Unfortunately, Kariya died in his attempt and Sakura was unable to understand Kariya's motivation for trying to rescue her. When Kariya Matou, Sakura's adopted uncle and her mother's childhood friend, learned of Zouken's intentions, Kariya attempted to win the Fourth Holy Grail War in hopes of liberating her. Having to endure the cruel training under Zouken and Byakuya, Sakura became an empty and emotionless shell resigned to her fate. Zouken Matou, an ancient ally of the Tohsaka House, offered to adopt Sakura with the intention of training her as the successor of the Matou's magecraft as his own heir, Shinji, was incapable of sorcery.Īs a result of her natural abilities, Zouken sought to use Sakura as one of his future vessels, empowered by the Angra Mainyu. Like most magi, her father chose only one daughter to carry on his family's tradition as he believed raising an additional child would introduce competition. Born as Sakura Tohsaka (遠坂 桜, Tōsaka Sakura ?), she is the biological younger sister of Rin Tohsaka and daughter of Tokiomi Tohsaka and Aoi Zenjou.