"Why is that?" Yugo asked, puzzled.
"Once people who look like you meet, bad things happen. You've had dealings with that purple-haired guy from the Fusion Dimension, right? How did you feel back then?" Yūga Hōzumi retorted.
Hearing this, Yugo's expression turned serious. "I remember losing my composure the moment I saw him, wanting nothing more than to tear him apart. But I always thought it was because that guy had kidnapped Rin."
"No. Yuto also described having the same reaction when he saw Yuya. Although Numbers can suppress this agitation, you don't even know what Xyz Summoning is," Yūga Hōzumi said. "Originally, Yuzu or Serena should have gone with you, but they themselves are targets of the Security officer from the Fusion Dimension. Going with you would be like walking straight into a trap."
"In short, we respect your decision to participate in this tournament, but if you still want to see Rin again, then don't take the outcome of this match too seriously," Yūga Hōzumi said, patting Yugo's shoulder.
After more than ten days together, Yūga Hōzumi had developed some affection for this hot-blooded idiot who didn't like to clutter his mind. He certainly didn't want to see this guy get abducted and forced to eat dirt.
After finishing their discussion, the three rode their D-Wheels toward the city area. For the coming days, until the Friendship Cup concluded, they would need to eat and sleep at the accommodations arranged by the tournament organizers.
After seeing the three off, Yūga Hōzumi and Kiryu exchanged glances. It was time to stir up some trouble.
"Hey, what kind of conspiracy are you two plotting now? What am I supposed to do? I can't just stay here until everything's over, can I?" Serena couldn't help but ask.
"Us? Of course, we have more important things to do," Yūga Hōzumi chuckled. "Once the Friendship Cup begins, most of Security's forces will be dedicated to maintaining order at the stadium, and their control over certain areas will loosen—for example, this dimension's Underground Labor Facility, which is used to enslave the lower class."
"That's right. According to our plan, Yūga Hōzumi, Miss Serena, and I will infiltrate the Underground Labor Facility after the Friendship Cup officially begins and seize control of it. Once Bruno successfully defeats Jack, our uprising will start from there," Kiryu said.
"What about me, then?" Yuzu couldn't help but ask.
"I'll take you to Reiji Akaba later," Yūga Hōzumi said. "Yuto was right. There's no need for you to participate in this war."
"What are you talking about?!" Upon hearing Yūga Hōzumi's words, Yuzu was so incensed she felt the urge to pull out her paper fan. "My friends are all fighting; how can I just stand by and do nothing?"
Yūga Hōzumi heard this and looked deeply at Yuzu. Seeing the genuine determination in the girl's eyes, he said, "Alright then. If you insist, you can join our operation tomorrow."
…
The next day, amidst the sound of drums and gongs, Neo Domino City's biennial grand event, the Friendship Cup, officially commenced.
The opening match was Kaito versus Gongenzaka.
After both duelists took their positions at the starting line, Gongenzaka learned that Kaito was an ally of Shun Kurosaki and thought about greeting him.
However, Kaito never bothered with expressions for people he didn't know, and his cold eyes made Gongenzaka abandon the idea.
"Are all of that Shun Kurosaki's allies this difficult to get along with?" Gongenzaka thought.
But just then, Kaito turned his head and said to Gongenzaka, "Hey, you're a member of the Lancers, right?"
"Technically we're allies, but since we've been pitted against each other, let's have a fair and square duel to settle it."
Kaito's words made Gongenzaka pause for a moment before his passion ignited. He nodded forcefully. "Understood! Let this man join you in warming up this tournament!"
Just then, a holographic projection of Neo Domino City's familiar Female Commentator appeared on the high platform at the center of the stadium.
"People of Neo Domino City! Are you ready? The first battle of the Friendship Cup is about to begin!"
The audience in the stands gave her enthusiastic cheers.
"Our first duelist is the unmovable man from the Lancers, who once performed a magnificent Pendulum Summon followed by a Synchro Summon for everyone in the park—Gongenzaka!"
A full-body projection of Gongenzaka appeared in the center of the assembly hall at just the right moment. The audience members who had seen his performance with Sylvio Sawatari in the park cheered for him.
"And his opponent is the Emperor of the Galaxy, who once faced the pursuit of Security Officers and performed a series of magnificent Xyz Summons! Kaito Tenjo!"
Compared to Gongenzaka's street performances, Kaito, who was broadcast live while beating up Security Officers, was naturally more popular. The cheers were significantly louder than before.
"Such enviable popularity," Sylvio Sawatari said enviously in the players' lounge. "However, once I, the great Sylvio, take the field, all these cheers will belong to me!"
However, in contrast to the lively Sylvio Sawatari, another Entertainment Duelist from the Lancers was preoccupied at that moment.
Yuya Sakaki held a Tuner Monster—Tuning Magician—that a hotel staff member had entrusted to him. His mind kept replaying his duel with Jack and Jack's final words: "Your entertainment is nothing but self-satisfaction."
Inside the stadium, the Female Commentator snapped her fingers.
"Action Field, On! Crossover Acceleration!"
Fireworks bloomed in the air, and countless cards fell onto the track. A countdown appeared before Kaito and Gongenzaka.
3, 2, 1!
"Turbo Duel, accelerate!" they both shouted.
Compared to Gongenzaka, who had little experience with a D-Wheel and was still clumsy, Kaito had practiced extensively and immediately took the lead, securing the first curve.
"My turn!"
"Since I have no monsters on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"
"Appear! Photon Thrasher!"
"Next, since there's a 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster on the field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand once per turn!"
"Appear! Photon Vanisher!"
"When Photon Vanisher is Special Summoned, I can add one 'Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon' from my Deck to my hand."
"I overlay my two Level 4 monsters!"
"Oh, shining dragon of light, descend and open the path for the galaxy dragon! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Appear! Starliege Photon Blast Dragon!"
Starliege Photon Blast Dragon DEF: 2500
A steel-armored, blue-winged giant dragon emerged from the dazzling river of stars above Kaito's head. As it flew beside him, the light particles scattering from its body coalesced into a long spear at his side.
Kaito reached out, took the spear, and hurled it toward the sky with a powerful, one-handed throw.
"When Starliege Photon Blast Dragon is successfully Xyz Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Photon' monster from my hand."
"Oh galaxy, shining in the darkness, become the light of hope and dwell within me! Incarnation of light, descend now! Appear, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
…
(end of chapter)