In Xia Nation dramas, flashback episodes were relatively rare.
If someone were a seasoned anime fan from Su Yan's previous life, they would immediately recognize this kind of opening as a flashback.
But for Min Xinyi—and most 'Fate/Zero' viewers—their first reaction was:
Did I miss an episode?
Last episode was still the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City—
So why did this one suddenly start like a romantic story on a small island?
Confused, Min Xinyi kept watching.
A scenic island.
A lovely girl in a white dress—Shirley.
And a boy who admired her—Kiritsugu.
As their conversation continued, she finally realized—
"Kiritsugu" was just a nickname. His real name… was Kiritsugu Emiya.
Only then did it click.
This was a flashback.
Her expression immediately fell.
She had just been hoping there'd be less of Kiritsugu this episode—
And now?
Of course. It was Su Yan.
Not only was Kiritsugu present—
He was getting an entire childhood backstory.
…Makes sense.
Someone as twisted and ruthless as Kiritsugu must've been problematic from a young age, right?
Maybe—
Was he even the final boss of the story?
The more Min Xinyi thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
After all, even Gilgamesh had subtly pushed Kirei into killing Tokiomi.
It wouldn't be strange if Saber eventually turned against Kiritsugu, either.
—
The episode quickly established the relationships.
On the peaceful island—
There were the cheerful villagers, Kiritsugu's father, who had recently moved there and was researching strange plants—
And Shirley, his assistant, who had talent as a mage.
Because Kiritsugu's father was constantly buried in his research, the villagers misunderstood and isolated him.
But Shirley tirelessly defended him.
"The medicine teacher is researching… could even free humanity from death!"
Her eyes sparkled with belief and admiration.
"..."
Min Xinyi fell silent.
If this were any other show, she'd assume this was a story about a misunderstood genius who would eventually save countless lives.
But this was written by Su Yan.
And Kiritsugu was… not exactly a good person.
So what about his father?
Could he really be researching something benevolent?
Shirley pulled out a dagger and sliced into a watermelon.
[The Anti-Watermelon Noble Phantasm appears!]
—
Feeling down because her teacher didn't understand, Shirley brought young Kiritsugu to a stream.
Under the reflection of the moonlight and stars, her face looked soft and beautiful.
The boy stared at her reflection, his eyes filled with admiration.
Min Xinyi's heart softened.
Maybe—
Kiritsugu wasn't always like this.
He was calm, handsome…
And seemed like a good kid.
"Kiritsugu, what kind of adult do you want to become?"
Shirley asked gently.
At that moment—
The background music swelled.
She paused after hearing his answer, then smiled in surprise.
"You'll definitely achieve it. I promise!"
Min Xinyi frowned slightly.
What did he say?
Or… did he say nothing at all?
—
At this point, she had almost forgotten this was about the Holy Grail War.
With just a short segment, the episode had fully shaped the childhood versions of Kiritsugu and Shirley.
And now, one thought occupied her mind:
If Kiritsugu loved Shirley this much—
Why did he end up marrying Irisviel?
The story moved forward.
The next day, Kiritsugu searched for Shirley—but couldn't find her.
When he entered his father's lab—
He froze.
The girl he loved—
Was holding a live chicken.
Eating it raw.
Feathers crushed between her teeth.
Her eyes twisted in pain.
Blood dripped from her mouth.
She—
Craved blood.
She had taken the experimental drug herself—
Trying to prove her teacher was right.
And she had become—
A monster.
Her screams echoed as she struggled to control her urges.
Then she ran out.
Into the village.
And began slaughtering people.
Anyone she injured—
Turned into the same bloodthirsty creature.
Kiritsugu's father's research—
It was a drug to preserve life.
Its side effect—
Turned people into something like zombies.
The Xia Nation had no real zombie genre.
So for Min Xinyi—
This was her first exposure.
Her expression turned pale.
A deep, instinctive fear rose within her.
Wasn't this supposed to be a fantasy battle show?
Why had it turned into horror?
Kiritsugu witnessed the devastation.
Finally—
He understood what his father had been researching.
At a critical moment, a silver-haired woman appeared—
Saving Kiritsugu from being killed by the monsters.
Through their conversation, the truth came out.
Kiritsugu's father—
Was a fugitive mage.
A dangerous researcher hunted by the Mage's Association.
At first, viewers thought the villagers had misunderstood him.
But now
They realized:
No, this guy really was dangerous.
Following the clues, Kiritsugu found his father.
He was destroying his research.
"Shirley… used the drug on herself."
"I'm sorry to hear that." his father replied calmly.
"But her fate proves the flaws in the medicine."
"Father… were you planning to use it on me someday?" Kiritsugu asked, even calmer.
"Don't be ridiculous."
His father explained—
You are my son. My successor. Why would I ever use something dangerous on you?
He planned to escape—
To continue his research elsewhere.
And then—
Kiritsugu stabbed him.
A surprise attack.
A fatal strike.
Min Xinyi's eyes widened.
[That's your father!]
Then Kiritsugu pulled out a hidden gun—
And fired.
Memories of Shirley flashed through his mind.
Silently
The boy ended his father's life.
The silver-haired woman entered, watching in silence.
"If he escaped… he would continue making monsters elsewhere."
Kiritsugu's voice trembled.
Min Xinyi blinked.
So
As a child, Kiritsugu chose to kill his own father…
To save others?
Even knowing who he was?
The music swelled, grand and heavy.
The woman spoke:
"I'll take you away. Is there anything you want to bring?"
There was no disdain in her tone.
Only recognition.
—
Min Xinyi had a darker thought.
What if—
Shirley's death wasn't an accident?
What if Kiritsugu's father had intentionally guided her
Let her grow curious
Let her test the drug herself
And when it failed, he simply moved on to the next place?
If so
Then Kiritsugu had seen through him.
And made his choice.
But still
A father's life, weighed against countless unknown futures…
Could a child really make that judgment?
At that moment, Min Xinyi finally understood
Kiritsugu's distortion.
And his appeal as a character.
She recalled his words from episode 1:
To obtain the Holy Grail
And create world peace.
Something stirred within her.
On screen, the boy thought of Shirley's smiling face.
A faint smile appeared.
"Nothing."
Min Xinyi's fingers trembled.
The girl he loved.
His father.
Both are gone in a single day.
And he didn't even cry.
To stop the spread of the infection—
The island was burned to ashes.
The boy and the silver-haired woman sailed away.
Their backs fade into the horizon.
Min Xinyi felt a sharp ache in her chest.
So this—
That was why Kiritsugu became the person he was.
Cold.
Ruthless.
Willing to do anything.
The sorrowful music lingered.
Last week, she had cursed this character.
Now—
She pitied him.