Just so people don't get confused:

While they both have an exceptionally high affinity for 'swords/blades', Emiya and Muramasa's Characteristics and ideals are vastly different. Both Emiya and Muramasa are counter-guardians (at least under certain circumstances), so Muramasa is actually more mature and older than Emiya both mentally and spiritually, despite how brash he may act.

Besides, Emiya's memories as a counter-guardian are filled with holes, not to mention the fact his body is on auto-pilot, so it's not like Emiya's mental age has progressed. He just became a tad cynical and very suicidal.

As for why Caren is not a toddler but a teenager...let's just say Kirei in this parallel world is older and married younger. I mean, it's not like I'm against grandpa Muramasa and grandpa Hassan fussing over baby Caren but...hey, wait a minute, that's actually a very good ide-(Gets decapitated from behind with the chorus of evening bells)

＋α Fate facts some don't know (contains fate lore spoilers):

Arthur Pendragon's Excalibur has thirteen seals which prevents it from unleashing its full power, a power that even half-destroyed Sefar (Giant Alien, the true form of Altera) who massacred the greek gods.

The Artoria Pendragon we know in the Fate franchise is a weaker version of Arthur Pendragon (Fate/Prototype). Well, he is a lot tamer in FGO since he couldn't unleash his full power, but that's beyond the point.

Thanks for your support and reviews!

Please FAV'N'FOLLOW if you're reading this chapter!

HERE WE GO!

Chapter 5 Havoc Harbor

Artoria bit her lip as she nervously fidgeted in her seat overlooking the harbor.

She was currently inside a tall tower with a pair of binoculars, an H&K USP Compact 9mm handgun and a Desert Eagle (Magnum) propped beside her laptop; her usual happy set.

Those who wield the Mystic eyes of death perception do not always fight with blades. Entering the modern era, the Pendragon family developed a method to shoot through the 'Dots of Death', much alike to cutting across the 'Lines'.

The 'Dots' are like the most fragile holes in every kind of substance, be it hard or soft, flexible or inflexible. When shot through these holes with absolute accuracy and the precise amount of mana infused in the bullets, the target shall crumble. Literally.

However, it also meant that it couldn't be achieved through random shots, so the Pendragons only used handguns. Some tried to use sniper rifles, but the chance of success was so low, they eventually gave up.

Artoria glared through her binoculars with an adorable scowl as she scanned the whole harbor. Mana swirled in her blue eyes as it was alit with a fiery circle. Nothing.

There were a few kilometers between the tower she resided and the harbors. Normally, no average mage would see anything clearly, even if they were to use binoculars. Artoria was not your average mage.

Suddenly, she 'saw' a disturbance in the air via spiritual sight…a ripple? She squinted harder.

Her servant was down there, trusting her backup. She must NOT fail!

Little did she know that Shiro gave her this job with a sole purpose; to calm down her nerves by giving her something meaningful to do.

Some things are best unsaid.

Shiro closed his eyes. The salty air of the sea filled his nostrils. He remembered a strange client who came from China, a man who begged him to teach him how to forge the katana.

In exchange, he had learned a thing or two about Chinese sabers, as well as some Chinese sword arts. While he was sure that his master exceeded him in martial skills as a whole, he was still confident that his sword skills were unmatched.

After all, he needed to be downright proficient and sophisticated both in body and mind to forge the best katanas!

Mana spiked the air, the immense heat burning his core even from a distance.

'Well, well, what do you think of that? Emiya-kun?"

'Hmm…I wouldn't be surprised if our 'invitation' was sent by a demigod of the sun. This reminds me of Karna.', Emiya answered.

Shiro's eyebrows shot up.

'You've met one of the most overpowered demigods of India!?', he exclaimed, eyes filled with excitement. 'Did you see his weaponry!?'

Emiya mentally rolled his eyes.

'Yes, I've met him in another place, another planet. Yes, I saw his famed spear.'

Shiro literally drooled.

'Can you show me a copy of…?'

'NO. It's IMPOSSIBLE to even replicate such a divine weapon.'

'Aww…too bad. Any tips around Karna?'

Emiya scratched his chin in his landscape.

'Hmm…I propose that you do NOT engage him in a fair fight.'

'…Huh? Excuse me?'

'It's exactly what I've said. Do NOT try to confront him head-on.'

'Oooook? Care to explain?'

'Karna is virtuous yet very gullible in a certain way. When asked for help, he will help without a shred of doubt.'

'Reminds me of someone here.'

'He was far more extreme than my younger self. Coming from me, it means something.'

'Uh-huh. Right from his own legends, right?'

'Yes.'

'So, basically, you recommend me to exploit as much as I can, to turn his own righteousness against him?'

'…Yes.'

'As a certain friend of the hero of justice, I must decline.'

'…Hmph. Try not to get yourself burnt to a crisp, old man.'

'Yeah, love you too.'

Shiro inhaled deeply. His magical circuits underneath his skin flared with such intensity, a profound blue glow lit up in geometric patterns that covered his flesh.

A blast of arcane wind blew outwards and he was catapulted into the air. The wind howled in his ears as his feet dug into the thick metal containers beneath, propelling him forward at insane speeds.

Shiro stopped at an empty space that was the size of two football fields. The containers were gone, the space before him vacant enough for combat.

"Greetings.", a calm voice welcomed him. Shiro looked up at the pale man perched on top of a lamppost, one eye red, one eye blue.

"Greetings.", Shiro greeted back. "I see that you're Servant Lancer."

"Yes, I am.", the young man simply answered, brandishing his intricate spear with an eye-like sculpture on the tip.

"It is an honor to meet a hero who outshines the sun"

Karna blinked slightly when Shiro emphasized the word, 'sun'. Shiro smiled.

"I also see that you're not good at hiding secrets, O' son of Surya."

Karna grimaced.

"I see that you have a keen sense and a vast sea of knowledge. What class are you?"

Shiro grinned. With the sound of hot metal clanging, he pulled a sword out of midair. A refined sword which potential he has fully awakened thanks to Emiya's vast knowledge and data of noble phantasms. A sword fit for a certain monkey king.

The blade was red, wide, and fairly thick, faintly lit with a fiery glow. The Chinese-styled katana screeched out in joy, pulsing with a volcanic energy that nearly melts the blade itself.

"猩々村正 (Shoujyou Muramasa: Muramasa of the Flaming Ape)"

Once upon a time, there was a gigantic ape in the mountain of clouds.

The ape was intelligent, incredibly strong, and breathed fire. His long, mangy hair of bloody red swayed in the wind whenever it moved, as if the hair itself was alive.

People called him Shoujyou of the cloudy mountains, the descendant of the iron monkey king of Mount Hua Guo (Chinese mountain, the birthplace of Sun Wukong).

The old monkey loved to drink alcohol of all kinds, bathing himself in the liquid until his face flushed bright red.

So one day, the villagers offered him Sake (Japanese rice wine) of the highest caliber, its fragrance so wonderful, it was said to entice the flying birds above.

However, little did the villagers know, was that the Sake was the property of a terrible Oni (鬼：Japanese demon, an ogre with horns).

The Oni stormed the entire village and butchered the poor people, then left it in ruins. His endless pursuit for his beloved sake raged on as he pillaged nearby villages one by one, terrorizing the people along the way.

The Shoujyou heard the cry of his friends and rushed down from his mountain. When he heard what the Oni had done, he grew furious and decided to aid the people by slaying it.

Shoujyou fought the Oni for days, until he finally managed to tackle him into the boiling magma of a live volcano. The Oni frantically struggled in an attempt to free himself from Shoujyou's deadly grasp, but the ape held on.

At last, the mighty Oni was slain-at the cost of Shoujyou's life. The people wept for him. They praised him for his courageous sacrifice. They fished out his remains from the lava with iron rods and sent it to a temple.

This katana was forged from the bones of Shoujyou; the nigh-indestructible bones that refused to melt even in the inferno of mother earth.

Shiro smiled as he set himself in an offensive stance. What better way is there to fight fire with a blade that relishes in it?

"Karna, mighty warrior of the sun. I shall not lose to you, for I have a young master to protect."

Shiro noticed how Karna's eyes glinted in approval, including how his posture seemed to open in the slightest way. Emiya was right. The Lancer was a righteous man indeed. He could utilize that.

"いざ尋常に、参るッ！（Here I come with honor, O' fellow warrior!）"

Karna dipped his head in respect. He knew Japanese from the knowledge given by the Holy Grail. He also knew how to value sincerity and respect.

The Lancer spun his magnificent spear in a gorgeous flurry of flames, setting his spear tip so that it pointed at his opponent's heart.

"Come, honorable Warrior of the far East."

The night is young, and the battle of legends has yet begun.

Yep, short chapter since the fight would take some time.

BTW, I do think that Emiya and Muramasa are a terrifying combination, wouldn't you agree? Great swordsmith armed with the knowledge of legendary weapons worldwide? Scanning the history of blades and replicating it with one's flesh as sword arts?

Ha! Weakest he may be amongst the eight…things might turn out more interesting than they seem… Oh yes, he is the weakest in this war, no matter how you look at it.

What do you think will happen? How will the other servants intervene? Feel free to review!

X-kalibuuuur, over and out!