Advent of Muramasa Shirou

by Ronin2106

Shirou suffered from the Grail's fire greatly, but was saved by Irisviel instead of Kiritsugu, who escaped clutches of Grail. With her help and guidance, Shirou will discover his past and open a path forward for himself, as heir of Muramasa line, holding it's greatest treasures and secrets. Is the World ready for a new Hero, or will it destroy him? Very Strong!Shirou; Alive!Iri!

5. Chapter 5

Fuyuki City. Tohsaka Mansion. Shirou's age: 12. Seven months after appearance of Gilgamesh.

Autumn had passed and winter took its place, and to say that it was a snowy one would not be an understatement, as Fuyuki experienced one of the highest snowfalls in its history, but without much strain upon the infrastructure or services. This presented a nice Christmas scenery for all, including Shirou and his family, as well as New Year, which they too had celebrated, hopeful that the next year would be a good one, or at least less exciting than the last one. Despite his haughty and prideful demeanor, Gilgamesh did maintain at least some modicum of manners and behavior, and though he did treat Shirou and his family as his vassals, it was not as bad as one may imagine. So long as you maintained a respectable and patient approach, he would be magnanimous and allow you to carry on, and it also helped that Gilgamesh's primary attention was fixed upon Shirou and none others.

As he had promised, the Golden King did monitor Shirou's progress with interest, often dropping by announced to inspect his blacksmith's work, or, even more often, to have a meal made by Shirou. Turns out that not even the First King was fully immune to the culinary talents and powers of Shirou Muramasa, and on that front, Shirou did earn himself a number of praises from the former Servant. Aside from that, Gilgamesh also occasionally offered Shirou training in utilization of weapons and so on, or more accurately, playfully sparred with him, since Gilgamesh never went serious with Shirou. For Gil this was more of an amusement, for Shirou it was a good and honest exercise and training, and though Shirou wasn't likely to win any time soon against his new patron, he was progressing by leaps and bounds thanks to him.

Thankfully, Gilgamesh didn't stay on permanent basis with Shirou's family, and they didn't exactly wish to know where and what he was doing for majority of his time, so life went in a more or less a normal pace. Shirou, Illya and Rin were in Junior High School, with Shirou having decided to join the Kendo Club initially, but as it turned, he wasn't exactly as well cut out for it as it appeared. Not because he was bad in traditional Kendo, quite the opposite- Shirou was a naturally born swordsman, but only when it came to actual combat application. Shirou's mind and body were already used to thinking and acting like a warrior, but not as a mere practitioner of martial arts, so within the first week, it became clear that nobody could stand a chance against Shirou, so he had to change clubs, due to demand from it's captain and teacher advising it.

Instead, he had entered an Archery Club, and though he was just as successful in it as he was with Kendo, the club members simply accepted him with far more welcome and eagerness, and the fact that Taiga Fujimura was it's advisor made things easier for Shirou as well. He had already formed quite a number of friends among them, first among them being Ayako Mitsuzuri, who more or less viewed herself as his rival and tried to pose as one to Shirou, but after a few days, they actually slipped from rivalry to normal friendship, and were now two main stars of the Archery Club.

Meanwhile, Rin and Illya initially decided not to enter into any of the Clubs, but the two quickly became school icons, one as a Japanese beauty, while the other as a foreign doll-like princess, and so fan clubs sprung up like weeds, dedicated to the both of them. The fact of their existence and ongoing debate on who was a greater beauty caused no end to Student Council President Issei Ryuudou, which was exasperated when Rin soon became his Vice-President, and Shirou often saw the two of them at odds over any small issue, though he himself had a good relation with Issei. Luckily for him, he didn't have to deal with the fan clubs and so on like Rin and Illya did, even though there was quite a large one formed by his fans of opposite sex, since Shirou was quite a popular guy.

Either by convenience or just not caring to notice, Shirou was unaware of it's existence, and hence just went on with his life, studying in school and Magecrafts, as well as furthering his work with forging Mystic Codes. He had already done some good progress and already started to learn how to create proper ones, and though the process was a hard one, he was determined to master it. And while he also did that, he did decide to also expand his knowledge and variety, hence why he asked Illya and Rin to help him with his latest project, one that required them to come to Tohsaka Mansion.

"You know, if the Association were to find out that we frequent our Workshops like we do, we would be considered a laughing stock of it." Rin noted, as she, Shirou and Illya descended the stairs towards the Tohsaka Workshop, located in its cellar, with her leading them, while holding a candlestick. "Although, now that I think it about it, this actually the very first time either of you have been to my family's workshop.

"True. We have been in everyone else's so far, even in one Einzbern Castle." Illya said, as they've stepped down, and she nearly slipped only to be caught by Shirou. "Thank, Onii-Chan."

"No problem, Illya. Rin, no offence, but doesn't your cellar have lights or some… ACHOO!" Shirou sneezed loudly, nearly falling down the stairs himself. "And… When was the last time you've vented this place?"

"Gesundheit, and no, it doesn't. Apparently, when this place was constructed, my father wanted it to be a fully traditional and authentic, hence no electricity of any kind in here. Only candles." Rin stated to them, as they've reached the Workshop, and she went about to light the candles in here. "As for dust… Well, truth be told, I have not been down here in last five months, since Irisviel decided to teach me Alchemy. Her Workshop had all the needed tools for me to work on both Alchemy and Jewels, which reminds me, why didn't you just decide to go to her Workshop, Shirou?" She asked of him, as Shirou stepped towards the table and placed upon it one of two clothed objects he had been carrying, along with his heavy backpack, with Rin and Illya eyeing with curiosity.

"I was thinking about it, but Mom thought it would be a good opportunity for us to work independently, or something like that. She said it would be a good experience for us to work together as a team, to learn to be independent." Shirou said, as he looked around the cellar with curiosity. "Got to admit, Rin, your family's workshop is a complete text book definition an evil mage's hideout, down to the cobweb and even a skull. Didn't know Tokiomi fancied himself a necromancer."

"More likely he had an intermediate level of knowledge, since somebody had to have taught to Kirei." Illya speculated, recalling the files on other masters her father investigated before the War. "But I am curious, Onii-chan, what exactly was it that you wanted mine and Rin's help with?" Illya asked of him.

"Yeah, Shirou, you still haven't told me about it." Rin noted, with Shirou unveiling before the two girls two of his Japanese blades, one freshly forged, yet without a handle and guard, while the other was of the same shape and size, yet covered in special shroud completely. "Oh, so those are the blades your working on, but is this one all covered up?"

"Because of it's in a heated stated, and I've placed in this cloth to preserve its state for future." Shirou said to Rin, before he began to tell why he needed their help. "Now then, as you know six months ago I've started applying Magecraft to my swords, in order to make Mystic Codes, the way that Muramasa did it. To spare you the details, the Muramasa utilize a form of Alchemy that manipulates properties of tamahagane, at least the ones that are not already susceptible to Magecraft, in order to first make it susceptible to Magecraft. Then as they drew out the weapon, they used either talismans or other mediums to infuse some form of a spell or effect on to it."

"That does start to make sense, and also explains the unprecedented quality of famous Japanese blades, like ones of Muramasa and Masamune." Illya remarked, her knowledge of Alchemy showing itself. "Not to disparage upon our homeland, but the quality of iron in here isn't exactly the best in the world, so I suppose it would make sense for Alchemy to be utilized. But that also makes the process of creating the Mystic Code harder and longer."

"Yeah, though Dad had managed to negate the length and hardship with his forge, I don't have the same tools back home, so I've decide to look into the theory of conversion and concentration of magical energy, in order to circumvent the difficulties" Shirou continued his explanation. "There are some alternatives, but the best method, according to Dad's own research, is actually the application of Jewels into the final product, and I want to try it out." Rin and Illya now started to understand what he wanted to do, but then Rin had a thought occur to her.

"But wouldn't that already be part of your Crest?" Rin asked of Shirou, drawing his attention. "Your dad was an apprentice of the Kaleidoscope himself, father of the Jewel Magecraft, and I don't believe he didn't learn it from it. Even my family started out from mere notes from Zelretch, and look at what we've accomplished. If you dad was as great I've been hearing, he would've been beyond even our abilities."

"I thought the same, yet there is nothing on the Jewel Magecraft in his journals or in the Crest. My only guess is that he didn't have the time to record his knowledge into the Crest and write it down." Shirou told Rin, who nodded to him. "So I'm basically blind in here, and why I wanted your help, Rin."

"Alright, Shirou, but are you sure that it will work properly? Jewel Magecraft is a western Magecraft, and while it is compatible with Alchemy, but it's with the standard western one. Eastern Alchemy, which the Muramasa employed, may not be as compatible with Jeweled Magecraft." Rin stated her thought, with Illya agreeing with her on that.

"She is not wrong, since the Western and Eastern variants of Alchemy utilize differing bases to achieve the results, with Jewel Magecraft specifically tailored for the Western variant." Illya confirmed, yet turning to Shirou with a smile. "But it sounds quite interesting, so I'm game! What exactly did you have in mind, Onii-Chan?" Rin let out a sigh, but mentally agreed to help, while Shirou produced from his backpack a forging hammer, tongs and other equipment, as well as some prepared talismans.

"For now, I want to try and enhance a magical effect unto sword, by placing a jewel that can store energy in it." Shirou said with Rin nodding to him, as she looked at the blades. "I've already enchanted the two swords with Strengthening, but the one that in the cloth I've prepared for a jewel insertion. So, Rin, which jewel would be best useful for this task." Rin took a few moments to think about it, before replying.

"Well, since we are talking about Strengthening, then we need something with the element of Earth and with good conductivity for magical energy." Rin said, before she moved to look through her storage, and found what she was looking for, placing it onto the table. "Here, I think this will work well for this."

"Malachite?" Illya asked, as she looked it, with Shirou examining. "Will it be able to work properly with his sword?"

"Absolutely, and don't look it just because it's not shining. Malachite is one of the best jewels in work with the Earth Element, possessing exceptional conductive properties in that regard. It will both serve as a stabilizer and enhancer of the Magecraft, and if you decide to pour into it mana, it will absorb it without any problem, no matter how much amount, so there is very little margin for error. Simple, practical and effective at what we need, so it is

"Yeah, a bit of Alteration and it will fit in." Shirou said, as he looked at it, before looking around. "Okay, now I need so solid stone or iron object to do the insertion, preferably one that interacts with the magical energies." Rin looked around and found the needed object.

"That alter, will it suffice?" Rin asked, with Shirou nodding and quickly placing all of the needed equipment and materials there, as well as placing talismans onto it. "And what about those?"

"Onmyo talismans, with Ward spell, in case a magical discharge happens." Shirou explained, as he placed the prepared blade, before casting a spell that locked the blade in place. "Now, Illya, I need you to read the energy flow, since you are the expert in flow and conversion of energy. Rin, you are on the talisman, should there be signs of problems, activate it. I'll start attaching it now, so stand back, it's blazing hot." Shirou said as he put on the gloves, and unveiled the blazing red wakizashi, with the prepared slot for a jewel, while Illya concentrated.

Carefully picking up malachite and placing it with the prongs onto the slot, Shirou took up the hammer, casting special Alteration onto it, and then began to strike the jewel into the slot, with Illya maintaining her scanning, providing updates on the energy flow and allowing Shirou to make correct adjustments. Several more careful and deliberate strikes onto the jewel, and it was inserted, but now it needed to be fixed in there, so Shirou moved the blade to adjust the tang around it with next several strikes.

Rin and Illya noticed how careful and deliberate Shirou was with his work, and both girls had to admit, that it was enchanting for them to watch him work, to observe him at his best, and how good he looked while doing it. For a while now, the two girls did start to notice that the way they looked and thought of Shirou had started to slowly shift, not in a negative way, but in one that they did not simply see him as a friend or a brother.

Blush and butterflies come upon them more and more often when they looked at him with thoughts of deeper nature than mere friendship. They could not exactly explain it yet, but they already knew that they completely detested and hated all those girls that were stalking him or watching him with awed expressions, all but salivating at the thought of having him be their boyfriend. The two girls noticed immediately the attention Shirou was getting from the fairer sex, and had taken appropriate actions to make it clear, that Shirou was off the table for all, and if anyone tried to make a move on him, they had better be ready to deal with both Rin and Illya. The two girls were so transfixed with the thoughts of Shirou, that they didn't notice how he was all done with his work, and wiped his sweat off.

"Okay, it's locked in place airtight. Illya, how is the flow of the energy on it now?" Shirou asked, with Illya shaking her head to hide her crimson cheeks, before composing herself and answering.

"The flow… The flow is looking fine, no abnormalities that I know of." Illya responded, with Shirou smiling at it. "Looks like you were right, Onii-chan. Great work!" She said, before hugging him with a smile, with Rin having to contain herself from showing her irritation and infuriation, before calming herself.

"Well, by the looks of things it was a success, but we need to test it, if it actually worked." Rin noted, with Shirou nodding. "Also, are you going to test it just like that, while it's glowing hot red?" She asked of him, with Shirou producing one more talisman and placing it onto the sword, and the moment it burned, the sword cooled as if it was placed in the tub with water, surprising Rin and Illya.

"Water talisman, works as well as a tube of water. A little life hack my grandpa learned." Shirou said, before picking up the cooled blade, and then using Alteration to scrub it, as well as checking it on the defects. "All is looking good. Time for the next test." Shirou then went to next covered object, unveiling and placing it onto the enchanted alter, with both of girls looking at him with surprise.

"Another sword?" Illya noted with confusion, with Shirou nodding, as he adjusted the sword for it's edge to look upward.

"Not just any sword, but a European straight double edged, made using techniques of same time as my wakizashi. Contrary to popular belief and Hollywood, European swords actually win over Japanese ones in terms of pure strength and durability, thanks to their higher weight and straighter blade, if talking from purely technical characteristics." Shirou explained, as he took his two Wakizashi and prepared them. "I've casted a Strengthening onto this sword when I made it, so as to make let it break so easily and it is about as tough as my unadjusted Wakizashi, in theory. Now let's see how it is on practice."

Shirou took his first Wakizashi, and then swung it down onto the sword, and then he and others sow his sword break in two, while the second one remained intact, shocking both Illya and Rin, with Shirou looking down at it with a surprisingly soft expression.

"Shirou, your sword…" Rin wasn't able to finish, as she saw Shirou pick up the other half, and then put them back together like it was nothing, much to her shock. "How the heck did you do that?!"

"Alchemy and Alterations are life saviors for all blacksmiths." Shirou answered, and then took the newly minted Wakizashi in hand. "Okay, now for the real test." And then he repeated the process.

Only this time, Shirou's wakizashi cut clean through his European sword without so much as issue, as not even a chip or a crack formed, and almost as if Shirou was going not through steel, but through butter, or at least that's how he made it look. Once it was all done, everyone looked at the results, and they were quite perplexed and pleasantly surprised, with Shirou smiling brightly, as both surprise and success revealed themselves to him.

"Damn… This is way better than I thought it would go down!" Shirou stated, as he examined his wakizashi. "Not even a discoloration, and the edge is still as sharp as I've made it. Heck, this… This amazing!" This was a rare occasion, to see Shirou this surprised and amazed.

"It is?" Rin asked with a bit of hesitancy, suddenly feeling bashful for no reason, with Shirou turning to her with a smile.

"Of course it is, Rin. Thank you so much, you have no idea just how much this will help me! You are just amazing!" From those words Rin Tohsaka immediately went beat red, with Illya beginning to pout from the scene. "Thank very much you too, Illya. I could not have done it without you or your directions." To that, Illya could only bashfully blush and smile.

"W-well… if you say so, Onii-chan." She said with a blush and in a bashful manner.

"W-well, I-I am an Heiress of the Tohsaka, b-but i-it wasn't really anything that amazing." Rin replied to her compliment in a similar manner, with Shirou noticing something about the two of them.

"Rin, Illya, are you okay?" Shirou suddenly asked of them, before making his way to them, surprising them. "Excuse me." And then, much to their surprise and unprepared hearts, put his hands on their foreheads, making the two blush even harder.

"O-onii-chan, wh-what are you…" Illya tried to mutter, as she felt her body begin to heat up.

"Sh-shirou, wha…" Rin was in much the same boat.

"Your faces are all red, like you are burning up, but not like from use of magic." Shirou said, before removing his hands. "Sorry about it, I was just afraid that I've somehow affected you with my work." Both girls were clear

"N-no worries, Onii-chan. You didn't do anything wrong…" Illya said, as she began to compose herself.

"Y-yeah, Shirou. It's… it's just kinda hot in here and the air is heavy, that's all." Rin gave the excuse with Illya catching up on it.

"Yes! This cellar is like a crypt on fire, cloggy and damp." Illya added, with Shirou accepting their explanation, with Illya deciding to continue on that line. "Seriously, Tohsaka, what kind of Magus lets their Workshop get so insufferably unbearable to even breathe in. You should at least put on air vent."

"Blame my father, and I think I will do so, along with the proper lights and everything." Rin agreed with Illya, before turning to Shirou. "So, anything else you need my help with?" She asked.

"I think that'll be alright for now. I don't want to push it, and we can continue later it somewhere with better ventilation." Shirou said, with Rin agreeing.

"Grand idea, Shirou. Now, you mind putting a pot on the stove, while I clean it up a bit here?" Rin asked of him, with Shirou nodding and after quickly packing up, headed back up, with both Rin and Illya letting out a sigh of relief. "Th-that w-was…" Rin, red as tomato in the face, said weakly, with Illya in the same spot.

"Y-yeah…" She completely understood and agreed with her. "L-let's… Let's just go. A-and not a word to anyone!" Illya said, with Rin nodding.

"Especially to Touko and Irisviel." Rin said, with Illya fully in agreement, dreading the thought of those two finding out about what happened here today, knowing the two would never let them live this one down.

Unfortunately for both Illya and Rin, Irisviel and Touko Aozaki were five steps ahead of them, and as they watched through their well-hidden familiars the unfolded situation, they flashed each other a smile over a mission well accomplished.

---

Emiya residence. Six months later. Shirou's age: 13.

The school year was over, and now Shirou again had time to fully focus on all of his other activities and priorities, like Magecraft, but also learning from Natalia, who was currently educating Shirou on the tactics of taking out Magi, with Rin and Illya also listening to it.

"Under normal situation, if you wish to take down a Magus, best course of action is luring it out of its hideout and then taking him out without him noticing it, and best you being a long distance away from them. Sniper rifle is best for that, but you should also pick a correct one for your job, but if you can't do it from long distances and need to come towards the Magus at his hideout, then you should do it unconventionally." Natalia told in a way like she was telling a lecture, as she sipped her coffee. "Most Bounded Fields have limit to their coverage, and are limited to only above ground level. Want to enter a hideout of a Magus- look for underground communications near his hideout and then blast a hole inside. Eight times out of ten it's a sure way in, then toss in smock and flashbangs to disorient, storm in and then three in the chest, one in the head, and you are good." Natalia said.

"Question, isn't it a little excessive? Three in the chest and one in the head?" Rin asked, with Natalia shaking head.

"Better be safe than dead, kid." Natalia answered. "As for what to use indoors, pistols and SMGs are well suited because of their compact size and ease of usage indoors, but if you have the wide enough area, assault rifles and shotguns will also do. My personal favorites are Glock, MP5, AK and Benelli M4, as for sniper rifles, I personally recommend the M40, a bolt-action rifle, tried and true, battle tested and…" And at that moment, Sella entered the living room and spoke up.

"Shirou, your… patron is here and is demanding your presence at once in the backyard." Sella said with a bit of a grimace, with Shirou already understanding who it, and so without a second to hesitate, he rose up and went to backyard

"Good luck kiddo." Natalia wished him, knowing who it was. "Anyway, if you are in city, then…" Shirou heard before he reach the backyard, where in the middle of it Gilgamesh was waiting for him.

"Your Majesty, to what do I owe the unexpected honor of your presence so soon?" Shirou asked without reserve, having settled into the role he was assigned into, with Gilgamesh looking at him with curiosity.

"Curiosity has brought me here, little blacksmith, and you are to provide me answers on questions I have." Gilgamesh stated to him. "It would seem that I had misjudged you, little blacksmith, for it appears that you possess more unique gifts to you than I was made aware of. Though the fact that you've either failed or declined to reveal it to me confounds me. Did you seek to hide something of worth from your monarch, in hopes I would not learn of it?" Gilgamesh asked of Shirou with a tense tone in his voice, with Shirou mentally going through all that he believed Gilgamesh would need to know.

"I am afraid that I require some context, Your Majesty." Shirou asked of Gilgamesh, who cocked a brow at his words. "What did I fail to give you notice of in regards to my possessions?" Gilgamesh could clearly see that Shirou was confused.

"Hm, were you an actor, I would applaud you for such a convincing lie, but I see that you are neither a liar nor an actor." Gilgamesh noted with a neutral tone, before speaking more. "Few days past, an undead vermin had dared to sully my time away with his appearance, and to worsen my fouled stroll, had dared to open a hunting season on the humans of the town I blessed with my visit." Shirou could already see where this was going.

"I can only assume that the Dead Apostle died cursing his ignorance." Shirou noted with a sigh.

"Curse he did, but before I ended him, he dared not only to strike me, but had foolishly assumed he could confound me. He did so by employing fakes of himself, Projections as he called them, same ones like you did." Gilgamesh continued, with Shirou listening carefully. "Yet unlike the fakes created by you, little blacksmiths, his were but pitiful hollow shells that couldn't even so much as scratch me, and then he had the gall to imitate you, my blacksmith." At that moment Shirou noticed that Gilgamesh was a bit peeved, probably at the fact that someone dared to imitate Shirou, for some unknown for him reason.

"And in what form did he do so?" Shirou asked of him, with Gilgamesh continuing.

"In form of the blades and arms, like ones you bring to life with your magic, little blacksmith, but naturally, his were not even worth calling fakes, for they were simply that pathetic." Gilgamesh stated to Shirou with pride. "The look on that vermin's face when I dispelled them with but a flick of my hand was splendid, but when I had mentioned you and your mastery of the craft he claimed reign over, he stated that what you are able to produce is not Projection in any traditional form." Gilgamesh's tone changed to a more accusatory one, while Shirou blinked at his words.

"Um… I don't really know what to say. Maybe that Dead Apostle was wrong?" Shirou offered, not really knowing what to say, with Gilgamesh huffing.

"You think I would merely take a word of a such pitiful worm to faith?" Gilgamesh asked of Shirou with an edge to his tone, before continuing. "I had the vermin's knowledge confirmed to me by the Magi that pursued him, as well as servants of the crucified God, and all as one stated that vermin was correct. No men or women can lie to me or to one of my treasures that unveils the truth, and so I have eleven dead mongrels and one undead vermin claiming you to have either lied or failed to properly notify me of your capabilities. Do you have anything to say in your defense, little blacksmith?" Now Shirou understood what Gilgamesh said, and so he took a moment to think about, before giving his true answer.

"I wasn't aware that what I was doing was not Projections. I assumed it was simply an advance form of it, and no one actually said a thing about it not being Projections." Shirou noted, before he thought it some more. "In fact, I think the only times I ever employed them was when sparing you, Your Majesty." That one was true, as Shirou did actively use his projected weapons against Gilgamesh, who at that moment blinked at him, processing what he said.

"Are you telling me, that you only utilized this magic when battling me, and you are unaware of its full capabilities?" Gilgamesh asked of him, with Shirou nodding to him. "Blacksmith, for the first time in this era, I find myself unable to decide, whether to berate you for your ignorance, or praise you for rising above the pathetic masses of magi that infest this world."

"I shall settle for whatever decision you render, but that is true. I never really thought what I did was beyond Projection, until now that is." Shirou said, as he thought back to his training days. "I think I may be did start to deviate from standard pattern when I decided to add additional stages to my Structural Analysis and Projection, and then mix it all up with Strengthening and Alteration. I thought that was nothing all that special, really."

"And none of your parents or mentors took notice of it?" Gilgamesh asked of him.

"Well, my Mom, Irisviel, did say that every Magus seeks to test and break their limits of abilities, and it was common enough to see advanced versions of some basic Magecraft." Shirou recalled. "I just followed through with that thought."

"Except that the magic you chose to develop all those mongrels claimed to be utterly useless and pointless, while yours had become an arsenal with which you had challenged and entertained me quite successfully." Gilgamesh noted with a smile.

"And I am grateful for your generosity in training me, King of Heroes." Shirou said back with a bow, but noticed that Gilgamesh was in a bit of a deep thought, and it continued so until he spoke again.

"Blacksmith, elaborate to me the process by which you create those imitations." Gilgamesh demanded, with Shirou complying without a second thought.

"First I use Structural Analysis on an object, through which I learn all the necessary information, from its composition, name, origin to its complete history of usage and who used it." Shirou began to explain, with Gilgamesh listening to him. "After that I use Projection…"

"You require a new name for it. I will not have my blacksmith use a moniker of hollowed fakes in relation to his craft." Gilgamesh stated to him, with Shirou thinking for a second about it.

"Then… How about Tracing?" Shirou asked of him. "I do effectively trace all about the object and use it then, so it makes sense to call it that doesn't it?"

"It will serve, now continue." Gilgamesh stated.

"Then I Trace those objects into the world, but since they are not originals, they are weaker and worse versions of their originals, so to compensate, use Strengthening and Alteration to increase their capabilities." Shirou concluded, with Gilgamesh nodding to him, as he processed what Shirou said, before he continued.

"At what stage is your skill with that Analysis?" Gilgamesh asked of Shirou.

"I think it is good, since I can analyze objects with by simply looking at them, and without incantations, achieving the aforementioned result." Shirou answered.

"And have you dared to employ that ability towards my treasures, without my explicit consent and knowledge?" Gilgamesh asked of Shirou with narrowed eyes.

"No, not even towards Mujo Muramasa." Shirou answered, with Gilgamesh being pleased with his answer.

"I assume you know what would happen if you did so, little blacksmith." Gilgamesh remarked with a smile.

"Crystal clear, King of Heroes, and I am not that suicidal." Shirou noted, with Gilgamesh laughing at his remark.

"Well said, blacksmith, but today, I shall see you employ that ability to full use." And at that moment, Gilgamesh opened the Gate of Babylon, and out of the portals appeared twenty weapons, all of which Shirou had seen previously. "These are the very arms I had deigned to show you as a reward for reaching the goal I set for you. Now, little blacksmith, let us see if your power reaches the level of my lower ranked treasures. Gaze and read them." Gilgamesh said, and Shirou did that the very instant, using the Structural Analysis, with Gilgamesh seeing blue magical hue surround all of the weapons.

Each and every arm that Gilgamesh had produced was actually prototype of an already existing Mystic Code and constructs, all of which may be qualified to serve as Noble Phantasm. Fortunately, for Shirou, their histories were blanks and so he was not forced to process memories of their wielders, since they had none of them. What he did learn still was more than enough to make Shirou groan a little from the sheer knowledge that poured into his mind all at once, before it rescinded and he was able to fully process and produce it from his memory.

"I see you have learned all from my treasures that you need, little blacksmith." Gilgamesh said, before sending back his arms. "Now then, Trace one of them into the world, and give it to me." Shirou did so, tracing a C+ rank longsword, which was now simply of C rank, with Gilgamesh picking it up and appraising.

"Hm, it naturally does not hold up to the original article, but it is not entirely worthless, even as an imitation, and could even hold up to a few of my less worthwhile treasures." Gilgamesh noted, before giving it back to Shirou. "Have you attempted to woven any of your spells into your constructs, beyond mere elements?"

"No, I haven't really attempted so." Shirou replied, with Gilgamesh nodding.

"Then today is when you do so, little blacksmith. Dispel this imitation and produce a new one, but bearing a spell." Gilgamesh ordered him, with Shirou looking at him with shock. "Is my order beyond your ability to process?"

"No, it is clear as day, however…" Shirou thought of objecting, but one look in Gilgamesh's eyes told him he was not about to hear an excuse. "I will need some time to adjust the process of Tracing to accommodate new parameters, a few minutes if I may?"

"You have ten." And with that, Gilgamesh sat on the porch and waited for Shirou to do so.

Shirou closed his eyes, and traced back all of his steps in the creation of Traced objects, and thinking of the ways to improve it while under pressure, though without panic, maintaining a cool head. Alteration was done on an already existing object, but this required him to alter the process of the production before the object could be created, and so Shirou began to theorize. This was not the first time when Shirou already had to modify a spell or Magecraft, and he did already think of the ways to improve his now identified Tracing. Falling back onto what he had already created, Shirou began to voice it akin to a chant:

"Judging the concept of creation.

Hypothesizing the basic structure.

Duplicating the composition material.

Imitating the skill of its making.

Sympathizing with the experience of its growth.

Reproducing the accumulated years.

Excelling every manufacturing process."

Shirou said the entire process, and then analyzed it several times over, and then meditated over it quickly, and then decided to try and modify it, as he added additional two lines:

"Weaving thaumaturgic addition.

Synergizing addition with creation."

Shirou said from his heart, and inside of him something had changed, and so he repeated the modified incantation ten times, memorizing it, and then he let mana run through his magic circuits, as incantation sounded loud and clear, and a new Thaumaturgy was added to the creation. The new traced longsword materialized in Shirou's arms, with Gilgamesh rising up and taking it into his hands, examining it, and then with a smirk finding that his blacksmith hadn't failed him.

"You have woven a Ward into it, making this sword into a shield against Magecraft as well. A simple addition to your imitation, and yet it is now a new original article of it's own." Gilgamesh noted with a smile, before handing it back to Shirou. "You have pleasantly surprised me, blacksmith, and showed me that which I've not seen yet before. For that, I give you leave to gaze and read my treasures, to draw inspiration and craft new articles of them, be they made out of your mind or steel. Continue to advance your craft, blacksmith, and if when next we meet you prove to have furthered your mastery over it. I may reward you by revealing more of my treasures to you, should I find your progress adequate."

"My gratitude for your generosity and your praise and for revelation you granted me." Shirou bowed his head in respect. "Would you like to come inside for a meal?" To that, Gilgamesh shook his head.

"A tempting offer, blacksmith, but I shall reserve it for the next time. Before the interruption of my leave, I had learned that some Magi mongrels that claim to be descendants of my kingdom had dared to appropriate that which belonged to me. If there is one thing I can stand less than unsanctioned fakers are thieves that claim falsehoods." Gilgamesh stated, before he turned and left the premises without a second word, with Shirou letting out a sigh.

"Guess I should warn Venelana that a Magus family is about to go extinct." Shirou noted dryly, though a smile came to his face, as he realized that there was more to Tracing than had met the eye.

---

Three months later. Junior High School of Fuyuki. Archery Club. Shirou's age: 13

"And that makes five times in the row." Ayako Mitsuzuri said to Issei, who had come to watch the performance of Shirou, as he nocked another arrow, and then loosed it, hitting bullseye again. "Six. You seeing any proof of foul play in here, President?" Ayako asked of him with an annoyed look, while Issei let out a tired sigh.

"As the Student Council President, it is my responsibility to ensure the morality and fairness are well maintained among the students, hence why it was my duty to respond and investigate potential foul play…" Issei Ryuudou tried to explain, but then Ayako interrupted.

"Foul play? What kind of a foul play were you expecting to find in here? Tempered bows and arrows, yeah, but how does one cheat at that?" Ayako pointed towards Shirou and his arrows. "Okay, fess up, President, who was it that tried to have Shirou ousted out of here?"

"I am not at liberty to reveal such kind of information." Issei responded, before he turned to Shirou. "However, Muramasa, I do find your presence in the club to be a disturbing factor to other students, like with Kendo Club. I fear will have to ask you to…" At that moment Ayako practically exploded, along with Taiga.

"Are you flipping kidding me?!" Ayako quite literally screamed at the Student Council President. "Public morals my ass!"

"Language, Mitsuzuri!" Issei scolded her.

"Ryuudou, are you seriously going to kick Shirou out because he is being his awesome usual self?!" Taiga shouted in indignation, before she shook her head. "No, no, no! I am not having my best student kicked out just because of some stupid rule or…"

"This is not some stupid rule, Fujimura-sensei, but a serious concern, concerning the moral of our students and…" Issei was about to argue, but then Shirou spoke up.

"If it's such a serious concern, then I'll leave." Shirou spoke up, shocking both Ayako and Taiga, while Issei let out a sigh of relief. "Sorry to have caused you problems, President. Guess I'll just stick to myself."

"No problem, Muramasa, and there is always a spot open for you in the Student Council if you are…" Issei wanted to say, but then Shirou simply interrupted him, as he put his bow down.

"No thanks, President." Shirou's cold tone suddenly caused Issei to stop in his tracks. "Last thing I want is to cause another disturbance, especially for one of my best friends."

"Oh, Muramasa, I appreciate the thought, but really, it is no concern for me and…" Issei responded but Shirou again interrupted him.

"Hm? I wasn't talking about you, President." Shirou spoke up, surprising Ryuudou.

"B-but who else would you be talking about?" Issei asked, before he felt a hand reach for his shoulder, and an absolutely palpable murderous intent coming from behind him.

"Ryuudou-san." Rin Tohsaka bore an expression of serene smile, which hid behind itself an storm of fury, indignation and desire to kill, with even Taiga shivering from the overly sweet tone. "What was it that I hear about Muramasa-kun being expelled from Archery Club, without an appropriate reason for it? Care to elaborate on it?" Though her tone was one of question, the pure murderous energy was not one that was asking.

"Tohsaka, this doesn't concern you in the least, so…" Issei turned, but then he saw standing behind Rin none other than Illya with an eerily similar smile, one that promised absolute pain.

"I think it does concern me, since I sense abuse of power being put in here." Tohsaka responded, before she turned to Shirou and Ayako. "Shirou, Ayako, don't worry, I'll get this straightened out in a jiffy. You two just go on ahead home, 'kay." Rin told them, before she and Illya nigh dragged Issei with them, with Shirou and Ayako following Rin's advice, and soon they were out of their school and going through the nearby park.

"Seriously, what the hell is his problem? First he forces you out of the Kendo Club, then he is mad because you've beat him in the last exams, and now this." Ayako said with indignation, as she and Shirou walked in the park, before she let out a sigh. "I know some people ain't too happy about those who stick out too much, but this is going overboard. It's like Ryuudou has it out for you, and you did start out quite well. What happened between the two of you?" Shirou could only shrug.

"Honestly, I think he doesn't like the fact that I'm closer to Rin than I am to him, and you know how he views her." Shirou answered, with Ayako nodding. "That and he also doesn't really like how Illya seems to "disrupt" peace in the school with her presence alone."

"You can tell me that again. I heard from some of my classmates that he was heard calling her "a pale red eyed demon" or something." Ayako noted, with Shirou a bit surprised, but more angered at that fact. "I think he's taking this whole public morals thing a bit too seriously. That or he just hates women in general."

"Guess that's one more thing we don't have in common." Shirou remarked, with Ayako chuckling. "What?"

"I just noticed that all of your closest friends are all girls, Muramasa. You are like a literal eroge protagonist." Ayako laughed at that, with Shirou simply letting out a sigh. "You better be careful, or else you might trigger one of us to go full yandere on you." She chuckled at her own joke, with Shirou deciding to turn the tables.

"Really, Mitsuzuri? I had no idea you were thinking of me in such a way." Shirou responded with a bit of theatrical way, with Ayako looking at with a bit of confused expression. "I had always thought of you as my friend, but if you really see me like that, then…" At that point Mitsuzuri's brain caught up with what Shirou was implying and she went beat red.

"S-stop it! I was just joking, okay." She said in an embarrassed tone, with Shirou chuckling lightly. "Ugh, you are just the worst when you do that, you know that?"

"Blame it on the bad influence I get back at home." Shirou responded with a chuckle, as they moved through the park, before he noticed something out in the distance. "Hey, Mitsuzuri? Is that… Shinji and his goons?" Shirou pointed towards the small group of boys, who all looked like they were surrounding someone.

"Yeah, and they seem to be harassing someone." Ayako said, as she looked in the direction. "Hold on, I think it's an underclassman of ours. Hey, Muramasa, where are you…" Ayako the saw Shirou stroll to seven boys harassing a purple haired girl, who was on the ground.

"Gentlemen." Shirou drew their attention with his perfect English, with Shinji scowling from the sight of Shirou. "Would you kindly explain to me, what is it that you doing with this girl?" Shirou's tone wasn't one that was asking, but rather demanding answers.

"Tch, it's just you, the perfect boy Muramasa." Shinji Matou scowled at him. "This is none of your business, so beat it, before I and my friends decide to teach you and Mitsuzuri over why you shouldn't get involved in others' business." Shinji's friends, or rather, goons turned and started to surround Shirou, though he was not all that concerned.

"Hey, are you alright?" Shirou instead looked at the girl, noticing some bruises on her face, but what bothered Shirou the most was the sense he was getting from her, and that it was one of complete abandonment of hope and acceptance of suffering, which troubled Shirou the most.

"I… I am. Please, do not concern yourself with me." She asked of him in a meek and weak way.

"I'm sorry, but no can do on that." Shirou said to her, before he turned to Shinji, and his gaze turned far colder and dangerous. "I give you one minute, Matou, for you and your goons to leave." To that Shinji and the rest of his squad laughed.

"Ha! You honestly think that you can take us all on?" Shinji asked with a cocky smile. "Alright guys, let's teach this dirty red head that he shouldn't mess with his betters." And at that point, Shinji threw the punch, but Shirou effortlessly caught him, with a vicious smirk and quiet predator-like chuckle, scaring Shinji and others.

"That was a wrong choice of words, Matou." Then Shirou pulled Shinji towards him, and then kneed him, before delivering an elbow strike to his back, forcing him to drop. "Next?" Fortunately for goons of Shinji, they knew better than to mess with someone like Shirou, not after he so effortlessly beat Shinji, and so they ran as fast as they could, right past Ayako, who looked stunned at what her friend just pulled off.

"Muramasa, the heck were you thinking... Actually, hold that thought, where did you even learn to fight like that?" Ayako asked of him genuinely surprised at his act. "Was that something like karate or judo?"

"No, more like whatever suits the needs." Shirou responded before moved to the girl and offered her his hand. "Sorry you had to see this. Here." The girl looked at him with an expression of surprise, and tentatively took Shirou's hand, as he helped her rise onto her feet.

"You helped me. Protected me…" She said with confusion in her voice. "I… Nobody had protected me, not from my Nii-sama or his friends. Why did you do it?" She asked of Shirou, surprising him a little.

"Because they were hurting you and you needed help. What other reasons would I need?" Shirou said, shocking and surprising the girl, while Ayako could only smile at his response. "Sorry, I forget my manners. I'm Shirou, Shirou Muramasa, and this is Ayako Mitsuzuri. We are from the same school as you are, given the uniforms, but are one year senior of you, if I had to guess."

"Then… you are my senpai, Muramasa-senpai?" She said, with Shirou exchanging looks with Ayako, before responding.

"Let's just go with Senpai, if you do not mind." Shirou said, with the girl nodding. "And you are…"

"I… I am Sakura. Sakura Matou." She said, with both Shirou and Ayako realizing what just happened.

"Wait, so does that mean that Shinji is your brother, and he was beating you with his goons?" Ayako asked of her, and Sakura nodded. "That is just wrong on so many levels."

"Let's… Let's just leave for now. My home is not far from here, Sakura. Want to come over for a bit?" Shirou asked of Sakura, and she looked at him in more shock and surprise, as this was the first time in her life, anyone had actually offered such a thing to her, yet she accepted.

---

Two hours later.

The moment Sakura and Shirou stepped inside the Emiya residence and she had introduced herself, Irisviel all but took the poor girl under her wing and immediately went about getting Sakura comfortable, freshen up and fed, as well as tending to her bruises. To say that young girl was confused and shocked would be an understatement, yet she accepted it and was glad she did, as for the first time in years someone had cared for her, genuinely and without reserve. She had expected a trap or this to be a dream or a lie, yet it was not and Irisviel, Touko, Aoko, and Senpai were all genuinely concerned and being gracious with her. This had made the poor girl cry, and the moment that had happened Irisviel again took the reins and went about comforting the girl, while Touko and Aoko took Shirou into the other room, to talk about it.

"Shirou, while I do approve of you sticking your neck out for her, you realize that she is a Matou?" Touko asked of him, with Shirou nodding.

"I know, and I remember what had happened the last time Muramasa and Matou crossed each other, but she is not the same person that had stolen the Crest and killed my grandfather's family." Shirou reminded her, before looking back at the girl in the other room. "And… I just could not leave her, not when she is… I don't know… It's like she is living in hell every day, and she had just accepted it." To that Touko could only sigh, with Aoko looking with question at her sister.

"Anything we should know, Touko?" Aoko immediately asked of her, with Touko deciding to tell them.

"Genji had kept a close eye on the Matou family ever since he moved back into his family's house, out of suspicion and concern that Zouken might attempt to steal the Crest again, or make a move against him. He never explicitly told me, but from what I understand, in the last Grail War, it was Hiryu and his Rider who had beaten Zouken and his Caster, yet while Zouken survived, he didn't escape unscathed." Touko told Shirou and Aoko. "And ever since the end of that Great War, the Matou bloodline had begun to thin out, and at the beginning of the last war, they only had one Kariya Matou possessing Magic Circuits, and those were worse than your average ones in numbers and quality."

"You mean to tell us that Shirou's granddad cursed the Matous, as a punishment for what Zouken did, and that he may well be plotting revenge?" Aoko said, with Touko nodding. "But that girl doesn't seem to be all that threatening. Heck, I just want to go there and give her a hug."

"Maybe, but there are also some things you need to know about her." Touko sighed again, as she drew the eye of both Shirou and Aoko. "Rin never told you, but she had a sister. Well, has a sister, but she was given away… to the Matou." At that information Shirou widened his eyes, as he remembered the last words of Aoi Tohsaka.

"Sakura… She was the one Aoi Tohsaka was calling to." Shirou said with shock in his voice. "But why didn't Rin ever tell us, and how did you know, Kaa-chan?"

"Like I said, Genji kept a close eye on Zouken, so he knew of Tokiomi giving Sakura away to Zouken, believing that she will become the Matou heir. Apparently, she was born with the same potential and Magic Circuits as Rin, and he decided to give her to Zouken in belief that Sakura would end up as Matou head." Touko explained to Shirou and Aoko, with both already knowing how it all went down.

"You know, every time I hear about this man, I think that he couldn't be even more despicable and abhorrent as a human being, and every time I find myself correcting myself." Shirou noted with a bit of anger in his voice, before calming down and looking towards Sakura. "Regardless, even if she is a Matou, I wasn't going to turn a blind eye to what was happening to her, nor am I going to turn a blind eye to what I sense is complete and utter abuse of her. I know that Mage's Association demanded that we don't start any trouble or else they'll get involved, but at least she can come to us for a time and escape that monster." Shirou, Touko and Aoko turned and moved back to the living room.

"That is something, though the last thing we need is to have a feud with Matous, or rather reignite the one that is still on going…" And just as Aoko said it, a gate bell rang, and soon Sella came in.

"There is a car waiting outside for our young guest, Mistress." Sella replied. "The man inside claims to be her grandfather." When Sakura heard it she shook, but still rose up, wiping her tears.

"I will go. Thank you for your hospitality." She said with a near emotionless tone, before Shirou joined her. "Senpai?"

"I'll see you off, and explain the situation to your grandfather, if he asks." Shirou assured Sakura with a smile, before heading to the entrance. "Sakura, you can always come visit, whenever you so want. I'll always welcome you." Shirou could almost sense how impactful his words were to Sakura, as she looked at him with clearest shock.

"I… can?" She asked again, and Shirou nodded to her. "Th-thank you, Senpai." She thanked him, barely keeping her tears in, as they exited the main building, and there was waiting Zouken Matou.

The moment Shirou had locked eyes with this creature, for young Muramasa could not even bring himself to call Zouken human, he could tell that he was no longer a being of human nature. He sensed vile and darkness from him, akin to sensing hordes of insects crawling all over him, or rather being him, and the way he looked and smiled at Shirou… Somehow, at that same moment, Shirou knew that one day, he and Zouken Matou will come to blows, and when it happens, he will not show any mercy towards him. But for now… For now, he will have to stay his hand from summoning his arsenal and raining it down onto Zouken.

"Ah, there you are, Sakura." Zouken spoke up with a smile, which made Shirou clench his right fist. "Come, granddaughter. It is almost time for your regular training." At the last word, Shirou could see Sakura wincing, yet following his command.

"Yes, grandfather. Thank you for everything, Senpai." Sakura bowed in respect and hurried to the car, while Zouken locked eyes with Shirou.

"So, you are the Muramasa that had beaten up my grandson?" Zouken asked in a rhetorical fashion, as he looked appraisingly at Shirou. "Hm, I had thought it was just a coincidence, but now I see that it isn't. You have the same eyes as your grandfather and father did, Shirou Muramasa." Zouken chuckled darkly, while Shirou's gaze hardened at his words.

"And you appear to be in as good a health as you were during the last time our families crossed paths." Shirou stated with cold tone, with Zouken not quite bothered with the hidden hostilities. "If you expect me to apologize for what I did to Shinji, then you are wasting your time."

"Oh, quite the contrary. I am here to thank you, Muramasa, for reminding my pitiful grandson his actual place and where he belonged, when in comparison to the true Magi, like you and I." Zouken liked the way Shirou tensed at those words. "As my gratitude, I shall overlook your interest in my granddaughter and allow her to come visit you here. She seems to be quite taken with you already, and she does deserve to have good friends. Friends that will become dear to her, which she will treasure and will do anything for her, and she will for them." The subtext wasn't lost on Shirou, and he replied.

"They will do anything for her, especially if it means protecting her from anyone." Shirou responded, with Zouken laughing at his words.

"You Muramasa are all the same, it would appear. All so driven by your bonds and emotions, so unlike the true Magi." Zouken noted with a predatory smile. "That's exactly why you were nearly culled, safe for your grandfather, back in the day, yet in the end, both he and his son did bite the dust eventually, while I remained alive and hearty." Zouken chuckled at the growing fury of the boy, before he heard the door open and out there step Irisviel, Touko and Aoko.

"Only because you've feared to face them, Zouken Matou, and if you think that you can take on my son, you have another thing coming for you." Irisviel warned him, as she and others took their place with Shirou.

"Ah, the infamous Aozaki sisters and the last Einzbern vessel." Zouken chuckled darkly as he looked at Shirou. "You are definitely smarter, having surrounded yourself with such powerful friends, Muramasa. Yet we need not be enemies, at least for now. Would you not agree? After all, if we were to make battle, the Association may decide to intervene, and as it stands, I would hold the higher ground in regards to political weight." Zouken chuckled at that fact, with Shirou and others knowing he was correct.

"For the moment, though I imagine that the Clock Tower would not mind an old bug like you going extinct for good." Shirou remarked coldly, with Zouken merely chuckling at his words.

"You may bark loud, but I doubt your bite would even sting." Zouken stated, as he turned and moved back to his car. "For now though, let us remain good neighbors. For Sakura's sake, or else I imagine she would be very hurt to find us feuding." Zouken chuckled darkly.

"Zouken Matou." Shirou called out to him, with a voice full of power and determination. "When next we meet, I shall gift you a sword of my making. One that shall end your existence for good." Shirou promised Zouken, who turned and smiled to him viciously.

"Oh, how scary." He mocked the boy. "I shall await for that day, young Muramasa." And with those words, Zouken left the premises on his car, and Shirou and his family knew, that one day, they will have to do battle.

---

Seven months later. Fuyuki City. Shirou's age: 14

Shirou finally reached his destination, which looked like your normal and typical five-story building that were in complete abundance in the Fuyuki City, though what most didn't notice was a high-quality Bounded Field that surrounded it, with special hypnotic suggestion placed to prevent anyone who wasn't invited or didn't have access in entry. Fortunately, for Shirou, he had access, since this was where his Kaa-chan had set up her main Workshop, while at the residence she had merely supplementary one, since Touko's work revolved around puppets, she needed space for construction and storage, and this place was good for both. Entering the building and then going up the stairs, Shirou's destination lay on it's fourth floor, where his mom had set up her office, while first was storage, second and third- workplace, and fifth was just empty.

Shirou had been to this place multiple times already, but this was the first time when his Kaa-chan had asked him to come here directly, and she said that it had something to do with business. This was the first time Shirou actually was getting involved in Touko's professional life, as she preferred to keep Shirou separated from it, though not out of concern, but simply because she knew that her son's interests lay somewhere else. It wasn't like Shirou wasn't interested in puppets, because he was and he did find their concept quite fascinated, he simply didn't have the time nor energy with all his other studies and working on Mystic Codes, but he wasn't going to let this chance slip by.

Touko Aozaki was an internationally recognized best puppeteer in the world, and that was a confirmed fact, and she made her living off making puppets, with her clientele varying from Magus Families to top brass of Clock Tower, Wandering Sea and Atlas. And it wasn't just her puppets that were sought after, but also the prosthetics that she constructed and made, allowing disabled Magi to once again to have the full functions of their bodies. The application of Touko's skills and abilities varied extremely, and she made full use of it, earning herself fortune after fortune, though that didn't mean that Touko was going to stop stealing Aoko's credit cards from time to time just to buy something for herself.

Reaching the needed floor, Shirou opened the door into the office, which was it's usual messy self, and there he found not only Touko, but also Aoko and Irisviel, with his Kaa-chan sitting behind her desk and holding her head in both her palms.

"I'm here… And what did I miss?" Shirou asked immediately, as he walked to Touko's desk. "Kaa-chan, what happened?"

"What happened is that Touko here had taken on the most absurd and ridiculous order on a puppet to date, that's what." Aoko answered with a smirk, with Shirou cocking his brow at that, with Magician Blue sighing and turning to Touko. "You explain this to him, sis. You took this on, so you explain it to him." The sheer evil smile on Aoko's face honestly kinda scared Shirou.

"Ugh." Touko groaned, as she looked up and let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, yesterday after you and the girls went to Mitsuzuri for a that sleepover party, we three, plus Sella and Liz, decided to unwind for a bit. Have a couple of drinks, that sort of thing." Now Shirou was starting to see where this was going.

"That explains why Sella seemed kinda slow today and Liz was still sleeping, though it is Liz." Shirou commented, to which Irisviel chuckled. "So, what had happened next?"

"Well, we had a couple of drinks, got bored and then Irisviel offered to play truth or dare, I think?" Touko turned to Irisviel, who seemed like she didn't go through the night drinking.

"King's Game, actually." Irisviel corrected.

"Was that one before or after that board game?" Touko asked, as she struggled to remember, before feeling queasy. "Ugh… please kill me." Shirou let out a sigh and went over to cast Healing onto his Kaa-chan, with her finally feeling better.

"Can we cut to the chase, before I can't look you all in the eye?" Shirou asked, with Touko nodding to him.

"Anyway, I lost to Iri here, and she challenged me to take on the most absurd, ridiculous and downright impossible order I could find on my web-site. And so I did." Touko said, with Shirou blinking at her.

"Well, you didn't say you would have to complete it, did you?" Shirou asked.

"That's what I thought, but here's the catch: the client has already transferred the sum, in full." Touko said with a groan. "I've now got my whole bloody reputation on the line, and this guy he just…. Here, just read it." She took a print of the order and gave it to Shirou, who read the order, and as he read it, he felt his common sense and mind begin to evaporate.

"Is… Is this for real?" Shirou asked of his Kaa-chan, who nodded. "A-and h-he paid in full?"

"Down to the last penny, transferred it just five minute after I accepted the order." Touko said, as she sighed. "Ordered up damn near everything that was at top of my price tags: full interactive personality, independent mana generator, complete autonomy, plus personal choices, and those are just…" Touko shook her head, while Shirou read it.

"Take basis from a specific picture, turn it like into a dark version of one it. Include full arsenal and armaments from Ultra-Premium section and…" At what he saw next Shirou grew quite a blush. "You also cover this?!" Shirou asked with shock, as he pointed at the part that made him blush.

"Yup, she does." Irisviel replied with a smile, with Shirou letting out a sigh.

"Okay… And what does this exactly have to do with me?" Shirou asked, before Touko pointed at the bottom of the list of requirements. "Special order: add in an enchanted black armor and a Cursed bastard sword, capable of unleashing high level magical destruction… Why is this also included in this?" Shirou asked of his mother.

"Genji used my web-site for his own work, and he often helped, and… I kinda forgot to update it, so…" Touko said, with Shirou sighing.

"And you took on the order, and he paid in full?" Shirou asked again, with Touko nodding to him. "Just how much of a price tag you put on this one?" And then she showed him the transfer, making Shirou widen his eyes and sit into the chair, in shock.

"Okay… How much time do we have and did the include weight and height requirements for this one?" Shirou asked.

"Yup, and he even included sent a picture of the person. Here." Aoko showed it to everyone, with Irisviel looking at it with complete shock.

"She looks just like Saber! Same face, though eyes and hair a bit different, but she's even cuter now! I can tell she is just adorable." Irisviel nearly squealed, with Shirou admitting that the girl did look cute, he was trying to process how he would had to get this done.

"Alright, and how much time is there to make this?" Shirou asked.

"We've got two months." To that Shirou let out a groan, as he knew what it meant. "Shirou, I hate to ask you, but…"

"I'll do it. I know how much your reputation means to you, Kaa-chan. Just… Just please don't go too hard next time with the drinks, okay?" Shirou asked of her, as he began to picture how to get his part done. "And I want 25 percent of the money." To that Touko could only balk, while Aoko and Irisviel looked at him with surprise.

"25 percent… What do you even need money for, Shirou? You've got bigger monthly allowance than some manages earn in years." Touko reminded to him with shock in her tone.

"You taught me never to do any job for free, unless it wasn't important to me personally." Shirou reminded to her. "Also, that's me going low. Two months for two high level Mystic Codes like these are no joke to make. Heck, just properly weaving in enchantments onto the raw metals will take weeks, and it says that armor must be able to withstand physical and magical attacks, and this sword is even crazier… 25 percent, or else you'll have to find someone else to do this kind of work." Aoko was impressed with how Shirou stood his ground.

"Oh, so for your greed you are ready to let your mom's reputation be sullied?" Touko asked him an accusatory tone, before adding. "10 percent." To that Shirou snorted a laugh in same manner as Touko often did.

"10 percent?! I'm sorry, but do you want quality products, or slag, because I'd only sell slag at that price." Shirou stated with indignation. "20 percent is about as low I can go down." Aoko and Iri watched this match with fascination, with Touko nearly grinding her own teeth.

"You know, it's not bad form to be robbing one's own parents." Touko remarked, before giving her offer. "15 percent, and cover the costs for the necessary materials." To that Shirou could only smile and offer his hand to Touko.

"Deal." Shirou responded, with Touko taking a moment, before she laughed and shook his hand, obviously proud of her son.

"Nicely played." She commented. "Now, can you actually do it?"

"Yeah, but I'll have to skip school and go to the Estate to work there." Shirou responded, and then he began to draw in his mind what he would also need. "Gonna be a tight schedule, and I'll need some rare materials, most of which we have in stock back in the Estate, but there some that I'll need for that cursed sword to meet the specs… I'll need dragon's powdered bones, crystalized Faery essence and also Archgriffin's stomach acid. At least 10 to 15 liters of it." Aoko widened her eyes at his requests.

"Archgriffin's stomach acid? The heck would need this one for and so much of it?" She asked of him.

"For quenching the blade and armor. Archgriffin's acid hardens and enhances durability and breaking point of the materials, as well as negating any rusting process and degradation of enchantments." Shirou explained. "And I take you too will be busy helping Kaa-chan?" Both women nodded to him, with Shirou letting out a tired sigh.

"I'm sorry have to put you in such a spot, Shirou." Touko offered her apologies, but he shook his head.

"Don't worry, Kaa-chan. I'm actually looking forward to making it, though I can't help but wonder who in the world would both want to order such a specific puppet, and pay for it." Shirou said.

"He didn't say, only gave the address to where to send it. Department of Modern Magecraft in London." Touko told him. "I did hear that they did gain a new head, and that he is a Lord to boot."

"Must be one of the founders of the Clock Towers or big shots like Barthomeloi or Trambelio if they can afford this kind of a purchase." Aoko noted. "You could buy yourself 5 Bugatti Divo with that kind of paycheck, and still have enough left to tune them all up."

"Just go to show how much these Lords have to spend." Touko noted, as she reclined in her chair. "Each and every one of them is as rich as they are prideful. If there is one that a Lord of Clock Tower isn't, it's broke."

---

Two months later. London.

Waver Velvet, formerly one of the Masters in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and current Lord El-Melloi II, was flat out broke, and being in that state has become something of a norm for him, as he most of his money went to settling the debt of the El-Melloi family, paying Melvin to restore the Crest and other expenses. Of course, as a Lord and top lecturer of the Clock Tower, he did earn a hefty pay check, but compared to other Lords, he was just absolutely destitute by comparison, and he was used to that state. All he could to was pray that he didn't have to expend too much of his monetary reserves than he had to but unfortunately for Lord El-Melloi II, he did not always have that option, especially considering the students that he was teaching.

Eccentricity was practically a norm in the Clock Tower among Magi and students, but even among the colorful members of the Association, some of Lord El-Melloi II's students stood out in a particular way. Case in point being Flat Escardos, an absolute prodigy in terms of Magecraft potential, yet an absolute and utter buffoon when it came to wisdom and intelligence. Not possessing even such concepts as basic logic and common sense, one could expect anything from a boy like that, but even Waver Velvet, who had survived the Fourth Holy Grail War, being Master of Alexander the Great and having come out unscathed, was absolutely unprepared for the latest of Flat's stunts.

To say that it had shocked Waver would be the momentous understatement, as it nearly left him brain-dead, and what was even worse, it drew the attention of the Department of the Policies. Under any other circumstances, Waver would've preferred to deal with Hishiri Adashino, but this time his student drew the attention of none other than Venelana Runeas, Former Lord-Regent of Policies and Provisional Head of Barthomeloi Family, and winner of the Third Holy Grail War. Translating that in common language, she was not a woman who was to be messed with, not when she also had a freaking Lancer at her side, though she didn't really need it, as she was able to effortlessly bind Flat in Ether chains.

Now she, El-Melloi II, Reines, Gray, Lancer, bound up Flat and the reason for the latest commotion were all in the empty classroom, with Waver restraining himself from chocking his student to death.

"Now then, young man, explain to us, where, how and why did you order this?" Venelana demanded with authority in her tone, as she pointed her finger at the object of her and Clock Tower's current concern.

That "concern" happen to appear as a damn near perfect more mature copy of Waver's current student, Gray, and Saber of the Fourth War, having nearly given a heart attack to Lord El-Melloi from her sight, and caused the poor hooded girl to hide behind the imposing Lancer and refusing to show herself to the eyes of this woman. The differences between Gray and Saber were pale skin, pale golden hair and bright golden eyes, as well as her entire attire being a menacing black with red lines, dressed in a version of Saber's armor of black color, fully enchanted and battle ready, with an added helmet to boot. The suit of armor that this woman wore could be considered an example of exquisitely crafted Mystic Code, made both practical and esthetical, and which could shrug off most spells, and also having the feature of covering itself in an obscuring black fog, fully covering the person.

However, it was not her appearance that caused concern to the Clock Tower, but the fact that this "person" appeared to be with a veritable magical arsenal somehow stored in her. Curses, Wards, Finn Shots, integrated within skeleton Mystic Code weaponry, full range magical scanners, a powerful magical generator, and she appeared completely indistinctive from human from appearance and purely physical examination.

What caused the biggest concern for all of the Clock Tower was the weapon she fashioned, and that was an utterly black with red lines bastard sword that bore an eerie resemblance to a certain Golden Holy Sword of King Arthur. Naturally, that it was nowhere near the Sword of Assured Victory, but it was still a Mystic Code of great power, enough for it to actually get a C+ rank on Noble Phantasm ranking, with the potential for unleashing enough power to reach B rank, or even B+ rank.

All that was more than enough to cause the Department of Policies to send Venelana to investigate, and she brought along with her Caenis, and nearly lost her composure at the sight of this person, but quickly regained herself. It took her but a moment to identify that this was a Puppet, and not just any puppet, as she knew every single one high-level puppeteer by name, and she knew only one who could create such a masterpiece. When looking at this veritable masterpiece of combined potential destructive power, beauty and menace, Venelana remarked that Touko most definitely outdone herself, though the armor and this sword were a small mystery for her. One she meant to solve immediately.

"I-I uh… I kinda found a site on the Internet that dealt with it and placed an order for it. But I totally didn't mean it for any bad stuff! I only wanted to make Gray happy, plus you and Svin, Professor, and what is better than a cooler, badass, Gothic Lolita, sexier Gray!" Flat stated, with Waver Velvet practically shaking in his place from rage, while Flat remained confined to his spot.

"And how in the world did you arrive to such a conclusion?" Waver asked with a barely contained fury, with Flat taking a moment to think about it.

"I… I think I read about it on some site about relations. Or was it the other one…" At that moment Waver let out a blood curdling howl.

"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT INTERNET, FLAT?!" Waver shouted at him, with Reines chuckling from her side.

"Lord El-Melloi, please contain yourself and the calamity that is your crumbling sanity. You can skin him alive after I've gotten all of my answers." Venelana told him calmly, while Caenis was grinning from the scene. "Back to the topic, what was the name of that site?" She asked of him, with her Magecraft compelling him to truthful.

"I-It was one with the name of Aozaki to it." The name immediately gotten attention of Reines.

"Aozaki's Puppetry and Prosthetics?" Reines asked, and Flat nodded, before she let out a whistle. "Gotta hand it to your student, dear brother: your student has got some premium taste. Last I heard Touko Aozaki's fees are the highest on the market, but nobody can even come close to the quality. But I didn't know she was also in the market of Mystic Codes, and some exceptional ones at that…"

"She is not, unless it is part of her Puppet, but arms and armor are not in her repertoire." Waver responded, before deciding to speak to the Puppet. "Tell me, who had provided you with your armor and sword." The fake Saber finally moved and answered in a monotone, identical to Saber voice.

"My armor and sword were crafted by Shirou Muramasa." Fake Saber answered, with Venelana and Caenis exchanging surprised looks, while Reines cocked her eyebrow up. "Rest assured, oh my great professing Master, that I am fully capable of using them, as both your Knight and your Maid. Give me the order, and I shall slay all of your foes, be their dust or Servants" To that Reines could only laugh with Caenis, while Gray was starting to cry, with Waver letting out a groan.

"Flat… What the hell did you order to be put into her?!" Waver demanded, with Flat looking around, as if looking for a way to escape.

"Um… I forgot." Flat admitted, with Waver losing sanity by the second, before he remembered. "But I have a copy of my order in my pocket! Here!" He quickly reached and gave it to Waver, who upon reading it all, was no longer simply contemplating murdering his student, but actively planning it.

"May I?" Venelana asked, and took the list, with her brows eyes rising in surprise. "Well, Lord El-Melloi, allow me to offer you my heartfelt condolences. Such a cruel twist of fate I would not wish upon anyone." She said as she handed the list back to Waver.

"And why is that, Lady Runeas?" Waver asked of her, already dreading the answer.

"Because from the amount of features, peculiarities and the rest, I imagine that this was the most expensive order ever made to Touko Aozaki, and she rarely deals in anything below six digit paychecks, but this looks closer to eight digits." Venelana responded. "And I severely doubt that your student happens to possess the coin needed for it." At that realization and her implication, Reines had quite a devilish smile upon her face, while Waver paled, before growing red from anger, as he turned to Flat.

"Flat, how much did she cost?" Waver demanded to know.

"47 million dollars, but you don't have to worry, Professor! I've already paid in full for her!" He assured him, with Reines and others already feeling that this was going to end badly.

"How?" Waver asked with a tone that could kill a Servant.

"I took a loan, of course, but don't you worry, sir. I named you as my loan guarantor!" Flat stated with the brightest smile, and at that moment Reines just couldn't contain herself and burst out laughing, dropping onto the floor and unable to contain herself.

Meanwhile Waver could do but one sensible thing at that moment and that is go to his blackboard and straight up attempt to kill himself by smashing his head at it. Fortunately for him, Gray and his new maid/knight/Puppet moved to stop him at that moment.

"Master, cease your unhealthy actions!" Fake Saber commanded, as she swiftly grabber her master and stopped him with but one arm.

"Please, Sir, stop it! I-I will work hard and pay it off, j-just stop and d-don't replace me with her!" Gray begged him with tears, while Venelana and Caenis looked at it all with small smiles on their faces.

"Oh my… I've not had such a good laugh in a long while." Reines finally stopped and composed herself, before recalling something. "Now then, did that puppet say her armor and sword were made by someone named Muramasa? If I recall correctly, there was a Mystic Artisan who went by that name in Japan. I even remember hearing that some members of Archibald family couldn't even afford his work, and that among his clients was even the current Lord Barthomeloi, but he was called Genji Muramasa, and rumor has it he died some time ago."

"That's Genji's son an heir, Shirou Muramasa." Venelana answered, as she looked at the armor and sword, a small smile coming to her lips.

"Well, looking at the quality of those Mystic Codes of hers, I'd say that son is well worth the name his father had established." Reines said with a smile of her own. "Say, Lady Runeas, you happened to have visited Japan not so long ago. Would you happen to have a way to contact this Shirou Muramasa?"

"If your goal is to place an order, then you may wish to wait three weeks." Venelana told her, with Runeas cocking her brow at her request.

"And why would I do that?" She asked of her.

"Because he is coming to the Clock Tower in that time." Venelana revealed, preparing to leave. "Though I would hurry if I were you. After today's demonstration, I imagine that young Muramasa will have no shortage of clients." She said with a smile, as she and Caenis departed, while Reines, intrigued and interested, already started to think of a way to get to know this mysterious Artisan.

---

Poor Velvet, if Grail War didn't kill him, his students are sure to do the work for him… Not sure if this was more or less what I initially envisioned as the slice of life, but it sure was developing enough for Shirou and we are now close to the part where he actually comes to London. And yes, I know that I've kinda bashed Issei Ryuudou a bit, and I do apologize for it, but this was made to demonstrate the difference between normal Shirou Emiya and Shirou Muramasa.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter and will leave a review, a suggestion for the future events or a possible romance options for harem, as well ask questions about the story. Your contributions help me make this story better.

Next time: Muramasa in London; Old grudges of past generations

See ya!