"That's correct, this dimension has also been eroded several times before."
Z-ONE continued, "Be it Goodwin or Rudger, it seems that the mastermind specializes in using enemies that don't belong to this dimension to invade it and maliciously disrupt the space-time continuum.
Such malicious intrusions have already occurred several times. My people have classified these events as 'Abnormalities.'"
Kira remembered that Primo had also referred to himself as an "Abnormality" earlier and now he finally understood what that meant.
Perhaps Iliaster and the others had realized that he, who had replaced Goodwin, was also an invader not belonging to this dimension, and thus concluded he was a kind of "Abnormality" as well.
Z-ONE said, "You must have had contact with 'Abnormalities' too, King of the Netherworld."
"Yeah," Kira nodded.
Z-ONE continued, "I've observed your actions and understand that our goals align. We're both trying to prevent this dimension from plunging into darkness."
After thinking for a moment, Kira asked, "Letting a world fall into darkness... Based on what you've just said, does killing Yusei Fudo cause the dimension to spiral out of control?"
Z-ONE replied, "No, that's not an absolute causal relationship. It's just that Yusei Fudo is the one closest to becoming the King in this dimension, destined to be its savior.
The fate of this dimension is largely tied to him and those around him. If he were to die due to a misstep, the world would definitely become more vulnerable to chaos."
Z-ONE paused, then continued, "On the other hand, Yusei Fudo's evolution can also further stabilize this dimension. If he can break through and become King, then a dimension with a Duel King as its center will have a more stable fate. It will become even harder for outsiders to threaten it."
Kira said, "So once you have a King, ordinary 'Abnormalities' won't be able to do anything anymore?"
Z-ONE shook his head. "It's more than that. The so-called 'Duel King' isn't just a mark of a duelist reaching a certain level; it's also an essential metamorphosis in a duelist's evolution.
Once you ascend to become a King, even an ordinary human with no supernatural abilities would undergo transformation.
A Duelist bearing the power of the King receives protection from fate itself—able to turn misfortune into blessings, avoid harm. It's nearly impossible to hurt them by any means outside of the game."
Kira noticed that Z-ONE specifically mentioned "outside the game", not strictly requiring a duel— which probably meant things like those early shadow games used by Pharaoh Atem could also qualify. But generally, it's still about dueling—because in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh, no dark ritual can top a card game.
"And the King's fate is linked to their dimension's timeline," Z-ONE continued. "Once a King is born in this timeline, it's almost impossible for this timeline to fall into darkness before the Duel King falls himself."
Kira fully understood by now.
While he himself was a King, he was ultimately an outsider—a Duel King from another dimension. Regardless of whether he stayed or left, his power wasn't connected to this timeline and couldn't protect it.
But once this timeline gives birth to its own Duel King, that's like having its own guardian—making it much more resilient against invasion.
So, the best way to resist invasions and keep this dimension under control is to accelerate and ensure this world soon births its own King.
But as Z-ONE just said, there is no King yet in this current 5DS timeline. Below the King's threshold, the person closest is Yusei Fudo.
Yusei is the duelist closest to the level of Duel King.
"The Fortune Cup gathered the Signers together, allowing them to clash, challenge, and help each other evolve," Z-ONE said. "Afterward, the united Signers accepted the challenge from the Dark Signers, and in life-or-death shadow duels, evolved even further... You handled all of that well.
Thanks to you, those who bear the fate of this world—the Signers—were able to keep evolving without interruption."
As expected, Z-ONE had been watching everything.
Yet previously, Z-ONE hadn't intervened at all. Even when Primo popped out in front of Kira, it was of Primo's own volition, not Z-ONE's order.
That was likely because Z-ONE saw Kira's actions aligning perfectly with his own plans—eliminating the "Abnormality" Goodwin, protecting Yusei, hosting the Fortune Cup, bringing the Signers together for battle... All these convinced Z-ONE that Kira was on his side.
"But it's not over yet," Z-ONE said. "The fight against the Dark Signers isn't finished. While the Signers have grown through various trials, it's still not enough. Their victories over the Dark Signers have been insufficient in terms of challenge—they still lack one ultimate, most crucial battle."
Kira instantly knew who he meant—
Rex Goodwin.
The final showdown in the Dark Signers arc of the anime was when Rex Goodwin, having claimed both the Crimson Dragon's and Earthbound Immortal's powers, faced Yusei, Crow, and Jack singlehandedly in a three-versus-one.
It was in that battle that Crow, who previously wasn't a Signer, received the Dragon Tail mark, joining the protagonist team.
Yusei, who originally bore the Dragon Tail, received the Dragon Head mark, becoming the leader of the Signers.
That encounter was indeed vital to the growth of the 5DS protagonist team.
But now with Goodwin dead, the final boss slot was left empty.
And conveniently enough, Kira had taken Goodwin's place.
Z-ONE didn't keep speaking, but simply stared at Kira through his mask.
Under that intense gaze, Kira fell silent for a few seconds, then said helplessly, "You're asking me to step up, aren't you?"
Z-ONE replied gently, "If it's possible, then I leave it to you. Yusei Fudo, and those by his side—Jack Atlas, Crow Hogan—are all duelists with vast potential.
Even though Jack and Crow are further from the King's Realm than Yusei, it's not impossible for them to surpass even Yusei with proper stimulation."
Kira took a deep breath. "You're not seriously asking me to take on all three of them at once, are you?"
Z-ONE didn't respond, but his silence was an answer in itself.
Of course, this was a request, not an order. They had just met, and with both worlds on the verge of destruction, were merely allies discussing cooperation. Z-ONE had no intention of giving direct orders—this was just his suggestion.
Z-ONE then elaborated, "Of course, I could step in myself. But if possible, I'd prefer not to do it now. I'll make my move myself when the time is right in the future."
What time is more appropriate? Naturally, it's the final battle of 5DS—when Ark Cradle descends, and Z-ONE himself faces Yusei in a duel determining New Domino City's fate, which is also key for Yusei's ultimate 'Limit Over Accel Synchro.'
Kira acted exasperated. "Those three are no pushovers—they're the top duelists in the dimension. And you're asking me to duel all three at once... You really think highly of me."
"You've already become a King, and are no weakling even among Duel Kings, so naturally it's not a problem," Z-ONE said calmly. "And of course, since you're reaching out to help us as an outsider, we will express our thanks."
Kira smiled.
As expected of Z-ONE—so sharp, he could read Kira's intentions from just a few words.
Kira hadn't even voiced his request, but that was exactly what he meant.
Fight 3v1, help them level up? No problem. There's just one condition—
Gotta raise the price.
…