Yunagi slowly stepped onto the artificial grass field, his steady footsteps not pausing for even a moment.
The giant screen flickered briefly before displaying the matchup information in white letters against a blue background.
[Yunagi Minamoto VS Augustus von Eisenbach]
"This seafood-headed guy is also from the 'Yu' generation." Raku spoke up. "If his ace monster also has 2500 Attack, then things are getting serious."
Beside him, Phila tightened her fingers around the railing. She tilted her head slightly, her white twin-tails swaying through the air.
"Mr. Spirit, do these characteristics have some kind of special meaning?"
Raku crossed his arms with a profound expression.
"You wouldn't understand. Among Duelists, gathering all three of these traits means their Destiny Power has reached its peak." Raku looked down at the man below, who hadn't even twitched an eyebrow despite the entire stadium cheering around him. "To put it simply, he's the protagonist."
"I see..."
Phila stared thoughtfully at Yunagi's back.
Images from history class surfaced in her mind.
Yugi Muto, Jaden Yuki, Yusei Fudo... all of them really did have 'Yu' in their names.
And their hairstyles… one looked like a starfish, another like a jellyfish, and the last one like a crab.
Could this truly be some secret tradition of the dueling world?
Phila believed it wholeheartedly.
At that moment, the distance between the two Duelists at the center of the field had already closed.
"Yunagi Minamoto. Please take care of me." Yunagi spoke first as the blue-and-white Duel Disk on his left arm automatically unfolded.
Augustus adjusted the gold-chained monocle reflecting the arena lights.
"Augustus. I've heard your reputation long ago. You seem like the kind of boring person who came straight out of a textbook." Augustus unfolded his Duel Disk. "Well then, please take care of me too. Let me show you the results of my archaeological research."
The system notification sounded as the two simultaneously tossed virtual dice into the air.
The enormous holographic dice spun through midair. A few seconds later, Augustus's die stopped at four, while a six lit up above Yunagi.
"I'll go first." Yunagi.
He drew a card from the top of his Deck and smoothly inserted it into the edge slot of the Duel Disk.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, [Gunkan Suship Catch-of-the-Day]."
Boom!
A massive stream of data rapidly gathered across the field between the two Duelists. The arena grass was replaced by wooden tatami mats as the counter of a Japanese-style izakaya rose from the ground. A fabric curtain with the words "Gunkan" written on it even hung above the counter.
The Xyz Academy student section, which had been shouting about "iron will" just moments ago, instantly fell silent.
Everyone stared at the izakaya with mouths hanging open.
"A... a kitchen?"
Standing in the spectator seats, Rikka sniffed hard.
"It smells amazing. Could this man's side job actually be a chef?"
There wasn't the slightest ripple on Yunagi's stern face. Even while standing behind this ridiculous izakaya counter, his expression resembled someone conducting a sacred ritual.
"I activate the first effect of [Gunkan Suship Catch-of-the-Day]: Once per turn, you can reveal 1 [Gunkan Suship Shari] in your hand to your opponent; place 1 counter on this card."
Yunagi flipped over a card and displayed it in the Duel Disk projection area.
A gigantic lump of white rice resembling a shipping container–that is, Shari–appeared above the field. The texture of the rice grains even radiated steam as though freshly cooked.
"Then, reveal 1 'Gunkan' Xyz Monster from your Extra Deck to your opponent. Your opponent declares the name of 1 'Gunkan' monster mentioned in that Xyz Monster's card text, except [Gunkan Suship Shari]. Add the declared card from your Deck to your hand. If you cannot, return this card to its owner's Deck."
Yunagi pulled a card from the hidden compartment of his Extra Deck.
It was a massive aircraft carrier constructed from rice and seaweed, with a silver fish mounted on the bow.
"I reveal [Gunkan Suship Shirauo-class Carrier] from my Extra Deck. Now declare a card name." Yunagi looked toward Augustus. "Today's menu includes Gunkan Suship Shirauo, Gunkan Suship Ikura, and Gunkan Suship Uni."
Augustus looked at the giant rice ball hanging overhead, looking as though it might crash down at any moment.
He actually handed the choice to me like I'm ordering food?
Augustus's eyes rapidly swept over the revealed carrier card.
The card named Shirauo-class Carrier stated in its effect text that if it was Summoned using a Shirauo monster as material, it would gain the ability to search Spell and Trap Cards. If Yunagi obtained [Gunkan Suship Shirauo], the follow-up combo would definitely become troublesome.
"I get to decide?" Augustus straightened his collar. "Rather than declaring a card name, this feels more like ordering a dish. Unfortunately, I prefer salmon roe. Do you have that?"
Yunagi withdrew the revealed card.
"In that case, I add [Gunkan Suship Ikura] to my hand."
A card automatically popped out from Yunagi's Deck.
"Now, I activate the second effect of [Gunkan Suship Shari Red] in my hand: You can reveal 1 other [Gunkan Suship Shari] in your hand to your opponent to activate this effect."
Yunagi's voice remained cool and steady as he once again revealed the white rice card he had just searched.
At that instant, the previously faint aroma of rice in the air suddenly became rich and intense. It was not ordinary rice, but the scent of carefully prepared red vinegar rice carrying a faint reddish tang.
"This card is Special Summoned from the hand. After that, Special Summon 1 'Gunkan' monster from your Deck, except [Gunkan Suship Shari], with its effects negated. Using that monster and this card as materials, Special Summon 1 Xyz Monster from your Extra Deck that mentions that monster's card name, as an Xyz Summon."
Yunagi placed the [Gunkan Suship Red Shari], radiating the fragrance of red vinegar rice, flat onto the Duel Disk.
"I Special Summon [Shirauo Gunkan] from my Deck in Defense Position."
Virtual waves surged behind the counter as a gigantic translucent silver fish leapt from the sea, landing perfectly atop the crimson vinegar rice.
At that moment, even through the enormous Duel barrier, the spectators in the stands seemed able to smell that intensely rich freshness.
Gulp…
Rikka swallowed hard. She stared at the crystal-clear Shirauo sushi towering half a building high on the field, the light in her eyes almost becoming tangible.
"It smells way too good... Who the heck stuffs monsters this unfairly delicious into a Deck?!"
But that mouthwatering atmosphere only lasted for a second.
"After that, I use Shirauo Gunkan and Gunkan Suship Red Shari as Xyz Materials and overlay them! Xyz Summon–"
Yunagi raised his right hand high, blue light shining from his fingertips.
"Appear, Rank 4! [Gunkan Suship Shirauo-class Carrier]!"
Boom!
The earth shook.
The entire arena floor trembled as the Japanese-style counter that had only existed to create atmosphere instantly collapsed, replaced by the thunderous sound of crashing waves.
A gigantic black warship over fifty meters long burst from the sea. It was a war machine equipped with an aircraft carrier deck and countless missile launchers, but absurdly enough, its hull was tightly wrapped in massive layers of seaweed, while rows upon rows of silver fish formed its central bridge.
"An... aircraft carrier?!"
The boys from Xyz Academy instantly exploded with excitement.
"Look! It's a special operations carrier! Sure, it's made of sushi, but that's still an aircraft carrier!"
"Warships are every man's dream! Yunagi, fire the cannons at him!"
Yunagi paid no attention to the fanatical cheers. He simply continued pressing buttons on the Duel Disk with a cold expression.
"First effect of [Gunkan Suship Shirauo-class Carrier]: If this card is Xyz Summoned, apply the effects based on the material monsters used. If [Gunkan Suship Shari] is among the materials, I draw 1 card from my Deck. If [Shirauo Gunkan] is among the materials, I add 1 'Gunkan' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."
Yunagi's fingers slid across the card slot.
"First effect of [Gunkan Suship Red Shari]: While this card exists in the Deck, on the Field, or in the Graveyard, its card name becomes [Gunkan Suship Shari]. Therefore, the condition is fulfilled."
He drew one card from the Deck, and then another card automatically popped out into his hand.
"I add the Field Spell Card, [Gunkan Sushipyard Seaside Supper Spot], to my hand, and activate it."
Countless enormous banners descended from the sky above the arena. Flags made from pitch-black seaweed fluttered in the air as the field, once merely decorated like an izakaya, transformed into a colossal harbor of steel and ingredients.
"Second effect of [Gunkan Suship Shirauo-class Carrier]: While there is a face-up card in the Field Zone, your 'Gunkan' monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects, and they gain Attack equal to their original Defense."
[Gunkan Suship Shirauo-class Carrier, ATK: 2200 → 2450]
"This is a Continuous Effect and does not start a Chain."
Yunagi did not pause for even a moment.
"Next, I Normal Summon the [Gunkan Suship Shari] I just drew. Since there is a Shari on the Field, I activate the first effect of [Ikura Gunkan] in my hand: This card Special Summons itself from the hand."
Another gigantic rice ball dropped onto the field. Then countless plump, jewel-like orange-red salmon roe rained down from above, piling into another mountain of deliciousness.
"First effect of [Gunkan Sushipyard Seaside Supper Spot]: Once per turn, when a 'Gunkan' monster is Normal or Special Summoned, choose 1 'Gunkan' card from your Deck and place it on top of the Deck. I place [Gunkan Suship Red Shari] on top of the Deck."
Yunagi looked at the salmon roe before him.
"Finally, I activate the second effect of [Ikura Gunkan]: Excavate the top three cards of the Deck and add 1 [Gunkan Suship Shari] among them to the hand. Return the remaining cards to the Deck."
Yunagi's slender fingers rested against the edge of the Deck.
For a true Duelist, everything is predetermined. He had no need to rely on probability, because he himself had already decided what card would be on top of the Deck.
He flicked open the top card.
"I add [Gunkan Suship Red Shari] to my hand."
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]