Yugioh [396-398] (Patreon)

Chapter 396: The Arbiter's Deck

"Duel!" x2

[Koyo — LP 4000]

[Arbiter — LP 4000]

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

Koyo focused, watching intently.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Besides—

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

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

"Koyo…"

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

Even he could sense the opponent was dangerous.

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

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

Kaiba watched the Arbiter closely.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He immediately played a card.

"I summon Elemental HERO Stratos!"

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

[Elemental HERO Stratos, ATK 1800]

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

"Stratos attacks the face-down monster!"

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

"Trap Card—'Negate Attack.'"

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

"Protected that monster?"

Koyo frowned, reviewing his options.

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

"My turn—draw."

The Arbiter waved his hand.

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

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

[Des Lacooda, ATK 500]

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

The Arbiter drew, immediately playing the card.

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

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

[Guardian Sphinx, ATK 1700]

"Sphinx," Kira murmured.

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

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

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

Kaiba just frowned.

The Arbiter smiled.

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

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

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

He slowly drew a card.

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

Everyone: "?!"

Koyo was stunned too.

Elemental HERO!?

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

—Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer!"

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100]

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

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

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

"Oh… right…"

Jaden scratched his head.

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

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

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

Mokuba paused, then realized.

This was open provocation—or absolute confidence.

Chapter 397: A Challenge to the Champion

"Elemental Hero?"

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

"So, you're really underestimating me."

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

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

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

[Koyo, LP 4000 → LP 3700]

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

"This pain…" He gritted his teeth.

Sure enough, it was another Shadow Duel.

Just like that night he once experienced…

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

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

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

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

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

He drew a card from his Deck.

"Come on out, Elemental HERO Woodsman!"

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

[Elemental HERO Woodsman, DEF 2000]

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

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

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

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

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

Koyo frowned.

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

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

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

Koyo drew the card he searched for.

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

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

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

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

"The Planet series: Terra."

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

"Heh, this is interesting."

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

Koyo drew three more cards.

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

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

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

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

Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer!

"What!?" Koyo exclaimed.

Why Phoenix Enforcer!?

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

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

[Elemental Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100]

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

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

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 3600]

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

Koyo took a deep breath.

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

But…

Koyo glanced at his hand.

He still had options.

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

"My turn, draw."

The Arbiter casually drew.

"'Guardian Sphinx,' Flip Summon."

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

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

Just as expected.

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

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

He pointed to his field.

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

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

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

The Arbiter chuckled softly.

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

Now…"

His expression grew colder.

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

Chapter 398: Total Hero Assault

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

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

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

The Arbiter revealed an iconic draw card.

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

Koyo gritted his teeth.

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

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

"Next, this card—"

The Arbiter revealed another from his hand.

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

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

"Now I activate my set card."

The Arbiter flipped his back row.

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

Koyo: "!"

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

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

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

—Elemental Hero Great Tornado!"

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

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

[Elemental Hero Great Tornado, ATK 2800]

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

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

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

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

—Elemental HERO Escuridao!"

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

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 2500]

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

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

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

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

—Elemental Hero Nova Master!"

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

[Elemental Hero Nova Master, ATK 2600]

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

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

—Elemental Hero Shining!"

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

Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 2600]

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

"Ugh…"

Koyo gritted his teeth.

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

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

"Mr. Koyo…" Jaden said.

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

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

"Oh, I see."

Mokuba nodded.

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

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

The Arbiter revealed another card.

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

"Field Spell—Seal of Orichalcos!"

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

Koyo's face hardened.

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

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

Koyo: "…"

He'd been seen through.

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

So why did his opponent do all this?

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

The Arbiter shouted,

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

"What?!" Koyo finally lost his composure.

The audience erupted.

He actually skipped to the next turn!?

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

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

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

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

But without that restriction, the card is absolutely terrifying.

Like now.

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

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

So now the question is—"

The Arbiter smiled slightly.

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