Chapter 425: The Final Battle
Chapter 425: The Final Battle
In the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, it was common knowledge among longtime viewers that there were originally four Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards.
Each of the four cards was in the possession of different individuals, with one being safeguarded by Grandpa Mutou, also known as Solomon Muto. However, the infamously villainous Kaiba Corporation CEO, initially introduced as an antagonist, employed various underhanded methods to forcefully take all four cards from their respective owners. Adding insult to injury, he even tore up the fourth card right in front of Grandpa Mutou.
Despite this appalling behavior, the CEO's loyal assistant, Kisara—who remained unwaveringly devoted to him even after this incident—followed him devotedly, displaying unquestioning loyalty. Although this occurred during a period of his life when he was portrayed as a villain, it undoubtedly remained one of the biggest blots on his reputation throughout his entire life.
One could argue that when Takahashi first designed this character, he intended to create a purely antagonistic role, without foreseeing the future developments and transformations that the character, and the manga itself, would undergo. After all, he probably never imagined that Yu-Gi-Oh! would evolve into a manga centered on dueling.
Subsequently, the story never mentioned the fourth Blue-Eyes White Dragon card again. However, after the CEO, known as Gozaburo Kaiba, experienced a change of heart due to a mental breakdown induced by Atem, rumors began circulating that he had, in fact, recovered that fourth card.
Tearing up the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card was undoubtedly one of the few decisions in life that Kaiba genuinely regretted, even if he would never admit it to anyone else. Nonetheless, over the years, he never abandoned his attempts to repair the card using advancing technology.
Rumor had it that he actually succeeded in his endeavor. However, as everyone knew, a deck could only include up to three cards of the same name, so even if he possessed four, he couldn't utilize them all. Consequently, the legendary fourth Blue-Eyes White Dragon was merely kept as a talisman, stored in the heart of the Kaiba Corporation.
Nevertheless, rumors remained just that, and this was the first time the CEO had openly acknowledged the truth of the matter.
"So, your choice is the Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Kaiba stated expressionlessly.
"Very well. You will receive that card when you return."
The CEO's word was law, and if he said it would be done, You Xuan had no doubt that it would be.
"Thank you, CEO Kaiba."
In fact, in this world, there were only four White Dragon cards, and it was likely limited to just this dimension that they inhabited. After all, in the GX anime, the spirit of "Justice Partner - Kaiba Man" appeared, and that spirit also had a White Dragon deck, with three Blue-Eyes cards. This suggested that there might be even more in the spirit world.
Of course, there were also speculations that Kaiba Man was none other than the CEO himself in disguise, and that particular episode was specifically designed to encourage the despondent Judai (Jaden) to regain his fighting spirit. It was hard to say for sure, as the anime itself didn't leave much room for speculation.
"Don't thank me yet," Kaiba said nonchalantly, his tone indifferent. "You have a more pressing problem to deal with now."
You Xuan understood whom he was referring to, and following his gaze, his eyes met those of the Judge, standing on the opposite side of the distant dueling arena.
The Judge, with his arms crossed, maintained his usual mild smile, appearing more like a gentle and refined scholar than the embodiment of a ruthless and evil god.
"You Xuan," he said, rising from his seat as if addressing You Xuan directly.
However, You Xuan soon realized that this wasn't the conventional form of "speaking." Given the distance between them, he shouldn't have been able to hear the Judge's voice, yet it resonated clearly in his ear, or perhaps, in his mind.
"Perhaps you are even more intriguing than I anticipated. Will you prove to be a more excellent sacrifice than Seto Kaiba? Hehe."
As he spoke, he stuck out his tongue, licking his lips suggestively.
Then, he flashed a cryptic smile at You Xuan, rose from his seat, and exited the dueling arena.
With the finals fast approaching and only two duelists remaining in this isolated island, there was no need to draw lots to determine the order of the players.
In just one hour, on this solitary island cut off from the rest of the world, a new Duel King would be crowned.
And perhaps, with it, the fate of the world would also be decided.
Elsewhere...
A pitch-black aura hovered in mid-air, and within the darkness, a vague image began to materialize, resembling a holographic projection.
The projection displayed the scene on the dueling island, where the duel between You Xuan and Kaiba had just concluded, finalizing the contenders for the finals.
A man dressed in white stood before this projection, his hands clasped behind his back, a slight furrow on his brow.
"You Xuan... He actually defeated Seto Kaiba," he muttered in a hoarse voice, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on You Xuan. "This guy..."
The man's gaze intensified as he studied You Xuan through the projection, but the more he observed, the more elusive You Xuan seemed to become.
"No need." Professor Mackenzie, the owner of the body that was currently inhabited by the 3,000-year-old vengeful spirit of Traragedia, the ancient Egyptian royalty's mortal enemy, waved his hand dismissively.
"But what about World Champion Hongye Xiang?" The figure at the door hesitated.
"Shouldn't that be a fairly important sample? To just let it be taken like that..."
"It doesn't matter." Professor Mackenzie, or rather, Traragedia, waved his hand again, his eyes narrowing as he smirked at the projection in front of him.
To be precise, he was staring directly at You Xuan.
"Things might get interesting." He said, "Let's wait and see how it plays out, no need to rush."
"Yes, Professor." The figure retreated.
The door closed, and the room returned to darkness.
Traragedia chuckled coldly.
Feng Yu Xuan, he thought. This boy carries multiple spirits within him, and there's even a faint trace of the Pharaoh's aura. Although the Little Lobster and the Millennium Items are sworn enemies, with its birth linked to the Pharaoh's seven divine instruments, that faint aura didn't escape my notice.
This boy, going up against Ryou Bakura and that pesky snake... I think this match will be worth watching.
Once these two duelists determine the winner and reveal their true strengths, then I shall make my move.
Traragedia couldn't help but laugh in admiration at his own cleverness. "Jee Jee Jee," he cackled.
"Yu Xuan actually made it to the finals, how impressive." Jaden admired as he looked at You Xuan.
After a long day of dueling, the two of them were now feeling hungry and had come to the self-service restaurant in the arena to replenish their energy.
"Just lucky." You Xuan replied modestly.
"But be careful in the finals. That guy, Judge-something, how do I put it?" Jaden furrowed his brow, "He's strong, no doubt about it. And he feels different from the others."
"Kurikuri!" Winged Chestnut Ball appeared.
You Xuan couldn't understand: "What did it say?"
"My partner feels it too," Jaden explained, "And that guy hasn't even used his full power yet."
"I see." You Xuan nodded.
That was indeed something to be cautious about.
At the same time, a shadow of a spirit appeared beside You Xuan in the form of a ghost—it was the newly awakened Lava Demon from the intense battle earlier.
You Xuan had felt the presence of this spirit within him for a while and had even experienced similar phenomena during previous duels. But it seemed that today's intense duel finally triggered its full awakening.
"Roar~" The Lava Demon spoke.
"What did it say?" This time, Jaden was the one who couldn't understand.
"It says it doesn't matter, it will lend its power." You Xuan translated.
"Oh oh." Jaden nodded.
That was indeed reassuring.
However, it was interesting that You Xuan couldn't understand Chestnut Ball but could comprehend the Lava Demon.
Jaden pushed that thought aside and continued, "But I have to say, that guy is really strong. Even you, Yu Xuan, can't afford to be careless."
"I know." You Xuan nodded.
"Oh right, since we're on this topic..."
Jaden suddenly stood up and rummaged through his card box.
"Take this card and use it in the finals." He smiled as he handed a card to You Xuan, "Consider it my support, and Mr. Hongye's as well."
You Xuan was taken aback and instinctively wondered, What's this for? Isn't this one of your weird cards that might mess up my hand?
But after glancing at the card, he looked up in surprise: "This card..."
"You Xuan can use it, right?" Jaden smiled.
Indeed, he could.
You Xuan thought for a moment and accepted the card without hesitation. "Okay, then I'll borrow the power of you and Mr. Hongye. Thanks, Jaden."
"Hahaha, no need to thank me."
Jaden bumped fists with You Xuan.
"Friends should help each other out."
(End of Chapter)
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