Of course, Byakuya had deliberately chosen not to stop the Armored Titan.
Back when he was still standing on top of the wall, he'd already spotted the "hometown trio" — Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt.
If he'd really wanted to stop them, he could've easily taken all three down right then and there.
But he didn't.
Eto didn't question him about it—at least, not in front of Eren, Mikasa, Carla, and the other civilians nearby. Now definitely wasn't the time for that kind of talk.
Still, at the very least, the civilians within Wall Maria had enough time to evacuate.
The pure titans attracted earlier by the Female Titan had all been wiped out by her and Byakuya before they could become a threat.
The mood aboard the ship was grim.
Nearly everyone was on edge. Their homes had been overrun by Titans, and humanity was once again facing the terror of being prey.
"What the hell do we do now? Wall Maria fell so easily! At this rate, Wall Rose and even Wall Sheena might be next!"
"How could there be a Titan taller than the wall?! It's 50 meters high!"
"Is humanity doomed? The Garrison was useless! The Military Police and even the Survey Corps probably won't be any better!"
"Right? The Survey Corps never comes back with anything. Every expedition is a disaster—just more dead bodies. What good are they? They're just Titan fodder!"
The panic quickly turned to complaints and anger.
Eren couldn't take it anymore.
The Survey Corps were his heroes. His greatest dream was to join them. Hearing these people talk like that lit a fire in him.
"What right do you have to look down on the Survey Corps? Isn't it your own weakness that got us into this mess in the first place?!"
Everyone nearby went silent, turning to stare at him.
"You little brat—what did you just say?!"
"You got a death wish or something?!"
"You think you're some kind of warrior, huh? Gonna take on the Titans yourself?!"
A wave of hostility washed over the deck.
Carla quickly jumped in front of Eren to shield him, whispering anxiously, "Eren, please stop talking!"
Then she turned to the others with a nervous smile, trying to defuse the situation. "I'm so sorry, I didn't raise him well..."
But Eren wasn't backing down.
"That's why I'm going to join the Survey Corps—and wipe out every last Titan! Unlike you cowards, I won't just sit here whining!"
His words stunned the crowd into silence.
Then, a few people chuckled quietly.
Maybe it was something about seeing a kid that fired up—even if it was naive—that made them hesitate to push back.
Of course, not everyone was so forgiving.
A burly bald man stood up, cracking his knuckles as he approached.
"Oh yeah? If you think we're cowards, let's see what you've got. If you can't even beat me, what the hell makes you think you can fight Titans?"
Eren didn't flinch. In fact, he looked almost eager.
He turned to Mikasa with a serious expression. "Mikasa—don't interfere. This is between me and him."
Carla, clearly worried, turned to Mikasa and whispered, "Please... help Eren if things get bad."
Mikasa nodded quietly. She was more obedient to Carla than to Eren.
"Wait!" someone shouted. "That girl over there—my kid says she's strong. You should have someone keep an eye on her."
Kids in Shiganshina already knew not to mess with Mikasa. Whenever Eren got into fights sticking up for Armin, he'd usually get overwhelmed—until Mikasa stepped in and ended it. Word had spread.
Eren, of course, didn't think he needed her help this time.
A few adults moved to block Mikasa, just in case.
She looked genuinely worried now—there was no way she could step in if things went south.
Carla could only stand there, heart pounding in her chest.
Then she suddenly remembered—Byakuya. The man who had saved her earlier. If anyone could help...
"Mr. Byakuya—please, I beg you, help my son."
Byakuya nodded calmly. "Sure."
Honestly, getting roughed up might've taught Eren a lesson... but Carla had asked, and he wasn't about to say no.
Carla sighed in relief, her voice full of gratitude. "Thank you so much! I'm sorry for always troubling you... I don't even know how to repay you..."
"No need" Eto said with a small laugh. "He just likes sticking his nose into things."
Not long after, Eren and the bald man squared off.
Eren managed to land a few hits with quick thinking, but the difference in strength and size quickly became apparent.
The man burst out laughing. "Gotcha now, you little brat!"
"Let go of me!"
Eren struggled, but he couldn't break free.
A massive fist came flying toward his face—
But it never landed.
The man's wrist was suddenly caught—and locked in place.
No matter how much he strained, he couldn't move it an inch.
Byakuya had grabbed him.
"You wanna die or something?!" the man barked, swinging with his free hand.
Byakuya casually tilted his head to the side, dodging it, then drove a brutal knee into the man's gut.
The guy doubled over instantly, gagging, eyes bulging in pain. He looked like he was about to throw up everything he'd eaten in the last week.
And Byakuya had held back. With his strength, that knee could've killed a normal person outright.
He still wasn't finished.
Byakuya grabbed the man by the back of his shirt, lifted him clean off the ground with one hand, and walked over to the ship's edge.
He leaned him halfway over the railing, the guy's body dangling above the deep, churning river.
All Byakuya had to do was let go.
"So tell me... who's really got a death wish now?"