Brosh then arrives with the letter and asks that they return to their hotel room. Remembering what the Homunculus said about both being sacrifices, Ed suspects it has to do with seeing The Gate and returning from it. 3 to reveal to Al the entryway to the white room had been sealed with alchemy. As Major Armstrong has to cover up Ross's survival when he sees Denny Brosh who also came to deliver a letter to him, Ed returns outside from Lab. Secretly communicating with Mustang downstairs, Breda reveals what Ed mentioned on Tim Marcoh who could possibly restore Havoc's legs and Mustang dispatches Breda to search for him. Breda leaves stating that this retirement won't suit Havoc. While talking it out with Heymans Breda, Havoc reveals that he will now help out at his family's General Store and there is nothing that can reverse his condition, not even Automail. Noticing the book Mustang has regarding the spinal cord, Mustang reveals it had to do with one of his men in a recent operation.
Before leaving, Knox warns Mustang not to get in too deep from what he is involved with, to which Mustang admits that he is. While in the lobby, Mustang meets with Doctor Knox, who had come for an exam, and admits how he had to help cover for Mustang during the Maria Ross incident due to their relationship from the Ishval Civil War. After the Elrics leave, Mustang is happy of catching a big opportunity like this and asks his men to be ready, however, Havoc must decline as he has to drop out of active duty due to becoming a paraplegic from his injuries. Mustang now believes the enemy has infiltrated the State Military with deep connections to the top brass, and asks that Ed should be careful from now on. Al then reminds them of the oddity of hunting down Greed, and Ed points out even if Greed wasn't connected to them, the Führer's actions of slaying him and his Chimeras without questioning them is also strange. Since this also includes Central Command and the Führer's mansion, it becomes clear that the Führer is connected to the Homunculus who are below Central. Using the maps Fuery delivered, Hawkeye explains that based on the symbols from the transmutation circle found in the white room below Laboratory 3, the Lab is the center for a potentially large circle that goes around Central. Heading to the hospital to visit Mustang and Havoc, the Elrics meet up with Kain Fuery who is on a mission for Hawkeye.
While a disbelieving Winry says it is due to Ed not drinking his milk, Al believes with Ed's sleeping habits it might also be part of the process. Ed believes that when they both used their blood to try to revive their mother it a created a connection between him and Al's body at The Gate due to their souls mixing during the process, which Ed as much as he doesn't want to believe is the reason his body is so short. At their hotel room, Al is worried that his body may be rotting at the gate, and imagines that if he does get it back it might smell too putrid to be around Ed and Winry. As Gluttony is moping over Lust's death, Bradley reveals to Envy that the reason why he won't kill Mustang yet is because he is an important sacrifice regarding The Gate. At the Homunculus hideout, Envy is furious with King Bradley ( Wrath) that he allowed Mustang to leave after he incinerated Lust. After Hawkeye mentions it is easier for her to protect both of them, Mustang points out that it is odd the Homunculus haven't tried to kill them yet after what happened. Mustang is also disappointed in having to share a hospital room with Jean Havoc, as he would prefer his own room with a beautiful nurse. He points out that if she is to remain as his subordinate she needs to focus more on the will to live and be more assertive. At the hospital Roy Mustang criticizes Riza Hawkeye for believing Lust's words during their battle and falling into despair.