"Name: Holy Grail (produced by the System, also known as the System Holy Grail)
Description: Once the host reaches any capability at the Jonin level, the Holy Grail War can be initiated. The ultimate winner can have any wish granted. (Note: The host can obtain a wish of the same type as the winner's. For example, if someone wishes to resurrect a person, the host also gets the opportunity to resurrect someone—though it cannot be oneself.)"
"Holy Grail War (Shinobi World Edition) (PS: This explanation is for those who haven't watched Fate; those who already know can skip it): Once the Holy Grail War begins, 14 Masters will be randomly selected to enter a special different space. The 14 Masters will be divided into Red and Black teams. The host can designate a deceased powerhouse as a Ruler to maintain order. Masters can use Holy Relics (items used by ancient powerhouses) to summon Servants. A Master who is defeated (killed) will be teleported out of the different space, and a Servant who is killed will return to the Pure Land. The ultimate victor will be granted a single chance to make a wish upon the Holy Grail. (Note: The host may also participate in the Holy Grail War.)"
"Servants include: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, Berserker."
A sharp gleam flashed across Arthur's eyes. If it was the System's Holy Grail, resurrecting Lord Izuna wouldn't be a problem, but several issues remained right now.
First, initiating the Holy Grail War required him to reach the Jonin level. Although he would reach it eventually—and that day wouldn't be too far off—time was precisely what he lacked the most at the moment.
Second, how could he make Uchiha Madara believe that he was capable of resurrecting Lord Izuna? Telling him directly? That was completely unrealistic. Whether Madara would believe it was one thing, but Arthur couldn't expose the fact that he could control the Holy Grail either.
Since he couldn't say it directly, he had to approach it indirectly through someone else—someone Madara trusted, namely Senju Hashirama. Furthermore, he couldn't go tell Hashirama himself; he had to spread the rumors so that Hashirama would take notice, thereby erasing any trace of his own involvement.
However, if he wanted to ride Uchiha Madara's coattails, he had to leave some clues while making sure Senju Tobirama didn't connect them to him. That man was far too cautious, and there was no telling what might happen if Tobirama found out.
"Have you figured it out yet, Lily? Lily? Kid!"
"Ah, what?" Pulled back to reality, Arthur's first sight was an extremely impatient—
"Have you made up your mind?" Uchiha Madara shoved another piece of inari sushi into his mouth with an irritated expression.
Honestly, he shouldn't have given in to a sudden whim and asked a kid; it was completely unreliable.
"Me... I would choose to find a way to resurrect a departed loved one, and then discuss our ideals together with a friend, finding a way to make them a reality. No matter what, as long as my friend hasn't betrayed me, I will never let that friendship come to an end." Under Madara's startled gaze, Arthur clenched his fist firmly and looked at him seriously.
Resurrect Lord Izuna? How could such Ninjutsu possibly exist... How could such a method possibly exist...
Madara left, tossing down five hundred ryo and walking out of the shop in silence. Perhaps he hadn't even counted the money, or perhaps he was pondering the feasibility of resurrection.
Arthur believed that Madara must have searched for a way all these years. Unfortunately, Tobirama hadn't invented the Impure World Reincarnation yet, nor did Arthur's Holy Grail exist at the time.
"Ding! Congratulations on triggering a hidden quest: Save Uchiha Madara, help Uchiha Madara step out of the shadow of his brother's death, and turn him into a law-abiding citizen of Konoha."
"Reward: 1,000 Free Attribute Points, 5,000 Mall Coins."
It came just in time... As long as both powerhouses were still alive, the First Great Ninja War wouldn't happen, and he would have plenty of time to lay low and grow stronger.
***
At night, deep within the Uchiha compound.
Uchiha Madara sat in silence, looking down at the Uchiha higher-ups. With Madara not speaking, none of the higher-ups dared to utter a word.
Finally, after a long while, Madara raised his head slightly. His gaze wasn't as sharp as it was before outsiders, but his voice was equally deep. "Everyone."
The higher-ups quietly watched Uchiha Madara, listening to the words of the strongest person alive, second only to Senju Hashirama.
As members of the Uchiha clan, every single one of them held absolute faith in Uchiha Madara, captivated both by his overwhelmingly formidable strength and his personal charisma.
"Help me find a way to resurrect Izuna... Please." In the past, he would never have used such a pleading tone, not even when facing his own clansmen. But now, after a series of events, his spirit felt somewhat exhausted.
As his words fell, the higher-ups all looked at Madara with astonishment. It wasn't that they couldn't understand; as Lord Madara's younger brother, the depth of their bond was something even they could glimpse. Making such a request was entirely understandable.
But... hadn't they searched numerous times over the past few years? Why bring it up now, of all times, right at the critical moment of the Hokage election?
"Lord Madara! Please leave it to us with confidence! We will definitely find a way to resurrect Lord Izuna!" Unsurprisingly, the one speaking was Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Madara's die-hard fan. Whatever Uchiha Madara said was treated as an imperial decree; at a single word from Madara, Setsuna wouldn't even blink if told to cut down his own father and mother.
The other higher-ups glared at Setsuna with suppressed anger, yet dared not speak out. Every time Lord Madara said something, this brat immediately chimed in. Forget refusing—there wasn't even any room for discussion.
It was one thing when nobody agreed to anything, but if someone agreed and you dared to refuse—especially when it concerned Lord Izuna—you'd practically be asking to dance with death.
"What are your thoughts?" Madara shifted his gaze to the other higher-ups. Although he didn't utter any harsh threats or use his presence to overwhelm them, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were utterly unable to refuse.
"Lord Madara, please leave it to us."
Hearing this, Madara nodded slightly and waved his hand to signal the end of the meeting. The higher-ups understandingly took their leave.
Izuna...
***
Early the next morning.
The sun rose into the eastern sky, casting scattered sunlight down through the gaps in the leaves.
On the streets of Konoha, pedestrians came and went in a steady stream.
"Hey, hey, let me tell you! My son's friend's brother-in-law heard from a merchant from the Land of Wind that recently, some kind of treasure called a Grail has appeared, and they say it can grant any wish at all!" Next to a large tree by a dango shop, a woman in red cracking melon seeds said excitedly to another woman in blue.
"Really, really? My daughter's classmate's nephew said the same thing! It seems it's called the Holy Grail, and you have to take part in something called a Holy Grail War. Only the winner gets to make a wish!" The woman in blue grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the woman in red as she spoke.
"Is it really that magical? Where is this Holy Grail?"
"A Holy Grail War... people are going to die, right? How terrifying."
"I want the Holy Grail too... That way, Xiaomei will be mine... Hehehe... My Xiaomei... My Xiaomei..."