Chapter 81 The First Clash Beyond the Wall

Ryo admired Petra's decisiveness. Her strategy may have seemed cautious, but it was rooted in years of experience. The Survey Corps couldn't afford recklessness, especially when the lives of so many depended on them.

The commander's voice echoed in his mind: *Survive first, then fight.*

Ryo, Elder, and Petra sprinted toward the two 12-meter Titans on the left. Their movements were fluid, a dance between danger and precision. Meanwhile, Oruo, Genta, and Mikasa charged at the 12-meter Titan near the city wall.

"Stick to the plan," Petra called over her shoulder, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Ryo adjusted his grip on his blades, the gleaming weapons catching the sunlight. His heart raced, but it wasn't fear—it was anticipation. This was his first real battle outside the walls, and he had to prove himself, not just to Levi's squad but to himself.

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**The Battle Begins**

The first Titan on the left snarled as it lunged at Ryo's group. Its grotesque features twisted into a grin, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

"Ryo, aim for the legs! We'll distract it," Petra ordered.

Elder darted around the Titan, firing his anchors into its arm to pull its attention. Ryo flanked the creature, his speed and agility making him a blur. With a single, precise slash, he severed the Titan's Achilles tendon, causing it to collapse.

"Petra, now!" Ryo shouted.

Petra zipped past, her blades cutting clean through the Titan's nape. It fell with a resounding crash, its body steaming as it began to disintegrate.

"One down," Petra said calmly, already eyeing the next target.

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**Meanwhile, on the Right Wing**

Mikasa's team faced a more aggressive Titan. It swatted at them with wild, clumsy swings, but Mikasa's reflexes were unmatched.

"Oruo, get its attention. Genta, flank it!" Mikasa commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Oruo, grumbling under his breath, fired his anchors into the Titan's shoulder, pulling himself onto its back. The creature roared, reaching for him, but Genta slashed its fingers, rendering them useless.

As the Titan stumbled, Mikasa moved in for the kill. Her blades shimmered as they sliced cleanly through its nape. The Titan fell, its body crumbling like ash.

"Good work," Mikasa said curtly, already turning toward the others.

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**Levi's Battle**

While the others handled the smaller Titans, Levi was a force of nature against the two 15-meter Titans. His movements were so fast they seemed almost unreal, a blur of precision and power.

He tore through the first Titan with ease, its massive body collapsing like a felled tree. The second Titan tried to swipe at him, but Levi evaded effortlessly, his blades carving through its hardened skin as if it were paper.

Within moments, both Titans lay lifeless, steam rising from their corpses.

"Captain Levi has already taken care of the big ones," Elder noted, a mixture of awe and relief in his voice.

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**Aftermath**

The battlefield was littered with the remains of Titans, their steaming bodies a grim reminder of the danger they posed. Despite the chaos, the Survey Corps had managed to push through the initial wave with minimal casualties.

Petra surveyed the area, her expression a mix of satisfaction and concern. "Good work, everyone. But this is only the beginning."

Ryo sheathed his blades, his hands still trembling slightly from the adrenaline. He glanced at Mikasa, who seemed as composed as ever.

"Not bad for your first time out," she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Ryo nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "This is just the start. We're going to win this."

As the Survey Corps regrouped, Captain Erwin's voice rang out, rallying the troops for the next phase of their mission. The battle outside the walls had only just begun.