Chapter 152: The Terrifying Yata-Garasu Lock? A Reversal in the Duel!
When Joey heard Hayato explain `(Yata-Garasu)`'s effect, he was unimpressed. "Skip one Draw? That effect sounds pretty ordinary. It doesn't justify its weak stats and that cumbersome effect that makes it return to the Hand."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Sheppard and Mai Valentine, hoping for some agreement. However, he could only watch as both of their expressions turned grim.
Mai Valentine's beautiful brows furrowed, her pearly teeth biting her alluring red lips. "A Monster like that... it's a bit too broken, isn't it? With no Summoning restrictions, couldn't this go on indefinitely?"
"To permanently lock down the opponent... what a terrifying effect. Truly worthy of the name 'Yata-Garasu'," Sheppard said, his face serious. In Japanese mythology, the Yata-Garasu, or "eight-span crow," is a three-legged being with the power to guide departed souls and enact vengeance.
It can manage the boundary between life and death and coexist with death itself. Furthermore, it possesses a paradoxical form of immortality: as long as death exists, the Yata-Garasu cannot die.
The `(Yata-Garasu)` card Hayato was using was created based on this mythical divine bird—a super, super, super rare Monster Card.
Just how rare was it? On a high platform beside the Duel Arena, Pegasus had appeared at some point. He sat in a high-backed chair with a velvet cushion, a small table beside him holding red wine and a storybook. However, Pegasus was in no mood to enjoy any of it.
"Soul Monster? If I remember correctly, Industrial Illusions has not yet released this type of special Monster Card that I just recently completed, has it?" On the surface, he appeared calm and nonchalant, but the hand gripping the armrest tightly revealed Pegasus's foul mood. "In other words, the only Soul Monsters in existence should be the Prototype Cards in my own hands."
"Y-Yes, that's correct, Mr. Pegasus." Behind Pegasus, a man in black stammered, "But we just received word from the card warehouse that all of your Prototype Cards are still accounted for. Our (The Security) should not have had any problems."
"No, no, no, I am of course aware of how comprehensive the security for the Soul Monster Prototype Cards is. After all, I trust you boys very much." Glancing at the subordinate behind him, the thoughts fed to Pegasus by his Millennium Eye were instantly absorbed, confirming the man in black was not lying.
Pegasus's gaze returned to the Duel unfolding below. "Because I remember quite clearly that the current Soul Monsters are merely demos. And among them, there is absolutely no `(Yata-Garasu)`."
On the Duel Field, Yugi's expression also changed the moment he heard Hayato explain `(Yata-Garasu)`'s effect.
"I see. So that explains your actions, Hayato. You went to all that trouble to clear my Hand and Field of all cards, just to ensure that when `(Yata-Garasu)` attacks, it wouldn't be met with any resistance, right?"
Hayato nodded. "`(Yata-Garasu)`'s effect is powerful, but only on the condition that its attack connects and deals damage. If I hadn't destroyed your `(Dark Magician Girl)` and cleared away that `(Sakuretsu Armor)`, I wouldn't have dared to launch an attack so recklessly."
"But now, the puzzle of victory is complete!" Hayato raised his hand and pointed at Yugi. "`(Yata-Garasu)`, Direct Attack Yugi!"
"With an empty Hand, you can't just pull a `(Kuriboh)` out of thin air, can you!"
The pale purple crow beat its wings, lifting off the ground and swooping towards Yugi like a swung scythe. With no Monster for a shield, no Set Card to Activate, and no cards in Hand to use, once this Attack went through, Yugi would never be able to escape `(Yata-Garasu)`'s endless attack cycle!
Watching the approaching spirit bird, Yugi actually smiled under the pressure, placing one hand on his Graveyard. "Hayato, you're really something. It seems you've given it your all to become the final victor."
"But I have a reason I can't lose, and I won't be defeated by you this easily!" From his Graveyard, Yugi drew a card and slapped it onto the Duel Arena.
A dark shadow suddenly appeared on Yugi's Field, intercepting `(Yata-Garasu)` and Yugi. The moment it appeared, it released a powerful, visible electromagnetic field that instantly pushed the charging `(Yata-Garasu)` back to Hayato's Field.
Seeing the turtle appear on Yugi's Field, Hayato was reminded of past Duels where his ace monster was repeatedly turned into a turtle. Even though he knew this wasn't the same Monster, his mood still soured.
After releasing that electromagnetic field, the turtle-shaped Monster, as if reaching its mechanical limit, suddenly disassembled into machine parts. Yugi picked up the card. "The effect of `(Electromagnetic Turtle)` is that during the Turn this card was Sent to the Graveyard, I can end the Battle Phase at any time."
"That card, when did you— I see. Was it the Cost to Activate `(Spell Disruption Field)`?" Hayato gave a helpless, bitter smile. "As expected of you, Yugi. Even after I pulled off that whole combo, you still managed to counter it. I knew it wouldn't be so easy to defeat you."
"I end my Turn. At the same time, `(Yata-Garasu)` returns to my Hand." Hayato retrieved the `(Yata-Garasu)` whose attack had failed and reluctantly ended his Turn.
[Hayato: 2200 LP, Hand: 4]
`(Skull Invitation)` `(Abyssal Talisman)`
"That's Yugi for you, able to overcome even the most desperate situations." Seeing Yugi evade `(Yata-Garasu)`'s attack, Joey couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He then looked at Hayato. "But Hayato has used up too many resources. His Life Points are down to only 2200."
"Not only that, but all the Monster Cards in Hayato's Hand are now revealed—the powerless `(Ojama)` Monster and `(Yata-Garasu)`. With a Hand like that, if Yugi just draws a Monster with slightly higher ATK, he'll be able to crush Hayato without any trouble," Sheppard analyzed calmly.
Now, it was Yugi's Turn.
"My Turn, I Draw!" Drawing a card, Yugi's face broke into a smile as he revealed the card in his Hand. "Hayato, this is the Monster I drew."
"Come forth, `(Queen's Knight)`!"
The sole female of the three JQK Knights, and one of the Monsters Yugi used most frequently, appeared on the Field. She elegantly drew her longsword and charged toward Hayato.
"`(Queen's Knight)`, Direct Attack Hayato!"
Not to be outdone, Hayato immediately discarded a card from his Hand. "I won't be defeated so easily, Yugi! I Activate `(Abyssal Talisman)`'s effect! By sending `(Ojama Black)` to the Graveyard, I negate this damage!"
A phantom of `(Ojama Black)` appeared in front of Hayato's Duel Arena, proactively meeting `(Queen's Knight)`'s sharp sword and blocking the 1500 points of damage Hayato would have taken.
"However, you still have to take 300 points of damage from `(Skull Invitation)`," Yugi said. A dark light shot out from the `(Skull Invitation)` on Hayato's Field, reducing his Life Points once again.
[Hayato: 2200 → 1900 LP]
(end of chapter)