Attack on Titan Episode 38: Smoke Signal

Eren looks out over the sea, his hair long and shaggy, reflecting on how Armin always spoke of the sea beyond the Walls and wondering what else lies beyond.

In the present, Eren and the remaining members of the 104th Cadet Corps are at a remote rural cabin. They bicker over cleaning, Sasha stealing food, and Mikasa working out despite recently being grabbed by a Titan. This reminds them of their time in the Cadet Corps, but circumstances have changed. They have been organized into a new squad under Levi to protect Eren and Historia.

As they confront Sasha about stolen bread, Levi arrives and reveals dirt under the table. He expresses disappointment about the lack of cleaning but postpones the discussion, taking the squad to assist Hange with an experiment involving Eren's powers.

The experiment goes poorly. Eren exhibits decreasing control over his transformations; his Titan form is no longer full-sized and has lost significant muscle mass. Most of Eren's body hangs out of the nape. When Eren doesn't respond to Hange's shouts, Mikasa approaches with her blades drawn. Hange also comes down and tries to pull Eren from his Titan. Eren's face appears withered, exciting Hange, who asks Moblit to sketch it. Mikasa cuts Eren free, giving Hange another look, and Hange apologizes, realizing they got carried away.

Seeing Eren in this state, the Scouts conclude they are far from using his hardening ability to seal Wall Maria. Hange declares the experiment finished, and Keiji instructs the Scouts to ensure no witnesses. However, two people are watching the smoke from Eren's transformation in the distance.

That evening in Trost District, Erwin reads Levi's report on Hange's failed experiment. Levi believes they lack information about the hardening ability and wonders if Historia could provide it. Erwin states he investigated Historia's background and found she is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Reiss, musing on why a regional lord would know the Wall's secrets.

After sleeping for a full day, Eren joins his squad in the cabin kitchen. He is disappointed that the plan to repair the Wall is shelved because of him. Conny admits his current focus is fighting the Beast Titan. Realizing his anger and the memory of his mother's transformation are affecting him, Conny suggests changing lookouts and leaves with Mikasa, leaving Eren and Historia alone.

Historia comments that it's nice Eren and the others have goals. With Ymir gone, Historia no longer knows what she wants. She initially wanted to save Ymir but realized Ymir's departure was her own choice. Eren is glad Historia is speaking again, but she apologizes, saying the "good-girl Christa" is gone. Eren admits he never liked her previous self, finding it forced, and prefers her current, honest self. As he remembers Ymir, a memory of her and Bertholdt comes back to him.

Eren and Historia are called to join the others. Hange informs them of Pastor Nick's death. He was tortured and killed earlier that morning in the Trost District barracks by the First Interior Squad of the Military Police Regiment, a group usually operating in the capital. Hange only glimpsed the body but saw all his fingernails torn out. From this, Levi concludes Nick didn't talk, meaning the Military Police doesn't know the Scouts are investigating the Reiss family.

Nifa arrives with a message from Erwin. After reading it, Levi orders everyone to move out and leave no trace. By sunset, the cabin is swarmed by Military Police, but Levi and Hange's squads are already in the woods. Levi reveals the government has ceased all Scout activity outside the Wall and demanded Eren and Historia be handed over. Nifa adds that after she delivered Erwin's message, the Military Police came to arrest him.

Levi decides to take everyone to Trost District, deeming it safer than the interior and suitable for omni-directional mobility gear. Hange decides to go after Erwin with Moblit, but leaves Abel, Keiji, and Nifa to assist Levi. Before mounting her horse, Eren gives Hange a note detailing the conversation he remembered between Ymir and Bertholdt.

The next day in Trost District, Conny notices the royal family's flag everywhere for the King's coronation anniversary. The Military Police distribute rations from royal reserves to the Trost population, building public favor for the King. Levi notes this is a calculated move. Lord Reiss tells other advisors that obtaining "the power and the vessel" is more important, and a plan is in motion.

Meanwhile, Levi's squad moves through Trost when a wagon barrels towards them. People inside grab what appear to be Eren and Historia, but they are actually Jean and Armin in disguise. Eren and Historia are being transported in a different, enclosed wagon by Keiji. Levi and his squad chase the kidnappers. Mikasa warns Levi that Armin's disguise won't last due to one of the kidnappers molesting him. Noting the kidnappers seem amateurish, Levi leaves the situation to his squad while he goes to Eren.

As the lead kidnapper and his henchmen enter a warehouse where Jean and Armin are held, they notice the guard is missing. Mikasa and the rest of the squad, including Jean and Armin, attack the remaining kidnappers. The kidnappers are quickly restrained, and Mikasa tells the squad to meet Levi after tying them up.

Elsewhere, Levi joins Nifa on a rooftop with a view of Keiji's journey with Eren and Historia. Though the decoy was successful, Levi finds the amateur kidnappers' methods unlike a Military Police operation. He asks Nifa if she's heard of "Kenny the Ripper," assuring her the legendary mass murderer is real. Levi grew up with him, and this operation feels like Kenny's work.

Levi realizes too late that Kenny would have two groups tailing the wagon from a high vantage point, just like where they are. Levi tries to warn Nifa, but it's too late. A man uses modified ODM gear with a shotgun to shoot Nifa, killing her. More soldiers appear, from an unseen unit, and one kills Abel. The mysterious man taunts Levi, claiming he hasn't changed much, as he reloads his guns. Levi screams and draws his blades to retaliate; the man is Kenny.