Attack on Titan Episode 34: Opening

The Scout Regiment, Garrison Regiment, and Military Police Regiment depart from Wall Rose. Hange attempts to find a horse, intending to ride to Ragako to investigate the Titan found at Conny's house. Moblit, concerned for Hange's injuries, agrees to go to Ragako while Hange recovers. Commander Erwin leads the troops, establishing a long-distance enemy scouting formation as they head for the Forest of Giant Trees.

In the forest, Reiner and Bertholdt observe Eren, who has just woken up. Eren discovers both his arms are missing, and Ymir shows him that her own lost limbs are slowly regenerating. Reiner apologizes for Eren's dismemberment, explaining he was in a hurry to extract him from his Titan form. Eren tries to transform again, but Ymir stops him, pointing out their vulnerable position. They are deep in the Forest of Giant Trees, far from Wall Rose and Wall Maria, with many Titans lurking nearby. Ymir notes that Reiner and Bertholdt have the advantage of ODM gear, as Reiner stole Eren's while he was unconscious.

Reiner tells Eren and Ymir that neither of them can transform into Titans yet due to their injuries. Eren, still angry, dismisses this. Ymir accepts their word and asks Reiner and Bertholdt what they plan to do with them. Reiner states they will take them to their hometown after nightfall, once they have recovered and the Titans are inactive. Ymir questions why Reiner didn't simply continue running as the Armored Titan, but Reiner gives no clear answer.

Eren considers his options, thinking that transforming and escaping would be easy unless Reiner's claim about his inability to transform is true. He also worries a weaker transformed Titan could be caught and eaten. Eren suspects Reiner and Bertholdt will make their next move before nightfall, while he and Ymir are still recovering and the Titans are asleep. Recalling his battle with Reiner, Eren is concerned for the Scouts who might be searching for him. Ymir asks Reiner about the Titans at Utgard Castle, which could move at night, wondering if the surrounding Titans will also be active. Reiner assures her these Titans cannot move at night, claiming Ymir should already know this. This makes Eren question Ymir's knowledge and loyalties. Recognizing his disadvantage, Eren decides to suppress his emotions and wait for more information.

Erwin's scouting formation encounters a Titan on the right wing, but he orders the troops to merge with the center and maintain their direct route to the forest. Hannes tells Mikasa to slow down before she reaches the vanguard, which would disrupt the formation. He understands her concern for Eren and reminds her of their earlier conversation, assuring her Eren will be fine until they arrive.

Back in the forest, Ymir asks for water, but Reiner says they cannot attend to anyone's needs in their current situation. Reiner realizes they have all been working constantly since the previous morning when the Titans were first spotted, and suggests they should all receive promotions once the situation is over.

Ymir and Eren are confused, and Bertholdt appears worried. When Ymir questions Reiner's strange behavior, he thanks her for finding the cannon at Utgard, which saved him. He also recalls Christa treating his injuries afterward, wondering if she has feelings for him.

Eren interrupts, demanding an explanation for Reiner's sudden change in character. Seeing Bertholdt's concern, Ymir realizes this isn't a new occurrence. Bertholdt addresses Reiner, telling him they are Warriors, not soldiers. Reiner begins to panic, suddenly remembering an event from the Struggle for Trost where he restrained Marco Bodt, feeding him to a Titan. Bertholdt and Annie were also present, watching Marco die with tears in their eyes.

As Marco was being eaten, Reiner became disoriented, wondering why Marco was being consumed. Reiner collapses under stress after remembering his true self. Ymir realizes that the stress of living as a soldier for the people within the Walls while also working as a Warrior to destroy them has split Reiner's mind into two personas, where the soldier persona does not recall the Warrior's actions. Ymir's analysis distresses Reiner, and he demands she stop talking.

Eren speaks up, demanding to know what the two traitors were thinking three years ago when he told them about his mother's death during the attack on Shiganshina. Bertholdt admits he truly felt sorry for Eren when he heard this. Eren, having lost all sympathy, labels them as murderers of thousands of innocent lives and no longer human. Reiner breaks, telling Eren they are aware of their actions and that reminding them of their sins will achieve nothing.

With nothing left to say, Eren vows to kill them in the most excruciating ways possible. Ymir, tired of Eren's emotional outbursts, asks him to stop.

Ymir changes the subject, asking Reiner and Bertholdt about the "monkey" that appeared at Utgard, suggesting they must know it well given their reaction. Ymir believes this "monkey," the Beast Titan, was responsible for the recent Titan invasion, possibly to test humanity's strength. She also claims that if Reiner and Bertholdt find the Beast Titan, they can return home. Eren demands Ymir tell him everything she knows, but Ymir states that killing Reiner and Bertholdt will not solve the crisis against the Walls. Eren wonders who humanity's true enemy is, and Ymir considers an answer.

Reiner interrupts her, claiming the world within the Walls has no future. Reiner suggests that given what she knows, Ymir might consider joining them, as both she and the Warriors share a concern for "Christa" for their own reasons. Reiner says that while Ymir's own safety might not be guaranteed, Christa may have a better chance of surviving future conflicts if she joins them rather than staying with Eren. Still confused by the conversation's turn, Eren demands to know who their enemy is. Ymir is unsure.

Reiner and Bertholdt prepare to move Eren and Ymir when a line of signal flares appears on the horizon, indicating the Scout Regiment's earlier-than-expected arrival. Eren is dissatisfied with the conversation, noting that only an hour remains until sunset.