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I just want to quietly draw manga Chapter 258
🕑 Added 2025-08-02 20:31:18 +0000 UTCAs September arrived, so did the release day for Fullmetal Alchemist, and the tension was thick in the air. You could feel the anticipation
As September arrived, so did the release day for Fullmetal Alchemist, and the tension was thick in the air. You could feel the anticipation across Echo Shroud as editors waited to see how well it would perform.
Haruki, meanwhile, was completely swamped. Most of his time was spent at his desk, drawing. Online, fans were already speculating about when his two major series, Natsume’s Friends and Initial D, might come to an end. For longtime readers, every new chapter felt bittersweet. The emotional weight of the conclusion was creeping in. At the same time, excitement was building around the debut of Haruki’s latest work, Fullmetal Alchemist, which released alongside the newest Initial D chapter.
Despite the approaching finales, both Natsume’s Friends and Initial D remained sharp and compelling. The art and pacing hadn’t slipped, but the final arcs were clearly unfolding.
Neither series had been running all that long. Natsume’s Friends was approaching its two-year mark, and Initial D had been serialized for about a year and a half. But for readers, it felt like they’d grown up with them. The attachment was real.
Natsume’s Friends had stayed true to itself from beginning to end — gentle, heartfelt, and healing. Its tone never wavered.
Initial D, on the other hand, had hit some bumps.
When Takumi lost to Keiichi, fans panicked. The defeat shook them, and speculation ran wild. Was this how it would end?
But then came the comeback.
After the loss, Takumi’s car was wrecked. His relationship with Natsuki crumbled. But he didn’t spiral; he regrouped.
The next major race, pitting Keiichi against Ryosuke Takahashi, reignited the community.
For the first time, Initial D fans were completely united, cheering for Ryosuke to put Keiichi in his place.
And the race delivered.
Even on his home turf at Akagi Pass, Keiichi couldn’t shake Ryosuke. Both drivers pushed themselves beyond their limits, setting new records in the process.
Ryosuke studied him relentlessly, watching every turn, every hesitation. Then, on a sharp right-hand corner, he found the flaw: Keiichi’s instinctive hesitation when taking high-speed right turns.
Ryosuke took his chance and passed Keiichi cleanly.
The moment hit like a bolt of lightning. Fans who had hated Keiichi’s arrogance—especially after he’d dismissed Takumi so smugly—felt completely vindicated.
Ryosuke had done his homework. Even though Takumi’s earlier race data came from a battered AE86 barely holding together, it had pushed Keiichi enough to expose his weak spot.
Ryosuke didn’t win by brute force. He won with strategy, precision, and patience.
Later, Takumi went back to school without saying a word to Natsuki. He’d already seen her getting into a fancy car with her new boyfriend—the Benz-driving upperclassman. There was nothing left to say.
When she tried to greet him, he just walked past.
“Sorry,” he said flatly. “I’m not interested in talking to you. Go hang out with your new guy.”
Blunt. Cold. Unapologetic.
Fans loved it.
Haruki rarely messed with the core arcs of original works, but this subplot had always bothered him. In the original, Takumi and Natsuki’s relationship dragged on in unresolved limbo. He wasn’t having that.
He had already mapped out the changes he wanted—no more ambiguity, no half-hearted drama. He was done with the slow-burn distraction.
A real racer doesn’t need that kind of baggage.
Still, what had fans buzzing most was the mysterious new engine for Takumi’s 86.
No one knew exactly what was coming, but the hints from his father pointed to something outrageous—something game-changing.
And even if the chapter ended on a classic Haruki-style cliffhanger, fans were used to it by now.
After finishing his usual dose of Initial D, Isamu turned the page and spotted Haruki’s new work, which was placed neatly right after the Initial D chapter.
The title read Fullmetal Alchemist.
The first panel opened with a sharp scene: a rogue alchemist launching an attack on Central City. The military moved quickly. Orders came down to Colonel Roy Mustang, who was tasked with capturing the attacker and bringing along the Fullmetal Alchemist.
As Isamu read the name Roy Mustang, he thought, What a cool name.
The scene transitioned fast. Ed and Al were on the move, tracking the rogue through the city. Snow and ice scattered through the alley as they cornered their target, the Ice Alchemist.
A fierce battle unfolded.
At one point, the Ice Alchemist aimed a freezing attack at Edward’s arm. The attack didn’t affect his hand at all, but his sleeve suddenly tore open. Isamu’s eyes widened as he saw it: a metal hand. His arm was made of steel?
The brothers managed to subdue the Ice Alchemist and handed him over to the military. But on the way back, he escaped, leaving more questions behind.
Later, Ed and Al sat in Colonel Mustang’s office. Mustang briefed them: the rogue’s name was Isaac. Isaac the Freezing Alchemist. A former State Alchemist.
As the discussion continued, another officer entered, Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes. He strode in cheerfully, then immediately reached out and shook Alphonse’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, the youngest State Alchemist, right?”
Alphonse corrected him, pointing to Edward. “I’m just the younger brother. He’s the State Alchemist.”
Without missing a beat, Hughes smiled, reached into his coat, and pulled out a photo. “You guys haven’t found a place to stay yet, have you? Why not come over to my house tonight? This is my wife, Gracia, and my daughter, Elicia.”
He held the picture proudly, his usual goofy smile in full effect.
When they arrived at Hughes' house, Gracia welcomed them warmly, and Elicia ran over to greet them with bright eyes and boundless energy. The entire exchange was warm, wholesome, even a little too perfect.
Isamu narrowed his eyes. Wait... I’ve seen this before. Mizushiro, I know what you’re doing.
His gut told him something wasn’t right. You’re setting up a happy family just to tear them down later, aren’t you? Don’t think I’ll fall for it.
But even as he tried to steel himself, he wasn’t sure. This is an action manga, right? Would Mizushiro really pull one of his classic gut-punch moves this early?
At dinner, things were quiet and warm. Later that night, the brothers were getting ready for bed. Alphonse looked up at the ceiling and murmured, “It’d be nice to get our bodies back to normal soon, wouldn’t it?”
Isamu paused, his brain piecing it together.
So Edward’s missing his right arm… and Al can’t get out of that armor... they’re trying to get their bodies back?
Okay... okay. I think I’m starting to get the premise now.
Elsewhere, Isaac had reached a prison cell deep within the military facility. He stood in front of the bars, speaking to someone inside.
“Come join me,” Isaac urged. “Help me bring down this corrupt military.”
A voice responded from the shadows, dry and mocking.
“Me, the Crimson Alchemist, teaming up with you, the Ice Alchemist? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard in a while.”
Isaac narrowed his eyes. “You’ve seen what happened in Ishval, haven’t you? You know what President Bradley ordered. You killed those officers yourself, didn’t you?”
Kimblee stepped forward, smirking behind the bars. “Don’t mistake me for someone with lofty ideals. I didn’t do it for justice... I did it because I felt like it.”
Isaac said nothing more. He turned and left the prison.
Isamu immediately turned the next page—there was no new page after that.
It was Dream World by Arir.
Most fans were already complaining. Why are you starting a new manga? Why can’t you just continue what you were doing? But after reading it, Isamu thought: It does have potential to be a great action manga... but it’s too soon to tell. I have to read ten chapters before making a judgment. And if the story don’t match the quality of Initial D... I’ll have to complain online like everybody else.
Comments
Sondre - Asumodeus
man I can't wait to see the gut punches like Hughes and Nina. The fans are gonna riot like no tomorrow. Great chapter
benhurt rivera
Thanks
Hersh Jobanputra
Great chapter!
Hersh Jobanputra
First one here!
