Attack on Titan Episode 23: Smile: Raid on Stohess District (1)

Annie wakes from a dream of training intensely with her father, who urges her to become a soldier capable of returning home. She stirs in Stohess District within Wall Sina, where her Military Police comrades—Hitch teasing her for oversleeping, and others including Marlo—rouse her on the day Eren is to be transported to the capital for judgment.

The Military Police officers beat Marlo after he confronts them for selling gear on the black market; Annie intervenes to stop the violence, noting civilian witnesses nearby, while Hitch apologizes on their behalf. Marlo, frustrated, reaches for his rifle but backs down when Annie challenges him, admitting the man he once knew might have acted differently.

Armin, disguised in rain gear and ODM gear, calls to Annie from an alley, begging her help to sneak Eren away from the Military Police escort and buy time for the Scout Regiment to secure his safety from execution. Though she initially refuses and questions if he sees her as a good person, Armin insists she is their only hope; she agrees, puts on a ring, sets down her rifle, and leads Eren, Armin, and Mikasa—also in rain gear—through the streets while Jean masquerades as Eren in the carriage.

Annie doubts their escape plan amid obstacles but follows Armin to deserted stairs descending to an underground tunnel network toward the outer gate. She halts at the tunnel entrance, refusing to go below ground despite Eren and Armin's pleas, as Eren calls her no damsel in distress.

Suspicions peak in the empty area; Annie asks how they knew, and Armin reveals it was her use of Marco's ODM gear—the one she checked for unauthorized modifications after Sawney and Beane's deaths. He questions why she spared him during the expedition outside, saying it led to this moment, and begs her to prove them wrong by descending. Annie laughs, expressing relief at her exposure, admits Armin won his bet in drawing her out, but declares her own bet just beginning.

As Mikasa draws her blades, Armin fires a signal flare. Hidden Scouts erupt from the shadows, tackling Annie's limbs from all sides and gagging her to block transformation. She bites a hidden blade in her ring, transforms into the Female Titan anyway—killing her restraints in a blast of light and dust that shakes the district and draws civilian eyes skyward. Mikasa swiftly drags Eren and Armin underground to safety.