Yugioh [438-439] (Patreon)

Chapter 438: Can You Believe Auto Mode?

"Activating 'Clear Kuriboh' effect. Draw a card from my deck!"

Kira's eyes snapped open again as he reached out to draw.

At that moment, even the usually unflappable Arbiter, whose face had shown no change despite inner agitation, finally reacted.

This felt utterly different from before.

The spark in Kira's eyes as he drew the card was worlds apart from just moments ago.

And the Sealing Device hanging on his chest, which had only faintly disturbed the Arbiter until now, suddenly flared with an unmistakable surge. It had seemed to be a vague, metaphysical boost to Kira's strength as a duelist—but now, its reaction was so dramatic, it felt like it was stealing the show.

So you're done pretending, huh?

Even Kaiba's heart pounded, his fists clenched involuntarily as he stared wide-eyed at the explosion of golden light.

That power, that thrill deep in the soul, the blood-boiling feeling...

It's him!

Kaiba was sure of it—he'd recognize that presence anywhere, even if the guy turned to dust.

He fixed his eyes on the glowing artifact on Kira's chest, and to his shock, within the light he saw the vague outline of a human figure.

Hard to see clearly, but the shadow exuded a kingly aura. A golden pendant hung at the chest, a cloak billowed behind, and the Eye of Horus on the forehead seemed to pierce all evil.

The figure appeared solemn, arms crossed, eyes closed as if chanting quietly.

The audience didn't understand, but Kaiba's heart raced with a single thought—

—Only one who can chant the priestly text correctly can wield the power of the gods.

Sure enough, when Kira looked up again, the Eye of Horus was reflected on his forehead. He raised the drawn card high, its radiance splitting the heavens like the newborn sun.

"With 'Clear Kuriboh's' effect, the drawn monster can be Special Summoned directly!

Let the ever-changing fire of heaven and earth become eternal light illuminating the earth!

Sun God, The Winged Dragon of Ra—descend!!"

Thunder rolled and roared overhead, like an angry beast. Destructive power brewed, each thunderclap shaking the island's soul. The surrounding sea surged, waves crashing against the rocks as if the world itself was in turmoil.

And then, light.

Blazing golden rays pierced the oppressive darkness, like blades slashing through clouds. Countless golden beams interwove, breaking through and pouring onto the land.

From the light emerged a divine bird bathed in gold!

Its body looked forged from pure gold, each feather shimmering with sunlight, like the primal flame at the world's dawn. Its wings spread wide, seeming to cover the sky.

The legendary chief of the Egyptian Gods—the mighty Winged Dragon of Ra—had returned to Duel City's peak after nearly a decade!

"Impossible!"

The Arbiter couldn't stay calm. "Clear Kuriboh only gives you one draw... and you pulled the strongest god!?"

Impossible!

The audience was stunned.

"Is that the Sun God Kira!?"

Jaden stared in shock at Kira, his familiar friend now wrapped in golden light, almost divine, hard to see clearly.

For audience members like Jaden and Zane, who were just kids ten years ago, the gods were only a legend—they'd never dreamed they'd see one with their own eyes.

And none expected the real thing to be a hundred times more powerful than any rumor.

Zane murmured, "This shuddering feeling... To fight against such divine might—can anyone really do it?"

At Duel Academy, duelists are taught to always steady their momentum above all. If you feel fear during a duel, you've basically already lost.

But facing such a divine beast and pressure, it's nearly impossible not to crumble, let alone overpower your opponent.

And there were three gods in Battle City.

Did duelists back then really fight under this kind of terrifying pressure?

"Tch. Damn Pharaoh, can't you stay dead in your grave? Now you're pulling this crap..."

The Arbiter gritted his teeth.

"But the Egyptian God's attack points depend on the total ATK of monsters offered as Tribute. You summoned Ra with Clear Kuriboh's effect, so even the strongest god is just for show!"

[The Winged Dragon of Ra, ATK 0]

But Ra shrieked, crimson light in its eyes fixed on the Arbiter. Was it recognizing its old foe, the cheating snake, or just angry at being mocked?

"Ah."

Jaden snapped back to the duel, worried again. "Even if you summon a god, its attack is still..."

The Eye of Horus on Kira's forehead glowed, echoing with the golden light from his artifact. He calmly said, "True, Ra has no ATK from no Tribute.

But the Winged Dragon of Ra has other abilities."

The Arbiter was startled, then said coldly: "You think you're qualified to control a god?"

Ra is said to be the strongest god, and also the hardest to control. Even Marik, heir of the Tombkeepers, didn't know how to use Ra's secret effects—only his dark alter ego could do it.

Thus, only those who can chant the priestly text can control Ra's power.

Kira didn't answer, just continued.

"Winged Dragon of Ra, effect activate. Pay 1000 Life Points to destroy all monsters on the opponent's field.

And when Ra is Special Summoned, this effect can be used during the opponent's turn."

[Kira, LP 2800→LP 1800]

As he spoke, the golden pendant flashed again. The kingly phantom appeared, arms crossed, as if chanting a silent spell.

The Arbiter's eyes widened in realization.

The damn Pharaoh not only left behind the strongest god...

It's even in auto mode!

Plug-and-play, with the ancient chant pre-programmed—can you believe it!?

Chapter 439: Battle of the Gods

"Ra's second form, unlocked!" Kira declared. "Immortal Phoenix!"

A surge of flames—not ordinary fire, but something more. Fire danced and twisted across the massive bird's body.

First, its golden wings ignited, becoming wings of fire. The flames quickly spread, engulfing Ra completely in a sea of fire, its form now blurred and mysterious, unseen by mortal eyes.

The blazing sun heated the air, making even the wind scorching and suffocating. The burning Phoenix became the very center of the world.

Then, the Phoenix dove!

Immortal Phoenix can pay 1000 Life Points to destroy all monsters on the opponent's field. The anime never fully explained god effects, so most conclusions come from fan interpretations of what we saw in duels. In DM, Marik always used this effect during the opponent's turn, so it's clearly a quick effect.

Anyone who's played the game knows how terrifying a quick effect board wipe is.

But in DM's final duel, when Atem's three gods were destroyed by Yugi's trap monters, theoretically, Ra's quick effect could have stopped Yugi's plays—but he didn't use it.

In Battle City, Atem's Ra's thunder bullet was useless against Marik's Ra, but in the ceremonial duel, Ra was destroyed by Ra's thunder bullet. There are contradictions.

But the key difference: Marik's Ra was Special Summoned, while in the ceremonial duel, it was Tribute Summoned. So the best explanation is: only Special Summoned Ra can enter Immortal Phoenix form.

The Phoenix is immune to anything Ra can't normally withstand, and during the turn it's Special Summoned, it's unaffected by any card effects. When Marik's Phoenix was attacked by Ra's thunder bullet and super wave, it emerged unscathed—so Phoenix can't be destroyed by battle and deals 0 battle damage.

It's often inferred that Ra's "pay LP to wipe the field" effect can only be activated when Ra is Special Summoned. That seems to fit the anime, matching how each god appeared and was used.

But in GX, Franz used Ra's "pay 1000 LP to wipe" effect in his own Main Phase after a regular Tribute Summon, showing Ra can use the board wipe from either summon method.

However, Franz never used Ra's quick effect during Jaden's turn to disrupt his plays—that would have won him the duel easily.

So, combining all this, the most reasonable guess is: regardless of summoning method, Ra can always wipe the board, but only Special Summoned Ra becomes the invincible Immortal Phoenix, with its effect as a quick effect, usable during the opponent's turn.

Right now, Kira's Ra is that invincible Phoenix.

With the Arbiter's curses at the Pharaoh, the Phoenix dove. Divine flames swept forth, obliterating everything. Even the sturdiest defenses were like paper before the sun's might.

The imposing green idols crumbled, the so-called invincible spear and shield melted like tissue. The Arbiter's three monsters were all burned to ash.

The Arbiter shielded himself from the unbearable blaze, then stood up grimly.

"As expected of the strongest god—such power. But this attack will plunge you into the deepest abyss!"

Green light flashed in his eyes, and the Orichalcos barrier shone as if vibrating.

"The so-called god and my power—let's see which is stronger through this duel!

When 'Orichalcos Shunoros' leaves the field, pay at least 10,000 LP and discard all your remaining hand to activate!"

A card slid itself out of his deck, as if alive, landing on his Duel Disk. A terrifying dark vortex opened, so deep that even the Sun God's light couldn't penetrate.

Amid the swirling darkness, an ancient evil stirred.

When it finally appeared, all could see—a horrifying serpent god.

Its massive body, scales glinting ominously, like the blackest stars or currents in the abyss. Its eyes burned with ghostly fire, flickering in the darkness, tongue hissing, as if the world trembled under its shadow.

No matter how vast the world, facing this monster, only Ra seemed able to match it.

Ra shrieked, the serpent god answering with a roar.

[Divine Serpent Geh, ATK ∞]

"Infinite attack!?"

The audience was stunned.

It was their first time seeing an infinite ATK monster—surpassing the rules, embodying limitless power!

Even Kaiba was shocked.

Though he'd fought Dartz, he never actually saw this beast. Before Dartz used his final move, Kaiba had already fallen. When Atem defeated Dartz and restored everyone's souls, Geh was already gone.

So in history, only the Pharaoh had beaten this serpent.

"Wait, look at his Life Points!" Mokuba yelled.

[Arbiter, LP 10,000→LP 0]

Everyone was stunned.

This monster and its effects were beyond comprehension.

How could he still duel at zero LP? Isn't that game over?

"Geh's first effect—when summoned, your win condition changes."

The Arbiter sneered.

"As long as Geh is on the field, I can't lose by LP hitting zero or by decking out.

The only way you can win—

—is to defeat Divine Serpent Geh, with infinite power!"

PS: That's cheating!