"So, no matter who the opponent is, what you're thinking about should be victory—"
"Stop talking nonsense, let's duel!" Asuka was really angry.
Because what Manjome implied was that she hadn't seen the real thing yet, lagging behind Manjome and that there was no need to differentiate a so-called first place.
"That guy Manjome..." Mitsuzawa's expression changed in the special audience section.
"Hmph, interesting." Caesar suddenly spoke.
"Oh oh oh! Such cool words, I need to write them down and use them in the future!" John excitedly said to Ruby beside him.
"Truly remarkable, that guy Thunder." Fubuki stroked his chin, mumbled in a low voice, then his expression changed. He covered his forehead with his right hand, feigning regret, "I told Asuka long ago to use a beauty strategy—there's no way she could win against Thunder! Right, Little Hikari?"
Tenjo Hikari felt like he was going to sweat.
Not just him, but a few students beside him were also speechless.
Tenjo Hikari felt worse because, in the original story, Manjome really chose to confess to Asuka due to Fubuki's instigation and ended up losing.
But...
Manjome's words were kind of impressive.
No wonder in recent days he felt there was something inexplicably strong about him.
Tenjo Hikari focused on Manjome's Duel.
Last time against Gloria, despite wanting to win, Gloria hadn't taken Manjome seriously and thus lost decisively without displaying much.
Now, Tenjo Hikari really wanted to see how far Manjome had come—
Then he saw something exaggerated.
"XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon??"
This definitely wasn't something Manjome had collected!
Tenjo Hikari was stunned watching from the side.
Clearly, he and Manjome were looking for BC and AB respectively, yet Manjome pulled out a brand new XYZ?
This dimension fundamentally didn't have the Spirit of the Alliance Army!
He had even asked Assault Core!
The card's strength was secondary, after all, Asuka's Ox Angel wasn't weak, but immediately after, Manjome showed something new.
"Banish the Fusion Beast from the Extra Deck, activate its effect, Special Summon—Dark End Evaporation Dragon!"
Hiss...
Tenjo Hikari gasped in surprise.
The power of the Light and Darkness Dragon had enhanced!
So that's it.
No wonder that day, watching Manjome duel with Gloria, he felt Manjome was especially strong.
Watching the Dark End Evaporation Dragon use its effect to easily destroy Cyber Angel Dakini, Tenjo Hikari realized Asuka would likely not win.
Not in mentality, nor in the Duel.
During this period, it's unclear what Manjome went through or realized, but even his partners resonated with him and grew stronger, bringing forth something amazing.
Tenjo Hikari stroked his chin, pondering.
In the original manga "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX", the Light and Darkness Dragon was Manjome's ace, besides the Light End Dragon and Dark End Dragon, but in reality, these two cards somehow became Synchro Monsters. Tenjo Hikari had never seen Manjome use these two cards in this world.
Now it seems, because of Manjome's resonance with the Light and Darkness Dragon, he acquired such a card.
Then there must also be Light End Sublimation Dragon.
Just unsure if there will be Light and Darkness Dragonlord.
Tenjo Hikari couldn't figure it out, so he asked Tierra for help. Tierra waved it off, saying it could only match the Dark End Evaporation Dragon, no higher.
But nevertheless.
Thinking about the talents in Manjome's Deck, Tenjo Hikari frowned.
If you need to gain cards, get cards; if you need to clear a field, clear a field; if you need interference, you interfere...
Quite impressive.
Crucially, Manjome's mentality wasn't the same as during their first Duel.
It was perfect in every aspect.
He remembers the manga version of an all-out Manjome, even Judai couldn't win against him.
However, with a change of thought, his frown relaxed considerably.
Thinking of having such a strong friend, Tenjo Hikari felt reassured.
With this Deck, these Spirits, this mentality, this technique, even if the Dark World's Mad King came, could they forcefully control Manjome like in the original?
"How could it be..."
As the final attack ended, Asuka fell to her knees powerlessly.
What saddened and shocked her wasn't losing—losing is something any Duelist would encounter.
What saddened her was the proof of her pre-duel words and what her brother told her.
Manjome put away his Duel Disk, stepped forward, preparing to help her up, but before he could, Asuka stood up and ran towards the revival seat.
"Eh—" Manjome reached out to stop her, but could only let go, resigned.
Returning to the preparation area, Manjome expected dissatisfaction from classmates, saying he bullied a girl, or at least criticism from Fubuki, but to his surprise, Fubuki immediately put an arm around his neck, repeatedly praised him, laughed loudly, saying he just took many rare photos of Asuka's teary-eyed charming appearance.
These are rare photos of a usually strong little sister, surely fetching high prices in Asuka fan clubs.
"Senior Fubuki...please be nicer to Tenjouin-san." Manjome responded awkwardly.
"Hahaha, don't worry, I know Asuka too well~ I knew this would happen~ hahaha~~" Fubuki released Manjome, patting his shoulder, completely unconcerned.