To start off, we finally have the Elric brothers visiting Winry and her grandmother for the repairs needed for Ed. Kind of shows an importance on how they rely on them. At the same time, there is a very family vibe that the brothers have for them. Even though their resolve to move forward shouldn’t be questioned, the fact remains both are so young. Ed for being a state alchemist at a young age and for Al being able to move forward with the possibility that he might never regain his body. The better question to ask is, where is their father after their mother died? You would think he would be there for them. The irony that Al wants to be able to cry but can’t, while Ed is too stubborn to cry, is ironic.
Still, Ed can decipher Maroch’s notes to where the main ingredient in a Philosopher’s Stone is a human sacrifice. So now the comments of Ed being a human sacrifice make sense now. Though it really shows how fucked up it is. Still, the truth in a truth would imply that they would need human sacrifices to create the Philosopher’s Stone. Next to a prison is a big hint for them. Which is how the brothers can find out the hideout where it is happening. The question is, what exactly are parts of the military up to?
Towards the end of the volume, both brothers go their separate ways. Though each has their own battle. For Al, who is definitely the more emotional brother. When Al hears the mention, Are you truly Ed’s brother? You can tell it hits him hard. Though you can tell from Ed’s fight that is not true, but hopefully Al doesn’t have his own doubt.
Ed is quite interested in learning that 2 souls can occupy an empty body like Al has. Ed still looks at the 2 brothers as people; it is interesting, but it indicates that he views Al, who we see, as his same younger brother. Sadly, it looks like before Ed can get answers about who is making the Philosopher’s Stone, trouble is coming for him.