Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

Ryo whistled sharply, summoning the scattered horses that hadn't fled the area. Without hesitation, he leapt onto one of the steeds and urged it into a gallop. The battlefield behind him was teeming with danger—though he had managed to slay two abnormal Titans, a horde of over twenty ordinary giants was still in pursuit.

Staying any longer would be a death sentence. No matter how skilled he was, facing so many Titans alone in such unfavorable terrain with depleted gas reserves would only lead to one outcome. The safest option was to retreat and regroup.

The ordinary Titans were far slower than the abnormal ones. Despite their relentless pursuit, the gap between them and Ryo widened as his horse gained speed. The warhorses of the Survey Corps, though not particularly large or fast by nature, had been selectively bred over decades for endurance and explosive power. Their modifications made them ideal for escaping giants in most situations.

Even so, Ryo couldn't relax. While he had managed to distance himself from the Titans, his mind lingered on the true threat—the Beast Titan. Its ability to strategize and command other Titans was unlike anything he had ever faced. This wasn't just a coincidence; it was calculated.

He scanned the surroundings carefully as his horse galloped through the vast forest, searching for any sign of the mastermind behind the attack. Yet no matter how intently he looked, the Beast Titan was nowhere to be seen.

From a hidden vantage point far away, the Beast Titan observed the battlefield. Ryo's unexpected presence had disrupted his plans. With the limited number of Titans available for the attack and the proximity to the city, the Beast Titan realized that victory was out of reach. Though he could have personally intervened, doing so might jeopardize larger plans still in motion. Retreating now would allow him to gather more information and strike at a more opportune moment.

Meanwhile, Captain Erwin's sharp voice cut through the chaos:

"Survey Corps, prepare for battle!"

The left and right wings, as well as the vanguard squad, had successfully retreated into the giant forest. The towering trees offered a strategic advantage, limiting the movement of Titans while providing the soldiers with an ideal environment to utilize their vertical maneuvering gear.

"Roar!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their morale boosted by Ryo's earlier triumph over the abnormal Titans. His victory had reignited their fighting spirit, and they readied themselves for what was to come.

Ryo urged his horse forward, racing into the depths of the forest before leaping from its back. He deployed his maneuvering gear, soaring into the trees to rejoin the others.

"New recruit Ryo, the battle is over, and I am applying to return to the team!" he reported formally.

The sergeant glanced at him with a calm expression. "Return to the team."

"Yes!" Ryo replied, falling into formation beside Mikasa and Pei. The two stood at attention, but their eyes betrayed their relief. Pei gave him a discreet thumbs-up, while Mikasa's reddened eyes spoke volumes. Though she said nothing, her gaze conveyed a simple message: *I'm glad you're safe.*

Without the Beast Titan's guidance, the horde of ordinary Titans lost their cohesion and charged blindly into the forest. This disorganized attack made them easier to deal with, but their numbers—approximately seventy—were still daunting.

Erwin issued his next command. "Levi Squad, follow me! Attack the left wing!"

With a swift motion, Levi drew his blades, his voice as calm and cutting as steel. "Let's go."

One by one, the members of Levi's squad launched themselves into action, their maneuvering gear propelling them toward the oncoming Titans.

The battle raged for hours, stretching from the afternoon into the darkening evening. The massive trees provided both an advantage and a challenge as the soldiers darted through the forest, dispatching Titans with precision. The air grew thick with steam as the slain Titans' bodies began to decay, filling the battlefield with a sickly, oppressive heat.

By the time the last Titan fell, the forest was a scene of chaos. Though the Survey Corps emerged victorious, the cost of the battle was high. Corpses of comrades lay scattered among the steaming remains of Titans, a grim reminder of the price of survival.

In the distance, Hanji had managed to capture one Titan alive for research. Her excitement over the rare find contrasted starkly with the somber mood of the others as they tended to the wounded and counted their losses.

As the setting sun cast long shadows across the battlefield, the soldiers of the Survey Corps regrouped, battered but resolute. The battle was over, but the war against the Titans was far from finished.