"That bastard is about to catch up, and she keeps sending signals—we'll deal with her!" A man wearing Vertical Maneuvering Equipment completely different from the other corps shouted anxiously to his companion.
Anti-personnel Vertical Maneuvering Equipment was special gear unique to the most mysterious action squad within the Central Military Police. Unlike ordinary Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, the steel cables of the anti-personnel version were fired from mechanisms at the wrists.
The combat target of anti-personnel Vertical Maneuvering Equipment was not Titans, but humans who attempted to overthrow the royal government. Therefore, it was not equipped with special blades designed to fight Titans. Instead, both hands were fitted with special single-shot firearms, with replaceable ammunition carried on the legs.
"Hyah!" A Central Military Police soldier drove a carriage, with Eren and the other two lying in the back, already unconscious.
More than a dozen Central Military Police soldiers wearing anti-personnel Vertical Maneuvering Equipment escorted the carriage as it charged toward the gate of Wall Rose.
But behind the Central Military Police formation, a figure was also chasing relentlessly.
Perfect control of Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, pale blue eyes seemingly devoid of emotion—Annie closely followed the Central Military Police unit, occasionally raising her hand to fire a red signal flare to mark the position for her comrades behind.
Watching helplessly as Annie could not be shaken off no matter what, he shouted,
"Damn it! Kill her!" At once, three Central Military Police soldiers broke away from the formation and charged toward Annie.
Annie clearly noticed the three Central Military Police soldiers pouncing toward her.
However, the special structure of the anti-personnel Vertical Maneuvering Equipment made their movements somewhat stiff, unable to be as flexible as traditional Vertical Maneuvering Equipment.
But the powerful firepower of the firearms in their hands made up for all the shortcomings of the anti-personnel Vertical Maneuvering Equipment.
Bang! A burst of sparks erupted from the muzzle of one Central Military Police soldier, and a spray of bullets flew straight toward Annie.
Annie sharply braked her Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, twisted sideways into a roll to evade the incoming bullets. The bullets that lost their target riddled the wall behind her with pockmarks.
"Tch! Lucky as hell!" That Central Military Police soldier spat, thinking Annie was just lucky. He shoved his thumb hard, and the barrel of the firearm in his hand dropped off. He snapped the device he held onto a barrel fixed on his leg and charged at Annie again.
The three Central Military Police soldiers almost fired simultaneously, a dense barrage of bullets enveloping Annie. But with astonishing agility and by using the surrounding buildings, Annie dodged every single shot.
As a former Marleyan warrior, Annie had undergone absolutely terrifying training. Evading dense barrages was an essential part of it—after all, she couldn't be killed by a stray bullet before even transforming upon entering the battlefield.
Never underestimate Annie or think her too kind. As a warrior, Annie showed absolutely no mercy to her enemies.
After dodging the bullets once more, Annie charged straight at the nearest Central Military Police soldier at extreme speed.
That Central Military Police soldier panicked and hurriedly fired at Annie, but all his shots were easily avoided as Annie used the buildings around her. In the instant when the Central Military Police soldier frantically changed ammunition, a cold flash of light appeared.
The Central Military Police soldier's eyes widened as a sharp blade had already pierced his chest. In an instant, all strength left his body.
"Damn it! What kind of monster is this!" The remaining two Central Military Police soldiers were both shocked and terrified.
...
Yago, controlling his Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, suddenly felt a warning surge in his heart. He accelerated and pressed down on Jurgen in front of him. Jurgen was startled, and the two lost their balance at the same time, crashing together onto a rooftop.
Bang! Bang!
Two deafening gunshots rang out. A cluster of bullets passed through the air where Yago and Jurgen would have been a moment earlier.
Another cluster of bullets shot toward Levi, but the terrifying reflexes of the Ackerman clan allowed him to dodge in time—at the cost of a massive hole blasted into the wall beside him.
"Captain!" Petra's anxious voice rang out. Levi immediately shouted, "Stay hidden! Don't show yourselves!"
Thin gun smoke drifted from the muzzle, accompanied by the pungent smell of gunpowder. Kenny Ackerman maintained his firing stance, a hint of regret on his smiling face.
"Ah, how disappointing. Didn't hit a single shot," Kenny said in annoyance. Then his thumb turned the replacement mechanism on the firearm, and two still-scorching barrels dropped to the ground. As he swapped barrels, Kenny shouted loudly,
"Yo! Levi—won't you come out and greet an old acquaintance? It's been a few years since we last met."
Levi's expression was extremely stiff at this moment. He never would have imagined that Kenny would actually join the Military Police. The man once known as Kenny the Ripper had made his name in the underground city by trampling over countless Military Police corpses.
"Kenny! I never thought someone who killed hundreds of Military Police would actually join the Military Police. That's hilarious!" Levi shot back sarcastically.
Kenny didn't get angry. "A little brat like you didn't you join the Survey Corps too? What do you know about the adult world? Come out!" As he spoke, he raised his hand and fired a shot.
Levi signaled to the others. This duel was not something his subordinates could take part in. Just how terrifying Kenny's strength was—Levi knew all too well.
Petra and Jurgen, having perfect coordination with Levi, naturally understood the captain's intent. He wanted them to withdraw first and go support Eren and the others. Though worried about the captain's safety, they both nodded. Only Yago made no response.
Amid the chaos, Yago also saw Kenny's appearance and couldn't help recalling a memory. Once, in the royal capital, he and Annie had encountered this man—and had even fought him. The opponent's terrifying skills had left a deep impression on Yago. He hadn't expected to meet him again.
Prepared, Levi suddenly burst forward. Gas roared from his Vertical Maneuvering Equipment as he shot ahead at extreme speed, twin blades drawn, slashing fiercely at Kenny.
At the same time, Petra and Jurgen immediately took the opportunity to dash toward Eren and the others. Yago, however, did not leave with them. Instead, he chose to circle around behind Kenny.
Kenny's gaze sharpened. He fired two shots, failing to hit Levi but forcing him to drop one blade. Immediately after, the remaining blade slashed toward Kenny.
Kenny reacted quickly, crossing his arms and clamping the blade between the gun barrels. Blade and barrels scraped together, throwing off showers of sparks.
Levi and Kenny were locked in a contest of strength, their eyes meeting.
Levi: "I thought you died in some filthy gutter in the underground city, Kenny!"
Kenny: "You little brat, you haven't improved at all after all these years~"
Suddenly, Kenny felt a chill at his back. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately broke away from Levi and flashed aside. A sharp blade sliced through empty air.
"Oh? Levi, is this one of your subordinates? Not easy at all—looks like little Levi finally has subordinates of his own," Kenny said teasingly as he looked at Yago holding his blade.