Shadows Before the Storm

The air in the Survey Corps headquarters was thick with tension. Even though Annie Leonhart had been captured, her crystallized form left more questions than answers. The higher-ups, Erwin especially, were already planning their next move, knowing that the real war had just begun.

I leaned against the cold stone wall, listening to murmurs of speculation. The mission had been a success, but I knew the upcoming battles would make this look like child's play.

I clenched my fists as power surged through me. My Reiatsu had reached an entirely new level. The energy within me wasn't just potent—it was refined, controlled, and devastating. This was beyond just enhancing my body; my very presence carried an oppressive weight now.

[Special Loot Drop: Random Skill Draw] [You have obtained: Amaterasu (A-Rank)]

I froze. No way. That was Itachi Uchiha's ability—the black flames that burned anything until it was reduced to nothing.

With this and Getsuga Tenshō, I was stacking serious firepower. But I needed control before I even thought about using it in battle. The last thing I needed was to set half of the HQ on fire by accident.

Training in the System Farm

Once night fell, I slipped away, avoiding Historia's watchful gaze. She'd been paying closer attention to me lately, her curiosity barely concealed. I activated the system and entered my farm.

The moment I arrived, I felt the sheer magnitude of my Reiatsu. The ground trembled slightly beneath me. I needed to adjust, refine it.

I focused first on Amaterasu. Summoning the black flames required precision, otherwise, I'd be wasting a devastating technique. I closed my eyes and channeled my energy, feeling the surge of power build up.

[Amaterasu Activated]

A small black flame flickered in my palm, harmless for now. But the moment I willed it forward, it shot out and ignited a training dummy. The wood didn't just burn—it disintegrated, the flames consuming it like a living entity.

I smirked. Yeah, this will come in handy.

Next was refining my Reiatsu. I had reached the peak of augmentation, meaning I needed more control rather than raw output. I cycled my energy, letting it flow more naturally instead of forcing it outward in bursts. It was about refinement now, not just brute force.

After hours of control training, the system rewarded me.

[Reiatsu Mastery Increased] [New Passive Skill: Reiatsu Suppression] [You can now conceal your Reiatsu completely, making it undetectable to enemies.]

This was crucial. If I could hide my strength, I'd have more freedom to maneuver in battles without tipping my hand too soon.

The Survey Corps Meeting

Returning to HQ, I found myself standing beside Historia and Mikasa in the main hall. Erwin was addressing the commanders, explaining our next course of action.

"Our next priority is investigating Eren's basement," he stated firmly. "The key he possesses is the only lead we have to uncovering the truth behind the Titans."

The moment he mentioned the basement, I tensed. This was it—the point where everything changed.

Levi glanced in my direction, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "We're running out of time. The enemy knows we have Annie, and they won't sit back quietly."

Hange adjusted her glasses, grinning. "Which is why we need to move before they do."

Historia nudged me slightly. "You seem deep in thought," she whispered.

I glanced at her. "Just thinking about what's coming."

She frowned. "And what do you think is coming?"

I hesitated before answering. "War."

A Moment With Historia and Mikasa

After the meeting, I found myself on the rooftop, staring at the stars. The wind was cold, carrying the scent of approaching rain.

"You've been acting different."

I turned to see Mikasa standing there, arms crossed. Historia was with her, both of them watching me carefully.

Mikasa's expression was unreadable, but I could tell she was trying to figure me out. "You disappear a lot. Training?"

"Something like that." I wasn't about to reveal my system, but she wasn't the type to accept vague answers.

Historia spoke up. "I've noticed it too. You're getting stronger, but… it feels like you're distancing yourself."

I sighed. "I just have a lot to prepare for."

Mikasa stepped closer. "We all do. But you don't have to do it alone."

That surprised me. She was usually reserved, but there was something different in her tone. Maybe concern? I wasn't sure.

Historia nodded. "You trust us, don't you?"

I hesitated, then smirked. "Yeah. I do."

The conversation shifted after that, and for a brief moment, things felt normal. We talked about small things—memories, ambitions, even ridiculous things like what life would be like without Titans.

It was a reminder that despite the war, despite everything, we were still human.

The Calm Before the Storm

The next morning, the Survey Corps prepared to depart for Shiganshina. I stood among them, gripping my knife as the weight of what was to come settled in.

Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Historia, Levi… everyone had their own role to play. But me? I was here to forge my own path, with my own power.

The war for humanity's future was about to begin.

And I was ready.

System Update:

[Level: 22] [Reiatsu: Peak Augmentation (S-Rank)] [New Skill: Amaterasu (A-Rank)] [New Passive: Reiatsu Suppression] [Next Major Event: Battle for Shiganshina]