[He winces a little at the admonition.] I apologize, sir. I'd intended to, but we only just got back to the workshop. I realize that's no excuse.

[He glances at Mikasa a moment, before looking back down at his own marks.] Mikasa doesn't have any, but... I would like to get rid of mine, yes, sir.

['Coward', 'weak', 'worthless', 'burden' - none of them are welcome reminders. But the true offender is the one hidden under the scarf tied over his upper arm - the one with the potential to give away the game on his plans, and had indeed revealed the plot to a couple Travelers before he had realized it was there.

He needs it gone - and he needs to do it without Levi and Mikasa seeing.]