Episode 15: Sole Salvation

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An unconscience Zeke has a flashback of his youth. As an Eldian, he was looked down upon. His parents, Grisha Jaeger and Dina Fritz, had high expectations of their son. If Zeke was chosen as a titan successor, then he would be their trump card to overthrow Marley. Unfortunately, Zeke was pushed to succeed in Warrior Training even though he wasn't cut out for it.

After a painful day (both physically and mentally) of Warrior Training, Zeke met a nice man who engaged the boy in a game of catch. This man happened to be Tom Ksaver, the current owner of the Beast Titan. With his own father neglecting him, Zeke saw Tom as a father figure.

Not long after, Zeke overheard his parents and learned that they were Restorationists. He confided to Ksaver what he had learned. Fearing the boy would be sent to Paradise, Ksaver convinced Zeke that his parents never loved him and to turn them in would be proving his loyalty to Marley. This was the only way that he and his grandparents could be spared. Zeke took his advice and turned his parents in.

A few years later, Zeke learned some valuable information from Ksaver's Titan research. The Founding Titan can change the anatomy of the Subjects of Ymir. If they could no longer have children, then Eldians would disappear. Zeke and Ksaver agree that it is best to save the Eldian people from suffering any longer by using the Founding Titan's power.

Zeke inherited the Beast Titan when Mr. Ksaver life was ending. Just before the Wall Maria incident, Reiner and Bertholdt tell Zeke that Eren Jaeger possessed the Founder.

Several years later, Zeke meets with Eren at the hospital in Liberio. Zeke convinced his younger brother to cooperate with his plan for mass Eldian euthanasia.

When Zeke awakes, Levi notices that the man's body is close to fully regenerating. Just as he draws his blade to cut off his legs, Zeke yells, "Mr. Ksaver, I hope you are watching!" and ignites the Thunder Spear in his body. The force of the massive explosion sends Levi flying and sets the poor horses on fire.

NOTE: This episode is from the end of Volume 28 of the manga.