Chapter 28: Sneak Attack, Zhang Jiao Takes the Field

The idea of equipping Berserker with a Gatling gun had struck Matou Kariya after seeing the Knight of the Lake's capabilities in yesterday's video. Since the Black Knight was able to operate complex machinery like a fighter jet, Kariya reasoned that using other modern firearms would be no problem either. He spent time acquiring the Gatling gun, intending to give Berserker an edge in this chaotic Holy Grail War.

Kariya had been lying low, observing the battle unfold from the shadows. But after seeing Gilgamesh get injured, he couldn't resist the opportunity to strike while the "King of Heroes" was wounded. It was a rare chance to take down one of the strongest opponents.

Just as Kariya made his decision, a gunshot rang out, aimed directly at Chihiro's head. But before the bullet could reach its target, Zhang Jiao, who had been watching over Chihiro, swiftly summoned a spear and deflected the shot.

"You dare attack from the shadows, coward!" Zhang Jiao scolded, his voice full of disdain. He hurled the spear like a javelin toward the direction the shot came from, shattering a container into pieces with a deafening crash.

"Kiritsugu!" Irisviel gasped, her face pale with shock.

Indeed, it was Emiya Kiritsugu who had fired that shot. Noticing the unpredictable variable that Chihiro had become in this Holy Grail War, he saw him as a threat that needed to be eliminated as soon as possible. That's why he had taken the opportunity to try and kill Chihiro from a distance.

However, he hadn't anticipated Zhang Jiao's sharp reflexes. After the shot was blocked, Kiritsugu quickly changed position, disappearing from Zhang Jiao's line of sight. As he retreated, he couldn't help but think, "Since when could Zhang Jiao use firearms like that? And that weapon… it looked just like the one Chihiro was using before."

"You won't get away so easily!" Artoria, disturbed by Kiritsugu's actions but still loyal to her Master's cause, charged at Zhang Jiao.

"Come at me, King of Knights. Let's see if you can stand against my spear!" Zhang Jiao showed no hesitation as he faced Artoria head-on. His spear met her sword with resounding clashes, displaying martial skill on par with even Diarmuid.

"This... this isn't right!" Kenneth, observing from the shadows, was baffled. This Zhang Jiao was supposed to be a Caster, not a Lancer. How could he be fighting Saber with such skill?

Before anyone could make sense of it, another figure clad in a red cloak darted out from the darkness, lunging at Chihiro with a dagger. It was none other than the Heroic Spirit known as Assassin—Emiya, also referred to as "Heroic Spirit Cutlass" in the previous videos.

Chihiro reacted just in time, transforming the God Force into arm guards to block the incoming blade. But his mind raced. "Why is this guy here? Did the Counter Force send him after me?" After all, both Emiya Shirou and Kiritsugu were known as "Alaya's agents," dedicated enforcers of the Counter Force.

"Not bad," Assassin sneered as he retreated, pulling out a Calico M950 submachine gun and opening fire.

"So, we're all using guns now?" Chihiro thought, rolling out of the way and ducking behind a nearby container to avoid the hail of bullets. When he peeked out again, Assassin had already vanished. With an A+ rank in "Presence Concealment," finding Assassin was nearly impossible once he chose to hide. Combining that with his skills in magic resistance and deception, Assassin was a formidable opponent.

Iskandar, who was watching the scene unfold with Waver, couldn't hide his surprise. "An extra Servant?" he muttered, realizing that Assassin's presence meant more players had entered the already crowded battlefield.

At that moment, Artoria saw an opening. Zhang Jiao had been slightly distracted by Assassin's appearance, and she seized the opportunity, swinging her sword with full force. The blow connected, sending Zhang Jiao crashing into a container.

Chihiro grimaced as he watched Zhang Jiao go down. "This Holy Grail War is becoming more chaotic by the second," he muttered to himself. "Red Hare, don't hold back on my account. Fight with all you've got!"

A deep voice responded, "As you wish."

Suddenly, a tall, crimson figure charged out of the ruins. The being wielded a long spear and engaged Artoria, forcing her back several meters with the sheer power of the assault. The unexpected arrival of the red centaur-like figure left the spectators in shock.

"What on earth…?" Artoria murmured as she steadied herself. "Who—or what—are you?"

The red centaur bared its fangs in what could almost be called a grin. "I am Lu Bu."

"Lu Bu?" the masters and Servants echoed incredulously.

There was an awkward silence as they tried to process the absurdity of it. Lu Bu was supposed to be a mighty warrior, not a centaur-like beast.

Irisviel spoke up, almost hesitantly. "A-are you... Red Hare, perhaps?"

The crimson creature gave a snort. "I am both Lu Bu and Red Hare. They are one and the same," he replied with a voice that brooked no contradiction.

"That's... not exactly the same," the others thought, their skepticism unspoken but evident.

Whether they fully accepted Red Hare's claim or not, there was no denying the power and menace he exuded as he confronted Artoria, his spear gleaming in the moonlight. Chihiro chuckled to himself. Zhang Jiao's illusion had worked flawlessly; all this time, it had been Red Hare disguised as Zhang Jiao.