Yugioh [346-350] (Patreon)

Chapter 346: The Secret Plan in Motion

"With this, you have all six Puzzle Cards now, right?" Zane said.

"Yeah," Kira replied. "Sorry for taking your shot."

Zane shook his head with a smile. "No, we're competitors. Duelists have to carve their own path with their own hands. Since you won, it's only right that you advance first."

Then, pausing, he added confidently, "But I'm not dropping out. I'll win the last two Puzzle Cards as quickly as I can, make it to the finals, and face you there again."

"Is that so? Good luck." Kira smiled. "But even then, I won't go easy on you."

"I'd expect nothing less."

Zane waved and prepared to leave. Now that he was down a Puzzle Card, he'd need at least two straight wins, so he had to hurry.

But just as he was leaving, he paused, remembering something.

"Oh, right." He turned to Kira, hesitated, then asked, "With Chimeratech Fortress Dragon—did you develop it because you believed in its potential?"

Kira nodded. "Of course."

Zane thought for a moment.

Chimeratech Fortress Dragon—he had one too, though he rarely used it. But even after holding onto it so long, he'd never noticed its other possibilities.

So this is the difference talent makes...

In the anime, Chimeratech Fortress Dragon isn't a contact fusion. Its attack is zero, can't be destroyed in battle, and deals zero battle damage to its controller.

Its effect allows it to attack once for each fusion material used, and each attack deals 400 damage to the opponent.

So, if you fuse ten monsters, it can hit ten times for 400 each—enough to finish the game at once.

Still, even then, it didn't feel as impactful as Kira's revised version.

No, impactful isn't the right word—psychologically devastating is better.

Though it's a Cyber Dragon fusion monster, it's basically a Cyber Dragon killer. It just devours the opponent's monsters for free, needing no resources. Even thinking back to their duel, Zane still felt a bit stifled.

It's the ultimate inside agent for Cyber Dragons.

Such a twisted Cyber Dragon... just... wow.

"Say, does your lab have any more 'Chimeratech Fortress Dragons'?" Zane finally couldn't help but ask.

"I want to buy one."

Kira laughed.

If you can't beat them, join them, huh?

But given Zane's standpoint, it was only natural.

First, this was a brand-new Cyber Dragon fusion form. As a Cyber Dragon specialist, he couldn't accept not having a main-deck monster that someone else did.

Second, Chimeratech Fortress Dragon isn't just a Cyber Dragon killer—it's a machine-type killer for anyone playing Cyber Dragons.

With it, Zane's deck could devour any number of machine-type monsters on the opponent's field for free.

That's why Chimeratech Fortress Dragon is meta-defining. Its two strongest uses are: when you run into another Cyber Dragon player, and when you, as a Cyber Dragon player, face a machine-type deck.

Later, when Jinzo's user comes to challenge the Cyber Dojo with a full machine deck, seeing all his Jinzos devoured by Chimeratech Fortress Dragon in a single turn will be hilarious...

"We don't have any spares yet, but it's under development," Kira smiled.

"Our team has found that Cyber Dragons have incredible untapped potential. There's a ton of room for development. I'd been thinking about this for a while."

He reached out to Zane.

"If you are interested, we'd be happy to have you join our team."

Having just experienced Kira's latest research firsthand, Zane didn't hesitate—he shook Kira's hand.

"Alright."

Kira was pleased as well.

With Zane on board, Cyber-style's future development should be much smoother.

Come to think of it, Chancellor Sheppard is actually the head of the Cyber Dojo. If they're doing cutting-edge Cyber research, it's only right to hit up the Chancellor for funding after the tournament.

Just as they finished shaking hands and sealing the deal, thunder rumbled in the distance, as if muffled thunder rolled behind dark clouds.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

Rain?

"That's odd," Kira muttered. "Wasn't it supposed to stay dry during the tournament?"

The forecast had said there'd be no rain these two days. And even if it did, surely President Kaiba would fire a missile into the sky to keep his beloved tournament from being interrupted by rain.

But along with the rain came wind.

A violent storm, like a raging beast, was bearing down on Duel City. The once-peaceful streets turned chaotic in an instant, the sounds of wind and thunder blending into a symphony of destruction.

The deep blue sky swiftly became a heavy leaden gray, clouds churning like boiling water. Trees bent under the wind, leaves swirling through the air like green snow.

Lightning split the clouds, illuminating the city. In that flash, it seemed there were two gigantic eyes within the clouds, filled with unimaginable hatred and fury, gazing down.

…

"...Is it time?"

A man stood at the docks, looking up at the churning black clouds, speaking lazily.

He was of average height, sturdy but not overly muscular. Wearing a custom dark suit, the tie loosely knotted, fluttering in the wind.

"Isn't it a bit early?" he said.

"It's not early," a voice replied in his headset. "The timeline was always set for the Battle City tournament. It's about time.

The Adjudicator will arrive in Duel City in one day. Everything must be ready."

"Really? But we don't have the 'Sealing Device' yet, right?" the man said.

"That's exactly why we're here. We must get it during the tournament, no matter what."

As he spoke, a cold voice sounded behind him.

"I don't know what you're planning, but sorry—this is where it ends."

The man turned at the sound, squinting slightly.

"Oh, something interesting's about to happen. I'll call you back."

His contact asked, "What is it? Someone's there?"

"Yeah, and you'll never guess who."

A smile crept onto the man's lips.

"Seto Kaiba."

Chapter 347: The Alien Worm

"Seto Kaiba?!"

The moment the man finished speaking, his contact became agitated.

"Wait, Luca, don't act. He's mine, I have to—"

"Sorry, buddy, but first come, first served. Since I saw him first, he's mine." Luca said lazily, "Looks like I'll be the one to take him down."

"No, Luca, you—"

The other end was abruptly cut off. Luca put away the communicator, looking at Kaiba with anticipation.

"Oh? So eager to become my next stepping stone?"

Kaiba crossed his arms and sneered.

Above, storm clouds still churned, the wind whipping across the dock and sending Kaiba's coat flying like a cape.

"Interesting." The man stood up. "Seto Kaiba, the legendary duelist, second only to Yugi Muto. I've wanted to take you on for a while."

Kaiba's smile vanished, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the man.

His words sounded like a statement of fact, but also a deliberate reminder that he was "second to Yugi"—and it was annoyingly hard to refute.

"So, you're... Luca, right? One of the remaining two of the New Doma Three Swordsmen," Kaiba said calmly.

"I'm flattered you know me, Kaiba."

"Hmph. Of course I know you—a soon-to-be defeated stepping stone. Then New Doma's 'Three Swordsmen' will be down to just one."

"Just a rat that slipped in."

"Hahaha, as expected of Seto Kaiba—so arrogant, just like the legends say."

Luca unfolded his duel disk with a chuckle.

"But be careful. Even a rat might bite a beast to death if it gets the chance."

"Hmph, is that so? I'll look forward to it."

Kaiba snapped open his duel disk as well. At the same moment, a transparent ripple spread out from him, like a sea of data materializing into a blue field, engulfing both duelists.

"Hmm?" Luca raised an eyebrow.

At that moment, Mokuba appeared behind Kaiba, grinning.

"KaibaCorp's newest duel disk, equipped with holographic projection—pretty much the same as your supernatural tricks."

Kaiba snorted, "This way, you can't run until the duel's over."

"Haha, very thorough. Alright."

Luca dropped his lazy act, turning serious.

"Let's decide it all—both victory and defeat, and life and death."

"Duel!" x2

[Kaiba, LP: 4000]

[Luca, LP: 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw." Luca said. "I set a monster face-down, and one card face-down. Turn end."

"My turn. Draw!"

Kaiba drew.

"I summon 'Vorse Raider'!"

[Vorse Raider, ATK 1900]

One of Kaiba's most common low-level monsters in the anime, even making cameo appearances in GX.

"Vorse Raider, attack the face-down monster!"

With a roar, the beast-warrior swung his axe at the set card, slicing it in half to reveal a creepy insect in the shattered projection.

"You walked right into it, President." Luca said. "You attacked 'Man-Eater Bug!'

When this card is flipped, it destroys a monster on the field.

Say goodbye, 'Vorse Raider'!"

With a last thrust, the bug stabbed forward, piercing Vorse Raider's chest before both shattered and vanished.

A perfect one-for-one.

"That bug, huh." Kaiba sneered. "Fits your vermin style."

"Don't underestimate insects, President Kaiba," Luca said darkly. "Insects are terrifying—they may be small, but they can unleash power many times their size.

Even a mighty beast can fall to an insect's ambush."

"Is that so? Then look again—did your bug's ambush succeed?" Kaiba retorted coldly.

Luca: "Your monster was destroyed by Man-Eater Bug. What are you talking abou—what?!"

He stared, stunned, as a purple dragon writhed on Kaiba's field, roaring at him from across the empty field.

"Why? This dragon is..."

[Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon, ATK 2200]

"Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon's effect: when a monster on my field is destroyed by battle or effect and sent to the graveyard, I can Special Summon this from my hand."

Kaiba barked,

"A true duelist's plays are always a step ahead. This petty trick was already within my calculations!

Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon, direct attack!"

The impact, projected as a solid strike, felt like being hit in the chest by a flying hammer. Luca nearly staggered from the blow, blood rising in his throat.

[Luca, LP 4000 → LP 1800]

"I set two cards and end my turn."

Kaiba set two cards in his back row, face impassive.

"So this is all New Doma's swordsmen amount to? You're not even in the same league as before. I actually had some hope."

Luca caught his breath, dusting himself off.

"Impressive, Seto Kaiba... but to be underestimated like this is annoying.

Then let me show you the power of a swordsman of New Doma."

Luca composed himself.

"My turn—draw."

He revealed a card in his hand.

"I normal summon 'Xex Insect'."

A monster materialized, a viscous green liquid oozing out, rimmed with a strange silvery sheen under the moonlight, writhing and morphing until forming a bizarre entity.

Some kind of four-legged starfish, its center a deep, black-hole-like mouth, squirming like a worm.

[Worm Xex, ATK 1800]

"Worm, huh?"

Kaiba looked a little interested.

Worm archetypes were rare, though a few scattered cards existed. But a full deck was unusual.

But for a Doma swordsman, nothing was surprising.

"Ugh, gross monster..." Mokuba grimaced.

"Too bad you can't appreciate the beauty of Worms," Luca smiled, then narrowed his eyes.

"But it doesn't matter. I'll make you understand soon enough—the beauty and power of Worms."

Chapter 348: Meteorite

"The effect of Worm Xex. When this card is successfully summoned, send a Reptile monster with 'Worm' in its name from the deck to the graveyard."

Luca drew from his deck, quickly picking out a card.

"I'll send 'Worm Yagan' from the deck to the graveyard."

The monster card slid from his Duel Disk into the graveyard, but after only a moment, it popped back out.

"The effect of 'Worm Yagan' in the graveyard also activates."

He drew out the Worm Yagan card that had just left the graveyard, humming softly.

"If the only monster on my field is 'Worm Xex,' I can Special Summon this card from the graveyard in facedown Defense Position.

So I will place 'Worm Yagan' from the graveyard in facedown Defense Position."

He slapped the monster card drawn from the graveyard sideways onto the field. A pitch-black monster card appeared on his field, as if it were hiding some unknown danger.

"Special Summon a monster from the graveyard in facedown Defense Position?" Mokuba was surprised.

"It's too early to be astonished. My Worm will shatter your common sense of Dueling."

Luca chuckled softly and continued:

"Then I activate the Spell Card 'Double Summon' from my hand, granting an additional Normal Summon this turn."

The image of a Spell Card appeared, forming a summoning vortex on his field.

"With this, I'll set another monster from my hand in facedown Defense Position."

Another set monster appeared, emerging sideways from the summoning vortex, as if a predator lay in wait beneath it.

"Another set monster," Mokuba wondered. "Is this a deck that specializes in hiding monsters for surprise attacks?"

Kaiba remained silent, arms crossed.

"Haha, you'll soon understand," Luca said in a low voice. "Alien Worm are no ordinary bugs. They are among the universe's most terrifying catastrophes, conquering countless worlds from planet to planet.

They always descend from the sky, alongside meteors of destruction, carrying the embryos of invasion. When a meteor falls upon a new planet, it brings with it countless Alien Worm. The arrival of a meteor is the horn that signals the start of an Alien Worm invasion—no one can stop their march."

"Hmph, what a boring fairy tale," Kaiba sneered.

"Hahaha, you're mistaken, President. What I'm describing is exactly what you are about to face!

I activate the Trap Card 'W Nebula Meteorite'!"

His set card flipped over, and at the same time, a real meteorite of destruction fell from the sky!

"'W Nebula Meteorite' turns all facedown monsters on the field to face-up Defense Position!"

The meteor crashed down, and the shockwave flipped both of Luca's Worms.

[Worm Apocalypse, DEF 200]

[Worm Yagan, DEF 1800]

"An experienced Duelist like you should already know what's coming, right?" Luca smiled.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes slightly. "Flip Effect monsters?"

"Correct. The moment they're flipped, both monsters' effects trigger," Luca said. "When Worm Apocalypse is flipped, destroy one Spell or Trap card on the field.

I'll destroy your set card on the left."

Kaiba's set Trap Card flipped up—"Attack Guidance Armor," one of his usual Traps that can change an attack target.

Mokuba: "Ah, brother's trap is..."

"Alien Worm don't target just Traps!" Luca declared. "Worm Yagan's effect!

When this card is flipped, return one face-up monster your opponent controls to their hand.

I'll return 'Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon' to your hand!"

The purple dragon was enveloped in Alien Worm energy, transformed into a beam of light, and shot back to Kaiba's hand.

"With that, your defenses are broken," Luca shouted. "Now, 'Worm Xex,' direct attack!"

With the line breached, Worm Xex's attack struck Kaiba directly. Kaiba staggered back a step, frowning slightly.

[Kaiba, LP 4000 → LP 2200]

"Hmph, a halfway decent rat," Kaiba said coldly.

"Still so confident? As expected of the President," Luca smiled. "Unfortunately, the Worms flipped by 'W Nebula Meteorite' are in face-up Defense Position, so they can't attack this turn.

That ends the Battle Phase for now."

He drew two more cards.

"Then I'll set two cards and move to the End Phase. At the end of the turn after 'W Nebula Meteorite' is activated, its follow-up effect triggers."

A sinister wave swept across his field. Xex, Yagan, and Apocalypse all curled up and were set facedown again.

"Eh?" Mokuba wondered. "Why did the Worms turn facedown again?"

"'W Nebula Meteorite's' follow-up effect: At the end of the turn after this card is activated, all Reptile- and LIGHT-Attribute monsters you control are turned facedown in Defense Position; then, you draw cards equal to that number.

I have three Reptiles, so I draw three cards!"

Luca drew three cards in one go.

"Eh? Not only do they get reset, but you also get to draw cards?"

Mokuba soon realized the gravity of the situation.

When Worm Apocalypse is flipped, it destroys a card; when Worm Yagan is flipped, it bounces a monster.

In other words, no matter what monster Kaiba summons, as soon as he attacks and Yagan flips, it'll be bounced.

And even if he doesn't attack, next turn the opponent will just flip it themselves and bounce something anyway.

These Worms are so troublesome!"

"Hahaha, looks like you're beginning to understand the beauty of the Worms. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Now, it's time to show you their true power!"

Luca shouted.

"'W Nebula Meteorite' has another follow-up effect! At the End Phase of the turn after it's activated, you can also Special Summon a Level 7 or higher LIGHT Reptile monster from your Deck.

I summon—

Worm King!"

A terrifying, golden, giant beetle appeared. Its upper half was a humanoid king with four arms, while its lower half was a monstrous insect with horrifying jaws, as if it could swallow everything.

[Worm King, ATK 2700]

"Worm King."

Kaiba looked up at the fearsome monster.

"So, that's your ace?"

Luca just smiled, not answering directly.

"He wiped my brother's whole field, attacked directly, replenished his hand instantly, reset his bounce and destruction setup, and even summoned an ace monster in one turn..."

Mokuba looked at Luca with increasing wariness.

"Is this guy actually really strong?"

Chapter 349: Endless Worms

"My turn. Draw."

"I activate 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards."

Kaiba drew his cards.

"Worms, huh? This is getting interesting.

Then let me show you the form of the strongest Light Dragon!"

He discarded one card to the graveyard and played another.

"I activate 'The Melody of Awakening Dragon'!

Discard a card; add up to two Dragon monsters with 3000 or more ATK and 2500 or less DEF from your Deck to your hand!"

The deck's search function activated, popping out two cards.

"Add 'Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon' and 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' to my hand!"

"Ah, finally showing your hand," Luca wasn't surprised. "That legendary dragon unique to Seto Kaiba..."

"'Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon' can be Special Summoned by revealing 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' in hand."

Kaiba raised his card high, and dazzling white light erupted from it.

"Appear! Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!"

A brilliant silver arc streaked across the sky like a meteor. The dazzling white dragon of light appeared, spinning amidst the gathered stars!

[Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, ATK 3000]

"Just as the reports said, Alternative White Dragon has appeared," Luca narrowed his eyes.

"Such an easy summoning condition, plus the ability to destroy a monster once per turn without triggering flip effects—it truly is a terrifying card.

With Alternative White Dragon, you can remove Yagan without triggering its effect, right?"

Kaiba said nothing.

"But unfortunately, it's not that easy," Luca declared, "I activate my set card—Trap Card 'Trap of Darkness'!

If my LP is 3000 or less, I pay 1000 LP and banish a Normal Trap from my graveyard to gain its effect!"

[Luca, LP 1800 → LP 800]

"He's going to copy the Trap's effect... Oh no!" Mokuba realized.

"That's right—I'll gain the effect of 'W Nebula Meteorite'!"

The meteorite of Alien Worm invasion slammed down again, bringing a deafening roar. His three set monsters flipped over in succession.

"'W Nebula Meteorite' effect: flip all facedown monsters to face-up Defense Position," Luca called out. "Yagan, Xex, Apocalypse, all flip!"

[Worm Apocalypse, DEF 200]

[Worm Yagan, DEF 1800]

[Worm Xex, DEF 1000]

"No need to explain Xex's effect: when flipped, return an opponent's monster to their hand!

 'Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon'—back to your hand!"

Before it could even unleash its power, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon turned into white light and returned to Kaiba's hand.

"Then comes Apocalypse's effect: when flipped, destroy a Spell/Trap on the field.

I'll destroy your last set card!"

Kaiba's remaining backrow was destroyed by the Worm's attack. It was revealed to be the Spell Card "Polymerization."

"Puhahaha, so your face-down was Polymerization... classic, President."

Luca said.

"Anyway, this puts you in a tough spot. Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon's special summon can only be used once per turn, right?

And even if you still have 'Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon' in hand, you can't activate it. That card can Special Summon itself when a monster is destroyed—a strong backup plan.

But Alternative White Dragon was returned to hand, not destroyed, so that card can't be used."

He paused, looking more pleased.

"I told you, don't underestimate my Worms—even the mighty Blue-Eyes will have a tough time!"

"I set two cards and end my turn."

Kaiba ignored his taunts, speaking coolly.

"Then, in the End Phase, the follow-up effect of 'W Nebula Meteorite' resolves," Luca said, "All four Worms on my field are set facedown again, and I draw four cards!"

He drew four cards, then began searching his deck.

"Then, Special Summon a Level 7 or higher LIGHT Reptile from my Deck. The noble leader of the Worms appears—

Worm Queen, arise!"

[Worm Queen, ATK 2700]

"The more you fight, the more Worms appear," Mokuba frowned. "And those troublesome ones just got set again..."

"That's right, this is the power of Worms—endless, relentless assault!

My turn! Draw!"

It was Luca's turn again. After drawing, he glanced at Kaiba's two set cards and smiled.

"Two set cards... President, you know my set Apocalypse can destroy backrow each turn. Yet you're still relying on your backrow—so one is bait for the real card?"

Kaiba crossed his arms and sneered, "What do you think?"

"Heh, such tactics won't work."

Luca pulled out a card from his hand.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Harpie's Feather Duster'!

Destroy all Spell and Trap cards your opponent controls!"

"Eh!?" Mokuba was flustered. "He used Feather Duster instead of Worm's effect?"

Luca: "Exactly. Now your backrow is wiped, and your tactics are meaningless..."

But before he finished, Kaiba's signature three-part laugh cut him off.

"Haha ha hah—!"

Luca was dumbfounded.

What's going on? He's cornered; what's so funny?

"That's why I said—bugs are bugs, and the Duel of the strong is always one step ahead."

Kaiba crossed his arms and smiled coldly.

"Watch as the card you destroyed is this—"

The Trap Card flipped over, unleashing earth-shaking energy!

Trap Card—"Waking the Dragon"!

"When this set card leaves the field by an opponent's effect, Special Summon any monster from your Deck or Extra Deck!"

"NANI!?"

Luca's face changed drastically.

This guy...

So he deliberately left a trap, expecting his opponent to clear the backrow and fall into the trap.

"After 3,000 years of evolution, the ultimate Dragon now descends!"

Kaiba raised his arm and shouted.

"Arise! Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!"

White light soared, giant bone wings spread out, and the three-headed dragon descended, surrounded by a milky-white energy storm!

[Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]

Chapter 350: Worm Zero

"Tch, so the Ultimate Dragon appears."

Luca narrowed his eyes.

"I admit, you got me this time. But I told you, never underestimate the Worm's power. Even Ultimate Dragon is no exception!

I flip-summon my set 'Worm Yagan' and activate its effect!"

[Worm Yagan, ATK 1000]

"When Yagan is flipped, return one face-up monster your opponent controls to their hand.

Return 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"

A strange light enveloped Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Before it could even settle, its body became transparent and was about to vanish.

"Hahaha, what a shame," Luca laughed. "You outplayed me for a moment, President, but my Worm's strength is more than enough to compensate.

Your Ultimate Dragon, summoned with such effort, is about to leave so soon."

"Heh, are you sure?" Kaiba replied.

"What?"

"I activate a Trap Card from my hand—

—'The Ultimate Creature of Destruction'"

"NANI!?"

Luca was shocked again.

A Trap Card from the hand?

"The other set card you destroyed was 'Cross Counter Trap'," Kaiba said coldly, "If that card is destroyed this turn, you can activate a Trap Card from your hand once this turn." (Manga Card.)

"Tch, both set cards were decoys?" Luca muttered.

"This card will unleash the Ultimate Dragon's true power!" Kaiba shouted. "'The Ultimate Creature of Destruction' lets one 'Blue-Eyes' monster you control be unaffected by any card effect except its own, and it cannot be destroyed by battle this turn!"

Luca's pupils contracted.

Unaffected by any card effect, and cannot be destroyed by battle...

Even before that, Ultimate Dragon's 4500 ATK was almost the ceiling among Duel Monsters.

For this turn, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon was essentially invincible!

"Tch, does Kaiba Seto have a card for everything he says..."

Luca muttered under his breath.

"Then, I activate 'Worm King' effect. Tribute one Reptile monster with 'Worm' in its name to destroy any card on your opponent's field!

I tribute 'Worm Apocalypse'!"

Apocalypse turned into light and vanished. Following the King's roar, it turned into a blast of energy and shot at Ultimate Dragon!

"Even this Worm has such a powerful effect?" Mokuba remarked. "But it's useless. Ultimate Dragon is unaffected by any effects now."

Sure enough, the self-destructive attack was ineffective, exploding on the Ultimate Dragon's body and vanishing without leaving a scratch.

 "You wanted to free up a Monster Zone?"

Kaiba said calmly.

"Ah, I see now," Mokuba realized.

"All five of his Monster Zones were full. Is he going to summon something to deal with that?"

"That's right!" Luca shouted. "I activate the Equip Spell 'Future Fusion' from my hand!" (Anime Effect.)

"Send any Fusion Materials from my deck to the GY and immediately Fusion Summon a monster in face-up Attack Position!"

He pulled out a large number of cards from his deck and smirked.

"As expected of President Kaiba; it's been a while since anyone forced me to bring this out. But its arrival means the drama is about to end."

"What?" Kaiba frowned.

"Did you know? There are 26 Worms in total, each named after a letter of the English alphabet. The one representing the final letter, Z, is both the end and the origin—the Ultimate Worm I'm about to summon."

Luca said blandly.

"Besides it, my Main Deck has 25 other Worm. But since King and Queen are already out, and I only run one copy of each, I have 23 Worm left."

"You—" Kaiba frowned. "What are you planning?"

"Hehehe, of course, I'm going to do this—"

Luca shouted louder.

"I send all 23 Worm from my Deck to the graveyard to perform the ultimate Fusion!!"

Mokuba was stunned: "A 23-monster Fusion!?"

You can fuse that many!?

"That's right. What you're about to witness is the end of life's evolution—and the origin! Appear, the Ultimate Worm—

—Worm Zero!"

At that moment, the city's typhoon reached its peak, as if the heavens roared, shaking every building and block.

Neon lights flickered in the storm, swaying like candles about to go out. The sky twisted, as if cracks appeared in an oil painting, with clouds torn apart to reveal deep, dark voids.

Within those tumultuous black clouds, destruction descended.

A massive, terrifying, dark presence, like a meteor, drifted down from beyond the sky. A cold, spherical object carrying the aura of death and annihilation, overlooking all creation with its chilling gaze.

[Worm Zero, ATK ?]

"A 23-way Fusion, Level 10, a god-like monster..."

Mokuba gazed up at the chilling black sphere, feeling as if he were looking at a black hole about to devour everything.

Kaiba frowned slightly, and his Ultimate Dragon roared defiantly at the Worm Zero.

"This is the Worm's complete form," Luca sneered. "Now, witness its ultimate...

Huh!?"

Luca's face changed.

The storm didn't subside with the appearance of the Worm Zero. Instead, it intensified!

It seemed that the power and destructive aura unleashed by Worm Zero further provoked the awakening of something else.

That force pierced the heavens, twisted space, and opened a path to another dimension.

As the sky split open, a pair of crimson eyes slowly opened from the other side.

The gale reached a new peak. Cars tumbled through the streets, trees were uprooted, lampposts snapped. The soaring storm was like the hammer of doomsday, ready to bring catastrophic destruction to the city.

"Brother!" Mokuba cried. "At this rate, the city will—"

Luca looked up at the shadow descending from the crack in the sky, frowning.

"Why did it appear so soon? Is it because of Worm Zero's power?"

Countless bolts of lightning raged like silver serpents, illuminating the city as bright as day. Instead of brief flashes, they poured down like waterfalls, striking every corner with deafening crashes and showers of sparks.

One bolt landed squarely in the middle of the Duel arena, shattering the blue Duel barrier. Both duelists staggered back from the impact.

"Tch, looks like if I stay here any longer, even I'll be in trouble."

Luca grumbled, then suddenly smirked, put away his Duel Disk, and leaped away. His jumping ability was also astonishing; with a few bounds, he was on top of a shipping container.

"You!" Kaiba shouted. "The duel isn't over! Are you running away?"

"Haha, running? The advantage is still mine... but if you want to think that, be my guest. We'll settle this later."

Luca paused atop the containers, chuckling.

"Right now, President Kaiba, you have bigger problems to deal with than me."

Kaiba frowned. As he turned, he saw a massive shadow descending from the churning clouds. Though its shape was blurry, it looked like a gigantic, writhing serpent.

A low, sinister voice echoed through the sky.

"We meet again, Seto Kaiba..."