Upon hearing Judai's words, Yugen was taken aback for a moment.
"Why do you say that?"
"Ah, it's actually nothing much. It's just..."
Judai hesitated for a moment, furrowing his brows as if he was brewing something.
"Actually, I've felt this way for quite some time. Yugen's dueling...how should I put it? It's extremely powerful, very imaginative—you might be the strongest person I've ever encountered.
But there's always a slight sense of regret..."
"Regret?"
"Maybe that's not the best way to put it."
Judai put away his smile and spoke earnestly.
"Yugen, you once told me that dueling is not just for fun. I came to understand that, especially after meeting Sher.
I learned that there are duels in this world fought for life, or even more important things. Duels can sometimes be heavy, and sometimes we have to carry burdens within them."
He paused for a moment and then looked sincerely at Yugen.
"But I think even so, the duel itself should still be something enjoyable. Not all duels are tense and heavy; I believe that duels at the start should bring joy and not just be a tool for victory."
He said these words, faltered a bit, then scratched his head awkwardly after brewing for a while.
"Actually, I don't quite get it myself, it's just that sometimes it feels like Yugen hasn't fully enjoyed the fun of dueling. Of course, I don't mean anything bad by it, just that it's occasionally a bit of a pity.
You see, I've already given my all, performing even better than before. Yet even so, Yugen can still handle it with ease.
Yugen's Chaos Warrior, Silent Magician, and my heroes...everyone is fighting with all their might. Each turn, I eagerly anticipate what method Yugen will use to attack next and how he will counter my defenses. Just thinking about it makes me thrilled beyond measure.
In such an interesting duel, it would be too unfortunate if I'm the only one who can feel the fun..."
Yugen contemplated.
Is this the secret behind Jellyfish Head's Divine Draw?
To be honest, his passion for dueling indeed doesn't match Judai's...but that's not strange. In this world, not many can match Jellyfish Head's extraordinary fervor.
But at the same time, Judai also has an incredible gift.
He can make everyone who comes into contact with him feel his passion, influenced by his enthusiasm. It's as if the fire within him can be passed on to those around him.
People affected by him not only ignite a passion for dueling but can also astonishingly improve their performance in the duel under this miraculous buff.
Yugen gently closed his eyes.
At this moment, in this dueling arena, surrounded by gazes, cheers, and shouts, during this duel against Judai, something indeed seemed to touch a long-sealed corner of his heart.
The early childhood fascination upon first encountering this game called "Yu-Gi-Oh!", seeing those cool monsters on the TV screen.
Countless distant scenes rushed forth from memory. The fierce battle of the Phantom Gods at the Sky Arena with Muto Yuugi and Kaiba; the scene of Ousama giving a thumbs-up silhouette to the audience when disappearing into light; the moment Judai chose to fuse himself with Yubel using Super Fusion; and the shocking debut of Meteor Dragon with Crabbro piercing through the darkness in the later era of works...
When did these memories start to fade?
Yugen reopened his eyes.
"I understand now." He smiled slightly, "Then as you wish, Judai. From here on out, regardless of winning or losing, I'll enjoy this duel with you until the end."
Judai flashed a smile once again.
"Hey, that's how it should be." He struck a pose and smiled, "But let me say it first, in the end, the one who wins will still be me."
"Heh, that's not for certain. My turn, draw!" Yugen said, "I also activate this card from my hand—
—Speed Attack Magic 'Emergency Food.'
Send the Magic and Trap Cards on my field to the Graveyard, regain 1000 Life Points for each one. I send the Continuous Trap 'Thunder God's Waterfall' to the Graveyard to regain Life Points!"
The Continuous Trap faded into light particles, with energy absorbed back into Yugen's body.
[Yugen, LP 1000→LP 2000]
"Regaining Life Points...no." Judai sensed something, "Is the aim to lift the restriction 'Thunder God's Waterfall' imposed on yourself?"
This Trap definitely impacted him far more than Yugen himself, but it wasn't entirely limiting. "Neither side can send monsters from the hand to the Grave," affected more than just Fusion Summoning.
"Yes, I then activate this card..." Yugen said, "Ritual Magic 'Super Warrior's Bud!
Until the total Level reaches eight, send Light or Dark Attribute monsters from your hand to the Grave, then send those of the opposite Light/Dark Attribute from the Card Deck to the Grave, using those two monsters as materials to perform a Ritual Summon!
I use the Four-Star Light Attribute 'Pioneer Knight' from my hand and the Four-Star Dark Attribute 'Knight of the Night' from the Card Deck as Ritual Materials for the Ritual Summon!"
The altar of the ritual appeared, and the young knights transformed into light and dark energies, merging into the altar. The whirlpool of chaos surged into the sky.
"One soul guides the light, one soul guides the darkness, the door to chaos opens here—"
Yugen raised his hand.
"Ritual Summon, Chaos Warrior, descend!"
In the vortex of light and darkness, the sword of chaos cleaved the heavens and earth. The Chaos Warrior spun in the storm, descending with god-like pressure.
[Chaos Warrior, Attack Power 3000]
"The Chaos Warrior has appeared!" exclaimed Judai excitedly, "The legendary warrior who has fought alongside Mr. Muto Yuugi since the Duel Kingdom days!"
"'Knight of the Night' used as ritual material grants an additional effect to the Chaos Warrior," Yugen explained, "Once per turn, banish a monster on the opponent's field from the game.
I banish your defense position 'Elemental Hero Bubbleman' from the game!
Night Dark Dimension Slash!"
There were five monsters on Judai's field, four of which were ordinary monsters in attack position, only Bubble was in defense position.
"At this moment, activate the Cover Card!" Judai declared, "Trap Card 'Elemental Charge'! I gain 1000 Life Points for each 'Elemental Hero' on my field.
Since there are five Elemental Heroes on my field, I gain 5000 Life Points!"
[Judai, LP 5300→LP 10300]
Marufuji Sho exclaimed, "Ten thousand Life Points!"
But Mitsuzawa said sternly, "It won't last long."
"Then, activate the effect Chaos Warrior gains from the 'Pioneer Knight' as ritual material, once per turn, banish a monster on the opponent's field from the game.
This time, banish 'Elemental Hero Lightning Hero'!
Dimensional Opening Slash!"
The blade of the Pioneer's sword fell, and Lightning Hero also vanished in a distortion of dimension.
"Then activate Equipment Magic 'Magical Wand', equipping it to 'Silent Mage Lv8'. This card can only be equipped to a Mage Race monster, increasing its Attack Power by 500.
Silent Magician is not affected by the opponent's Magic Card effects, but can benefit from its own Magic effects."
[Silent Mage Lv8, Attack Power 3500→Attack Power 4000]
"Battle," Yugen said, "First, 'Chaos Warrior - Messenger of Creation', attack 'Elemental Hero Wingman'!"
Judai: "The effect of Skyscraper, Wingman's Attack Power increases by 1000 points!"
The blade of the Pioneer's sword descended, Wingman resisted with all his might but was still split apart, exploding on the spot.
[Judai, LP 10300→LP 9300]
"'Chaos Warrior - Messenger of Creation' can attack again when it destroys a monster in battle," Yugen said, "therefore continue to attack 'Elemental Hero Blazing Lady'!"
Judai: "Blazing Lady also gains a 1000 Attack Power boost from the Skyscraper effect!"
The storm of blades swept past, and after a bitter struggle, Blazing Lady was also defeated.
[Judai, LP 9300→LP 8500]
"Chaos Warrior's attack," Yugen said, "Attack 'Elemental Hero Clayman'."
"Then, the effect of 'Undead Guardian' in the graveyard!" Judai declared, "Banishing the Undead Guardian from the graveyard, once can nullify the opponent's attack!
Nullify the attack of Chaos Warrior!"
The shadow of Undead Guardian appeared, blocking the mass of sword shadows from the Chaos Warrior.
"From the effect gained from 'Pioneer Knight', the Chaos Warrior can attack again if it destroys an opponent's monster in battle," Judai smiled, "but if the first attack is nullified, no further attacks can continue."
"Indeed."
Yugen nodded.
"Finally, 'Silent Magician LV8' attacks 'Elemental Hero Clayman'." Yugen said, "Silent Magic Burst!"
Silent Magician had long been ready, with spinning magic power brewing into a massive light sphere within her Magic Staff.
"Clayman also has his Attack Power increased to 1800 under the effect of Skyscraper!"
[Silent Mage Lv8, Attack Power 4000]
[Elemental Hero Clayman, Attack Power 1800]
"Whoa!"
Judai was blasted to the ground instantly.
[Judai, LP 8500→LP 6300]
"End of the battle phase. Use the other effect of 'Magical Wand', send the equipped monster and this card to the graveyard, draw two cards from the deck."
Yugen drew two more cards.
"Then Cover four cards," Yugen added four more cards to his back field with a wave of his hand, "turn ends."