Although it slightly exceeded the understanding of Kaiba Company's employees, Kaiba Company was already prepared for this, ready to treat personnel at any time during the tournament.
After all, no one could predict what might happen in the middle of a duel.
As professionals who once witnessed Jonouchi Katsuya being burned into a coma by The Winged Dragon of Ra, they were prepared for such situations.
But it was only preparedness.
After the duel ended, the entire dueling arena was filled with black flames, flames that burned without fuel, and couldn't be extinguished even with a fire extinguisher.
Apart from this, despite the combined protection of Lightsworn and numerous Winged Beast-Type Spirits, many spectators were still affected by the "aftershocks" of the duel.
Although Fubuki did his best to control the flames, Kaiba Company's employees couldn't guarantee there were no incidents.
Therefore, the finals could not proceed smoothly.
Kaiba Company notified all contestants and spectators that the finals would be postponed for two days, both as a rest period and to rearrange the dueling arena.
"Ah, the president is truly farsighted." A sunglasses-wearing staff member remarked while handling and moving things with colleagues, "I was wondering why the president demanded the duel arena be higher as the finals progressed and even entirely isolated from viewers with a platform in the sky at the end."
So, this was the preparation he made here?"
The young staff member spoke with undisguised admiration for Kaiba Seto.
To even think of such things is incredible!
The veteran employees exchanged glances; even wearing sunglasses, they understood each other's thoughts.
Indeed, the president is farsighted, no doubt about it.
He did mention that the Spirit World could directly harness the power of spirits, making duels potentially dangerous.
But such matters cannot possibly be predicted from the start.
He's human, not a god—he can't foresee the future!
Regardless, the work must be done. Employees prepared to rebuild the dueling arena and install protections to mitigate risks.
As for the finals, they would be suspended for two days, allowing everyone to prepare more thoroughly.
Tenjo Hikari was not anxious.
Several duels remained before it would be his turn against Jim after Fubuki's match.
Taking advantage of the situation, he and several friends quickly made their way to Kaiba Company's infirmary.
Before entering the ward, they saw Asuka pushing a small wheelchair. In the wheelchair, Fubuki, not a care in the world, held a rose and waved to a nearby nurse. Asuka was furious but refrained from hitting him, seeing her brother as an injured patient.
"Where on earth did Senior Fubuki get a rose?" Manjome couldn't hold back his curiosity at the sight and asked.
Knowing Tenjouin Asuka well, she might tolerate Fubuki's sweet talk with other girls, but surely not him running around during hospitalization or picking flowers, carrying a guitar, etc.
It's quite unsettling, and there could be hidden dangers.
Therefore, Fubuki definitely had no flowers when he set out.
And according to his observation, for Fubuki to conjure a flower before his eyes was shocking.
How did he manage this?
"Hahaha, Manjome, curious, aren't you? If you become my apprentice, I'll teach you how to win a girl's heart! See, isn't Asuka beautiful—"
"Brother!"
Asuka interrupted Fubuki's words.
"Heh...seeing you so healthy, I'm relieved," on the other side, Tenjo Hikari chuckled and shook his head.
"...Haha, sorry, Little Hikari, but I've prepared a formidable opponent for you!" Fubuki gave a thumbs up, addressing Tenjo Hikari.
"What's this about, where'd that come from?" Tenjo Hikari shook his head, "Every opponent is strong; I can't guarantee a victory."
"Indeed—Senior Fubuki, you should prepare for the Resurrection Race, right? Judging by your performance…" Mitsuzawa Daichi recalled the duel between Caesar and Fubuki and shook his head repeatedly.
He couldn't imagine Fubuki losing the Resurrection Race.
"Oh, that—I gave up."
"What?" The friends were startled.
Fubuki shook his head helplessly, stretching his hands, "Look, I'm in a wheelchair now, so I can't duel. The doctor said I'd need at least a week in this state, and that's the optimistic view.
So it's impossible for me to compete, right? So I straightforwardly gave up."
He somehow retracted the rose he held, impressing those around who quickly looked away.
Then, he folded his hands behind his head and said, "What a pity...I wanted to duel with Asuka and eliminate her, then take a photo and sell it for a big price!"
"Brother!!" Asuka could no longer hold back and gently tapped the wheelchair's back.
"Hahaha~~"
Tenjo Hikari listened to his words, not awkward or compliant like others but thought about Fubuki's implied meaning.
Fubuki initially wanted to duel with Caesar, then proceed to duel with Asuka, achieving his goals step by step.
Fubuki sighed but didn't voice it.
Despite his relationship with Tenjo Hikari, asking him for help would certainly get it.
But—
If he helped by making Tenjo Hikari deliberately hold back or throw the match to enter the loser's bracket, it wouldn't be acceptable.
Afterwards,
He regretted.
He was sure that the current Asuka could not emerge from the loser's bracket.
So, regardless of whether Tenjo Hikari defeats Jim or not, his next opponent, "the eighth one," couldn't possibly be Tenjouin Asuka.
But maybe there's no rush.
After all, Asuka is only in second grade and still has a year and a half—plenty of time to consider.
At this moment, from the other side, Caesar, having finished talking to the doctor, came over with a stack of medical records and pills.
Manjome and Mitsuzawa clearly felt the invisible pressure; with his mastery of Cyber Style, Caesar was undoubtedly one of the strongest contenders for the championship!
Caesar exchanged glances with them, discerning the battle intent in their eyes. He didn't comment, greeting everyone before discussing the doctor's advice with Fubuki and explaining important details from the medical report.
Then, they chatted briefly, though there were many past events to discuss; becoming opponents soon meant the two-day break couldn't be wasted, so everyone left after visiting Fubuki.
After the others left, Tenjo Hikari turned to Caesar, taking out two cards: "Caesar, I have something to ask you."
He brought out two [No.] cards, a pained expression flickering across his face but quickly suppressed.
Caesar narrowed his eyes, his previously relaxed face immediately tensing again.