Although the first match of the day floored an opponent, under President Kaiba's insistence, it didn't significantly impact the tournament. After a brief pause, the second round of the quarterfinals was quickly underway.
This time, it was an internal battle at Duel Academy, and Judai coincidentally faced off against Marufuji Ryo.
"Speaking of which, in this year's Duel City, three of the quarterfinalists are students from Duel Academy," Keihei couldn't help but say, "And there are plenty of professional players in the mix as well..."
"Are students these days really this outrageous?"
"Isn't it possible that the professional players today just aren't that good?" Yugen chimed in.
Keihei: "..."
Yugen wasn't just making things up. In GX, the portrayal of professional players in the anime was indeed lacking, but despite this stereotype, Yugen maintained a cautious approach, not underestimating the professional player scene in this world before seeing it himself.
However, after personally testing the waters, he found that his previous stereotypes were indeed justified.
The professional players really weren't that impressive.
After all, as everyone knows, in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, who among the best duelists would even consider going pro?
Marufuji Ryo wasn't in great shape right now.
Doubting one's own path is deadly for a duelist, as confusion can directly impact one's performance in duels. That was one of the reasons why in the original story, after losing to Ed, he even struggled against background characters.
Even though he's not feeling the same crushing defeat as before, his mindset is still significantly affected.
But at this moment on the battlefield, as a duelist, all he can do is set aside his doubts and force himself to fully engage in the duel at hand.
"Come on, Caesar, it's the second match!" Judai said confidently, "I'm not the same as before now!"
It seemed that Marufuji Ryo, lost in thought, finally snapped back and shook his head, forcing himself to adjust his state of mind, and his Duel Disc activated.
However, the truth was that this duel wasn't going very smoothly.
For both parties.
"..."
"The Magic Card 'Time Capsule' has already passed two turns," said Marufuji Ryo, "In the preparation phase after two turns, add the card sealed in 'Time Capsule' to my hand!"
"Oh, is it coming out?" Judai rubbed his nose, "But I can't let you have it that easily.
Activate the Cover Card, the Trap Card 'Spiritual Breakdown'! I declare 'Power Combination', if you have that card in your hand, you must discard it immediately!"
"Nani!?"
Marufuji Ryo was shocked.
"You actually knew that the card I added to my hand was Power Combination!?"
Outside the arena, Yugen couldn't help but chuckle.
This felt exactly like the time when President Kaiba was shocked, exclaiming to Atom, "How did that damn Yugi know I was going to summon the True Ultimate Blue-Eyes Dragon"...
Marufuji Ryo's strategies hadn't changed in three years at Duel Academy. The Time Capsule always retrieved his Soul Card, 'Power Combination'. Even someone as slow as Judai remembered that.
Marufuji Ryo glared at Judai with a dark expression.
His gaze seemed to say, you've changed, your dueling wasn't like this before...
Of course, this level of resistance couldn't possibly stop Marufuji Ryo.
The duel between the two continued to heat up, with Judai's endless stream of Fusion Heroes, and Caesar's relentless counterattacks with various Cyber Dragons, leading to a dizzying back-and-forth.
"This year's Duel Academy is really strong..." Keihei was already expressing similar sentiments midway through the match more than once.
"Hmm, it's decent," Kaiba said.
His gaze lingered briefly on Marufuji Ryo.
Indeed, in this kid, he seemed to see some of his former self. Such a similar style, pursuing ultimate power through strong attacks, there was a time when Kaiba truly believed that power was everything, both in reality and in dueling.
But that was a long time ago. Now, he had long since moved past that, striving towards a higher realm.
"Marufuji Ryo, huh, interesting."
Kaiba crossed his arms and murmured.
"Will you lose your way and remain stagnant, or will you welcome a transformation and join the ranks of true strength?"
But even if a transformation is on the horizon, it doesn't seem to be today.
After a series of intense exchanges of attack and defense, the final turn finally arrived.
"...The effect of 'Elemental Hero Ion Clamp'!" Judai declared, "By discarding a card from my hand, I can destroy an attacking monster on your field.
I discard a card from my hand, destroying the 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon' on Caesar's field!"
Electricity surged like a javelin from the arms of the Metal Hero, piercing straight towards the lone 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon' on Marufuji Ryo's field!
"Speed Attack Magic 'Forbidden Sacred Garment'!" Marufuji Ryo shouted, "Lower 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon's' Attack Power by 600 points. Until the end of the turn, it won't be affected by card effects nor destroyed by them!"
[Cyber Dragon, Attack Power 4000 → Attack Power 3400]
An almost invincible barrier enveloped the Cyber Dragon, sacrificing six hundred Attack Points for powerful defensive resistance. The electric surge from the Ion Clamp Hero was repelled and failed to hit its mark.
"With this, 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon' won't be affected by most effects this turn." Marufuji Ryo yelled, "If you can do it, try to defeat it head-on, Judai!"
But even if Judai did, he had already prepared for this.
The card he had face-down was the key card from the original, used when Marufuji Ryo and Judai had their graduation duel, the Speed Attack Magic 'Duel Fusion'. A card that could increase the Attack Power of one's monster by the Attack Power of an opposing monster during battle.
Meaning, no matter how high of an Attack Power Hero Judai summoned next, 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon' would be able to surpass it in one move, and this strike would decide the victory!
"Caesar's really strong, preparing such a level of defense..." Judai said, "But if there's one thing I've learned this semester, it's that there are no monsters that can't be defeated!
Watch closely, Caesar, this is the evolution I've undergone over this half-year period!"
"Come, Judai!" Marufuji Ryo shouted, "Attack with all your strength!"
"Alright! First, activate the Magic Card 'Fusion Recovery', returning the Magic Card 'Fusion' in the graveyard and 'Elemental Hero Wild Hero' to my hand.
Then, activate the Magic Card 'Fusion', fusing 'Elemental Hero Dark Hero of the Undead' and 'Elemental Hero Wild Hero' in my hand! Fusion Summon—
— Elemental Hero Necromancer!!!"
[Elemental Hero Necromancer, Attack Power 1900]
"Necromancer?" Marufuji Ryo was taken aback.
This move was unexpected for him. It didn't seem like the kind of one-punch hero Judai typically used for OTK (One Turn Kill)...
"Necromancer's effect." Judai smiled, "Sacrifice a monster on the opponent's field to Special Summon a monster from the opponent's graveyard. (Original effect)
I sacrifice the 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon', Special Summoning the 'Cyber Dragon' from your graveyard!"
"Nani?!?!"
Marufuji Ryo was stunned.
No way, how are you playing that move too?!
He couldn't help but recall the moment not long ago when his Cyber Dragon was snatched by Yugen's Chimeric Fortress Dragon for free, this moment was just like that moment...
"The 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon' can't be targeted by effects nor destroyed, but the sacrifice is the cost of activating Necromancer's effect, so it neither targets nor destroys." Judai smiled.
"Then, 'Elemental Hero Ion Clamp' and 'Elemental Hero Necromancer', attack Caesar together!"
"..."
[Marufuji Ryo, LP 0]
The outcome was decided, Marufuji Ryo staggered back, falling to the ground, his mind momentarily dazed.
He couldn't help but look up at the sky.
Could it be... Is my dueling really wrong?