Konoha: I, Ninja War Sakura, rely entirely on skills!

Chapter 345 Side Story: The Holy Grail War (7)

"Lancee, kill her."

Only a few streetlights illuminated the beach in the darkness.

This sound made Sakura slightly raise her eyes.

No reply yet?

Is this talking about me?

The people present also had various expressions.

Rider stroked his beard, considering the feasibility of this matter.

"My lord, Berserker has already fought a fierce battle. To challenge him now would be taking advantage of his vulnerability."

"It violates the honor of a knight."

"If you, my lord, desire victory, once Berserker has recovered, I will naturally confront him head-on and present his head to you!"

Before anyone could speak, a man's voice came from a dark corner of a seaside dock where containers were piled up.

Everyone's gaze followed, and a handsome man dressed in leather armor walked out, holding two spears, one long and one short.

My... head?
Sakura tilted her head. She recognized all four characters, but why did they sound so unfamiliar when put together?
"Lcancer's Master!"

At that moment, Iskandar, as a Rider, suddenly spoke loudly.

This made Saber turn her head slightly to look at her.

"The Berserker's magic is still at its peak!"

Do you know what mythical heroes represent?

"What do the gods represent?"

"The strength of a god must never be judged by the amount of magic power consumed!"

"If you still want to obtain the Holy Grail, you should..."

Iskandar's goal was clear: now that Archer, the oldest king, had been lost, the remaining Servants must not easily engage in battles with each other.

The chances of defeating Berserker were already extremely slim. If they kept feeding Berserker kills, then there would be no point in fighting the Holy Grail War at all.

Everyone, just wash your necks and wait at home.

Only if the remaining Servants gather together and join forces to besiege Berserker will there be a glimmer of hope.

And clearly, Sakura, being a Berserker, is willing to give them this opportunity.

In such a situation, if someone still doesn't know what's good for them, then they are undoubtedly a terrible teammate.

After all, the moment Berserker's identity was revealed, the other Servants were practically natural allies.

No one wants to see such a powerful enemy.

To win the Holy Grail, one must unite the weak against the strong.

But Iskandar was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

The girl in pink stepped forward, her gaze seemingly piercing through the layers of containers at the seaside dock, and saw the figure of a man with a slicked-back hairstyle.

"If you want to die like that Gilgamesh, then of course you can try."

"Although I don't mind you helping each other, finding allies, and putting me in a five-on-one situation."

"But that doesn't mean I can survive unscathed from the provocations I've faced during this period."

"If you think this Lacer's abilities are..."

Thinking of this, her emerald eyes looked with interest at the man holding two guns in the shadows not far away.

"Try?"

This is no longer a challenge.

This is a blatant mockery.

If facing other Servants, this Lcaner is certainly quite capable.

But when it comes to Sakura...

"Lancer, there's no need to belittle yourself."

"Even if I faced Berserker, I couldn't possibly defeat him alone."

Saber looked at Lancer and spoke.

Clearly, the other party's earlier remark about the glory of knights suited her taste perfectly.

"There's no need for that. Even the renowned King of Knights speaks like this."

"I can naturally distinguish between the strong and the weak."

As Saber said, Lancer's words were merely meant to comfort his Master.

Having witnessed the entire process of Berserker defeating Archer, Lancer never imagined that he could defeat Sakura by himself alone.

Whether it's Saber's Artoria, Rider's Iskandar, or Lancer's Diarmuid, their eras were all inhabited by gods.

Naturally, they were well aware of God's power.

"do you understand!"

"Lancer's Master!"

"To defeat Berserker, we need more power!"

Iskandar roared at this.

"whispering sound……"

The man with the slicked-back hair snorted coldly and said no more.

Seeing this, Sakura said no more and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the air.

……

"Hahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

"Berserker won!"

"Kill that Gilgamesh!"

"That damned Tokiomi Tohsaka!"

In a dark alley, Matou Kariya, who had fought Tohsaka Tokiomi, walked with a limp, letting out excited growls to express his joy.

There was a time when he was always the one who was suppressed in every way when facing Tokiomi Tohsaka.

He is now!

His servant killed Tokiomi Tohsaka's servant!
Even though he couldn't beat Tokiomi Tohsaka, it didn't diminish his joy!

at least……

At least he won!
Tokiomi Tohsaka will have to pay a heavy price for this defeat!
Withdraw from the Holy Grail War!
"How ugly, Kariya."

A figure appeared in front of Matou Kariya.

She wore a black baseball cap with a pink ponytail, a bright red jacket, brown cargo pants, and sneakers.

It was Sakura dressed in modern clothes.

"Sakura, Sakura..."

"I'm telling you a joke."

Matou Kariya looked at his servant with some shame.

The Servant defeated the opponent, but the Master lost.

"You already possess top-tier magician qualifications, yet you still can't defeat your opponent."

"And just because of my victory, I look like a clown."

"It really is a joke."

Sakura glanced at Matou Kariya and spoke casually.

This made Matou Kariya give a wry smile.

"A true strongman would not show such an appearance."

"Yan Ye, it's time for you to grow up."

"After all, I've only been by your side for the duration of one Holy Grail War."

"I won't be the one taking care of Matou Sakura from now on."

Sakura could understand Matou Kariya's reaction. Anyone who encounters an opponent who has always been on top and suddenly suffers a crushing defeat would inevitably feel a secret sense of smug satisfaction, even if they don't say anything.

Sakura does not hold Matou Kariya to saintly standards.

That would be too much to ask of someone.

After all, a Master who can participate in the Holy Grail War cannot be a Saint.

but……

Kirei Kotomine has the qualifications to become a saint.

"Yes, I understand."

Matou Kariya sighed helplessly.

……

Tokiomi Tohsaka walked alone, step by step, down the brightly lit, flower-filled street.

As the head of the Tohsaka family, he rarely goes out.

Moreover, it's especially true for someone walking alone on this dark street at night.

For the first time, Tokiomi Tohsaka, who had never failed, experienced what defeat felt like.

He lost.

Total loss.

He lost to his wife Aoi Tohsaka's childhood friend.

Even if he didn't kill Matou Kariya, even if he defeated Matou Kariya, so what?
He has lost his chance to compete for the Holy Grail.

On the first day and the first night of the Holy Grail War, the strongest Servant, known as the oldest king and the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, was eliminated.

Tokiomi Tohsaka felt a glare as he looked at the bright red Command Seal on the back of his hand, which resembled a target.

Before he knew it, Tokiomi Tohsaka had arrived at a restaurant. It was called Kouzu Ensei-kan.

It's just an ordinary Chinese restaurant.

Tokiomi Tohsaka glanced at the restaurant and was about to leave when he suddenly saw a familiar figure through the restaurant glass.

That is……

Qili?

The disciple, whom I remembered as stern and upright, was now eating a dish in this restaurant that looked like tofu and was covered in red oil.

Tokiomi Tohsaka went in and sat down next to his disciple.

"teacher?"

Kirei Kotomine picked up a napkin from the side and wiped his mouth, looking at his teacher who had suddenly arrived.

He didn't go to the beach battle tonight.

Because the outcome is predetermined.

Gilgamesh could not possibly defeat a god.

Since we already know the outcome, why bother going to watch a battle that Archer is destined to lose?
"Kiri, you seem to really like this?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka concealed his frustration and forced an elegant smile as he looked at the food in front of his disciple.

"It's Mapo Tofu."

"Would you like to try some, teacher?"

Kirei Kotomine introduced Tokiomi Tohsaka to him amidst his surprised gaze.

"can."

Tokiomi Tohsaka did not refuse the invitation from his most trusted disciple.

However, when the boss served Tokiomi Tohsaka Mapo Tofu, Tokiomi regretted it.

The spiciness upon entry was unbearable for Tokiomi Tohsaka, who coughed uncontrollably.

"Sorry, I'm rude."

After taking a sip of the water the shopkeeper handed him, Tokiomi Tohsaka covered his mouth and spoke.

Kirei Kotomine looked at his teacher and subconsciously thought to himself.

The teacher is indeed boring.

Tokiomi Tohsaka looked at his composed disciple, but his gaze inadvertently fell on the Command Seals on the back of the other's hand.

An absurd yet incredibly appealing idea popped into Tokiomi Tohsaka's mind.

Tokiomi Tohsaka, who considered himself an elegant nobleman, subconsciously pressed it down.

but……

That's just how people are; the things they least want to do, the more they want to try.

Moreover, Tokiomi Tohsaka, who has never failed, is a formidable opponent.

Even knowing that doing so would disqualify Kirei Kotomine from the Holy Grail War.

but……

Tokiomi Tohsaka could not allow himself to exit the Holy Grail War in such a sorry state on the very first night.

and so……

"Kirei, Assassins..."

"Can I have it...?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka looked at his disciple and was overcome with shame as soon as he opened his mouth to speak.

What on earth are you doing?
If you fail, are you expecting your disciples to pay the price for your failure?
If word gets out, how will I be able to face Fuyuki City?
"Sorry, Kirei, I was just kidding..."

Tokiomi Tohsaka was about to deny what he had just said.

but……

"I will follow the teacher's instructions in everything."

The man before him stunned Tokiomi Tohsaka for a moment.

He felt ashamed, his face flushed red.

He fled the Chinese restaurant as if he were escaping.

With control of Assassin.

……

"If you give him an assassin, you're essentially withdrawing from the Holy Grail War yourself."

A voice rang in my ears.

Kirei Kotomine continued to savor the Mapo Tofu, and only after swallowing the last bite of tofu mixed with rice did he finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Participating in the Holy Grail War was never my intention."

"I only participated in the Holy Grail War because my father and teacher needed it."

Kirei Kotomine calmly responded to the words of the pink-clad girl beside him.

"But the Holy Grail War is to select Masters who have desires in their hearts."

"Kirei, becoming a Master isn't something you can just do on a whim."

Sakura fiddled with the chopsticks in front of her, propped her head up, and spoke calmly.

"My desires."

Kirei Kotomine calmly looked at the empty rice bowl in front of him and murmured unconsciously.

He looked at the three bright red Command Seals on the back of his hand.

Even if you lose a Servant, the Command Seals will not disappear.

According to the tradition of the Holy Grail War, he should go to the church now to meet his father, Kotomine Risei, who is also the referee of the Holy Grail War, hand over the three Command Seals to his father, and then withdraw from the Holy Grail War.

Kirei Kotomine left the restaurant and, like Tokiomi Tohsaka just moments before, wandered aimlessly through the streets.

But Tokiomi Tohsaka was frustrated, while Kirei Komine was bewildered.

"If you lose your Servant and do not return the Command Seals, you will become the target of other Masters."

"A single Command Spell can grant a Servant a considerable amount of magical power."

"Moreover, you have three Command Seals."

The deity beside him continued to speak.

"If you don't want to die, you should go to the church and seek your father's protection."

Dead?

Kirei Kotomine looked at the bustling traffic in front of him.

Even at eight or nine o'clock in the evening, Fuyuki City is still bustling with activity.

"You seek the answer within yourself."

"And the Holy Grail has given you this opportunity."

"Ah……"

The pink deity beside him looked at the black-clad man.

"Kirei, are you interested in joining the Holy Grail War once again?"

"Just say what you want."

"I can give you a Servant again."

"A Servant several times stronger than that so-called Assassin."

"To want to, or not to want to."

“Tell me, Kirei.”

The gods beside him presented Kirei Kotomine with a choice, awaiting his answer.

As the Heavenly Emperor, who governs the laws of the world, breaking the rules of the Holy Grail War would be a piece of cake for him.

Even a single thought can easily create the Holy Grail.

Using this power on the Holy Grail War is like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

Or rather, in the eyes of the pink god, Kirei Kotomine's value alone is greater than the value of the entire Holy Grail War.

Kirei Kotomine looked at the god before him.

To rejoin the Holy Grail War and seize the Holy Grail?
Or should he not participate in the Holy Grail War and instead proceed with the expected handover of the Command Seals to his father?
"But if you choose to participate in the Holy Grail War, it means that you will part ways with your teacher, Tokiomi Tohsaka."

"It also created a slight rift between you and your father."

The deity continued to recount what would happen next.

"Choose."

"Qili".

Kirei Kotomine pondered for a moment, then spoke calmly.

"I choose to rejoin the Holy Grail War."

Kirei Kotomine's answer brought a smile to the face of the god.

"Congratulations, Qili."

"You will be qualified to fight again."

Go and follow your own path.

"Don't stand still, or you'll only feel lost."

"You will have the most suitable servant for you."

The deity spoke softly, transforming into countless pink specks of light that disappeared into the brightly lit night.

It was as if they had never existed.

The night breeze ruffled Kirei Kotomine's hair, and a hint of doubt appeared on his stern and resolute face.

The most suitable Servant for me?
(End of this chapter)