[Chat Group]
Senju Tobirama: "Matou Zouken is similar to Orochimaru? Is he some kind of great scientist?"
Lucas: "No, not in that way. Their similarity lies in their methods of achieving immortality."
Senju Tobirama: "So, Matou Zouken also transformed his body?"
Lucas: "Exactly! Orochimaru turned himself into the White Snake Sage, while Matou Zouken transformed into a parasitic worm-like entity. Their souls reside within these forms, allowing them to transfer between bodies to extend their lives."
Howard Stark: "No way! Two completely different worlds, yet their methods of immortality are so alike?"
Senju Tobirama: "Achieving immortality through body modification isn't a new concept, but few have the ability to execute it. Even fewer can continuously switch bodies as they do. The requirements on one's body and soul are extreme."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "How long has Matou Zouken lived, exactly?"
Lucas: "He was involved in the creation of the Holy Grail."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Wait… you mean he's over 500 years old?! Just how many bodies has he replaced?"
Senju Tobirama: "His immortality technique should have flaws, just like Orochimaru's, right?"
Lucas: "Of course! Since their methods are similar, so are their weaknesses. Matou Zouken's soul has weakened after 500 years, causing his memory to blur and fade."
Uchiha Shisui: "Wait, can he even remember who he is or what he's done?"
Lucas: "Don't underestimate him. He can recover his memories—it just takes time."
Doflamingo: "Fufufufu~ If that's all, it doesn't seem like much of a drawback. With endless life, isn't time on his side?"
Lucas: "Naive. Soul damage affects the body. Because his soul is so weak, his physical lifespan shortens drastically. Even in a child's body, he can only live for a few months before needing another."
Golden Lion Shiki: "Shihahaha! That's pitiful! Imagine replacing your body every few months and spending that time recovering lost memories. Immortality or not, it's a miserable existence!"
Lucas: "Exactly. His only remaining hope was the Holy Grail. But that's over for him now."
[Real World – Matou Residence]
The Six Red Yang Formation enveloped the Matou estate, sealing it entirely. Without a word, Lucas activated his Wood Style. Thick roots erupted from the ground, tearing through the mansion with raw, destructive force.
Suddenly, a swarm of insects emerged from the cracked earth—Matou Zouken's true body hiding among them.
"Fire Style – Great Fire Annihilation!"
A sea of flames surged from Lucas's mouth, igniting the shattered remains of the house and reducing the swarm to cinders. The blazing inferno consumed everything in its path.
A piercing, inhuman scream echoed through the flames. Matou Zouken, writhing and pleading for mercy, was lost in the inferno's fury.
But Lucas was unmoved. He raised his hand slightly. With a sharp crack, a magical engraving shot out from the blaze and landed in his palm.
[Chat Group]
Kariya Matou: "Group Leader, interested in this magic engraving?"
Lucas: "Nope. Just curious about its structure. If it were magecraft, I'd be intrigued. But magic? Meh. Too weak, and the conditions for casting are annoyingly specific."
Senju Tobirama: "Speaking of which, Tohsaka Tokiomi, your family has a magic crest too, right? The Matou family's is worm-based. What about yours?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Jewel Magecraft."
Senju Hashirama: "Jewel Magecraft? You mean… you need jewel to use it?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Exactly."
Senju Hashirama: "...What a ridiculously expensive magic system!"
Lucas: "So war is money, huh? But seriously, using precious jewels for such little power? Guess it proves the Tohsaka family's loaded. No one else could afford that magic without owning a mine."
[Real World – Tohsaka Residence]
Having burned the Matou estate to the ground, Lucas returned to the Tohsaka residence. He was greeted immediately by Tohsaka Aoi, who was waiting for him with her daughters.
"You're back!" Aoi's face brightened with relief. She gently pushed Sakura forward and pleaded, "Sakura has suffered terribly under the Matou family. Please… help her."
Lucas's gaze shifted to the two girls—Sakura, whose expression was timid and wounded, and Rin, her eyes filled with curiosity and caution. Two sisters, two completely opposite personalities.
Lucas gave Sakura a warm smile. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."
He raised his palm, and pure, radiant specks of Six Paths Yang Power floated gently onto her.
The unhealthy pallor on Sakura's face faded, replaced by a soft, healthy flush. She closed her eyes, her face tilting up instinctively, as if basking in a comforting warmth she hadn't felt in years.
"Sugoi!" Rin's voice suddenly rang out in excitement. "What kind of magic is that?"
Lucas chuckled. "It's not magic. It's Six Paths power."
Rin puffed her cheeks in disbelief. "Yeah, right! If you're going to lie, at least pick something believable! What the heck is 'Six Paths' power? Never heard of it!"
Lucas smirked, his tone playful. "Believe what you want. Not my problem if you don't."
Rin froze, flustered by his casual dismissal. The sharp retort she had prepared vanished from her lips.
Lucas straightened up. "She's healed. I'll take my leave now."
He paused briefly at the doorway and glanced back. "Oh, and a friendly tip—don't get involved in the Holy Grail War. It's not worth it."
Tohsaka Rin crossed her arms, a look of disbelief on her face. "The Holy Grail War? Are you kidding me? It only happens once every sixty years. You should know that if you know anything about it."
Tohsaka Aoi nodded in agreement. "The last Holy Grail War ended less than a year ago. The next one shouldn't happen for decades."
Lucas shook his head. "Wrong. There was an accident during the last Holy Grail War. The Grail's magic power wasn't fully consumed—only about one-sixth was used up. Do you understand what that means?"
Tohsaka Rin's eyes widened. "Impossible! The Holy Grail's power is always depleted after every war. That's how it's always been. Why would it be different this time?"
Lucas chuckled. "Because of that so-called 'accident.' Don't you remember the great fire in Fuyuki City after the last war? That fire was caused by the Holy Grail."
Aoi's expression darkened, her voice tense. "If only one-sixth of the Holy Grail's power was consumed… it would take just ten years for it to recharge. Once that happens, the next Holy Grail War will begin."
Lucas snapped his fingers with a grin. "Exactly. And when it does, I'll be there to claim the Holy Grail. But here's my advice—stay out of it."
With those parting words, Lucas turned and left the Tohsaka residence.
[Chat Group]
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Group Leader, is what you said true?"
Lucas: "Do I have any reason to lie?"
Kariya Matou:"An accident during the last Holy Grail War? What exactly happened?"
Lucas: "Emiya Kiritsugu won the last Holy Grail War. But when he obtained the Holy Grail and made his wish—world peace—he discovered the Grail had been tainted. And guess how the Holy Grail chose to fulfill that wish?"
Doflamingo: "Fufufufu~ A corrupted Grail granting a wish for world peace? Let me guess. The easiest way to achieve peace is through total annihilation. If the world is destroyed, there'll be no more wars, right?"
Lucas: "Bingo! That's exactly how the Holy Grail interpreted it. The path to world peace, through total destruction."
Whitebeard: "Can the Holy Grail really destroy the entire world?"
Lucas: "No. But it tried its hardest!"
All: "…"
Golden Lion Shiki: "Shihahaha! Now I'm curious—how exactly did it 'try its hardest'?"
Lucas: "It started a massive fire, aiming to burn down the world—starting with Fuyuki City. Emiya Kiritsugu, realizing how the Grail intended to fulfill his wish, ordered his Servant to destroy it."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "He destroyed the Holy Grail?!"
Kariya Matou: "Tch. Why are you so excited?"
Irisviel: "Given the circumstances, wasn't destroying the Grail the right choice?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "No, I'm just surprised. Can something like the Holy Grail even be destroyed?"
Lucas: "If it can be created, it can be destroyed. Of course, the 'destruction' you're imagining didn't actually happen. King Arthur's Noble Phantasm only returned the Grail to its original state. The vessel itself still exists, and that's why another Holy Grail War is on the horizon."
Irisviel: "Group Leader… can I ask you for a favor? Can you check on Emiya? I… want to know how he's doing."
Lucas: "That's rare. He abandoned you, and you're still thinking about him?"
Howard Stark: "Whoa~ Smells like drama! Group Leader, spill the story. You've piqued my interest!"
Lucas: "It's simple. Emiya sacrificed Irisviel to obtain the Holy Grail. That's the short version. Of course, I'm sure Irisviel has her own perspective."
Irisviel: "Kiritsugu is… a gentle person. His only wish was to save the world and make everyone happy. I was born to become the Holy Grail's vessel, and I accepted that fate. He did nothing wrong."
Lucas: "In a way, you're right. Sacrificing his wife for world peace… I suppose that's 'noble.' But I can't understand it. Maybe because I don't have such a grand vision, I also can't understand how you can justify it."
Whitebeard: "I'd never sacrifice my family for the world. But… I suppose someone like Senju Hashirama would."
Golden Lion Shiki: "Shihahaha! That's the difference between worlds. In the Pirate World, we fight for ourselves and our crews. In the Ninja World, sacrifice for the 'greater good' is common. Emiya would fit right in over there."
Gengetsu Hōzuki: "Uchiha Itachi, anyone?"
Senju Tobirama: "No. Itachi wouldn't qualify. If the Ninja World demanded his brother's life for peace, he wouldn't do it."
Lucas: "Brocon logic. It's real and undefeatable. Hashirama's no different. He might sacrifice himself for Konoha, but if it came down to giving you up for the village, Tobirama, he wouldn't."
Senju Hashirama: "…"
Lucas: "Don't believe me? Let's talk about history. Before Konoha was founded, Uchiha Madara gave Hashirama a choice—kill Tobirama, and the Uchiha would join hands to build the village. What happened?"
Howard Stark: "Pfft. No way he did it!"
Lucas: "Of course not. It proved one thing: Tobirama meant more to him than his dream of Konoha. And as for Madara, why did he even want Tobirama dead? Because Tobirama killed his younger brother."
Uchiha Madara: "…"
Lucas: "Peace? Family? You two talk about peace endlessly, but when it came down to it, your younger brothers were the lines you wouldn't cross. Can't say I blame you."
Howard Stark: "Moral of the story—never mess with a Brocon. Also, Irisviel, take notes. You probably rank pretty low on your husband's priority list compared to his ideals."
Irisviel: "You're wrong. My situation was different. Emiya couldn't have saved me, no matter what he did. My death was inevitable. Even then, he tried his best to save me."
Howard Stark: "You sure do defend him a lot. Now I really want to meet this Emiya Kiritsugu. What kind of charm does he have to make you so loyal?"
Lucas: "Emiya is… special. His charm isn't about words or romance—it's his belief, his determination. Women in his world often find that irresistible. He has a life story that makes people want to believe in him. Honestly, it's hard for anyone to remain unmoved once they truly understand him."
Irisviel: "That's true! He has that rare quality… a dream so pure, it draws you in."
Howard Stark: "Group Leader, if he's that impressive, maybe I should learn a thing or two from him."
Lucas: "Wouldn't work. His charisma is tailored to his world. In yours, Howard, you'd just come off as a delusional fool."
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