ZONE directly mentioned Paradox's name, but Yugen wasn't too surprised.
In fact, when he first arrived in this dimension, he considered whether his every move might be under ZONE's surveillance.
The entire plot of this dimension of 5DS, from beginning to end, should logically be under ZONE's control. Ludger was consumed by the Power of Evil God, Zero Reverse, Yusei and others growing up in the Satellite District, followed by the Dragon Sealers defeating the Dark Markers, and later Yusei and others forming the "5DS Team" to participate in the World WRPG Competition...
The entire thread has been under ZONE's control all along.
Just as ZONE said to Yusei in the final battle, he is the god of this timeline. The trajectory of everything, the fate of all things in the world, is dominated by his will, controlled by him. This entire dimension is under his control, and nothing escapes his sight.
So when Yugen swaggered in, snatching Paradox's D-Wheel and using the equipment sent by the enemy to break into this dimension, the probability of being noticed was rather high.
But Yugen initially thought about this point and didn't care, even thinking that if the other party came to him voluntarily, it wouldn't be bad to have a direct face-to-face talk.
He knows ZONE's ultimate goal, and there should be no direct conflict between them. A face-to-face conversation might even help him better grasp the current dimension's situation, and they might even collaborate.
Unfortunately, the other party hasn't contacted him, which is somewhat regrettable. Among the Three Emperors that have had direct contact with Yugen, Placido hasn't talked properly either, just shouting about some "anomaly" and intending to start a fight right away.
But Yugen knows that the Taiyi Three Emperors currently don't know much. They don't have the authority to directly interface with ZONE; their minds are only implanted with missions they need to complete, and their memories might be incomplete.
In the animation, when the group of three met up with Antinomy, who was supposed to be one of their own, they didn't even recognize him. And many times, they only accepted ZONE's orders in the form of a "divine oracle," indicating that their authority isn't high.
Naturally, meeting the real mastermind would be better.
"Paradox, is also your companion?"
Facing ZONE, Yugen showed no intention of hiding, as a wave of Magic Power washed over him, restoring his true appearance.
"I come from another dimension, your companion might have mistakenly wandered into mine. We had some conflict, but he's fine and currently remains in my world.
I came here to prevent the destruction of two worlds."
ZONE looked at him through heavy armor for a long time, then slowly spoke.
"Yes, I know."
Sure enough, ZONE knew.
Yugen was still unsurprised. ZONE's technology breakthroughs transcend dimensions and time, knowing everything in this dimension, so naturally, he would have detected it.
ZONE looked at him again, gently exhaling.
"From the Other Dimension... has a 'King' already arisen there?"
"King?"
Yugen was taken aback. He felt ZONE was probably referring to him, but he hadn't exposed his identity, and ZONE likely shouldn't know about the affairs of his originating dimension. So how did he know Yugen was a Duel King?
"Duel King is not only a title endorsed by outsiders."
ZONE explained to him calmly.
"The so-called King is one who surpasses the bottleneck ordinary mortals can reach, achieving the supreme realm attainable after hundreds of victories."
"I have seen countless times and possibilities. Many strong individuals do not pursue fame and fortune, but after hundreds of battles, they reach the supreme realm, remaining inconspicuous, with no name during their era, yet genuinely deserving to be 'Kings.'
Conversely, there are strong figures in the Dueling Realm, keen to show off before others, defeating strong opponents in matches and receiving the title 'King' from outsiders, yet not truly possessing a king's heart, nor have they touched the King's Domain."
ZONE paused and supplemented his explanation with an example.
"Jack Atlas, undefeated until the Lucky Cup, is recognized by thousands as the Duel King, yet his title is merely nominal. Even today, he is far from being a true 'Duel King.'
Yugen somewhat understood.
What ZONE is talking about here as the "Duel King" is not just a title conferred by others in the general sense, but more akin to a realm of cultivation. Once achieving the power, even without external recognition, in ZONE's view, they can already be called a King.
And Jack, the king of flip-tactics, being hailed as the Duel King by many for so long, was not a true king in ZONE's view. Worldly fame is meaningless; only the power achieved grants one the title of King.
Thus Yugen just remembered, when Paradox appeared in the Super Fusion movie, addressing the protagonists of the first three generations, he referred to them as "Duel Kings of past generations."
But upon closer thoughts among the three generations of protagonists, Muto Yuugi is undoubtedly a deserved Duel King. Yusei Fudo, after defeating Jack in the Lucky Cup, won the title of Duel King too.
Only Yuki Judai, at least in the GX plot, hasn't participated in any major competition to win the title of Duel King. After the end of the animation, Judai embarked on his own journey and became a wanderer, clearly not interested in any competitions or vanity. So strictly speaking, Judai hasn't won the title of Duel King.
Yet Paradox included Judai when calling them Duel Kings.
Now, according to ZONE's explanation, the "Duel King" Paradox referred to might also be about the realm, not the title. At that time, Yuki Judai was Level 100, undoubtedly having reached the realm of "King."
ZONE affirming Yugen as a "King" now should also be about the realm, not the title he earned in his dimension.
Yugen felt a stir in his heart.
He and ZONE haven't directly clashed, yet ZONE can judge his level of power.
The most direct way for duelists to assess each other's strength is naturally to have a duel. Besides that, amongst powerful individuals, one can faintly sense some strength of the other's "aura," but usually only roughly judge that "this person is formidable," without knowing precisely how strong until they fight.
Is it possible that ZONE God's advanced technology has means to directly observe the intensity of Destiny Power, like the device measuring combat power in Dragon Ball?
ZONE sighed lightly: "If this dimension also had a Duel King, the future might be different."
Yugen listened to his words, implying that he felt this dimension doesn't even have a duelist worthy of being called a King.
Yugen asked, "What about Yusei Fudo?"
"Yusei Fudo? Based on the historical records I know, his talent will earn him the title of King sooner or later, but unfortunately, currently, he hasn't reached there. It's a pity; by the time he matures, it might already be too late for this dimension."
ZONE said indifferently.
"Of course, even so, Yusei Fudo is already the man closest to being a 'King' today."
Yugen frowned slightly.
By ZONE's standards of a "King," has even Yusei not reached that level yet?