Arc 8The Black Mud War

Shirou and his allies fought the Servants and Angra Mainyu’s forces while Shirou rescued Sakura from Zouken and learned the danger posed by Rasputin. After regrouping and preparing for an assault on Ryuudou Temple, Shirou spent time with Sakura and Rin before Gilgamesh asked for his help.

  • Shirou confronted Attila as Black Mud threatened the battlefield, then rushed to defend the Emiya villa from Arjuna, Asterius, and Heracles.
  • Shirou and the others defeated Asterius, survived Arjuna’s Pashupata behind counterfeit Avalon, and gathered to plan against the Greater Grail and Angra Mainyu.
  • Shirou found Sakura under Zouken’s control, defeated Cursed Arm and Zouken, and brought Sakura home after she confessed her past as Rider’s original Master.
  • Touko removed Sakura’s Imprint Worm, while Shirou sealed Zouken in formalin after Zouken admitted he had abandoned his ideals.
  • Shirou fought Camilla and Rasputin at Mount Enzou, but Shadow Servants and enemy Servants forced his group to regroup and plan an attack on Ryuudou Temple.
  • Kiritsugu advised Shirou to accept that difficult choices could require sacrifice, and Shirou then spent a date with Sakura and Rin, baking for them and sharing a meal.
  • Gilgamesh asked Shirou to help Kallen Olsytia and promised to join a later battle against whoever had trespassed in his garden.
Chapters 176–200 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 176Shinigami, Coming to Collect

Shirou faced Solomon and Marisbury during the Holy Grail War, then moved to confront the battered Attila as Angra Mainyu’s Black Mud appeared on the battlefield. The chapter ended with Shirou challenging Attila to fight.

  • Shirou recognized Solomon as the Grand Caster and discussed Olga Marie’s alliance with Marisbury.
  • A puddle of Black Mud appeared, and Solomon identified it as a danger that Servants could not touch.
  • Shirou told Marisbury he would take down Attila, while Enkidu stayed behind to avoid the Black Mud.
  • Shirou confronted the disoriented Attila and announced that the Grim Reaper had come to collect.

Ch. 177Backyard on Fire

After escaping Attila’s Black Mud, Shirou learned that his family’s mountain villa was under attack and rushed there. The chapter ended with his family fighting Arjuna, Asterius, and Heracles while Sakura watched anxiously.

  • Attila turned into Black Mud and swallowed Shirou, but he escaped by firing a Cero.
  • Shinji asked Shirou about Sakura, and Shirou explained that he had moved the family to their mountain villa for safety.
  • Marisbury pointed out smoke rising near the villa, and Shirou hurried off, suspecting an explosion.
  • At the villa, Artoria and Okita Souji fought Arjuna, Fujino, Kirie, and Natalia faced Asterius, and Kiritsugu battled Heracles with Irisviel’s support.
  • Sakura asked Touko Aozaki whether the others would be all right, and Touko pointed out how formidable their enemies were.

Ch. 178Kiritsugu's Finest Hour

Artoria, Kiritsugu, and the others fought to protect the Emiya family residence from Heracles and Arjuna. Kiritsugu revealed the power Shirou had entrusted to him and unleashed a barrage of Ceros against Heracles.

  • Fujino and Kirie tried to defend the villa from Heracles, but Artoria arrived and drove him away from the residence.
  • Touko Aozaki and Natalia joined the fight, and Natalia's Cero-firing rifle clashed with Arjuna's arrow.
  • Arjuna knocked Okita Souji from a tree and began releasing Agni Gandiva's True Name, but Kiritsugu interrupted him with a beam.
  • Kiritsugu arrived with Irisviel and told Artoria and Okita to face Arjuna while he and Irisviel handled Heracles.
  • Kiritsugu transformed with Los Lobos and fired Infinite Reload Cero: Cero Metralleta at the charging Heracles.

Ch. 179Brothers Need to Discuss Skull-Cracking Techniques

Shirou fought Arjuna in his Resurrección form while his allies struggled against Asterius and Heracles. He drove Arjuna back with Black Cero attacks, but Arjuna escaped and unleashed a barrage of explosive arrows as Shirou’s wounds rapidly healed.

  • Shirou appeared in his demonic Resurrección form, sent Okita Souji to help Kiritsugu, and ordered Saber to fight Asterius.
  • Arjuna recognized that Shirou had defeated Karna and challenged him, while Shirou declared that he only wanted the enemy’s head.
  • Shirou struck Arjuna with Black Cero, then rushed him with a Photon Sword as Arjuna used Agni Gandiva to block and counterattack.
  • Shirou fired Gae Bolg, forcing Arjuna to retreat, but Arjuna’s arrows struck Shirou before he could close the distance.
  • Arjuna unleashed a barrage of arrows, and Shirou destroyed them with Black Cero after his thrown Photon Sword exploded beside Arjuna.

Ch. 180Pashupata

Shirou fought Arjuna on Mount Enzou, using a Broken Phantasm to help his allies defeat Asterius. Arjuna unleashed Pashupata, and Shirou relied on a counterfeit Avalon as the chapter ended with the group sheltering inside its barrier.

  • Shirou hurled a barrage of Projected Noble Phantasms at Arjuna, who shot them all down with Agni Gandiva.
  • Shirou detonated a Broken Phantasm, but Arjuna survived the blast.
  • Fujino, Kirie, Natalia, and Okita Souji overwhelmed Asterius, who vanished as the first Servant eliminated from the Holy Grail War.
  • Arjuna summoned Pashupata and prepared to kill everyone; Shirou told Saber to activate Avalon and the others to gather inside its protection.
  • Arjuna fired Pashupata, and the barrier of Shirou's counterfeit Avalon unfolded around the group.

Ch. 181Giant God

Shirou and his allies gathered to plan the destruction of the Greater Grail, identifying the Servants tied to Angra Mainyu’s Black Mud. The group prepared to divide the enemy forces, but Shirou warned that Attila’s awakening could pose a threat far beyond an ordinary Servant.

  • Arjuna and Heracles retreated after recognizing Shirou’s strength and Enkidu’s ability to restrain them.
  • Marisbury, Shinji, and their Servants joined Shirou’s group, and the allies met around the Emiya family’s dining table.
  • Shirou identified Elizabeth Báthory, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read among the Servants who had attacked the Matou Family, then explained how several enemies were connected to Angra Mainyu and the Black Mud.
  • Shirou proposed destroying the Greater Grail, while Natalia said the Emiya family would handle three enemies and the others should deal with the rest.
  • Solomon volunteered to face Attila, and Shirou warned that her possible awakening as Sefar made her far more dangerous than an ordinary Servant.

Ch. 182Conversation

Shirou asked Bazett and Cú Chulainn to help him stop All the World's Evil, then found Matou Zouken attacking his junior on the way home. He unleashed his spiritual pressure, killing the Servant wrapped around the girl and leaving Zouken unable to speak as his soul began to collapse.

  • Shirou found Bazett and Cú Chulainn and asked them to help stop All the World's Evil at Mount Enzou.
  • After Shirou left, Cú Chulainn agreed to go to Mount Enzou, and Bazett said she would join him.
  • On his way home, Shirou heard a familiar junior calling for help and found her covered in bugs with Matou Zouken nearby.
  • Shirou confronted Matou Zouken and released his spiritual pressure, crushing the Servant on the girl and overwhelming Zouken.

Ch. 183Matou Zouken

Shirou confronted Matou Zouken and discovered that the Old Worm’s true body was an Imprint Worm inside Sakura. After Cursed Arm Hassan helped Zouken escape, Shirou tracked them down and chased the Assassin through Fuyuki City.

  • Shirou pressured Matou Zouken until he revealed that his Imprint Worm was embedded in Sakura’s heart and threatened that removing it would kill her.
  • Shirou said Solomon could remove the worm, then tried to kill Matou Zouken, but Cursed Arm Hassan attacked and helped him escape.
  • Shirou called an ambulance for an injured female classmate and used his senses to locate Matou Zouken and Cursed Arm.
  • Shirou caught up with the pair and fought Cursed Arm, overpowering him with his Zanpakuto and strength.
  • Cursed Arm fled through the city, but Shirou pursued him at subsonic speed and fired Void Bullets to block his escape.

Ch. 184Sakura and Natalia

Shirou drove Cursed Arm away and continued hunting Matou Zouken, while Sakura secretly left the Emiya residence after her grandfather threatened to expose her past. Natalia found Sakura outside and spoke with her about Shirou, leaving Sakura flustered when Natalia asked if she loved him.

  • Shirou resisted Cursed Arm's poisoned dagger and prepared to cut off his arm, but Zouken used a Command Spell to pull Cursed Arm away.
  • Shirou set out to pursue Zouken, then paused to photograph the remarkably durable Fuyuki City Bridge.
  • Zouken threatened Sakura into helping him win the Holy Grail War, or he would tell Shirou what she had endured in the Matou Family.
  • Sakura secretly left the Emiya residence at night, but Natalia found her in the courtyard.
  • Natalia told Sakura that Shirou often sacrificed his own strength to help others and asked whether Sakura loved him, causing Sakura to stumble and blush.

Ch. 185Escape

Sakura met Matou Zouken at Fuyuki City's harbor, where Shirou arrived to rescue her. Shirou defeated Zouken and Cursed Arm, but Sakura pulled away from him, believing she was no longer worthy to stay by his side.

  • Touko Aozaki and Natalia discussed Sakura's visit and worried about Shirou's love life.
  • Sakura asked Matou Zouken to promise he would not hurt Shirou, and Zouken agreed while secretly planning to kill him.
  • Shirou arrived at the harbor and surrendered when Zouken used the Imprint Worms to make Sakura convulse.
  • Cursed Arm's dagger failed to pierce Shirou, and Ulquiorra stabbed Matou Zouken, freeing Sakura from the Imprint Worms' control.
  • Shirou killed Cursed Arm, but Sakura backed away and said she was no longer qualified to stay by his side.
  • Shirou asked Sakura to come back with him.

Ch. 186Choices, Protection, and Beginnings

Shirou tried to bring Sakura back with him as she confessed her past and collapsed from the cold. Camilla attacked, but Director Kuzuki Souichirou intervened and drove her off, leaving Shirou to continue protecting Sakura.

  • Sakura told Shirou that she had been Rider’s original Master, had handed Rider’s ownership to her brother, and had deceived Shirou out of fear and shame.
  • Sakura collapsed with a fever, and Shirou wrapped her in his coat and used Fullbring to treat her.
  • Camilla arrived and attacked Shirou, who shielded Sakura with his body.
  • Director Kuzuki Souichirou stepped in, and Shirou’s reinforcement spell let him strike Camilla hard enough to make her retreat into the Black Mud.
  • After Sakura’s fever and frostbite improved, Kuzuki advised Shirou to follow through with his decision and left.

Ch. 187Meeting Old Worm Again

Sakura woke after Touko removed the Imprint Worm from her body, and Shirou revealed that he lacked romantic love. Later, Shirou confronted Matou Zouken about his abandoned ideals, then preserved him in a jar of formalin.

  • Sakura woke at the Emiya family home and learned Touko had removed an Imprint Worm from her body.
  • Touko teased Sakura about her feelings for Shirou and said everyone but Rieselt and Shirou had noticed their relationship.
  • Shirou revealed a glass-like object embedded where his heart should be and told Sakura he could not feel romantic love.
  • Shirou spoke with Matou Zouken, who admitted he had abandoned his ideals and cared only about staying alive.
  • After Irisviel approved, Shirou filled the jar containing Matou Zouken with formalin and sealed it.

Ch. 188Ominous Black Shadow

Angra Mainyu, the priest, and an Einzbern homunculus joined forces, but the priest betrayed the homunculus and used her heart to create a black-clad being who was sent to cause chaos. Elsewhere, Rin Tohsaka searched for a fight and leapt from a tower, forcing Archer to catch her.

  • Angra Mainyu showed the priest an army of Shadow Servants summoned from the Black Mud.
  • The Einzbern homunculus arrived with a black giant and rejected the priest's aims, but the priest tore out her heart to complete the Lesser Grail.
  • The Black Mud revived the homunculus, changed her appearance, and gave her a new life aligned with the priest and Angra Mainyu.
  • The priest sent the black-clad homunculus away to cause chaos in Fuyuki City.
  • Rin Tohsaka insisted on finding a battle from the fortieth floor of a building, then jumped and was caught by Archer.

Ch. 189Boarding Ryuudou Temple

Shirou led the assault on Mount Enzou to find and destroy the Greater Grail, but ran into Rin and Archer on the way. He reached the mountain’s halfway point and attacked Camilla, the Assassin guarding the path.

  • Shirou and the others split into groups to search Mount Enzou for the Greater Grail.
  • Rin and Archer met Shirou at the foot of the mountain, and Shirou told them to turn back.
  • Shirou blasted toward the mountaintop, prompting Rin and Archer to follow him.
  • Shirou stopped halfway up the mountain when he found Camilla and attacked her with his sword.

Ch. 190Camilla Was Already Dead

Shirou defeated and killed Camilla, then confronted Rin Tohsaka and Archer before learning that the returning Kirei Kotomine was now calling himself Rasputin. The revelation deepened Shirou’s suspicion that this timeline was connected to FGO.

  • Shirou overwhelmed Camilla with his attacks and pinned her to the stone tiles with an anti-vampire weapon.
  • Shirou killed Camilla with a Cero just as Rin Tohsaka and Archer arrived.
  • Rin questioned Shirou’s ruthless actions, and Shirou warned her and Archer not to challenge him.
  • Kirei Kotomine appeared and revealed that he could also be called Rasputin.
  • Shirou suspected the timeline was connected to FGO after recognizing Rasputin’s identity.

Ch. 191Servant Possession: Rasputin

Shirou and Red A joined forces against Rasputin, who had fused with the priest's body and proved difficult to harm. The chapter ended as Red A launched his Crane Wing Triple Strike while Shirou pinned Rasputin in place.

  • Shirou attacked Rasputin, but Rasputin countered with a powerful Baji Quan punch and revealed his superior strength.
  • Rin Tohsaka and Archer decided to help Shirou fight Rasputin, whom they judged more dangerous than Shirou.
  • Shirou and Red A coordinated their attacks, but Shirou's Cero explosion left Rasputin unharmed and nearly caught Red A in the blast.
  • Shirou pinned Rasputin's arms with his Zanpakuto as Red A surrounded him with three pairs of Gan Jiang Mo Ye.
  • Red A attacked Rasputin with Crane Wing Triple Strike.

Ch. 192Battle Situation Escalates!

Shirou battled Rasputin while explosions revealed that the other Servants were fighting nearby, then unleashed a powerful Resurrección and attacked with the Spear of Thunder. A rainbow-colored beam deflected his attack, leaving its source and the battle’s outcome unresolved.

  • Rasputin recovered from Crane Wing Triple Strike, knocked Red A down, and forced Shirou to keep fighting while Rin Tohsaka protected the injured Archer.
  • An explosion near Medusa and Artoria made Shirou suspect Arjuna had launched a surprise attack, while Enkidu’s Noble Phantasm erupted in another direction.
  • Angra Mainyu appeared beside Rasputin and expressed envy of the powerful Servants fighting nearby.
  • Shirou released his Resurrección, revealing horns, a tail, and vast wings, then hurled a blue-flamed Spear of Thunder at Rasputin.
  • A rainbow-colored beam knocked Shirou’s Spear of Thunder off course, and it exploded against a mountaintop.

Ch. 193The Raid Begins!

Shirou, Enkidu, and Attila attacked Rasputin, but the priest evaded their strikes and went after Rin Tohsaka. Artoria protected Rin, then Rasputin overwhelmed her with a brutal series of blows.

  • Attila diverted Shirou’s Spear of Lightning, and Enkidu arrived but apologized for failing to stop her.
  • Shirou, Attila, and Enkidu joined forces against Rasputin, with Enkidu’s chains forcing the priest to dodge.
  • Shirou fired a Light Cannon at Rasputin, who survived and appeared behind Rin Tohsaka.
  • Artoria blocked Rasputin’s backstab to protect Rin, then Rasputin counterattacked and badly battered her.

Ch. 194As Far as the Eye Could See, It Was a Sea of Black

Shirou and his allies were overwhelmed by a swarm of Shadow Servants, and Rasputin revealed that their real target was Fuyuki City. Shirou sent Rin away with Artoria and prepared to transform to defend the city, but a voice stopped him.

  • Arjuna joined the battle and drove back Artoria and Enkidu, while Shirou struggled against the enemy forces and worried about protecting Rin Tohsaka.
  • A masked Shadow Servant ambushed Shirou, and Rasputin summoned over a hundred more Shadow Servants from the darkness.
  • Shirou ordered Enkidu and Artoria to clear a path with their Noble Phantasms, and their attacks broke the Shadow Servants’ formation.
  • Rasputin revealed that the Shadow Servants were headed for Fuyuki City, prompting Shirou to send Rin away with Artoria and stay behind.
  • Shirou prepared to undergo Second Resurrección to stop the Shadow Servants, but a voice interrupted him.

Ch. 195Our Family Has No Such Rule

Shirou escaped the barrier with the others, but learned that Medusa had been eliminated and withdrew to plan their next move. Inside the barrier, Rasputin and the remaining Servants found themselves unable to break Solomon’s defenses and waited for the enemy to return.

  • Shirou used Gekū to escape the barrier and rejoin Marisbury, Solomon, Artoria, Enkidu, Rin Tohsaka, and Red A.
  • Shirou learned that Medusa had been eliminated, then set aside his grief and led the group back to plan an attack on Ryuudou Temple.
  • Rin Tohsaka worried about Shirou, but Artoria said she believed in her Master before the others walked away and Rin hurried after them.
  • Rasputin asked Arjuna and Attila to break Solomon’s barrier, but their Noble Phantasms could not damage it and Attila’s signal was blocked.
  • Rasputin decided to wait for Solomon’s group to return, while Arjuna expressed interest in dueling Shirou.

Ch. 196Choices

Shirou struggled to find a way to overcome the Black Mud and Shadow Servants at Ryuudou Temple without accepting losses, while Kiritsugu urged him to make a choice and use the power he had. The chapter left Shirou determined to keep pursuing a solution, supported by his family.

  • Shirou stayed in his workshop for a day, trying to devise a plan to break through the barrier at Ryuudou Temple.
  • Illya visited Shirou, and he gave her a magical Clow Card set made by Touko Aozaki, delighting her.
  • Kiritsugu recognized that Shirou was troubled by the situation at Ryuudou Temple and advised him that acting required being prepared to lose something.
  • Kiritsugu explained that Shirou's power made him hope for a perfect outcome instead of choosing who to sacrifice, while Shirou admitted he wanted enough power to defeat every enemy without compromise.
  • Kiritsugu reassured Shirou that his family would stand by him whatever he chose, then left with Irisviel.

Ch. 197Emiya, Life's Winner

Shirou set aside his plans to take Sakura and Rin Tohsaka on an unexpected date, where his household and Shiki’s family sent them off with encouragement. At a dessert shop, Shirou rejected the cake and used his inherited Chronois to make a far better one, which he brought back for Sakura and Rin to try.

  • Shirou prepared to leave, but he collided with Sakura outside and found Rin Tohsaka had brought her to invite him on a date.
  • Rin Tohsaka joined Shirou and Sakura’s hands, then led them past Artoria, Natalia, Kirie, and Fujino, who cheered them on.
  • Shirou, Sakura, and Rin Tohsaka ran into Shiki and Mana, who also wished them luck before the group took a bus to a dessert shop.
  • Shirou tasted the shop’s cake, judged it poorly made, and borrowed the kitchen to bake and decorate a replacement at extraordinary speed with Chronois.
  • Shirou returned with his cake and offered it to Sakura and Rin Tohsaka, saying he had last baked Illya a birthday cake eight months earlier.

Ch. 198The Only Peace

Shirou spent the day shopping with Rin Tohsaka, Sakura, and Artoria as they tried to lift his spirits. After buying glasses for everyone and revealing that he and Natalia were wealthy because he worked as a mercenary, Shirou headed with them toward lunch.

  • Shirou thanked Rin Tohsaka, Sakura, and Artoria for taking him out, and Rin hurried them toward one last shop.
  • Rin Tohsaka dragged Shirou into an eyewear store, where she, Sakura, and Artoria tried on glasses and laughed at him in round frames.
  • Shirou secretly photographed Rin Tohsaka laughing, then paid for all the glasses and let her keep his pair as a memento.
  • Rin Tohsaka asked about Shirou's wealth, and Shirou explained that only he and Natalia had money because he worked as a mercenary.
  • Rin Tohsaka teased Shirou and Sakura about making a good husband and then suggested doing something before lunch.

Ch. 199Shirou's Toolbox

After Shirou wrecked the batting cages with a Reinforced swing, he used time-altering magecraft and a portable kitchen to prepare lunch in a frozen park. Artoria rapidly ate his food while Rin Tohsaka and Sakura watched, and Shirou continued explaining the extravagant demands of feeding his household.

  • Shirou accidentally Reinforced his baseball bat and destroyed a pitching machine and a wall, then paid compensation.
  • Rin Tohsaka and Sakura reacted to Shirou's excessive strength and his claim that he had used Projected Noble Phantasms.
  • Shirou unfolded his Mage's Garb into a kitchen and froze time in the park with the Emiya family's Fixed Time Regulation magecraft.
  • Shirou prepared two dishes at superhuman speed while Rin Tohsaka watched and Artoria eagerly ate.
  • Shirou explained that he bought groceries in bulk to feed himself, Touko Aozaki, and Artoria.

Ch. 200Golden Flash's Request

Gilgamesh asked Shirou to help Kallen Olsytia, the troubled nun in charge of Fuyuki City's church. He also revealed that he planned to join the battle four days later, leaving Shirou aware that Gilgamesh would defend his garden next time.

  • Gilgamesh appeared before Shirou, Rin, Sakura, and Artoria, and Rin learned he had been Tokiomi's Servant in the previous Holy Grail War.
  • Shirou explained that Gilgamesh had survived because he was the only Servant from that war to reach the Holy Grail, while Artoria protested that she and Shirou had won.
  • Gilgamesh used his clairvoyance to glimpse something unusual about Shirou's future but told him not to dwell on it.
  • Gilgamesh asked Shirou to help Kallen Olsytia, whose health and senses had deteriorated, and Shirou agreed to assist her for payment.
  • Gilgamesh said he would not attend the battle two days earlier because he was repaying a favor, but promised to join the battle four days later and punish whoever had trespassed in his garden.
Arc 8 of 13