Chapter 22: The Masked Man

Synopsis
The chapter looks back into Edward and Alphones Elric's past from when they were children and were under the training of Izumi Curtis. The brothers were placed on Yock island for a month and were forbidden to use alchemy to help them survive. During this time, they were told to figure out the meaning of the phrase "one is all, all is one."

The chapter begins in the curtis' shop back in Dublith, with Izumi and Sig having a conversation. Sig is worried that the kids will not be able to survive, but Izumi argues that there is plenty of food on the island, if one knows how to find it. She also describes how for her training, she was placed on Mount Briggs for a month during the winter. Sig says not to compare herself to regular people. Izumi's last words are as follows:

Izumi Curtis: "It's not like they're going to be torn apart by savage beasts."

At the moment the scene changes to show Ed and Al being attacked by a man in a mask. The two encounter the man many times throughout the chapter, most often fighting him. They are nearly convinced that they can't survive when they can't catch any satysfying food. They are both angry, as Al wonders "what any of it has to do with alchemy."

Ed finally begins to understand what it means when he realizes the flow of energy in the wild. The food chain is the key. He begins to comprehend that life and death are necessary for other lifeforms to live. He explains to Al how not it not only applies to them, but to the entire world. They soon begin hunting again with a new vigor.

After thrity days, Izumi comes back to see the how they were able to hold up. When Izumi asks them if they understood the phrase "one is all, all is one," they reply "all is the world, one is me!" Izumi tells them they passed and the boys are overjoyed. They get in the row boat to go back to main land, and at the last minute, the masked man jumps on. The man is revealed to be Mason, Izumi's hired hand.