Yugioh [411-413] (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.