Yugioh [391-400] (Patreon)

Chapter 391: So-called Fate?

8100 ATK!

"Super-Ancient Dinobeast, attack!"

Loren roared.

"Obliterate Kaiba's Chaos MAX Dragon!"

All the dinosaurs' energy converged on Super-Ancient Dinobeast. The massive power gathered in its mouth, then burst forth as a torrent of energy!

A thunderous roar, an explosion of light. Loren's vision blurred, his mind hazy, and for a moment, the mighty beast merged with a memory.

"…"

"Loren's birthday present."

A man handed a finely crafted toy dinosaur to a child.

The child beamed, adding it to his dinosaur collection.

He'd loved dinosaurs since he was little, with a box full of dinosaur toys. Every time his father returned from a trip, he'd bring back a new toy.

But little did the boy know, that would be the last gift he'd ever receive from his father.

"…"

For a moment, that little dinosaur overlapped with the Super-Ancient Dinobeast on the field, now a vengeful spirit unleashing all Loren's rage.

"Then, the effect of 'Juragedo' in my hand: I can Special Summon it during the battle step," Kaiba said coolly. "And I gain 1000 LP."

[Juragedo, DEF 1300]

[Kaiba, LP 4000→5000]

"Next, Juragedo's second effect: Tribute it to give one of my monsters +1000 ATK until end of turn. Can be used during your turn."

Kaiba targeted Chaos MAX Dragon.

"Tribute Juragedo, Chaos MAX Dragon gains 1000 ATK."

[Chaos MAX Dragon, ATK 4000→5000]

"Still, Super-Ancient Dinobeast is stronger!" Loren yelled. "Attack continues, smash the Chaos MAX Dragon!"

Even 5000 ATK would be top-tier for most monsters, but here, it wasn't enough.

Chaos MAX Dragon's armor couldn't withstand the impact. The overwhelming strike pierced its body, and the dragon vanished into stardust. The hellish energy surged past Kaiba, hitting the green barrier behind him, causing ripples.

[Kaiba, LP 5000→1900]

"Big brother!"

Mokuba tried to rush forward.

Kaiba stumbled but regained his footing.

"Not bad," he said calmly.

Loren was engulfed in green flames, his eyes burning with fury.

"You held on? Good, very good! This isn't enough to quell my anger!"

"But your 'Brave Attack' has a side effect," Kaiba reminded him. "After using it, all your attack position monsters are destroyed at the end of the battle phase."

"Heh, of course I know."

As Loren spoke, explosions echoed across his field: Dark Driceratops, both Babycerasaurus, and finally Super-Ancient Dinobeast, all shattered before him.

Just like his old collection, his past, all burned away.

"Babycerasaurus's effect," Loren said grimly. "When destroyed by effect, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Dino from deck.

Two Babycerasaurus were destroyed, so I Special Summon two Level 4 Dinosaurs."

He fetched two cards from his deck.

"I Special Summon 'Megalosmasher X' and 'Hyper Hammerhead'!"

[Megalosmasher X, ATK 2000→2500]

[Hyper Hammerhead, ATK 1500→2000] (Orichalcos boost)

"After 'Brave Attack's' side-effect, he still maintains board presence. He must have predicted Kaiba would have a response, so he used Babycerasaurus's ability to keep monsters," Midori commented from the sidelines.

Otherwise, after his attack, all his monsters would self-destruct, and if he failed to win, he'd lose next turn.

"Megalosmasher X is the highest-ATK Level 4 Dino, and Hyper Hammerhead is even more troublesome—"

"If Hyper Hammerhead battles but doesn't destroy the opponent's monster, it bounces it back to the owner's hand," Zane, now back in the audience, said.

"It's the best Dino for clearing threats."

"Facing a monster like Chaos MAX Dragon, to turn the tables and still maintain presence—he's strong," Jaden said, "I want to duel him myself…"

"I set a card, end turn," Loren said coldly. "No matter the result today, this is fate. I've lived for this moment since that day!"

"Fate?"

Kaiba seemed to laugh.

"You find that funny?" Loren demanded.

Kaiba didn't answer.

"My turn, draw," Kaiba said. "Activate 'Pot of Greed', draw two."

He drew two.

"Next, Spell 'Dark Factory of Mass Production', return two Normal Monsters from grave to hand."

Gold light shone in his grave as two cards returned.

"I return two 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' to my hand."

Loren frowned: "Sent by 'Dictator of D.' and 'Graceful Charity'?"

"You're a first-rate duelist, aren't you?" Kaiba said. "At least let me use the absolute power of the strongest in history to finish you. You should be honored.

Activate 'Polymerization'! Fuse three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' from my hand!"

Three dragons appeared behind him, roaring. They merged in a vortex of white light, forming a tangible storm, with the dragons at the center.

Time seemed to freeze—under dimmed skies, the ultimate three-headed dragon descended in endless light!

Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, summon!

[Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]

Loren, amid the storm, squinted at the white dragon.

"Ultimate Dragon, symbol of Kaiba's power," Loren said coldly. "Let me crush it too!

From my grave, activate the trap 'Survival's End'!

Banish this card from grave, destroy any card on opponent's field and my Dinosaurs on my field.

I destroy 'Megalosmasher X' and 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"

Loren's expression contorted.

"Kaiba's proudest monster, disappear here!"

The trap appeared, Megalosmasher X charged at the Ultimate Dragon like a suicide bomb!

Chapter 392: Obsession

Boom!

Megalosmasher X exploded on the Ultimate Dragon, a huge fireball.

But when the smoke cleared, the majestic dragon remained, standing tall.

"What?"

Loren was shocked.

"Why!?"

[Kaiba, LP 400]

"Quick-Play Spell 'My Body as a Shield'. Pay 1500 LP to negate and destroy any effect that would destroy a card on the field," Kaiba said calmly. "So 'Survival's End' is negated.

'Megalosmasher X' and 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' are both safe."

"Tch," Loren gritted his teeth. "You'd use yourself as a shield for the Ultimate Dragon…"

"Battle," Kaiba commanded. "'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon', attack 'Megalosmasher X'!

Ultimate Burst Stream!"

All three heads unleashed blinding white blasts! Even with the barrier boost, Megalosmasher X couldn't resist, and was torn apart by the white light.

"Argh!"

The massive energy knocked Loren into the air, flipping him before he crashed into the green barrier.

[Loren, LP 2400→400]

"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's effect," Kaiba continued. "Once per duel, it can attack three times in a turn!" (Anime effect)

He paused, eyes on Loren's remaining 'Hyper Hammerhead'.

"That monster can bounce after battle, but only after damage calculation!"

He raised his voice.

"Before that, I'll defeat it with overwhelming power!

Continue, Ultimate Dragon's second attack! Attack 'Hyper Hammerhead'!

Ultimate Burst Stream, double attack!"

In the anime, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon could attack three times per duel, but after using that effect, it self-destructs at the end of the Battle Phase.

So it's an all-or-nothing OTK ability: kill in one turn or self-destruct. Even if Hammerhead doesn't bounce it, if it fails, it'll explode anyway.

"Shatter! Obliterate! Applause!" Kaiba shouted. "The future belongs only to those who look forward; the weak can wallow in their useless memories!"

More blinding light, the three dragon mouths like three blazing suns, converging on Loren.

Loren looked up at the light, dazed again.

"…"

A memory flashback—to that darkest day.

A hellish village, flames and black smoke everywhere, inhuman groans. The man, now twisted and crawling like a zombie, no longer had warmth in his eyes, only hunger.

The boy collapsed, frozen with fear, tears streaming.

The man crawled to him, reaching out a monstrous claw.

Then, gently—

Placed a card in front of him.

The hand fell limp, the man died right before the boy.

He sat there, motionless, stunned.

Until a zombie saw him, shrieked, and charged.

At that moment, the card in front of him shone gold. A phantom emerged, blasting the zombie away.

The boy stared at the card's phantom, trembling.

"Dad…?"

"…"

"What a joke…"

Loren's eyes turned blood-red.

"Calling them useless memories?" He looked up at the light, face twisted. "Kaiba!"

Boom—

Second strike, the white blast annihilated everything. Hyper Hammerhead was destroyed, Loren was knocked back again.

"Is it finally over?" Mokuba murmured.

But—

After two hits, Loren's body twitched, then, still smoking, propped himself up and stood again.

Still smoking, shaky on his feet—Orichalcos's real pain, two hits from Ultimate Dragon would destroy anyone ordinary, body and mind.

But he stood again, too stubborn to die.

[Loren, LP 1900]

"Huh?" Mokuba exclaimed, "Why?"

"At that moment, I activated the set trap 'Nutrient Z'," Loren said. "If I take over 2000 battle damage this turn, before damage calculation I recover 4000 LP."

So, before the white dragon's hit landed, his LP went to 4400. After Hyper Hammerhead was destroyed, he took 2500, so now he has 1900.

"Stubborn guy," Mokuba frowned. "But the Ultimate Dragon still has one more attack—"

"No," Kira patted him, "Hyper Hammerhead's effect."

"Ah!" Mokuba realized.

"Right. After Hyper Hammerhead battles and fails to destroy the opposing monster, that monster returns to hand after damage calculation!"

A strong deathrattle effect—since Ultimate Dragon failed to OTK, Hammerhead's effect triggers. Its phantom roared and slammed into the Ultimate Dragon.

The Ultimate Dragon became a ray of white light, returning to Kaiba's extra deck.

"Fusion monsters can't return to hand, so it goes back to the extra deck," Loren said grimly. "I won't fall so easily, Kaiba.

If I fall here… what would become of all my hatred and rage!?"

Chapter 393: Undead?

Watching the last Doma Swordsman's near-hysterical state, Mokuba couldn't help but be a little absent-minded.

He thought back to the past, to Alister, one of the three swordsmen last time. He had also been this angry, and accused them in much the same way.

"What exactly happened to this person..." Mokuba murmured to himself.

Of course, he knew that no matter what, his brother would never ask, nor would he care. Or rather, maybe it's not that he doesn't care—he just never shows it, nor would he ever stop because of it.

Because that's Seto Kaiba: someone who always moves forward, never stopping for any reason.

He had made this decision when he first set foot on this path—when he beat Gozaburo in chess at the orphanage and clawed his way to the top of KaibaCorp and even the world all on his own.

There had been sacrifices along the way, and certainly some underhanded methods. But he accepted that long ago, so no matter who blocked his path or for what reason, even if something stirred in his heart, he'd never show it, and certainly wouldn't halt his steps.

"I set two cards face-down. Turn end." Kaiba said coolly.

"My turn. Draw!" Loren declared. "I activate the Spell Card 'Spell Books from the Pot'! Both players draw three cards from their decks." (Manga card)

Loren drew, and as he looked at one of the cards, his hand noticeably paused and his expression turned blank.

But it was only for a moment.

He added the card to his hand.

"With your Ultimate Dragon bounced back to the deck, your field is empty, Kaiba! It's over!" Loren raised a card high. "First, I activate the Spell 'Foolish Burial' to send a monster from my deck to the graveyard.

I send the Machine-type 'Barrel Dragon' to the grave."

Loren revealed the Machine-type card from his deck and sent it to the grave.

"Next, I activate the Spell 'Double Evolution Pill'!

By banishing a Machine-type and a Dinosaur-type monster from my hand or graveyard, I can Special Summon a LIGHT-attribute Dinosaur-type monster from my hand or deck!" (Anime effect)

With a flash of golden light, two cards left his graveyard.

"I banish the Machine-type 'Barrel Dragon' I just sent, and the Dinosaur-type 'Megalosmasher X' for the ultimate evolution!

After millions of years of evolution, the strongest creature on earth and the power of industry combine to create—

—Cyber Dinosaur!!"

(The real-life version of this card was later made Machine-type with changed effects, but in the original, it was a Dinosaur-type.)

[Cyber Dinosaur, ATK 2500]

"It gains the effect of the Seal of Orichalcos, boosting its ATK!"

[Cyber Dinosaur, ATK 2500 → ATK 3000]

"This is the turn to settle our fate—all our grudges end now!" Loren stepped forward. "Cyber Dinosaur, direct attack!"

"Activate face-down." Kaiba remained unmoved by his roar. "Trap Card, 'Necro Fusion'!

Banish Fusion Materials from the graveyard face-down, and Fusion Summon a monster!"

"What!?" Loren was shocked. "Fusion from the graveyard, with a trap?"

"From my graveyard, I fuse three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons'!"

Kaiba raised his arm high, and the three Blue-Eyes appeared once again, drawn into the fusion vortex and becoming one.

"The ultimate dragon of light, my most powerful servant, now descends—

—Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!!"

"Roaaaar—"

The roar shook the sky, and the fused dragon landed fiercely, an insurmountable barrier before Kaiba!

[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]

Another Ultimate Dragon.

Loren's eyes were turning red.

The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon—a symbol of power in the Duel Monsters world. Facing it was like facing Seto Kaiba himself.

Yes, it was the symbol of his hatred, the obstacle he had to overcome.

His gaze fell to his own hand.

The final monster card he had left.

That night from his memory, the card the man gave him before collapsing.

The card that had protected him countless times during his darkest moments.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Quick Summon'," Loren said. "Normal Summon a monster from my hand." (Anime card)

He revealed the card in his hand.

"By this effect, I Normal Summon—

Cameraclops."

[Cameraclops, ATK 1400]

The art style of this monster was completely different from his previous ones. The spectators were all stunned.

Especially Jaden, who had a special gift, was particularly surprised.

"Kuri kuri!" Winged Kuriboh appeared.

"Partner," Jaden exchanged a look with it and nodded. "Yeah, I noticed too. Does this card have a special spirit?"

Kaiba frowned slightly: "That monster..."

"This is the card most suited for my revenge on you, Seto Kaiba."

Loren said, glancing at the just-summoned monster with a complicated expression.

"He was killed by all of you. He is the embodiment of my father."

"What!?" Mokuba was dumbfounded.

As far as he knew, only the legendary duelist Mako Tsunami from the first Duelist Kingdom had something similar.

Mako's father was a fisherman who died in a shipwreck and never returned. After that, Mako gained the spirit of the 'Legendary Fisherman' and regarded the card as his father's incarnation.

"My father was a journalist—a very good one," Loren said. "But he was killed, along with everyone in my hometown, because he investigated things he shouldn't have, uncovered secrets of powerful people, and was silenced."

Kaiba frowned: "You're saying I did it?"

"I never expected you to admit it at this point. But it doesn't matter. I only need revenge—not justice, not evidence."

Loren shouted.

"I said it. This turn, fate ends here, and this is the most fitting card for the end.

Cameraclops, attack 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"

"Attack with a monster with only 1400 ATK!?"

Mokuba was shocked.

"Cameraclops's effect!" Loren called. "When this card attacks, if the target's DEF is higher than its ATK, no damage is calculated—the opponent's monster is destroyed directly!"

"Ah, Ultimate Dragon's DEF is higher than the photographer's ATK!" Mokuba exclaimed.

If the Ultimate Dragon's defense is broken here...

Kaiba gently closed his eyes.

"Fate, huh. I don't know what happened or what grudge you have with me." Kaiba said coldly, "But if I have a fate, it's to keep moving forward, until I reach the other side where he stands."

He raised his hand.

"Activate Trap: 'The Ultimate Creature of Destruction!'

Select one 'Blue-Eyes' monster you control; until the end of the turn, it is unaffected by any effects except its own!"

Loren: "!!!"

Unaffected by any effect...

"You can't stop the attack command now," Kaiba said coldly. "Since you dared to challenge absolute power, I'm sure you were prepared for this.

So as you wish! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, strike back! Crush this vengeful ghost and his undead with him!"

The Ultimate Dragon's three mouths opened, brewing a destructive white light.

Loren looked up blankly at the oncoming endless white light.

Still can't do it...

Kaiba was right.

With only anger and obsession, without the power to see it through, it's all empty talk.

So even my fury was only this much, after all.

In that moment, he seemed to see the Cameraclops turn and nod at him.

As if to say: That's enough.

The monster spread its arms, blocking Loren with its body.

Until the endless white light swallowed them both.

[Loren, LP 1900 → LP 0]

Chapter 394: The Usual Routine, but Effective

Loren tilted his head up, his expression lost. When the white light blasted through him, at first it hurt so much he could barely stand.

But soon, he couldn't even feel pain anymore.

It was like as his life force faded, even his senses left him. His body felt like a puppet with all its strings cut by that last attack—he fell backward, as if plunging into endless void, like Lucifer's nine days and nights of descent...

Then he landed in an embrace.

Loren strained to look up. It was his most special card—the Cameraclops.

The spirit that was like his father's incarnation, that had always protected him.

"Dad..." Loren said softly.

The photographer nodded at him.

The duel had only just ended, and as everyone's attention was still on the field, Kira suddenly spoke to the always-silent Arbiter across from him: "Now you can rest easy, right?"

The Arbiter, who had watched the field with an unreadable expression, glanced at him.

"Oh?" he said calmly. "My last swordsman lost—why should I be at ease?"

"That was your plan, wasn't it?" Kira smiled. "Whether it was your swordsman or the enemy, whoever lost, the soul is still yours.

After all, Doma's three swordsmen are just high-quality duelist souls you were going to consume sooner or later."

Kira paused, eyes narrowing.

"And besides, as the real killer of his father and his people, isn't it normal to feel relieved?"

Everyone was shocked at these words. Even Kaiba's always-calm expression shifted as he frowned and looked over.

But no one was as stunned as Loren himself.

He had already closed his eyes in the photographer's embrace, his consciousness nearly gone. But hearing this, his eyes snapped open and, by sheer will, he struggled to stand.

Bathed in shrinking green light, he stared wide-eyed at the Arbiter.

"You... what did you say?"

But the Arbiter didn't look at him, only at Kira with interest.

"How did you know?"

That was as good as admitting it.

But with his status, and at this point, there was no reason to deny it.

"Who knows?" Kira replied, saying nothing more.

He actually didn't know—he just guessed.

The three swordsmen, and Shell he'd encountered before, all had the same background: a tragic past, a desire for revenge, a reason to serve Doma. But in the end, everyone found the one who created their tragedy wasn't some outsider, but the very one they served.

It's a classic trope—nothing new.

Maybe the Orichalcos just lacks creativity, or believes that tropes work because they're effective. Why bother making it new? As long as it works.

So Kira's random guess turned out to be right.

"It... was all you!?"

Loren stared in disbelief at the Arbiter.

"Yeah."

The Arbiter nodded, admitting it openly.

"To be a Doma Swordsman, you need a vast darkness within and the drive to control it," he said calmly. "Waiting for such darkness to form naturally is too slow and inefficient.

Instead, I hand-pick the most promising seeds, and train them myself."

"That—was you too?"

"Yeah," the Arbiter said casually. "It was I who spread the virus in your hometown, destroyed that place.

I infected your father, and made sure he died in front of you."

"You... you..."

Whether from rage or fading life force, Loren could barely speak.

Frankly, the fact he could still stand and question was a miracle. Normally, after losing the duel, the Seal of Orichalcos would have already drained his soul. If he hadn't been jolted by Kira's words, his soul would have been taken by now.

He was resisting the barrier's power through sheer obsession, anger, and will.

"Oh, by the way. The rumors of 'KaibaCorp conducting secret inhumane experiments' and 'KaibaCorp developing bioweapons'—those were spread by me, too."

The Arbiter chuckled.

"I arranged for informants to leak clues to your father, kept baiting him along.

He thought he was digging for justice, but he was just following the breadcrumbs I left, like a puppet.

Even when he finally uncovered a big secret and was killed for it, he was only acting out a script already written for him."

The Arbiter spoke with indifference, as if narrating something trivial.

Even Mokuba was angry: "Saying we researched bioweapons…"

Ever since Gozaburo died, KaibaCorp had stopped all weapons development to focus on new card printing technologies, much less bioweapons.

But Kira thought, maybe it's not entirely wrong.

If a powerful enough dark duelist could manifest the power of a virus deck, maybe it could be used as a bioweapon.

After all, card powers are limitless—anything could be sealed in a card. So technically, you could say KaibaCorp made whatever you want...

"AAAAAAHHH!"

Loren was furious. Veins bulged on his forehead as he tried to charge at the Arbiter. The Cameraclops tried to stop him, but Loren's rage spread, turning into green light that even corrupted the monster—its eyes reflected the Orichalcos's green glow, like fury bursting out from within.

"Kill you! Kill you—!"

He tried to punch, but was blocked by the green barrier he himself had triggered, pounding on it helplessly. The barrier had shrunk to his face, the suction from above growing stronger.

"Good, very good. The angrier you are, the more your darkness grows."

The Arbiter nodded with satisfaction.

"Become my sacrifice—disappear forever into darkness."

Loren finally exhausted the last of his strength.

An angry soul was drawn from his body, up the green light, vanishing without a trace.

Chapter 395: As a Champion

Cough, cough, cough—

On the Duel Ship, in the competitors' lounge, Hibiki Koyo clutched the wall, coughing hard.

He took out a tissue, wiped his mouth, and got up to leave. Passing a full-length mirror in the room, he paused and looked at his reflection.

He saw a man there.

A thin, frail man who looked like a gust of wind could blow him away. His pale face was like snow that had never seen sunlight, with no color at all, and faint shadows under his eyes.

He looked less like a duelist, more like a patient.

He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"Honestly, this is pathetic." He laughed at himself. "In front of my most important kouhai, I need to show what a duelist looks like…"

He adjusted himself, took a deep breath, and put his glasses back on.

But when he turned, he found his sister, Hibiki Midori, was already standing at the door, blocking the only exit.

"Sis," Koyo said softly.

A few seconds of silence.

"So you never really recovered, did you?" Midori said. "Ever since that duel..."

Koyo thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Yeah."

That was last year.

It was the night he won the world championship in America—a mysterious duelist appeared before him.

"Congratulations, World Champion Koyo."

The man said, then gave a strange smile.

Then he raised his duel disk and inserted a deck.

"Will you accept my challenge?"

The duel was sudden. But Koyo was a true card fanatic like Jaden, and still basking in the joy of victory. He didn't think much of it.

He felt that as champion, it was his duty to accept challenges.

So he did.

And that was the start of a nightmare.

The man's dueling was beyond imagination—not just strong, but bizarre.

That was Koyo's first encounter with the shadow duel. Every time he took damage, every time he lost life points, he felt his real life force drain away, as if a black hole was sucking out his soul.

Then he lost.

Or rather, he should have lost.

In the final turn, all his resources were gone, his life points a dying ember, his consciousness fading.

He couldn't see his opponent, only heard the man's sinister laugh: "As expected of a world champion—much stronger than most duelists today.

So, I'll gladly take your soul and your Terra."

But at that moment, two beams of golden light shot in, the roar of a motorcycle approaching.

The man's face changed.

"Damn, you even chased me here… Persistent bastard. Whatever—my power hasn't recovered enough, it's not the time."

He packed up his duel disk, gave Koyo a cold look.

He sneered.

"You got to keep your life, champion," the man said coldly. "But don't celebrate too soon. You've already lost to me—this life is just on loan, but it's mine.

From now on, every time you duel, your life will drain away with your deck—your very soul. It's a bit abstract, but you'll understand soon enough."

His face was shrouded in shadow.

"You'll understand soon."

Koyo lost consciousness, collapsing.

As his awareness faded, he heard the motorcycle stop nearby, and someone running over.

"Hey! You over there, are you okay?"

"…"

"So in the end, you lied to me, didn't you?"

Midori looked at him.

"Saying you'd recovered, that you could return to the dueling stage…"

"Sorry, sis," Koyo said.

"But why? You're still like this…"

Midori approached.

"And now there's only one quarter-final match left—just you and that weird man.

You must realize, this opponent…"

"Maybe he's like the one who beat me in America," Koyo nodded. "Another who holds the legendary dark power."

"You know, then… But two people collapsed in the last duel.

With your current body, even a regular duel is a struggle. Against someone like that, you might not make it to the end…"

"I know."

Koyo nodded.

"Then why—!?"

Midori grabbed his shoulders, desperate.

"Just listen for once, Koyo. Forfeit. There's still time, don't duel him."

But Koyo looked up and smiled gently.

"I entered this tournament ready for anything, sis. So, whether it's a dark duel or not… it doesn't matter."

"Koyo!"

"I'm a duelist, sis." Koyo shook his head. "Especially in front of Jaden, I want to show the spirit of a duelist… not a coward."

Midori: "…"

She lowered her head, silent.

"Do you… really have to go?"

"Yes."

Koyo smiled, patting her shoulder.

"And don't worry, sis. I'm really strong." He said with confidence.

Midori took a deep breath.

"I understand. But just this once—never again. And…"

She stepped aside, clearing the way.

"…Win."

Koyo walked out, down the corridor to the arena, leaving her with a thumbs-up.

"Of course."

"…"

"All right, we've finally reached the last match of the quarterfinals!"

Referee Roland stood in the center, and the two duelists—Koyo and the man claiming to be the Orichalcos's avatar, the Arbiter—stood on opposite sides.

Koyo eyed his opponent warily; the man merely stood with his hands behind his back, eyes closed, as if he didn't take him seriously at all.

Koyo thought of the previous round, of what happened before Loren fell.

He didn't know the man's background, but there was no doubt: this opponent was terrifying, in and out of a duel.

But no matter what kind of opponent, he never backed down.

"World Champion, the strongest HERO duelist—Koyo Hibiki."

The Arbiter looked at him meaningfully.

"Let me see what you can do."

Chapter 396: The Arbiter's Deck

"Duel!" x2

[Koyo — LP 4000]

[Arbiter — LP 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw," the Arbiter said.

Koyo focused, watching intently.

The Arbiter was new to him, but he could sense this person was no ordinary foe.

Perhaps even stronger than the dark duelist who'd ambushed him the night he became champion.

It was only after that defeat that he realized: the peak he'd reached was just the limit of what most people could see.

The appearance of that dark duelist proved the world of dueling was far broader than he thought. The true strongest and most dangerous didn't care about glory in competitions.

That night, he'd glimpsed just a corner of the hidden dark world.

Now, he'd seen and felt firsthand the terror of Shadow Duels. But even so, he would not back down.

He was a pro duelist, long resolved to dedicate his life and all he had to dueling. No matter how dangerous the road ahead, he'd never turn back.

Besides—

Koyo glanced at the sidelines, catching Jaden's eye.

Oddly, Jaden wasn't excited or cheering, just met his gaze with a worried expression.

"Koyo…"

Jaden had a bad feeling, especially after watching the last duel and what happened afterward.

Even he could sense the opponent was dangerous.

"I set one monster in face-down defense position," the Arbiter said calmly, placing a card.

"Then set two cards face-down and end my turn."

Kaiba watched the Arbiter closely.

"Koyo Hikibi, the world champion… he should be enough to test that guy's strength," Kaiba muttered.

If he had to say, this was the opponent he most wanted to face in this tournament.

Kaiba Seto hadn't lost to many, and those he couldn't get revenge on were even fewer. Dartz was gone, but the Serpent God's avatar was an old rival.

Koyo also noticed that even when facing him, the Arbiter's eyes seemed to drift to the audience.

There were only two people he truly cared about—Kaiba, and Kira, who'd taken the Sealing Device and left him uncertain.

"So, you don't even see me as an opponent," Koyo said darkly.

"I'll make you regret that. My turn—draw!"

He immediately played a card.

"I summon Elemental HERO Stratos!"

The famous Sky Guy from the real card game; when he appeared, tornadoes swirled. But right now, he was just a decent vanilla.

[Elemental HERO Stratos, ATK 1800]

Stratos could halve his attack to attack directly, but Koyo glanced at his opponent's field, then aimed at the monster.

"Stratos attacks the face-down monster!"

Direct attack would only be 900 damage—better to probe the opponent's monster.

"Trap Card—'Negate Attack.'"

The Arbiter raised his hand, releasing a vortex from the trap card that swallowed Stratos's attack.

"Protected that monster?"

Koyo frowned, reviewing his options.

"Then I'll set three cards. Turn end."

"My turn—draw."

The Arbiter waved his hand.

"I flip summon the face-down monster—'Des Lacooda,' in attack position."

The card flipped, revealing a sinister zombie camel wrapped in bandages.

[Des Lacooda, ATK 500]

"When Des Lacooda is flip summoned, I can draw a card."

The Arbiter drew, immediately playing the card.

"I tribute Des Lacooda to tribute summon—Guardian Sphinx!"

Des Lacooda vanished in golden light, replaced by a towering golden sphinx.

[Guardian Sphinx, ATK 1700]

"Sphinx," Kira murmured.

Not a common ace, but he had that card too. Sphinx can bounce all monsters when flip summoned, a strong effect for this era.

The card was rare in this world, but for a Doma leader, it's easy to get.

"So the new Doma leader uses a flip-effect deck?" Mokuba mused.

Kaiba just frowned.

The Arbiter smiled.

"You're all trying to analyze my deck and tactics," he said. "But soon you'll realize it's all pointless.

You can't comprehend my tactics, just as mortals can't grasp the mind of a god.

What a god shows mortals isn't all he has—only what he wants them to see. Like this."

He slowly drew a card.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization'! I fuse 'Elemental HERO Avian' and 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' from my hand!"

Everyone: "?!"

Koyo was stunned too.

Elemental HERO!?

"Wind and fire fuse, the phoenix's power is born—Fusion Summon!

—Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer!"

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100]

"Eh?!" Jaden exclaimed, "Avian and Burstinatrix fuse to summon Phoenix Enforcer? Wasn't it supposed to be Flame Wingman…?"

"Elemental HEROes can fuse the same materials into different monsters," Kira explained, smiling.

"Jaden, you may not care for theory, but you should at least know your own series."

"Oh… right…"

Jaden scratched his head.

"Elemental HERO?" Mokuba was confused. "Doma's leader uses Elemental HEROes?"

"No, I don't think so," Kaiba said, eyes narrowed.

"He's just doing it because his opponent is the strongest HERO Duelist, Koyo Hibiki."

Mokuba paused, then realized.

This was open provocation—or absolute confidence.

Chapter 397: A Challenge to the Champion

"Elemental Hero?"

Koyo was also taken aback for a moment, but quickly narrowed his eyes.

"So, you're really underestimating me."

To deliberately choose Elemental Heroes—his specialty—to fight against him, Koyo felt his dignity as a champion was being challenged.

"Let's battle," the Arbiter declared. "Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, attack 'Elemental Hero Stratos'."

Phoenix Enforcer flapped his wings, dashing forward. His fist, wreathed in flames, crashed forth like an explosion. The blazing punch pierced right through Stratos's chest, and in an instant, the erupting fire consumed Stratos entirely.

[Koyo, LP 4000 → LP 3700]

Koyo crossed his arms before himself, staggering back under the aftershock of the flames.

"This pain…" He gritted his teeth.

Sure enough, it was another Shadow Duel.

Just like that night he once experienced…

From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his sister in the audience, her face full of worry.

Koyo quickly straightened, smiled reassuringly at her, and made a gesture to show he was fine.

"I activate my set card—Trap Card, 'Hero Signal'!"

With a swipe, he flipped over his back row card.

"When an Elemental Hero on my field is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Elemental Hero' from my hand or Deck."

He drew a card from his Deck.

"Come on out, Elemental HERO Woodsman!"

A muscular hero, his body green and dressed like a primitive warrior, appeared on the field following the projection marker, landing in front of Koyo and blocking with his log-like arms.

[Elemental HERO Woodsman, DEF 2000]

"Nice, with 2000 Defense, he can block the next attack!" Jaden said.

"Then the battle ends," the Arbiter raised his hand. "'Guardian Sphinx's' effect: once per turn, it can flip itself face-down into defense position."

"I set 'Guardian Sphinx' face-down."

The Sphinx-like guardian slipped back under the card, placed on the Arbiter's field, lying in wait.

"Then I set a card face-down and end my turn."

Koyo frowned.

He remembered this card's effect. Guardian Sphinx: when successfully Flip Summoned, it bounces all opponent's monsters back to their hand—a powerful effect.

If he didn't deal with this tricky monster soon, he'd be put at a huge disadvantage.

"My turn—draw!" Koyo said. "In my Standby Phase, 'Elemental HERO Woodsman's' effect activates. Once per turn, I can add a 'Polymerization' Spell from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."

Koyo drew the card he searched for.

"Then I activate 'Polymerization'!" He played the card he just retrieved. "I fuse 'Elemental Hero Ocean' in my hand with 'Elemental HERO Woodsman' on the field!"

"Ocean and forest," the Arbiter observed calmly. "Here it comes."

Forest and ocean swirled into the vortex of fusion, forming the embodiment of the third planet. A giant white figure appeared, its feet shaking the earth as it landed.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

"The Planet series: Terra."

The Arbiter looked up at the white giant, a curious smile forming.

"Heh, this is interesting."

Koyo continued: "Now I activate the Spell Card 'Hero's Legacy'. If there are at least two Level 5 or higher Heroes in my Graveyard, I draw three cards." (Manga card)

Koyo drew three more cards.

"Terra, attack the face-down 'Guardian Sphinx'! Earth Impact!"

As his voice fell, Terra unleashed a massive gravitational force, pulling not only the set monster but seemingly the air around it toward herself, as if bound by invisible chains.

Terra stepped forward, launching herself like a white cannonball. With enough momentum to shake the stars, she drove both fists straight at the covered Sphinx.

But just before the blow landed, a shadow flashed out—unexpectedly intercepting the attack.

Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer!

"What!?" Koyo exclaimed.

Why Phoenix Enforcer!?

"The Trap Card 'Call of the Earthbound'—it can change your attack target," the Arbiter explained.

Indeed, at some point, the Trap had been activated in his back row. Ghostly spirits swarmed the field, redirecting Terra's attack to Phoenix Enforcer instead.

[Elemental Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100]

"And Phoenix Enforcer's effect… Although as a Hero expert, I'm sure you already knows it," the Arbiter said.

Koyo replied, "Phoenix Enforcer can't be destroyed by battle, but you still take the damage."

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 3600]

The soul-shaking impact barely ruffled the Arbiter's hair and clothes. He didn't even blink, as if unfazed by the damage.

Koyo took a deep breath.

Even his ace, Terra, couldn't break through—the Arbiter had successfully preserved Guardian Sphinx, making the next turn dangerous if it flipped again.

But…

Koyo glanced at his hand.

He still had options.

"I set three cards face-down and end my turn," Koyo said.

"My turn, draw."

The Arbiter casually drew.

"'Guardian Sphinx,' Flip Summon."

The Sphinx's colossus reemerged, towering on the field. An intense energy radiated from its body.

"When Sphinx is Flip Summoned, all your monsters return to your hand," the Arbiter said. "Terra, take your leave."

Just as expected.

Koyo said grimly, "Then I activate my set card: Counter Trap 'Horn of Heaven'!

I tribute one of my monsters to negate the opponent's Summon, Special Summon, or Flip Summon and destroy it."

He pointed to his field.

"I tribute 'Elemental HERO Terra Firma'—Sphinx's Flip Summon is negated and destroyed!"

Terra became a burning soul, wrapped in golden flames as he charged! Like a living bomb, he embraced Sphinx, both igniting in a blinding blaze and shattering together.

"That finally takes care of that troublesome Sphinx," Jaden said worriedly, "But Terra had to be sacrificed, which means Mr. Koyo's field is now empty…"

The Arbiter chuckled softly.

"I see. As a champion, you will stop at nothing, huh… But it's a pity—dueling, like most things in life, can't be changed by resolve alone.

Now…"

His expression grew colder.

"Let me show you just how true that is."

Chapter 398: Total Hero Assault

"Is the Arbiter not even taking this duel seriously?" Seto Kaiba frowned, arms crossed.

Koyo—is he not even able to gauge his opponent's depth?

"I activate Spell Card 'Card of Sanctity'."

The Arbiter revealed an iconic draw card.

"Until both players' hands have six cards, each draws from their Deck." (Anime Effect.)

Koyo gritted his teeth.

He'd had to sacrifice Terra to deal with Sphinx, leaving his field empty. But the Arbiter only had one card left—he figured he could defend against any follow-up.

But with his hand refilled in an instant, the danger level shot up.

"Next, this card—"

The Arbiter revealed another from his hand.

"Field Spell 'Fusion Gate'. This card replaces Polymerization—fusion materials are banished instead of sent to the Graveyard."

A pitch-black vortex appeared above the Arbiter's field.

"Now I activate my set card."

The Arbiter flipped his back row.

"Trap Card 'Chain Material'. This turn, for Fusion Summons, I can use materials from my hand, Deck, field, or Graveyard, banishing them instead."

Koyo: "!"

The combo of Fusion Gate and Chain Material lets him use any fusion materials from Deck or Graveyard at will…

"First, the Wind-attribute 'Elemental Hero Avian' sent to Graveyard last turn, and 'Elemental Hero Bladedge' from the Deck.

Fusion requirements: Elemental Hero + any Wind monster. Fusion Summon—

—Elemental Hero Great Tornado!"

It was as if all the fury and power of heaven and earth became an invisible hand, tearing the field apart. A howling tornado, like a primordial beast, roared with overwhelming force.

The tornado hero descended, body mostly shrouded in storm, wings of a cyclone, standing at the eye of chaos.

[Elemental Hero Great Tornado, ATK 2800]

"Not done yet. Again, using 'Fusion Gate' for Fusion Summon.

And thanks to 'Chain Material', I can choose materials from the Deck.

From the Deck: 'Elemental Hero Clayman' and the DARK 'Elemental Hero Necroshade'.

Fusion requirement: Elemental Hero + any DARK monster. Fusion Summon—

—Elemental HERO Escuridao!"

This time, darkness coalesced into human form, with menacing black claws and eyes deep as the abyss.

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 2500]

"Two powerful Heroes fused in a single turn?" Jaden couldn't hold back.

"And it continues," the Arbiter said blandly. "Once again, 'Fusion Gate' and 'Chain Material'—this time, materials from Grave and Deck.

Banishing 'Elemental Hero Bubbleman' from Deck, and FIRE 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' from Graveyard.

Fusion requirement: Elemental Hero + FIRE monster. Fusion Summon—

—Elemental Hero Nova Master!"

A hero clad in fiery armor, cape billowing like flames.

[Elemental Hero Nova Master, ATK 2600]

"Again, 'Fusion Gate'—banish 'Elemental HERO Voltic' from Deck, and LIGHT 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' from Deck.

Fusion requirement: Elemental Hero + any LIGHT monster. Fusion Summon—

—Elemental Hero Shining!"

A dazzling hero, as radiant as the sun, emerged from blinding light, arms crossed, surveying the field from above.

Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 2600]

Plus the original Phoenix Enforcer summoned at the start—five fusion Heroes filled the field in an instant!

"Ugh…"

Koyo gritted his teeth.

For the first time in his life, he felt such pressure from the Elemental Heroes he was most proud of.

"This guy is insanely strong," Zane said. "To set up an entire formation in just one turn…"

"Mr. Koyo…" Jaden said.

"Fusion Gate allows unlimited fusion, and Chain Material lets you pick any materials. Isn't that basically invincible?" Mokuba gasped.

"Well, not exactly," Kira said. "You can't attack the turn you use Chain Material, and all monsters Fusion Summoned by Chain Material are destroyed at the end phase."

"Oh, I see."

Mokuba nodded.

"I thought so. Looks strong, but really, they can't attack and self-destruct at the end. Just a paper tiger."

"Well, Fusion Gate's job is done. Now I activate this card—"

The Arbiter revealed another card.

Though his voice was calm, the moment he played it, the entire arena was engulfed in endless green light.

"Field Spell—Seal of Orichalcos!"

Only one Field Spell can exist, so Fusion Gate shattered as it was replaced. The Hexagram Barrier unfolded, covering the duel field.

Koyo's face hardened.

He remembered this frightening barrier from previous duels—within it, the loser faces death.

"I can't attack the turn I used Chain Material, so even with this formation, it means nothing. They'll all be destroyed at the end phase… is that what you're thinking?" the Arbiter said coolly.

Koyo: "…"

He'd been seen through.

That's how it should be. With Chain Material active, even Phoenix Enforcer, summoned at the start of the turn, couldn't attack.

So why did his opponent do all this?

"You must think this is pointless, but what about with this card?"

The Arbiter shouted,

"I activate the Spell Card, 'Mischief of the Time Goddess'! Skip an entire turn, jumping right to my next Battle Phase!" (Anime effect)

"What?!" Koyo finally lost his composure.

The audience erupted.

He actually skipped to the next turn!?

'Mischief of the Time Goddess'—first used in the DM anime by Kaiba's opponent Zigfried von Schroeder, and in GX by the Prince of Ojin and Sartorius, in the famous "Zero Turn Kill" scene.

For years, players considered this card's effect too broken to ever be printed, but it was eventually released with heavy restrictions.

The anime art shows it as a Normal Spell, but the real card became a Quick-Play Spell, "can only be activated at the end of the Battle Phase." Most importantly, it was restricted to "Valkyrie" monsters only.

Though it kept the original "skip a turn" effect, its practical use was much diminished.

But without that restriction, the card is absolutely terrifying.

Like now.

"Entering my new turn's Battle Phase—because a turn has passed, Chain Material's attack restriction is gone.

And since the End Phase was skipped, all the Heroes summoned by Chain Material are NOT destroyed.

So now the question is—"

The Arbiter smiled slightly.

"As the world's strongest hero, Koyo, how will you withstand a total assault from the Elemental Heroes?"

Chapter 399: The Champion's Dignity

Turn Jump!

The mischievous blue-haired twin-tailed goddess appeared, summoned by the Mischief of the Time Goddess and the effects of ultra-powerful magic. With a light wave of her staff, divine power was unleashed. A semi-transparent roulette of time materialized on the field, its pointer spinning out of control, accelerating forward.

In an instant, an entire turn was skipped. It was now the Arbiter's next Battle Phase!

"Well then, let's let Mr. Hibiki personally experience the full assault of the Elemental Heroes." The Arbiter declared. "First, all the elemental heroes, receive the Orichalcos revelation—release your inner darkness and gain even greater power!"

All the heroes on the field were affected by the barrier. Dangerous red light flickered in their eyes, and a hexagram appeared on their foreheads.

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100 → 2600]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 2800 → 3300]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 2500 → 3000]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 2600 → 3100]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 2600 → 3100]

"Additionally, Escuridao has an effect that increases her ATK based on the number of Elemental Heroes in the Graveyard. But since there are currently none, that effect is meaningless."

The Arbiter paused, squinting slightly.

"But The Shining has a much more interesting effect, doesn't he, Mr. Hibiki?"

Koyo's face was stern: "Elemental HERO The Shining gains 300 ATK for each of your Elemental Heroes banished."

"ATK increases based on banished Heroes… Damn!" Mokuba exclaimed. "That's the effect of Chain Material."

All the heroes the Arbiter used as fusion materials were banished from the game.

"That's right. This turn, I performed four fusions, banishing a total of eight Elemental Heroes." The Arbiter continued. "Thus, The Shining's ATK is…"

Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 3100 → 5500

"ATK 5500!" Mokuba's face changed dramatically.

Five monsters summoned in an instant, and one of them that powerful…

"Let's start with 'Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer'," said the Arbiter. "Direct attack on Mr. Hibiki."

Phoenix Enforcer unleashed a blazing punch, the force seemingly turning into real fire that pierced right through Koyo's chest.

A searing pain, as if his soul was pierced and his heart melted. Koyo's pupils shrank, for a moment feeling as if his breath had stopped.

[Koyo, LP 3700 → LP 1100]

He staggered back, half-kneeling and clutching his chest, face pale and gasping for breath.

This was the pain—the real agony left by that dark duel on the past, when he was sniped by that demon—now lingering as an almost inescapable psychological shadow.

"Koyo!" his sister cried out from the stands.

"Mr. Koyo!"

That was Jaden.

Their shouts snapped him out of his near-frozen state.

"It's not over yet."

He pushed himself up on his knee, struggling to his feet, breathing heavily. Though his body trembled like a long-ill patient, there was a lion's unyielding spirit in his eyes.

"Impressive spirit. No wonder you're called a champion. But how long can that spirit keep your battered body standing?"

The Arbiter flicked his finger.

"Attack continues. Next, 'Elemental HERO Great Tornado,' direct attack."

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300]

The storm hero, Great Tornado, spread his arms, thunderclouds roiling above. Black lightning crashed down with a deafening roar, carried by fierce winds toward Koyo!

Four more attacks left from the four Elemental Heroes. Koyo's swaying figure seemed like a lone boat in a storm, any wave threatening to engulf him.

"I activate a trap."

He struggled to reveal a set card.

"Trap Card: Draining Shield. Negate one monster's attack and recover Life Points equal to its ATK."

All of Great Tornado's wind blades smashed against a dazzling barrier. The energy was absorbed, turning into warm golden light that rushed into his body.

[Koyo, LP 1100 → LP 4400]

Koyo managed to stand a bit straighter, adjusting his breath.

He felt as if the warm current restored some of his strength, color returning to his face, even the hidden illnesses in his frail body seemed to fade.

The Arbiter nodded: "Barely survived the second strike. Not bad. But don't get cocky—the power of the Elemental Heroes doesn't end here."

He beckoned.

"Third attack. 'Elemental HERO Nova Master,' direct attack."

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100]

This time, searing flames transformed into sword energy that slashed toward him. The fiery blade cut through his body, and for a moment, he nearly lost consciousness.

[Koyo, LP 4400 → LP 1300]

The Arbiter eyed Koyo, observing the smoke rising from his form and his unsteady feet.

"Honestly, you've already exceeded my expectations," he said coolly. "A duel of this darkness—no mere human will could have lasted this long. With your body and condition, it's a miracle you survived even the first strike."

Koyo gasped for breath.

But he raised his head, and his eyes still blazed with unyielding light.

"I am… a professional duelist," he said. "No matter what kind of duel or for what reason, I will never give up halfway."

He glanced at Jaden in the audience, who watched with deep concern.

Especially… I don't want to lose in front of such an important kouhai.

"Hahaha, excellent spirit. That's the kind of soul that fascinates," the Arbiter said. "As you wish, the attacks continue.

'Elemental HERO Escuridao,' direct attack!"

This time, the dark-attribute Elemental Hero, empowered by Orichalcos, was darker than ever.

It was darkness from the abyss, not just the night, but as if pouring out from the deepest corners of the universe.

Before Escuridao's blade could fall, the darkness had already swallowed everything. The oppressive terror made it hard to breathe—the air turned chilling, penetrating to the bone, threatening to shatter reason itself.

Just like what he'd felt on Championship night.

Koyo's vision blurred, the world spinning, and he collapsed toward the floor.

Chapter 400: Hero Soul

Escuridao's direct attack—Dark Diffusion!

Everyone saw that before the blow landed, Koyo had already lost consciousness and collapsed.

"Koyo!"

Midori tried to rush the stage, but was bounced back by the Orichalcos barrier.

"Looks like it's over," Kaiba said.

Koyo had done his best. Reaching this point in his condition was already a miracle. But his opponent was never someone he could defeat…

At that moment, flames burst forth on his field, forming a humanoid figure that crossed its arms in front of him.

Elemental HERO Lady Heat!

[Elemental HERO Lady Heat, DEF 1000]

No one expected this twist. Escuridao's finishing blow struck Lady Heat, who'd appeared out of nowhere!

"Oh? Still have defensive measures?" The Arbiter was surprised.

The reason Lady Heat appeared was clear—Koyo had activated a set card:

Trap Card – Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert. When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand; your opponent must attack that monster. (Anime effect.)

Lady Heat had come out as a shield, blocking the attack.

But…

"Wasn't he already unconscious?!"

Mokuba looked in disbelief at Koyo lying on the ground.

Could the monster have jumped out on its own to protect its master? That superstitious?

"No," Kaiba said.

Everyone noticed that Koyo's right hand was on his Duel Disk, as if he'd pressed the trap activation button.

He had operated it himself.

"This guy…" Even the Arbiter frowned.

He quickly realized Koyo had passed out.

But even unconscious, his body refused to accept defeat, instinctively activating the trap to block the blow.

"Mr. Koyo…"

Jaden stared blankly at the collapsed Koyo, murmuring.

He remembered Koyo's words before boarding the ship—a solemn pat on the shoulder, telling him to always keep his passion for dueling.

Back then, he thought it was obvious. Only now did he realize the weight behind those simple words.

Koyo was using all his will, his life, to demonstrate his belief to Jaden.

The path he insisted on as a proud duelist.

At that moment, Koyo's finger twitched.

Slowly, he pushed himself up with both hands, gritting his teeth, and stood once again.

"Mr. Koyo…" Jaden was speechless.

"That's enough, Koyo." Midori's voice was choked. "You've already—"

But Koyo, face white as paper, grinned at her playfully.

Then he turned to the Arbiter. "Why stop? I still have Life Points left, and cards in my deck."

The Arbiter smiled.

"As you wish."

He waved his hand.

"Elemental HERO The Shining, final direct attack."

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500]

The final attack, 5500 ATK—Orichalcos's green aura mixed with The Shining's blazing white light, forming a sun-like energy ball in his hands, growing ever larger.

This would be the strongest blow yet!

Koyo stood trembling, but faced the oncoming light without a trace of fear.

"Optical Storm," said the Arbiter.

Koyo stepped forward, eyes reflecting the image of destruction—utterly resolute.

In his mind echoed that icy voice:

"From now on, every duel you fight will drain your 'life' along with your deck."

He had decided.

Better to die a duelist than live as an ordinary person.

Even if he fell, his duelist's soul would not disappear. His passion, his spirit, would be inherited by his kouhais and never be extinguished.

BOOM!!!

The Shining's destructive light nearly engulfed half the field, swallowing Koyo's figure.

Jaden couldn't help but shout, "Mr. Koyo!"

Kaiba remarked, "Is it over?"

Though the outcome wasn't as he'd hoped, at least Koyo fought to the very last and earned Kaiba's respect.

But—

"Cough, cough…"

As The Shining's dazzling light faded and the rising black smoke dispersed, they saw Koyo half-kneeling, almost unable to stand.

But he was still alive.

"What?" Even the Arbiter was surprised.

A direct attack from over 5000 ATK—how…?

"I activated… a trap," Koyo panted, pointing to a trap card standing before him.

"Trap Card: Hero Soul."

Hero Soul: When a monster with "Hero" in its name is destroyed, you can activate this card the turn your LP hits zero, and recover to 100 LP once. (Manga card.)

"Hero Soul…" Jaden was in awe.

That card reflected Koyo's current state perfectly.

Looking at Koyo's back on stage, Jaden felt that fragile figure was now as tall as an invincible giant.

"You withstood all five Hero attacks. I'm starting to see you in a new light," said the Arbiter.

"Your attacks are over," Koyo panted. "By Chain Material's effect, all monsters summoned this way must be destroyed at the end of the turn.

This effect isn't limited to the turn Chain Material was used—it triggers at the end of any turn, as long as those monsters are still on the field.

Although you skipped the last End Phase with the turn jump, this turn, those monsters will be destroyed."

Koyo wasn't just defending. The Arbiter's Chain Material combo was deadly, but also self-destructive. If Koyo survived the onslaught, all the Arbiter's monsters would self-destruct, exposing a fatal weakness.

That would turn the duel in Koyo's favor.

"True, unless I have this card."

The Arbiter calmly played another card.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Book of Eclipse'—turn all monsters on the field face-down."