They arrived at the capital of Mitras safe and sound. The day was far from over as the next schedule in order was an audience with Historia and top military brass.
"Thank you for your cooperation." Commander Pixis shook hands with Captain Azumabito. "This is a cause for celebration. The first foreign ally of Paradis."
"No, no. Thank you for the alliance. I believe both our nations can mutually benefit from each other's support." The Captain grinned. "We do think alike that a celebration is in order. I want to introduce to you our cuisine. And you must tell me what is in that flask of yours."
"I respect a person with a good sense for alcohol!"
"Why the hell is he being so chummy." Jean muttered with crossed arms as they exited the audience chamber. "I'm already annoyed. It makes me want to puke."
Connie leered at him. "Eeeey, is Jean-boy jealou-"
Jean-boy twitched. "Shut up, Connie."
A few female soldiers passed by, giggling and blushing.
"He's a real lady killer too." Connie grumbled as he rubbed the spot Jean hit. "Right, Sasha?"
The girl in question paid no attention to the subject as it looked like she was daydreaming. No doubt it was about the aforementioned Hizuru cuisine.
"This is Sasha we're talking about." Armin smiled. "She only has her eyes and mind on food."
Mikasa stayed behind, along with Eren, Levi, and Hanji who were only a small distance away. The Azumabitos requested a few moments of her time, finally alone with a long, lost kin.
She unwrapped the bandage from her wrist, revealing the clan crest with three swords that formed a triangle.
"Amazing." Captain Azumabito breathed, his hand instinctively reached out, about to touch her.
At the movement, Levi straightened his stance from the wall while Eren behind her opened his mouth "Oi-", but both relaxed when Mikasa curled her hand away.
"I'm sorry. I've never seen the crest embedded in the skin. The art of tattooing the symbol has been lost and ancient."
Mikasa clutched the tattoo protectively. "I recall the process is… a little painful. My mother had wooden needles and, apologies for a lack of better word, repeatedly stabbed my skin with ink until this symbol was formed."
"Tebori," Lady Kiyomi breathed out. It was the name of the tattooing technique used. "It means to carve by hand."
"Yes, that's it." Her son's eyes widened in realization and the gravity of the situation. "You truly are a descendent of the forgotten Shogun clan."
"Which reminds me." He gestured a hand to one of their subordinates. "I brought a gift. My mother told me you were a soldier as well, capable of wielding a sword. And you have proven thus so when you slayed that titan."
Captain Azumabito untied and unwrapped the protective cloth, revealing the weapon. "It is called a katana. I teach it to my men. It is one of our weapons of choice in Hizuru."
"T-Thank you." She uttered out, taken aback by being gifted a weapon. With no other words, she noted in curiosity. "The blade is very thin."
"Indeed it is, compared to yours." The Captain grinned. "I can teach you."
The Azumabitos departed as they were introduced to their chambers, while the Survey Corp returned by horseback to their base.
Upon arriving, Mikasa went straight to the weapons room with intent to deposit the sword on her respected shelf. Before she could set it, she couldn't help but unwrap it once more and inspect the weapon. She felt a strange connection with the katana.
Perhaps it was a mixture of her Azumabito blood, calling on an ancestral relic, while her Ackerman blood called for her warrior instincts, a new weapon to master.
Nevertheless, she had to admit it was a beautiful blade.
Damn bastard is already courting her.
"What the hell," Jean muttered for the second time that day. He watched Mikasa gently inspect the sword.
The rest of the squad also watched her from another room through the window across the courtyard. "Not even a day in and he's already putting the moves on her."
"It's no surprise." Armin said. "We all know Hizuru is trying to win her over. According to bloodline, she's their rightful heir after all. Besides, Mikasa is smart enough to not fall for his charms."
"Looks like Levi has some competition." Hanji snickered.
"What?!" Jean and Eren exclaimed, flustered.
At the same time, Levi glared and spoke in a low, blood-chilling tone. "What."
As per usual, Hanji paid him no mind, tipping her chair back. "Well, Shikishima is a captain, trained with the sword, good looking, and he's taller-"
Levi didn't let her finish as he kicked the leg of her chair so hard it flew, leaving Hanji to fall butt first on the hard, stone ground.
"Oi, what was that for?!" The Commander whined.