"Brother!"
Keihei suddenly waved. Yugen followed his gaze and turned back, immediately seeing President Kaiba at the doorway.
"How's the matter with those AI?" Keihei asked.
"Just a boring trick." Kaiba said coldly, "A bunch of clowns jumping around won't last long."
He paused for a moment, then looked at Yugen.
He seemed to notice that Yugen had picked the newly developed Chestnut Ball deck, and couldn't help but slightly smile.
It seemed that Yugen's choice caught his eye, while also stirring up Kaiba's memories of his long-standing rivalry with Kurishinryu...
Perhaps in seeing this choice, he also saw a shadow of an old acquaintance in Yugen. Kaiba reiterated not to disappoint him in the tournament, then turned and left.
Yugen suddenly thought that saying Kaiba hadn't lost himself while groping in the darkness might not be entirely accurate. In fact, during his initial appearance in the story, Seto Kaiba had indeed lost himself.
But he encountered Ousama.
After losing to Dark Game, he suffered a Spiritual Breakdown impact from the Pharaoh. His internal darkness was torn apart, yet his resilient self remained. In some sense, it was Yugi who helped him regain his true self.
Perhaps it was partly due to this that Kaiba could never forget Dark Game.
"Oh, by the way, the link system I showed you last time, the hardware debugging is almost done."
Keihei walked to the console, opened a box, and took out a device resembling a headset.
"This is the new model after debugging, which can directly connect to the latest Duel Disc you previously received." Keihei explained, "The system is still in the testing phase.
If you have time, you can log in and give it a try, and duel with other duelists from around the world."
Yugen examined the device with interest: "The duelists participating in the test should be quite skilled, right?"
"Not necessarily. Some qualifications are completely randomized by lottery, so the skill level of the duelists with access may vary. Of course, some are players in the current professional league, who should be relatively more professional.
Additionally, we have slots for our business partners and friends in the political circles, etc..."
"I see." Yugen said, resting his chin in his hand.
It sounds like the battle environment of this link system is quite diverse, and it would be a good place to practice online when free.
While Duel Academy still offers opponents, he has already become too famous in the school; even if they lose, students are somewhat prepared for it. It's time to expand the pool of opponents and let more duelists from around the world enjoy the fun of dueling.
"Alright, I have to go to a meeting now. If there's nothing else, you should head back."
Keihei got up and chuckled mysteriously.
"Speaking of which, your school might encounter a surprise tomorrow."
"Oh?" Yugen asked, "A new card box?"
"Haha, not quite." Keihei teased, "You'll find out tomorrow."
Even though he didn't say, Yugen seemed to guess what he was hinting at.
The rumored replica of the First Generation Duel King, Muto Yuugi's Card Deck.
According to the original timeline, it's about time for that moment. The incident where Kagurazaka from Ra's Dorm stole Yugi's deck.
Truth be told, Kagurazaka performed quite well with Yugi's deck; the intended tactics were executed, and even the high-star blank cards in the deck didn't turn to dead hands. But ultimately, they couldn't draw the key cards.
If there's a chance, it wouldn't be bad to have a duel and experience Yugi's deck...
...
...
"Wow, did you guys hear? It's Mr. Yugi's deck!"
Judai, newly aware of the news, was so excited he couldn't sleep through the class, and mentioned it at lunchtime while munching on bread in the school canteen.
"We'll be able to see the legendary Mr. Yugi's deck tomorrow! He's the strongest Duelist in history..."
"Brother, you've said that so many times already," Marufuji Sho chuckled.
Hayato added: "To be precise, it'll actually arrive tonight. Although the exhibition opens tomorrow, the deck is supposedly landing on the island tonight..."
"Really?" Judai grew more excited, "Great! Then tonight, we'll sneak in for an early look..."
Marufuji Sho: "Eh? That doesn't sound right; wouldn't that be violating the rules..."
"Ah, what's there to be afraid of." Judai waved nonchalantly.
As if saying, isn't it true we've often done things against the rules?
"Oh, Yugen! Over here, over here!"
Upon entering the canteen, Yugen immediately spotted Judai waving energetically at him.
"What a coincidence, you're here for lunch today as well?"
Judai nudged Marufuji Sho into the corner to make room for his good friend.
"No, I'm just here to pick up some pre-ordered cards," Yugen explained, "Cards I ordered a long time ago, they just arrived today."
"I see... Oh, speaking of cards..."
Judai collected his smile, pondering seriously.
"The other day, that machine that invaded Academy Island, I could feel it possessed a power similar to what you mentioned, Yugen.
Dueling with it felt dangerous, much like the 'Dark Duels' you talked about."
Yugen nodded: "Yes, there's a dangerous group behind them, but the Kaiba Group is already handling it."
"Right. After dueling with that thing, I recalled what you once told me. We can't let the power of cards be misused by evil people, so..."
He pulled out a deck of cards.
Yugen: "!"
Impressive, I just mentioned it, and he actually took it seriously?
Yugen looked Judai up and down, seemingly gaining a new perspective on Jellyfish Head.
Are you still the Jellyfish Head I know?
"But it used some virus-locking card, and it's a bad match for me; I can't use it at all, haha," Judai scratched his head, "Then I thought, maybe you, Yugen, might be interested..."
Yugen: "..."
He originally wanted to say, isn't this a bit inappropriate?
Even if you can't use it, you could trade it for something else...
Then he suddenly remembered, oh right, Judai is a rich second generation, it's not like he's ever lacked money.
Never mind then.
He took a deep breath, accepted the deck Judai handed over, and firmly gripped his hand.
The solemn look in his eyes seemed to say that from today on, they were lifelong brothers.
This solemnity made Judai slightly uncomfortable, as he scratched his head in confusion: "Ah, I didn't really do anything... Anyway, if it helps you, that would be great, haha..."
Yugen suddenly felt a bit guilty for taking so many cards from Judai...
Oh well, never mind.
I'll let you have tonight's match.
Naturally, Yugen knew that in the original storyline, almost half the Academy would think of sneaking into the exhibition hall to preview the Duel King's deck. Kagurazaka was the swiftest, sneaking in first and swiping the deck.
Judai was the first to catch up to Kagurazaka, and as a result, he got to duel with Yugi's deck.
In a main storyline filled with everyday events during the entire first season of GX, this seemed to be one of the most important duels for Judai.
Given that, it might as well be left to Judai, lest the kid suffers from card withdrawal symptoms.
So that night, Yugen chose to stay at the dorm without getting involved.
However, sometimes fate is unstoppable whether you want it or not.
On his way back to the dorm after a two-round stroll post-dinner, a rustling from the roadside bush revealed a figure popping out.
Yugen halted his steps, frowning slightly: "Kagurazaka?"
Why are you running back to the dorm instead of dueling with Judai?
"Number 1 in Ra's Dorm, Fujiki Yugen!"
Kagurazaka unfolded his Duel Disc, standing proudly.
"Now I have gained the strongest deck and possess unprecedented power! I will no longer lose to anyone!
Come, this is my revenge match! This duel will determine who is the new king of Ra's Dorm!"
Yugen: "..."