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Chapter 11

Semper Fi

"We can't hold on much longer, sir!"

"Captain Pollocks, you gotta get us out of here now!"

"Stand your ground! I won't let you down, Mike"

"Can't do it sir. How long we have to wait, I've lost 12 men already!"

"They're eating us like rats, sir!"

"Where the fuck are our reinforcements?"

"They're not coming for us, are they sir?"

Kallen closed her eyes in defeat as she tried to stop the voices from crushing her heart. Standing beside her, Kakashi also had the same expression on his face as both of them could clearly hear the pain of the last Garrison forces soldiers who were trying to defend ZhingaShina district.

Not to forget the cries of hundreds of civilians who were trying to flee, only to get slaughtered by Titans.

She saw Naruto standing in front of a Garrison general, desperately trying to explain his point as the cowardly older man just shook his head.

"The Survey Corps platoon will stay here, Lieutenant Uchiha. Zhingashina is lost, you will defend Wall Maria" barked the general, his grey hair doing well in hiding the fear in his eyes.

Looking towards the 40 survey corps soldiers gave him hope that Wall Maria would not be breached, despite their differences the Legion had the best soldiers and were needed.

"And let hundreds of innocents die? I've got 2 platoons of combat ready soldiers, I need your permission to take back Zhingashina district..." yelled Naruto furiously, his eyes glaring daggers as the older man flinched.

"I am the commanding officer of Wall Maria's defense forces, you will follow my orders..." said General Octavian furiously,

"Sir, we still have men out there. I won't leave them to die..." replied Naruto stubbornly,

"And sacrifice 40 good survey corps soldiers? Listen brat, you maybe tough but none of you are strong enough to drive back the Titans..."

The cries of the people only got louder and louder, as a burning rage erupted in his heart. This was his home, a place where he grew up. The place where his family was buried...

Petra...

He would be damned if he let her die, consequences be damned. There were so many others like that kid who viewed the survey corps as heroes, what was his name? Eren?

Octavian and his supporters sighed in relief when Naruto closed his eyes, the boy had finally surrendered.

SMACK

A solid punch and a moment later the general lay groaning on the ground of the high walls, his entire body started trembling when Naruto's eyes became red.

"What are you?" asked Octavian in fear,

The few Garrison officers loyal to the general came forward, but stopped when they saw Naruto's furious gaze daring them to attack. Remembering this boy was an officer and had survived against Titans for a week, they made the wise choice in restraining themselves.

"You want to stand back, fine. I'm going..." declared Naruto,

Impulsively, he turned around and came face to face with his platoon and close friends. Only then did he realize that he could not force them to go against the orders of a superior officer. The Survey Corps had been put on standby as a defensive measure in case Titans breached Wall Maria, his comrades would be absolutely right if they followed their orders.

But that would mean the end of Zhingashina and the hundreds of innocents in it...

"Those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash"

A faint smile came on his face as Kakashi's words from all those years ago came back in his heart, in this moment watching his home burn made him feel something which he had denied all these years. The girl which he had abandoned, Eren and his family who viewed him as a hero.

"Naruto..."

Kallen's concerned voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and she saw him looking at the district full of Titans.

"I lost everything once, I won't let it happen again..." thought Naruto sadly,

Kushina and Kasumi would have given it their all to protect Zhingashina, and he would do the same. For his beloved mother and sister's sake...

He was committing treason by disobeying an order coming directly from the government, and very well knew the consequences he would have to face if he survived.

"2nd Platoon, stand your ground. Protect Wall Maria at all costs..." said Naruto gently, and gave a brief nod to Kakashi's 1st platoon.

And with those last words, the young Lieutenant jumped off the high wall leaving behind several shocked soldiers. A murderous look appeared in his fierce red eyes, as he took out his blades.

Hannes felt his legs tremble, his throat was parched, sweat rolled down his face. His trembling hands tried to tighten their hold on the blades, but it only got weaker. His fearful eyes could only helplessly stare as 5 small Titans had surrounded him from all sides.

He should have known it was stupid to fight against Titans, the old him would have fled to safety at the first chance.

Many of his friends and soldiers of the Garrison had done that. But he had stayed back, helped civilians escape towards the safety of Wall Maria. He was still worried for the Yeager family, if only he could have one more chance to repay his debt.

Then his death wouldn't be in vain, he owed that much to Eren and Grisha.

He had always imagined himself dying from old age, but now watching the Titans getting near him with hungry looks in their eyes made him freak out. He wanted to stab himself and escape a painful death.

Then he felt it...

It began as a whisper, a cool breeze racing past his back. The force sending a small sensation across his ears, his gaze barely recognized the wings of freedom.

SMACK

A 4 meter class Titan that who was walking towards him from the front was sent sailing nearly 10 feet away, courtesy of a monstrous kick impacting with his head. Watching the titan fly was a sight for sore eyes, but then he felt the murderous pressure that had descended upon the area.

The smaller Titans actually stopped their charge and confusedly looked towards the soldier with red eyes...

"It's you..." said Hannes, his voice a mixture of shock and relief.

A second later, two sharp blades sailed through the air and embedded themselves into a Titan's eye with perfect accuracy making the beast howl in pain. The Survey Corps officer jumped 15 feet in the air and landed on the blind Titan's back, his hands glowing with a strange blue energy.

The wounded Titan cried in agony for one last time, as the blonde boy sliced the Titan's neck from behind with his bare hands.

Another Titan immediately tried to grab the young man, who quickly retrieved his previously thrown blades from the dying Titan's eyes. With great accuracy, he coursed that strange blue colored energy in his blades, and showers of blood flew in the air as the assailing Titan's arms were sliced off.

Hannes could only stare in disbelief and awe as the boy, 20 years younger than him killed every single Titan in the area. It didn't matter how big they were, or how much they tried to kill the boy. The Survey Corps officer striked with such vengeance that his enemies could only fall before him in hordes.

Watching him fight made Hannes actually believe that someday humanity could be free from the curse of Titans. Surprisingly, he felt courage returning in his body as he got back on his feet and quickly killed a Titan that was trying to kill the young boy from behind.

"Thought you'd never join..." joked the young boy, as Hannes stood back to back with him.

"Thanks for saving me, I guess we're even now..." said Hannes, as the boy raised one of his eyebrows in surprise.

"Were you the one who lead the Garrison forces to rescue me a week ago?" asked Naruto in surprise, getting a nod in return.

"Lieutenant Naruto Uchiha, leader of 2nd platoon..." said Naruto calmly, as both of them jumped on top of a nearby roof.

"Captain Hannes, 43rd squad. Garrison forces..." replied Hannes curtly, and was surprised when he received a crisp salute from the boy.

"Honored to fight beside you, sir..." said Naruto respectfully,

"You are?" asked a shocked Hannes, making Naruto grin.

"Are you kidding me? Forgive the insubordination, but you've got balls Captain. You chose to fight and save as many lives as you can, despite the odds you adhered by your duty. Plus you saved my life once, so yeah I'm glad that there are still soldiers like you in the Garrison..." explained Naruto honestly, as Hannes stuttered.

Nobody had praised him like this, and a small part of his heart felt happy that he was being recognized for his actions.

"There are many others like me, a few of my men are trying to get the people back to Wall Maria. We lost a lot of good soldiers when that giant red colored Titan destroyed the gate, Titans are coming inside at an alarming pace. I don't know how many I can save..." said Hannes worriedly,

"I see..."

"Where's the rest of your platoon? I thought Survey Corps would be sent here to assist, you're our best fighters..." said Hannes curiously, and saw a pained look arriving in the boy's eyes.

"I'm sorry...Captain. The government has ordered the Survey Corps to stand guard to defend Wall Maria, there will be no reinforcements for defending Zhingashina. I'm all you got..." said Naruto sadly, and averted his gaze from the older man.

He could only try to imagine the rage Hannes must be feeling, their government had abandoned them at the first chance. It was betrayal at its best...

"You disobeyed orders and came to help us?" asked Hannes in shock, and saw Naruto looking at him in surprise.

"I was born here in this place, this is my home. So yes, I will stand, I will fight and I will die defending my home to my last breath..." promised Naruto

A smile came on Hannes face as he felt the sincerity in the boy's words, there was a fierce patriotism burning in Naruto's eyes. The same one which Hannes had seen in the eyes of Eren Yeager, and it made him proud to be a soldier.

"What are your orders, then?" asked Hannes devotedly,

"Sir?"

"You've fought against the Titans more than I ever have, hell you survived outside the walls for almost an entire week. In my eyes, you're the hero of humanity. If you have any plans for this fight, I would be happy to support you as best I as can..." explained Hannes frankly,

Naruto eyed the man for a moment before a smirk came on his lips. He glanced around the entire district, his eyes observing each and every detail with great attention. First surviving behind enemy lines, and now defending humanity against an invasion.

It seemed he was born to accomplish impossible tasks, somethings which no human had ever accomplished before.

His sharp mind quickly gave him a set of measures which he could use to complete his objective. That destroyed gate had to be closed at all costs, but before that...

He quickly explained his plan to Hannes as the man looked at him in disbelief, but after a few moments he gave him a nod.

"LT, I'll follow your orders. But I've got a few people whom I have to save..." said Hannes worriedly, and pointed his finger towards the east side.

"I'm going in that direction too, tell me the location and I'll do what I can. Meanwhile, you do what I told you..." replied Naruto calmly, as a relieved look came in Hannes eyes.

"Thank you, Lieutenant..."

Naruto quickly sailed through the narrow streets, he was using his energy to hop from rooftop to rooftop. He had to preserve the gas in his 3d gear at all costs, fortunately he was far more stronger than any average soldier.

As he passed through the familiar streets, he could not help but feel a pang of guilt.

He had never tried to contact Petra all these years, he simply vanished from her life and never looked back. They were best friends, he had shared all of his problems with her just as he did with Kakashi. And now she could be...

This was his problem, he never accepted the value of things or people until it was too late.

Maybe that was the reason for his pain, he had broken too many hearts and had lived a life full of regrets. It was the reason why he never felt the fear of death, why he never cared for his own life.

He wanted to die....

For the past 5 years, and even now he wanted all of this to end. His failure to protect Kasumi had broken him from the inside, his cute sister's dead face brought him so many nightmares. If only he had been there for her...

He came to stop as he reached his destination, his legs felt weak as he collapsed on the ground. The pool of blood quickly soaked his pants as he tried to control his tears as he watched his best friend's house crushed beneath a broken chunk of the wall.

He took of his mask in order to get some more air, his breathing becoming heavy with each passing second.

"Is...that...you...Naruto?" asked a weak voice,

Suppressing the lump in his throat, he edged over to man who was crushed beneath the broken walls of the house. The man gave him a weak smile, even as he coughed up blood.

"Martin..." said Naruto weakly, as he grasped the hand of Petra's father.

"I...always...told...Petra...you'll...come...back...someday..." replied Martin happily, as Naruto felt his heart getting heavier.

"Petra? Is she..." said Naruto hesitantly, his voice faltering which brought a smile on the dying father's face.

"She got shipped of the boot camp a few days ago. (cough) I guess it was for the best..." answered Martin happily, relief evident in his voice.

Naruto went forward to grab the debris but was stopped when Martin placed a weak hand on his shoulder, and shook his head.

"I'm...done. Please...look...after...my...daughter...knowing...her...she...would...definitely...join...the...Survey...Corps. Promise me?" requested Martin tiredly, as he felt his vision going dark.

A firm hand grasped his shoulder, and he smiled when a determined look appeared in Naruto's eyes.

"I promise..."

Martin's smile transformed into a peaceful look as his eyes closed, and his breathing stopped. Naruto stared at the dead man's face for a few seconds, he had failed again. He could not protect Petra's only family, and now her father was dead. If only he had came here sooner, if only...

Taking a deep breath, he got back on his feet as his gaze shifted towards another corner of the street where he heard frustrated cries of help.

Regrets could come later, he had a duty to perform.

And with those heavy thoughts, he ran forward to fulfill the task which Hannes had assigned him.

Eren had never been so helpless in his entire life, everything was happening so fast. Barely an hour ago, he was hanging out with Armin and Mikasa near the lake. He was so happy enjoying the peaceful life, boasting about how eagerly he would join the Survey Corps and destroy the Titans as he friends simply listened to him.

Only now did he realize how weak and useless he was, watching his mother buried under debris made him sob. The woman he loved the most was struggling for her life and all he could do was cry and yell.

He could hear the Titans's footsteps getting near them, and he shook with fear.

Mikasa was no better either, she was trying so hard to control her tears by concentrating on her efforts to get Carla Yeager out of their crushed house.

"Eren, Mikasa please get out of here!'' begged Carla, tears freely falling from her eyes.

The two children vehemently shook their heads despite her repeated protests, it would have brought a surprised smile on her face as she saw Eren and Mikasa agreeing on something.

Mikasa held back a sob, as she saw a Titan appearing 500 meters away from them. The beast hadn't noticed them yet, but it was only a matter of time...

She saw how broken Eren was, she had to get Carla out at all costs. The Yeager family had done so much for her, and Eren was like her little brother. Sure, he annoyed her many times but she loved him. And seeing him and Carla like this broke her heart...

It reminded her of that night from all those years ago...

Her eyes widened in surprise when a pair of hands appeared beside her and grabbed the broken roof that was lying on top of Carla, she heard Eren gasp and her own breathing nearly stopped when she saw him.

With a loud grunt, the newly arrived soldier lifted the roof as all members of the Yeager family gawked at him.

"Sorry, guys. Am I interrupting something?" asked Naruto calmly, and flashed a fake smile.

Mikasa quickly helped Carla get out in the open, as Eren nearly made Naruto fall on his butt by engulfing him in a fierce hug while muttering "Thank you" several times.

Carla hissed in pain and it attracted the soldier's attention, as he kneeled down. His dark eyes observing the twisted leg of the mother.

"The ankle's broken, you're damn lucky you didn't bleed too much both internally and externally..." said Naruto seriously, as Mikasa knelt beside them.

"You're that guy..." said Mikasa in shock, as she saw the dark red three tomoed sharingan burning in Naruto's eyes.

Carla and Eren didn't understand what had made Mikasa act out like this, she was too stunned which was certainly not a trait Mikasa ever displayed. They were even more surprised when Mikasa roughly grabbed Naruto by the collar and yanked him forward, her tearful eyes staring into his lifeless ones.

"My death will not be by your hands. Hate me all you want..." said Naruto frankly, which made her grip weaker.

"My parents..." said Mikasa weakly, and was surprised when he enwrapped her in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save them that day, Mikasa Ackerman. I was too weak, and lacked the power to go up against him..." apologized Naruto sincerely, his father had wrecked this poor girl's life by murdering her family with the help of his partner.

The least he could do was apologize for that man's sins, it won't be much but he hoped it would give her some closure.

"I..." said Mikasa tearfully, she wanted to hit this guy and at the same time she didn't.

He had tried to fight against her parent's murderer's, but he also had the same eyes as that man. She just didn't know anymore...

Naruto narrowed his eyes when he felt a strong energy burning inside her body, it was the same one which he had. Did she possess the force like his friends? It definitely explained why she had attracted the attention of his father.

Levi had told him that her name was Mikasa, and she was a child who had attracted a lot of attention due to her lineage. The Survey Corps had already taken a huge gamble when they protected him, Kakashi and Kallen. Mikasa was fortunately accepted by the Yeagers, and the heat on her died down a little.

But only now did he realize, that not only she looked a little "asian" (The remark used for people like him and Kakashi) like him and possessed the force inside her body. Not as strong as him or Kakashi, but it was still there.

Breaking the hug he slowly wiped her tears and turned towards a shocked Eren and surprised Carla.

"You two know each other?" asked the older woman, as Naruto spotted a Titan approaching.

"Everyone, listen to me. This is not the time to get emotional, take a deep breath because I'm getting you out of here..." said Naruto sincerely,

"I can't move, son. Please take my children, I beg you..." pleaded Carla,

"Mother!" protested Eren and Mikasa in unison, receiving a glare in return.

All 3 of them looked towards Naruto with varied expressions in their eyes, and for a moment Naruto saw a reflection of Kasumi, Kushina and Shisui in them. The family he once had, the family he loved the most.

If he sacrificed anyone of them, then it would crush the ones whom he saved.

Walking forward he grabbed Carla's by her arm and with a quick yank lifted her on top of his shoulder, she yelped but he didn't stop. Grabbing Mikasa and Eren by their collars he channeled his force to his legs and started running towards the rally point.

"I don't leave men behind..."

Kakashi's fists clenched tightly as he heard the cries getting louder and louder, right in front of his eyes Zhingashina was dying and he could do nothing. He wanted to help the people too, but the rational part of his mind knew Naruto made the right choice by ordering his soldiers to stay back.

His friend had committed treason by going against the government's orders, for the higher ups the loss of a few hundred lives was acceptable. But not to Naruto, his friend maybe a cold hearted person but deep down he was the same loving boy who deeply cared about his friends and his home.

Kallen and the others flinched when Kakashi got a murderous look in his eyes, and when they saw his reason for anger they took a step back in fear.

Out crawled an entirely new kind of Titan. It was 15 feet tall, and had hardened plates covering his skin, it had the body of a hulk and was glaring furiously at the closing gates of Wall Maria.

The sharp sound of blades being unleashed was heard, as Kakashi stepped towards the edge of Wall Maria and looked towards the 40 Survey Corps soldiers.

"1st platoon, 2nd platoon prepare for combat!" yelled Kakashi, jolting many of his comrades in surprise.

Pointing his blade towards the approaching "Armored Titan" he signaled the target which they had to take down, before it destroyed Wall Maria.

"Our target is the Armored Titan, take it down at all costs!"

General Octavian and his garrison soldiers stared in disbelief as all the survey corps soldiers jumped off Wall Maria, and headed straight for the Armored Titan who stopped his charge when he saw the entire sector flooded by soldiers bearing the wings of freedom mark.

Leading the charge was Kakashi Hatake, and as his eyes connected with those of the armored beast a cold glare came in his eyes.

"CHARGE!"

Author's Notes: That's it for this time.

The next part of this battle will be featured in the upcoming chapter.

Now all you need to do is, well...

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Until Next Time,

Blackwolf501