[Contrast HERO Chaos, 3000 ATK]
The black-and-white hero landed on the field in a tilted stance, their left hand raised, finger pointed straight at Momoyo. Their twin-colored scarf whipped in the sea wind.
"Since a card was removed from play, Chenqying's effect activates! I banish one card from your field and one from your grave!" Momoyo commanded, the armored sovereign lifting its blade to strike.
"Chaos's effect activates!" Yumi cut in sharply. "Once per turn, I can target a face-up card and negate its effect!"
The sovereign faltered, forced to one knee as its power was sealed away.
[Swordsoul Supreme Sovereign - Chenqying, 4800 -> 3000 ATK]
"I activate the Equip Spell, Sword of Promised Victory, equipping it to Chaos."
A sealed blade materialized in Chaos's hand. The hero gripped the hilt firmly, pulling it free with a gleam.
"By banishing up to thirteen monsters from my hand, field, and graveyard, Chaos gains ATK equal to their combined original ATK until the end of this turn!"
Chaos raised the blade high, the edge trailing light as Yumi's voice rang out.
"Seal Thirteen, decision start!"
Masquerade, approve.
Stardust, approve.
Trinity, approve.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, approve.
Woodsman, approve.
Lady Heat, approve.
Roze, approve.
Increase, approve.
Vyon, approve.
Liquid Soldier, approve.
Prisma, approve.
[Contrast HERO Chaos, 3000 -> 18,600 ATK]
The golden light from the hero's sword blazed skyward, a beacon splitting the heavens.
"Battle, Chaos, attack Chenqying! Excalibur!"
The dual-colored hero charged, golden blade cleaving down toward the sovereign.
"Quickplay spell, Battle Fusion!" Momoyo countered, flipping her face-down. "When my monster battles, my monster gains ATK equal to the opposing monster until the end of the Damage Step!"
[Swordsoul Supreme Sovereign - Chenqying, 3000 -> 21,600 ATK]
Chenqying raised its crimson greatsword, clashing against the radiant blade. The echo of steel shook the air.
"Quickplay spell, Bounce Spell, target one face-up spell you control, and activate it!"
Yumi declared, as Momoyo's Battle Fusion reflected onto his side.
The golden blade flared even brighter, its power erupting.
[Contrast HERO Chaos, 18,600 -> 40,200 ATK]
"Forty… thousand attack points…" Momoyo murmured in awe, her lips curling into a smile. "But I'm not finished yet, little brother!"
Her hand swept to her last face-down. "Trap Card! Magic Cylinder!"
"Not so fast, sis! From my hand, I pay half my Life Points to activate Red Reboot!"
[Yumi, LP 300 -> 150]
"Your trap is negated and set back down, and you can set one more directly from your deck." He smirked knowingly. Both of them understood she wouldn't get another turn.
Momoyo smiled faintly as the golden blade shattered Chenqying's greatsword, cleaving the sovereign apart in a brilliant explosion of light.
[Momoyo, LP 11,400 -> 0]
The holograms dissolved, leaving the siblings standing on the sunset beach. The sea breeze rolled past, ruffling Yumi's damp magenta hair and sending Momoyo's long black locks streaming.
She smiled at him, her brother standing tall, flashing his signature two-finger stance.
"Gotcha. That was a fun duel!"
...
After that duel, Yumi seemed back to his usual self, a relief for Celina, Rio, Alexis, and even Jaden.
"Tch! You really act like a girl. If you're upset, just say it already," Celina complained, arms crossed.
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight." Yumi brushed it off with a laugh. After all, aside from Dimitri, who ended up hospitalized for a week after the duel drained him dry, no one important was hurt.
Even Professor Crowler had started toning down his jabs at the Slifer Reds. He wasn't going out of his way to make them the class punchline anymore. Rumor had it Momoyo had a little "chat" with him, one that Zane had backed her up on.
For some reason, Yumi suspected Zane had only come along to make sure Momoyo didn't leave the room carrying a body bag dripping with "red paint."
"Well, it's good to see you back to normal," Rio said warmly.
Alexis nodded. "Indeed. The group feels somewhat… off without you."
Meanwhile, Reginald was still glaring at Yumi from across the way.
Everything seemed like it was settling down, until an arm suddenly wrapped around Yumi's neck. With a soft click, something fastened tight against his skin.
"Heh?" He reached down and felt the leather band secured around his throat.
"This is…" He muttered, realizing it was a leather choker.
"There. I'm officially putting a leash on you," Momoyo declared proudly. She'd spent time picking it out just for her little brother.
Yumi: "…"
"B-" He tried to protest, but she clamped a hand over his mouth, nodding to herself with a satisfied smirk.
"Yes, yes. I know you love it too. No need to thank me."
Yumi: "…"
Her gaze slid toward the other three girls. "So? What do you all think?"
"It looks really cool! Just like how Yugi wore a choker!" Jaden said immediately.
"I think it's a good look," Celina added smugly. "Now we just need a leash clipped on, and we're set."
"I think he looks great," Rio agreed without hesitation. Anything Momoyo said, she backed.
"Uh… I think it looks cool too," Alexis muttered, though her smile faltered just a little. Watching Yumi and Momoyo's bond made her feel sad; her brother never does anything like this with her.
In the end, Yumi couldn't fight it. He sighed and accepted the new accessory in silence.
...
"NANI!?"
Meanwhile, inside Duel Academy's top-floor meeting room.
Professor Crowler slapped the table and shot to his feet, eyes wide in disbelief. "Why change the representative!? For the friendly duel between Duel Academy and North Academy, wouldn't it be fine to send Zane Truesdale again, like last year?"
He jabbed a finger toward Zane, who stood calmly off to the side. "I strongly recommend Zane Truesdale to keep our winning streak alive!"
Chancellor Sheppard leaned back in his chair, unbothered. "But North Academy made it clear, they're sending a first-year this time. If we send an upperclassman, it'll feel like bullying."
"A… first-year student!?" Crowler nearly shrieked.
"Yes," Sheppard nodded firmly. "So it's only proper that we send one too."
He turned to Zane. "What's your opinion?"
Zane's response was calm and steady. "I don't mind."
Sheppard smiled faintly. "Then the question becomes, who should be the representative?"
Silence filled the room as teachers glanced at one another, none willing to speak first.
"Yumi Uzushi," Zane finally said, breaking the silence.
"Oh?" Sheppard raised a brow, surprised Zane would suggest him.
Lyman, petting Pharaoh in his lap, let out a soft chuckle. "Well now… looks like this is about to get troublesome."
The teachers exchanged uneasy looks.
"Yumi Uzushi? Are you serious?"
"Is that even appropriate?"
Everyone knew Yumi's dueling skill was undeniable, he was infamous for OTK-ing opponents. No teacher questioned his ability in combat.
But… he was still a Slifer Red. No Slifer Red had ever represented Duel Academy before. Worse, Yumi's reputation was abysmal: a slacker who passed classes only by turning in assignments written in suspiciously feminine handwriting, slept through lectures, skipped freely, and stirred up trouble whenever possible. To most faculty, he was a walking headache with talent wasted on bad habits.
"I've dueled him," Zane stated, cutting through the murmurs. "He's stronger and more dangerous than even She Devil."
That made the room fall quiet.
"Hmm… I see. In that case, there's little to worry about," Sheppard concluded, smiling. "His skill speaks for itself. Everyone knows how powerful Momoyo Kawakami is. If he surpasses even her, then Yumi's the right choice."
Crowler opened his mouth to object, but the memory of that day when the King's Deck was stolen surfaced. The Slifer Reds had tried to help him, then the terrifying conversation with the She Devil. Crowler bit his lip and stayed silent.
Jaden Yuki was another possible candidate, but compared to Yumi, the choice was obvious. At least Yumi wasn't failing most of his classes like Jaden.
This year's two brightest rising stars both came from Slifer Red, a shocking reversal, considering rookies usually rose from Obelisk Blue.
"Good. Then it's decided. Yumi Uzushi will represent Duel Academy," Sheppard said with finality.
And so, the matter was settled. Professor Lyman was the first to announce the decision in Alchemy class.
Next week, Yumi would stand as Duel Academy's representative.
He was a little surprised; in the anime, Jaden had been chosen since he was the only worthy option. But here, Yumi had overtaken him as the obvious pick.
Not that Yumi minded. His supply of Spirit Energy had risen again, giving him the resources to print out new cards.
He already knew North Academy's rep would be Chazz, after all, the idiot had been missing for days. He also knew Chazz's new deck was dragon-heavy, focused on the Armed Dragon LV monsters.
For Yumi, this wasn't a life-or-death fight. Just a friendly duel between schools.
So, he decided, he'd just have fun with it.
...
In the frigid polar region, the sky was drowned in a gloomy hue. Thick storm clouds churned above the massive academy building, rolling like colossal waves across an endless abyss.
This was the North Academy.
"The Chazz! The Chazz! The Chazz!"
Below the raised platform, the students gathered in unison, fists pumping, chanting the name of their new king, the transfer from the main campus who had conquered the school in just a single day.
Lightning split the sky, a silver blade piercing through the storm. Chazz stood beneath the thunderclouds, the hem of his black uniform billowing like a cape in the electric glow.
He raised his fist, voice cutting through the storm. "Chazz it up!"
The crowd roared back, fists waving as one. "Chazz it up! The Chazz!"
Not a single student seemed embarrassed in the slightest.
"Very good."
The Chancellor of North Academy adjusted his glasses and stepped forward, holding a deck reverently in both hands.
"Chancellor, this is…?"
"This," the Chancellor declared, "is the rarest deck our academy has safeguarded for generations. In your hands, its true power will shine."
He extended the cards toward Chazz. "Take it, new King. Take it, The Chazz!"
The principal's booming words sent another surge of cheers rolling through the crowd.
"King! King! King!"
Chazz fanned through the deck quickly, eyes widening. "This deck… isn't this…?"
"Hmph. Correct."
Chancellor Foster pushed up his glasses, the gleam hiding his eyes and giving him a sinister air.
"Do whatever it takes to win. Listen, Chazz, we've lost the annual friendly duel with the main campus for several years straight. But this time, we must win, even if it's for Ms. Dorothy, uh, I mean, for the honor of our school!"
Chazz blinked. "Wait. Did you just say something weird?"
But the Chancellor cut him off, slamming his fist into the air. "This time, victory at any cost!"
"The Chazz!" the students thundered back, their synchronized chant drowning out Chazz's doubts.
He fell silent, staring down at the rare deck in his hand. Slowly, he pulled out his own deck from his card case, gazing at it with a conflicted expression.
These were the incredible cards he'd collected on his journey from the main campus to North Academy.
The crowd's cheering only grew louder, chanting his name as though their voices could shake the storm itself.
Then, a semi-transparent figure floated out of nowhere. A ridiculously cute, yellow, keychain-sized creature in a pair of oversized red underpants landed squarely on Chazz's shoulder.
"Boss~! This is gonna be our big debut! I'm so excited!"
The mischievous spirit covered its blushing face, wiggling its round butt in the air.
A vein bulged on Chazz's forehead. "Get lost!"
…
A day later, the massive submarine fortress surfaced at the shores of Duel Academy's main island. Chancellor Sheppard personally led the student council and a group of onlookers to greet the arriving delegation.
"Chancellor Sheppard!" Foster called out.
"Chancellor Foster!" Sheppard returned the greeting.
The two bald Chancellors shook hands warmly, the air thick with forced harmony. At least, on the surface.
"You're looking well," Sheppard said.
"You too, ha ha, getting younger every year."
"Once again, I'll be counting on your guidance, Chancellor Foster."
"Oh, not at all, I should be the one saying that."
Everyone present: "…"
After the perfunctory pleasantries, Foster adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharpening. "By the way, how's Ms. Dorothy these days?"
Sheppard's smile immediately stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "Hmph. Of course, Ms. Dorothy is an indispensable figure in this year's tournament."
Some first-year students tilted their heads in confusion.
Ms. Dorothy? That cheerful chubby lady from the card shop?
Sure, she was kind and a great cook, but what did she have to do with the tournament?
But Yumi knew. To the Chancellors, Dorothy was the true prize of this "friendly" duel. The real reason both of them had insisted, "No matter what, we must win."
The reward was… a kiss from Ms. Dorothy.
So Yumi figured Dorothy must have been a real beauty in her youth. Maybe she'd had some dramatic story with both Chancellors, romance, betrayal, heartbreak. Who knew?
What mattered was the aftermath. Dorothy stayed with Sheppard at the main campus, even had a secret passage linking the card shop to the Chancellor's office. Meanwhile, poor Foster got banished to the icy north.
Who won the past battle of love was unclear, but who had claimed the high ground was obvious.
Chazz narrowed his eyes, scanning the crowd for his opponent. Suddenly, a gust swept across the shore, forcing students to squint against the sting of wind and sand.
The roar of engines shook the air, forming a transparent whirlwind. From above, a massive black steel bird descended, reflecting the sun.
A helicopter.
On its underside, the bold letters gleamed: Princeton.
Chazz's eyes widened. "Big brothers!?"
...
In the lounge before the duel, Chazz sat across from his two long-absent siblings, his expression dark. "What are you two doing here?"
"Our Princeton Group has partnered with the TV station," said Slade Princeton, the eldest. "This year's Duel Academy showdown will be broadcast nationwide."
"National… broadcast?" Chazz's heart skipped. He didn't even know who his opponent was yet; should he feel nervous or excited?
"That's right." Slade's tone grew commanding. "This is all part of our brothers' plan. The Princeton Empire, our rise to the summit of the world." He gestured toward Jagger, the second brother, then leaned closer to Chazz.
"You must stand at the peak of Duel Monsters. Together, politics, business, and dueling will forge a super-empire rivaling even KaibaCorp. You remember, don't you?"
Chazz: "…"
"We also heard from Professor Crowler that you were expelled three months ago," Slade added.
Chazz flinched. "That was-"
"No need to explain," Jagger cut him off, standing with folded arms. "You've always been the weakest of us. Think about how much we've invested in you, and how little you've delivered. This broadcast cannot tolerate failure. You must win, and win beautifully, in front of the entire nation. Do you understand?"
Chazz lowered his gaze. "…Yes."
...
The duel arena was packed to the brim. The stands roared like a surging ocean, while TV cameras floated and darted across the crowd, capturing every angle for the nationwide broadcast.
Chazz stood tall in the center of the arena, waiting.
The crowd buzzed, anticipation climbing.
Footsteps echoed from the opposite tunnel. From the shadowed hall emerged a red jacket. Chazz's first thought was Jaden Yuki, the one who had humiliated him, forced him out, and left that scar on his pride.
But then his face froze.
Bright magenta hair. Calm, piercing golden eyes.
Even after his training, there was still one duelist Chazz dreaded facing. The one who could end a duel before it even began.
The strongest Slifer Red.
Slifer.
"Yo," Yumi greeted with a cheerful smile.