After his victory, Kaiba leisurely stepped off the Duel platform.
"Wow… Kaiba actually pulled off a one-turn kill against two high-level monsters," Téa said in awe.
"Hah! If it were me, I could do that too!" Joey snapped back reflexively.
He said that, but inside he was honestly shaken. If Joey had faced the Masked Mimic himself, he probably wouldn't lose—but it definitely wouldn't be this clean. Damn… Kaiba's pulling further ahead again.
"Another me… what do you think?" Yugi asked.
Yami Yugi's shadowy figure glanced at Kisaragi. "Kaiba's strength has climbed to a terrifying level. But—Kisaragi doesn't look impressed at all. Like she's thinking, 'Dealing with Kaiba like this would be effortless.'"
Pegasus Takes Notice
In Pegasus's castle, Pegasus hadn't even had time to savor his wine since Kaiba's turn began.
"Kaiba-boy… so you're this dangerous," he muttered, rising to his feet. "I can't afford to sit back anymore."
He headed toward his studio.
Back with the Group
Kaiba walked over toward Kisaragi.
"Not bad," she said. "Looks like you've already mastered your new deck."
"That guy was average," Kaiba scoffed. "Even that third-rate duelist could've beaten him."
The words "third-rate" made Joey's whole body twitch.
"Kaiba! Who're you calling third-rate?! And what do you mean 'even I could beat him'?!"
"Hmph. If someone wants to take it personally, that's not my problem."
"Enough, Joey," Tristan sighed, grabbing him. "Kaiba's always like that."
Night Falls: No More Duels… Just Hunger
The sun sank toward the horizon as they walked through the coastal forest.
"It's getting dark… and we still can't find any other Duelists," Yugi said.
"No normal person duels at night," Joey replied.
"So what now—camp?" Tristan asked.
"Ugh, no way. I don't want to camp out in the middle of nowhere," Téa complained.
"I'm starving!" Joey groaned, staring up at the moon. In his eyes, the full moon practically turned into a potato chip. "Forget Star Chips—I want chips!"
"I want a shower," Téa said, tugging on Kisaragi's hand.
"Honestly… same," Kisaragi admitted.
Kaiba silently pressed a number on his phone.
Right then—
"Whoa, mushrooms!" Joey's eyes lit up as he reached for a brightly colored one. "Dinner time!"
"Idiot, that's obviously poisonous!" Tristan yanked him back hard.
Kaiba sneered. "What a moron."
Mai Appears—and Instantly Starts Trouble
A sharp female voice rang out. "Seriously—why are you all gathered here like starving ghosts?"
They turned. Mai Valentine stepped out from the trees, casually biting into a chocolate bar.
Yugi's group swallowed at the same time, eyes glued to the food.
"Mai! Are you showing off on purpose?!" Joey shouted.
Mai smirked and waved the chocolate right in front of him. "Want to trade? Your Star Chips… for my chocolate?"
Joey almost caved—his mouth was basically leaking—but he shook his head hard.
"Don't mess with me. Star Chips are basically my life!"
"Haha, relax. I'm kidding," Mai said. "Even you wouldn't fall that low."
Joey muttered, "What a nasty personality…"
Mai stretched. "How about a truce tonight? We all need sleep."
"Fine," Kisaragi said. "But I only dueled once today. I'm bored."
"You're a real duel maniac," Mai laughed. "Dueling me still wasn't enough?"
Mai Runs the Camp Like a Commander
Mai dropped her pack and pulled out tools and food.
"Camping supplies?! You've got everything!" Téa exclaimed.
Mai tossed a bucket into Joey's arms. Thunk.
"Boys—if you want to eat, start working!"
"Joey, go fetch water!"
Joey trudged off, grumbling. "Being ordered around by that woman is so annoying…"
"Idiot," Tristan shoved him along. "Free food. Endure it."
"I'll collect firewood," Yugi said, heading off.
Mai turned to Kaiba and Kisaragi. "Kaiba, if you don't work, you don't eat. This isn't KaibaCorp."
Téa put an arm around Mai's shoulder, smirking. "Mai… you might be speechless in a minute."
"Hmph. Our dinner isn't that," Kaiba said.
KaibaCorp Dinner—Again
Just like noon, a KaibaCorp helicopter landed nearby. Isono stepped out with attendants, setting up an extravagant meal—luxury dishes for Kaiba and Kisaragi.
Mai stared. "Wh—"
Now she understood Téa's warning.
Kaiba ignored her expression and led Kisaragi to the prepared table.
Joey came back with water, and Yugi returned with wood. Joey looked down at his plain vegetarian curry… then at Kaiba's black pepper steak.
Tears of frustration welled up in his eyes.
"Come on, Joey," Tristan said. "Having curry at all is already pretty good!"
Gossip Time: "Are They Dating?"
Mai leaned close to Téa and whispered, "Hey… are those two dating?"
"They haven't said anything," Téa whispered back, "but I can tell Kaiba… really likes Kisaragi."
"Seriously? I knew it. The way he looks at her isn't the same as the way he looks at the rest of us."
And just like that, Mai and Téa bonded instantly—because gossip is universal.
Kaiba Goes Full Luxury: Outdoor Shower + Bath
After Kaiba and Kisaragi finished eating, Isono approached.
"President Kaiba. We've prepared the camping equipment as instructed—and an outdoor shower system. Miss Kisaragi can use it."
"Good. Once everything's set, leave," Kaiba said.
"Yes, sir."
Kaiba turned to Kisaragi. "Didn't you say you wanted a shower? Go try it. We even prepared fresh clothes."
He pointed to a temporary "bathroom" structure nearby—aluminum panels enclosing a full setup: shower head, bathtub, plenty of water, adjustable temperature… the works.
Kisaragi stared at it.
"We're only staying one night… isn't this a bit excessive?!"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 175)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 126)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter134)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 87
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 79
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 64
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 73
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 45
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 49
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 45
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 45
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