Muto Yugi!
Originally thought they wouldn't be surprised by anything today, the newbies almost jumped up in front of the screen one by one.
This guy is the First Duel King!
What kind of day is today anyway? So many god-tier big shots coming online one after another, it's simply terrifying.
Is this the Twilight of the Gods or what?
The gods are having a meeting, and the newbies are shaking in their boots.
"Oh? Mr. Yugi ran into him?" Youyu replied.
"Yes, he looked quite energetic," Yugi sent a smiling emoji, "But he was in a hurry and seemed not to recognize me."
Youyu: "..."
At the beginning of the GX Animation, Yuki Judai was rushing to the exam room when he bumped into Yugi on the street. Strangely, even though Yugi was Judai's idol, he didn't seem to recognize him at that time.
We can only guess that maybe over the years AIBO's appearance changed a lot—he did grow taller in the anime, and only his chin was shown. There were some differences from the Duel King in the initial image data, so Judai didn't recognize him.
As for that highly recognizable starfish hairstyle...
...It might not be unusual in the anime's worldview.
"But my 'Winged Kuriboh' seems to especially like him," Yugi said, "So I gave him that card as a Protective Talisman."
Since the original work didn't explicitly explain whether Muto Yugi had the ability to see spirits, there's a bit of debate among players about this setting.
But Youyu didn't doubt it at all. Because at the beginning of GX, Yugi told Judai "This guy wants to go with you," and then gave him a "Winged Kuriboh" card with a spirit residing in it, which was the start of the whole story.
Sufficient to prove that Yugi could usually see the Winged Kuriboh Spirit and was proficient in Kuriboh speech, knowing what it wanted to express.
"Then I'll thank Mr. Yugi on behalf of the kid."
Youyu sent a bowing emoji.
"We haven't seen each other for a while. Let's have a meal together when we have time; my treat," Youyu said.
Before Yugi had time to reply, President Haima spoke again. This time, he poked Yugi.
"Yugi! It's been a long time since our last duel. Since you're back in Domino, give me a duel!"
Another crowd gathering below to watch, and someone even shouted "Duel of the Century" and such.
Once upon a time, Kaiba only regarded Yugi as the container of the Pharaoh, disdainful of playing cards with him. However, ever since five years ago Kaiba confidently challenged Yugi, only to end up losing miserably, he never dared to underestimate this opponent again.
However, Youyu felt that this should be considered a good thing for both himself and President.
For the President, it meant that there was one more duelist he acknowledged in the world. Having a new opponent could alleviate his card addiction.
For Youyu, it meant the pressure of accompanying the President in card games was reduced. Instances of being dragged out of bed at midnight by the President to play cards significantly decreased...
"Sorry Kaiba, I'm in a hurry this time," Yugi replied, "Next time, definitely."
Then he poked Youyu again.
"Also, tell your student to keep it up! Wishing him good results on the exam!"
After sending the message, Yugi returned to lurking again, cruelly ignoring Kaiba's request for a card game.
Youyu shut down the projection window of the Duel Disc and returned to lurking and lazing around.
Yugi had been rushing around abroad recently, rarely coming back. Usually, the burden of accompanying the President in card games still fell on Youyu's shoulders.
Youyu increasingly felt he should sooner get his adorable student trained and developed. Once Judai matured, he as a teacher could relax a bit and send the student to deal with President's card game addiction instead.
If the President couldn't even defeat his student, presumably he wouldn't bother him, the teacher, anymore...
At this time, our new generation world protagonist, the Chosen One of this version, who carries countless expectations, Yuki Judai, finally arrived late.
In the original work, Professor Chronos, who advocated elite education, was unwilling to give this poor student, who did poorly in the written exam and was late, a chance for assessment. But now, although the professor is somewhat dissatisfied with Judai's written exam score and lateness, he doesn't dare to act out.
No choice, the kid has connections.
And not just average connections. Even if Judai directly missed the exam, the academy might still accept him...
However, about Judai being Youyu's student, for now, only Principal Samejima and Professor Chronos knew in the academy.
Oh, and Marufuji Ryo.
However, Ryo is a tight-lipped good boy. He felt mentioning this might bring unnecessary attention and trouble to this yet-to-be-enrolled junior. So, while he often talked about knowing a prodigious junior, he never mentioned Judai's name.
Youyu felt it's good to keep it this way. In the early part of the animation, hardly anyone knew that Marufuji Ryo was actually a direct disciple of Principal Samejima in the academy?
"The student of the Duel King" was undoubtedly a resonant title, but it might burden Judai's campus life unnecessarily.
Under Youyu's instruction, Professor Chronos used his famous "Ancient Gear" card deck, personally conducting the assessment test on Yuki Judai.
Then the duel began on this side.
First up was the lively jellyfish-headed contestant. Judai first Normal Summoned "Elemental Hero Solidman," then with Solidman's effect, Special Summoned "Elemental Hero Wildman" from his hand, then set two cards in the backfield, directly announcing the end of his turn.