Episode 38 (2003 Anime)

With the River's Flow
Japan airdate	2004 July 3
USA airdate	2005 December 3
Series Information
Series	Fullmetal Alchemist (2003 anime)
◄ Previous	The Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant, and the Mystery of Warehouse 13
Next ►	Secret of Ishbal

With the River's Flow is the 38th episode of the Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 anime series.

Synopsis

While travelling to Ishval, an argument causes the Elric brothers to go their own separate ways. Meanwhile, Sheska and Winry discover the disturbing truth about the Führer's secretary.

Full Synopsis

While visiting the grave of Maes Hughes, Winry encounters Sheska. Meanwhile, after the tractor they were using has broken down and then explodes, the Elric brothers must continue their journey on foot to Ishval. Edward, whose hair is messed up from the explosion, complains there is no other way to get there besides walking in the heat. Arriving at a nearby town, he hopes to find a replacement vehicle so they can continue their journey to Ishval. However, Alphonse starts an argument about his brother's impulsive nature and inability to thoroughly plan ahead, as well as their mission to stop Scar. Al is worried that if they stop Scar, it could affect their mission to get their bodies back. When Al states it is better to deal with the homunculi first, it results in a fight between him and Ed, using transmuted objects against each other. Seeing Ed as stubborn, Al complains about it and Ed walks off alone.

At a restaurant in Central City, Winry and Sheska take time to get their names right due to meeting each other briefly once before at Elicia's birthday. Sheska reveals she was investigating Hughes' death and discovered some unusual information, but she feels she can tell only Winry about this since Sheska cannot trust anyone in the state military, not even Colonel Mustang. Sheska heads back to her house with Winry, who refuses to read all the books Sheska has. Instead, Sheska summarizes for her that when Hughes was investigating the fifth laboratory and the Ishval Civil War, he was likely killed for uncovering a deep secret that no one was meant to learn. At Ed's location, he has trouble adapting to Al not being there, while Al walks by himself, realizing that a woman is several steps ahead of them. Someone taps on Al's armor from behind, who at first Al believes is Ed, but is actually the snake-chimera Martel.

Back in Central, Sheska reveals that the mystery of Hughes' death has to do with the Führer's secretary, Douglas, the woman who started the war in Ishval. Sheska reveals that Douglas actually died two years before the war with conclusive proof sent from her hometown, her name not being removed from the active duty roster, and that if Douglas was really alive today, her age would be within her 50's instead of her 30's. Sheska believes Douglas is an alien, but Winry shoots the theory down. Sheska admits she can't monitor Douglas' activities due to her position as a records clerk in the military being temporary, and that Douglas is always with the Führer. Winry suggests they tap her phone line instead. Meanwhile, Martel admits to Al that she had been following him and his brother to acquire information about the other homunculi.

At Central Command, once dressed up in one of Sheska's military uniforms, Winry has to hide her face when she sees Lt. Ross and Sgt. Brosh due to having met them before, though Ross notices something. To Sheska's surprise, Winry is able to easily pick the locks to the door, leading them to the underground tunnel where the phone lines are connected. After taking time to set up a connection for their headphones, the two girls wait. Back at Al and Martel's location, Al questions Martel's goal of seeking revenge since it would waste the sacrifice of Greed and the other chimeras who died protecting her. Additionally, Martel points out she has nowhere else to go due to being a chimera. Al leaves, stating he won't allow Martel to do as she pleases, understanding how similar she is to Scar. Elsewhere, as Ed continues his search, he remembers a similar incident between him and Al from the past.

Back at Central Command, Winry and Sheska's phone tap is successful when Envy contacts Douglas (Sloth) to complain about his current mission in the north. Winry recognizes Envy's name from Ed, but Douglas notices the static caused by the wiretap and orders Envy to hang up while she deals with the issue. Winry and Sheska are ready to leave, but Sloth appears in her full water form, forcing the two young girls to flee in terror. Meanwhile, Ross and Brosh are rushing in their direction, with Ross believing that the girl she saw before was Winry. Just before Winry and Sheska reach the exit, Winry trips and Sloth's face appears, making Winry recognize her as the face of Ed and Al's mom. Before Sloth can finish the two girls off, Ross and Brosh arrive, forcing Sloth to retreat and leaving Winry and Sheska dazed, but relieved.

Meanwhile, since Ed recalled that Al was close to a river when he ran away before, Ed is able to find Al. The two brothers instantly settle their differences and Al now agrees that stopping Scar comes first. They don't have to walk to Ishval as Martel arrives on a motorcycle with a sidecar attached. Ed, who doesn't know her, graciously accepts while Al whispers to Martel that he hasn't given up on stopping her. As Martel drives them down the path, the Elrics recall the arguments they had in the past.