Chapter 31: The Snake That Eats Its Own Tail

Roy Mustang and Vato Falman answer Riza's summons over her capture of Number 66. Because the prisoner claims to be the soul of Barry the Chopper sealed in armor, the team grills him on the specifics of Barry's killings, and once satisfied of his identity they strike a bargain to learn how condemned criminals had their souls extracted and bound into suits of armor. They ask about the murder of Maes Hughes, but 66 knows nothing of it. Leaving Falman on watch, Riza and Mustang return to headquarters to dig further.

Far below the presidential residence at Central Command, Bradley brings the shackled Greed before Lust, Envy, and Gluttony, with a fifth sibling, Sloth, named but kept away at work. As the homunculi trade barbs, it comes out that the President is in fact the homunculus Wrath. Father silences the squabbling and demands to know why Greed betrayed him. Greed answers that it is simply his nature and refuses to return, so Father breaks him down into his base essence and drinks the resulting liquid soul.

Back in the presidential suites, Mrs. Bradley suggests her husband consider retirement, and he replies that he cannot step down just yet. Their young son Selim asks for a story from the President's recent trip south, specifically one about Edward Elric.

Greed refers to Lust as the Ultimate Spear, while Lust calls Greed the Ultimate Shield. Most significantly, the chapter reveals that President Bradley is the homunculus Wrath.