Yugioh [401-410] (Patreon)

Chapter 401: As a Duelist

Book of Eclipse—all monsters become face-down!

Koyo: "!"

As a champion, he instantly realized what this meant.

Normally, monsters summoned by Chain Material would self-destruct at the end of the turn, but turning them face-down dodges that risk—no, even more.

Even if those monsters are turned face-up later, the self-destruct won't trigger. Once face-down, they're treated as having left the field, and flipping face-up refreshes their state—they're no longer considered summoned by Chain Material, so they won't self-destruct.

"You had that up your sleeve…"

Koyo gritted his teeth.

This guy… is strong.

He hated to admit it, but even though the Arbiter used Elemental Heroes and likely not his real deck—and didn't even go all out—Koyo could still sense his power.

This opponent was the strongest he'd ever faced as a duelist.

"Activate Spell Card 'Card of Burial Magic.' Banish 'Book of Eclipse,' 'Card of Sanctity,' and 'Fusion Gate' from my Graveyard; draw two cards." (Anime card.)

The Arbiter drew two cards.

"Set three cards, end turn," the Arbiter said calmly. "Book of Eclipse has a follow-up effect.

At the End Phase, all opponent's face-down monsters are flipped face-up, and the opponent draws a card for each.

But you have no monsters, so that doesn't matter."

He paused.

"Now, let me see just how brightly the world champion's soul can blaze."

"My thoughts exactly."

Koyo coughed twice, then declared firmly,

"My turn. Draw!"

The opponent still had five powerful Heroes, a huge Life Point and field advantage.

But even so, he would not give up.

Even if he died, he would fall fighting to the last second.

Having put life and death aside, Koyo felt unusually light inside—perhaps purer in this near-death moment than ever before as a duelist.

So he decided not to think too much, just to immerse himself in the duel, following his heart.

"Activate Spell Card 'Spell Books from the Pot'—both players draw three cards." (Manga card.)

He drew three more.

"Next, activate Spell Card 'Card Rotator'," said Koyo. "Discard one card, change the battle position of all opponent's monsters."

He discarded a card to the Graveyard.

"All your monsters return to Attack Position!"

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2600]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 3000]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500]

The five face-down cards flipped back to attack position, like a chain of mountains before Koyo.

"You chose to face them head-on," the Arbiter remarked.

"A hero never runs from battle," Koyo smiled. "I activate Spell Card 'Polymerization'! I fuse 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' and the WIND-attribute 'Elemental HERO Stratos' from my hand! Fusion requirements: Elemental Hero plus any WIND monster! Fusion Summon—

—Elemental HERO Great Tornado!"

The same WIND-attribute Fusion Hero as the Arbiter's, Great Tornado descended, arms crossed, amidst howling winds!

"Great Tornado's effect—when Fusion Summoned, all opponent's monsters' ATK and DEF are halved!" Koyo roared. "Downburst!"

Earlier, when Arbiter summoned Great Tornado, Koyo had no monsters, so the effect didn't trigger.

Now, a storm swept across the Arbiter's field. The five heroes wavered under the gale, greatly weakened.

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2600 → 1300]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300 → 1650]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 3000 → 1500]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100 → 1550]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500 → 2750]

"Nice!" Jaden exclaimed. "That's a huge drop in strength!"

Koyo continued, "Next, activate Spell Card 'Fusion Recovery'. Return 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' and 'Polymerization' from the Graveyard to my hand!"

He promptly played them again.

"Activate 'Polymerization' again—this time, fuse 'Elemental HERO Clayman' and 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' from my hand! Requirements: Hero plus any WATER monster! Fusion Summon—

—Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!!!"

Snow and ice fell, freezing the field. The pure white caped hero arrived!

Koyo's strongest ace outside the Planet Series—Absolute Zero!

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]

"Activate Spell Card 'Monster Reborn'!" Koyo declared. "Revive my ace, my soul—

—Elemental HERO Terra Firma!!!"

The earth split, lava erupting like a furious fire dragon. Amidst molten rock, the giant white hero representing the planet Earth landed, shaking the field.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

(Of course, in the real card game, Terra can't be revived except by Fusion, but in the manga, it often gets revived by all sorts of effects.)

"Activate set card, Continuous Trap 'DNA Transplant'!" Koyo declared. "Change all monsters' Attributes to one I declare—

I declare WATER!"

A torrent enveloped all monsters on both fields.

"Attribute-changing card?" the Arbiter asked.

"'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero' gains 500 ATK for each WATER monster on the field except itself," Koyo explained. "You have five monsters, and besides Absolute Zero, I have two more—all now WATER.

Absolute Zero's ATK increases by…"

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500 → 6000]

"ATK… 6000!!!"

Chapter 402: Fighting to the End

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 6000!]

"Next, Terra's effect activates. I can tribute an Elemental HERO on my field, and Terra gains that monster's ATK and DEF values!"

Koyo declared.

"So, I tribute 'Elemental HERO Great Tornado.' Terra gains its attack power!

Earth Magma!!!"

Great Tornado's body dissolved into particles of light, all its energy absorbed into Terra.

Terra's whole body instantly turned a fiery red, like magma erupting from deep in the earth. Unleashed, destructive power surged as a blazing dragon of molten lava fired from his back, exuding heat enough to melt metal.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500 → 5300]

"Two monsters: one with ATK 5300, one with ATK 6000!"

Jaden's eyes were full of awe.

This is the power of the man called the greatest hero on earth—Koyo, counterattacking from the brink!

Kira watched silently, chin in hand.

If it were him, he'd probably have Terra absorb Absolute Zero's attack too. That way, Terra's ATK would break ten thousand, and more importantly, he could trigger Absolute Zero's best effect: "Absolute Zero"—when it leaves the field, destroy all opposing monsters.

Then he remembered: oh, right, that effect was added in the card game's version.

In the manga, Absolute Zero only gained ATK based on the number of WATER monsters on the field. But in the real card game, that effect is ignored; people use Absolute Zero just for its field-wipe.

So even in Koyo's powerful HERO deck, there are still areas to improve.

Too bad—if Absolute Zero had the field-wipe, Koyo could have done even more.

Actually, he thought, absorbing Great Tornado wasn't strictly necessary. Terra's boosted ATK would revert at the end of the turn.

But, well, it's a soul card—powering up for morale is pretty normal.

"Battle!" Koyo shouted. "First, 'Elemental HERO Terra Firma' attacks 'Elemental HERO The Shining'!"

Terra's attack was more than enough. The opponent's monsters, weakened by Great Tornado, had their stats halved. If Koyo's all-out attack landed, it would be a comeback from the edge!

Of course, things wouldn't go that smoothly.

"Trap Card, 'Relieve Monster,'" the Arbiter said. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can return a monster from my field to my hand, then Special Summon a Level 4 monster from my hand."

He glanced at his monsters.

"I'll return 'Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer' to my hand, and Special Summon this card—

—Orichalcos Kyutora." (Anime card)

Phoenix Enforcer disappeared in a blaze, returning to the deck. A bizarre, spiky monster appeared in his back row, its body dominated by a single eerie eye.

[Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500 → 1000] (Orichalcos boost)

"What?" Koyo frowned.

Not only was the monster's appearance strange, but its position was odd—it appeared behind the four Elemental HEROes, in the Spell/Trap zone.

"Seal of Orichalcos, second effect: my Monster Zones and Spell/Trap Zones are interchangeable. Monsters can be summoned to the back row."

The Arbiter explained calmly.

"Also, until all monsters in my front row are destroyed, you can't target my back row monsters for attacks."

Koyo's frown deepened.

Such a bizarre effect.

And that monster made him uneasy.

In the audience, Seto Kaiba narrowed his eyes.

"That guy."

He couldn't possibly forget this card.

It was one of Dartz's key cards.

"Abandoned the HERO deck and finally brought out his true monsters?" Kaiba said quietly.

In a way, it was an acknowledgment of Koyo as an opponent.

But now, Koyo couldn't back down.

"Battle resumes, but my attack continues," Koyo said. "Continue attacking 'Elemental HERO The Shining'!"

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 2750]

Earth Magma Slash!

 Terra's molten blade cut through The Shining, melting and destroying the hero.

"Nice!" Jaden said. "That's massive damage!"

"No," Kira shook his head.

"Huh?"

After The Shining was destroyed, the fire and energy released were sucked into Kyutora's eye—the newly summoned, ominous monster.

And the Arbiter's Life Points were unscathed.

"What?" Koyo was shocked.

"Orichalcos Kyutora's effect absorbs battle damage," the Arbiter said. "As long as it's on the field, all battle damage I would take becomes zero."

Koyo gritted his teeth.

Due to Seal of Orichalcos, he couldn't attack Kyutora until the front row monsters were gone. But if Kyutora wasn't destroyed, he couldn't inflict any damage.

He glanced at the three remaining HEROes on the opponent's field.

Normally, even if you couldn't inflict damage, you'd at least reduce the opponent's monsters.

But that ominous eye, especially the way it absorbed energy, gave him a chill.

"So, will you continue attacking?" the Arbiter asked.

"I stop my attacks. End turn."

Koyo took a deep breath.

He couldn't say why—maybe it was a duelist's instinct.

As if a voice inside warned him: don't attack, or something worse will happen.

"Oh? You sensed danger from Kyutora and stopped? Heh, sharp instinct for someone with no idea of my tactics—truly the gift of a top duelist.

But it changes nothing."

The Arbiter slowly raised his arm.

"My turn. Draw."

"I activate my set card, Trap Card 'Alchemy Cycle.' All my face-up monsters' original ATK becomes 0."

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 500]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 500]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 600]

[Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500]

Only Escuridao, due to a HERO in the graveyard, had more than 500 ATK; the rest reverted to 500.

Koyo was confused: "You reduced your own monsters' ATK to zero?"

"Now, battle."

The Arbiter waved his hand.

"Elemental HERO Escuridao, attack 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero.'"

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 5000]

With only Absolute Zero and five monsters on the field, Absolute Zero's ATK dropped slightly, but was still 5000.

Escuridao was instantly frozen and shattered.

"Battle damage is still absorbed by Kyutora," the Arbiter said. "Plus, when a monster with 0 ATK is destroyed by battle due to 'Alchemy Cycle,' I draw one card."

He drew a card.

"Next, Nova Master attacks Absolute Zero."

[Nova Master, ATK 500]

[Absolute Zero, ATK 4500]

Nova Master was frozen and shattered.

"Again, battle damage is absorbed; I draw a card," said the Arbiter. "Next, Great Tornado attacks."

[Great Tornado, ATK 500]

[Absolute Zero, ATK 4000]

Great Tornado was also frozen and destroyed.

"Finally, Orichalcos Kyutora attacks Absolute Zero."

[Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500]

[Absolute Zero, ATK 3500]

"Even this monster is attacking?"

Koyo started to sweat.

A terrible sense of foreboding—there was a trick here.

He could feel it, hidden behind that eerie eye.

Something was about to emerge!

Kira sighed softly: "This is it."

"To force 'that one' out, Koyo is a proud duelist," Kaiba said calmly. "But it's over."

Only they understood what was coming next.

When Absolute Zero froze Kyutora as well, as the latter was annihilated by the HERO's power, it was as if a forbidden seal had been broken.

Even the Seal of Orichalcos responded—six-pointed stars flickered green, the earth shook, and the sky was filled with a green glow, as if fearing the arrival of a demon god.

"When Orichalcos Kyutora leaves the field in any way, its hidden seal is broken."

The Arbiter raised his Duel Disk, and a pillar of green light shot from his deck as a massive demon god descended.

Orichalcos Shunoros, summoned!

"Orichalcos Shunoros?"

Koyo looked up, feeling it took everything he had just to face this god. The pressure was so great he could barely move his fingers.

Even Kaiba's face darkened, silent for a moment.

This is it.

Back when he and Atem teamed up against Dartz, Kaiba only made it to this point. He lost to this god.

"That's right. Shunoros's ATK equals the total battle damage Kyutora absorbed before leaving the field, plus 500 from the Seal of Orichalcos.

So now, Shunoros's ATK is—"

[Orichalcos Shunoros ATK ? → ATK 17950]

Seventeen thousand, nine hundred fifty!

"That monster's back, brother!" Mokuba also shuddered.

"Yeah," Kaiba grunted.

In fact, when he and Atem fought it, Shunoros's ATK was over twenty thousand—this is actually a bit less.

But the result is the same.

"You made it this far, so I'll acknowledge your effort," the Arbiter said. "Letting me summon Shunoros was beyond my expectations.

But it's about time to finish this. Next—"

His voice was calm.

"Orichalcos Shunoros, attack 'Elemental HERO Terra Firma.'"

It was as if all the barrier's power channeled into the god, green light swirling around its body, forming a ring that slashed through Terra.

Terra was cut in half, the ring continuing its path, striking Koyo directly.

Koyo let out a muffled grunt, his body flying back uncontrollably.

His vision blurred, the voices calling his name faded away.

So, in the end, I lost.

A little regret, but he had done his best.

At least, he fought to the very end as a duelist.

[Koyo, LP 100 → LP 0]

Chapter 403: The Weight of Dueling

"Mr. Koyo!"

As the duel ended, Jaden was the first to rush onto the stage.

The Orichalcos barrier was shrinking, wrapping only Koyo inside. Jaden ran up and called his name through the barrier.

Koyo, barely conscious, lifted his eyelids and looked his way.

"Jaden..."

Seeing Jaden's clear eyes, full of worry, he seemed to see his younger self.

In youth, Koyo was also obsessed with dueling, always passionate and fearless.

But back then, dueling was more pure.

Still, he considered himself lucky.

Years in the pro circuit had its lows, and he'd seen the dark side of society. Dueling became less simple.

But he held onto himself, and was still that same boy at the very end.

He had no regrets.

The world spun, sights and sounds faded. He could vaguely see Jaden and his sister shouting to him, but no longer heard their words.

Koyo slowly drew out the deck he'd fought with for years, the one that brought him the world championship—his soul deck.

He gently placed it before Jaden.

"From now on... it's up to you, Jaden."

He whispered words only he could hear.

"Become a greater duelist than me."

Then he closed his eyes, letting himself fall.

The green light vanished, the arena fell silent. Koyo collapsed, but a satisfied smile remained on his lips.

"Hmph, I overlooked something," the Arbiter narrowed his eyes, glancing at Jaden.

"You seem to have something special..."

He raised his hand, pointing at Jaden with a strange green glow.

"What!?"

Jaden looked up, but as soon as his gaze met the green light, he froze as if electrocuted. His eyes became vacant, countless images flashing through his mind.

"You! What are you doing?" Kaiba stepped forward.

But before he could act, a blinding golden light burst out. Sacred and awe-inspiring, it pushed back the Orichalcos green.

Everyone looked toward the source.

It was Kira, who was as surprised as anyone.

It was the Millennium Item.

Sensing the Arbiter's power, the golden light burst from Kira's chest as the inverted pyramid-shaped Millennium Item floated midair, golden lines forming its outlines, then becoming solid.

In that light, a king's shadow briefly appeared, raising a hand toward the Arbiter in a gesture to stop.

The green light faded away as if swept aside; Jaden quickly snapped out of his trance, looking around confused.

"Jaden!"

It was all over in a moment; only now did Midori rush over, shielding Jaden protectively, glaring at the Arbiter.

Kaiba's pupils shrank as he looked at the golden light.

That aura... could it be...

The Arbiter shielded himself from the light, sneering, "Even in death, you won't rest, damn Pharaoh..."

But it was only for a moment.

It was just a reflexive burst of energy sensing the Arbiter's power. The Arbiter withdrew, and the energy faded.

"Doesn't matter."

He put his hands behind his back and calmly left the arena.

But before stepping down, he glanced at Kira.

"You're next, Fujiki Kira," he said coldly. "Your soul will be captured in this duel, along with that Pharaoh's cursed item."

"I'll be waiting," Kira replied.

Koyo's duel wasn't in vain. Before, even Kira wasn't sure what deck the Arbiter, the serpent god's incarnation, would use.

It seemed the Arbiter planned to use HEROes to play a mirror-match, but Koyo forced him to reveal his true trump card.

So, the Arbiter's main deck was likely the Orichalcos deck, just like Dartz's.

"No."

Jaden picked up Koyo's deck, stood up, and looked firmly at the Arbiter.

"I'll defeat you first."

"Oh?"

Only now did the Arbiter look at him.

Before the tournament, the only opponents in the Arbiter's eyes were Kira and Kaiba. He'd ignored Jaden, until now.

But from a brief contact with Jaden's mind—though quickly interrupted—he sensed something.

This boy's spirit hid a power from another dimension, a reincarnation, so deeply asleep that even the Arbiter almost missed it.

From that contact, he also sensed confusion in Jaden's memories.

Jaden himself was unaware, but much of his memory was in chaos, as if something crucial was missing, patched over with fragments.

He thought his memories were whole, but much was false.

The Arbiter found this interesting.

And this soul might be one of a kind.

But he just smiled.

"Then you'll have to reach me first."

He left the stage.

After all, the semifinal pairings were still to be determined.

Jaden watched the Arbiter leave, unconsciously clenching his fist, gaze fixed.

For the first time in his life, he truly felt—

what it means to bear the weight of a duel.

Chapter 404: Resolve

With Koyo and the Arbiter's battle ended, the quarterfinals finished.

After the quarterfinals, there was a break. Just like in the first Duelist Kingdom, the quarterfinals were held en route, but the semifinals would be at a separate, special venue.

Back then, it was the Duel Tower, symbolizing the end of Kaiba's past. He planned to win the Duel King title and the three Egyptian God Cards atop that tower, ending his history.

But everyone knows what happened. Kaiba spent a fortune to host the world's biggest tournament, gathered the God Card holders, and wagered the Duel King title—yet in the end, Yugi took everything.

No one knows how much Kaiba spent, but Yugi won the Duel King title and the Gods, and Kaiba got nothing.

It seems that, ever since, Kaiba was semi-retired. Publicly, he claimed he was done with dueling, focusing on business, but everyone knows he still dueled plenty.

The Duel Ship continued. According to the organizers, the destination was close, and duelists could rest and tweak their decks.

The final battleground was in sight.

Back in his room, Jaden laid out Koyo's deck—the one he inherited—on the table, staring at it in a daze.

At least half were rare cards, impossible to buy. For his budget HEROes, it was a huge upgrade. These were the HEROes he'd always dreamed of. Now, holding them, he only felt emptiness and heaviness.

The door opened. Jaden turned to see Kira enter.

"Kira..."

"How's Koyo?" Kira asked.

"Still unconscious in the ship's infirmary. The equipment can't find anything wrong..."

Jaden didn't continue.

But they both knew what that meant. In the Orichalcos barrier, losing meant your body survived, but your soul was gone.

The only way to save souls taken by the serpent god—the Arbiter—is to defeat him, as Atem once proved.

Kira glanced at the deck on the table.

"Koyo's deck?"

"Yeah. The semifinals are all tough. I need to power up my deck. And now, I have to fight for Mr. Koyo too."

"I knew you'd say that." Kira shrugged. "So even if I told you to quit now, you wouldn't listen, would you?"

"Of course not," Jaden replied. "Mr. Koyo fought as a duelist to the very end. How could I give up here?"

"I thought so."

Kira nodded, handing him a sheet of paper.

"What's this?" Jaden asked.

"Information on the Orichalcos deck the Arbiter might use."

Kira explained.

"Kaiba and I know these cards well. You're the only one in the semifinals who hasn't seen them. If you face the Arbiter, you'll be at a big disadvantage."

Jaden glanced at it, moved. "Kira… you prepared all this..."

"Don't get sentimental yet. This is just in case," Kira said seriously. "But I think it's likely he won't use these cards.

As you saw in his duel with Koyo, the Arbiter may use many different decks."

"Like you and Misawa?" Jaden nodded.

"Yeah, something like that," Kira said. "Anyway, just in case. But his strongest deck is probably still Orichalcos.

But if you do duel him, be ready for anything."

"Yeah, I know." Jaden nodded quickly.

Seeing him so eager, Kira realized his advice might be pointless.

For Jaden, there was no such thing as preparing for a duel—he always just did his thing, no matter the opponent.

But honestly, if Jaden really did face the Arbiter, Kira wasn't optimistic.

In the anime and manga, Jaden is a classic growth protagonist. But right now, he's only halfway through first year—no Masked HEROes, no Neos, Supreme King's power unawakened, Yubel still drifting in space—he has no trump cards.

He'd just inherited Koyo's advanced HERO deck, which was an upgrade, but still—against the Arbiter's level...

Honestly, Kira thought even with luck, Jaden's chances were slim.

But Jaden wouldn't listen anyway. Kira had said all he could; now it was up to Jaden.

"By the way, during the duel, the Arbiter did something to you. Do you feel anything odd?" Kira asked.

Jaden frowned, staring out the window.

"I can't say for sure."

"Can't say?"

"It felt weird," he said after thinking. "I saw lots of random images, like... memories.

But strange—I don't remember having those memories."

Jaden thought harder.

"Someone kept calling my name. 'Jaden, Jaden,' over and over, like from somewhere far, far away..."

Kira pondered.

It might be the lost memories from Jaden's childhood, or his past life.

But either way, it was probably related to Yubel. The voice calling him was likely Yubel.

In the anime, Yubel said even after being sent into space, she could still sense Jaden. Even far from Earth, their bond remained.

She kept calling to him, and Jaden had nightmares every night.

Until KaibaCorp erased those memories, and the connection was severed. Jaden completely forgot about Yubel.

Could it be that the Arbiter's interference was restoring his link to Yubel?

Chapter 405: Shattered Memories

The molten gold of sunset spilled across the deep blue sea, as the massive ship gradually sailed into the harbor.

The Duel Ship had docked.

Everyone stood up and gathered on the deck, gazing at the final stage of the tournament where they had arrived.

Outlined by the setting sun, the island looked especially magnificent. Colorful buildings dotted the coastline in an artful arrangement. Towering into the clouds was a giant Ferris wheel, its design featuring a Kuriboh-like head, sparkling brilliantly in the sunset. The dazzling lights made the entire island feel like a world of fairies. A three-dimensional projection of a White Dragon soared high in the sky, letting out a resounding roar.

"White Dragon Park?" Kira wondered aloud.

In such an out-of-this-world place?

"That's right, this is the newest, yet-to-open White Dragon Park, but it's unlike any ordinary amusement park," Mokuba explained proudly. "This is White Dragon Island, an island purchased by the Kaiba Corporation, and it marks a new stage in the White Dragon Park project."

Kira: "."

As expected of President Kaiba—naming an entire island after the White Dragon.

At this rate, it's probably only a matter of time before a 'White Dragon City' is built.

The finals venue was right in the center of this unopened amusement park, the world's highest-spec dedicated duel arena. The contestants disembarked, passed through most of the venue, and came to the stage. The White Dragon Bingo Machine randomized the final duel order.

First match of the top four: Jaden was up against the Arbiter.

Kira wasn't too optimistic about Jaden's chances, but he'd already said as much.

…

Jaden strode onto the dueling arena without hesitation, standing before the Arbiter.

"You've arrived."

The Arbiter smiled lightly.

"Jaden Yuki... I overlooked you before. You seem to be an interesting duelist," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Let me see what you're hiding through this duel."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jaden replied, "but when it comes to duels, I always give it my all!"

"Heh... that's just as well," the Arbiter smiled.

"Duel!" x2

[Jaden, LP 4000]

[Arbiter, LP 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw."

The Arbiter drew his card, glanced at it, then played it immediately.

"Normal summon 'Armageddon Knight'."

A knight clad in black armor, as if forged from shadows. His long hair fluttered in the sunset, a red mask covered most of his face, and he wielded a gleaming longsword.

[Armageddon Knight, ATK 1400]

"When Armageddon Knight is successfully summoned, I can send a DARK monster from my deck to the graveyard."

A golden flash shot from the Arbiter's deck, as if the card flew automatically to his hand.

"I send the DARK monster 'Stygian Street Patrol' to the graveyard."

The monster card slid from his duel disk into the graveyard.

"Turn end."

He narrowed his eyes, a green glint flickering as he sized up Jaden.

"Come, your turn. Show me your duel, and your secrets."

Jaden met his gaze, suddenly feeling a bit dizzy for no reason.

It was that same strange sensation as before.

His temples throbbed dully, his head felt heavy. Images flashed chaotically through his mind—confused, blurry, yet instinct told him they were important. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make out what they were.

Jaden shook his head, trying to shrug off the strange feeling.

Either way, he had to focus on the duel first.

"My turn, draw!" said Jaden. "I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization'! I fuse 'Elemental HERO Avian' and 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' from my hand! Fusion Summon!"

"Appear, my beloved hero—

—Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!"

Wind and fire combined, and a swirling vortex erupted in a flaming tornado, as if the air itself was about to boil.

A blazing dragon of fire flew out from the vortex, spinning as it emerged, manifesting as a hero who landed upright. Snow-white wings spread, the dragon head on his arm spat fire, and the green-bodied hero stood tall before Jaden.

[Elemental HERO Flame Wingman, ATK 2100]

"Starting with Flame Wingman already?" Kira muttered.

In the anime, this was the standard opening for the later, level-max Jaden, a big improvement over his early habit of just summoning a normal monster and ending his turn. Though opening with a -3 hand is risky, it's hard to comment for now.

"Elemental HERO Flame Wingman, attack 'Armageddon Knight'!" Jaden commanded. "Flame Shoot!"

Flame Wingman leapt into the air, spinning and cloaking himself in fire, diving down like a meteor.

Armageddon Knight raised his sword to block, but couldn't withstand the impact. The flames pierced through, engulfing him in a huge fireball.

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 3300]

"It's not over!" Jaden said. "Flame Wingman's effect: when it destroys a monster by battle, it deals damage to the opponent equal to the destroyed monster's ATK!"

Flame Wingman landed before the Arbiter, the dragon head on his arm opening wide and unleashing a blaze, scorching the Arbiter.

[Arbiter, LP 3300 → LP 1900]

The Arbiter took the attack calmly, his hair and cloak fluttering in the flames.

Then he looked at Flame Wingman, who returned to Jaden's side, and said meaningfully: "An effective attack. But is that truly your beloved monster?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"What?" Jaden was puzzled. "Of course—what are you talking abou—uh!?"

He staggered, suddenly feeling dizzy again.

Once more, those inexplicable images surged from deep within his mind.

He saw an ancient castle, a kind old man with a white beard, smiling at him.

And a gentle, beautiful face, bathed in sunlight, smiling and saying something.

But he couldn't hear the words.

It all felt important.

The person before him also seemed important.

But why... couldn't he remember anything?

Forcing himself back to reality, Jaden felt as if he'd barely escaped a raging whirlpool.

No, this opponent can't be beaten with a distracted mind. He had to focus.

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

Chapter 406: Forgotten Past

"Still haven't remembered, huh."

The Arbiter watched Jaden.

"You keep saying that—what are you talking about?" Jaden frowned.

But the Arbiter said no more.

"My turn, draw." The Arbiter said, "I activate the Spell Card 'Graceful Charity.' Draw three cards, then discard two."

He drew, added them to his hand, then discarded two.

He looked up.

"Last turn, you destroyed my 'Armageddon Knight,' which had sent 'Stygian Street Patrol' to the graveyard. That means there are two DARK monsters in my graveyard.

And with the two I just discarded, I sent another DARK monster to the graveyard. That makes three DARK monsters in total."

Jaden was taken aback.

Three DARK monsters in the graveyard... so what?

But Kira's eyes narrowed.

Three DARK monsters—that means...

"So the condition for this card's summon is met. This card can only be Special Summoned if there are exactly three DARK monsters in the grave."

The Arbiter slowly raised the card in his hand.

"Let the power of darkness descend—

—Dark Armed Dragon, summon!"

"Dark... Armed Dragon!?" Jaden was shocked.

He'd seen Armed Dragon before, a trophy card of the Northern Academy, inherited by Chazz.

But this Dark Armed Dragon was new...

A mighty dragon, covered in steel blades, roared as it descended—just like the "Armed Dragon LV7" in Jaden's memory, except its body was pitch black.

[Dark Armed Dragon, ATK 2800]

"Impressive," Kira frowned.

Dark Armed Dragon—just from the name and look, you could tell it was a dark version of Armed Dragon. When it debuted in the real card game, it caused a huge stir: easy to summon, top-tier attack, fantastic removal effect. For a long time, players thought it should be banned, like the Chaos cards.

In the end, it never was banned, but it was limited for over a decade, which says enough about its power.

"Dark Armed Dragon's effect: by banishing a DARK monster from my graveyard, I can destroy one card on the field."

He banished a card from his graveyard; its image appeared in midair.

"I banish 'Armageddon Knight' from my graveyard—let it become ammo for Dark Armed Dragon.

Dark Armed Dragon, destroy 'Elemental HERO Flame Wingman'!"

Armageddon Knight's image was swallowed by darkness, energy flowing into Dark Armed Dragon. Black energy shot toward Flame Wingman.

Jaden frowned.

Just as Kira warned—anything could happen in a duel.

This Arbiter really could use any deck, not just his signature cards.

But Jaden had his own tricks!

"I activate the trap 'Guard Mines'! When a card effect would destroy my monster, negate the activation and destroy it. Then inflict 500 damage to your opponent!"

The trap worked—floating bomb spheres formed a shield in front of Flame Wingman! The black energy ball exploded against the wall, setting off a chain of blasts that rebounded toward Dark Armed Dragon, engulfing it in flames.

[Arbiter, LP 1900 → LP 1400]

"Nice counterattack!" Midori cheered. "Not only did he save Flame Wingman, he took down such a strong monster!"

"Not bad,"

But the Arbiter calmly revealed another card.

"Spell card: 'Monster Reincarnation.' Discard a card, take a monster from the graveyard back to the hand."

He discarded a card; the graveyard glowed with black energy. Dark Armed Dragon immediately returned.

"I retrieve 'Dark Armed Dragon' from my graveyard."

"That guy again..." Jaden said. "But Dark Armed Dragon needs three DARKs in the graveyard. Your 'Armageddon Knight' was just banished."

"True," the Arbiter noted, "but when I used 'Monster Reincarnation' to get Dark Armed Dragon back, I discarded a card, remember?"

Jaden: "So that was..."

"Right, it was another DARK."

He raised the card again.

"Once more, darkness descends—

—Dark Armed Dragon, summon!"

Dark energy erupted again. The black dragon twisted its hulking form, returning to the field!

[Dark Armed Dragon, ATK 2800]

"Now I activate Dark Armed Dragon's effect again—banish another DARK from the graveyard to destroy a card on the field."

He banished another monster from his grave.

"Dark Armed Dragon's effect can be used as many times as you have ammo in the graveyard. There's no activation limit.

So I banish another DARK to destroy 'Elemental HERO Flame Wingman'!"

With fresh ammo, a black energy sphere formed before the dragon, launched at Flame Wingman!

This time, there was no trap to protect him. The dark energy exploded against Flame Wingman, who groaned and vanished.

Jaden raised his arm reflexively: "Flame Wingman..."

"Now for battle."

The Arbiter smiled mysteriously.

"Let me help you recall a little more."

"What?"

The Arbiter waved his hand.

"Dark Armed Dragon, direct attack."

As he gave the order, a strange green light flickered in his eyes.

A black blast exploded on Jaden.

[Jaden, LP 4000 → LP 1200]

A dark current swept over him—he braced for pain, but none came.

No pain, only endless darkness. All sight and sound was swallowed, as if even his senses were stripped away.

And in that void, that voice called again.

"Jaden... Jaden..."

"Jaden Yuki..."

Chapter 407: Inherited Will

"Ugh..."

Jaden shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the duel. As the darkness faded, he looked up in shock.

For a moment, the Arbiter had vanished, replaced by a humanoid monster: odd-colored eyes, wide bone wings, a third eye on its forehead, watching him with a mix of resentment and excitement.

Jaden recoiled, but in a blink, the figure disappeared, and the Arbiter was back.

"I haven't used my normal summon this turn. I set a monster in face-down defense position and end my turn."

The Arbiter casually set a monster, then looked at Jaden with an amused expression.

"What did you see, Jaden Yuki?"

"...Draw."

Jaden ignored him.

But his mind was a mess—those chaotic, seemingly foreign memories filled his thoughts. The fleeting image lingered, impossible to shake.

"Kuri kuri!"

Winged Kuriboh's voice.

"Partner." Jaden glanced at it, smiled, "You're cheering for me too? Thanks."

He straightened up and set another card.

"I set a monster in defense and end my turn."

A set monster appeared on his field too.

"Hm... deeply buried memories indeed," the Arbiter said. "Maybe just a bit more. My turn, draw."

He flipped his set monster.

"Flip Summon 'Magical Merchant'."

[Magical Merchant, ATK 200]

"When this card is flip summoned, I reveal cards from the top of my deck until I reveal a Spell or Trap. That card goes to my hand, the rest to the graveyard."

He revealed five cards; the fifth was a Spell.

"I add 'Monster Reborn' to my hand, and the rest go to the grave."

Jaden: "So you're filling your grave with DARK monsters again..."

"Then I tribute 'Magical Merchant' to Tribute Summon."

He revealed another card.

"Appear—Helpoemer."

[Helpoemer, ATK 2000]

"Next, I activate 'Monster Reborn' to revive a monster from the graveyard." He gestured at Jaden, "I choose your beloved hero...

Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!"

In the real card game, Flame Wingman can't be revived from the graveyard, but there's no such restriction in the anime. The Reborn symbol appeared above the Arbiter, flames swirling into the form of Flame Wingman, now on the Arbiter's side.

[Elemental HERO Flame Wingman, ATK 2100]

"Flame Wingman..." Jaden muttered.

Mokuba was nervous: "Brother, this guy's built an insanely strong field again, and there's still that Dark Armed Dragon..."

Kaiba frowned, silent.

Was this as far as Jaden would go?

"Dark Armed Dragon's effect: banish a DARK from the graveyard to destroy any card on the field."

The Arbiter revealed a DARK monster from the graveyard.

"'Magical Merchant' replenished my grave with DARKs. I banish one to destroy your set monster."

A black blast targeted Jaden's last line of defense. If this monster was destroyed, he'd be left wide open.

Boom!

The explosion tore through the set monster, but its image briefly flickered.

"Kuri kuri!"

"Thanks, partner."

Jaden raised his arm; a transparent shield appeared before him, like a force field.

"When Winged Kuriboh is destroyed, I take no battle damage this turn," Jaden said.

Arbiter: "I see. Then I set a card and end my turn."

Jaden took a deep breath.

His vision blurred, his mind sluggish. He was starting to believe the Arbiter wasn't just bluffing.

The Arbiter's words were probably true. Jaden's memories had gaps, he was hiding secrets even from himself—he'd forgotten something important.

But—

He looked up, recalling the towering figure of Koyo Hikibi.

"From now on... it's up to you, Jaden."

"."

Yes, he'd made up his mind to inherit Koyo's will, to fight as a true duelist.

He couldn't give up now.

"My turn, draw!"

"Oh?" the Arbiter observed him.

His confidence seemed back; his eyes were steadier.

"I summon 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!"

[Elemental HERO Bubbleman, ATK 800]

"When Bubbleman is summoned while I control no other cards, I draw two cards!" (anime effect)

Jaden drew two cards.

"Next, I activate 'Pot of Greed' to draw two more!"

It looked like Jaden was regaining his touch—Bubbleman and Pot of Greed in quick succession.

He stared at one card in his hand, then closed his eyes.

"I won't let you down, Mr. Koyo."

He opened his eyes, raising the card.

"I activate 'Polymerization'! I fuse 'Elemental HERO Woodsman' from my hand with the WATER 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' on my field! Bring forth the power to freeze all things—

—Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!"

Snow swirled, ice crystals burst, and the pure white hero landed with folded arms!

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]

"There it is—Mr. Hibiki's hero!" Mokuba said.

Zane frowned. "It feels... a little different."

He sensed that the Absolute Zero Jaden summoned was different from the one Koyo had summoned.

But that was a difference on a spiritual level—felt stronger, but hard to pin down.

"Then I activate 'Fusion Recovery' to return 'Polymerization' and 'Elemental HERO Woodsman' from my graveyard to my hand."

Jaden retrieved the two cards and played once more.

"I activate 'Polymerization' again! This time, I fuse 'Elemental HERO Woodsman' and 'Elemental HERO Ocean' from my hand!"

Everyone was surprised.

A second Fusion?

"Fusion Summon, Mr. Koyo's soul, a Hero of the Planets series—

—Elemental HERO Terra Firma!"

Chapter 408: The Beloved Monster

Terra descends!

The white giant landed, setting off a towering cloud of dust, its huge form stretching up into the sky!

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

"Jaden summoned both of Koyo's ace cards in one go!" Mokuba couldn't help but exclaim, "Impressive!"

Midori looked at Jaden on the stage. For a moment, she almost saw Koyo's silhouette overlapping with that boy, and she lost herself in thought.

"So this is what you want to pass on through dueling, Koyo…" she murmured.

"It's not over yet! Elemental HERO Terra Firma's effect activates! By tributing 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero,' Terra can absorb its ATK and DEF values!

EARTH BURN!!!"

At Jaden's command, Absolute Zero transformed into pure energy and merged with Terra. Terra's snowy-white body instantly turned scorching hot, like molten lava pouring from its body, glowing red as if it were a brand heated in a forge.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500 → 5000]

"Five thousand attack points…"

The Arbiter looked up at Terra, as if staring straight at the spirit of Koyo.

"Trying to decide it all with a single blow?"

"It's still not over! At this moment, 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero's' new ability activates—

—Absolute Zero!!!"

"What!?" The crowd gasped.

Even Kaiba looked visibly unsettled this time.

"Did this kid just evolve his monster mid-duel using the power of a duelist?"

It wasn't without precedent—after all, the "Dragon Master Knight" that Yugi and Kaiba fused was born under similar circumstances. But such occurrences were so rare as to be almost nonexistent.

It required not only a duelist's powerful destiny, but also an extraordinary bond with one's monster—what many called a "bond."

Only in extremely specific circumstances, when a duelist and their monster resonated to a high degree, could a monster evolve on its own during a duel.

This is what's known as card imprinting.

Just like Jaden now, awakening a hidden power in his ace card—originally Koyo's—"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero."

Though it lasted only a moment, the Arbiter clearly saw a flash of gold in the boy's eyes.

A burning, awe-inspiring golden gaze.

But it was only for a split-second, then his eyes returned to normal.

"Heh, I knew I wasn't wrong about him." The Arbiter smiled.

He really is an interesting kid.

"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, new effect! When this card leaves the field, destroy all monsters on your opponent's field!"

"Such a strong effect!?"

Mokuba was shocked.

Absolute freezing, as if the whole field's temperature dropped to absolute zero. No ordinary creature could survive such an arctic hell—Arbiter's Dark Armed Dragon, Flame Wingman, and Helpoemer—all monsters were instantly frozen and shattered into glittering crystals in seconds.

"Interesting… very interesting."

The Arbiter grew even more interested.

"Battle! The final strike!" Jaden declared. "Terra's attack will end this duel!"

First, the ultimate chill. Then, the fury of molten lava. With 5000 attack points, Terra absorbed all that molten energy, forming a flaming sword of destruction in its hand!

Even the audience held their breath.

Will he win?

"Not bad, you've managed to draw out a bit of your true power. But it's still not enough."

The Arbiter spoke calmly.

"It seems I'll have to force you to face your past. Only then will that sleeping soul awaken."

"What did you say?" Jaden frowned.

"Doma's resources cover the world. We know everything that's ever happened. Since you've forgotten, let me help you remember."

The Arbiter continued, quietly.

"That year, you'd just learned about Duel Monsters. Your father returned from a business trip and brought you that rare card—the monster you truly loved, a card with special meaning to you."

Jaden froze.

That distant voice echoed in his mind again.

"Jaden… Jaden…"

There it was again, that voice.

His heart pounded, his mind grew foggy. Jaden clutched his head, stumbling.

What is it? What have I forgotten, something so important…

No, I can't lose my rhythm. I have to finish this duel first.

"Elemental HERO Terra Firma!" Jaden shouted. "Direct attack!"

As the flaming blade was drawn, his headache worsened.

He staggered, almost losing his balance.

But the command went through. Terra leaped across the frozen field, its heat melting all ice and snow. The earth blade struck, 5000 attack points slashing right for the Arbiter.

"Trap activate."

The Arbiter flicked his hand.

"Trap Card: 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert.' When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand, and your opponent's monster must attack that monster instead." (Anime effect)

Jaden's headache peaked.

Something important was coming, something that mattered deeply to him—

"Special Summon from my hand—meet your old friend—"

The Arbiter calmly flipped a card.

"—Yubel, summoned!"

Thorny vines burst from the ground, swirling. Within them, the shadow of a demon took shape, cloaked in black bone wings.

Then suddenly, the wings unfurled, and a demon with a feminine form slowly raised her head, her heterochromatic eyes opening coldly to look at Jaden.

[Yubel, ATK 0]

Even Kira was surprised now.

Yubel!?

Could she have been intercepted by Doma on her way back from space? Given Doma's global reach and power, it wouldn't be difficult.

But looking more closely, Kira saw this card wasn't a spirit.

So perhaps, while Yubel's card is rare, it's not unique. Only the one Jaden had as a child contained the spirit with a deep bond to him.

This one was just a rare monster card, nothing special. With the Arbiter's resources, getting it was easy.

Jaden stared wide-eyed at the monster across from him. Suddenly, memories pieced themselves together in his mind.

The card he loved most, his first spirit, the monster with the most special meaning to him…

"Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert's effect—Terra must attack Yubel," the Arbiter said.

"But Yubel's attack is only 0!" Mokuba shouted.

Kaiba frowned: "No, that monster's special effect—"

"Yubel cannot be destroyed by battle, and you take no battle damage from battles involving her. Moreover," the Arbiter added calmly, "the damage is reflected back to your opponent."

"What!?" Mokuba gasped, "That's broken!"

Terra's 5000-point slash struck Yubel, but did nothing. Instead, Yubel's vines absorbed all the molten energy, striking back at Jaden like lightning!

Jaden was pierced through the chest, staggering backward, but kept staring at the monster that dealt the final blow.

"Y-Yubel…"

[Jaden, LP 1200 → 0]

Chapter 409: The Road to the Final Duel

"Jaden!"

Midori was the first to rush onto the stage after the duel. Jaden was wobbling, half-kneeling, head down, looking half-dead.

But when she helped him up, he turned to her with a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, sensei, I'm fine. Sorry… I still lost."

Only then did Midori relax, breathing a sigh of relief. She ruffled Jaden's hair. "It's okay, you did great. As long as you're safe."

Yet she was a bit puzzled, glancing at the Arbiter.

Midori now clearly understood how terrifying a Shadow Duel was. Usually, losers ended up soulless and unconscious.

Her brother, Koyo, had just fallen into a coma after losing to this very man.

But Jaden seemed fine.

She realized the Arbiter hadn't used that ominous "Seal of Orichalcos" this duel. Supposedly, those who lose inside it have their souls taken.

Why?

She didn't believe for a second it was because the Arbiter was afraid he'd lose. Even she could tell he was a duelist beyond normal limits.

Throughout the duel, he'd been completely calm. As much as she hated to admit it, it seemed he'd been in control from the start, both with Koyo and Jaden.

So why spare Jaden?

"Do you want his other soul?" Kira spoke up as the Arbiter stepped down from the stage.

The Arbiter paused, squinting at Kira.

"Oh?" he said. "Fujiki Kira, you're becoming more and more interesting. How much do you know?"

They stared at each other for a few seconds.

"You guessed right," the Arbiter nodded, glancing at Jaden.

"This boy is only halfway there. Even if I beat him now, I'd only get a decent duelist's soul. But I don't really need more souls like that."

He spoke calmly.

"In fact, if I did that, I'd lose the connection to the powerful soul I really want. That would be a waste."

As Kira suspected, his real target was the Supreme King.

The Seal of Orichalcos only takes a single soul, like when Atem lost and Yugi offered himself in his place.

The Arbiter must have decided that even if he won here, it'd only net him Jaden's soul—not worth it. He was after the Supreme King.

But…

"What do you mean, a connection to the powerful soul?" Kira asked.

Logically, the Supreme King should be inside Jaden, albeit deeply asleep, like an inner personality. If the Arbiter beat Jaden now, wouldn't that awaken the inner personality? Then he could duel and defeat the Supreme King, and claim that power.

But he said otherwise: that beating Jaden now would cut off the connection.

So does that mean the Supreme King isn't actually inside Jaden?

The Arbiter didn't explain, just gave a strange laugh.

"Well, who knows?"

He walked past Kira, pausing briefly behind him.

"But if I were you, I wouldn't have the time to worry about others right now."

Half his body cloaked in shadow, he spoke coldly.

"Soon, it'll be your turn. Once I collect all the Sealing Device you possess…"

He chuckled darkly, then walked away.

Kira: "…"

As the Arbiter left, a tall figure stepped in front of him.

Seto Kaiba.

"You needn't worry about that," Kaiba said coolly.

"Because I'll be the one to defeat him in the end."

Kira understood.

The semifinals' first match—Jaden vs the Arbiter—was over. Now, only he and Kaiba remained.

If he lost to Kaiba, he'd have nothing to do with the final. Saving the world and all that would be Kaiba's job.

In the past, he might have thought that a good deal.

"…I understand," Kira said to Kaiba, "but I won't go easy on you, President."

"Hmph."

Kaiba's lips curled in a slight, approving smile.

"That's more like it. In half an hour, right here. Don't keep me waiting."

He turned to leave, then paused and looked at Jaden on stage.

"Your friend… he's a proud duelist too. One day, he'll stand at the top of the world. Don't get left behind."

"I know," Kira nodded.

Kaiba left without another word.

Kira finally walked onto the field, approaching Jaden.

"How're you feeling?"

"My head still hurts."

Jaden lay on the ground, sighing.

"Ah, it's so frustrating to lose."

"I warned you," Kira shrugged.

"But… it was a great duel."

Jaden sat up, suddenly lost in thought.

"More importantly, what the Arbiter said… I think he was right."

"What do you mean?"

"About forgetting something important." Jaden paused. "Now I remember. She was my first spirit, my favorite monster.

But later… for reasons I couldn't help, she was launched into space. I don't know where she is now…"

Kira patted his shoulder. "Either way, you remembered now, right? As long as you have a bond with your monsters, you'll meet again someday."

"…Yeah, you're right. Okay!"

Jaden slapped his cheeks and perked up.

"Before that, I have to become a more reliable duelist."

He sprang to his feet.

"Now, it's time to cheer for Kira! Your opponent is Seto Kaiba—so jealous, I never got that chance…"

"…"

Chapter 410: The Final Qualifier

Koyo lay in a hospital bed, eyes closed, hooked up to life-support and monitoring devices.

"Sorry, Mr. Koyo," Jaden said at the bedside, scratching his head. "Looks like I lost after all."

"As I said, you did more than enough," Midori replied softly. "If Koyo knew, he'd be proud."

Kira thought, of course—Jaden literally imprinted a new effect onto a card. After that duel, Absolute Zero is now epic-level, a huge upgrade for Elemental HEROes.

If Jaden keeps pushing himself and triggering those power plays, all HERO duelists worldwide will benefit.

What a walking, living card printer!

But Kira had something else on his mind.

Though it was just a brief moment, he was sure he'd seen it—Jaden's eyes flashed dangerously gold for an instant, the mark of the Supreme King.

But when he asked Jaden, the boy was clueless.

"Nope, didn't feel anything," Jaden said. "If anything, I remember feeling frustrated, wanting to put everything into that duel. Everything after that was just instinct."

As Kira suspected, even the person himself couldn't explain it.

But Kira had a bold theory.

Though Jaden is the Supreme King's reincarnation, there was no hint of it in the early anime—it was clearly a late addition by the writers and felt abrupt.

So maybe, although he's the reincarnation, the Supreme King wasn't actually inside him all along?

Otherwise, why didn't he awaken during all Jaden's early crises, even after losing to Aster with the power of the Light of Destruction?

And when Jaden went to the alternate dimension to save Jesse, the spirits there already knew the Supreme King.

Combining this with the Arbiter's words, Kira suspected:

Jaden is closely linked to the Supreme King, but perhaps the Supreme King wasn't dormant inside him, but in the Spirit World—one of the twelve dimensions from the anime.

Still, the Supreme King's on-screen duels were few and ambiguous. He seemed strong, but Kira couldn't judge his true strength.

After all, the Supreme King only had one win and one draw.

Even against Jim, the Supreme King actually lost at first, but the writers miscounted by 100 life points, so he survived with 50 and made a comeback. In the DVD version, this was corrected by lowering Jim's monster's ATK to 1200.

That's also why the real card has 1200 ATK.

But anime win rates aren't everything. Plenty of bosses lost to the main characters. Even Dartz never actually won, except a tag duel against Kaiba.

The real MVP was Yubel. She wasn't just a one-shot boss—she dueled again and again, and always in quality matches.

She faced Hell Kaiser Zane in rage mode, Adrian who sacrificed his lover to unlock the Dark Magician, and even took on Jaden and Jesse together. She faced Jaden three times, including a 2v1 and a duel after the Supreme King was unsealed. She never lost, giving up her only draw intentionally to steal Super Polymerization.

Ignoring power scaling, Yubel has by far the most glorious record of any boss in Yu-Gi-Oh.

Kira figured, now that he'd found a way to the Spirit World, he could visit those twelve dimensions someday and see if the Supreme King was there.

But first, the tournament.

…

Twenty minutes left.

Kira returned to his room for final deck adjustments.

"It's finally here. My opponent—Seto Kaiba…"

The world's top duelist, and Kira's best chance yet to test himself.

His spirits seemed excited too.

"Seto Kaiba, the strongest duelist…" Jinzo crossed his arms, calm as ever. "No matter. I'll do my part."

"Hehehe…" Shadow Monarch snickered.

Jinzo frowned. "What's funny?"

"Don't make me laugh. You bully weaklings, but against Blue-Eyes, what good are you? Block our own backrow?"

It's true. President Kaiba is a balanced duelist, but relies less on traps than Kira. Against him, Jinzo's skills are less useful.

Jinzo was speechless, then snapped, "Then what good are you? He's all LIGHT monsters, your DARK-killer effect is useless!"

Shadow Monarch retorted, "At least I can banish, even banish myself for damage! Can you?"

They were about to argue more when the Silent Magician's white staff extended between them. She glared, ready to fight.

Both spirits instantly fell silent, glaring at each other but saying nothing.

"However you choose to attack," Black Luster Soldier floated behind, "my sword is always at your side."

He had no choice—he does what his master asks. Even as the legendary warrior, if the master wanted him to run a burn loop, he'd obey.

"Alright, let's go."

Kira put away his deck, slotted it into his duel disk, and stood up.

"Can't keep the President waiting, right?"