Destiny Hero Plasma, summon!
A chaotic storm tinged with crimson seemed to envelop the field like a blood mist. The hero, emanating an ominous aura, appeared squatting on the ground and slowly rose. His body seemed to be dripping with deep red blood, resembling rugged mountain stones.
Huge wings unfolded behind him. The hero looked up as the dragon mouth on his arm slowly opened, exhaling a dark red breath.
[Destiny Hero Plasma, Attack Power 1900]
Tenma Gekko's face instantly changed slightly: "This monster... I see, it's a design from Mr. Phoenix, isn't it..."
Mr. Phoenix was originally a designer at Industrial Illusions Society, and Tenma Gekko being Pegasus' adopted son, it wasn't surprising he heard about the Destiny Hero project.
"I had heard it was a card containing immense power... but I didn't expect it to have such grandeur." He muttered to himself, "Phoenix was right, this is a forbidden hero that ordinary duelists shouldn't possess. Probably only you, Youyu, can handle this card..."
Even President Haima's expression changed slightly.
"Destiny Hero Plasma... another card I haven't heard of."
And looking at the entrance effects, the card face, and the aura, it's clear it's an ace-level big monster.
Honestly, although the animated Blood Demon D has average practical use, its aura is really spot on, the presence of an ultimate hero is maxed out.
At this moment, Gekko seemed a bit panicked under the pressure of this ultimate hero. As if seeking some sense of security, he prematurely activated his Set Card.
"Set Card... Flip, Trap Card activate." The Set Card beside him flipped open, "Trap Card - Intrigue Shield! This card can be equipped to your monster, making the equipped monster indestructible by battle once per turn, and battle damage to the player is also 0!"
He pointed to the nullified Angel O7 in front of him.
"Intrigue Shield, equip to Angel O7!"
The Trap Effect activated, and a shield materialized in front of the white angel, seemingly providing him a slight sense of security.
However...
"Sorry, but that won't work on Plasma." Youyu smiled, "Plasma's special ability activates! Once per turn, I can absorb an opponent's monster on the field as an Equip Card!
Then, after absorbing its nutrients, Plasma gains half the attack power of the equipped monster, along with the opponent's special ability!" (Animated effect)
"What!?" Tenma Gekko exclaimed in shock.
When he first heard of the Destiny Hero project, Plasma's design wasn't complete, so he had no idea this ultimate hero had such a domineering special ability.
At this moment, Plasma had already spread his enormous wings, countless pitch-black tendrils burst out, coiling tightly around the white armor of Angel O7.
The Intrigue Shield's shield was utterly useless in front of Plasma, unable to impede its movement at all.
Plasma roared, pulling the angel over telekinetically without hesitation and violently absorbing it into his massive wings. The absorbed angel struggled for a moment, swinging its arms futilely against the wings, but to no avail.
Plasma let out a mighty shout, his body enveloped in a faint white light, his power seemingly surging at a visible speed.
[Destiny Hero Plasma, Attack Power 1900 → Attack Power 3350]
Tenma Gekko: "Attack Power 3350..."
"And due to absorbing 'Angel O7's' effect, now as long as Plasma is on the field, monster effects cannot be activated... of course, it seems you won't have that opportunity."
(Kuriboh: Don't look at me, even I can't save this one...)
"This really is the final attack now," Youyu said, "Plasma's direct attack! Bloody End!"
Plasma flapped his wings and took flight, slowly spreading both wings.
An onslaught of blood arrows rained down like a storm, carpeting Tenma Gekko's field with bombardments. The explosive blood mist soared into the sky, the sound effects roared, and waves spread and pushed outward...
[Tenma Gekko, LP 0]
"The... the victor is decided."
Mokuba watched the cards and the imposing Dark Hero vanish from the field, feeling a bit unsatisfied.
"Destiny Hero Plasma, what a strong monster, and so cool too!"
After all, Mokuba is still just an elementary school student. Though he's experienced more than most, fundamentally he's still a child.
Youngsters have no resistance to strong and cool heroes.
"And indeed, Youyu is really strong too..."
Kaiba remained silent, arms crossed, and quietly stepped outside, probably calculating in his mind that he ought to upgrade Youyu's AI at some point.
...Yes, he's referring to Youyu's AI.
Kaiba walked to the center of the field, facing Tenma Gekko.
"Hmph, for your level, you did your best. But if you want to surpass Youyu, you're still ten thousand years too early."
Youyu: "..."
Holy crap, President, do you have to generate this much animosity? I wouldn't even dare be this arrogant myself...
Tenma Gekko took it in good stride. He accepted his loss sincerely, seemingly having anticipated from the start his defeat to Youyu, so he just smiled politely and didn't retort.
Of course, losing to the Duel King isn't a disgraceful thing.
Moreover, he didn't have anything to be dissatisfied with, he lost fair and square this time.
Kaiba sneered arrogantly: "In my opinion, I don't have any favorable impression of your Industrial Illusions Society. If this strength represents your so-called 'Perfect Duelist', then I'm afraid you won't be able to help in the upcoming battles."
Gekko said: "President Kaiba..."
Youyu cleared his throat, stepping forward timely: "President, Industrial Illusions Society's foundation is quite solid, and they're evidently better prepared than us to deal with Doma.
With the great battle approaching, the company's future is uncertain. Naturally, the more allies, the better..."
In truth, after spending considerable time with President Kaiba, Youyu had learned to understand his mannerisms and develop routines.
In times like this, does the President genuinely not want to cooperate with Industrial Illusions Society? Actually, that's not true.
It's most likely just a habitual aloofness due to past grievances between the Kaiba brothers and Pegasus, causing the President's subconscious indignation to manifest.
At such times, subordinates must learn to read the room, timely stepping in to offer a few compliments, giving the President a face-saving out. Should others mistakenly take the President's aloofness as genuine and turn away, losing an ally would certainly be distressing...
Indeed, President Kaiba glanced at Youyu, seemed to ponder for a moment, and then huffed.
"Very well, considering my subordinate's face, I'll give you this chance." Kaiba said coldly, "Just don't hold me back."
Look at this President Kaiba, all sullen. Outwardly a poker face casually agreeing, yet deliberately emphasizing "subordinate." As if intentionally highlighting, so what if he's the Duel King? He's still mine...
Tenma Gekko, with admirable composure, wasn't bothered by Kaiba's ridicule, merely smiling politely: "Thank you, President."
He paused, then turned to Youyu: "Thank you as well."
Simultaneously, Gekko secretly noted to himself that President Kaiba seems to listen to Youyu.
It appears he needs to establish good relations with Youyu in advance. Should future complicated matters arise without clarity with the President, he might be able to seek help from Youyu...
"If you wish to cooperate with us, you should demonstrate sincerity by first sharing the intelligence you have on Doma." Kaiba said lightly, "Tell us how much you understand about this organization."
"Not very much. This organization is very mysterious and the traceable history is very long. We've consulted literature and found traces of Doma in ancient records, but it's only faint remnants, nothing useful..."
Kaiba scoffed: "So you have nothing to show for?"
"Not exactly. Based on some clues we've uncovered, we have reason to believe Doma has significant operations in Domino City. Our people are pursuing these leads and will likely discover..."
"Uh, about this..."
Youyu, who had been spacing out on the side for some time, suddenly spoke up.
"I think... I might have a way to track down Doma's location."