**Chapter 168: Kindred Spirits**
"This..." Even the Female Commentator was astonished by Crow's series of actions. After a moment, she slowly said, "Although it was incredibly exciting, I still need to remind the children watching the Competition that this behavior violates Neo Domino City's D-Wheel driving regulations. Please, everyone, do not try to emulate it!"
"Is there a need to go this all-out?" Shun Kurosaki asked, frowning.
"Bruno told me your Native World is currently engulfed in Warfare," Crow said. "If I didn't have to raise those kids, I might have let you win this Duel."
"But since I've already been dragged into this Tournament, I have to try and secure a future for these kids I treat like my younger siblings. I can't let them grow up and become thieves like me just to survive," Crow said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"I see, it's for your younger siblings?" Shun Kurosaki nodded. He understood what Crow said; it was the acknowledgment of a 'sister-complex' towards a 'brother-complex'.
"As companions, I acknowledge you," Shun Kurosaki said.
Sometimes, the friendship between men can seem very strange. One moment they might be fighting to the death, but the next, they could become good brothers, and all it takes is a single reason.
Clearly, this was the situation with Shun Kurosaki and Crow at this moment.
"The Duel isn't over yet! Even as companions, we can't disappoint our Audience, can we?" Crow said with a smile.
"Then, let's Battle!" Shun Kurosaki waved his hand, entering the Battle Phase.
"Raidraptor - Ultimate Falcon, Attack Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades!"
At Shun Kurosaki's command, the golden-armored falcon behind him let out a long cry. The pitch-black Dark Hole Cannon on its chest began to charge, firing a dark energy ray towards the sword-wielding birdman in front of Crow.
Although Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades raised its long blade to resist with all its might, it was futile and was quickly engulfed by the energy ray.
Crow's Life Points: 3000 → 1100
"What a powerful Attack," Crow exclaimed, stabilizing his D-Wheel amidst the aftershocks of the high-energy ray's explosion.
"I Set a Card and End Turn," Shun Kurosaki stated.
"Alright, it's my turn!" Crow said enthusiastically. "My Turn! Draw!"
"The effect of Blackwing Tamer - Joe the Jet Black Hawk-Master activates! Once per Turn, I can Target 1 Level 5 or Higher Winged Beast-Type Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon that Monster!"
"Revive! Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades!"
Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades Attack Points: 2600
"The effect of Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades activates! Once per turn, I can Target cards on my Opponent's Field, up to the number of 'Blackwing' Monsters I control, and Destroy those Cards! (Anime Effect)"
"I have three Blackwing Monsters on my Field. However, your Continuous Spell can Negate Effects that Target your Monsters, right? So, I'll Destroy that Continuous Spell and your two Set Cards on the Field!"
As Crow finished speaking, Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades on his Field unleashed two streaks of lightning towards Shun Kurosaki's Backrow.
"At this moment, the effect of Counter Trap, Raidraptor - Desperate Gamble, activates! If a 'Raidraptor' Monster exists on my Field and a card with an effect that destroys a card is Activated, that card's Effect is Negated, and I Draw 1 Card from my Deck."
"Then, the effect of Spell Card, Blackwing Treasure Pot, activates! I Send 1 Blackwing Monster from my Hand to the Graveyard, then Draw 1 Card!"
"Next, the effect of Tuner Monster Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor in my Graveyard activates! If this Card is in the Graveyard, I can Banish this Card and 1 non-Tuner Monster that exists in my Graveyard to perform a Synchro Summon. The Monster Synchro Summoned by this Effect has its Effects Negated!"
"I Banish this Card and Blackwing - Bora the Spear, which I just Sent to the Graveyard! I perform a Synchro Summon from the Graveyard!"
[1+4=5]
"Step through the May rains and cut down with a dazzling blade! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 5! Assault Blackwing - Swift Blade Ogre!"
Assault Blackwing - Swift Blade Ogre Attack Points: 1500
"Assault Blackwing - Chidori the Rain Sprinkling, which used only Blackwing Monsters as Synchro Material, is also treated as a Tuner Monster."
"I Tune the Level 5 Assault Blackwing - Swift Blade Ogre with the Level 7 Assault Blackwing - Chidori the Rain Sprinkling!"
[7+5=12]
Swift lightning was born from the Astral path summoned by Crow, and a long blade gleaming with lightning descended from the sky.
"O, black wings, dwell within the power of lightning, and Roar fiercely! Synchro Summon! Cleave through! Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder!"
As Crow's words fell, a golden-armored birdman warrior soared forth from the end of the Astral path, screeching as it flapped its wings, grasping the long blade descending from the sky, golden lightning dancing upon its surface.
Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder Attack Points: 3000
"Is this Crow's never-before-seen Ace Monster?" the Female Commentator exclaimed in surprise. "A Level 12 Synchro Monster, standing at the apex of Synchro Monsters? Truly a rare sight! But looking purely at Attack Points, Crow's Monster still has higher Attack Points!"
"Let's Battle! Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder, Attack Raidraptor - Ultimate Falcon!" Crow merely smiled at the Female Commentator's words and waved his hand, entering the Battle Phase.
The black-winged warrior, gripping the lightning-infused long blade, let out a low growl, then spread his wings and charged towards the golden-armored falcon ahead.
"If Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder, which used only Synchro Monsters as Material, Attacks, during the Battle Calculation, its Attack Points Increase by 3000!"
Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder Attack Points: 3000 → 6000
Just as the two Monsters became entangled in Battle, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the black-winged warrior's long blade. In an instant, the black-winged warrior, whose aura surged dramatically, delivered a decisive blow, cleaving the golden-armored falcon into two.
Shun Kurosaki's Life Points: 400 → 0
After his Life Points reached zero, Shun Kurosaki's D-Wheel instantly lost control, spinning and smashing towards the nearby guardrail.
And at this critical moment, Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain of Blades, beside Crow, arrived just in time, rescuing Shun Kurosaki from his out-of-control D-Wheel.
"The winner of this Competition is! Black Whirlwind—Crow Hogan!" the Female Commentator announced loudly upon seeing the scene.
A Solid Vision representing Crow's victory appeared in the center of the Stadium, but Crow wasn't interested in it. Instead, after stopping his D-Wheel, he approached Shun Kurosaki and extended his hand to him.
"You dueled well. Let's have a proper duel next time we get the chance. When we can both let go of everything we carry, then we'll decide the victor purely as Duelists," Crow said.
"That day won't be too far off," Shun Kurosaki said with a smile, gripping Crow's outstretched hand.
...
(end of chapter)