A few hours later when the morning had come and after the army of dragon tooth soldiers finally retreated Urahara managed to take Nemu the suit. But upon hearing the news that Ichigo hadn't made it back yet and couldn't detect his Spiritual energy anywhere the rest of the group became anxious.

"Damn it!' Renji cursed. 'If only more of us managed to break through those bags of bones none of this would have happened!"

"Don't beat up yourself so much Renji" Kisuke reassured. "It was me who sent Ichigo away in the first place because I didn't want him to get caught in my battle with the Servent or risk his body getting taken control again by Caster if I separated it from him. Plus I thought his martial arts skills and determination would be enough for him to pull through' he criticized himself. "However I failed to consider that other servants would have taken advantage of the situation and taken Ichigo down themselves"

Rukia then sighed. "Yet given the fact Ichigo didn't have time to bring his badge with him while he was controlled by that servant. "Hardly any of us can be blamed on the matter" She then focused her gaze on the group. "But right now we need to focus on finding Ichigo on the off chance that he has only been captured" she argued.

However, right after her speech Rukia then noticed a knock coming from a nearby window to her surprise, it was made out of white glowing hair that moved like a puppet, and in its beak was a piece of Ichigo's shirt with his spiritual signature on it.

Later at the Einzbern mansion, Ichigo let out a deep breath at his position. Not only has he been kidnapped twice. This time by some little girl and her huge giant brut of a Servant. With the latter being only able to scawl at his predicament.

'Honestly, if I knew stuff like this would have happened in this war would attach by badge to a chain to my pants or something' He thought to himself in hindsight and then Ill looked at him with a pleasant smile.

"You know…it's hard to believe that you are one of the captain-level shinigami that is engaged in the holy grail war" she spoke in a pleasant tone.

"But of course that would only be the case if I hadn't sensed that enormous spiritual power and seen your fighting skills firsthand hand" She then sipped from her tea. "Though it is rather odd that you would trap yourself in a human body instead of your Spiritual one"

Ichigo then sighed at the jab. "Yeah don't remain me…" he looked directly at Ishvel's red eyes "So what are you going to do to me?"

"Oh, I plan to use you as bait to lure your friends and the other shinigami here to be killed by Berserker obviously" She then smirked. Which will then put me one step closer to winning the grail war" Isvahel explained. While Ichigo growled at her.

"And you think my friends are people that can be so easily defeated by that thug of yours?" Ichigo challenged while Ishvel smiled in return.

She then giggled in amusement "I know so…after all ever since I fought that one particular shinigami, that calls himself…the Kenpachi?"

Ichigo expression then stiffened as the master continued.

"I have been sending out familiars to study the rest of the shinigami and their battles…and I can safely confirm that none are on the same level as the one that nearly overcame my berserker" she explained confidently. "And with that in mind, it would be a simple task of luring all you shinigami and allies here to be slaughtered"

Ichigo could only growl as he struggled in vain to break out of his bonds. Yet even if he did so, he currently stands no chance against Berserker, and if what Illyasviel says is true even most of his friends likely wouldn't stand a chance against the Servant or even most of the other captains for that matter.

All he can do now is hope that they will bring in reinforcements when they come and rescue him.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Fuyuki, a young woman with medium-length black hair and wearing a black uniform with a white haori over it was rubbing her temples upon listing what was being said on the phone.

For she was soi-fon captain of the second division and commander of the stealth force.

"So let me get this straight…" she nearly spat in venom. "Ichigo Kurosaki, one of the Captain-level shinigmai chosen for this war was kidnapped by the enemy due to not having his badge on him and now you need my help to rescue him…Kisuke?"

'I know it is a lot to ask Soi-fon but given how powerful these servants are and the uncertainty of Ichigo'a safety you are beast captain that we ca-'

"I don't need your brown nosing you idiot!" Soi-fon spat. "Honestly I knew that Kurosaki was still a child but didn't think he would be so careless!" she then let out a designated sigh. "But find…I will help you retrieve Ichigo" Her voice then became icy cold. "But don't expect me to make this into a habit" She then closed her flip phone.

Next to her, a huge man in a matching uniform with a purple plump scarf stood next to Soi-fon

For he was her vice-captain, Marechiyo Ōmaeda

"So are we going to rescue Kurosaki?"

Soi-fon sneered "Don't make me repeat myself you buffoon. We have no choice" She then looked over to the sky. "Especially since one of our captains Mayrui has already fallen to one of the servants and if another one were to remain in dispose of for too long. I would put the shift of power far too much in the Magi's favor"

Amanda continues to have a worried look. "But still this if one of these servants managed to defeat a Captain shouldn't we call for more help?"

Soi-fon then let out a tired sigh. "Don't jump to conclusions" she corrected. "If this is just a hostage situation then all we need to do is rescue Kurosaki while Urahara and the rest of his friends deal with the enemy"

Meanwhile while back in the ishveal mansion Ichigo decided to pass the time by making small talk.

'So tell me…why exactly do you want to win the grail anyway?' Ichigo asked and Ishival perked up.

"Hmpf I didn't thought you would be so talkative" she teased.

Ichigo then huffed "It's not like I can do anything else..."

Illyasviel giggled. "True…her expression then saddened. "Though I don't think someone like you would understand.."

On hearing the tone in Illyasviel's voice Ichigo's expression then softened. "Maybe…but I am willing to listen"

The child-like woman then looked at the Substitute and let out a breath. "I guess there is no harm in telling you…but first what you about the grail war?"

Ichigo then looked at the young Mangus and thought long and hard about what she said and remembered Caster's conversation about how the Holy Grail works before replying. 'Well, what I know is that it is a competition in which seven magi summon seven servants to compete in a battle royal to win the holy grail and the last remaining having their wish granted" his face then went grim...but from what I later heard it is meant to gather all the servants into a vessel which is then use to power the greater grail to grant them their wish right?"

Illyasviel then raised her eyebrows a bit and then took another sip of her tea. "Well it seems you know a lot more than I thought you would...but like many things in this world there is more to the story than just that"

Back the the suite Urahara sweat dropped off after the the phone call with Soi-fon. But was nonetheless thankful that was at least willing to tolerate him.

"Alright it seems that Soi-Fon has agreed to the rescue plan for Ichigo Kurosaki and will infiltrate the area that holding him captive' the shopkeeper said while the rest of Ichigo gave looks of relief.

Renji then folded arms. "Hopefully when we find him and give him back his badge and can finally start turning this war around," he said with confidence. "And finally put an end to this whole Grail war crap behind us"

Orhime then looked to the rest of the group. "Yes about The Holy Grail War…there is something that has been bothering about it…why did the soul society allow it to happen to you?" She questions 'I mean I find it hard to believe they would allow anyone let alone a group of magi to gain access to an omnipotent wish-granting grail"

Rukia then let out a breath. "Well from what I have heard the Grail isn't an omnipotent device or even meant to grant wishes...at least during the process it was being made"

Sado then raised his head perplexed. "What do you mean?"

She then cleared her throat. "What I mean is that the true purpose of the Grail was to open a hole to Akasha. The fourth realm to gain access to ultimate knowledge"

Meanwhile back at the mansion as Illyasviel began her tale.

"The Holy grail…is in a sense a ritual founded by three families and their heads, Nagato Tohsaka who provided the needed land and the creation of the Servants, Zolgen Makiri now known as Zouken Matou who assimilation the magecraft to stabilize the starting materials. While my family was led by Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern..." She then looked over to a large portrait in the living room and when Ichigo followed her gaze, he was left completely stun by what he saw.

For it was a picture of a woman that was so Beautiful that boarded on the edge of the uncanny. With her having the same long white hair, fair skin and ruby eyes like Illyasviel only adding to the uneasiness. While her garment consisted of a white elegant yet revealing dress seemingly made out of gold with seven hollow holes adored on it was fashion in the still of what a female priest might wear. which included a bright red stole imprinted with golden symbols and a white Mitre with golden highlights in the shape of a crown with one of the seven holes being on top of it.

Illyasviel held a held a solemn look over the picture before continuing. "Who were responsible for the alchemy and vessels needed to create the grail all in order to gather the seven souls of the Servants and use them to open a gateway into Akasha"

Ichigo knitted his brow "Akasha?"

Illyasviel then smiled. "I suppose to you Shinigami you can call it the fourth realm, that exists outside the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the world of the living' she elaborated. "Also known as the swirl of the root is a metaphysical realm that exists outside of space and time. A realm in which all phenomena and events in the universe originate from, while also recording all knowledge and possibilities. Whenever it be from the past, present or future and since the throne of heroes is located there. Having all seven servants channeled through the greater grail as they return to the throne is what will burn open a hole to the Root"

Ichigo then winded his eyes in shock. "That…is what holy grail was created for, to allow these magi to gain… infinite knowledge?"

Illyasviel nodded. "It is the dream of virtually every Mangus to reach the Root and the Holy Grail War was just one of many methods they have tried to use to reach it"

Meanwhile, back at the suit, Urahara continued the explanation.

"Essentially if one were to describe the swirl of the root in terms of a it is a place where divine or transcendent beings reside. Either way, it has been an ambition of many magi to reach there and achieve essentially omisensince"

Sado then looked at skepticism "And the soul society was…okay with this?"

Renji then snorted. "They would be hypocritical if they said otherwise. As there were plenty of shinigami who have tried to do the same thing long before the Department of Research and Devolvement ever became a thing"

Orhime then furrowed her as she tried to understand. "So the grail wars were allowed to continue so long as the magi use it to just reach the root?"

Rukia nodded. "The soul society keeps an eye on the magi to make sure that is their intention for the grail and since learning said knowledge doesn't affect the balance in any way the Shinigami had no reason to interfere"

Sado then hummed. "Well I guess that explains why the soul society would allow the Holy Grail Wars to continue…but that just leaves another question" he then looked up to Renji, Rukia, and Urahara. "Has any of the magi won the grail and made a wish?"

The three shinigami then gave Sado and Orhime a used expression and then at each other.

"Well Sado…' Urahara spoke out. 'That is where things get a bit more complicated...

Back at the Einzbern manner...

"Wait hold up…" Ichigo questioned in confusion as he furrowed his eyebrows. "You're saying that in all the past Holy Grail Wars…none of them have been completed, let alone won?"

Illyasviel then snorted in amusement. "It is quite embarrassing huh?" She admitted. "While the Holy Grail was created to reach the root, the very premises itself has been flawed since its conception. For the greater grail to create a gateway to the root all seven servants must be sacrificed to fully materialize that pathway due to their connection to the throne of heroes and returning there through the greater grail… but unfortunately to gain access to it, only those with a spiritual body can interact with it"

Ichigo then looked at Illyasviel completely puzzlement "But...wouldn't that just make the whole Grail War pointless if these magi can't even get to the root, to begin with?"

Illyasviel shrugged "It does seem that way...however, even in an incompleted state the Grail can still grant wishes with just six servants sacrificed and so long at least one master and their own Servent remains. They can order the latter to bring the grail to them" She then looked back up to Ichigo. "In essence, they would still be able to make a powerful though far from omnipotent wish"

Ichigo then knitted his eyebrows in a bit of understanding. "Okay, but that doesn't explain why there has been no winner in all the past Holy Grail Wars"

Illyasviel then remained quiet for a moment and then took another sip from her tea. Before answering.

"I supposed...if one were to simplify it..." she then stared directly into her cup. "It was the consent quarreling and the fighting itself within those wars...that made the very idea of a winner impossible"

Later at the suit...

Sado's Uryu's and Orhime's eyes winded in stunned disbelief.

"So you are saying...during the first holy grail war..."Orhime spoke slowly. "The none of the Magi could agree on who would get the grail which resulted in them deciding to make it into a competition?"

Sado then lowered his head. 'And during the second war due to a lack of established rules, it ended up in a murder spree where no one ended up surviving to use the grail"

Ishida then frowns. "And in the Third Holy Grail War right on the eve of World War II. The lust for the grail's power got to the point that even the Imperial Japanese military and the Nazies wanted it for themselves"

The Quincy then sighed. "From start to finish these Holy Grail Wars were not only a flawed endeavor at the start, but only seem to bring about death and destruction" He then placed his right finger on his temple. "Honestly it wonders why the magi association even bothers trying to defend such a despicable event"

Renji surged. "Yeah well...magi... especially from my personal experience aren't going to back away from something that can grant wish regardless if it is omnipotent or not"

"But that leaves one more question..." Orhime spoke up. "If Caster needed a stronger vessel to create the lesser grail to bypass the sacrifices of the seven Heroric Spirts summon...who were the original vessels of the grail?"

Urahara, Rukia, and Renji then stood silent and avoided the woman's gaze. Completely at a loss for words.

For even they don't have an answer to that.

Back at Einsbern Castle...

"And that all leads us to my reasoning for fighting in this war…to see the full completion of Holy Grail itself"

Ichigo then raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What?"

Illyasviel then gave Ichigo a sad smile. "Ironically, even though I am a master myself I can never acquire the grail, to begin with…for as a homunculus I was prepared by my family to act as a vessel to the leaser grail to hold all seven souls of the heroic spirits to finally complete the ritual...which all but guarantees my death...as it was for my mother and the other past Homunculus...and Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, who scafriced herself to become the core of the greater Grail itself"

Ichigo then gasped in horror and his eyes winded and shaken at what he just heard. "And you…are okay with this!?"

Illyasviel let out a sorrowful breath. "It is what I was trained for…" she said resolutely. "And something that I have come to accept a long time ago"

Ichigo then gripped both of his fists. '"I refuse to accept that!" he roared out in defience.

Illyasviel then looked at his captor in surprise.

"I knew this Holy Grail war was dubious when the past one resulted in that Great Fire years ago…but to sacrifice the life of a little girl just for some half-baked wishing cup is just crossing a whole other line!"

Illyasviel looked annoyed. "I am technically older than you despite my appearance you know"

Ichigo shook his head. "It doesn't matter!" He brushes off. "I refuse to allow you to die over something like this, regardless of what your family says or not" He then stares into her eyes. "And I don't think you want this either"

Illyasviel stared at Ichigo for a moment and didn't say anything as mixed emotions filled her heart. Which were that of sadness, denial, fear, and even hope…but the young Mangus then let out a defeated breath and turned her back at Ichigo.

"I appreciate your concern for me…I do…but I cannot abandon my family's duty…and you will still act as my hostage" she declared resolutely and then walked away with Berserker following her while Ichigo could do nothing but look on in dismay.

But the substitute Shinigami then sensed a familiar presence coming near the mansion...