Fuyuki City, Tohsaka Residence.
In a wheelchair sat Tohsaka Aoi—her eyes dull, her expression lifeless. She was little more than a shell of her former self, her state proving beyond doubt that Lucas hadn't lied.
In the chat group:
Kariya Matou: "Group Leader, please—hurry and cure Aoi!"
Her broken state filled Kariya with unbearable guilt and self-blame. His heart screamed for Lucas to act.
Lucas: "Relax. Healing her won't be difficult for me."
Raising his palm, Lucas unleashed twin energies—one black, one white—swirling and intertwining in his hand.
This was the combined power of the Six Paths—the Yin and Yang chakra, wielding both creation and restoration.
The luminous energies enveloped Tohsaka Aoi's body, the black light mending her shattered mind, while the white light repaired her broken body.
Her wounds—both physical and mental—began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Golden Lion Shiki: "Tch… Why is everyone in this world so fragile? I haven't even sensed anyone remotely powerful here."
Pirate King Roger: laughs heartily "Hahaha! That's because your Observation Haki is too dull, Shiki! I already found someone strong."
Golden Lion Shiki: scoffs "Pfft! Don't try to fool me. You're probably using that 'Conqueror Territory' trick of yours. Otherwise, there's no way you'd see farther than me!"
Senju Tobirama: "Group Leader, what's the deal with this world anyway? We know nothing about it."
Lucas: "Alright, listen up.
This world... was once a land of gods and great magicians. But as time passed, the gods vanished, and the mighty magicians... degenerated into mere magecraft practitioners."
Senju Hashirama: scratching his head "Eh? What's the difference between 'magic' and 'magecraft'?"
Lucas: "I figured you'd ask! I'll explain it using... 'ninja world terms'—so you'll actually understand it."
Uchiha Shisui: curious "Ninja world terms?"
Lucas: "Exactly! Imagine this—
A thousand years from now, ninjas vanish from history.
Ordinary people stop believing that chakra ever existed. The number of people who can use chakra dwindles...
Until one day—people can't use ninjutsu at all. Instead, they rely on tools to perform 'pseudo-ninjutsu' using something called a 'Ninjutsu' tool."
Senju Hashirama: "Ohhhh! I get it now!"
Senju Tobirama: facepalming "Brother! You got it way too fast—it's suspicious. Let the Group Leader finish before embarrassing us!"
Lucas: chuckles "Ahem. Moving on—
In this world, three powerful 'magus' discovered a natural source of energy beneath Fuyuki City.
Using that energy, they forged a legendary tool—a 'Holy Grail.'
Every sixty years, the Grail fills with power—claiming to be able to grant any wish."
Uchiha Madara: scoffs "Any wish? What nonsense. That's gotta be a scam."
Lucas: "Obviously! No tool can grant all wishes. That's pure fantasy.
But... the Holy Grail is powerful. It can fulfill some desires—within limits."
Howard Stark: "So... let me guess—
When the Holy Grail appears... it sparks a war—with everyone fighting to claim it, right?"
Lucas: "Bingo! But not just anyone can fight for it.
Only seven magus—each chosen and granted the title of Master—are qualified to compete for the Grail."
Howard Stark: "I've got a question—
These 'magus'... are they strong?"
Lucas: "Nope. Magus are mostly... frail nerds."
Howard Stark: "...Seriously?"
Lucas: "Seriously.
But they're not the fighters—their real power is... who they can summon."
Uchiha Shisui: "Summon...? You mean like Edo Tensei?"
Lucas: "Sort of.
Each Group Leader is granted three Command Spells—these are seals that let them summon and control a 'Heroic Spirit.'
In the Holy Grail War, Heroic Spirits are the real powerhouses—the legends from history brought back to fight."
Uchiha Shisui: "Heroic Spirits... so... basically... legendary figures from history?"
Lucas: "Exactly!"
Howard Stark: "Hold on—'Heroic Spirits.' So... they're all good guys, right?"
Lucas: chuckles "Oh, Howard... not even close.
'Heroic Spirit' status is earned by fame—not by character.
A 'Heroic Spirit' could be a hero... or a villain.
Strength is determined by two things:
Their power when they were alive.
How famous they became after death."
Senju Hashirama: "Wait a sec... If I remember correctly...
One of our newcomers is a Heroic Spirit, right?
Yo, @Lancelot—are you one?"
Lancelot: reluctantly "...Yes."
Despite his earlier objections, Lancelot no longer showed hostility towards Lucas. The truth was... resisting was pointless.
Senju Tobirama: "Lucas—how strong are Heroic Spirits... compared to, say... us?"
Lucas: "Heroic Spirits vary a lot in power.
But the top-tier Heroic Spirits? They're on par with a Marine Admiral.
The one Roger sensed earlier... was a top-tier Heroic Spirit."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Wait... wait a minute!
If the Holy Grail War ended... shouldn't all the Heroic Spirits have vanished by now?"
Lucas: "Technically, yes.
But... your summoned Heroic Spirit—the King of Heroes—stayed behind."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "...What?"
Lucas: "It's not surprising.
The 'King of Heroes' is one of the strongest Heroic Spirits in existence.
And with your dear apprentice, Kotomine Kirei, backing him up...
Sticking around after the war? Child's play."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "…"
His heart sank, a wave of regret washing over him.
Tohsaka Tokiomi: bitterly "You know...
The biggest mistake I ever made...
Was summoning the strongest Heroic Spirit—The King of Heroes."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "He's... powerful, yes... but...
He won't listen to me."
Lucas: sneers "Hah! Obedient?
You wanted the King... and expected him to serve you like a foot soldier?
Seriously—who do you think you are?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: pained "But... if only... if only he'd—"
Lucas: "This mess?
It's your fault.
You summoned the strongest Heroic Spirit—enough to crush the Holy Grail War outright.
But instead of fighting head-on—
You wasted time... playing politics."
Lucas: "If you had just...
Put him on the battlefield, and fought straight through with his power—
With Kotomine Kirei's Assassin Hassan-i-Sabbah backing you—
You would've won the Holy Grail War."
Golden Lion Shiki: mocking laughter "Nani?! Tokiomi!
You had the best hand... and still lost?!
What a waste!
Good cards... terrible player."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "No! The reason I acted that way was to secure a better victory! I knew the strength of the King of Heroes, but I wanted to use my own strategies to increase my chances of winning."
Lucas: "And that—your so-called 'strategy'—is exactly why you failed.
You only calculated profit and loss—never considered the hearts of those around you.
That... was the true cause of your downfall and death."
Lucas: "The King of Heroes—Gilgamesh—is arrogant, proud, and unruly.
You treated him like a courtier, but then tried to control him with your authority as Master.
To him, you weren't a Master—you were a usurper. That's why he came to view you... with murderous intent."
Lucas: "And your disciple—Kotomine Kirei?
You treated him... the same way.
You never saw him as a person—only a tool.
You assumed your disciple and Servant were incapable of betrayal—mere extensions of your will.
But in the end... they killed you.
Because you... never saw their hearts."
Kariya Matou: "Well said!
Tokiomi... you never care about anyone's feelings.
You act just like the King of Heroes—arrogant and self-centered.
The only difference? He has the power to back it up.
You... don't."
Lucas: "Exactly!
You act like a King... without the power of a King.
So, tell me...
Who else but you... deserves to die?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "…" Speechless.
Whitebeard: "Gurararara! This old man understands now.
You didn't die wrongfully, Tokiomi.
When a captain makes a decision—no one questions it.
If a crewmate dares to defy the captain—or worse, tries to control him—
Even I would be forced to... deal with him."
Golden Lion Shiki: scoffs "Deal with him? Bah!
You're too soft, Whitebeard. I'd kill him on the spot.
From where I stand... the King of Heroes did exactly the right thing.
After all—he was just a summoned Heroic Spirit.
No loyalty. No bond.
So why wouldn't he kill the fool trying to leash him?"
Senju Tobirama: coldly "True.
Even if they're 'family'... if they betray you, there can be... no mercy."
Golden Lion Shiki: suddenly amused "Hey, hey—
If a Holy Grail appeared in our Pirate World...
I'd definitely become a Heroic Spirit, right?"
Lucas: chuckles "Not necessarily."
Golden Lion Shiki: "Nani? What do you mean not necessarily?"
Lucas: "You are one of the three legendary pirates...
But back then—Rocks was more famous than you.
If history forgets you—
You'll never become... a Heroic Spirit."
Pirate King Roger: laughs heartily "Hahaha!
Shiki, you fool—If there were Heroic Spirits in our world—I'd definitely become one. And if you became a Heroic Spirit too... You'd still be weaker than me!
Because our fame gap... is too wide."
Fisher Tiger: grumbles "Tch... what a joke.
You're all bragging about... being 'heroic spirits'—
What's so great about being a dead man with a famous name?
Some of the most vile people in history are remembered.
Do they deserve the title 'Heroic Spirit'...
Just because they're famous?"
Outside World:
Under Lucas's healing touch, Aoi Tohsaka's body mended swiftly.
Her pale skin regained a healthy glow—
Her lifeless eyes flickered with awareness—
And... she opened them.
Tohsaka Aoi: confused, weakly "...Who... are you?"
Lucas: calmly "My name... is Lucas. I healed you... at the request of Kariya Matou."
Tohsaka Aoi's expression... darkened instantly.
Tohsaka Aoi: coldly "...Kariya...? I remember him... He... killed my husband. Then... make me the way I was before. Where is he... now?"
Lucas: shakes his head "...Madam, you're... wrong.
It wasn't Kariya.
Your husband... was killed by—
Kotomine Kirei... and his Servant—
The King of Heroes."
Tohsaka Aoi: stunned "...What?
That's... impossible!
I... I may have been dazed, but...
I know... Kotomine Kirei was always... helping us."
Lucas: chuckles lightly "Exactly.
He helped you...
Because he killed your husband."
Tohsaka Aoi: bewildered "...What do you mean? I... I don't understand."
Lucas: "Simple—
Kotomine Kirei is... A twisted man.
Unlike normal people...
He finds joy... in...
Misery."
Tohsaka Aoi: horrified "...Joy...? In... misery?"
Lucas: nodding "Yes.
He has... what you might call... a 'flawed heart.'
Where others find beauty... he finds disgust.
And where others see ugliness... he finds...
Pleasure."
Tohsaka Aoi: shocked "That's... insane..."
Lucas: "Oh, it is. But the world is full of people with broken hearts...
Who hide behind a mask of normality."
Tohsaka Aoi: frowning "But...
Why would he... kill Tokiomi?
What did he... gain?"
Lucas: grimly "Because...
For him—
Tokiomi's death... was...
Pleasure."
Lucas: "You see—
Tokiomi's neglect... made him hate your husband.
The King of Heroes' taunts... pushed him to... act.
And the final prize...?
The pleasure... of...
Having you."
Tohsaka Aoi: voice trembling "...Having me?"
Lucas: "Kirei...
Finds joy... in...
Opposites.
So... Killing your husband...?
Was one joy—
But...
Earning your gratitude...
After killing him...?
That was his true…Euphoria."
Tohsaka Aoi: disgusted, shaking "That... That's...Sick!"
Lucas: "Is it? Didn't I say...
His heart... Is twisted."
Tohsaka Aoi: pained "Even... Even knowing..It's still so unbearable."
In the Chat Group:
The members from the Fate/Zero World—Tohsaka Tokiomi, Kariya Matou, Lancelot—
Felt a chill deep in their bones.
But—
Whitebeard: "Gurarara! What's with the fuss? This is NORMAL."
Golden Thief Woonan: "Hah! This... is what you call... A 'psychopath?'"
Golden Lion Shiki: laughs coldly "You lot have clearly never met a real monster."
Senju Tobirama: "Exactly...we've fought plenty of monsters and let me tell you a twisted heart is just another enemy."
Whitebeard: "So what if he's a freak? people like him aren't rare and in the end they all fall."
Fisher Tiger: "Yeah. The world is full of broken souls."
Whitebeard: "But no fuss because in the end they all get crushed."
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