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Shirou's return prompted his mother to quickly place a phone call, eager to notify his father, who was currently at his workplace.

Upon receiving the unexpected news of his son's return, Mr. Narita was stunned, his thoughts momentarily suspended as he hastily wrapped up his work and swiftly made his way back from the company.

In the wake of Shirou's departure, Narita couldn't shake off a lingering premonition that the real estate industry would face even more stagnation in the foreseeable future. The unstoppable tide of urbanization was leading to a denser population in the city. Fueled by this realization, he embarked on a venture of his own—an ambitious plan to establish a chain of supermarkets.

Narita's entrepreneurial pursuit gained some measure of success in the bustling city of Fuyuki, where his supermarket company began to take root.

Not only that, in Shirou's absence, the Fujimaru family welcomed a new addition—a precious life that breathed new joy into their household.

It was his younger sister, Fujimaru Ritsuka, born in the year 1999 and now a delightful three-year-old.

Shirou couldn't help but smile warmly and let out a soft sigh as he observed his adorable sibling. He remarked with affection that he had gained yet another sister. Deep within his heart, however, he resolved that once he had settled down in this place, he would go to Clock Tower in London and find Lev Lainur Flauros.

Despite the Holy Grail in Fuyuki City having long been dismantled and sealed, rendering any further Holy Grail Wars impossible, including the summoning of the King Solomon by Marisbury Animusphere, Shirou remained resolute in his decision to pursue his plans. His foremost priority was to eliminate Lev Lainur Flauros.

Shirou understood the weighty burden that his sister, the Last Master who had valiantly stood alone in the endeavor to save humanity in 2016, had carried. As her older brother, he simply couldn't allow her to bear such a tremendous responsibility alone.

Since she is his sister, as her brother, he should support her and create a bright future for her, allowing her to grow up happily.

As Shirou sat down for dinner, he made a conscious effort to keep his composure, even though deep down, he couldn't help but feel that modern cuisine far surpassed the delicacies he had experienced back in Camelot.

In that moment, he realized that the dishes meticulously crafted by the chefs in Camelot paled in comparison to the tantalizing flavors and presentation of the home-cooked meals before him.

However, Shirou maintained his composure, ensuring that he didn't succumb to the temptation of expressing his true thoughts and thus avoiding any potential embarrassment in front of his family.

The Fujimaru couple maintained a deliberate silence regarding Shirou's experiences, choosing not to delve further into his life. They harbored a fear of accidentally reopening any emotional wounds he might carry, desiring instead for their family to stay in a state of normalcy and happiness.

Interestingly enough, this aligns with Shirou's own desires. He found solace in sparing himself the task of explaining the details of life in Camelot to his family. After all, as the Eternal King, he had already left a lasting mark on the annals of human history, his legacy eternally intertwined with legend and myth. Unveiling this truth to his loved ones could potentially bring about unforeseen problems and complications, which he wished to avoid at all costs.

Shirou was somewhat afraid, so he chose to conceal this fact.

Since the Fujimaru couple didn't ask, everything was harmonious.

However, Shirou couldn't help but notice his younger sister, Fujimaru Ritsuka, displaying signs of fear towards him. She would frequently seek solace behind her chair, casting timid glances in his direction.

Each time he turned his gaze towards her, she would quiver and swiftly seek refuge behind their mother, only to cautiously peek out, her little head observing him with apprehension.

She exuded the innocence and vulnerability of a little bunny, which was a common trait among children.

It was natural for children to feel fear when encountering strangers, even if those strangers were relatives bound by blood.

The idealized notion of an instant, profound connection through eye contact, signifying an unbreakable bond, was something reserved for fantasy novels rather than reality.

However, this distance between Shirou and his sister was merely a result of their limited time spent together. As they continued to spend more time with one another, it was only a matter of time before his sister would naturally develop a closer bond with him.

Shirou gave his sister a gentle smile.

She tightly grasped the legs of her chair, her legs trembling, and she timidly gazed at him.

Despite the spaciousness of the house, numerous vacant rooms left Shirou with no choice but to settle for the couch as his sleeping spot for the night.

Initially, Sakura had kindly suggested that Shirou share her sleeping space, assuring him that she didn't mind. However, her proposition was met with a stern outburst from his mother, leaving Sakura in tears as she reluctantly gave up on the idea.

Shirou chuckled wholeheartedly, yet behind his laughter, a contemplative glimmer shimmered in his eyes.

There was something abnormal about Sakura's body, harboring a peculiar power within her. However, Shirou refrained from questioning her about it for now. The timing didn't feel right. First, he needed to settle down and reclaim his identity as Fujimaru Shirou once again.

As the night grew late, Shirou found himself lying on the couch, gradually slipping into the realm of dreams.

Within his slumber, he was transported to a distant land, a realm of shadows that stood at the edge of the world. The gates of the Shadow Land opened wide, beckoning him within his dream.

In this ethereal plane, Shirou stood amidst a desolate field, its atmosphere teeming with an eerie stillness. The ground was adorned with flowers that held an otherworldly allure, a testament to the realm's connection to the afterlife.

Just as he was about to utter a word, a vivid crimson light tore through the sky, hurtling towards his forehead.

"Hold on!" Shirou cried out.

Yet, the relentless spear showed no signs of halting, poised to impale itself into his very being.

With a thought, Shirou's black mud surged forth from his body, coalescing into a formidable black hand that seized hold of the menacing weapon.

Scathach, wearing a mischievous smile, gently admonished him, "Shirou, as I've mentioned during our training sessions, suppress your black mud. Otherwise, the training won't yield the desired effects."

Gazing at Scathach, who bore a striking resemblance to someone familiar yet different, Shirou couldn't help but burst into laughter as he quipped, "Should I address you as a shameless rascal or as 'shishou'?"

Scathach's countenance swiftly shifted to displeasure as she retorted, "Shirou, I have never taught you such impolite language. Show proper decorum and address me as 'shishou'."

"Stop blabbering! I found it hard to believe that when you entered my dream, Merlin didn't tell you about my true identity."

Scathach's sly smile persisted as she responded, "Even if he did, does it really matter? Times have changed, and it's only fitting that you respectfully address me as 'shisou' rather than me calling you 'king.'"

Shirou chuckled, extending his finger inquisitively, and posed the question, "And what do we have here?"

With a playful laugh, she shook her head, "Such things don't trouble me anymore, Shirou. It's a 'one.' Regardless of how you phrase it, it remains the same."

"Foolish! This is a finger! I asked you to identify it, not to count it!" he scolded.

Scathach: "..."

Confusion gripped Scathach as she grappled with the peculiar sensation engulfing her. It felt as though she had been transported back 1,500 years in time. What was happening?

Had this child completely transformed into the Eternal King, forsaking the sacred bond between master and disciple?

Scathach, overcome by a cold sweat, instinctively took a step back, her composure wavering.

However, Shirou released his grip on the black mud, extending his arms and approaching Scathach with a warm smile. "Shisou, I've spent eight years away, and I have missed you."

She regarded him with skepticism, scrutinizing his earnest and gentle smile, bringing to mind the obedient disciple he once was.

Indeed. Regardless of how despicable the Eternal King may be, her disciple remained her disciple.

In that moment, as she looked upon his bright eyes and gentle smile, it felt as if time had folded back upon itself, returning them to the days of old.

Overwhelmed with an overwhelming desire, all Scathach yearned for was to offer him a tender embrace, to mark the beginning of their life.

"Well, I've missed you too," Scathach relinquished her grip on the spear and closed the distance between them, drawing Shirou into an embrace.

Shirou reciprocated, his arms encircling Scathach's slender form, and then...

"Ah—! Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch—!!!"

He found himself entangled in Scathach's flowing locks, a mocking sneer dancing across his face. "Over 1,500 years have passed, and yet you, you shameless rascal, have made no progress whatsoever. How disappointing!"