Watching his AI being thoroughly beaten by the President, Youyu in the stands couldn't help but feel a bit ambivalent.
Especially seeing how, after the President had finished thrashing the AI, a horde of researchers eagerly rushed over, crowding around the President and clamoring to flatter him—saying things like how even the Duel King was no match...
Seeing them spew flattering words effortlessly, Youyu suddenly couldn't help but feel that his players might as well learn from these NPCs to see what true sycophancy looks like.
...Seriously, what's so impressive about beating my AI?
Youyu couldn't help but turn to Mokuba: "Hey, why's the President battling my AI anyway? If he wants to duel, go to Yugi. He lost to Yugi but has never been beaten by me..."
Mokuba whispered, "This morning, he battled Yugi..."
Youyu: "..."
The door to the control room swung open. Kaiba strode in, gesturing for Youyu to follow, looking as if he felt no embarrassment about thoroughly beating his AI just moments ago.
Youyu followed the President into his office. Kaiba settled behind his desk, and it was Mokuba who fetched a chair for Youyu.
Youyu nodded in thanks, sitting down in front of the desk.
The President said there was a work task, and Youyu initially thought his task was simply to bypass procedures and play cards with the President. Unexpectedly, upon arriving, the President actually had serious business to discuss.
Kaiba briefly mentioned some upcoming plans for himself and the company, starting with the virtual world left behind by Kaiba Gozaburo's spirit.
Previously, Youyu had casually suggested to Kaiba that this virtual world was exquisitely designed, and a little modification might be useful.
Back then, Kaiba didn't even consider it, but now, it seems the President might have listened.
At this point, Mokuba also chimed in to explain that their current priority is establishing the large entertainment center, "Kaiba Land."
The virtual world, with the AI of Kaiba Noah (now rehabilitated) aiding in its revision, has been designed into a virtual game that's still in the testing phase, to be featured in Kaiba Land as an attraction.
This was a dream the brothers had since childhood—a promise Kaiba made to his brother when they were in the orphanage.
Although it might seem a bit strange given Kaiba Seto's awkward personality, building "a paradise where everyone is full of laughter and free from pain" has always been his dream.
What's harder than having such a dream is that, after tumultuous experiences and witnessing the darkest parts of human nature—where he too became part of that darkness—Kaiba has astonishingly persevered with this childlike dream even to this day.
Not everyone can cling to such pure selfhood while climbing to great heights at any cost.
Youyu felt just this one aspect makes the President immensely admirable.
Kaiba further mentioned that, aside from the virtual world, they are interested in the ability to link human neural systems with computers, where even the five senses can be perfectly replicated. The development department is currently researching it.
The ability to perfectly replicate human sensory touch in a computer world—even taste, smell, and touch being exactly the same.
Within the virtual world, you could even feel the lazy sunshine and the gentle breeze brush your face.
Such phenomenal technology, it's easy to imagine its vast potential applications. If this technology were made public, it would undoubtedly shake the world!
The President expressed that once the research on this technology matures, from now on everyone will be able to...
...experience super-realistic sensations while playing cards online.
...What else?
Seriously, is there anything more important than card-playing in this world?
Any breakthrough in technology should first consider its relation to card-playing—isn't that common sense?
Youyu even boldly speculates that perhaps it's because Kaiba has this "everything can involve dueling" mindset that the company has developed so successfully under his leadership...
Kaiba then mentioned some more distant plans. For instance, they plan to establish a global dueling professional league, splitting into different regions, attracting as many investors as possible to form league clubs.
They also plan to establish a Duel Academy, nurturing more young duelists to continually inject fresh blood into the Duel Monster Realm.
It's clear that, starting now, President Kaiba has begun laying out the blueprint to conquer the world through card dueling...
But what surprised Youyu is that the President actually discussed all these matters with him.
In fact, Youyu's role is described as a consultant for the Duel Monster Department, yet most of the time he's quite idle with not much to do. His understanding of his role is merely overseeing version updates and rule changes for the Duel Monster game.
Yet judging by current trends, the President might be hoping to involve Youyu in the "conquer the world through card dueling" blueprint.
To put it simply, there's likely more work ahead, and he can't keep slacking off collecting paychecks...
When all miscellaneous tasks were finally wrapped up, it was nearing 9 PM.
"That's basically it," Mokuba said, putting away the materials as he tidied up, "So in a few days we might leave here to go to the States and prepare for Kaiba Land's establishment."
"Oh." Youyu nodded, chuckling, "Then best of luck, hope everything goes well for you."
The President remained expressionless: "You're going too."
Youyu: "......"
"Brother said that after going to the States, we must wholeheartedly prepare for Kaiba Land's construction," Mokuba said, "For this, he will temporarily retire from the Duel Monster Realm, sealing away his card deck."
Youyu was somewhat astonished.
Is the President afraid that dueling will interfere with things, so he wants to quit dueling addiction?
Seriously? Can the President really kick his dueling habit?
"But before that," President Kaiba stood, spoke in a deep voice, "Our first duel is still unresolved, you haven't forgotten, right?"
Youyu thought, sorry but honestly, President, I forgot long ago...
"Then let us settle it right now, right here," Kaiba waved his hand, "The game defeated me, while you and the game ended in a draw, which makes you also an opponent I must defeat!
If I don't take this step forward, I can't move ahead. Come, Youyu! Our decisive battle!"
Youyu: "..."
Well, should've expected it.
Look, after saying so much and explaining everything, turns out... his main task is still to accompany the President in card-playing.