her… but this isn't a complete victory."
He stared at the crystal encasing Annie.
"For now, we'll take her to headquarters and wait for another opportunity."
The battle in Stohess District had finally ended, but the city was once again left in ruins.
Eren returned to his human form, his body covered in wounds and exhaustion.
Adam sat on the edge of the rubble, letting out a long sigh. "We've captured her… but it doesn't feel like enough."
Armin nodded. "We may have stopped her for now, but there are still many mysteries left to uncover."
Levi sheathed his blades. "This isn't over. There are still more secrets to expose."
Erwin gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with deep thought. "This is only the beginning of a much bigger battle…"