The duel ended. The surrounding warships slowly began to depart from the port. Wickedwitch offhandedly looked over Yuma Tsukumo, and after memorizing this human, boarded her ship and left the port.
For her, coming here had only been to help the Drytron spirits complete a duelist's trial, and along the way, to make the humans who'd disrupted their practice suffer a bit. Since the duel was over, she had no reason to stay.
The Cosmos Queen read out the duel's result. According to the rules, the spirits of this world would no longer pursue Yuma Tsukumo's group for the crime of intruding on their training ground.
Beyond that, according to the trial's rules, Drytron Gamma Eltanin, rather grudgingly, presented Syrus with a card.
Not itself.
But rather, "Cyber Emergency."
Although it had lost to Syrus, and Syrus's performance had been good, Syrus's own "spirit-power" wasn't enough to sustain their operation.
It could give Syrus a chance to use them later to accomplish his goals. But wanting to use them freely, this Drytron, in everyday duels, forget about it.
Syrus's dueling power wasn't enough to sustain something like that.
But even so, Gamma Eltanin instructed him repeatedly: only when he must use them could he use them, otherwise recklessly using power far beyond his own grasp would easily leave him "too weak to receive the tonic."
Simply put, only when he had to "put his life on the line" could he use this card to call for help.
Hearing this, Syrus felt both regret and relief. The knot in his chest finally loosened.
The regret was that Drytron really were quite formidable cards. Facing them head-on, he could feel it directly. Both in effect and in stat numbers, the Drytron monsters were quite high-tier.
Yet his own power was insufficient.
Fortunately he wasn't surprised. In the recent chaos of various dark battles, he'd long since accepted his own positioning. He wasn't so arrogant as to think he could freely command high-tier spirits.
And the relief was that although he did desire cards as powerful as Drytron, in the end, he was the representative of the Combined Unit.
He had to preserve his own deck. Even if this deck had many inexplicable, ill-fitting monsters in it, he wanted to preserve it.
If just any strong deck could replace this deck of his, then his deck, and his persistence, would lose their meaning.
"Board your ship and come with us." The Cosmos Queen said as she lightly rose into the air.
Clearly, though the duel trial was over, this dimension's "leader" still had additional matters to discuss with them.
Neither side had objections. However, Hikaru stopped Yuma and had them ride together in the Qliphort Scout Vessel. On one hand, this would let them chat along the way. On the other, Yuma's group was going to leave this dimension afterward too. They would probably still be heading to the Synchro Dimension. Traveling together would save effort, all the better.
Yuma thanked him profusely upon hearing this. Because he was actually still a bit hungry, and being with new friends was certainly happier. He didn't refuse either.
Along the way, Hikaru told them who they were, and Yuma Tsukumo also shared some of his experiences and the reason he'd wound up here.
He'd noticed earlier that Hart Tenjo's state was off. When he'd tried to chase Hart Tenjo, a Number duelist had blocked his way, and he'd had to deal with No. 75. After the duel ended, he'd inexplicably been sent to this dimension.
Yes.
He hadn't come to this dimension on his own initiative.
Originally, he was going to catch up to Hart Tenjo and enter the same dimensional passage. But during his transfer, Astral had noticed they'd been "thrown out" of the teleport passage midway.
Earlier, while dodging attacks here, Astral had done some analysis and concluded that some other existence had probably interfered with their teleport destination, deliberately hurling them into this dimension, because it was very hard to leave.
Thinking about it now, this really did seem to be the case.
"You are humans commonly known as Xyz and Fusion dimension humans, but your current goal is the Synchro Dimension, correct?" As she flew through the starry sky, the Cosmos Queen chatted telepathically with the people inside the Qliphort Scout Vessel.
Hikaru and the others certainly had no doubts. Yuma Tsukumo now knew Hart was in the Synchro Dimension, so he naturally had no objection either.
"Then, as expected, you're all going to participate in the 'One God War,' correct?"
"One God War? What is that?" Yuma's group of three exchanged glances, not understanding.
Syrus and Atticus Rhodes weren't surprised. They'd both heard some of Yusei's story and Yusei's "grand vow" from Hikaru. If they hadn't been more focused on searching for Zane Truesdale and Bastion Misawa, they would surely have devoted more time to helping Hikaru's friend contact more people.
The two of them, chattering back and forth, explained things to Yuma Tsukumo's group of three. The three of them were suddenly enlightened. Except for Yuma, they all understood.
In short, it was a hugely important super-tournament.
But the true entry ticket to this tournament wasn't strength, but "identity."
Without a "god's" backing, even participating in the tournament actually held no meaning.
But it quickly went on, seeming quite proud: "But if you can obtain the companion you're about to see next, then you'll also be able to formally participate in the fight for the 'One God' with full legitimacy!"
As its words fell, light rose from the cosmos. Before Hikaru's group, in the shadow behind the enormous planet in front of them, a silver-white massive figure slowly emerged from the planet's shadow.
That was a silver-white mechanical giant of unknowable size. Its immense body was constructed of some indescribable alloy, finished with silver-white and gold paint, glowing in the light of the myriad stars. On its body were also wing-like nacelles, spewing purple energy, driving it to turn.
Hum.
The tall mechanical giant snapped its eyes open. Silver-white flowing light seemed to ignite the pitch-black cosmos, giving off the most heart-stopping beauty of the universe!
So cool!
Even Hikaru, upon seeing this enormous machine, couldn't help letting out a cry of awe. The others all followed with exclamations of their own.
Tierra even rubbed her eyes and murmured: "Could there really be such a beautiful machine in the world!"
This machine brought her a slight sense of threat. Although only a sliver, that sliver of threat was already enough to hurt her. But what she cared about more was that this design-conscious machine was truly likable!
"Hahaha!" The Cosmos Queen naturally noticed the humans' exclamations. Her telepathy rippled through cosmic space, transmitting her voice. "How about it? This is our 'training ground's' greatest and strongest machine, the God-Slaying Weapon, Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder!"
"AA-ZEUS!" The people cried out along with her.
Actually named after Zeus, the Greek supreme god, it was too magnificent, too dazzling.
Hikaru also studied AA-ZEUS carefully. Being able to see AA-ZEUS face-to-face was, to him, truly a memorable event worth remembering for life. Just seeing the card art or the figurine was already cool enough. Now, with a real AA-ZEUS appearing before him, no telling how excited he was inside.
"Is he your 'Great Leader'?" Astral was curious about something else.
"No, it is not our 'Great Leader.' More precisely, it is our former 'champion'!
The strongest machine of the 'Cosmic War' dimension, our pride, the weapon that can slay a god!"
Not the Great Leader?
These words startled several of them.
Even Tierra couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
This spirit wasn't even their leader?
"AA-ZEUS is the leader of the Xyz-line machines, but it is not the Great Leader. Our Great Leader is the leader of the leaders of all the different factions, all the different clans! The strongest spirit in the world!"
Hikaru's curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
Even he was very curious what kind of existence could call itself the "strongest."
What's more, an "AA-ZEUS" truly existed here!
The Cosmos Queen lightly landed on AA-ZEUS's palm. This massive spirit, before AA-ZEUS, looked so small, so mini-and-delicate. Standing in place, she directed Hikaru's group to come forward.
"The Great Leader is the leader of all spirits in our dimension. Not only Xyz Summoning, but Synchro, Fusion, and even other summoning methods, it can wield them with ease. Even the 'red light' cannot harm it."
"Even the red light can't hurt it?" Tierra was somewhat skeptical.
If even the red light couldn't affect it, then it basically had to be at the level of Super Polymerization or the Crimson Dragon. Even the Light of Destruction, or Darkness, or even Outer God Azathoth couldn't fully bear it, though the Cosmos Queen had said "cannot harm," which suggested it could still be affected. But if that were the case, then this was probably a spirit at the level of Outer God Azathoth?
In this dimension, there was actually a presence of that tier?
If before this she hadn't particularly cared about the Cosmos Queen's claims, now, watching this magnificent spirit AA-ZEUS, she couldn't help beginning to think that this "Great Leader" might really be that strong.
"Then, what does this Great Leader want with us?" Syrus was a little tense.
At this point, he didn't want any complications, anything that would affect the hard-won Drytron support he'd obtained.
"Just as I said earlier, our Great Leader simultaneously masters Fusion, Xyz, Synchro, and even every other summoning method, including the Pendulum Summoning newly born into this world, the strongest spirit in the world!
It's very interested in you humans who intruded on the training ground. And moreover, you did indeed obtain victory in the spirit duel it selected. So it's prepared to open this dimension's challenge rights to you."
These words left everyone present suddenly enlightened.
Spirits, whatever else, were spirits. Upon seeing suitable human duelists willing to challenge, they would naturally grant more "echoes."
Just like Atticus Rhodes, who was extremely famous in "Mountain" and attracted many bird and beast spirits, and had even been personally invited by the Divine Bird of "Sacred Peak of the Divine Bird" dimension to come to its dimension.
Hikaru listened with some interest. If there was Fusion available, then whatever this spirit was, he could come challenge again next time to try.
But Yuma was much simpler and more direct.
"Then, what if I want to obtain this AA-ZEUS!" Yuma shouted excitedly at the top of his lungs.
Men remain boys until death, and dragons, mechs, and sister cards are thresholds no male duelist can cross.
Whether AA-ZEUS's coolness and presence, even without seeing its effect, Yuma knew it must be an extremely powerful monster. If he could obtain it...
"AA-ZEUS is a Rank 12 Xyz Monster. In theory, any human can use AA-ZEUS's power."
An indescribable voice suddenly appeared in everyone's ears, as if some existence stood right beside them.
Tierra's eyes went wide. She looked left and right, unable to make sense of it.
AA-ZEUS lightly lowered its head, looked at Yuma, examined him for a moment, and then raised its head again.
"But to obtain AA-ZEUS's power, there is a precondition. That is, as an ordinary person, to kindle the courage and power sufficient to slay a god."
"Regrettably, boy, you are not a pure human."
"Eh, eh, eh?" Yuma pointed at himself in disbelief. "I'm not a pure human? Ah, Astral, this is all your fault! It must be because of you!"
"I see. Because Yuma and I have already ZEXAL'd, is that right? What a shame, Yuma." Astral shook his head.
"As for you all..."
The several humans could all seem to feel AA-ZEUS's gaze.
That gaze slowly passed by Cathy Katherine, Syrus, and Atticus Rhodes. At the same time, the voice sounded: "You are pure humans, but your power is insufficient."
"As for you, Hikaru."
Hikaru slowly widened his eyes.
Hikaru?
"Although your self-recognition seems locked on 'human,' you too are not a pure human. At the very least, no spirit would think of you as an ordinary human. So regrettably, you cannot obtain AA-ZEUS's support. Only the purest, strongest human, one who dares challenge the most terrifying enemies, can walk alongside AA-ZEUS."
That voice startled both Hikaru and Tierra together.
What the heck?
Was this really a spirit!?
Fake, right?
At this point, Tierra of course knew clearly that Hikaru wasn't a pure human, but was a special being simultaneously possessing "human and spirit" life-attributes. After all, she'd previously temporarily amended Hikaru's "clan" classification to make him a spirit for a short time, in order to help him resist Darkness's memory tampering.
But this information didn't exist in either humans' or spirits' eyes!
Whether spirit or human, in their eyes Hikaru had always been Hikaru!
At most, some days he looked more energetic or other days more tired.
And yet this "spirit" could actually discern Hikaru's greatest "point of difference."
Absolutely not a spirit. The greatest likelihood, the very real likelihood, was that this was an existence on par with Boss A!
But who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Outer God Azathoth?
Hikaru shook his head. The surprise in his heart was pressed down in an instant, replaced by excitement.
"Your Excellency the Great Leader, I don't know what kind of existence you truly are, but that doesn't matter. Her Excellency the Cosmos Queen said you master all summoning methods and powers.
I am Hikaru, one who pursues ultimate Fusion. If possible, I would like to gather more companions on the path of Fusion who share my aspirations!"
Ultimate Fusion...
Yuma Tsukumo and his two companions looked at Hikaru, having never imagined that under this exaggerated atmosphere the first thing he'd say would actually be these words.
Atticus Rhodes and Syrus, meanwhile, had a "so this is how it goes" look.
However strong this spirit was, however terrifying the oppressive presence it gave off, so long as it was related to Fusion, then Hikaru would absolutely not give up!
That voice dissipated.
Whether it was startled by Hikaru's declaration, or contemplating something.
After a while, under Hikaru's expectant gaze and pricked-up ears, the voice sounded again. This time, it seemed to sound only in his ear, with the people around him showing no reaction at all.
"Hikaru, I've watched your duel with the Supreme King. As a Super Polymerization user, you are indeed excellent enough. If you were to obtain the full ultimate Fusion, even I would be surpassed by you. Regrettably, the current you wants to go one step further, and you're still missing an important link.
You yourself are 'unfused.'"
Huh?
Hikaru paused, momentarily unable to make sense of it.
"What do you mean?"
Hikaru very much wanted to know what this Great Leader meant, but the other side, as if not hearing his words, went on.
"You'll come to understand. And it seems you have already noticed this point, and are already working to resolve it."
Was I? Was I really?
For once, Hikaru felt genuinely at a loss.
Recently he hadn't done any alchemy improvements or expansions to his path of Fusion at all. Why would this be said?
"And now..." The voice didn't stay contained at Hikaru's ear, but echoed through this dimension once again.
"Since this dimension's calm training has ended, then it will be opened up to you completely.
I will always await your arrival in this dimension. Whoever it is, I will arrange opponents of comparable caliber for you to duel. Whether you seek stronger power, more perfect Fusion, or the qualification for the 'One God' war...
The beings of this dimension will all wait here, because they too seek stronger combat and power."
In the end, this last sentence was all that Hikaru's group heard.
Under everyone's fantasies and speculations, they slowly left this dimension and returned to the human world. It was at this point that the Cosmos Queen turned to look at AA-ZEUS.
AA-ZEUS lightly nodded, and the lights and equipment on its body began to shut down.
There was a question Hikaru had also been pondering.
Since AA-ZEUS wasn't the "Great Leader," why lead them before AA-ZEUS?
The answer was simple. Only at AA-ZEUS's location could the "voice" be transmitted to the "Great Leader."
Suppose you shrank this world, shrank it, shrank it infinitely, ten times, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, ten million times... even AA-ZEUS's body was like a grain of sand, and the cosmos was but a sphere.
This dimension was a silver-white "sphere."
And beneath this enormous "sphere," there was not the void, but a silver-white mechanical... hand!
That hand was grasping this dimension!
Following the arm upward, a "person" propped his chin on his left hand and supported the "sphere" with his right, as if examining the sphere!
He had a handsome appearance, a cold demeanor, sturdy silver arm-guards, and a power of light that seemed to absorb all things.
If Hikaru were still here, and could see his form, he'd absolutely have recognized this presence at a glance.
Because he was a presence who had left a legend in Yu-Gi-Oh history!
That's right.
He was...
The strongest spirit in this world!
Or rather, one of the most "ordinary," "primordial" deities across many dimensions!
The undefeated presence beneath the heavens!
Visas Starfrost!