Yugioh [570-575] (Patreon)

Chapter 570: The Evolving Cyber Dragon

Submarineroid!

The moment that divine spirit appeared, a stir rippled through the academy stands.

This was one of the most unspeakable god-cards in the Duel Academy over the past year, often showing up hand-in-hand with another godly item, Cycroid, leaving countless duelists with a deep, indelible psychological shadow.

It synergizes even better with “Megaroid City.”

Just like now.

On the bleachers, Syrus grew more and more envious the longer he watched.

We’re both using “Roid” monsters, but when I pull mine out everyone snickers—when Kira reveals his, it causes a huge uproar.

“I don’t need to explain the Submarineroid, right? This card can attack directly.”

Kira flicked his hand.

“Submarineroid, direct attack!”

The Submarineroid dove underground, slipped past Five-Headed Dragon, and surfaced from behind Zane’s back row. Torpedoes loaded, trailing bubbly wakes as they roared forward!

“At this moment, the effect of ‘Megaroid City.’” Kira said. “When a Machine monster battles, you can send a ‘roid’ monster from your Deck to the GY to switch that monster’s original ATK and DEF for damage calculation only.

Of course, since ‘Macro Cosmos’ is on the field, it’ll be banished instead of sent to the GY.”

Kira took the card auto-fetched from his Deck, revealed it, tossed it into the air, and it was sucked straight into Macro Cosmos’s vortex.

“Submarineroid’s ATK/DEF swap!”

[Submarineroid, ATK 800 → ATK 1800]

“In that case—activate set card!” Zane shouted. “Trap Card: Power Wall!”

“Oh?”

Kira raised an eyebrow.

“Power Wall—during damage calculation, until the damage you would take becomes 0, you send the top cards of your Deck to the GY at a rate of one card per 100 damage!” (Anime effect)

Of course Kira knew Power Wall, he was just surprised Zane was this bold—activating it under Macro Cosmos.

Isn’t he voluntarily yeeting his Deck into the banished zone?

“Submarineroid’s swapped ATK is 1800, so from my Deck—”

Zane flicked his wrist—an armful of cards fanned into the air, forming a barrier before him.

“I send eighteen cards to the GY!”

The torpedoes detonated boom-boom-boom across the fluttering card-wall and were completely blocked.

“Macro Cosmos’s effect—anything sent to the GY is banished instead,” Kira reminded.

The eighteen cards Zane cast skyward all drifted, then turned to golden light and vanished.

In the stands, Syrus looked utterly baffled.

“What is big bro doing?”

In the blink of an eye, half his Deck had gone to another dimension—wasn’t this suicide?

Jaden patted his shoulder and smiled. “He’s Zane. He definitely has his reasons.”

“Willing to banish that much just to block an attack, huh.” Kira smiled. “After Submarineroid attacks, it switches to DEF Position by its effect.

I’ll also switch ‘Truckroid’ to DEF Position.”

[Submarineroid, ATK 800 → DEF 1800]

[Truckroid, ATK 1000 → DEF 2000]

“Then I set one card and end my turn.”

“My turn—draw!”

As Zane drew, the vortex of another dimension reopened overhead. A Spell Card spun into view within the whirl, firing two golden beams into each player’s Deck.

“Among the eighteen cards banished by ‘Power Wall’ last turn was ‘Card from a Different Dimension,’” Zane said. “When this card is banished, it activates during your next Standby Phase—return it to your hand. And when it returns this way, both players draw two cards!” (Anime card)

Kira and Zane each drew two.

“And the activation condition is met now—”

Zane stepped forward, clenching his fist.

“Watch, Kira—this is proof of my evolution—my new power!

Activate set card—Spell Card ‘Parallel World Fusion’! By shuffling banished monsters back into the Deck, conduct a Fusion Summon of a legal Fusion Monster!!!” (Anime effect)

“As expected.”

Kira had more or less already guessed it.

So that’s why Zane used Power Wall even into Macro Cosmos. He wasn’t aiming for GY resources—he was stockpiling banished resources.

With his entire GY getting banished, it’s deadly to his Deck, yes—but Zane had prepared countermeasures.

“I shuffle back two banished ‘Cyber Dragons’ to my Deck and Fusion Summon!

The Cyber Dragon’s new strength—its brand-new evolution—

—Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!!!”

A never-before-seen Cyber Dragon form not shown in the anime—crackling arcs, grinding steel, a draconic roar—it descended onto Zane’s field with a thunderous presence!

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, ATK 2100]

“Rolling out the new product right away,” Kira said with a grin.

This was Zane’s latest achievement since joining Kira’s lab this term.

Of course, it was also the evolutionary path Kira had suggested and guided him toward.

“Yeah.”

Zane nodded, speaking earnestly.

“This was thanks to your guidance. As a duelist, I’ve had two people of decisive influence.

One is Master Sheppard. He brought me into the path and entrusted the Cyber style to me.”

In the stands, Sheppard’s expression was complicated, and a bit moved.

“Zane—”

“And the other,” Zane continued, “is you, Kira—who pointed me toward a new direction, helped me break through a limit, and gave me such a rare opportunity.

But even so, I won’t go easy. Only by fighting you with everything I’ve realized can I prove my metamorphosis to you!”

He swept his arm.

“Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, effect activate!

When Fusion Summoned, target up to a number of Spells/Traps on the field equal to the number of Fusion Materials used—destroy them.

I used two materials, so I can destroy up to two Spells/Traps on the field!

I’ll destroy the Continuous Trap ‘Macro Cosmos,’ and your other set card!”

Electric surges spewed from Rampage Dragon’s maw. Macro Cosmos shattered to dust, while the other set flipped up and was crushed with a crack.

Trap Card—Dimensional Prison. A trap that can banish a monster when it declares an attack.

“Nice!” Syrus couldn’t help cheering for his brother. “He not only dealt with the most troubling Macro Cosmos but also took out an even bigger latent threat!”

“Told you—he’s Kaiser,” Jaden laughed. “He won’t go down that easy.”

“And then the other effect! Once per turn, Rampage Dragon can send up to two LIGHT Machine monsters from the Deck to the GY.

This turn, besides its normal attack, it can attack an additional number of times equal to the number of monsters sent by this effect!”

“Oooh—backrow clearing and multi-attacking!” Jaden’s eyes lit up. “Your brother’s new Cyber Dragon is awesome, Sy!”

An OTK machine!

Chapter 571: Borrowing an Old Friend

“By Rampage Dragon’s effect, I send two ‘Proto-Cyber Dragon’ from my Deck to the GY—this turn it gains two additional attacks.”

Zane pulled the two fetched cards from his Deck, briefly revealed them, and sent them to the GY.

“So counting its normal attack, Rampage Dragon can attack three times this turn!”

“Backrow removal plus multi-attacks.” Kira nodded. “And a triple swing—surpassing Twin Cyber Dragon’s lethality. So this is your evolution?”

“And since ‘Macro Cosmos’ is destroyed, cards can enter the GY again,” Zane said. “I now activate from my hand the Spell ‘Graceful Charity.’

Draw three cards, then discard two.”

Zane drew three and, without hesitation, pitched two.

“Then I Normal Summon ‘Cyberdark Edge’!”

[Cyberdark Edge, ATK 800]

Zane’s new pride and joy—Cyberdark—finally, with difficulty, hit the board.

“Cyberdark Edge’s effect: when this card is Summoned, equip a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from your GY to this card!” (Anime effect)

In its OCG print it was nerfed to Level 3 or lower—limiting its beatstick ceiling.

“I just discarded a second ‘Infernal Dragon’ with Graceful Charity.”

Zane’s voice rang firm.

“So I’ll equip ‘Infernal Dragon’ from the GY!”

Cables snaked out from Cyberdark Edge like tentacles, probing into the swirling GY vortex below as if hauling prey from Hades.

Infernal Dragon, bristling with cables, was dragged up whole and bound beneath Cyberdark Edge.

[Cyberdark Edge, ATK 800 → ATK 2800]

“Cyberdark—Zane’s new power,” Jaden said, eyes shining with excitement again. “Looks really strong!”

Then he shook his head regretfully.

“Sigh, if only I could duel the current Zane. Dang it, why didn’t he pick me for his graduation duel…”

Syrus stared at the dark cybernetic beast on the field, an unease tugging at him.

It felt like his brother was very different now.

“Cyberdark can grab a Dragon and, even as a low-level, instantly hit upper-level ATK,” Kira smiled. “But… is that really okay? Doesn’t that leave no stage time for your old friend?”

Zane smiled slightly.

“I understand now—dueling is only for victory. If I keep fighting alongside a loser, even my old friend would be disappointed, wouldn’t he?”

He slashed his hand forward.

“Battle! Rampage Dragon’s first strike! Attack ‘Truckroid’!”

A domineering surge of light blasted out with a mechanical roar, smashing Kira’s anthropomorphic truck to bits.

“Second swing,” Zane continued. “Rampage Dragon’s second attack—this time, ‘Submarineroid’!”

Two consecutive blasts from Rampage obliterated the Submarineroid in a burst of radiance.

“Third swing!” Zane shouted. “Direct attack!”

Rampage Dragon’s third blow—Kira closed his eyes, letting the holographic blast wash over him.

[Kira, LP 4000 → 1900]

A murmur rippled through the arena.

Zane looked about to win?

A multi-attack Rampage Dragon that also swept the backrow had wiped nearly everything Kira had. Now Kira’s field was empty, and he still faced Five-Headed Dragon and Cyberdark Edge.

If either attack connected, Zane would likely secure victory!

“Cyberdark Edge—direct attack!” Zane bellowed.

Many students held their breath, all eyes glued to the field—some even more nervous than Zane himself.

Honestly, Zane himself wasn’t holding his breath, nor were his eyes wide.

Because in his heart, he knew—this guy wouldn’t go down that easily.

“Then, the effect of ‘Kiteroid’ in my hand.”

Kira sent a card from his hand to the GY.

“By sending Kiteroid from hand to the GY, the battle damage from one direct attack becomes 0.”

A kite’s phantom flared. Cyberdark’s strike crashed into the kite barrier and dealt no damage.

“As expected… then Five-Headed Dragon, direct attack,” Zane continued.

All five maws opened—Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Dark merged into a brilliant cannon and fired.

“Then Kiteroid’s second effect—while it’s in the GY, once, it can make battle damage become 0.”

Kira revealed the just-sent Kiteroid again; the transparent image reappeared. The five-colored cannon struck the barrier, and all 5000 damage dissipated into nothing.

“Then I set one and end my turn,” Zane said.

Some students who had stood sat back down; others sighed in disappointment for Zane.

What a shame—so close.

Zane’s assault was fierce enough—backrow wipe plus a total of five attacks, including the legendary 5000 ATK Five-Headed Dragon—yet he still couldn’t break through that defense…

“Zane—”

In the stands, Chancellor Sheppard looked conflicted.

Though he had sealed away the Cyberdark at the founder’s request and still disapproved of Zane seizing that Deck, he had to admit—seeing him skillfully wield both Light and Dark Cyber styles—and even unveil a powerful new Light Cyber monster—filled him with some pride.

Even he had to concede—this transformed Zane felt stronger than before. Just days earlier he’d experienced it firsthand; the teacher was no longer Zane’s match.

Had his convictions been wrong all along?

Thinking that, Sheppard looked more strangely at Kira.

A year ago, when this boy enrolled, he never imagined he’d become the academy’s reigning Duel King in just one year.

Nor that, in that one year, he’d so profoundly impact every student—including his prized pupil—and the academy’s entire culture.

For good or ill… who could say.

“My turn—draw.”

Kira glanced at his draw and smiled mysteriously.

“Since Zane chose to abandon his old friend for victory, then allow me, in the name of victory, to borrow that friend for a moment.”

He revealed a card from his hand.

“If the opponent controls a monster and I control none, I can Special Summon this from my hand.

I Special Summon ‘Cyber Dragon’!”

Zane: “???”

Chapter 572: Fortress Devours Fortress

Cyber Dragon—summon!

Even though Zane knew Kira should also have Cyber Dragons, he was still surprised.

He’d fought countless decks and opponents, always with Cyber Dragon at his side. Seeing his old friend on the other side for the first time was… strange.

But the current Zane would not be rattled. He calmed instantly.

In this board state, Cyber Dragon couldn’t beat any of his monsters—at best it could trade with Rampage Dragon.

Unless that wasn’t the plan at all, and—

“Using my Cyber Dragon and your ‘Cyberdark Edge’ and ‘Chimeratech Rampage Dragon’ as materials—Fusion Summon!”

Called it!

A vein twitched in Zane’s cheek.

I freaking knew it!

The arena erupted in noise.

That move again!

Kira had used this exact trick on Zane before, and the video had long since circulated. Everyone deeply understood how nightmarish this was for Cyber Dragon—or for Machine decks in general.

“Using both our monsters on the field—including ‘Cyber Dragon’—as Fusion Material, I Fusion Summon—

—Chimeratech Fortress Dragon!!!”

With the condition “Cyber Dragon” + any number of Machine monsters on the field, this monster’s very existence gives Cyber Dragon a way to unconditionally consume any Machine boss!

Cyberdark Edge and Rampage Dragon were pulled apart by electromagnetic force, disassembling into countless parts and snapping onto Cyber Dragon.

The trio of Machines reconfigured—assembling into a writhing fortress-dragon!

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 0]

“Chimeratech Fortress Dragon can use cards from both sides of the field as material,” Kira said. “And its original ATK becomes the number of Fusion Materials x 1000.”

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 0 → ATK 3000]

“But I still have Five-Headed Dragon,” Zane said. “Even Fortress Dragon can’t beat that ultimate wall.”

That was one reason he chose Cyberdark against Kira.

He’d been burned by Fortress Dragon before—pure Machine decks were too vulnerable to that kind of shamelessness. But Cyberdark blends Machines and Dragons—if his Machine boss gets eaten, the Dragon half can still fight.

Like now.

“I know,” Kira said. “Quick-Play Spell—Limiter Removal. Double the ATK of all Machine monsters I control.”

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 3000 → ATK 6000]

“It surpassed Five-Headed Dragon’s ATK!” commentator Misawa called from the stands.

Zane’s expression tightened, but a doubt flickered in his mind.

Why use Limiter Removal now?

He’d studied Kira’s habits. Usually, this guy preferred to fire Limiter during the Battle Phase.

Sure enough, Kira slapped down another card.

“Summon ‘Armored Cybern.’”

[Armored Cybern, ATK 0]

“Armored Cybern is a Union monster and can equip to ‘Chimeratech Fortress Dragon,’” Kira said.

Armored Cybern flared twin plumes, soared, and attached to Fortress Dragon.

“A monster equipped with Armored Cybern can, by dropping its ATK by 1000 at a time, destroy one card on the field per 1000 lost. This effect has no once-per-turn… which no one knows better than you.” (Anime effect)

Kira smiled.

Zane’s face grew more serious.

“Drop Fortress Dragon’s ATK by 2000—destroy ‘Five-Headed Dragon’ and your set card!”

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 6000 → ATK 4000]

The emitted beam split in two, locking onto Zane’s monster and backrow.

If Armored Cybern cleared Zane’s board, 4000 ATK would remain—one clean hit could give Kira the win.

A sudden reversal.

“Not done yet—I won’t go down so easily!” Zane shouted. “Chain the set card—Trap: Waboku! This turn, my monsters can’t be destroyed by battle, and I take no battle damage!”

Three peace envoys appeared and chanted a gentle prayer—activating just before Armored Cybern’s shot shattered the trap, shielding Zane’s field.

“This way, even if I go empty, you can’t deal damage,” Zane smiled.

“Big bro’s amazing!” Syrus cheered. “Now Limiter Removal’s drawback will leave Kira empty next turn—”

“Er, not exactly,” Misawa interjected.

Sure enough, Kira nodded.

“I set two and end my turn,” Kira said. “End Phase—Limiter Removal’s drawback: Machines whose ATK was increased by its effect are destroyed.

But ‘Armored Cybern’ can be destroyed instead of the equipped monster, so I’ll have it be destroyed in place of Chimeratech Fortress Dragon.”

Overloaded current flashed; a boom—Fortress Dragon exploded, but when the smoke cleared, it stood unharmed, its equip gone.

“My turn—draw!”

Zane drew.

“Once again, Spell—Graceful Charity. Draw three, then discard two.”

He looked up at Kira’s Fortress Dragon and the corner of his mouth lifted in a sly smile.

“Since you’re borrowing my old friend’s power, let me borrow yours, Kira.

If you control a monster and I control none, I Special Summon ‘Cyber Dragon’ from my hand!”

[Cyber Dragon, ATK 2100]

“Summoned Cyber Dragon… oh?” Kira seemed to catch on and smiled. “You’re going to do it too?”

Zane raised his right hand high and shouted:

“Using my Cyber Dragon and your ‘Chimeratech Fortress Dragon’ as material—Fusion Summon!

Fusion requirement: Cyber Dragon plus any number of Machine monsters on the field!

The Cyber Dragon that symbolizes my farewell to the past—my brand-new evolution—descend now—

—Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, summon!!!”

The arena lost its composure again.

Zane pulled the move too!

“Right—” Misawa, stunned for a beat, remembered to comment. “Chimeratech Fortress Dragon is itself a Machine, so of course it can be eaten by the opponent’s Cyber Dragon…”

Using Chimeratech Fortress Dragon to fuse into… Chimeratech Fortress Dragon.

An unexpected development indeed.

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 0]

“Since my Fortress Dragon used only two materials, its original ATK becomes 2000,” Zane declared. “But that’s more than enough!

This is the perfect monster to write a brand-new ending to our duel!”

Chapter 573: Cyber-Style’s Ultimate Secret

Using Fortress to eat Fortress!

Watching his own Fortress Dragon land, Zane couldn’t help curling his lips upward—an unprecedented wave of satisfaction and exhilaration surged through him.

He was beginning to understand Kira’s joy.

Having Cyber Dragon devour the opponent’s monsters—especially that Fortress Dragon which had once made him question his life—this kind of duel was truly delightful.

Unfortunately, the delight didn’t last.

“Counter Trap—Black Horn of Heaven,” Kira responded immediately. “When your opponent Special Summons a monster: negate that Special Summon, and destroy that monster.”

Zane: “!”

“Even if it can descend by eating the opponent’s monsters, Fortress is still a Special Summon,” Kira said. “So that Special Summon is negated, and Fortress is destroyed.”

Boom!

 Zane’s poor Fortress Dragon had just touched down, hadn’t even found its footing, before it blew to pieces.

Zane’s happy smile vanished, his face turning stern again.

“Fine—but my offensive doesn’t end there,” Zane said. “Quick-Play Spell—Cybernetic Fusion Support!

I pay half my Life Points. This turn, for one Fusion Summon of a Machine monster, I can banish monsters from my hand, field, or GY as substitutes for materials!”

[Zane, LP 4000 → 2000]

“Then I activate Polymerization!” Zane declared. “By Cybernetic Fusion Support, I’ll banish three: two I discarded with Graceful Charity and one that your Fortress used up—conduct the ultimate Cyberdark fusion!

Cyberdark Edge!

Cyberdark Keel!

Cyberdark Horn!

Triple Fusion!”

Even Chancellor Sheppard lost his composure on stage: “You’re summoning that, Zane!?”

Three Cyberdark monsters surfaced on Zane’s field, then were sucked into a surging fusion vortex. Electric fury erupted as they merged into a steel behemoth that thundered onto the field!

“The Cyberdark’s strongest secret art, counterpart to the Light path—Cyberdark Dragon—summon!!!”

[Cyberdark Dragon, ATK 1000]

“This is the Cyberdark counterpart to Cyber End Dragon—their ultimate art…” Syrus murmured.

Jaden was even more excited: “Ooh—its presence is incredible!”

He wanted even more to duel the current Zane…

“Cyberdark Dragon can equip any Dragon from the GY and gain that monster’s original ATK. No Level limit.”

Zane smiled softly, drawing a card back from the GY.

“So of course I’ll equip this—

—Five-Headed Dragon!”

Using the dragon with the strongest printed stats as Cyberdark Dragon’s equip!

Five-Headed Dragon was dragged from the GY, covered in cables. Its power channeled as roaring currents into Cyberdark Dragon. Dazzling serpents of lightning spilled out as its strength skyrocketed!

[Cyberdark Dragon, ATK 1000 → 6000]

“Six thousand ATK!” Jaden blurted.

“Not done—Cyberdark’s other effect: it gains 100 ATK for each card in your GY.” (Anime effect)

In print, it became +100 per monster in the GY.

“Obviously, most of my earlier cards this duel were banished by Macro Cosmos,” Zane said. “But I still have thirteen cards in the GY now.

Cyberdark gains 1300!”

[Cyberdark Dragon, ATK 6000 → 7300]

“Reaching 7000 with ease—that’s Cyberdark’s power!” Zane shouted. “Cyberdark Dragon—direct attack!”

Surging currents gathered in its maw, spinning like a vortex, then spewed forth endless chaos!

“Counter Trap—Negate Attack,” Kira said. “Negate the attack and end the Battle Phase.”

A transparent cyclone sealed the blast; the battle phase was forced to end. Both duel disks flashed “M2,” entering Main Phase 2.

“Tsk… then I set one and end.”

“My turn—draw.”

Kira drew, then revealed a card from his hand.

“Spell—Monster Recovery. Shuffle all cards from my hand and field into the Deck, then draw five.” (Anime card)

The cards slid in and the Deck auto-shuffled; Kira redrew.

After a pause, he glanced at Cyberdark and smiled.

“Looks like you finally broke through your limit. Congrats, Zane. Cyberdark—that’s the power that should’ve been buried in Cyber-Style’s lineage, isn’t it?”

“Power is just power—there’s no right or wrong. Every card exists to win. If it wins, it’s a good card,” Zane said.

“True—I agree,” Kira nodded. “A hunger for victory is a step every duelist must have. Without victory in your eyes, you can’t stand at the end. You’ve taken that step.

But that alone isn’t enough. If you desire victory too much, seeing nothing else, you’ll overlook other important things—and still never reach the summit.”

Zane blinked.

“Things more important than victory…”

Kira smiled and left it there.

That was something the original “Hell Kaiser” realized near the end of his life—beyond the lust for victory. His duel with Jesse under Yubel’s influence was a shining moment—the proof of his completion as a duelist.

But this Zane had progressed much faster than in the original. Given time, he’d find the next path himself.

“Equip Spell—Future Fusion,” Kira said. “Fusion Summon using monsters from my Deck!” (Anime Card)

“The same card as mine…”

“Yup—and the target just so happens to match yours too,” Kira smiled. “Using two Cyber Dragons from my Deck as materials, Fusion Summon—

—Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!!!”

The lab’s latest Cyber product—Zane had completed it under Kira’s guidance. Since Zane had it, Kira of course had a copy too.

“The same Cyber Dragon as my brother’s!” Syrus exclaimed.

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, ATK 2100]

“But monsters summoned by Future Fusion can’t attack this turn,” Zane reminded. “Even Rampage’s multi-attack effect won’t help.”

“I know. But Rampage has another effect.” Kira smiled. “When Fusion Summoned, destroy Spells/Traps on the field up to the number of Fusion Materials used.

I’ll destroy your set card, and the Five-Headed Dragon equipped to Cyberdark!”

“Nice!” Misawa cheered. “Five-Headed Dragon counts as a Spell/Trap while equipped. If the equip is destroyed, Cyberdark loses 5000 ATK in one go!”

Then it might be possible to beat Cyberdark head-on.

“So that’s your plan,” Zane snapped. “Then chain set Trap—Zero Hole!

When an Effect Monster is Normal/Special/Flip Summoned successfully: negate that monster’s effects and destroy it!” (Anime card)

“Heh, you’ve started using traps that outright snipe a monster to cut a line,” Kira smiled.

“I told you—I’m not the same,” Zane smiled back. “Why not use a single card to do what only powerful Tribute monsters ‘should’ be able to do?”

“Fair.”

“Quick-Play—De-Fusion,” Kira said. “I’ll de-fuse Rampage and Special Summon the two Cyber Dragons used as materials.”

[Cyber Dragon, ATK 2100] x2

“Zero Hole loses its target and whiffs.”

“But even two Cyber Dragons can’t beat my Cyberdark,” Zane said.

And your Fortress is spent—so you can’t just eat Cyberdark. Since I joined your lab I know—you’ve only got one Fortress.

What, got a Mark II in there to nuke me?

He didn’t.

But without hurry, Kira played his next card.

“Then I activate—

—Spell Card, Power Bond!”

Zane: “!!?”

Power Bond—his own soul card again.

“I don’t need to explain Power Bond, right? A dedicated Fusion for Machine monsters,” Kira said. “I fuse my two Cyber Dragons!”

Zane: “…”

Naturally, he immediately thought of the Cyber Twin Dragon he’d given Kira back in Battle City.

He also remembered saying he’d reclaim it with his own hands one day.

Back then, that duel had felt like prison, but now he was grateful—he realized the Duel King had been guiding him. Without that help, he couldn’t have broken through his bottleneck.

And now the opponent had deliberately brought Cyber Dragon to fight him—Future Fusion, Cyber Dragon, Rampage, and now Power Bond…

That was his old style.

It gave Zane a strange illusion—like he was facing his past self.

Was the Duel King trying to tell him something through this duel?

Zane started reading between the lines.

Was he saying that while stepping onto a new path, he shouldn’t completely deny his past self?

So he used Power Bond, intending Twin Dragon, to teach him…

He felt moved.

Then Kira spoke.

“Fuse two Cyber Dragons—emerge, the secret art of Cyber-Style—”

Zane tensed.

A Power-Bonded Twin Dragon at 5600 ATK that can attack twice.

Even that can’t get over my Cyberdark…

“—Pair Cycroid, summon!!!”

Zane: “????”

Syrus: “????”

Everyone: “????”

Two Cyber Dragons… fuse into what!?

As every eye bulged, the two Cyber Dragons vanished in the vortex—only for the academy’s infamous Bicycle to land on the field, confirming everyone hadn’t misheard.

It really was a bicycle.

[Pair Cycroid, ATK 1600 → ATK 3200] (doubled by Power Bond)

Only then did people remember.

Oh right.

Pair Cycroid’s materials are two Machine monsters with the same name—two Cyber Dragons qualify.

Zane opened and closed his mouth, again and again.

He seemed to want to say something—but couldn’t.

Power Bond, huh?

Cyber-Style’s ultimate secret, huh?

A bicycle, huh?

He didn’t even know where to start roasting it…

“Pair Cycroid’s ATK is doubled by Power Bond. Now, battle. Its effect… needs no introduction, right? An old friend—we all know it.”

Kira grinned.

“This card can attack directly.”

Zane: “.”

“Pair Cycroid,” Kira waved, “direct attack.”

The bike took a stylish drifting turn, swaggered past Cyberdark, popped its front wheel, and went airborne.

It ran straight over Zane’s face.

[Zane, LP 2000 → 0]

Chapter 574: Dueling Comes First

Zane lay flat on his back in the arena, staring up at the tech-laden dome, his expression dazed.

A surreal feeling washed over him.

Three years—his youth at Duel Academy—just like that. And as for the graduation match—his final duel at the academy—the experience wasn’t exactly… great.

“Pair Cycroid…”

Zane murmured to himself.

“Never thought it would be like this.”

“My last duel at the academy, the final battle—ending with a bicycle…”

He couldn’t help but laugh at himself.

He’d only actually dueled Kira in the final semester, yet somehow it felt like he’d lived in his shadow for three years.

He had no doubt that when he looked back on these days, the first thing to come to mind wouldn’t be his reign as Kaiser, how he dominated.

What he’d remember first would definitely be that invincible bicycle…

Kira walked over and sat down beside him.

“You okay?” Kira asked casually.

Zane lay there, turned his head, and smiled lightly.

“Of course. I’m not who I used to be—I don’t get crushed that easily,” he said with a faint smile. “Victory and defeat are the norm. As a duelist, you need the resolve to chase victory at all costs, and also the courage to face defeat.

Fall into hell—then rise from hell again. I understand now, and realize how naive I once was. If you can’t even do that much, you’re not qualified to step into the duelist’s world, right?”

“I’m glad you’ve found your direction,” Kira said.

“It’s thanks to you… thank you.”

Zane looked at him seriously.

“Come on, what are you saying? I just dueled seriously,” Kira shrugged. “If you got something out of it, all the better.”

“Haha, still so modest. But last time and this time, you’ve been trying to tell me something through our duels, haven’t you?”

Zane chuckled softly.

“Cyber Dragon, Power Bond… that’s the path I threw away—the marks of my past. I’ve bid farewell to that self…”

He sat up and looked at Kira intently.

“You wanted to tell me that progress doesn’t mean denying everything about your past, but to walk a new path while retaining its essence, right?”

Kira: “…”

“I thought you’d use the Twin Dragon you won from me… but a Power-Bonded bicycle caught me off guard.

Now I get it.”

He stared at Kira, making him feel oddly like he was facing a student at a thesis defense.

“You’re telling me not to fixate on any specific tactic. Flexibility and adaptability—that’s the only true winning formula, right?”

“Uh-huh. Sure,” Kira said.

Is there a chance that if I’d summoned Twin Dragon instead of the bike, I couldn’t have gotten over your Cyberdark?

Who knows—but as top of the class, Zane’s reading comprehension was on point.

As the Duel King, anything he said or did invited overthinking.

At the summit, under the limelight, everyone scrutinized him with a magnifying glass. Many would even deify him—believing every choice had deep meaning.

But not always. Sometimes he did things simply because he wanted to. Sometimes just for fun.

With Zane, he did intend to nudge him through their duel—but only lightly, to let Zane think and speed up his growth a bit.

“A pity—I still lost the final graduation match.”

Zane stood, undiscouraged.

He knew he was the challenger; dueling the Duel King, he craved victory, but was mentally prepared for defeat.

“But I won’t stop here. I’ll become stronger,” Zane said firmly.

“Have you decided your path?” Kira asked.

Zane nodded.

“A few clubs have approached me,” he said. “I’m entering the pro scene—to become a professional duelist.”

“First, I’ll hone myself and climb to the top. When I, too, sit at the summit, I’ll be back.”

Kira smiled and shook his hand.

“Good. I’ll be waiting.”

Even with the altered timeline, Zane still chose the pro path.

Barring surprises, fate would guide him next term to meet Aster Phoenix on a win streak, as in the original.

That should have been his Waterloo, the start of his fall and the catalyst for Hell Kaiser. But with the changed worldline, who knew now.

…

With the seniors gone, the academy suddenly felt emptier.

Near semester’s end, first- and second-years had fewer classes. Even the main campus road saw only sparse foot traffic—quieter than usual.

Time flew; another term was ending. Most students were holed up in study rooms and arenas, prepping for finals.

Third-years had graduated early, but the other two grades had a week to go.

Many were nervous—except Jaden, of course.

He still woke late and slept even later, basically spending entire nights in the Spirit World.

Kira and Jaden’s duo bike had become a tricycle after Joey hopped on, and they rode nightly—crossing two more dimensions, trekking toward the Supreme King’s realm.

…

“Hey, aren’t your finals coming up?” Joey asked one night.

“Yeah,” Jaden nodded.

“Uh, then why are you here every day? Won’t you flunk?” Joey wondered.

“Kira’s here,” Jaden said righteously.

“Me? I’m exempt,” Kira added. “I get full credits even without exams.”

“Damn, that’s a thing? I’m jealous…”

Jaden scratched his head.

“So I’m the only one who might fail?”

“Seems like it,” Kira said. “Want to take two days off to prep?”

“No need. If I fail, I fail.”

Jaden grinned.

“Duel first, study later.”

Cards come first.

Chapter 575: If You Don’t Disdain Us

Night at Duel Academy, in a forest clearing.

“You sure about this?” Kira asked.

“Of course.”

The burly man clenched his teeth and nodded hard.

It was Don Zaloog. He wore a loose coat and sunglasses, seemingly to hide his conspicuous Eye of Horus. Duel disk on his arm, stance set opposite Kira, he looked like a man facing death.

“My men trust me, entrusting their lives to me—I can’t betray that trust.”

Zaloog barked.

“I must become stronger—only then can I bear the duty of a leader!”

“Boss!”

The Dark Scorpion cheer squad was moved to tears.

For our sake, boss will suffer a prison-duel against this devil of a duelist…

Truly touching.

“Okay, if you insist—”

Kira smiled and raised his duel disk.

…

A few minutes later…

“Spell—Dark Scorpion - Tragedy of Love. If Zaloog and Meanae exist on my field together: send Meanae to the GY and destroy all monsters your opponent controls.”

“Then I discard a card to equip Zaloog with Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce. Equipped monster loses 500 ATK but can attack twice per Battle Phase.

Zaloog, two direct hits.”

“And Zaloog’s effect: when it inflicts battle damage, your opponent discards a random card. So discard two.”

“…”

“Trap—Drop Off. The card you just drew in your Draw Phase—discard it. Go on, pitch it.”

Zaloog: “…”

Lost.

And lost to himself… literally.

Zaloog tilted toward rage.

Shoot once and force the opponent to discard? What the hell!?

Couple that with all the confiscate, Drop Off… after a combo or two, he’d barely even played when his hand was already gone.

How was he supposed to duel? With what cards?

What disgusting—

Oh. The disgusting one is… me.

Never mind, then.

Zaloog doubted life.

Why had he never realized how vile his own effects were?

“How about it?”

Kira smiled at the zeroed Life Points Zaloog.

The man was tough—he sprang up instantly, resolute.

“Again!”

“Okay.”

They shuffled up and started another duel.

…

Only minutes later.

“Continuous Trap—Call of the Haunted. Revive ‘Dark Scorpion - Chick the Yellow.’ Chick, direct attack.”

“When Chick inflicts battle damage, return one card on the field to the hand. Bounce Call of the Haunted. Since it left the field, Chick is destroyed.”

“Effect of Makyura the Destructor—this turn I can activate Traps from my hand. So I activate Call of the Haunted again, revive Chick, and direct attack.”

“Chick’s effect, bounce Call…”

“…”

Sitting on the ground with LP at zero again, Zaloog turned his head in a daze.

Who am I? Where am I? Who killed me?

He then stared blankly at Chick in the cheer squad, who was just as bewildered.

Everyone’s eyes now focused on Chick.

Their looks said, “Not bad, kid. We never realized you were this sleazy.”

Chick himself was utterly confused.

Huh? I’m… this strong?

“How about it?” Kira smiled.

Zaloog gritted his teeth. “Again!”

“Sure,” Kira nodded.

But just two turns later—

“…I activate Spell—Creature Swap. Each player chooses one monster they control and swaps control. I’ll choose my ‘The Dark Scorpion Burglars.’”

Zaloog gritted his teeth. “Then I’ll give you ‘Don Zaloog.’”

He stepped across the midfield line himself.

“Haha, Zaloog really does have a sense of humor. But it doesn’t matter which you swap,” Kira smiled. “I Normal Summon ‘Stygian Security.’”

[Stygian Security, ATK 100]

“Stygian Security attacks the swapped ‘Dark Scorpion Burglars’ on your field… Of course, with only 100 ATK, it’ll blow itself up.

But Stygian Security’s effect—when destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, Special Summon a Level 1 Fiend from the Deck.”

Kira smiled faintly.

“Itself is a Level 1 Fiend. So I Special Summon another Infernal—”

“Stop, stop!”

Zaloog placed his hand on his Deck.

“I surrender!”

Five-speed surrender—cannot be chained or negated, may be activated at any timing, rules-level interruption to stop the opponent’s storytelling—say no to prison.

Come on, he’d experienced this lock before. Next would’ve been Stygian Security suiciding into the Burglars three times, Burglars milling three Jackpot 7 to the GY, and then a rule win…

The five Dark Scorpions looked at each other.

Suddenly, they felt… we’re kind of strong, aren’t we?

Strange.

All these years, they’d never felt that way. They didn’t think they were trash, but they weren’t strong either.

Mediocre stats, so-so effects. Their best beater was Gorg with 1800 ATK at Level 5—middling in a world of top duelists.

Zaloog looked at the man before him, expression complicated.

He stood so casually, with a gentle smile—seemingly harmless.

But any opponent who’d dueled him would feel as if staring up at a towering devil.

No, it wasn’t that Zaloog was strong, or Chick was strong, or the whole gang was strong.

It was this guy.

Even with cards as middling as the Scorpion gang—even with minor characters like them—in his hands they could unleash a power even they hadn’t imagined.

Zaloog suddenly recalled a legend long told in the Duel Monster world—about divine duelists in the outside world.

“Even the weakest card can have value.”

“There are no weak cards—only weak duelists.”

Supposedly said by a great duelist, a king like a god—echoed even in the spirit realm. Zaloog had always scoffed.

Ridiculous.

Even the best general needs elite soldiers to win. Duel Monsters have inherent disparities; the strong rule the weak.

No matter how amazing a duelist—could they really slay gods with our five Scorpions?

So he never believed.

Now, he did.

This man’s dueling was as dark as a demon’s, yet as strong as a god’s.

If it’s him… maybe…

Maybe the five of them had truly met the rumored Duel God.

“Boss, still… training?” Chick asked cautiously.

Zaloog only shot him a look.

“Training? My ass!”

He stood, dusted himself off, and declared righteously:

“We are merely Duel Monsters—foot soldiers. We listen to the general’s orders. What are we doing playing our own cards?”

“Huh?”

Chick froze.

Boss, that’s not what you said before.

“Before, we had no wise lord—no choice but to fight ourselves. But now…”

Zaloog strode up to Kira, his single eye earnest.

“If milord will not disdain us—”

“Stop. Enough!” Kira held up a hand.

He suddenly had a bad feeling that letting him finish would be… unlucky.