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

Chapter 347 Side Story: The Holy Grail War (9)

Early morning
Night wind sweeps
A long-haired man dressed in black sportswear walked on the most iconic red overpass in Fuyuki City.

He witnessed vehicles speeding across the bridge even in the dead of night.

"That great being forgave your sins and made you emperor before sealing himself away..."

"Is he truly worthy of being called a god?"

Even if it's an enemy, we'll give them a chance.

With short hair and a calm yet slightly bewildered expression, Kirei Kotomine followed his servant, murmuring something.

"That's true."

Hashirama Senju stepped onto the steel bridge, responding to his Master.

"So, how should I determine my direction..."

Kirei Kotomine looked at the man walking in front of her.

I cannot offer you the guidance you deserve.

Hashirama Senju turned to look at his Master behind him.

"Can……"

When faced with the words of his servant, Kirei Kotomine's voice revealed a rare hint of impatience.

"But I know that Sakura wouldn't do anything meaningless."

Hashirama Senju paused, looking at the streetlights radiating a warm glow on the shore in the darkness, his tone also carrying a hint of doubt.

"Perhaps my experience can offer you some insights..."

Hearing the servant's words, Kirei Kotomine's eyes showed a hint of disappointment.

Are you disappointed?

Hashirama Senju smiled nonchalantly, feeling the cool night breeze from the river brush against his cheek, and pointed to the passersby walking along the bank.

"Qili, why do you think that passerby would be wandering around alone on the roadside in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Kirei Kotomine looked in the direction that Hashirama Senju was pointing.

Just strolling around?

It was indeed just a casual stroll.

His steps were not hurried at all, but rather carried a sense of casualness.

If someone is going home after work, they are probably thinking about getting home and resting as soon as possible late at night.

"I am not sure."

Kirei Kotomine gave Hashirama Senju a very honest response.

Just when Kirei Kotomine thought that the other party would say something to enlighten him, or explain other principles through things like a sage, Hashirama Senju chuckled lightly.

"I do not know either."

Kirei Kotomine looked at him calmly.

"However, my experience tells me..."

"If you encounter something you don't know or are confused about, then just ask."

Should you ask questions if you have any?

Is it really that shallow?

Kirei Kotomine looked at His Majesty the Emperor with great surprise, not expecting him to be so...down-to-earth.

"You don't know the direction in your heart, so you fall into a state of confusion."

"During this time, did you ask anyone else for help?"

"Father?"

"teacher?"

"Senior citizens?"

Looking at the silent Kirei Kotomine, Hashirama Senju seemed to see another person through him.

That young man, who, despite his youth, possessed immense power and, like him, embarked on the wrong path.

Uchiha Itachi.

Kirei Kotomine is confused.

And Uchiha Itachi was...

His limited understanding led to a series of irreversible tragedies.

If Itachi Uchiha had been able to open his heart and seek help from Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was the Third Hokage at the time, the Uchiha tragedy might have been avoided.

"Kiri, just as you said, you are a lost lamb."

"But if they really are lambs, you wouldn't possess the power to easily kill ordinary people."

"If you go down the wrong path because of a momentary lapse of judgment, you will become a wicked demon."

"You, who should have had the opportunity to gain the recognition and trust of others, have instead attracted the malice of countless people." "In my opinion, this is an extremely regrettable thing."

"I may not have imposed my path on you, but if you really go astray because of it, I will feel pain and sadness for you."

The black-haired man looked at Kirei Kotomine with pity.

Kirei Kotomine and Hashirama Senju stared at each other, their expressions revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"I feel that my father and teachers were not able to give me the right guidance."

After all, whether it's Kirei Kotomine as a father or Tokiomi Tohsaka as a teacher, in Kirei Kotomine's eyes...

They're all too vulgar.

My father dedicated his life to the church, and the will of the church was his will.

And the teacher...

"So...you didn't ask, right?"

Hashirama Senju's words reached Kirei Kotomine's ears on the night breeze, leaving him silent.

Is it necessary to ask?
"As expected, Kirei, you are arrogant."

Hashirama Senju smiled helplessly.

Itachi Uchiha was also arrogant.

Their own excellence often leads geniuses to ignore the opinions of others and act arbitrarily.

This is a common problem among many geniuses.

Uchiha Itachi therefore took the wrong path.

But Kirei Kotomine has not yet found his direction.

"Kiri, go and experience it."

"Feel the cool night breeze and the clear river water."

"Delicious food, and the good and evil in people's hearts."

"When you have experienced enough, known enough, and seen enough, the fog on your path will be cleared by the sunlight."

"At that time, it didn't matter if you were a bad person, a good person, or someone in between."

"These are all the ways you present yourself, shaped by your own experiences."

Listening to Hashirama Senju's words, Kirei Kotomine seemed to be deep in thought.

"Do I... still have the right to ask?"

Kirei Kotomine looked up at Hashirama Senju, a look of bewilderment in his eyes.

Father.

Kotomine Risei.

teacher.

Toosaka Tokiomi.

I was a participant in this Holy Grail War, and I handed over Hassan, who belonged to the assassin, to my teacher. Logically speaking, I have already left the Holy Grail War.

But at this moment, he has gained the favor of the gods, thus summoning Hashirama Senju.

How should I face my father and teacher?

Would I still be able to get an answer from my father or teacher if I were like this?

"Of course, everyone has the right to ask questions of others."

"Whether you answer or not is not important; what matters is how you choose."

"Besides, isn't that referee your father, Kirei?"

Hashirama Senju extended his finger and gently touched Kirei Kotomine's heart, a convincing smile on his face.

"How could a father deceive his son?"

Even if it's a lie, it's a white lie.

"Seek your own understanding from countless answers."

"Kiri, this is all I can do for you."

"Of course, I will help you during this Holy Grail War."

The man before me was surprisingly reliable.

Such a thought unconsciously arose in Kirei Kotomine's mind.

This made him suddenly realize something.

Was that my first conscious realization?
Kirei Kotomine was unaware of this.

But he walked toward the end of the road.

That is the direction of the church, and also the direction of the father.

(End of this chapter)