In the city of Fukuki stood a church that was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few flickering candles. A lone figure, a priest with pale skin and long brown hair, stood waiting. He wore a dark purple coat over his black priest's outfit, and a golden cross hung around his neck. His hands were clasped behind his back, and anticipation hung about him.
Suddenly, the doors creaked open, and an old man appeared. He was bald and wrinkled, with sunken eyes that had black scleras and white irises and fixed disapprovingly on the priest. The old man wore an old-fashioned black robe, with a green rope visible underneath. He leaned on a wooden stick, his presence commanding despite his age.
"Your ploy to commission the Holy Grail War in secret has failed, Kirei Kotomine" the old man rasped, his voice like parchment. "And now the Shinigami will no doubt intervene"
The priest smirked, a small, knowing smile. "It was never a foolproof plan, Zouken Matou" he retorted in a smooth voice. "Killing Shinigami, even low-ranking ones, is much more difficult than killing off Magi. Especially considering that the one who led that squadron managed to reach Kakaura town and forced Lancer to face a captain-level shinigami and his friends that forced him to retreat"
Zouken huffed a dry sound. "Kirei, you know full well that the only reason why I aid you in devouring the corpses of the Shinigami your Servant Lancer killed is because I want as little interference in the Grail as possible. Especially when those self-righteous Shinigami ban it as one of the terms of the none interference agreement they have with the Mage Association, and now because of your Servant's incompetence, the Holy Grail Wars could be stopped for good!"
Kirei raised an eyebrow, a skeptical expression. "Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions, Zouken,' he reasoned, his voice even. "While this would unmistakably upset the Shinigami, I doubt they will have the means of stopping the Grail War…" He trailed off, his gaze drifting upwards through one of the church windows to the moon hanging in the night sky. "After all, unlike what they have done to the Quincies, the Mage Association is too cunning and ruthless of a force for them to wage war against them without mutual destruction, and so it is likely that a compromise will be made"
Zouken narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing. 'And what will this compromise be?'
Kirei smiled, a small, knowing smile. "One that I assume will be mutually beneficial for both races to prevent war" He paused, his head cocking to the side. "I sense a presence" he murmured. A moment later, the doors to the church opened, and a figure in the robes of the Mage Association appeared. Both Zouken and Kirei recognized him, and their expressions changed to those of intrigue.
"Speaking of which…" the Magus member said, a dry smile on his face.
Meanwhile, in Kakarua town, both Renji and Rukia received a text message. Their eyes widened as they read the words on the screen.
"It's an order from the captain commander…" Rukia said, her voice soft as she read the message. "In light of the Mage Association breaking one of the terms of the non-interference treaty in regards to the Holy Grail War, the Gotei 13 have decided to intervene in the Fifth Holy War…as participants"
Ichigo, Sado, Orihime, Uryu, and Urahara all widen their expressions, their faces reflecting surprise, and confusion, while Kisuke held a hint of bemusement.
"Participants?" Ichigo asked, his brow furrowed.
Back at the Fuyuki church, the Magus member continued his explanation. "For the sake of avoiding outright war, it has been agreed upon that seven captain-level Shinigami will be chosen to fight in the Holy Grail War for the chance to win the Holy Grail themselves," he said, his voice even. Zouken's eyes widened in surprise, while Kirei looked amused.
"So instead of a battle royal of servants, it will be one between captain-level Shinigami and servants…interesting…" Kirei murmured, a small smile playing on his lips.
Later, back in Kakarua town, Ichigo turned to the others. "So I guess I am one of the seven chosen to join, right?" he asked again, looking at Rukia. She nodded, her expression serious. 'If you accept, yes, and the same offer has been extended to Urahara as well"
Kisuke smirked a confident smile. "I'm flattered," he said, his voice dripping with glee.
Renji narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing. "It also says that the captain-level Shinigami are allowed to take as many associates as possible alongside the masters…but the conditions are that if the Shinigami-level captains defeat all the Servants, then the Gotei 13 will claim the Grail for themselves…but if the Servants defeat all the Shinigami-level captains…"
Back at the Fuyuki church, the Magi Associate member was just about to finish his explanation. 'The Grail War will continue as usual…' he said, bowing his head. Then he turned and left, leaving Zouken and Kirei alone once more. They looked at each other, intrigued expressions on their faces.
"Well…this sounds mutually beneficial…" The old Magus mused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "If these Captain-level Shinigami are anywhere near as powerful as the one that forced Lancer to retreat, and if they managed to take down the other Servants…perhaps even that disgrace Shinji might have a better chance to win this war"
Kirei smiled, a small, knowing smile. "It would make the conflict more interesting at least…either way, I suppose I will let the other Masters know of the change of circumstances"
Kouzen eyed Kirei, a skeptical expression on his face. "Are you not going to suggest the Masters work together to fight against the Shinigami?"
The priest smirked a small, confident smile. "Even if I did, most of them probably won't out of pride or believing their Servants are more than powerful enough to win the Holy Grail regardless, and besides…" He trailed off, his gaze drifting to a stained glass window. "I am rather curious to see how powerful these Shinigami truly are.' He pondered, his voice filled with a hint of mischievousness.
Meanwhile, back in Kakarua town, Ichigo let out a sigh.
"Well, I guess that settles it then. I have to move into Fuyuki city to stop this Holy Grail War then," Ichigo declared his voice blunt. Uryu looked at him, with a dry expression on his face.
"So you are going to accept the Shinigami's offer just like that?"
Ichigo rolled his eyes and then sported a smirk on his face. "Just because this Grail War isn't part of my hometown doesn't mean I'm going to allow another town to suffer" He turned to Uryu, meeting his gaze. "Are you coming?"
Uryu raised his glasses, his eyes focusing. "In truth, the Quincy and the Magi are rather neutral to each other, so I can't say I have any personal stakes in this…" He trailed off, his gaze becoming distant. "But given the actions caused by the last Holy Grail War, I rather not stand by and allow another accident like that to happen again"
Sado nodded, a determined expression on his face. "And you can count me in too"
Orihime raised her hand, an excited smile on her face. "Me too!"
Renji and Rukia smirked, looking at each other. "And don't think you are not letting us join the fight!" Renji said, his voice firm.
Ichigo smiled, looking at his friends. Then he turned to Urahara. "What about you, Hat and Clogs?"
Urahra then smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, usually I have a shop to run…but considering the Gotei 13 went so far as to invite me, and I am the closest thing to an expert regarding the Magi and the Servants, I will also join in…as an associate"
Kurosaki nodded, a determined expression on his face. "Well, I guess we better get ready to leave then"
And so with that, Ichigo and his friends prepared themselves to fight in the Holy Grail War, ready to face whatever lay ahead to prevent another disaster from occurring within the very city that hosted it. While the Masters of Fuyuki prepared their Servants to claim the Grail as their own, the stage was set for a conflict unlike any before. The Holy Grail War is now set as a stage not just against heroic spirits of legend but against the very gods of death themselves.