"So, Zeke, what do you plan to do?" No matter how much hostility there was toward Zeke, Paradis Island still needed his help right now—indispensable help. Otherwise, the Eldians on Paradis Island wouldn't even be able to leave this island.
Yago looked at Zeke calmly. Zeke also seemed to be weighing whether he should trust the Yago before him. Zeke wasn't a fool.
Zeke was very smart—smart enough that, even as a child, he knew to report his parents first to protect himself after the Eldian Restorationists were exposed. Of course, all of that was for the sake of the dream in Zeke's heart. Yago tried hard to conceal it, but Zeke still saw the killing intent in his eyes.
However, Zeke didn't care about that. If Yago felt no hatred toward him at all, that would be what Zeke truly needed to be wary of.
After a moment of silence, Zeke spoke.
"A tenth Titan? It's really hard to believe. But considering the tremendous power of the Eldian Founder, it doesn't seem impossible."
Yago didn't want to beat around the bush with Zeke anymore and laid his cards on the table.
"The prerequisite for the success of the Euthanasia Plan is the successful deterrence of the Rumbling. But now the Founder's power has been sealed for three years. Within these three years, with the strength on Paradis Island alone, it's simply impossible to withstand the invasion from the outside world. So we need help. We need technology. We need power!"
Zeke said, "I agree with everything you've said. But Yago, on what basis do you expect me to believe that you support the Euthanasia Plan?"
Yago took a deep breath and turned back to glance at Annie. The reluctance in Yago's eyes made Annie unconsciously move closer to him.
Turning back, Yago looked at Zeke and slowly said, "The inheritors of Titan power only have a lifespan of thirteen years, don't they? Annie and I both have less than ten years left. Since the world despises the Titan power of the Eldians so much, then let us take that Titan power out of this world."
Zeke remained silent for a long time. Only after quite a while did he look at Annie and say,
"Annie, you're very lucky. There's someone willing to stay by your side all the time."
Annie said nothing, only reaching out and placing her hand on Yago's shoulder. Feeling the warmth on his shoulder, Yago showed a faint smile. He had already made his decision in his heart: if there was no way to break the thirteen-year lifespan, Yago would use the power of fate to transfer the Female Titan from Annie onto himself, just like Ymir that day.
...
"I love Annie, but love is selfish. If there can only be one choice, I will selfishly choose to face death alone." This was Yago's inner voice.
Clearly, Yago's words moved Zeke, and Zeke also came to believe in Yago's support for the Euthanasia Plan.
"The Eastern nation of Hizuru will be a reliable ally. The Marleyan Volunteers under my command will also help Paradis Island develop its strength as quickly as possible. Of course, after the Euthanasia Plan succeeds, the Marleyan Volunteers will also become new people of Paradis Island."
Zeke told Yago of his arrangements.
Yago naturally understood Zeke's plan, but he still raised some questions.
"On what grounds would Hizuru help us?"
Zeke glanced at the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment on Yago and Annie and said, "That's a very interesting device. Hizuru will be very interested in its power source.
"Hizuru, as a former defeated nation, has been restricted by the world from developing colonies. At the same time, their homeland is extremely short on energy. So this is the guarantee of cooperation. And of course, a hundred years ago, the Easterners were also loyal allies of the Eldians."
"Energy? Easterners?" Yago suddenly thought of something and said to Zeke, "Speaking of Easterners, there's blood left behind by an Eastern general on the island."
Zeke was surprised by this news, but quickly calmed down and said,
"Then there's another layer of assurance."
After that, Yago and Zeke discussed more details about the development of Paradis Island.
"First, in the near future we need to go to Marley as soon as possible. Second, regarding Annie, I hope you can keep it confidential, Zeke. Lastly, I hope you will hand over Reiner and Pieck."
Zeke understood what Yago meant. He agreed to Yago's second request—after all, Annie still had family in Marley.
As for the first request, Zeke only said that he would arrange contact between Hizuru, the Marleyan Volunteers, and Paradis Island as soon as possible.
Regarding Yago's last condition, Zeke decisively refused. He stared into Yago's eyes and said,
"Marley can tolerate one or two failures, but it won't tolerate constant failure. If both the Armored Titan and the Cart Titan are lost, then no matter how much Marley trusts me, they'll decisively strip me of the Beast Titan."
After hearing this, Yago fell silent for a moment and could only choose to give up.
"Speaking of which, the Founder's power is on Eren Yeager, right?" Zeke suddenly brought up Eren.
Yago said, "Yes, Yeager. You should already know everything, Zeke."
...
Zeke smiled, stood up, and gazed into the distance. His eyes were full of recollection as he said self-mockingly,
"Father… truly astonishing. How many people did he deceive?"
"Eren? Little brother? What a strangely awkward way to address someone." Zeke's expression seemed somewhat odd. It was hard to tell whether he was suffering or happy—perhaps only he himself knew that feeling.
With the sudden addition of a relative, Zeke's heart was filled with complexity. A sense of big-brother responsibility surged up inside him, a feeling he had never experienced before. Zeke felt a strong urge to meet this younger brother of his.
Yago stood up, and Zeke turned around as well. The two stood facing each other. Finally, Zeke spoke first.
"About the Euthanasia Plan, I hope only the two of us know." Zeke glanced at Annie, the meaning obvious.
Yago nodded. He also knew that the Euthanasia Plan wasn't something ordinary people could accept. Annie had been standing beside them listening for a long time and probably didn't even know what the Euthanasia Plan was, because Zeke and Yago both understood it tacitly and never spelled it out.
Yago said, "I will persuade the government on Paradis Island, and I also hope you will keep your promise, Zeke."
"Good. Then I hope we have a pleasant cooperation." Zeke extended one hand.
Yago hesitated for a moment, then extended his own hand as well.
"A pleasant cooperation!"
The two hands clasped tightly together—but what exactly were the two of them thinking in their hearts?