As soon as the topic was mentioned, both Asuka and Mitsuzawa showed faces of anticipation.
After all, that's Seto Kaiba, the man at the pinnacle of this world. Any anecdote about such a legend is of great interest to everyone, especially when it involves classmates.
"Should I be honest?" Yugen said seriously.
The two sensed some intriguing news, nodding repeatedly.
"Alright, then I'll say it."
Yugen took a deep breath, speaking leisurely.
"Actually..."
Both held their breath.
"...I'm really not familiar with Seto Kaiba."
"..."
Yugen sighed. Indeed, seeing their expressions confirmed that no one ever believes the truth.
He's barely spoken a few words to the president, not even having contact information. If anything, he's simply acquainted with Keihei...
The two were skeptical.
"Really?"
"Really," Yugen replied.
"What about him giving you a large scholarship, is that true?"
"...True."
"What about his sponsorship for our lab?"
"...True."
"Someone said you got quite a few Rare Cards through Kaiba Company channels..."
"...That's true too."
The two: "..."
"Ahem, but I've heard that Seto Kaiba is actually quite hard to deal with," Mitsuzawa said, "It's said that even back in the days with Duel King Muto Yuugi and others, the relationship wasn't good. Everyone in Kaiba Company is extremely afraid of him..."
This is something many people are curious about. Seto Kaiba not only has formidable card skills, his bad temper is equally infamous. Getting benefits repeatedly from him means being a very close friend, right?
But Yugen shook his head: "Just rumors."
"So he's actually not like that?"
"Not necessarily," Yugen thought, "If I have to say, it's a mask."
"Mask?"
Mitsuzawa and Asuka exchanged a look, puzzled.
"Seto Kaiba isn't like you think," Yugen smiled, "You know, Kaiba Company originally was an arms dealer, right?"
That's well-known ancient history now, and they both nodded.
Seto Kaiba and his brother were both adopted, taken in by the previous arms magnate Gozaburo Kaiba from an orphanage.
Originally Gozaburo had his own plan when adopting him; he intended to use Kaiba's body as a vessel for his real son Naiya, who had died in a car accident. Gozaburo planned to download Naiya's electronic consciousness into Kaiba's body, using Kaiba's body as a vessel for revival.
But unexpectedly, the president seemed to have a cheat code, secretly taking control of the entire company at about sixteen, forcing the old man to death, transforming into the new president. The old man's plan failed, dying in resentment.
Yugen said: "Seto Kaiba took over such a giant enterprise at sixteen, all resources and foundation had to be earned through his own work.
He had to make a group that sold arms obey his commands, turning an aviation and artillery conglomerate to research card games...If he didn't act as fierce and brutal as rumored, it would be impossible, right?"
The two pondered, exchanged another look.
It seems to make sense.
Moreover, the president is inherently a traditional tsundere, never expressing his true thoughts.
The most representative thing is how he always calls Joey "Mortal Bone," and during Duelist rankings, he rated him as the lowest 2-star.
Yet during the Doma Chapter, seeing Joey's soul taken, his first instinct was surprise, exclaiming "Even Mortal Bone lost?"
So, in the president's mind, City Blade is actually among the world's top duelists; he simply refuses to admit it verbally.
"So if the usual appearance is a mask, what is the real Seto Kaiba like?" Asuka asked.
"Who knows?" Yugen shrugged, "Once a mask is worn for long, it's not easy to remove."
A brief silence.
But then Mitsuzawa spoke: "So you know this Seto Kaiba so well..."
The second half of the sentence was unfinished, but its meaning was clear.
You said you're not familiar?
Yugen: "..."
Ear-piercing alarm suddenly rang, slicing through the tranquil night like a sharp blade, echoing through the forest like a canyon.
"Is this...the Academy's invasion alert?" Mitsuzawa's expression changed.
Asuka frowned: "Only emergency situations trigger the alarm...What's happening?"
A mechanical female voice emerged from the speaker: "All students please pay attention, all students please pay attention. Duel Academy is invaded by unknown individuals; all students hearing this should immediately return to your dorms and await orders.
The invasion will be handled by the administration department..."
"Invasion? Duel Academy?"
Asuka seemed worried.
"Who could it be? Why target Duel Academy..."
"Who knows?" Yugen shrugged.
The reasons why this island might be targeted are endless.
"In any case, to be cautious," Mitsuzawa stood up, "Let's head back to the dorms as instructed."
...
...
Principal Jiaodao's office.
Principal Jiaodao stood by the window, looking worriedly outside. The sky had grown gloomy, thick clouds devouring the horizon, leaving a dark backdrop. Thunder clouds rolled in the sky like a furious beast.
"The storm is coming..."
The office door opened, and Professor Chronos hurried in.
"What's going on, Principal?" Chronos asked hastily as he entered, "What's with the academy being invaded, Nonne? Why suddenly tell all students to return to dorms?"
"Calm down, Professor. The exact situation is still unclear, only that unauthorized individuals entered the academy, with unknown numbers and origins.
The administration department has already begun a search, and we should soon identify them."
Professor Chronos stood firm: "Then please also send me to join the action, Principal. I, Chronos de Medici, will not allow anyone to harm our students!"
"I understand your sentiment, Professor Chronos. But for now, observe the situation; I'll notify you if needed."
"Understood, Principal."
Chronos lowered his voice.
"By the way, Principal, could they be...after those three cards?"
Principal Jiaodao pondered briefly.
"I think not, it doesn't match 'those people's' tactics," Principal Jiaodao shook his head, saying, "But to be cautious, I've arranged personnel to check the 'Sealed Land's' situation."
He paused, expression grave.
"No matter what happens, the seal on those three cards must never be compromised."