A few weeks into his summer job at Mikage Ranch, Hachiken has proven himself a hard worker, even under the skeptical gaze of Aki's father. His first term at Ezo AG has given him a great deal to think about-the future, the fate of Pork Bowl-but open pastures and fresh air provide a different backdrop to his worries than his previous life in the city. Still, when he chose not to go home for summer break, Hachiken hardly expected home to come to him!...

"When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabbled in the powers of alchemy to grant their dearest wish, one of them lost an arm and a leg...and the other became nothing but a soul locked into a body of living iron. Now they are agents of the government, slaves of the military-alchemical complex, using their powers to obey orders...even to kill. But their powers aren't unique. The world crawls with evil alchemists. And in pursuit of the ultimate...

"Trapped and injured in a secret alchemical laboratory, Edward Elric is at the mercy of his enemies, Lust and Envy. But they don't want him dead...they have other plans for him. As the laboratory goes up in flames, the brothers find themselves back at square one, with only an inkling of the massive scale of the Philosopher's Stone conspiracy. But then, Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes uncovers a shocking secret..." -- Back of book.

"With all the pieces now in his possession, the homunculus 'father' executes his master plan as Edward and the others watch in horror. When the dust settles, the entire world has been reshaped. With the help of Hohenheim, the Elric brothers lauch a desperate final attack, but is it all too late...?" -- from publisher's web site.

"Life at Ooezo Agricultural High School is a fight against time. Practice, club activities, dorm work, preparation for the Ooezo Festival...The days are getting shorter and shorter. Fall is the busiest time of the year for everyone, and here, especially, it passes too quickly..."--Provided by publisher.

"By purchasing Pork Bowl, Hachiken takes a step forward in reconciling a farmer's care and concern for livestock that will ultimately be eaten. But Pork Bowl has yielded a whole lot more than a pork bowl's worth- -or even a dozen pork bowls' worth!-- of meat, and all of Ezo Ag is more than happy to help with the surplus! Hachiken may raise a lot of tough questions, but he sure knows how to make a mean batch of bacon..."--Page [4] of cover.

As young boys, Edward & Alphonse Elric dabbled in alchemy to try to resurrect their dead mother. As a result, Ed lost one arm and one leg, while Al lost his entire body and had his spirit sealed into a suit of armor. Now, they are searching for the fabled Philosopher's Stone to restore what they've lost.