"Deploy the long-range Scouting Formation!"
Historia's squad had originally been assigned to scouting up front, but because of her, they were temporarily assigned to the Bai Yu Squad instead.
With the Little Fish on their arms properly fitted, they moved among the Scout Squads ahead.
The cadets of the 104th Cadet Corps had joined the mission this time as well. The plan called for the entire Survey Corps to mobilize, determined to reclaim Wall Maria!
"Annie, stay a little closer to me. Otherwise, if you try to run off or something, I won't have time to react."
Bai Yu spoke to Annie beside him, earning somewhat admiring looks from the members of Nanaba's squad nearby.
"Bai Yu really doesn't bother hiding anything, does he?"
Wes, one of the members of Nanaba's squad, sounded rather impressed.
Nanaba, however, merely chuckled softly.
"Isn't that just how Bai Yu is?"
Gilgar, one of the Survey Corps' elite soldiers, laughed too.
"Come to think of it, Bai Yu saved me once last time."
Annie, who was riding beside him, had no objections. She simply didn't know what to say to Bai Yu's blunt words.
"Got it. But if I turned into a Titan this close to you, you wouldn't be able to get away either, would you?"
Bai Yu pursed his lips, seemingly unconcerned.
"Then stay farther away."
This time, Annie didn't respond. She just followed silently beside him.
Among Ming, Kali, and the others, Ming didn't seem particularly bothered. He felt no ill intent from Annie at the moment. Kali remained wary, though she hardly showed it.
Before long, several Red Signal Flares shot into the sky, and Bai Yu quickly began estimating the distances.
*Two flares on the left, one on the right. Our main goal right now is to reach Shiganshina