Yugioh [432-434] (Patreon)

Chapter 432: The Battle That Wagers the World

Kuriboh!

This tiny monster leaps onto the field at the critical moment. Its small form swells instantly, becoming a massive, unbreakable shield that blocks all the vines unleashed by Yubel.

"Nice!" Mokuba can't help but cheer. "Even Yubel's attacks were completely blocked! Kira's dueling really leaves no gaps. No wonder even my brother—"

He stops as soon as the words leave his mouth, suddenly realizing something's off. He quickly glances at Kaiba, who, just a moment ago, had a hint of approval on his face. But now, hearing Mokuba's words, Kaiba's smile instantly vanishes and his expression turns stern.

"So Yubel's attack was stopped too," the Arbiter says coldly. "The battle phase is over. But if you think you've made it through just because of that, you're being far too optimistic."

He reveals another card from his hand.

"I activate the Spell Card—Raigeki!"

Mokuba is shocked: "Raigeki? That card is banned in tournaments!"

Raigeki is one of the few cards, like Chaos Emperor Dragon, that's explicitly stated as forbidden in the anime. But Raigeki's ban was from the DM era, and back then, cards that could deal direct effect damage without cost were also banned. The anime did have forbidden cards, but the banned/restricted list was always a bit different from real life.

Now, cards that deal effect damage have been proven to be just average in practice, so by the GX era they're unbanned. But a board-nuke like Raigeki? Of course, it's still forbidden.

Technically, using a forbidden card should get you disqualified. The Arbiter should have lost by now in this Duelist Kingdom.

But everyone knows by now: this isn't about winning or losing a tournament. This duel is for the fate of the world itself. Betting your life means there are no bans or limits.

Heavy, leaden clouds gather overhead, like the anger of the gods brewing. Lightning crackles, thunder roars, countless electric serpents dance in the sky, weaving a dense net.

A bolt of lightning splits the sky, like a whip of divine wrath, crashing down with destructive force. Blinding light fills the world, lightning following after, tearing through the air like a sword.

Raigeki destroys all monsters on the opponent's field. Simple and brutal, yet containing absolute power, it sweeps the field in an instant. Both the Black Luster Soldier and Ryu Senshi are obliterated in the flash.

"Hey! Using a forbidden card? That's dirty!" Mokuba yells. "You're disqualified!"

The Arbiter remains unfazed, indifferent. Clearly, the idea of winning a tournament never mattered to him. After all, to a demon god out to destroy the world, reputation is meaningless. In a Shadow Duel, the only rule is the duel itself.

"No matter," Kira says calmly. "This duel is for the fate of the world. It's only natural that both sides use every means possible."

"Oh? You can stay so calm... Does that mean you still think you can win, even like this?"

Kira neither confirms nor denies.

The Arbiter muses for a moment.

"You know, we don't actually have to fight," he says, squinting at Kira. "I still don't know what you really are, but I doubt the human world has much to do with you, does it?"

Kira: "..."

The sneaky snake is probably thinking: with this guy's scheming, he's no ordinary Duelist, probably some evil spirit or dark being possessing this boy. Maybe they don't have to be enemies—maybe there's even a chance to recruit him.

But Kira is at a loss.

Wait, did you just kick me out of humanity with a few words?

That's slander! 

There's no Duelist more upright than me in this world!

"Since the moment humans gained wisdom, darkness has spread," the Arbiter says flatly. "I have existed for endless ages, seeing far more than any human could imagine.

That's why I can bear witness to this.

The fall of once-great Atlantis, and the birth of new civilizations, flourishing to this day. Ages pass, people change, regions, tribes, cultures, roots—all different. But all humans, without exception, repeat war, hatred, and plunder, endlessly hurting each other.

What I bring is the darkness they themselves created. It is fate. Even if you stop me, new darkness will eventually take form. The chain of hatred will continue without end."

"Like the hatred of the Doma Swordsmen?" Kira says quietly.

The Arbiter frowns slightly.

Kira doesn't elaborate, but the meaning is clear.

Past and present, the Doma swordsmen have always viewed loyalty to their organization as life's purpose, driven by endless hatred.

But ironically, that hatred was sown by the very organization they serve. Their tragedies, inner darkness—all orchestrated behind the scenes by Orichalcos.

If that's how the swordsmen's lives are, who's to say how much of history's hatred and darkness was this person's doing?

"Indeed—sometimes in human history, I'm not just a bystander," the Arbiter admits. "Sometimes, I get involved, but all I do is give a little nudge from behind.

If humans had no darkness or evil in their hearts, things would never have gotten this far."

"If you say so," Kira chuckles.

Going by what happened to the Doma Swordsmen, you call that a little nudge? Sure, whatever you say, boss.

"Very well. It's a shame we can't see eye to eye," the Arbiter says gravely. "As a Duelist, you have remarkable skill. Perhaps we didn't need to be enemies.

But since you insist, don't think I'm afraid of you."

With a flourish, he sets another card.

"Set one card in my back row."

A burst of golden light erupts from his back row, and a shadowy figure rises from the ground—it's like a lotus blooming from the abyss.

"When I activated 'Serial Spell,' I discarded 'Samsara Lotus' from my hand," the Arbiter says coldly. "When Samsara Lotus is in the graveyard at the end phase, it can special summon itself in attack position." (anime effect)

In the anime, this card was Yubel's perfect partner. But when made into a real card, a restriction was added: "This effect can only be used if you have no other spells/traps in your back row," making it much less practical.

No one could have guessed that, years later, Konami would print a new, even stronger version as Yubel's dedicated support card.

Arbiter: "Then, Yubel's effect: If Yubel isn't tributed at the end of the turn, it destroys itself.

So, I tribute 'Samsara Lotus,' keeping Yubel on the field."

Samsara Lotus dissolves in a golden glow, its energy flowing into Yubel, letting her remain on the field.

"Turn end."

Chapter 433: The Card Entrusted

Kira: "My turn—draw!"

Now, the Arbiter has Yubel on the field. Normally, Yubel self-destructs at the end of the turn unless you tribute a monster. The Lotus in the graveyard can revive itself every end phase, making it the perfect tribute.

Luckily, the Arbiter's Yubel system probably only goes this far.

Kira knows how much potential Yubel has in the future—her decks twenty years from now are top-tier, like aircraft carriers bombing cavemen. If a boss like the Arbiter had a deck that strong, you might as well surrender.

But the Arbiter doesn't have Yubel's second or third forms.

That's only natural. In the anime, while the base Yubel isn't necessarily unique, her evolved forms are. In the story, Yubel only gained her second and third forms after being sent into space and fusing with the darkness in her heart.

At this point, Jaden's Yubel hasn't returned, so those forms don't exist yet. No matter how resourceful the Doma are, they couldn't have them.

So, if Yubel is destroyed by an effect, she can't evolve here. With no destruction resistance, blowing her up works just fine.

Kira makes up his mind and slaps down a card.

"I summon 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman!'"

Blue water bursts forth, and the blue-armored hero appears among bubbles and splashes, wearing his signature confident grin.

No wonder—anyone would smile with Bubbleman's draw-two ability.

"If Bubbleman is summoned while you control no other cards, draw two cards."

Kira draws two, adds them to his hand, and immediately plays two more.

"Spell Card 'Polymerization'! Fusion materials: a HERO plus any WATER monster!"

Everyone is shocked.

A HERO fusion?

From Kira?

Several people glance at Jaden, who's already visibly excited, reciting with Kira in unison:

"Born from the depths of the frozen abyss, freezing all with absolute ice—

—Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!!!" x2

A deep blue field sweeps across, cold as bone-chilling wind. Every inch is soaked in frost, gleaming ice covering everything.

Snow swirls not gently but in a blizzard's fury. At the center, the pure white hero's cloak flutters, arms folded—he is the core of the ice.

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]

The strongest Elemental HERO in the world, once a top meta pick. Handed down from Koyo to Jaden, then improved further.

Now, he's in Kira's hands.

Midori, seeing this champion HERO standing in the finals, is moved to tears.

"Koyo…"

No one expected Kira to pull out such a trump card. Only the Arbiter raises an eyebrow, then returns to his usual calm.

"Just another defeated foe," he says. "Summoning this monster now—what's the point?"

He'd beaten Jaden and Koyo, but as the BOSS, never took their prize cards. Maybe that bends the rules, but even in the original Duelist Kingdom, Marik beat Mai and Joey but took nothing. Perhaps he just wasn't interested.

That's why Absolute Zero could pass from Koyo to Jaden, and now to Kira.

Kira always ran Bubbleman, and with no fusion deck limits in this era, Absolute Zero isn't a burden.

Ignoring the Arbiter, Kira reveals another card: "Spell Card 'Metamorphosis'!"

"That card again?" the Arbiter frowns.

"Sacrifice a monster on the field to transform it into a fusion monster of the same level.

I tribute Absolute Zero."

With a sweep, snow turns into a blizzard, enveloping the white hero.

This is Absolute Zero's true purpose—leaving the field is his strongest moment.

"When he leaves the field, his effect activates: destroy all opponent's monsters!"

A new effect bestowed by Jaden.

"Absolute Zero!"

Total ice covers the Arbiter's field, freezing everything. Yubel and the back row's Kyutora freeze into statues, then shatter with a series of crackling blasts.

The Arbiter says nothing, but his face is grim.

Yubel's evolved-form effects are unique to Jaden's spirit. The Arbiter's version, with only the basic form, is gone—no effect.

Orichalcos Kyutora has a last words effect, summoning Orichalcos Shunoros. But the Arbiter doesn't use it.

Shunoros's stats depend on damage absorbed, but since Kyutora was removed so quickly, Shunoros would just be a sitting duck. Clearly, he's saving it for something more important.

Kira knows "Orichalcos Shunoros" also has a last words effect—summoning the true boss, the infinite-ATK "Divine Serpent Geh."

But Kira isn't worried. Divine Serpent Geh requires over 10,000 LP to be summoned, and the Arbiter only has 1200—nowhere near enough. He can attack freely; Divine Serpent Geh can't appear.

The Arbiter doesn't know Kira's thoughts, but can't shake the feeling his whole hand's been seen through, getting more frustrated.

"Absolute Zero is Level 8, so with 'Metamorphosis,' I can special summon a Level 8 fusion monster.

And the card I summon is—"

Kira's duel disk opens the fusion monster slot; the card pops into his hand. He raises it high as lightning flashes, metal grinding and engines roaring.

"Level 8—

—Cyber Twin Dragon!!!"

Chapter 434: The Final Barrier

Cyber Twin Dragon, summoned!

This twist surpasses all expectations. Absolute Zero was a shocking finals appearance, but for him to morph into a double-headed Cyber Dragon?

Zane is stunned but delighted: "That's the one he won from me..."

Bringing his Cyber Dragon to the finals is like bringing his will to the stage—a kind of participation, in a way.

"Jaden's Elemental HERO and Truesdale's Cyber Dragon..."

Mokuba looks uneasy. Though Kira stands on stage, it feels like the Duel Academy rookies are fighting side by side.

"Using Absolute Zero to transform into Cyber Twin Dragon, triggering Absolute Zero's field-wipe, then double-attacking with Twin Dragon..."

Jaden's eyes light up.

"What a brilliant tactic. As expected of Kira... To combine my and Zane's monsters so smoothly..."

Actually, HERO players know the ideal use of Absolute Zero is to become Masked HERO Acid, nuking spells/traps. Absolute Zero into Acid was a classic combo.

But Kira doesn't have Masked HERO, so he makes do. Maybe this will plant a seed in Jaden's mind to create new Masked HERO cards.

"Cyber Twin Dragon, direct attack!" Kira commands.

Twin Dragon breathes evolutionary flames, spiraling out like a fire dragon's breath.

"...Activate the trap, 'Draining Shield'," the Arbiter counters, "Negate the attack and recover LP equal to the attacking monster's ATK."

A multicolored shield appears. The evolutionary flames hit it, energy absorbed and channeled to the Arbiter.

[Arbiter, LP 1200 → LP 4000]

"Then, Twin Dragon can attack twice per turn," Kira says. "Second attack!

Dual Evolutionary Impact!"

Twin Dragon breathes fire again, an overwhelming beam roaring straight at the Arbiter.

But the Arbiter keeps defending: "Activate trap, 'Enchanted Javelin.' When an opponent's monster attacks, gain LP equal to its ATK."

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 6800]

Similar to Draining Shield, but the attack still goes through. After healing, the blast hits, flames exploding, his clothes whipping in the fire.

[Arbiter, LP 6800 → LP 4000]

"Damn, this guy's really hard to finish off," Mokuba mutters.

"If he could be beaten that easily, he wouldn't be worth my attention," Kaiba says coolly.

"Huh, really?" Mokuba says awkwardly.

He thinks Kira's attack was impressive enough. This combo of Absolute Zero's board control and Twin Dragon's power would OTK most duelists—maybe even pros.

Kira: "I set three cards and end my turn."

"My turn—draw."

The Arbiter's tone is venomous. His usual calm is gone, replaced by a dark, stormy look as he glares at Kira, all thoughts of alliance gone. Now, it's a fight to the death.

"I activate 'Card of Sanctity.' Draw until I have six cards in hand."

He replenishes his hand, but hardly looks at his new cards, never taking his eyes off Kira.

"I don't know what you are. But it doesn't matter. Maybe you're trying to annoy me—you've succeeded. Now, you'll see the price."

He draws another card. The field zone lights up, green energy blasting skyward!

"Awaken, Orichalcos's third and final barrier—

—Orichalcos Tritos!!!"

The third and final barrier, representing the full release of the evil power hidden in this field!

The ground trembles, as if a forbidden power is being summoned. The world is bathed in an eerie emerald glow, full of greed and desire, swirling and twisting before converging in a pillar of light!

A complex hexagram rotates slowly, the third ring nesting around the previous two. More ancient script appears, twisting like snakes or sharp as blades, glinting in the green light.

Kaiba's eyes narrow.

The final barrier—finally activated.

The Arbiter's forehead glows green, his eyes now like snake's, his whole body radiating green fire as Orichalcos's power blazes.

"Orichalcos's final barrier, Tritos. This can only be activated if 'Orichalcos Deuteros' is on the field, by sending it to the graveyard.

This third barrier inherits the name and all effects of the first two.

And, in addition—while this barrier is in play, all monsters I control..."

The Arbiter's voice is hoarse and sharp.

"...are unaffected by any spell or trap effects."

"What?!"

Everyone is stunned. This is the first time seeing the third barrier.

Just its presence grants all his monsters immunity to spells and traps, on top of all previous effects. What kind of terrifying field is this?

The Arbiter draws another card.

"Spell Card, 'Card of Burial Magic.' Remove 'Card of Sanctity,' 'Seal of Orichalcos,' and 'Raigeki' in my graveyard from play, then draw two cards."

"Spell Card, 'Card of Adversity.' If my opponent controls a special summoned monster and I have none, draw two cards."

He keeps drawing, then reveals another card.

"Spell Card, 'Monster Reborn.' Revive a monster from my graveyard."

The Arbiter selects a card from the graveyard, summoning it under the Monster Reborn symbol.

"Return, Orichalcos Kyutora!"

Under the resurrection symbol, the single eye opens again, gazing at the field with contempt.

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

"Next, I activate—

—Ritual Spell, 'Orichalcos Mirror'!"