Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

After enduring countless battles with Titans, the soldiers of the Survey Corps bore deep scars of fear and trauma. The psychological toll of constant loss and devastation demanded an outlet. Violence, hierarchy, and oppression often filled this void. Even under Erwin's careful leadership, such issues persisted. Veterans bullying recruits had become an unspoken rule, a grim reflection of military life.

Ryo understood this harsh reality. The Military Police's attack wasn't random; it was calculated. The Training Corps had sent only two recruits to reinforce the Survey Corps—Ryo and Mikasa. With their small numbers and apparent lack of experience, they seemed like perfect targets. The Garrison Corps, on the other hand, had arrived in force with 60 members, while the Survey Corps was untouchable in its home base, united and formidable. Bullying Ryo and Mikasa seemed like the safest way for the Military Police to assert dominance.

But Ryo had no intention of letting himself—or Mikasa—be used as an example.

"The reason I struck hard wasn't just to deal with those scumbags," Ryo explained as they walked away. His tone was calm but firm, the weight of his words heavy. "It was to send a message. Even if it's just the two of us, we're not soft targets. If anyone else is considering pushing us around, they'll think twice after today."

Mikasa listened silently, her sharp eyes glancing toward Ryo. She could feel the unspoken burden he carried—the resolve to shield her from this harsh reality, even if it meant taking the brunt of it himself.

"Let's go report in," Ryo said, patting her shoulder lightly. His smile was back, warm and reassuring, as though the recent fight had never happened.

Under normal circumstances, Mikasa might have been annoyed by Ryo's casual gesture, but this time, she didn't mind. Somehow, she felt safe, protected by his unwavering determination.

---

When they reached the Survey Corps' registration area, they were met with indifference. The soldiers barely acknowledged them, their disdain clear. To the Survey Corps, rookies were little more than expendable cannon fodder.

"Are you two from the Training Corps?" a soldier asked, eyeing them skeptically.

"Yes," Ryo replied, his voice steady. "My name is Ryo, and this is Mikasa. Instructor Keith sent us to reinforce the Survey Corps."

The soldier raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Have you completed 3D Maneuver Gear training?"

"Of course," Ryo said confidently, already anticipating what was coming next.

The soldier gestured toward a nearby training area. "Let's see what you've got. The test is simple: navigate through the obstacle course, eliminate three Titan dummies, and finish within five minutes. That's the standard."

He leaned back with a smug grin, fully expecting failure. Completing the course in three minutes was the benchmark for seasoned Survey Corps soldiers. For rookies, even finishing within five minutes was considered exceptional.

Ryo studied the course. Unlike the training grounds he was used to, this setup mimicked real combat conditions, utilizing the dense forest behind the base. The course spanned over a thousand meters, requiring precision, speed, and stamina to complete within the allotted time.

Three minutes to finish and three Titan kills. Ryo mentally calculated his odds. It was a challenge, but not insurmountable.

"Three minutes, huh?" Ryo asked, a faint smile playing on his lips as he adjusted his gear.

"That's right," the soldier said, his tone dripping with condescension. "But don't worry, no one expects much from Training Corps rookies. You're probably used to fancy drills that are useless in real combat."

The arrogance in his voice didn't bother Ryo. He had heard enough about the rivalry between the empire's three major corps to know this was par for the course.

"Actually," Ryo said, his calm tone catching the soldier off guard, "I wasn't asking about the standard. I was asking—what's the shortest record?"

Mikasa, standing silently by his side, smirked slightly. She knew that look in Ryo's eyes. The Survey Corps had no idea what they were about to witness.