Reincarnated in One Piece - Chapter 22
“Alright,” came the voice just as Tang An and Levi were about to continue their fight. Erwin and Keith walked over.
Tang An relaxed his fighting stance, looking at the stubborn, blonde-haired man before him.
This was Erwin Smith, the 13th Commander of the Survey Corps. He was known for his strategic acumen and broad vision, which made him an exceptional leader. His charismatic personality made significant contributions to humanity’s efforts to explore the world outside the walls.
“Interested in joining the Survey Corps?” Erwin asked with a rare smile, looking at Tang An and recalling his first meeting with Levi. Despite the doubts about Tang An’s background, his strength was undeniable. Moreover, keeping him close would make it easier to monitor him.
“Erwin, isn’t this too rash?” Keith couldn’t help but interject.
“How about it?” Erwin ignored Keith, keeping his eyes on Tang An.
He understood Keith’s concerns.
“My ideal place is the Garrison Regiment,” Tang An replied with a smile, contrasting with Levi’s perpetually cold demeanor.
“Your strength would be a loss for humanity if you didn’t join the Survey Corps,” Erwin said after a moment of silence.
“I heard the Survey Corps is full of elites.”
“You’re one of them,” Erwin interrupted before Tang An could finish.
Tang An remained silent, locking eyes with Erwin. After about ten seconds, he smiled again. “Then, please take care of me.”
Tang An had changed his mind. Although he didn’t know what Erwin was planning, joining the Survey Corps might make his next steps smoother. After all, he had already mastered Shave and Moonwalk, so it didn’t matter whether he joined the Garrison Regiment, Military Police, or the Survey Corps.
“This…” Keith was puzzled.
“I will report his exceptional promotion to the higher-ups,” Erwin decided decisively.
“Alright then,” Keith sighed, knowing Erwin wouldn’t make such a decision without reason.
“I’ll report to the Survey Corps in seven days. I’m still not fully proficient with the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear.”
“That’s fine,” Erwin nodded, then left with Keith and Levi.
Back at the Survey Corps, Erwin and Levi were alone.
“Keep a close eye on Tang An when he joins the Survey Corps,” Erwin instructed.
“Understood,” Levi replied tersely, a cold glint in his eyes.
“We proceed with the original plan, investigating the north side of Wall Maria tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Meanwhile, Tang An continued practicing with the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear at the Training Corps. Erwin and Levi’s visit had only cost him a bit of time.
“Did you hear what Erwin said to that guy?” Eren and his friends, eavesdropping from a corner, strained to hear.
“Too far away, can’t make it out,” Connie shook his head.
“He’s been invited to join the Survey Corps,” Reiner said expressionlessly, watching Tang An practice with the gear.
“What?”
“Is this a special promotion?”
“Which training class is he from?”
“We haven’t seen him in our class, the 105th or the 106th.”
“I’m definitely joining the Survey Corps. We’ll be graduating in a few days,” Eren said with determination, having waited five years for this moment.
“Let’s go back before we get caught sneaking out,” Connie urged, and the group quickly disappeared into the alley.
The next day, the entire training ground was filled with trainees, including the soon-to-graduate 104th class, Eren’s. Despite being close to graduation, they still had to complete their daily training tasks under Keith’s supervision.
Many trainees, including Keith, watched from a distance.
“Who is that?”
“Never seen him before!”
“How can anyone endure that kind of training?”
“I counted, he did a thousand push-ups.”
The trainees murmured among themselves, watching Tang An perform his daily routine with sweat pouring down. He did a thousand push-ups, sit-ups, and handstands each, then practiced with the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear.
“What are you staring at? Get back to training!” Keith barked, his eyes fierce.
During lunch, Tang An sat alone at a table. Most trainees were grouped, but everyone was watching Tang An. Word had spread that Erwin had promoted Tang An to the Survey Corps and that he had fought Levi.
“Where’s Eren?”
“Getting food, I guess.”
“There he is!”
“Eren, that idiot.”
Connie and the others watched as Eren, carrying his meal, sat opposite Tang An.
“I’m Eren. Nice to meet you,” Eren introduced himself, recalling how Tang An had kicked Levi, leaving a solid impression.
“Tang An,” he replied with a smile.
Eren sighed in relief, thinking Tang An would be hard to approach.
“I saw your fight with Levi yesterday. You’re really strong. How did you do it?” Eren’s eyes were bright with curiosity, wanting to become as strong as Levi.
“By doing a thousand push-ups, sit-ups…” Tang An said calmly, eating his food.
“A thousand?” Eren’s mouth twitched. He couldn’t even do five hundred, let alone add sit-ups and more.
“Eren,” Mikasa, Armin, Connie, Sasha, and Reiner joined them.
“Hi, I’m Connie,” Connie introduced himself, placing his tray down first.
“I’m Sasha.”
“Reiner.”
“Jean.”
“Armin. And this is Mikasa.”
“Tang An,” he greeted them warmly. The main and supporting characters of the anime were all here—Reiner, the Armored Titan; Bertholdt, the Colossal Titan; and Eren, with the Attack and Founding Titans. Unfortunately, Ymir and Annie weren’t present.
“Is it true that Erwin promoted you to the Survey Corps?” Armin couldn’t help but ask.
Everyone stared at Tang An except Sasha, who kept eating.
“Yes,” Tang An nodded.
“So it’s true,” Connie and Jean were amazed. They had heard rumors but were still shocked to hear it confirmed.
“How are you so strong?”
“Tang An just said he does a thousand push-ups and sit-ups every day,” Eren quickly answered.
“What?”
“A thousand? My arms would fall off.”
“A monster—sorry, I didn’t mean to call you a monster…”
“No offense taken,” Tang An smiled, showing he didn’t mind.
Slowly, everyone started to open up, asking Tang An various questions. Reiner and Bertholdt, however, remained mostly silent.
Meanwhile, the Survey Corps had started their investigation of Wall Maria. Mindless titans now overran the area, leaving humanity confined to Wall Rose and the innermost Wall Sheena.
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