Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan

"...talk?"

While Kiritsugu felt uneasy, he knew that he didn't have a choice in this situation. His situation was so bad that it wouldn't be weird for him to die. He also didn't want to talk with Kirei Kotomine since this was just wasting his time. He had a goal that he needed to achieve, so he couldn't stumble in this place!

He had to win this Holy Grail!

'That way....'

The pictures of those he held dearly flashed once again on his mind as he made up his mind.

This time, Kirei had an advantage, but as they talked, Kiritsugu knew there should be a single, or a small opening given, so he needed to be patient and wait until that time.

His eyes which were dim like death, shone with hope and ruthlessness since as soon as Kiritsugu gave him a chance, he wouldn't show mercy.

Kirei didn't care about the thought in Kiritsugu's mind as he was only interested in Kiritsugu because he thought Kiritsugu could explain his confusion.

Why did he think so?

It was because Kirei thought that Kiritsugu was the same person as him.

Moreover, his excitement increased as he could see a fighting spirit inside Kiritsugu's eyes.

They were the same type of people, yet why were they so much different?

What made Kiritsugu push himself so much that he could kill his father, his foster mother, and many others and do all the atrocities in his life without blinking and calmness on his face?

Why wasn't Kiritsugu as empty as him?

What pushed Kiritsugu so much?

Kirei wanted to know all of that!

Kirei was curious!

"Kiritsugu, let's talk for a while."

Kiritsugu didn't say anything and just stared at Kirei coldly.

Still, Kirei maintained his smile and didn't care about Kiritsugu's animosity as he stared at the blazing street, destroyed building, and cries of terror of the people. He wasn't sure why, but somehow he felt excited and happy as he watched this tragedy, but he quickly suppressed it as he prayed to the Lord since he hated this side of him, and he felt that this side of him was like a devil that he shouldn't touch.

Yet, due to this suppression, Kirei was unable to enjoy, love, and feel anything.

Everything was empty, like a walking corpse.

However, Kirei knew he didn't need to worry about that problem anymore since Kiritsugu should have the answer he sought.

"Kiritsugu, why did you seek this Holy Grail?"

Yet, Kiritsugu remained silent on this question.

"Is it because of your job? Or do you have something that you want to achieve?"

By asking this, Kirei wanted slowly to learn what made Kiritsugu push himself so much.

Still, it was the same until Kiritsugu was slapped by Assassin.

"Answer the question of Master, you bastard!"

"?!"

Kiritsugu was startled as his cheek felt like it was burnt. Soon, he could feel intense pain before feeling humiliated. He glanced coldly at Assassin and thought that he was going to kill it sooner or later, so he quickly calmed himself.

"Calm down, Assassin. You don't need to be rough with him."

Even so, Kirei seemed happy with Assassin's help.

"Master, should I kill him?"

"No, you don't need to since I have many questions I want to ask him, but... if he doesn't want to talk, then you can kill him immediately."

Strangely enough, Kirei wanted to see the despair on Kiritsugu's face. He imagined how exciting it would be when he gave Kiritsugu a chance to stay alive, yet in the end, he betrayed him by killing him suddenly.

'No! No!'

As a priest, how could he be so degranated?

How could he feel happy by the suffering of others?

Kirei thought about the teaching that he had upheld for thirty years, and he knew that his thought was nothing but sin. Once he decided to embrace this sin, hell was his only destination.

There wouldn't be any salvation for him, and he would become a demon.

However...

"Assassin cut off his Command Spells."

There was no hesitation when Kirei's words fell; Kiritsugu's left arm, where his Command Spells were located, was cut off by Assassin.

"?!"

Grinding his teeth, Kiritsugu held the pain in his arm. Still, his expression was as calm as ever, even if his face was pale due to the blood loss. His situation was dangerous, and more than this, he would be in a weak state, or even worse, he might die. Yet, he didn't do anything and kept staring at Kirei.

"What's wrong? You can heal yourselves, right? Why don't you do it?"

Kiritsugu stared at Kirei for a while and thought that he was going to kill him, but then he understood his situation and stopped the blood that gushed out from his severed hand.

"So, can you talk now... or if you can't talk, then I might as well kill you."

"......."

Kiritsugu took a deep breath and asked, "...what do you want to ask?" Even if he didn't want to answer, he needed to keep his life first.

"Why do you seek the Grail? For someone like you, you shouldn't be interested in Grail, right?

If Kiritsugu was like him, then Kirei knew that Kiritsugu shouldn't be interested in Holy Grail, and like him, Kiritsugu would do a half-assed job in this Holy Grail like how he helped Tokiomi without much thought.

Yet, Kirei couldn't see that in Kiritsugu's eyes... it was... it was as if... Kiritsugu truly wished for the Holy Grail.

"...world peace."

"....what?"

Kiritsugu's answer stupefied him so much that he was unable to say anything.

"I wish for world peace. The world where there is no sadness or war. The world where no one needs to cry."

Even though Kiritsugu's eyes were dead, his voice was filled with a blazing fire, showing his determination to achieve his wish.

Facing war after war, Kiritsugu had been helpless in this world. He had been killing person after person, and his heart was numb. In his mind, he only thought about saving people.

As long as he stayed alive, he would use his body to save as many people as possible.

Hero of justice.

This was his aspiration and something that he always had to do.

Yet, even so, Kiritsugu knew that his struggle was meaningless since it was impossible for him to change this world.

However, everything changed when he heard the Holy Grail, a tool that was capable of granting every wish.

With this tool, then he could achieve his dream!

He could achieve his dream of achieving a perfect world without sadness, blood, or crying.

As long as he could achieve this dream, Kiritsugu could do everything.

However, when Kiritsugu's answer fell, everyone fell in silence.

Even Assassin expressed disbelief.

World peace?

This guy?

If Kiritsugu wished for world destruction, the group of Assassins would believe it immediately, but this guy wished for world peace!

"........"

As expected, there was something wrong with this guy's head.

However, the one that was most shocked was Kirei Kotomine.

Kirei was speechless before he fell into disappointment and rage.

What was this childish wish?!