Thanks, Malka2009 You did a good job.

Thanks, Alzea, Axem_Rangers, and Malka2009!

Thanks everyone, good job *---*

oh, nothing of Mustang or Riza this chap..
But the "fight" and the revelations of Hoho and Father.. Well, that was cool.

I want Mustang next chapter.. shushiushis

I almost thought one of the guys in the tank was Mustang The one that got stabbed here, on page 30. Doesn't he kinda look like him? Maybe Arakawa's running out of ideas for extras. XD

This chapter was epic.

Father turning back into his "homunculus" form and shedding the Hoho skin was creepy...

As soon as I saw "tadaima...," I was like "OH SHIIIIIIITT~ Bradley's back!" O-O

I can't wait for the Greedling vs Bradley fight...

I felt so bad for Falman for a few seconds there. He was crying! ><

I just wish I'd seem some of Mustang in this chapter. Oh well.

Wow! Many thanks Malka2009.

I must say that Bradley is the most impressive homonculus of the lot. Even though he doesn't have any special offensive powers he took down an army . Although Arakawa overdid a bit when he cut through tank's armor (even if it was only caterpillar track). That was not lightsabre he had.

Ahh wow. Wow! That "Tadaima" gave me CHILLS!

And Falman nearly broke my heart! I'm glad he's been left untouched though. For now.... ohhh please survive this!

What exactly does "tadaima" mean?

When Hohenheim said he ran away because he was afraid to stay there, did anyone else think of this between Ed and Hohenheim? I thought it was neat of Arakawa to flashback to something referenced before.

Thanks Malka2009 for the translation! ^^

@mazam: "tadaima" means "I'm home" or "I've returned."

Thanks for the link to the raw guys! I'm happy that I found the chapter as soon as I got back... so awesome! *_*

Whew!! For a brief moment, I thought we lost Buccaneer!!
Glad that was not so!! ^^ And, I like Falman in this chapter!! The fact that he knows that he would get killed if he doesn't open the gate, and he is completely scared, yet he stays loyal to Roy, and refuses to open the gate for Bradley!!! Awesome!!!




@mazam - As posted by Michiyo-, the customary use of the word "tadaima" is something equivalent of "I'm home" or "I have returned."
The longer form of that sentence is "Tadaima kaerimashita" (I have returned now.)
The word "tadaima" means "now" and the word is still very much used in this meaning also. But, in addition, in modern Japanese language "tadaima" as a shorter form of "Tadaima kaerimashita" is used to proclaim the return, as in "I'm home" or "I have returned."

==============

<Program Note>

Thank you, Malka2009!! I added the link to your translation on the first page.

BTW, my chapter translation is posted on the first page of this thread here. ^^

(I haven't corrected typos and syntax errors yet, and I may change the spellings for some of the names in this chapter, but otherwise the content of the translation itself is fairly accurate. ^^)

I am surprised at the lack of discussion for this chapter (not to mention the lack of scanlation, although maybe that has something to do with it).

Finished translating. enjoy!
*****************************************************************************
Page 1 (cover):
Yellow/Pink text: Transmuting our way into summer!

Page 2:
Text: From past to present,
bound by fate.

Title: Chapter 97 - The Two Philosophers

Page 3:
Side: What became of Hohenheim after the calamity at Xerxes?

SFX: Shuffle shuffle

SFX: Shuffle shuffle
Hohenheim: Just calm down...
I only want to talk...

Please, just listen to me...
You too...listen...
Yes...Yes.

Page 4:
Hohenheim: You're...
Not alone...

SFX: Slump

People: That a person?
It doesn't look like an ox or horse...

Page 5:
Guy1: Blonde hair...He must be from the West.
Guy2: We should at least bury him properly.

Hohenheim: Nh...
Guy: Aah!

...He's alive.
Guy2: No way!

Think you can you drink this?
Guy1: Don't gulp it all down, sip slowly.

Can you understand us?
We're traveling merchants from Xing.
Where were you going?

Hohenheim: Nowhere to go...
No home to return to...
Too scared to stay...
I ran...

Page 6:
Hohenheim: ...I know.
I'm sorry.
I couldn't stop him...

I'm sorry...
So very sorry...

Sargens, a man from a long line of carpenters.
He did a lot of repair work on the palace.
His son, Dozul, who respected his father and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

SFX: CLANG CLANG CLANG
Hohenheim: A young flower girl, Kaya.
A kinder, gentler girl you'll never meet.

Sally, a horse breeder. Loved to drink, that one.
We had a lot in common.
A young boy named Tommy, who wanted to be a scholar.

Gidalsh was a chef
who once got fired for giving free food to poor, penniless travelers.
One of my fellow slaves, Andre. He never liked how I managed to earn the master's favor.
Zuul, a terrible criminal executed for his crimes. He seemed beyond rehabilitation, but even he wants to punish you for your crimes.

Page 7:
Hohenheim: THEY are the souls that have taken over you.

SFX: throb throb

Hohenheim: They're all helping me for one purpose - to defeat YOU.

Father: The individual souls of a Philosopher's Stone...are helping you?!

A mere mass of energy?
Hohenheim: You didn't think it was possible?

Page 8:
Hohenheim: Sure, it was maddening to isolate their souls one by one from a churning, raging collective.

But I had PLENTY of time to talk to them,
thanks to the immortal body you so generously gave me.

Father: Talk?!
Hohenheim: Yup.
Another thing you never managed to do...

I have talked TO, and come to an understanding WITH
EVERY SINGLE ONE of the 536,329 people contained inside me!

Page 9:
Hohenheim: And with their power,
I'll destroy your container once and for all.

SFX: TWING

Souls: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

SFX: SHOOM

Page 10:
SoulS: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

SFX: Tear

SFX: SPLURCH

Page 11:
SFX: Shink

Father: Curse...
You...
SFX: Grab

SFX: Snap

Hohenheim: You're going back where you belong,
my little friend in the flask.

Page 12:
SFX: SNIKT

Hohenheim: Feel the pain of the men and women you despised so much.

SFX: Blurp blurp

Page 13:
SFX: KHACK

SFX: Wobble wobble

SFX: Wobble wobble

SFX: Shff shff

Page 14:
SFX: Splat

SFX: Drip drip

SFX: Ghwuuuu

SFX: Shhhlp

Page 15:
SFX: SSSSSF

SFX: Gulp

Flask: Who's despising whom here, Hohenheim?
SFX: Zuruzuruzuru

Flask: You're not the only ones who've evolved!
SFX: Zuruzuruzuru

Page 16:
SFX: ZUUUUU

Page 17:
Dolls: GAAAH

Soliders: Waaaagh!

SFX: BRUUMMMMMMM

Bucc: Go surrender at the main HQ!
Get going!
Soliders: Y-Yessir!
Thank you!

Bucc: I gotta say...
The fact that these dolls killed so many Central soldiers really made things easy for us.

Page 18:
Bucc: Move forward and take the main gate!
Falman: Sir!

SFX: Wham wham wham

SFX: CRACK

SFX: Slice

SFX: Whap whap whap whap
Soldiers: They...don't need us.

Page 19:
Old guy: Damn you, damn you!
What is this?!

You were made to follow OUR orders!
Did that man lie to us?!

Stay back, stay back!
I can't die here! Not me!

SFX: GAH
Guy: AAIIIIIEEE!

SFX: Snap

Page 20:
Old guy: Oh...
SFX: THUD

Old guy: I-I-I-I dunno who you are, but thank you!
Stay with me! When we get outta here,
I'll make you-

SFX: THOCK
Old guy: DWUH-

Izumi: Would you mind telling me a few things
about "that man?"

SFX: tak tak tak tak tak

Page 21:
Soldier: Major,
take a look...

Eww...

Alex: The Fuhrer's chamber...what a mess.

Soldier: Are you going to run things from here, ma'am?

Page 22:
Olivier: I can't fathom why ANYONE would sit in such an easily-sniped spot.
Let's go!
Soldier: Y-Yes ma'am!

Alex: Sister.

Soldiers: Where does this stairway go?
It looks like it continues down pretty far.

Alex: This must be where the dolls came from, no?
Olivier: Meaning it's connected to the underground.

Solider: Yes. Yes.
Roger.

Page 23:
Solider: Captain Buccaneer has arrived at the main gate.

Little resistance, few injuries to our men.
SFX: Yadda yadda

SFX: Yadda yadda
Soldier: The tank squad is in position as well!

Page 24:
Radios: This is the West Gate.
Briggs White Team has captured the area.

North gate here.
Black Team has captured the area.

Blue team,
East gate taken!

Yellow team,
Weapon and ammo depot is under our control.

Radio guy: Captain!

Operator: Buccaneer's team is to stand by.

Keep all gates closed and locked until the teams inside exterminate the remaining artificial soldiers.

Page 25:
Operator: And may I say, great job Major General Armstrong!

Over 90% of Central HQ is under our control.

Falman: Ahh, crap.
Colonel Mustang didn't get here quick enough...

Operator: We...

Buccaneer: Win!

Page 26:
Bradley: Hello, everyone.

I see things have gotten quite out of hand during my absence.

I am coming to personally retake control of my country and put down this coup.
Any available Central troops are to assist me.
SFX: Rabble rabble rabble

Page 27:
Olivier: King Bradley!!

Bucc: Bradley?!
Falman: ...., he's still alive?!

Radios: Where, where is he?!
Where's he attacking from?!

Falman: Huh?

Page 28:
Bradley: From the front.
SFX: DUN DUN DUN

Falman: What the hell?!

Page 29:
Bradley: What need is there for a king to enter his OWN castle through the back door?

Bucc: The Fuhrer's a homunculus...
Tank squad, retreat!

SFX: Grind grind grind

SFX: Dash

Soliders: Fire!
Fire at will!
SFX: RATATATATATATATA

Page 30:
SFX: Shink

SFX: Slashslashslashslashslashslashslash

SFX: RATATATATATATATATATATATA
SFX: RATATATATATATATATATATATA

Page 31:
SFX: KABOOOOOOOM

SFX: CRAAAAAACK
Driver: Got 'em-

SFX: KSSSH

Page 32:
SFX: Slummmp

Codriver: ...Move.
Crush him!

Page 33:
SFX: GRINNND

SFX: Whizz
bubble: SHINNG

SFX: CLANNNNGE

SFX: BRRRRRRRRRRR
Bubble: Waaaaa-

Page 34:
SFX: BRRRRRRRRRRRR
Codriver: Mother
f*!@er!

Where are you, Bradley...?!

SFX: THUNK

SFX: BOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Page 35:
Bucc: Nngh-

One person can't take down a TANK! It's impossible!

SFX: Whooosh

SFX: Ting ting ting ting

Page 36:
Bucc: Nngh-

Bubble: NUOOOOAH!
SFX: BRRRRMMMM

SFX: SLASH

Page 37:
SFX: CRACK

SFX: CRAAAAASH

Page 38:
Falman: Captain Buccaneer!

SFX: STOMP

SFX: Step step

Bradley: Well?
The master has come home.

Open the door.

Page 39:
SFX: Tremble tremoble

Bradley: OPEN THE DOOR,
Falman.

SFX: Slip

Falman: I'm sorry, Colonel Mustang...
I...
SFX: Drip drip

Page 40:
Falman: I might be on my way out...
SFX: Click

Bucc: Oh, come on.
Don't cry like a girl when you act like a man.

Besides, no one around here is manlier than ME!
SFX: Clink

Page 41:
Bucc: Let's go, Bradley!

I can still fight!

Bradley: So pointless.
Is this what you humans call "bravery in the face of death?"

Greed: Yup, that's the gist of it!

I mean, letting your emotions take over and talking a big game doesn't actually change anything, but...

Page 41:
Greed: At the same time,

When I see someone acting like that, I just can't bring myself
to leave 'em hanging!

Text: Greed returns! It's time for a homunculus showdown!

The guy is the main villain for me. You know, not the one above all the others, but certainly the one who gave the good guys the most of their problems! This guy is nearly unbeatable in combat, has a good grasp of the human mind (something that Father definitely lacks) and is good at strategies.

ooo Father looks scarrrrry now! >_< hee i loved this chapter! A tad dissopointed at the lack of Ed and Al but the other characters were been incrediably awesome so i don't care not seeing them for a couple of months to give other characters more screentime, and omg Greed! I love Greeling so happy to see him again!

I agree. He definitely has caused huge amounts of chaos, especially for Mustang's team. He managed to find all of Mustang's weak points and capitalize on it, which was a very impressive maneuver. Pride is supposed to be the most powerful of the homunculi (or something to that effect) because he is the original, but so far I find Wrath to be quite terrifying! (Even though I like him!!)

Thank you, HisshouBuraiKen!!
The link to your translation was added to the first post.


About Wrath:
Bradley on this chapter is wow. Honestly, I'm not sure if Greed alone can stand a chance fighting Bradley. But, I'm curious how Bradley will react about his wife being with Roy's team now.


On Hohenheim remembering names of 536,329 souls:
I can't even remember names of my high school classmates!! XD
Anyway, Hohenheim vs Father, round 2 was good!! I like learning these story points, then think back past chapter and go... "ohhh...so, that's what it was..." in this case, learning about Father saying to Hoheneheim "What have you done?" in the last chapter after Father took some souls from Hoheneheim. Now we know.

The chapter sounds absolutely awesome. Can't say I'm at all surprised to hear that Greed/Lin and Wrath will be facing off in Chapter 98. Looking back over the entire series it's actually now really obvious. I mean has anyone else other than Greed or Lin actually fought Wrath? I'm racking my brains and I can't think of anyone. We saw hints of how this fight might end when Greed attacked Wrath before.

Thought I have admit, I'm a tad bit surprised that Greed turned up to save the day. Wonder how he's gonna benefit from this...

The Father and Hohonheim stuff is interesting. I like how Al's inadvertantly taken up the same stance as his own father. The people in the Phlisopher's Stone are still people and they should be able to fight soon. It's a concept I loved when they first said it when Al fought Pride and Kimblee, and I love it even more now.

Not too disappointed to see no Ed, Al or Mustang this month, considering chances are the last few chapters will be pretty much 100% them it's not too much of a loss.

Guessing next chapter will be a Greed and Wrath smackdown for most of it, with Wrath and maybe Greed's stories coming to an end. Not expecting Pride to turn up next chapter but I suppose he could. I'm really curious to see what he gained from consuming Kimblee...

(P.S. I'm new hi! Yeah long first post...)

Great chapter overall.

Loved Father & Hohenheim's confrontation - talking to all of those souls, that must have been very interesting as well as heartbreaking.

Bradley/Wrath is one awesome villain.

Nice to see Greed back - should be a fun fight.

Looks like most of the major players are now back in Central, hopefully the final battle will begin soon.

Welcome Jealous Rogo

I have to say, Greedling's return is all kinds of awesome. I'm hoping that Ran Fan is not far behind (although I also hope she doesn't do something stupid and get herself hurt :/). And aww, I love Falman :3 I'm glad we got to see him this chapter.

Father vs. Hoho is turning out to be really cool. I wonder how the fight is gonna play out and how the little man in the flask is going to fight and what kind of insaaaane alchemy he's going to bring out .

Thanks for the translation HisshouBuraiKen!

This chapter has confirmed to me that the person I really need to be afraid of is not Father... but Bradley for all so many reasons... *shivers*

My thoughts on the chapter:

I was pretty astonished that Hohenheim is capable of ommunicating with all those souls in his body, and even attempt to use them as a weapon against Father. I was even more astonishe that Father is still a mass of Truth-y like homunuculus substance that was so easily able to slither from his shell (and devour it, no less!). So long, dignified looking main villain, hello monster. I wonder if this is the battle that will determine everything. I wish Edward would have some sort of involvement in it (hey, remember when FMA was about Ed and Al?).

I like the bit where Olivia refuses to sit at the Fuhrer's desk because it's an easily snipable spot. This is especially wise after the last person who tried to sit there got eaten by one of those stupid white zombie things. As I expected, though, as soon as Olivia's group took control of most of Central, Bradley returned. Now he can just easily play it off like the soldiers who had taken control of Central were under his orders, as long as he gets rid of the ones in charge of the coup and frighten the others into obeying.

I really didn't care about whether or not Buccaneer lived. To be honest, I thought Bradley was being too soft by not cutting him in half. We're talking about a guy who subdued Greed and nearly killed Ranfan, and should be plenty pissed off about what's gone in his absence. For Wrath, he's certainly very in control of himself.

But now, Greedling vs Wrath! My guess is that Pride will come along and absorb both! Okay, so that probably won't happen, but I would find it amusing.

I'm so proud of Falman. I was worried that he was actually gonna let Bradley through for a moment, but no. Once a Roy-tachi, a Roy-tachi to the end.

And I'm so glad Bradley's back - things are really gonna start heating up now. He is honest to God the scariest homunculus ever.

Anyone else amused/angered by the epic fail of military women in the second panel?

Probably the panel that stood out the most to me when looking over the entire chapter. I'm guessing the two in skirts had more of desk jobs like Sheska...speaking of which, wonder if we're gonna see her anytime soon...the other one looks like she's just pointing and pulling the trigger. Of course, they're saved by Buccaneer, and they don't even seem to have a single moment of contemplation about whether or not to follow his orders.

Also, I find the fact that Briggs has named their teams by color rather than with the Nato phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) like they did in 71 a bit odd.

lol at Buccaneer telling Falman to stop crying when he's trying to act brave.

Penguintruth of course Ed and Al will have a huge part to play in all of this. That is one thing I seem to always butt heads with you about. Just because a character has not done something recently or they have not been seen for awhile (Al more so than Ed) does not mean they are unimportant or Arakawa has forgotten about them. Also I think character's absences seem longer because of monthly waits. Al will last be seen in the first chapter of Vol 23. Ed was around for most of Vol. 23. It's most likely Ed and possibly Al will be around before Vol. 24 is over (2 more chapters). When you think of the waits on a monthly basis character absences do seem longer. However when you think of it on a volume by volume basis their absences don't seem as long.

I mean heck just think of all the characters you do really like: Olivier, Izumi, Bradley, Hohenheim, etc that end up having larger parts because Arakawa does give breaks in time when we don't see Ed & Al. And yes I appreciate that you want more Ed & Al (heck so do I) but unlike you I have faith that Arakawa knows what she is doing and they will still have a very important part to play in all this (just like I think getting Al's body back will also come back into focus before the end).

Anyways I think we are now seeing Father's true form. He does look very much like he looked when he was in the flask just a bit bigger. And this is just a theory but I think Father (while not Truth) originally escaped from the doors of Truth.

Oh, I have faith, Kirara, but faith can't be blind, it has to be based on something. I always have faith that Arakwa will eventually come through, but it seems to me that the two main protagonists of the entire story should be a little more active than theyve been as of late, even at the cost of less time with other interesting characters. One or two chapters of Ed and Al on the sidelines is one thing, but this story is reaching its conclusion, and in my opinion, if it can go on like this without them, it might as well not have had them as the focus to begin with.

I'm not saying she forgot them entirely, but she does need to keep in mind that they are, or should be, the key players in the story.

Maybe you think it is blind faith but I don't. I remember when people complained that Roy and Riza were not doing much and what do you know recently they have done a lot.

I remember when people complained that Arakawa had forgotten about Ling and here he is.

I remember when people complained that Arakawa had forgotten about the Hohenheim VS Father fight and what do you know it was epic.

I have no blind faith because I've seen people complain and yet Arakawa has always brought these characters back and come through in the end,

In an interview not so long ago Arakawa said she had all the final fights planned out. Now I don't know but maybe we haven't seen Ed & Al do much because well we aren't up to their specific final fights.

There is still Pride and there is still dealing with getting Al's body back from Truth. Not to mention there is still no guarantee that Hohenheim will be the one to ultimately beat Father. Don't forget that Ed is in the exact same location as Father & Hohenheim.

Personally I think when ever people complain about missing characters and that Arakawa has forgotten about them or doesn't know what she is doing I think the complaints are the most ridiculous thing ever. Because every time someone has made such a complaint it ends up being false in the end. Thus I think the complaint that she is not using Ed & Al her main characters enough is nonsense. It's obvious to me that they will be front & center again before long.

Look, I'm not even saying Ed and Al's lack of presence is a huge problem as of right now, but if they're not going to be doing anything in the next few chapters, they might as well never return. And also, give me a break, if you're going to counter something I've said, at least counter the accusations I've actually made, instead of those of other people. In the case of the Elric brothers, there's no way Arakawa can discount them for too long, but at this point the story is about everyone except them.

I agree, Kirara, that Arakawa has always come through. Were it any other manga-ka, I'd be worried that characters would be left behind and forgotten (or killed off). I've seen that in many manga before, and it gets disappointing after a while. When I first started reading the FMA manga, I noticed that all of the characters came back time and time again, but didn't dominate a particular amount of chapters for too long. It was really a very comfortable read, if that makes any sense. I didn't get sick of this character, or want to see much more of that character... I found it to be very well balanced. I don't think Arakawa is god or anything like that (that's a little ridiculous!), because even she can make mistakes, but I'm glad that she keeps all of her characters in mind.

Though nowadays... I do find myself wanting more of Roy and Riza, but I can't be selfish!

I believe that Ed and Al will have their chance to shine soon. I am really wondering how they will manage to restore themselves.

On this page: http://www.onemanga.com/Full_Metal_Alchemist/97/13/ Father reminds me of one of those PSA I use to have to watch in my health class about drugs. When the person has no bones and cannot move.

Back on topic with discussion about the chapter.

Wrath really is strong. He takes on a tank and wins! I know that the Greed and Wrath battle will be epic. But yet we have a month to wait.

I wonder how far away the train explosion was from Central. I wonder if Wrath relaxed and ate some melon before saying: "Those humans must think they have taken central. Well time to prove them wrong."

You said the manga is no longer about Ed & Al because they haven't god forbid been in two chapters. Al last did something major in Vol 22 up to the first chapter of Vol. 23 (I hardly think that is so long ago). Ed might not have done something super major recently but he has been around except for the last 2 chapters (and I think he was plenty relevant in chapter 94 and 95 even if he wasn't the main focus.) So I hardly see what the problem is. I don't see how she is discounting them at all really.

Finally the manga might be coming to an end but we don't know exactly how many chapters are left. I am pretty sure Arakawa has the final chapters planned out and she knows what every character is going to do (especially Ed & Al).

Properly enjoyed this chapter.
Father and Hohenheim stuff is looking a little weird, but I'm gripped. I liked Hohenheim's little speech about a lot of the different people.
Laughed at the soldiers reactions to Izumi and Sig. Liked Olivia's take on the fuhrerchair.

Bit annoyed to see Bradley back kicking bum. I wanted the heroes to win so much. D:
Not a big deal, but Falman's crying seemed a wee bit questionable.

Do find myself wondering just how Wrath's eye works again. And couldn't we have seen him regenerate from a tank blast? ):
Epic cliffhanger tho', as per usual. Rematch between Greed and Wrath?

EDIT:
A double S is censored here? Really?
<Yeah... But, you can use the British version, "arse" if you'd like. ^^ ~Tombow>
(Feel free to delete this little note anytime after you read. ^^)

I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE GREED BACK!!!

I cannot wait for the next chapter! It's getting intense! I want to see Roy in action too!

after reading it.
the first thing came out in my mind was why there's no ed again?
but about the content of the manga it was great as the other chapters
the fight scene between the father and hohenheim was so thrilling.
i hope for Ed more appearance on the next chapters. and the homonculus showdown
Greed vs. Wrath? xD

Think Sharingan in Naruto, or the "I-see-two-seconds-in-the-future" power of that guy in Get Backers. Plus I think his power doesn't affect only one eye, but the two of them. Or perhaps even all of his senses and his entire nervous system, and the eye is just there as a symbol that he can "see" everything. I think his power is simply reactivity and perception way above those of a normal human, so above that he can sense threats coming his way faster than what a normal human can, and that he also reacts a lot more quickly.

Wow, That was such an epic chapter.

Hohenheim is truly amazing to talk to each and ever one of those 536, 329 souls.

It was great to see Father get beaten up a bit, though seeing him come out of his shell had me so shocked! I was not expecting that at all XD He looks so creepy...>_<

Ah, Izumi and Sig, I loved they defeated those...things with carefree looks on their faces XD Hehe

Oh, Olivia, she was great! I love her attitude!

Oh my gosh! Bradley is such a badass! He makes such an awesome entrance and to see him just run straight through while being shot at....and He blew up the tank 0__0 Woah...so epic
Buccaneer fought really well against Bradley, i thought he had died but i'm so glad he's till alive ^__^.

Aw, Falman!! Such a wonderful guy...

Yay! Greedlin! I'm looking forward to next month!

My only problem with that theory is when Wrath is fighting Lin, and he's commenting on how reckless Lin is, he mentions that his eye is giving him suggestions and plans that his body can no longer keep up with. So I think it's safe to say that his power is pretty much all in that one eye.

As for what it does, I think the Sharingan comparison is as good as any explanation. They've been pretty vague about it to be honest, but from what Wrath's said it does seem like that sort of deal.

Also Vagrant, I think the reason we didn't see him regenerate is that I don't think he was injured. It didn't look like it to me. Which brings me to something I've always wondered, which is can Wrath regenerate at all? I mean according to Wrath, he's only got one soul in his body, so wouldn't that mean his regenerative abilities were all used up during the process of becoming an Homunculous?

At the time, didn't he have his other eye still weakened from the flashbang? Plus a comment sooner from Bradley seems to indicate that the eyepatch is really blocking the view from his right eye, which would mean that his power is at least linked to both of his eyes. Having him take off the eyepatch would only give him a better range of view... which, with the monster he is, might be enough of a power-up

Very good point, I forgot about the flashbang bit. Though if it's both eyes it does put a question mark over why it's called the 'Ultimate Eye'. But then again Lust is called the 'Ultimate Lance' and not 'Ultimate Lances'. So both eyes is distinctly possible.

Either way it's resulted in him being badass.

I would literally LOL if that happens.
OT:BTW, like the new icon. XD


Amen to both.


I just looked at the first one, that made me a little angry, but their faces were amusing. XD

Buccaneer + Falman (as comrades) = WIN.

God, the wait is going to be torture for next month!
Ch. 98 comes out on the 12th.



OT:
The Brotherhood guidebook comes out on the 12th.

The FMA: Prince of the Dawn Wii Game comes out on the 13th.
(OFF TOPIC - Some of the story seems to be about Roy being set up for being the one behind the assassination of the Prince of Arugo, and Ed tries to act as his lawyer, but is arrested as well. He escapes and tries to get the Colonel out as well. The source for the FMA game summary and the Brotherhood guidebook come from amber 1003's LJ here.)

And the FMA:Brotherhood anime episode with epic Roy vs Lust is coming out around the 9th. (Not saying this is the only thing I am waiting for - it was just the timing LOL)

Can we just say that August will be an epic FMA month? XD

And thanks for pointing that LOL thing about the military women over there, I hadn't noticed that myself.

Go Riza, Rebecca and Maria! >D
And Olivier of course >D

Exciting doesn't even cover this chapter. Wow. Arakawa has restored my faith after some questionable Roy/Envy interaction and frankly uninteresting cyclop zombies. My respect for Bradley has just skyrocketed. (anyone else think he's the best villain here?) I would very much like to see some interaction between him and his wife... Whether he dies or not, I really hope Wrath gets a good ending.

Don't care about Buccaneer one way or the other. Some minor characters just don't grow on me. =/ D'AWWW at Falman, though. x3

The fights promise to be epic next chapter. Everything's in so much chaos right now, and I really hope that Arakawa gets the pacing right and gives everyone a suitable ending, especially Ed and Al. I'm going to be cautiously optimistic...

actually i think we are getting a feast here .firstly ep 14 is about bradley skills,and now this

for not showing ed & al....welll- i think it's a monthly issue so it gonna to be a bit late or look it in another way,40 pgs=2 issue of weekly manga.i am not too worried cos arakawa shows us a mostly consistent plot.she may fail one or two,but still her story is good,and u know she has planned it out,and she's human...i am sure she has something big to show them,and the bradley reappearance ,oliver armstrong troops,and hoho fight do interested me ,and i do want getting a break from ed & al .
for envy...well i do questions some of it..but i need to see further chapters b4 i comment about it .

I noticed that right away also, but judging from their complete lack of fighting spirit, I automatically assumed these must be civilians hired for office works, like Sheska, and since this is HQ I'm guessing there are a quite few of these office workers in the building.



Ha, that's an interesting point.. if I may venture to guess... they must have planed these operations secretly on the side, while being under the command of Central Army commander sent to Briggs, so they might have chosen color code? Just my wild guess.



Ah yes, but something I'd like to point out, just in case it's not that apparent in the translated versions of the chapter... If anyone takes this scene as if Buccaneer is scolding/or making fun of Falman for crying, followed by Buccaneer barking at Bradley like some stupid macho man saying "I'm not done yet, come and fight me!" kind of way... then that's not so, IMO. My interpretation is that Buccaneer knows very well that Falman is NOT a "fighter" kind of soldier like other Briggs soldiers are. Falman used to work in intelligence part of military, and he's not good at combat fighting skills, and as such he is a dead meat in this scene, as he was put on the spot to open the gate for Bradley, and likely to be killed by Bradley any moment for refusing to open the gate for him. Buccaneer sees this, and tries to save Falman's imminent death by diverting Bradley's attention to him even though himself is (I'm guessing) badly injured. Bradley sees that as well ... a very HUMAN trait... of sacrificing self to save comrade, or others when the obviously weak party who has a no chance of fighting is in danger, as well as the human trait of keeps fighting for the cause even when knowing you're likely to die in trying. ... Anyway, sorry if I stated something obvious. XD

Who can doubt it? He is in charge since Lust died, is absolutely unbeatable (nobody ever touched him, nobody was able to keep the offensive against him) as far as we know, has knowledge of the human mind that is only rivaled by Kimblee's amongst the bad guys, and he is freaking scary. Since Father is closed up in his underground hole and never acts directly, Bradley is the real threat for every good guy, the main bad guy even if not the last one.

Totally agree! His fight in this chapter totally rocks. It's an awesome chapter, the best among the last ones.
Oh and Olivia Armstrong obviously still rules. "I can't fathom why anyone would sit in such and easy-sniped spot".

One can actually argue that the Homunculi needs Bradley more than their master. His destruction is the mortal wound to their authority and control of humankind (At least, that's true in Anime1).

Before yes, but I think it is no longer true. But Bradley remains the biggest obstacle for Olivia, Mustang, Greelin (although that guy isn't among the good guys) and Grumman since he is the one officially in charge of the country, and hence the one they must get rid of in order to get to the head of the country.

I totally looved this chapter!! When I saw that it was over I couldnt believe it.. what a battle cliffhanger..

Father's new image is really creepy! and Hoho is awsome for understanding each soul inside of him.. epic battle comming soon

Bradley appeared in perfect timing to crush everybody's hopes ... my respect for him went up high when he killed all those soldiers and went through the tank.. amazing.. AMAZING!

D'aaaawww.. for Falman.. really sweet that he was crying and that he apologized to Roy (eventhough he wasnt there xD)..

Really looking foward to the next chapter!

Two epic battles coming! Greedling vs Bradley and Hoho vs Father

I loved it so much that I didnt notice that neither Ed nor Al were in the chap.

With Hoho vs Father (who was a being like Pride: the eyes, many many eyes) and Greed!Ling vs Wrath - this could really be an epic showdown. Which means the story must be nearing its end. Why oh why when I just had to be so addicted to it!

But if really is drawing to a conclusion... what about their quest for Rentanjutsu? You know - the reversed transmutation circle that Al came up with?

Why am I thinking that the ending could be a cliffhanger....