Yugioh [411-420] (Patreon)

Chapter 411: The Final Four

Slotting his deck into place and securing his Duel Disk, Kira stood up and left the room.

But just as he was about to leave, he suddenly felt a faint tremor from the inside pocket of his jacket.

He paused, reaching in to pull out the mini Millennium Puzzle—the sealing device.

It seemed that just now, this thing had moved slightly.

Up to now, it had only reacted to powerful dark forces, remaining dormant otherwise. Could it be that this next duel, which would determine whether he or Kaiba would face the root of Orichalcos directly, was what triggered the reaction?

Or perhaps it was because of the longstanding connection between Kaiba and Atem. They had always been fated rivals, entwined in a love-hate fate for over three thousand years. That it would respond to Kaiba and the power of his White Dragon wasn't surprising.

But now, holding it in his hand, it seemed to have gone still again.

Kira considered for a moment. Whatever the case, he decided to wear it around his neck.

Who knew if it would help, but better to have it. Not only for his duel with Kaiba—if he had to face the Arbiter at the end, it would probably come in handy.

Walking down the long corridor and stepping onto the dueling field, he saw that Kaiba had already been waiting.

"You're here," Kaiba said, slowly opening his closed eyes to look at Kira.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. President," Kira replied, taking his place opposite.

Kaiba chuckled quietly.

"So much change in just half a year," he said calmly. "Fujiki Kira, let's see if I was wrong about you. I'll use this duel to find out."

Kira said nothing, just activated his Duel Disk.

There was no need for pleasantries with Kaiba—dueling was the best form of communication.

"Duel!" they both declared.

[Kira, LP 4000]

[Kaiba, LP 4000]

Kira glanced at his Duel Disk. The indicator light for first turn was lit.

"No need for politeness, then. I'll take the first move. My turn, draw."

He drew, quickly selecting two cards.

"I set a monster face-down in defense position, and another card face-down in the back row. End my turn."

"My turn, draw!"

Kaiba drew with a shout, and it was as if a whirlwind swept across the field.

"Spell Card: Graceful Charity. Draw three cards, then discard two."

He drew three, then discarded two.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Trade-In. I discard an 8-star 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my hand to draw two more cards."

After switching out cards, Kaiba immediately played another.

"Then I activate the Continuous Spell: Different Dimension Hangar!"

The spell card appeared, its power forming a pitch-black vortex in midair.

His Duel Disk glowed pale blue, rapidly searching his deck. Three cards popped out automatically.

He pulled the cards and threw them into the air, where they briefly transformed into three mecha projections before vanishing into the vortex.

"Different Dimension Hangar lets me banish three Union monsters of Level 4 or lower from my deck." Kaiba declared. "'Y-Dragon Head', 'Z-Metal Tank', and 'W-Wing Catapult'—banish them!" (Anime Card)

Kira was no stranger to this. In the anime, it was used by Chazz, but now Kaiba wielded it.

The XYZ series had always been one of Kaiba's primary strategies, even in DM, and in GX Chazz got those rare cards from KaibaCorp. Of course, the president himself would have this support card.

"Next, Normal Summon: 'X-Head Cannon'!"

[X-Head Cannon, ATK 1800]

"Hangar's effect: When you summon or Special Summon a monster that's listed on any of the banished Union monsters, you can Special Summon those banished monsters."

Two beams of gold shot down from the extradimensional vortex, landing left and right of Kaiba, forming a heavy tank tread and a mechanical dragon.

"Appear, Y-Dragon Head and Z-Metal Tank!"

[Y-Dragon Head, ATK 1500]

[Z-Metal Tank, ATK 1500]

"Now, X-Head Cannon, Y-Dragon Head, and Z-Metal Tank—combine!" Kaiba commanded.

The three machines began to transform, electromagnetic tracks linking them together. Parts clashed and assembled, merging into the tricolored Dragon Cannon. The heavy treads slammed onto the ground.

[XYZ-Dragon Cannon, ATK 2800]

"He summoned Dragon Cannon right away!" Jaden exclaimed.

"This is the legendary Kaiba Seto duel," Zane observed. "Absolute power, all-out attack from the start."

But Kaiba just smiled faintly.

To him, this was only an appetizer.

"XYZ-Dragon Cannon's effect: Discard a card to destroy any card on the field."

He sent a card to the graveyard.

"Destroy the set card in your back row."

The Dragon Cannon's barrel lowered, firing a barrage. Kira's set card was blasted into the air and shattered.

Continuous Trap: Dragon Capture Jar.

"As I thought," Kaiba sneered. "The Dragon Capture Jar. That used to be my weakness. But I've long since surpassed my old self. If you think sealing my attacks with tricks like that is enough, you'll be disappointed."

Kira shrugged.

He knew Kaiba's deck was mostly Dragons, but not pure Dragons—not a surprise.

"Not done yet," Kaiba continued. "I activate the Spell: Iron Call! If I control a Machine-type monster, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Machine from my graveyard."

"The Machine in your graveyard… discarded by Graceful Charity, right?" Kira realized.

So, it must be—

"Come forth, V-Tiger Jet!"

[V-Tiger Jet, ATK 1600]

"At this moment, Different Dimension Hangar's effect triggers again," Kaiba said. "When a monster listed on a banished Union monster is summoned, that banished monster is Special Summoned too."

He raised his arm, and the last golden light shot down from the black vortex.

"W-Wing Catapult, Special Summon!"

[W-Wing Catapult, ATK 1300]

"V-Tiger Jet, W-Wing Catapult—combine! Then fuse with XYZ-Dragon Cannon!" Kaiba declared. "Fusion Summon—

—VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!"

Chapter 412: Growth

VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon, summoned!

Kaiba, ruthless and concise, opened with his strongest five-part fusion form.

And his assault continued.

"VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon, effect!" Kaiba shouted. "Once per turn, banish any card on your opponent's field.

That annoying wall monster—get out of my sight!"

The Catapult Cannon's electromagnetic weapon charged, unleashing blue thunder like a roaring dragon. The electromagnetic shock ripped through everything, distorting space itself.

There was no deafening explosion, no spectacular fireball. But for a moment, space seemed twisted, and the lone set monster vanished, utterly erased.

The image of Winged Kuriboh flickered, then faded.

"Ah, it was Winged Kuriboh," Jaden said.

His spirit companion appeared: "Kuri kuri."

It sounded a bit regretful that its counterpart couldn't help.

"Winged Kuriboh can prevent all battle damage the turn it's destroyed, by battle or by effect," Jaden lamented.

"But if it's banished, there's nothing it can do."

Winged Kuriboh drooped its wings: "Kuri…"

"Kaiba Seto really is as terrifying as the stories say," Zane remarked. "He wiped out the whole field in an instant, even bypassing Kuriboh's powerful defense."

He paused, frowning.

Compared to himself, who also favored aggressive tactics, there was still a long way to go.

He looked at Kira, eyes flickering.

Facing someone like Kaiba… Could Fujiki Kira still stick to his style?

"If this is all you've got, it's far from enough!" Kaiba roared. "VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon, direct attack!"

At his command, the Catapult Cannon unleashed its full power. Beams of light sliced through the sky, vaporizing everything in their path.

But just as the blast hit, a familiar yet unfamiliar shield appeared in front of Kira.

"Kuri kuri!"

A golden, spherical barrier blocked the attack.

Sphere Kuriboh!

"I discard Kuriboh from my hand to activate its effect," Kira declared. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can discard it to switch that monster to Defense Position."

The Catapult Cannon immediately powered down, dropping to a crouch.

[VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon, ATK 3000 → DEF 2800]

Mokuba sounded disappointed: "Ah, such a perfect attack, and it still didn't get through."

What else can you say?

Kuriboh is just too good.

"Hmph, relying on weak monsters again?" Kaiba sneered. "Then I activate Quick-Play Spell: Super Rejuvenation.

For every Dragon I discarded or tributed this turn, I draw that many cards at the end phase."

Kira: "You discarded cards this turn with Graceful Charity, XYZ-Dragon Cannon, and Trade-In…"

"Correct, three Dragons in total," Kaiba said coldly. "So, at the end of my turn, I draw three cards."

He waved his arm, and blue data currents formed card images.

"I set a card, end my turn. And in the end phase, I draw three cards!"

He drew three.

"Come, Kira! If you've truly grown into a duelist worthy of this stage, prove it to me!"

Kira: "…"

He couldn't figure out how Kaiba was always so fired up, no matter what. Already a grown man, yet always spouting things like "crush and shatter" and "the winds of battle roar on." Didn't he worry about embarrassing himself?

He really had spirit.

"…My turn, draw."

Kira drew, quickly playing a card.

"I also activate Graceful Charity: Draw three, then discard two."

He considered his hand, then slowly pulled a card.

"I can feel it—Kaiba really is coming at me full-force. Looks like I have to respond in kind."

A flash of darkness crossed his eyes.

"So… I'll be counting on your power again."

He raised the card. Before it even hit the field, an invisible whirlwind seemed to rise.

"Banish 'Magician of Faithfulness' (Light) and 'Caius the Shadow Monarch' (Dark) from my graveyard!

Souls of light and darkness, offered to the field of chaos—let the legendary warrior descend!

Heaven and earth split open—

—Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, summon!!"

One beam of light, one of darkness—souls intertwined as beams shot skyward. Chaos burst forth; the knight, clad in heavy armor, holding sword and shield, descended in a storm of light and dark!

[Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000]

"Heh, there it is—the legendary warrior," Kaiba smirked.

For a moment, he saw flashes of a long-lost rival.

The one who also wielded Black Luster Soldier, and once fused it with his own Ultimate Dragon to create a miracle.

"…Dragon Master Knight. Did you always know about this monster, Yugi?"

"If you believe in it, it exists, Kaiba."

"…"

Memories faded like smoke, but even after ten years, his rival's voice and face were vivid.

Kaiba closed his eyes, then returned to reality.

"Are you now a duelist who can control this monster?" he said quietly. "Let me see for myself."

Kira swept his arm: "Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, attack VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!"

[VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon, DEF 2800]

Thanks to Sphere Kuriboh, Catapult Cannon was in Defense Position.

The chaotic blade struck, light and darkness swirling, cleaving the Catapult Cannon in two. The giant mecha exploded, shattering into pieces.

"At this moment, Envoy of the Beginning's effect," Kira announced. "When it destroys a monster in battle, it can attack again—once per turn.

Direct attack on Kaiba!

Dimensional Slash: Twin Breaker!"

Chapter 413: Banishing and Drawing Power

Dimensional Slash: Twin Breaker!

As the chaotic blade drew near, Kaiba faced it with a smirk.

"Now that's more like it," he declared. "I activate the Trap: Counter Gate! Your direct attack is negated, and I draw a card!"

A pale blue energy gate appeared before him. The barrage of sword slashes was sucked into the vortex and vanished. Kaiba drew a card.

"…Then, I set two cards and end my turn," Kira said.

Negate Attack had another effect: if you draw a monster, you can immediately Normal Summon it. But apparently Kaiba either didn't draw a monster, or chose not to summon it.

"My turn, draw!" Kaiba declared. "I summon 'Kaibaman'!"

A flash of golden light revealed a white-coated, Kaiba-like monster, arms folded, with a Blue-Eyes helmet and long hair.

[Kaibaman, ATK 200]

Kira: "…"

How is Kaiba able to summon himself without feeling awkward? Doesn't he feel embarrassed printing himself as a card?

And why does Kaibaman only have 200 ATK? With Kaiba's physical prowess, he should at least be team captain level!

"Kaibaman's effect: Tribute it to Special Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand!

I tribute Kaibaman—descend! My strongest servant, the dragon of light that dispels all darkness—

—Blue-Eyes White Dragon!!"

The pure white dragon, sculpted like a gemstone, descended in a dazzling light. Its blue gem-like eyes shone, and its wings bathed in radiance, surrounded by rings of energy.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon, summoned!

[Blue-Eyes White Dragon, ATK 3000]

"There it is!" Jaden cheered.

"The legendary Kaiba Seto's strongest monster, said to rival the gods," Zane added. "The real battle starts now."

The strongest dragon versus the legendary warrior—a clash of titans.

Or so everyone thought.

But reality was…

"There it is, Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Kira said, grinning mysteriously.

His tone said, "I've been waiting for this."

"Now, I activate my set trap—"

With a flourish, he revealed it.

"Karma Cut!!"

Kaiba: "!"

"Karma Cut—discard a card to banish one face-up monster your opponent controls."

Kira discarded a card to the graveyard.

"Banish Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

A dimensional vortex opened, pulling the White Dragon in and erasing it without a trace.

"Not done yet," Kira smiled. "If the monster banished by this effect has copies in your opponent's graveyard, all copies are banished as well!"

As he spoke, two beams of white light shot from Kaiba's graveyard—two more White Dragons—vanishing into the vortex.

He had two more in his graveyard.

The spectators gasped.

One card, and three Blue-Eyes gone!

With no Blue-Eyes left in his deck, what could Kaiba do?

"And, the card I discarded for Karma Cut was 'Learning Elf'," Kira added. "When it goes to the graveyard, I draw a card."

He drew.

"Karma Cut…"

Zane winced.

He realized, hoping for a legendary clash between warrior and dragon was naive.

Who is the Yellow King?

He never fights head-on if he can mess with your mind.

He imagined himself in Kaiba's place—if his three Cyber Dragons were banished, he'd probably lose it…

Even Kaiba must be seething now.

Kaiba stood with his head down, face darkening. Any moment now…

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!"

Kaiba suddenly laughed, startling everyone.

Everyone: "?"

What a bizarre reaction—like he'd just hit his opponent with Karma Cut.

"Good, very good. Wiping out all my Blue-Eyes at once—a deadly tactic. No matter how the Blue-Eyes deck evolves, it's always built around those three core cards."

Kaiba sneered.

"But if you think that's enough to stop me, you'll have to try harder.

I activate Trade-In, discarding 'Tyrant Dragon' to draw two cards."

As he drew, an invisible whirlwind stirred his coat. Kaiba raised a card high, shouting:

"Activate! Spell Card—

—Parallel World Fusion!"

Kira: "…"

Kaiba, you too?

Well, in the original, it wasn't HERO-exclusive. Parallel World Fusion really is a generic fusion spell.

"Parallel World Fusion lets you shuffle banished monsters back into the deck as fusion materials for a Fusion Summon."

Kaiba raised his arm.

"Three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, fuse from the banished zone!"

The crowd was stunned.

"Fusion from the banished zone!?"

"The strongest, ultimate dragon in history, transcending time and space—now descend here—

—Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, summon!!"

Three Blue-Eyes merged into a storm of white light. Particles condensed into a colossal dragon with three white heads and massive wings, its presence overwhelming.

[Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]

"Amazing," Jaden breathed.

Zane murmured, "He rebounded even after losing all his Blue-Eyes…"

This is Kaiba Seto's true power—terrifying as ever.

Mokuba was full of confidence.

"My brother's duels are the strongest."

But then he remembered—

Hmm… against Yugi, you have to banish it.

Well, best not to dwell on the details right now.

Chapter 414: Great Power Always Comes with Risk

Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Summon!

"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attacks 'Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning'!" Kaiba shouted. "Ultimate Burst Stream!!"

All three heads of the Ultimate Dragon opened at once, unleashing a white light like a torrent of destruction.

"At this moment, I activate my set card," Kira declared. "Trap Card: 'Card of Sacrifice'."

If the total ATK of all face-up Attack Position monsters you control is lower than the opponent's weakest monster, you draw two cards from your deck. However, the turn you activate this card, you can't summon monsters or change their battle positions in any way. (Anime effect.)

The real card later added the requirement that you must control at least two monsters, making it much less practical.

"You have only 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' on your field, so it's the weakest monster. Black Luster Soldier's ATK is lower than the Ultimate Dragon's."

Kira drew two cards.

"So I draw two cards."

The Ultimate Dragon's blast swept forth, its terrifying power overwhelming everything. Even the Black Luster Soldier could not withstand it. His shield shattered in half a second under the white light, and he too was consumed, leaving the field.

[Kira, LP 4000 → LP 2500]

Kira raised his arm to shield himself, as blazing energy and a shockwave surged over him.

"As expected from President Kaiba—he's not so easily stopped."

"Wait!" Jaden suddenly realized, "Neo Ultimate Dragon can attack three times in one turn, so that means…"

The field was cleared again, and Kira still had to face two more attacks from the Neo Ultimate Dragon!

Even the Kuriboh could only block one hit; against the Ultimate Dragon's might, it was powerless.

Kaiba swept his hand dramatically.

The evolved dragon had surpassed even that weakling monster, Kuriboh!

 "So, in the end, are you only this kind of duelist!? Is this where you fall!?"

Kaiba threw back his head and shouted.

"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's direct attack! Ultimate Burst Stream, second strike!"

A world-ending shockwave, the light in the dragon's mouth declaring the end of the duel.

Kira revealed a card from his hand.

"Now, 'Kiteroid' activates," he said. "By discarding this card from my hand, I make one instance of direct attack damage become 0."

The invincible kite appeared, its translucent body forming a barrier. Even the Ultimate Dragon's blast couldn't budge it.

"Then the third strike!" Kaiba roared.

"Kiteroid's second effect activates from the graveyard," Kira said. "While it's in the graveyard, I can make direct attack damage become 0 one more time." (Anime effect.)

One card blocking two hits—now that's what you call a legendary card!

 "Hmph, barely hanging on with continuous defense, huh?" Kaiba sneered.

"Defense isn't just for protection, President. Defense is also a form of attack." Kira smiled. "I haven't forgotten the downside of your dragon."

"Hmph." Kaiba replied coolly, "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's multi-attack effect can only be used once per duel. After using it, at the end of the Battle Phase, it must destroy itself." (Anime effect.)

As he spoke, the Neo Ultimate Dragon was already shrouded in white light, slowly dissolving into countless specks and fading from the field.

Kiteroid single-handedly took down the Ultimate Dragon—a story to brag about forever.

"I set one card and end my turn," Kaiba said.

"My turn. Draw."

Kira glanced at his drawn card and immediately revealed it.

"Spell Card: Pot of Greed! I draw two more cards."

After replenishing his hand, he promptly played one card.

"I summon 'Breaker the Magical Warrior'!"

[Breaker the Magical Warrior, ATK 1600]

The red-armored warrior landed on the field, sword and shield in hand. As he landed, a magical counter lit up on his shield.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes slightly.

That was another one of his monsters.

The red armor belonged to a monster from Yami's deck, famous for the "Berserker's seven consecutive attacks."

Maybe it was coincidence, but the monsters and strategies Kira used overlapped a lot with Kaiba's memories.

"When Breaker is summoned, it gains a spell counter and his ATK increases by 300," Kira said. "But I'll immediately remove that counter to activate his second effect.

Breaker can remove his counter to destroy any Spell or Trap Card on the field."

Kira pointed to Kaiba's back row, apparently the only card left defending him.

"Destroy that set card."

Breaker swung his sword, a crescent arc of magical energy shooting at Kaiba's field.

"I activate my set card."

Kaiba immediately triggered the targeted card before Breaker's attack landed.

"Trap Card: Waboku. Monsters won't be destroyed by battle this turn, and any battle damage is reduced to 0."

Several blue-robed messengers appeared, chanting and projecting a transparent shield around Kaiba.

The magical blast split the trap in two, but couldn't stop its effect.

Kira: "Then I set two cards and end my turn."

The spectators outside barely dared to breathe.

"Even though the Ultimate Dragon's finishing blow failed, Kaiba had already set up his defense in advance," Zane muttered. "But now, the field is back in Kira's favor."

"Not so fast," Jaden said, still excited. "The next draw could change everything. That's the real charm of dueling!"

"...True."

Zane nodded.

For these two, this was just the beginning.

"My turn! Draw!"

Kaiba swept his hand.

"I set a card.

Then I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Demise'. Draw cards until you have five in hand."

The classic Kaiba draw engine—his hand was instantly refilled.

"But at the start of my fifth turn after this, I must discard my entire hand."

Kira shrugged.

So great power always comes with risk.

In fact, in the original series, this downside was only triggered once, in the Pyramid of Light movie.

That film also finally settled a long-standing debate over this card's effect—whether the five turns included both players or just your own turns.

The movie confirmed it's "your own fifth Standby Phase," so if it counted both, it would be the ninth turn... by then, your graveyard would be overgrown.

"You've at least become a decent duelist over these six months," Kaiba said. "But that's still not enough to satisfy me.

Watch closely, Kira, the real battle begins now!"

Chapter 415: The Ultimate Dragon

"I activate the Spell Card 'The Melody of Awakening Dragon'!"

Kaiba played a card.

"Discard a card to add two monsters with ATK 3000 or more and DEF 2500 or less from my deck to my hand."

Blue data streams flowed into his deck, and two cards popped out.

"From my deck, I add these two cards: 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' and 'Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon'!"

"With 'Parallel World Fusion', all three White Dragons were shuffled back into the deck," Kira commented.

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

Kaiba slapped a card onto his duel disk.

"By revealing Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand, I summon—now appear!

—Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!"

A variant of the White Dragon, its transformed, holy body hovered above Kaiba's field, flapping its bony wings and roaring.

[Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, ATK 3000]

"Alternative White Dragon's effect: once per turn, destroy a monster on the field!" Kaiba yelled. "Destroy Breaker the Magical Warrior!"

Alternative White opened its jaws, gathering brilliant white light, and blasted it out like a shattering storm.

"President Kaiba really doesn't give a single moment to breathe—he's always attacking at full force," Kira muttered.

"If you don't move forward, you're left behind—a weakling who gets eliminated," Kaiba said coldly. "Can you keep up and reach the top, or will you stand still?

Fujiki Kira, prove your worth as a duelist!"

"Alright, if that's how it is…"

Kira slowly raised an arm.

"…I activate my set card.

Continuous Trap: 'Light-Imprisoning Mirror'!

As long as this card is on the field, all effects of LIGHT monsters activated on the field or in the graveyard are negated!"

Zane's eyelid twitched.

It appeared!

"Ah, that trap again!" Mokuba exclaimed.

Also known as the LIGHT-slayer, this trap is deadly against Kaiba's LIGHT-heavy deck. Whether it's VWXZ or the White Dragons, Kaiba's deck, like Yami's, mixes multiple series, but most of his monsters are LIGHT.

The mirror reflected Alternative White Dragon's image; the white light in its jaws faded and disappeared.

"With this, most of Kaiba's monster effects should be sealed. And since its effect has been activated, it can't attack this turn either."

Zane glanced at Kaiba.

Once again, the situation seemed to have reversed…

"So, effect negation, huh? For Blue-Eyes, that's a powerful lockdown. You must think so, right?"

Kaiba's eyes flashed with the spirit of a lion.

"But over the years, Blue-Eyes has evolved beyond that!

I activate the Quick-Play Spell—Ultimate Fusion!"

A cyclone of light and wind swirled above the field, as if tearing the space apart.

"Ultimate Fusion is a Blue-Eyes exclusive fusion spell, usable only in the Main Phase," Kaiba declared. "By shuffling fusion materials from my hand, field, or graveyard back into the deck, I Fusion Summon a Blue-Eyes Fusion Monster!"

A card left Kaiba's graveyard, joined by another in his hand and the Alternative White Dragon on his field.

"The Blue-Eyes I discarded, another in my hand, and Alternative White Dragon (counted as Blue-Eyes White Dragon)—these three Blue-Eyes fuse into one!"

"Light-Imprisoning Mirror only negates activated LIGHT effects; Alternative White Dragon is treated as Blue-Eyes White Dragon by a continuous effect, so the mirror can't stop that," Zane muttered.

Jaden, more fired up than anyone, shouted, "Oh, it's coming! Something amazing is about to appear!"

A triple fusion of the White Dragons—the original and legendary strongest dragon, shining like the brightest star in the sky.

Its body was covered in white scales, blazing with an incandescent glow. Its wings commanded the wind and clouds, radiating pure majesty and power.

Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon descends!

[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]

"Take the field in your ultimate form!" Kaiba roared. "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, as long as 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' is in the graveyard, cannot be affected by any of the opponent's effects!" (Anime effect.)

"Whoa, isn't that invincible!?" Jaden exclaimed.

Even Zane was moved: "This is the so-called strongest dragon in Duel Monsters—Kaiba Seto's Ultimate Dragon."

Kira raised his arm, blocking the radiant dragon, eyes narrowed.

He could feel it—the dragon's power was enough to rival the gods.

To face such a monster and duelist…

 He couldn't help but smile.

Was it his imagination, or did the Millennium Puzzle seem to tremble as the Ultimate Dragon appeared, its godlike pressure descending?

Even the Eye of Horus engraved on the artifact seemed to flash with golden light.

"Even in front of the Ultimate Dragon's strongest form, you're still calm, huh?"

Kaiba smirked, raising his hand.

"Then take this destructive power! Ultimate Fusion also has a follow-up effect—depending on how many Blue-Eyes White Dragons used as material were on the field, I destroy that many cards on the field.

That mirror card can't affect Ultimate Dragon now, but it's still an eyesore.

Destroy 'Light-Imprisoning Mirror'!"

A blazing light bomb dropped, shattering Kira's mirror.

"Now, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's direct attack!"

All three heads opened, unleashing a sky-splitting blast!

 A pillar of white light, hot as the sun's core, divided the sky.

"Kira!" Jaden couldn't help but worry.

An Ultimate Dragon immune to all effects—could Kira handle it?

"I activate the trap 'Half Counter'," Kira said. "When one of my monsters is attacked, its ATK and DEF increase by half the attacking monster's original ATK during damage calculation.

So Breaker's ATK increases by half of Ultimate Dragon's ATK, that's 2250."

[Breaker the Magical Warrior, ATK 1600 → 3850]

Breaker was powered up, but still couldn't withstand the dragon's might. His sword and shield shattered, and he was vaporized by the blast.

[Kira, LP 2500 → LP 1850]

"Hah, Half Counter, a powerful trap. It could've taken out Ultimate Dragon if your monster's original ATK was above 2250, but you had to use it now. Too bad."

Kaiba smirked.

Kira was silent.

True. If his monster's original ATK was over 2250, Half Counter could have turned the tables on Ultimate Dragon.

"This is the strongest power I have now with Blue-Eyes. If you can defeat it, bring it on!"

Chapter 416: The Soul of the Spirit

Kira didn't really get why, but Kaiba seemed to be getting fired up again as the duel progressed.

But the field was getting tense. An ATK 4500, nearly invincible monster. In future meta, it wouldn't be unbeatable, but most decks wouldn't have an answer for it.

In this era, it was absolutely overpowered. Kaiba's deck really could dominate the world.

But even now, it wasn't unsolvable.

Still, with Kira's hand empty and field clear, if he only drew a defensive monster, he couldn't withstand Kaiba's next assault.

Most of his usual traps and counters wouldn't work either. The Ultimate Dragon was immune to almost everything, even god cards.

But that was only natural.

Kaiba Seto is not someone you can beat with just tactics.

To win this duel, Kira had to go one step further.

He closed his eyes, fingers on his deck.

Like Jaden said, don't think about what you'll draw next.

Don't hope for anything, don't fear anything. Don't think—just feel.

Live in the moment, as a duelist. Feel the energy flowing through his deck, the pulse of every card, every spirit.

Kira drew.

He kept his eyes closed the whole time, never even looking at what he drew.

In one smooth motion, without looking, he played the card.

"I activate the Spell Card—

—Card of Sanctity!"

A rainbow shot into the sky, then shattered into seven colors, as the Card of Sanctity's power rained down.

The spectators gasped.

"Did he know what he drew without looking!?"

Mokuba was stunned.

He remembered—it had happened before, with Yugi. Even Kaiba had been amazed.

But Jaden just nodded.

"Of course," Jaden smiled. "A true duelist is connected to his deck by soul. Sometimes, when the feeling is right, you can sense your deck's response without even seeing it."

Jellyfish-head acted as if it was nothing special.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes, but couldn't help but smile.

That guy's card—again.

Exactly the same. Exactly.

Back then, he'd cornered Yami the same way, even started celebrating his victory. But just as he was popping the champagne, Yami made an impossible draw—Card of Sanctity.

That's the feeling!

Kaiba's heart roared, the image of his old rival overlapping with the boy before him.

"Both players draw until they have six cards in hand!"

Kaiba drew with him, laughing.

"Hah, you've created a chance for yourself—but can you seize it?"

With today's card effects, even drawing six might not be enough to take down Ultimate Dragon.

But—

As the cards entered his hand, Kira felt it.

A strange energy, as if a new spirit drifted in one of the cards.

Not Black Luster Soldier, not Silent Magician, not any of his usual spirits.

People have said that duelists and monster spirits have mystical bonds. Sometimes a card used for long enough gains its own spirit.

At this moment, he felt the birth of a new spirit—one awakened through countless battles, truly his own.

He smiled.

Here it comes.

"First, I summon this guy," Kira said, showing a monster card. "Grinder Golem."

"Huh? An 8-star monster?!" Mokuba exclaimed.

"But not on my field—on yours, President Kaiba," Kira said. "Grinder Golem can be Special Summoned to the opponent's field by tributing two of their monsters.

And two tokens appear on my field."

[Grinder Token, ATK 0] x2

"Then Grinder Golem is Special Summoned to your field, President."

A vortex appeared, and the monstrous Grinder Golem rose on Kaiba's side, bristling with terrifying spikes.

[Grinder Golem, ATK 3000]

"Whoa, Kira summoned a monster that looks straight-up villainous!" Jaden joked.

The crowd was stunned.

Give your opponent such a strong monster? Why?

This was a GX-era card, but no one back then could have guessed it would someday be banned.

Simple reason: Grinder Golem could spawn tokens on your field and itself on the opponent's, so with Link monsters that bounce monsters back to hand, you could easily fill your field with tokens and gain massive advantage.

But in the early days, no one realized.

Kaiba frowned, suspecting Kira's plan.

"You… don't tell me…"

Kira smiled.

"Your Ultimate Dragon is so strong—this is Kaiba's power.

Now, let me show you my ace—the strongest monster with my soul!"

He revealed a card.

"I tribute your 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' and the 'Grinder Golem' I just summoned to your field!

From the abyss of lava, awakened with the power of destruction and rebirth—

Level 8, Lava Golem!!!"

PS: Sorry Silent Magician but Lava Golem is the true waifu! xD

Chapter 417: Toward the Future

The earth was torn open, as if a force from the very core of the planet erupted, shaking every inch of space.

The air twisted, the temperature surged, as if the soul of a dormant volcano had been awakened. Huge cracks split the ground like ferocious wounds, spewing endless torrents of lava—like thick blood under the setting sun, or the eternal flames of hell.

And from within that searing chaos, a massive hand reached out, slamming down onto Kaiba's field.

The rolling lava consumed the Grinder Golem, and even the invincible Ultimate White Dragon. Not even the noble ultimate resistance could stand against the unstoppable Lava Golem.

In an instant, the president's Ultimate Dragon was devoured. Then the burning fool poked its head out from the lava onto this field, glanced at the president now locked in an iron cage, and somehow, its abstract face seemed to crack a simple, honest smile.

There was even a hint of "pleased to meet you" in its demeanor.

 Kaiba: "..."

[Lava Golem, ATK 3000]

The audience was speechless.

How to put it—

 The way Kira played this card, it really was intense. Like a classic duelist, trusting his deck, drawing the key card at the crucial moment, changing the world with a miraculous draw.

But usually, miracle draws are about summoning a flashy monster to turn the tables. Especially in a situation like this, shouldn't it be "since all effects are negated, just break through head-on," then summon a monster with 5000 or 6000 attack to cut down the Ultimate Dragon?

 But just as the tension peaked, this guy brings out a Lava Golem.

 How do you even judge this move? Most people wouldn't know what to say.

"Tch, Marik's monster, huh."

Kaiba snorted, but his mood was still stable.

As expected of the president—any other duelist in this world, if their Ultimate Dragon with full resistance got devoured like that, would probably be rolling up their sleeves to fight already...

 But it wasn't over yet.

"I activate the spell card 'Take Over Five', sending the top five cards of my deck to the graveyard." (Anime card)

 Kira drew five cards and sent them to the grave.

"One of the cards sent is the monster 'Learning Elf'," Kira said. "When this card is sent to the graveyard, I draw one card." (Manga card)

 He drew another card.

"Next, I activate the spell card 'Owner's Seal'," Kira said. "All monsters on the field return to their original owners' control.

Come back, Lava Golem!"

Full and satisfied, Lava Golem patted its butt and leapt straight to Kira's side of the field.

Kaiba: "..."

"Lava Golem, direct attack." Kira declared. "Infernal Volcano Impact!"

Lava Golem's palm crashed down, bringing a wave of scorching fire. With Kaiba's field wiped out, he took the full brunt of Lava Golem's attack, his coat billowing in the flames.

[Kaiba, LP 4000 → LP 1000]

"I set one card face-down and end my turn," Kira said.

"It hit!" Jaden cheered first. "As expected of Kira's soul card, Lava Golem! So strong!"

Zane looked conflicted.

Well, how to say it...

 You can't say he's not impressive.

It's just... complicated.

Facing Kira and his blazing Lava Golem, Kaiba was silent for a moment, but didn't draw right away.

A few seconds later, he spoke.

"I haven't participated in any tournaments for many years, chasing after honors and all those things I once craved."

He looked up at Kira and said calmly,

"But now I'm back, back on this stage, just like the starting point years ago. Still in Duelist Kingdom, still on this stage. Do you know why?"

Kira shook his head.

He really didn't know.

Back then, the title of "King of Games" was something Kaiba dreamed of. He challenged again and again, failing each time, but growing stronger with each setback, determined to win at any cost—as if that honor was the ultimate goal of his life.

But after Atem left, and Yugi Mutou sealed his cards away, the title became all but his for the taking—yet he abandoned it.

From Kira's perspective, he could only guess Kaiba felt that if he hadn't beaten the true strongest, the title was meaningless—a recognition from the world, but not from himself.

But why did Kaiba now decide to make a comeback? That, Kira didn't understand.

"That infuriating guy once told me, 'Those without a past will never have a future.'"

Kaiba closed his eyes, a faint smile as he recalled the memory.

"Ironically, for the old me, all light existed only in the future, and the past was just a trail I'd left behind—meaningless to me.

Who would have thought that one day, even I would become stuck in the past, unable to move forward?"

From the audience, Mokuba was dazed. "Big brother..."

As Kaiba's younger brother and the person who knew him best, Mokuba vaguely sensed when this change began.

It seemed to start when Kaiba insisted on going to the Underworld to face Atem.

After returning, Kaiba never spoke of what happened there, not even to Mokuba. No one knew what happened, whether he met Atem, or who won that duel.

Or perhaps, something happened in that duel—a message or something said by Atem—that pushed Kaiba to change.

Yes, ever since Atem left, Kaiba too was stuck in the past, unable to move forward.

He couldn't let go of Atem, nor the unresolved rivalry. Once, his ambitions were all in the future, so the past was meaningless. But after Atem's departure, the future suddenly lost its brilliance, and the future he pursued so desperately became pointless.

It was only after returning from the Underworld that he seemed to find direction again.

"I made a promise with that guy—a true duelist never stops, no matter where the road leads," Kaiba said solemnly. "If gods block the way, then defeat the gods and keep going.

Now, I have surpassed even the gods! For the chance to face that annoying guy again. Next time...

 I will stand before him as King of Games!"

His finger touched his deck.

"—Draw!"

The moment he drew, it was as if endless azure light burst from the deck, as if just drawing the card released terrifying energy!

 Kira frowned slightly.

That feeling... It seemed Kaiba had drawn something incredible.

It was here.

Kaiba's face clearly showed it, a confident smile on his lips.

As if this draw had secured victory once again in his grasp.

He slowly looked up.

"Next, you'll see the ultimate evolution beyond Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon—the strongest Blue-Eyes in history!"

Chapter 418: Dragon of Light

The strongest Blue-Eyes in history.

 Given that this was the anime world, and facing Kaiba, Kira had an idea of what it might be.

If it was "that"... well, in theory, that card shouldn't exist anymore.

But in any case, the answer was about to be revealed.

"I activate the spell card 'Shuffle Reborn'," Kaiba declared. "This card can only be activated when I have no monsters on the field. I select one monster from my graveyard to Special Summon."

Azure data streams coalesced into a card, exiting his graveyard slot.

"My strongest servant, the Ultimate Dragon—Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, revive!"

A blinding white light and earth-shaking presence—the invincible three-headed White Dragon returned in all its glory!

[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]

"So fast, he brought back Ultimate Dragon already—not bad, President," Kira smiled. "But monsters summoned by Shuffle Reborn have their effects negated, and are banished at the end of the turn."

"Huh?" Mokuba blinked. "But with 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' in the graveyard, big brother's Ultimate Dragon is invincible—it's immune to all card effects!"

"No, it's 'immune to opponent's card effects'," Jaden grinned.

"But Shuffle Reborn is Kaiba's own card, so its side effect can't be avoided."

"I see..."

"Still, knowing Kaiba, he must have a plan," Zane said.

He was right.

Kaiba slowly drew out a card from his hand.

"At last," he said quietly. "After so many years, I've finally regained this power.

Grant me this power once more—descend in your ultimate form—"

Kaiba's pupils narrowed as he raised the card, a beam of brilliant blue shooting into the sky. Lightning dragons roared amidst the clouds.

Jaden stared in shock.

Something big was about to appear...

"I tribute 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"

The crowd was stunned.

A monster that strong—he's sacrificing it? What kind of monster could require such a condition?

"Summoned from beyond the ultimate beast, a dragon of light that erases everything—appear now—

—Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon!!!"

From the light emerged the legendary ultimate monster. Armored in refined steel and stardust, its deep blue radiance was pure and intense as a newborn blue sun.

No, it wasn't just a dragon—it was more like a guardian deity.

Worshipped as a god by ancient Egyptians, it first appeared in card form in Pegasus's hands, briefly becoming Kaiba's trump card that surpassed even the gods.

But at the end of the Pyramid of Light movie, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon burned itself out to destroy the final boss's "Pyramid of Light," vanishing as a result.

This was the peak of White Dragon evolution Kaiba had reached. Even after all these years, he hadn't developed a stronger form. So of course, he used every resource to try and recreate this card.

Now, after so many years, he had finally succeeded.

Back then, Atem was the first and only opponent Kaiba faced with Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon. Now, Kira became the second.

[Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, ATK 3000]

"Whenever Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon would be affected by a card effect, its controller can choose whether to accept or ignore it." (Anime effect)

Kaiba declared,

"This is the ultimate evolution of White Dragon, with absolute resistance!"

"Choose whether to accept any effect!?" Zane's face changed.

Does such resistance even exist!?

"That really does surpass even the Ultimate Dragon's resistance," Jaden agreed.

It's Kaiba Seto, after all. The previous Ultimate Dragon with full resistance was already a legendary monster in their eyes—yet now, Kaiba had immediately surpassed even that.

 "...I activate the spell card 'Dragon Shrine'," Kaiba said calmly. "I send one Dragon-type monster from my deck to the graveyard. If it's a Normal Monster, I can send another."

His deck automatically ejected two cards.

"I send two 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' from my deck to the graveyard."

"'Ultimate Fusion' returns fusion materials to the deck," Kira understood. "To boost Shining Dragon's power?"

Kaiba snorted.

"Hmph, you know quite a bit. Yes, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's attack increases by 300 for each Dragon in my graveyard!" Kaiba announced. "For every Dragon in my graveyard, Shining Dragon's ATK rises by 300!"

Images of the dragons in his graveyard appeared one by one.

From the first turn's discarded Dragon for the XYZ Cannon, to the discarded Tyrant Dragon, the Neo Ultimate Dragon, the tributed Ultimate Dragon, and the two White Dragons sent by Dragon Shrine Effect...

 "Six Dragons in total, for an ATK increase of 1800!"

[Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, ATK 3000 → ATK 4800]

"Even its ATK surpasses Ultimate Dragon!" Jaden couldn't help but exclaim.

"And the terrifying thing is, this ability has no limit," Zane said seriously. "Even with full resistance, Ultimate Dragon is only 4500 ATK.

But Shining Dragon's ATK can just keep climbing as more Dragons hit the graveyard..."

With this dragon, there was no telling how high its ATK could get.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he'd never believe such a monster could exist.

He glanced at Kira again.

Facing such a duelist and monster... could he still be as composed as always?

"I really got to see it."

Kira looked up at that godlike, shining form and murmured,

"The anime effect of Shining Dragon."

And neither Jaden nor Zane knew that even now, Shining Dragon wasn't at full power. It had a hidden ultimate effect, a trump card not easily used, but not to be underestimated.

"Shining Dragon's power will secure victory in my hands. But before the battle..."

Kaiba waved his hand, activating a face-down card.

"I activate the face-down spell card 'Ancient Rules'. I can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand.

Appear, Dragon Spirit of White!"

In a white glow, the Dragon Spirit of White descended, spiraling towards Kira's back row.

"When Dragon Spirit of White is summoned, it can banish a Spell or Trap Card on the field," Kaiba declared, "banishing your set card!"

Kira's set card was revealed—Trap Card "Dimensional Wall."

A trap that could reflect battle damage back to the opponent.

Jaden realized,

"Oh! That move!"

"Yeah, even if Shining Dragon can ignore any effect, Dimensional Wall reflects battle damage without affecting the monster," Zane said.

The monster may be invincible, but the duelist is not.

If Kaiba relied only on his invincible Shining Dragon and attacked recklessly, Kira's Dimensional Wall would have meant instant defeat for Kaiba.

Losing like that would be intolerable.

 He glanced at Kira again.

Such devious tactics, one after another...

"Hmph, Dimensional Wall? Useless against me."

Kaiba raised his voice,

"Now, this is the true end!"

His gaze was resolute.

More than winning against Kira, or making the finals or becoming King of Games, this duel had a special meaning for him.

This was his comeback, and a new step toward the future.

He was going to carve out a bright future with his soul and his strongest servant.

"Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, attack!

Shining Burst!!!"

Chapter 419: Dragons Must Die

"Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, attack!" Kaiba shouted.

"Attack 'Grinder Token'!!!"

[Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, ATK 4800]

[Grinder Token, ATK 0]

The Grinder Golem's summoned token had to be in Attack Position, a glaring weakness on Kira's field. Shining Dragon's attack would end this duel.

But Kaiba frowned slightly.

Could it really be that simple?

Would this guy really...

 As expected. Just as the Shining Dragon's finishing blow fired, a burst of electromagnetic sparks exploded, and a powerful invisible force repelled both the light blast and the dragon's body—the white light soared into the sky, vanishing.

"Huh?" Mokuba exclaimed. "But Shining Dragon can ignore any effect, why was its attack stopped?"

Kaiba noticed a fleeting turtle-shaped shadow on Kira's field and snorted softly.

"That monster again..."

"Electromagnetic Turtle in the grave," Kira revealed the card banished from his graveyard.

"During your opponent's turn, you can banish this card from your graveyard to end the Battle Phase." Kira smiled. "Shining Dragon ignores card effects, but this isn't an effect that targets the monster.

Even a monster that surpasses the gods can't break the rules of dueling. When the Battle Phase is forcibly ended, the attack just fails."

Kaiba smiled faintly.

Just like back then.

"..."

Kaiba: "Obelisk the Tormentor, tear Slifer apart!"

"In the grave, Electromagnetic Turtle's effect..."

"MUDA! Fodder monsters' effects don't work on gods!"

"I know, but this isn't an effect on a god," Yami Yugi replied. "Electromagnetic Turtle ends the Battle Phase—so even a god's attack is meaningless!"

"..."

That infuriating attitude, always—but that's why that person mattered so much to him.

For Kaiba, duels with that person were always full of strategy and spirit, pushing him to his limits, time after time.

That person's very existence made his blood boil.

That's why, even after all these years, he couldn't forgive the guy for snatching victory and leaving as the winner.

And now, through this duel, Kaiba increasingly saw a bit of that person's shadow in Kira.

Was it an illusion?

It didn't matter.

The only thing that mattered was that this was the kind of battle he sought and recognized.

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

Kaiba swept his arm, setting two more cards.

The situation was clearly dire for Kira.

Kaiba's deck had surpassed everything in this era, and now he'd brought out a trump card like "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon."

"Ultimate-resistant Ultimate Dragons and Shining Dragons, one after another with no breathing room—President really doesn't give you a break..."

Kira smiled wryly.

Well, the result of this duel didn't matter. He was just testing his own limits; win or lose, he didn't care.

No fear of defeat, no obsession with victory. As Jaden often said, he was simply immersed in the duel, living in the moment with all his might.

"My turn, draw!"

At that moment, the Sealing Device seemed to flicker. The Eye of Horus flashed gold.

Kaiba's pupils narrowed slightly.

That sense of power, that blood-stirring feeling...

"During this turn's Standby Phase, the effect of 'Take Over Five' in the graveyard activates. This card and any copies in the deck are banished, and I draw one card."

The spell card vanished in a shimmer of gold; Kira drew a card.

"But during the Standby Phase, Lava Golem's downside also activates," Kaiba said coldly.

Kira nodded. "I know. During the Standby Phase, the controller takes 1000 damage."

[Kira, LP 1850 → LP 850]

The golem let out a muffled sound, hanging its head in apparent dejection. But Kira just smiled. "No problem."

Then he revealed another card.

"I activate the spell card 'Advance Draw'," Kira said. "I tribute Level 8 'Lava Golem' to draw two cards."

Lava Golem melted away, and Kira drew two cards.

He slowly drew one of the cards he'd just drawn.

"Then I activate this card—"

He raised his arm, and a green spell card appeared.

"Spell Card, 'Fusion Birth'!" (Manga card)

 Jaden nearly jumped up.

"Ah! The same card as mine!"

"Oh?" Kaiba said. "You're using Fusion now?"

"Fusion Birth: send the top five cards of your deck to the graveyard. If among them are the Fusion Materials for a Fusion Monster, you can Fusion Summon that monster!"

"If you draw them," Kaiba smiled.

Kira nodded. "If I draw them."

Zane murmured, "He's put everything on the draw for victory..."

For this guy, that's rare. But after all, his opponent is Kaiba Seto.

It meant, without relying on this, he couldn't win anymore.

 Still...

 Kaiba narrowed his eyes, still smiling.

Come, show me, Fujiki Kira.

The brilliance of you as a duelist.

"Draw!"

Five cards in one go.

Two of them instantly flashed gold, transforming into monster images in midair—a regal warrior in blue armor wielding a massive sword, and an armored dragon warrior.

"Among the cards I drew, these two—"

Kira announced.

"Buster Blader, and Dragon-Type monster 'Troop Dragon'!"

"Buster Blader!?" Mokuba exclaimed.

Then he realized—right, after beating Gozaburo, Buster Blader was given to Kira. Facing Big Brother, of course Kira would use it.

 This was the true dragon-killer.

And also, a card series inspired by Atem's deck.

"Fusion materials: 'Buster Blader' and any Dragon-Type monster," Kira said. "Fusing Buster Blader and 'Troop Dragon'!

 The ultimate Dragon-Slaying Swordsman, with a blade to carve out the future—

—Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman—summoned!!!"

Having gained the power of Dragons, the ultimate Buster Blader! Thick armor, a massive dragon-slaying sword, and eyes sharp as rubies.

The swordsman appeared, facing the godlike White Dragon, hand on his sword, utterly fearless.

[Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman, ATK 2800]

This card was specially developed by Gozaburo's spirit to counter Kaiba; no one else had seen it, and everyone was stunned by the swordsman's presence.

"So cool!" Jaden exclaimed. "When did Kira quietly get such a powerful monster?"

"Dragon Destroyer Swordsman's effect," Kira said. "As long as this card is on the field, all Dragon-Type monsters your opponent controls are switched to Defense Position and cannot activate their effects!"

The crowd was even more shocked.

What the—!?

What a "Dragons must die" effect!

Chapter 420: Shining New Star

"Just by being on the field, he can seal off the effects of all monsters of an entire race."

Zane's face turned grim.

Such a targeted effect—wasn't this a death sentence for any Duelist running a pure Dragon-type deck?

Even Mokuba, who had always believed in his brother's strength, couldn't help but swallow nervously, starting to worry for Kaiba.

"But even so, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon still has higher ATK," Jaden said.

"No," Mokuba replied in a low voice. "That warrior has other terrifying effects."

Sure enough, Kira continued, "Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman's other effect: This card gains 1000 ATK for each Dragon-type monster on your opponent's field and in their graveyard!"

"What!?"

The crowd gasped again.

A thousand points for every Dragon?

Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon also boosts its ATK based on Dragons in the graveyard, but only 300 per card. Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman absorbs the power of every Dragon on field and in the graveyard, and it's 1000 per card.

In other words, no matter how hard it tries, there will always be a massive gap between Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon and Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman. The more Dragons in the graveyard, the greater the difference, a wall Shining Dragon can never hope to climb.

"Kaiba's grave has six Dragons, plus Dragon Spirit of White and Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon on the field," Kira continued. "That's eight Dragons total.

So, 'Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman ' gains 8000 ATK!"

[Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman, ATK 2800 → ATK 10800]

Mokuba's face went pale. "Ten thousand eight hundred ATK..."

"Also, while Dragon Destroyer Swordsman is on the field, all opponent's Dragons must switch to Defense Position," Kira said. "And when it attacks a Defense Position monster, any excess damage is dealt as piercing battle damage."

Kaiba frowned. "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's effect, I choose not to accept this effect, so it stays in Attack Position. Only Dragon Spirit of White changes to Defense."

[Dragon Spirit of White, ATK 2500 → DEF 2000]

"What terrifying suppression," Zane muttered, staring at the swordsman. "Against a Dragon user, this swordsman's pressure surpasses even that of the gods."

Dragons had always been the most sought-after race in the dueling world, both for power and style, attracting legions of duelists. The introduction of such a card would shake the dueling world to its core.

For Dragon users, facing this monster, you've lost more than half the duel before it even begins.

Can't attack, can't use effects, and the opponent's ATK goes over 10,000—how do you even play against that?

"Now I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'," Kira said. "I draw two more cards."

Kira drew two cards, glanced at them, thought for a moment, then stepped forward.

"Battle! Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman, attack 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon'!"

The warrior raised his dragon-slaying sword, its blade flashing with a brilliance like the Milky Way.

"I anticipated you'd use the ultimate Dragon-slaying swordsman," Kaiba roared. "If my opponent doesn't go all out, there's no point! Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon still has its ultimate ability—Shining New Star!!"

"It's useless, Kaiba!" Kira shouted. "Shining New Star is an effect that must be actively activated! As long as Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman is on the field, you can't activate any Dragon monster effects!"

Mokuba was amazed. "But Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon can choose whether to accept effects..."

"That's only for 'effects that affect the monster," Jaden explained. "But 'the opponent cannot activate any Dragon effects' is a restriction on the player."

Zane nodded as well. "It doesn't affect the monster itself; it prevents the player from using effect commands. No matter how strong the monster or how perfect its resistance, if the duelist can't give the command, it makes no difference."

Hearing this, they realized Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman truly was Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's nemesis.

At first glance, Shining Dragon seemed invincible, but all its abilities were perfectly countered by the swordsman.

A true dragon slayer, the ultimate weapon against Dragons.

Even Kaiba was surprised—not because Kira stopped him, but because he somehow knew Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's hidden ability.

But in the heat of battle, there was no time to dwell on it.

"I expected this! I activate my set card!" Kaiba shouted. "Continuous Trap—'DNA Surgery'!

Declare a monster Type—all monsters on the field become that Type!"

Kira frowned. "Declare a Type, I see."

"That's right, I declare 'Divine-Beast'!" Kaiba shouted. "All monsters on the field become Divine-Beast!"

The three monsters—two Dragons and the Swordmaster—were instantly enveloped in a mystical aura, appearing even more majestic.

Of course, Kaiba likely only chose Divine-Beast for style points.

His real goal: make his monsters anything but Dragon.

"Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon can choose whether to accept the effect. I choose to accept 'DNA Surgery's' effect," Kaiba declared. "So Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon and Dragon Spirit of White become Divine-Beasts.

Now the number of Dragons on the field drops by two, reducing Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman's ATK by 2000!"

[Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman, ATK 10800 → ATK 8800]

Mokuba was worried. "But even so, it still has over 8000... Ah, but if it's not a Dragon..."

"Exactly. Now that 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' is no longer a Dragon, it's no longer restricted by Swordmaster's effect!" Kaiba shouted. "So Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's ultimate ability—Shining New Star—activates!

Sacrifice itself to destroy any card on the field!"

Kaiba's voice was solemn.

"And this effect... can be activated during the opponent's turn!"

(Note: The anime's subtitles translated Kaiba as saying "destroy any card on the field," but in the original Japanese he said "any card," not "just one." However, in both the game and the anime, he always destroyed just one card, so there's been debate on whether it could destroy more.)

Jaden was shocked. "Destroy any card, and you can use it on your opponent's turn!?"

While everyone knows quick-play field wipes become common in future Yu-Gi-Oh, at this point such effects are still outrageous.

Being able to wipe out any number of cards at any time, resetting the opponent's plays—how do you even fight back?