Levi found himself isolated and surrounded as Zeke roared, turning all the investigating soldiers present into Pure Titans.
Worse, Levi had to deal with the subordinates he had personally trained.
The immediate roar also affected the high-ranking brass at Headquarters; a jolt of electricity seemed to flash through their bodies.
Meanwhile, Zeke, confident and smug, fled from the forest. He knew Levi was a commander who cared for his subordinates and wouldn't heartlessly kill them.
And so it was. Faced with the troops he had raised with his own hands, Levi was momentarily cornered. He knew the name of each Pure Titan before him and truly did not wish to kill them, yet he could not let the mastermind of this atrocity escape.
Rest in peace, comrades.
On the other side, Zeke was fleeing at high speed from the Pure Titans. However, the next moment, Levi, covered in blood, burst from behind. Seeing this, Zeke was terrified.
He could not comprehend why so many Titans had failed to fell Levi. With another swift pair of slashes, Levi sent the two Titans guarding Zeke flying.
Panic seized Zeke. He immediately transformed into a Titan, a golden flash illuminating the vast Forest of Giant Trees once more. Zeke grabbed the Pure Titans with his backhand and hurled them towards Levi.
Countless blood clots rained down like shrapnel across the forest, yet Levi remained unharmed. His mocking voice echoed through the trees, "How do you think you can escape from my grasp?"
Facing Levi's terrifying pressure, King Fritz could only rage ineffectually. Levi then descended from a high vantage point, unleashing numerous Thunder Spears towards Zeke. But Zeke clearly perceived Levi's intent.
He retaliated, launching more blood clots towards Levi. However, Levi tanked the attack head-on and plunged several Thunder Spears into Zeke's legs. The Thunder Spears detonated instantly within Zeke's body.
The violent explosion sent Zeke flying out, utterly mangled.
Levi then dragged Zeke's battered form forward. The Captain declared that his business with Zeke was far from over.
When Zeke regained consciousness, Levi had already inserted a Thunder Spear into his body. Any movement from Zeke would result in instantaneous obliteration.
Levi taunted, "You've been blown to bits like this, yet you're still not dead. You truly have a tenacious will to live."
Levi then severed Zeke's toes with a single slash.
The Captain stated that their ledger was far from settled. As soon as Zeke's body healed, Levi would sever his limbs, reveling in Zeke's screams. Zeke's consciousness gradually faded into darkness.
In a fleeting moment, Zeke suddenly remembered Mr. Kusawa's face. Even those who could not understand each other possessed their own ideals for life. Zeke clearly realized that euthanasia was the only true path to salvation for Eldians.
Even though he had committed grievous sins and taken countless lives, he also believed that he was the one destined to save the Eldian people. He would surely rescue the children born into this cruel world.
So, Mr. Kusawa, please watch.
The next second, Zeke, steeling his will, contorted his body and detonated the Thunder Spears.
Levi had not anticipated such resolve from Zeke, who was willing to detonate the Thunder Spears in a suicidal act of mutual destruction.
However, at this distance, it was impossible for Levi to evade the explosion. Levi was instantly blown away by the force of the Thunder Spears, losing consciousness. Zeke's consciousness, amidst the fiery blast, gradually returned to the beginning.