Chapter 141: National Transmutation Array (Part 3)

Pride, the first homunculus created by the Dwarf in the Flask, and the leader of the seven homunculi, embodies the main personality of the Dwarf. Pride is also the most formidable among the homunculi because his true form is a shadow, akin to the black tendrils from the Gate of Truth. However, unlike the Gate, the Dwarf in the Flask cannot fully replicate it. If he could, he wouldn't need to create the National Transmutation Array.

Even the Fuhrer might not win against Pride if fully prepared. Facing such an opponent, the victory for the characters in Fullmetal Alchemist would come at a high cost.

For Daniel, however, Pride wasn't a significant threat. In this world, the surgical fruit's abilities were almost unbeatable, with the exception of the Dwarf in the Flask. Hohenheim might carry vast amounts of Philosopher's Stones and be a walking Philosopher's Stone himself, but he couldn't utilize it effectively, unlike the Dwarf, who had both knowledge and power.

Daniel was eager to test the surgical fruit's effectiveness against the Dwarf but decided to avoid confrontation for now to witness the National Transmutation Array's true form.

"Time to act," Daniel muttered, seeing Lieutenant Breda leading a team to evacuate the Fuhrer's wife. Daniel headed toward the Fuhrer's mansion.

Who is the strongest human in Fullmetal Alchemist? Not Edward Elric, not Mustang, not Hawkeye, not even Izumi Curtis. The strongest human is the Fuhrer's wife, who once slapped the Fuhrer and not only survived but also became his spouse.

In Central, with the Fuhrer away, his wife became a critical asset. Mustang planned to use her as a hostage to divert Central's military attention.

The homunculi had a significant advantage in Central. If they utilized it correctly, they wouldn't even need to act themselves; they could just manipulate Central's military to eliminate Mustang and his allies.

"Who goes there?" As Daniel stepped into the Fuhrer's mansion, the black-clad bodyguards noticed the intruder and surrounded him with weapons drawn.

"Mustang really has me playing the villain," Daniel sighed. He punched the ground, creating a massive pit beneath the guards, causing them to fall in.

"A punch to break the ground; such power," Daniel mused, admiring the large pit about five meters wide. He clenched his right fist, feeling the surge of power.

Of course, this was a fantasy. While his strength was considerable, creating such a geometrically perfect pit was unrealistic. The transmutation array on his wrist enabled this feat: earth on his right wrist and ice on his left. Fire wasn't suitable here.

With a transmutation array, he could perform alchemy without expending physical strength, explaining why state alchemists were considered living weapons.

If someone were clad in vibranium armor, they'd be nearly invincible.

Boom, boom, boom.

As Daniel advanced, the mansion echoed with explosions and gunfire, part of Mustang's plan to create chaos and the appearance of a coup attempt.

This was Central, where most of the military was loyal to the Fuhrer. The attack on the mansion and the disappearance of the Fuhrer's wife, along with Mustang's prior preparations, were enough to split the Central forces. They held a trump card: the Fuhrer's wife.

The homunculi had summoned Major General Armstrong to Central without restricting her, presenting a golden opportunity for Mustang and his team.

"Hmm." As Daniel continued his rampage through the mansion, Pride sensed the disturbance from deep underground and swiftly moved as a shadow towards the Fuhrer's mansion.

Homunculi claimed to lack human emotions, but they did exhibit some. Both Pride and Wrath, despite their disdain for most humans, had an exception: the Fuhrer's wife. In Fullmetal Alchemist, if Hohenheim was the primary reason for the humans' victory, the Fuhrer's wife was the second, followed by Scar's brother.

Pride's concern for the Fuhrer's wife led to his slip-up in front of Hawkeye, revealing his identity. Without this, Mustang would have likely mistaken Pride for an ordinary human and captured him alongside the Fuhrer's wife, leading to disastrous consequences.

"Pride, room." After dealing with the last bodyguard, Daniel saw the black shadows coalesce into a childlike figure and immediately activated his powers.

With his wand in one hand and a military knife in the other, Daniel was ready. He had no time for pleasantries. Against homunculi, even the most persuasive could only prevail through strength.

"Yo—" Pride began but was cut off as Daniel moved. With a swift slash, Pride was sliced into dozens of pieces. To avoid any surprises, Daniel used his full power.

"What are you?" Pride's severed head asked, his eyes wide with shock at his fragmented body.

In Fullmetal Alchemist, the surgical fruit's abilities were unrivaled.

This power, however, would not be as effective in worlds with stronger entities. The seemingly instant, unavoidable attacks could be evaded with sufficient speed and perception.

"Human?" Daniel replied, capturing Pride. He quickly drew transmutation arrays on the mansion's walls. To cause more chaos, he decided to demolish the Fuhrer's mansion completely.

Boom.

With the activation of the transmutation arrays, the grand mansion crumbled into ruins.

"No treasure, of course. Homunculi have no use for gold or art," Daniel muttered, surveying the wreckage.

"Only Wrath remains. I should catch up." Daniel flew off on his broomstick, leaving the gathering Central troops behind.

The attack on the mansion couldn't go unnoticed by Central's military. Similar operations were underway around the city to scatter the Central forces.

"Now the propaganda begins," Daniel noted, hearing Lieutenant Breda's voice over the radio, accusing some Central generals of rebellion during the Fuhrer's border inspection and mentioning the explosion of the Fuhrer's train. The broadcast included the Fuhrer's wife's tearful voice.

"Northeast, the Fuhrer, huh? What approach should I take?" Contemplating, Daniel headed to Central's northeast to intercept the Fuhrer. The train explosion might injure but not kill him, given his abilities.

"Grumman, the old fox, still jockeying for power." The plan wasn't initially like this. The train explosion was crude and might not ensure the Fuhrer's death. The original plan was to ambush the Fuhrer during his border inspection with combined Eastern and Northern forces. Surrounded by heavy troops, even the Fuhrer couldn't escape unscathed.

However, the premature explosion shifted blame onto Mustang and Major General Armstrong, positioning Grumman as the highest-ranking officer left. With Eastern forces, he would undoubtedly become the next Fuhrer, with Armstrong as his only serious competitor.

Mustang, with his current rank, experience, and influence, would have to wait for Grumman's retirement, assuming Armstrong didn't take the position first.

In Fullmetal Alchemist, the Fuhrer's position was for life, barring extraordinary circumstances. Military and political power were unified, and Grumman's age meant his term wouldn't be long, unlike the younger Armstrong.

Grumman's power play didn't make him a villain. If he were, he wouldn't collaborate with Mustang. Regardless, Grumman stood with humanity.

"Here he comes," Daniel noted, seeing the Fuhrer running at high speed, bloodied but alive. "Must have run all the way."

In the original story, killing the Fuhrer cost countless lives. Even wounded, the Fuhrer was a formidable opponent, nearly defeating Scar, who only managed to win due to a momentary distraction.

"Step aside," the Fuhrer commanded, drawing his sword and charging at Daniel. The homunculi's loyalty to the Dwarf in the Flask was unwavering, driving the Fuhrer to return to Central at any cost, except for the renegade Greed.

Daniel met the Fuhrer's charge, their swords clashing in a flurry of sparks and rapid strikes.

"Who are you?" the Fuhrer demanded, stepping back with a wound on his shoulder. He removed his eyepatch, revealing the Ultimate Eye.

"Just a human. You homunculi think so little of us, yet what are you? Just creations of humans. Your 'Father' too, is nothing more," Daniel retorted, launching another attack.

Their duel was a test of speed and reflexes. This world had some martial arts, but they paled compared to those in Marvel. Yao Lin's guard, Fu, was a skilled fighter but still fell quickly to the Fuhrer.

Clang.

Their swords clashed again, and the Fuhrer's blade shattered. Taking the opportunity, Daniel kicked the Fuhrer, sending him sprawling. Even with the Ultimate Eye, the Fuhrer couldn't match Daniel in close combat.

Lying wounded, the Fuhrer looked up at Daniel in shock.

"Yes, I'm a human. One-on-one, how does it feel to lose to a human? Not just you; your 'Father' will lose too. While you've been plotting, we humans have been preparing to take you down. The time is ripe for both of us, and we will emerge victorious."

"How amusing," the Fuhrer laughed, despite his injuries.

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