With little time left due to the Rumbling, the group had to work through the night to transport fuel and make preparations.
Under the cover of darkness, Pieck secretly approached Gabi, hoping she would help look after the children Gabi and Falco. Gabi agreed, but worried the children might not want to go with her. Pieck had a plan: she would lock them in the ship's cabin before takeoff, as she had to repay her fallen comrades and fulfill her duty as a soldier to the end.
Time flew by, and by the next morning, the squad was ready to depart. Even Levi, who had lost two fingers in the explosion, was back online and prepared. Meanwhile, Annie was bidding farewell to Pieck and Reiner. Pieck stated that Annie had never obeyed Marley from the start, so she had no right to ask Annie to share the burden now.
Reiner looked at Annie with immense guilt. He wanted to apologize to Annie and Bertholdt for forcing the plan that day, believing that if they had turned back, Annie and Bertholdt could have returned home to their families. Annie responded that she had wanted to kill Reiner countless times. Reiner then entrusted Gabi and Falco to Annie. Annie calmly accepted this final mission and waved goodbye to everyone on Paradis Island.
The others waved back, and Armin watched Annie leave with a pensive gaze. Mikasa, standing beside him, questioned Armin, "Is this really okay?" Armin replied, "Of course it's okay. Annie should just be herself."
Hange also couldn't help but ask Pieck and Reiner if they were truly going to continue. After all, even if they stopped the Rumbling, Marley was already close to destruction. Pieck firmly stated they had to continue, as Commander Magath had given them one last order: to cooperate and do what needed to be done.
Seeing Pieck's resolve, Hange said no more. Honestly, Hange was truly happy to have the Marley warriors as temporary allies. Hange then turned to Levi behind him and asked if everyone was watching now, if their fallen comrades could be proud. Levi simply replied, "Don't talk like Erwin, that damn four-eyes."
Meanwhile, Onyankopon began fueling the airship. Suddenly, Floch appeared. Floch wearily raised his pistol, quickly pulled the trigger, and fired several shots at the airship. Hearing the gunshots, everyone sensed trouble. Mikasa promptly fired her ODM gear hook, piercing Floch’s neck with precision and sharpness. Floch instantly fell to the ground, dead.
The group immediately realized Floch had clung to the ship to get there. With his last breath, Floch struggled to plead with everyone, "Please, don't stop the Rumbling, or everyone on the island will be killed. Only Eren, that devil, is our only hope." With that, Floch, like a true man, passed on.
Hange understood Floch's intention but absolutely disagreed with his methods. Even if there was no better solution now, Hange believed that one day peace would be achievable.
On the other side, an inspection revealed that the airship's fuel tanks had been punctured in many places, making takeoff impossible. The only immediate solution was to weld metal plates over the holes, but even that would take an hour. Just then, the sound of the Rumbling approached from a distance. Reiner rushed outside to investigate, seeing countless Titans marching towards them from the hills. Inside the ship, Gabi and Falco also realized the Titans were coming. They banged on the door, shouting to be let out, but Annie, who had promised to look after them, had already barricaded the door from the outside.
Seeing the approaching Titans, Armin decisively declared, "I'll stay behind to hold them off." This was immediately opposed by Reiner, as Armin was the squad's trump card – the Colossal Titan. Reiner then offered to stay and delay them. However, Hange refused Reiner's offer at that moment, stating that they could not afford to lose any more Titan power. "I brought everyone here," Hange said. "I've killed so many comrades along the way. So I'll be the one to end this."
Hange’s eyes then firmly appointed Armin as the 15th Commander of the Survey Corps. The qualification for a Survey Corps Commander was to never give up trying to understand Hange. Hange believed Armin could shoulder the heavy responsibility and would lead everyone correctly. With a smile, Hange bid farewell to the group, adding a playful remark, "Levi, you're Armin's subordinate now, so you can order him around as much as you want."
As Hange’s figure receded, everyone felt a lump in their throats. Levi then stopped Hange. Hange, covered in blood and sweat, said fearfully to Levi, "Levi, you understand, right? It's finally my turn to sacrifice. I really want to put on a show for everyone right now, so let me go." Levi didn't say much. He knew Hange was terrified of death, but duty prevented them from fleeing in panic. It was just like Erwin on that day. Thinking of this, Levi placed his hand on Hange’s chest and said resolutely, "Dedicate your heart!" Levi had only ever said this to two people in his life: Erwin, and now Hange. Hange was overjoyed to hear Levi say this and declared, "Then, as Commander Hange, I will pave the way for you all."
Hange swiftly flew towards the army of a million Titans and fiercely fired a Thunder Spear into the nape of a Titan’s neck. The severely injured Titan actually fell. With the first Titan's collapse, the advance of the Titans behind it slowed down. Everyone watched with concern as Hange shuttled back and forth through the Titan horde. The steam from the Colossal Titan was no joke; endless heat ignited Hange’s clothes, and flames continued to scorch Hange’s skin.
Meanwhile, everyone rushed to push the airship out of the hangar, preparing for takeoff. Hange continued to swing their blades in the Titan army, but Hange was now engulfed in flames in the air, having lost consciousness. The group in the airship could only watch Hange being trampled to death by the Titans. Just as the Titans were about to reach them, the airship finally took off successfully. Goodbye, Hange.
After a fierce battle, Hange slowly awoke in a certain place. Hange quickly looked for the airship’s direction. A young boy with yellow hair replied, "The airship flew away a long time ago." That person was Commander Erwin, and beside him were countless soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the Outer Wall expedition. Erwin sighed, remarking that Hange had completed their mission admirably.
Sitting on the ground, Hange was still processing everything. But looking at the airship flying in the sky, Hange gradually felt content and understood everything. Hange complained to Erwin, "Why did you specifically choose me to be commander? You've really made things difficult for me. That idiot Eren has caused me no small amount of trouble." Everyone responded with relief, "Yes, it was truly hard. We will listen to you slowly, Hange."