"The Duel is over! I hereby declare that the champion of the Duelist Kingdom Tournament… the ultimate victor… is Kisaragi Aoi!"
When the referee's voice rang out, Kisaragi finally let out the breath she'd been holding. To be honest, Dark Yugi's strength had frightened her more than she wanted to admit.
"...That was way too close," she muttered under her breath.
"Yugi actually lost…" Anzu's voice trembled with sadness.
"But that's dueling," Jonouchi said quietly. "There's always a loser."
Pegasus rose from his seat and applauded her—slow, deliberate claps.
"Miss Kisaragi, congratulations on becoming the champion of Duelist Kingdom. In the name of Industrial Illusions, I proclaim Kisaragi Aoi the first official Duel Monsters King!"
"And I'm very much looking forward to our duel tomorrow."
With that, Pegasus turned and walked deeper into the castle.
After the Finals
After the match, Kisaragi and Dark Yugi shook hands.
"Kisaragi… I lost fair and square," Dark Yugi said. "No excuses."
"I won today, but I acknowledge your strength," Kisaragi replied. "You're the first duelist since Kaiba who's forced me to go all-out."
The moment she said Kaiba's name, a trace of loneliness flickered in her eyes.
"Kisaragi… the duel with Pegasus is in your hands now," Dark Yugi said. "And… I hope we can duel again someday."
"No problem." Kisaragi smiled. "I'll teach Pegasus a lesson—and I'll free every soul he's sealed away."
Mai crossed her arms, trying to sound casual, but her tone was firm.
"You two are exhausted. Go rest. Especially you, Kisaragi—tomorrow you'll be dueling Pegasus. You need to be at full strength."
"Yes," Anzu added. "Everyone's hope is riding on you."
They all nodded.
"Got it." Kisaragi turned and headed for her room.
Evening: The Pharaoh and His Partner
That evening, Dark Yugi returned alone to the duel arena.
"Aibou?" Yugi's spirit-like image appeared, calling out to him.
"Aibou… I'm sorry." Dark Yugi's voice was low. "I couldn't keep my promise to face Pegasus."
Yugi shook his head.
"It's not your fault. You don't need to apologize. I believe Kisaragi will defeat Pegasus."
"Yeah…" Dark Yugi nodded. "After all… she defeated us."
The Next Day: Storm Clouds Over Duelist Kingdom
The following morning, thick storm clouds smothered the sky above Duelist Kingdom, and distant thunder rolled across the sea.
"Not exactly a beautiful day," Kisaragi said as she stared out over the water. Then she turned, picked up the deck she'd prepared, and set out.
The moment she opened the door, she found everyone waiting.
"Everyone…?"
"Kisaragi!" Anzu said. "Today is the final battle. You have to win!"
"We'll all be cheering for you!" Jonouchi added.
"That's right," Yugi said. "All our hopes are with you. You beat all of us to get here."
Kisaragi's gaze sharpened.
"Don't worry. I'll defeat Pegasus—and free everyone he's imprisoned."
After a brief exchange, they headed to the arena together.
Pegasus was already standing on the duel machine, waiting.
"To have you waiting for me… what an honor," Kisaragi said.
"Oh, Miss Kisaragi—getting to duel you is a delight beyond words," Pegasus replied with a smile.
Kisaragi stepped onto the platform.
"Enough talk. Let's start."
The Deck Check
Two men in black suits descended into the center of the field, each holding a tray. They approached Kisaragi and Pegasus.
"Please place your decks on the trays so your opponent may shuffle them."
Kisaragi and Pegasus complied. But when the tray reached Pegasus, he didn't shuffle.
He simply tapped the deck lightly with a single finger.
Kisaragi's eyes narrowed.
"You're awfully relaxed. Not afraid I stacked your deck beforehand?"
"If you did that, Miss Kisaragi," Pegasus said smoothly, "you'd be doing me a tremendous favor."
The Condition
Before the duel began, Kisaragi's voice hardened.
"Pegasus. Before we start—promise everyone here something. If I win, you will release the Kaiba brothers… and Grandpa Mutou's soul."
"I understand releasing the Kaibas," Pegasus said, chuckling. "But Grandpa Mutou as well? Aren't you and Yugi-boy opponents?"
"My only opponent right now is you."
A pause.
Then Pegasus smiled wider.
"Very well. I accept."
The Price of Losing
"Now then, Kisaragi Aoi—present your tournament card."
She held up 'Glory of the King's Left Hand.'
"Confirmed," the official announced. "Only holders of this card may challenge the founder of Duel Monsters, Maximillion J. Pegasus. If you win, you will obtain rights to 60% of Industrial Illusions' shares."
"In other words," he continued, "if you wish… you could become our next president."
Jonouchi's jaw dropped. "Seriously?! She already has shares in KaibaCorp… if she gets Industrial Illusions too, that's… insane."
Pegasus spread his arms as if granting a gift.
"A small prize for a champion. A privilege befitting one who claims to have the power to defeat me."
Kisaragi's eyes stayed sharp. "You're confident no one can beat you, huh?"
"Yes," Pegasus replied brightly. "To claim supreme honor, one must accept a corresponding risk. That card—Glory of the King's Left Hand—is still blank. The moment you lose… your portrait will appear on it."
Anzu paled. "So if Kisaragi loses… her soul gets sealed like Kaiba's?"
Mai answered immediately, voice steady. "Don't worry. I can't even imagine Kisaragi losing."
Dark Yugi's voice surfaced in a warning, quiet but urgent:
"Kisaragi… be careful of Pegasus' Millennium Eye."
Kisaragi's smile turned cold.
"Then let's begin. I have no interest in becoming one of your collectibles."
The Final Duel Begins
"Now begins the duel—Duelist Kingdom champion versus the Father of Duel Monsters!"
"DUEL!"
Kisaragi Aoi LP 4000
Maximillion J. Pegasus LP 4000
"Pegasus—I'll take the first move!"
"My turn—draw!"
Kisaragi immediately accelerated.
"I activate Graceful Charity—draw three cards, then discard two!"
"Next, I activate Trade-In—I discard a Level 8 monster to draw two cards."
"I discard Blue-Eyes White Dragon… and draw two!"
Then she slid one card onto the field.
"I set one card. Turn end." (Cards in hand: 6)
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
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TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
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Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
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