When Mr. Takahashi was designing characters for the project of "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX," he had originally set Manjome Jun as the disciple personally selected by Kaiba Seto in the early design.
But due to changes in the world line, this idea was deleted in the subsequent project supplements and modifications, turning into a black history.
However, now the world line has changed again. Perhaps it was seeing Youyu take in Yuki Judai as a disciple — the President even had the fortune to personally experience Yuki Judai's incredible future power.
That experience not only made Kaiba change his mind to allow Youyu to teach at Duel Academy, but also made him vaguely consider doing something similar himself.
If that You↑yu↓ can take in disciples, why can't I, Kaiba Seto?
After all these years, no matter how hard he tried to adjust the deck construction, even speeding up card printing with the White Bride Couple, printing a whole bunch of flashy White Dragon variants, he still couldn't beat Youyu.
But after losing repeatedly, he got used to losing too.
Even when he tried tirelessly and failed again and again, he would still think—
—Hmph! This feels right, You↑yu↓!
That's the kind of strength a recognized opponent should have!
But watching the small jellyfish head grow day by day beside Youyu, the President started having other thoughts.
Although he couldn't beat Youyu, if he taught a disciple who could defeat Youyu's disciple, wouldn't that be, by rounding up, like putting Youyu beneath him?
The President is just this kind of person, outwardly cold and arrogant, but actually very concerned about his reputation. Whatever he does, he has to do it best, in any field.
And that's no exaggeration. President Kaiba is now a leading figure in the energy sector, top-notch in aerospace, and in the chess and entertainment industry—needless to say—even the International Fantasy Society, which once claimed half of the Duel World, is overshadowed by Kaiba Company now.
It's fair to say that apart from card skills being under two others, in all other areas he ventures into, he's number one in the world!
So naturally, if he's going to take a disciple, he wants the best. He's had the thought for a long time, but couldn't find a suitable candidate.
With President Kaiba's experience, he's met many young geniuses. But the President has high standards, and now with Youyu's student as a benchmark, his criteria became even stricter.
Whenever he sees talented young people seemingly standing out among peers, Kaiba's first thought is to compare them to the future Yuki Judai he met at the KC Cup, and immediately dismisses them.
Not to mention finding someone equal to that jellyfish head's talent, at least find someone...okay by 40-60 standards?
He can't just find someone like a Normal Monster with no innate talent except relying on dice, and make them reach Yuki Judai's level, can he?
(Jonouchi getting roasted again: You gotta be kidding me...)
After searching for years among the new students of each generation, Kaiba almost gave up on this idea. He realized someone with Yuki Judai's extraordinary talent seemed to not exist.
The more Kaiba thought about it, the more annoyed he became.
Curse that You↑yu↓, where did he pick up that naturally godly-drawn jellyfish head?
If compared to some immortal fantasy comparison, Judai might just have an "Innate Card Body," a once-in-a-millennium kind, picked up by Youyu as sheer luck.
A couple of years ago Kaiba found Marufuji Ryo from among the academy's new students, the best candidate he'd seen in years. But unfortunately, upon inquiry, it turned out he already had a mentor even before enrolling, and it was the academy's principal, Samejima.
Since he already had a teacher, Kaiba couldn't swoop in and be the third party, right?
That wouldn't do!
It wasn't until he found Manjome Jun, claimed to be the top of the elite class in the junior high section attached to the academy.
The reason the President noticed Manjome was not due to anything else.
That day Kaiba happened to have business at the junior high section. As he passed a corridor of the teaching building, he unintentionally glanced out the window and saw Manjome on the playground.
He watched as Manjome assumed a cocky pose, raising his finger to the sky: "One!"
"Ten!" echoed the underlings.
"Hundred!"
"Thousand!"
All the students on the field joined in with Manjome in shouting: "Manjome Thunder! Thunder! Thunder..."
Kaiba stopped in his tracks, raised an eyebrow with interest.
The accompanying teacher was instantly embarrassed, apologetically said, "Kids, fooling around."
Such a childish scene, even the teacher felt awkward.
But President Kaiba didn't mind it.
Not only did he find it unawkward, but he even curved his lips slightly, muttering to himself: "Interesting."
"Arrogant, conceited, with a domineering air."
"This kid somewhat has the makings of me!"
Thus, Kaiba appeared in front of Manjome.
"You've caught my interest." Kaiba said with arms crossed, coldly, "Duel with me. If you can earn the recognition of the card I hold, I'll consider taking you as a student."
Manjome and all the students present gasped in surprise.
A student of Kaiba Seto!
A legendary figure beneath only the two First Duel Kings, but above thousands others!
Manjome was elated: "Please advise me, President!"
Of course, that duel...well, the result can be guessed just by thinking.
"Strong! Invincible! The strongest!"
"Smash! Jade Shattering! Cheers!"
Kaiba shouted at the top of his lungs, waving grandly, completely unembarrassed.
"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack! Triple burst!"
"Argh!!!"
Poor Manjome was blasted onto the ground directly. Neo Ultimate Dragon's 4500 attack point triple burst could turn a Dark Duel person into a mosaic.
Without any suspense, an absolute rout.
Manjome knelt on the ground, devastated.
He felt he surely messed up.
Under Kaiba's pressure, he couldn't even exhibit half of his usual strength, was suppressed the whole time, and his usual strategic layouts were crushed by absolute power, suffering a complete defeat.
He met an excellent opportunity, one that he might never encounter again in his lifetime, but he couldn't seize it.
However, unexpectedly, after pounding him, Kaiba put away the Duel Disc but revealed a faint smile, humming: "Still acceptable."
Manjome raised his head in surprise.
"You've passed." Kaiba said coldly, "You have potential, but it needs development. If you have the determination to face hell, then follow me."
Manjome beamed: "Yes, President sir!"
"Hmm?"
Manjome realized: "Oh, I mean...Yes, teacher!"
And thus, Manjome Jun became a student of Kaiba.
It's just that Kaiba has never mentioned this to Youyu. He wants to wait until Manjome grows up, suddenly emerges one day and publicly smashes Youyu's student.
Only then will he step forward and cockily tell that infuriating You↑yu↓, saying this is his student.
Thinking of the annoyed expression on Youyu's face at that time, the President couldn't help but slightly curve his lips.
Just wait, You↑yu↓!
You're about to lose!
...But only the President thinks Youyu doesn't know.
Kaiba specifically told Manjome not to mention to anyone that he was his student. This matter hasn't even been told to his brother Mokuba.
Mokuba, that kid, has been getting closer to Youyu and says anything to him without reservation lately. Therefore, Kaiba hasn't mentioned this to him.
Yet the President miscalculated a small detail.
"Come to think of it, Seto recently also took in a new disciple, huh."
The info was leaked by Kisara, the White Dragon girl.
At that moment Youyu was in a meeting at Kaiba Company, while Kisara was chatting with Dark Magician Girl outside.
"Eh? He took a student too?" Dark Magician Girl tilted her head.
"Yes, yes." Kisara covered her lips with her small hand, "His name's...Manjome Jun, I think? A pretty interesting kid, somewhat like Seto in some ways..."
"..."
So since then, Youyu was aware.
But since the President didn't want him to know, he pretended he hadn't heard.
After all, it's part of being a good employee.
Playing along with the President's act.JPG.