Chapter 7

In the heart of Kyoto, the ancient city that served as the throne of the Yokai, a lone figure sat in quiet contemplation. The air was filled with the gentle rustling of cherry blossom trees and the distant murmur of the city beyond the temple walls.

Yasaka, the revered Kyuubi and leader of the Yokai faction, lounged in a relaxed manner, taking a rare moment of respite from her duties. She was a vision of elegance and power—her voluptuous figure adorned in traditional shrine maiden attire, her golden-blonde hair cascading down her back in a meticulously tied ponytail. A golden crown sat atop her head, a mark of her authority, while her delicate facial features remained calm despite the surprise gripping her heart.

She held a device in her hands—a modern smartphone, one that she had never owned nor had any reason to use. And yet, here it was, appearing as if by magic, humming with an unfamiliar yet undeniably powerful presence.

'An enemy attack?' she had first wondered. But the sensation it carried was no threat. It was something beyond this world—something powerful, something ancient.

Her sharp eyes scanned the screen, catching the ongoing conversation within the Heroes Chat Group. She recognized one name immediately: Ruin Princess.

'That's the Gremory girl, isn't it?' Yasaka mused, a smirk tugging at her lips. Rias's skepticism was evident in her messages. 'Not believing it? What is she thinking? This is no trick.'

Even without full knowledge, Yasaka could feel it—the undeniable presence of the one who had established this group. A being so powerful that she found it strange he was unknown to the world.

And then there was the other mystery…

'That golden fox… Is that his partner or is that his true form?' she pondered, her curiosity piqued.

She didn't hesitate. Pressing the voice message button, she spoke in a calm yet warm tone.

[Heroes Chat Group]

Golden Fox (Yasaka): "Greetings, Lord Emperor of Mankind. I believe your claim and hope that you don't give up on us."

A reply came almost instantly, his voice so smooth and commanding that she felt her stress melt away.

Emperor of Mankind: "Thank you for your words, and worry not. I understand people's concerns and will not stop."

A playful thought crossed her mind.

Golden Fox (Yasaka): "If you don't mind me asking, are you a Kyuubi?"

Emperor of Mankind: "No, he is my partner. So if you're looking for a love interest, I can hook you up with him."

Yasaka blinked, then let out a laugh. The sheer audacity of his response caught her off guard—but rather than being offended, she was intrigued. If the Kyuubi was the partner of a man with such overwhelming power, then surely, he was no ordinary being.

Golden Fox (Yasaka): "I would love to meet him."

A chuckle came from the other side, lighthearted and amused. Even through mere text and voice messages, the presence behind his words was overwhelming.

'His voice alone is so soothing… It's like my burdens have lightened just by speaking with him,' she thought. It had been a long time since she had felt this relaxed.

Then came something even more surprising.

Emperor of Mankind: "You also have Senjutsu. That sounds good. I can teach you more advanced techniques, but equal exchange, Golden Kyuubi."

Yasaka's breath hitched. Senjutsu. One of the most sacred and powerful arts known to her kind. And he spoke of it so casually—as if he knew more than she did.

Her grip on the phone tightened slightly. This was an opportunity.

She took a deep breath, composing herself. If she played this correctly, she could elevate herself—and her people—to new heights.

Golden Fox (Yasaka): "Understood. I will explain my world to you. I possess much knowledge, and I can offer you information on my Yokai faction and the supernatural world here. You may choose to take knowledge in exchange… or assign me a mission."

She hesitated for a moment before sending the message.

'He'll probably send me on a quest,' she mused. 'Though I don't know if he would even find my knowledge valuable. He seems far beyond us.'

Just as she was about to contemplate further, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Mama, what are you doing?"

Yasaka turned to see her daughter, Kunou, standing nearby with a curious look on her face. The young girl's golden eyes flickered with interest as she peeked at the device in her mother's hands.

Kunou had never seen her mother so focused on a phone before—mostly because Yasaka never used one.

For the first time in a long while, Yasaka felt truly excited.

She smiled down at her daughter and gently ruffled her hair.

"Something… interesting has come into our lives, Kunou."

As the chat group continued to grow, more voices joined the conversation—some curious, some skeptical, and some just eager to participate.

A new message popped up, carrying the weight of sheer confidence and enthusiasm.

Glutton (Toriko): "That sounds really awesome, and I'm willing to help out as well. I am a monster hunter and chef; my skills should be good too."

The presence behind those words was as massive as the man himself.

Far away, on a planet where even the mountains bowed to the beasts that roamed its lands, a giant of a man sat atop a creature so immense that it dwarfed the landscape itself.

Toriko, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and the strongest being on his planet, took a large bite of the roasted meat in his hand as he scanned the chat with keen interest.

His powerful, muscular frame was wrapped in his signature orange attire, his wild blue hair standing tall as he chomped down with satisfaction.

"Now this is interesting," he mused, wiping his mouth as he continued reading the messages. The talk of different worlds, powerful warriors, and cosmic threats sent a rush of excitement through his blood.

Even in his own world, Toriko had faced immortals of strength and creatures beyond imagination. He had hunted beasts that could shatter continents and dined on delicacies that defied the very laws of nature. But this… this was something new.

A challenge unlike any other.

Glutton (Toriko): "So what's the deal, Emperor of Mankind? You need muscle? You need a chef? You need someone who can handle creatures the size of planets? Count me in."

A notification soon followed.

Emperor of Mankind: "Welcome, Glutton. Your skills are certainly valuable. If you want to see what lies beyond, then I look forward to what you can bring to the table."

Toriko grinned, his sharp canines gleaming.

"Now we're talking."

The cold winds howled outside as Illyasviel, or Illya as she was often called, stared into the snow-covered expanse that stretched beyond the abandoned castle's broken windows. Her crimson eyes reflected not the joy that most children her age should have, but the quiet, desperate longing of a soul trapped in a cycle of loneliness and abandonment. Her family, once her hope, had left her behind, leaving her to fight battles not of her choosing.

The child wore a purple collared long-sleeve shirt, light purple scarf, a flowing white skirt, and purple boots that were now covered in a thin layer of snow from the breeze that slipped through the cracks of the old stone walls.

She was not truly a child, and her age couldn't be gauged by human standards. In truth, she was a homunculus, the culmination of an ancient craft. Yet her birth had been a miracle—a product of love, rather than the cold, calculated designs of her creators. But love, as she had learned, was not always a thing one could rely on.

"Why does everything feel like this, Herc?" Illya whispered, looking to her loyal servant, Hercules, who stood silently by her side. His large, imposing figure was ever the guardian, yet no words came from him. It was as though his presence was just an echo, a silent observer of her existence, not truly a companion.

'No response, like usual. No fun, isn't he?' Illya thought, with a touch of bitterness.

But something had changed today. Something unexpected. A phone had appeared, materializing seemingly out of nowhere, a marvel of magic she couldn't understand. It wasn't hers, yet it had become a part of her life.

She hesitated. The phone had come with a purpose—a purpose she could not yet grasp. And with it came a strange app: Heroes Chat Group. She couldn't stop herself from opening it. The screen flickered, revealing a list of names and unfamiliar faces, with messages and voice recordings, some recently sent, others dormant for a while.

Illya felt the weight of it in her chest as she clicked the first recording. She was greeted by the voice of a man who exuded power, authority, and a deep, almost otherworldly confidence. The words he spoke were clear and certain. This wasn't a man who would speak in vain.

"Ah, you just reminded me of something. I have not said this but we are all from different dimensions. I do not exist in your world though I can probably come visit but not now. There might be others who are of the same world, but mostly we are not of the same place. This is set up to help you all. I like to help and it takes away my boredom but I will not coddle you all…"

It was Naruto's voice—the Emperor of Mankind, as his title proclaimed. His words echoed through Illya's mind, stirring something deep within her that she hadn't felt in years: hope.

'He can travel through dimensions and seemed very confident in his knowledge, and power. I can even feel it through his voice. He is a nice person.'

Illya wasn't sure if it was naive to trust someone she couldn't see, someone who had invaded her reality through such strange means. But there was something undeniably calming in his tone, something that spoke to her soul. Maybe, just maybe, he was the one who could offer the guidance she so desperately needed.

Her fingers hovered over the keys, unsure. She had no family left to turn to, and her world was nothing but a battlefield of fate. But could she trust this man, this Emperor, and the promises of his world? Could he save her from the impending doom of her own creation?

'Maybe he can help me,' Illya thought, her gaze drifting to the messages on the screen. 'But what will it cost? Can I sell the secrets of my body? I'm not just Illya... I'm the Holy Grail. I'll lose my humanity once five servants die. Will he understand what I am?'

A trembling breath escaped her lips as her eyes drifted across her name in the chat: Holy Grail.

Her fingers tapped the screen, hesitant but determined, and she sent a voice message into the group.

For the first time in a long while, Illya felt the weight of her heart lift, even if only for a moment.