Yusei looked at the card he'd drawn, thought for a moment, and looked at his other hand cards.
He'd previously only known the concept of "Dragon Immortal," so he actually didn't understand his opponent's cards very well.
After all, in Zone's history, the Crimson Dragon had played dirty and ended the One God war early. The other pantheons had basically fallen without making a move, so he didn't understand the cards of other systems very well.
But during this period, while Hikaru was doing experiments, he would often chat with Hikaru too. On one hand it counted as exchange and learning, making up for what each lacked; on the other, they could discuss the other "Synchro god" candidates together. As it happened, Hikaru really did understand these forces quite well, so Yusei had come to know quite a bit of extra intel.
In that case...
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, Synchro Chase." After setting the card down, Yusei carefully explained its effect. "This is a special card.
As long as this card exists in the Spell & Trap Zone, the opponent cannot activate Spell, Trap, or monster effects in response to the effect activations of my Synchro Monsters whose original names contain any of 'Warrior,' 'Synchron,' or 'Stardust.'
In addition, when I Synchro Summon a Warrior, Synchron, or Stardust Synchro Monster, I can Special Summon 1 of its Synchro Materials from the Graveyard."
A powerful effect.
Hearing this card's effect, Hugh's expression grew somewhat grave. He hesitated for two seconds, then decisively activated a trap.
"Open Set card, Counter Trap Card, Fists of the Unrivaled Tenyi!"
Hugh's brow knit tightly.
"While I control a face-up monster other than an Effect Monster, it can be activated when a monster effect, Spell, or Trap card activates. That activation is negated."
On the field, Draco Berserker exhaled a breath of murky air, then its right fist gathered immense black power and struck the Continuous Spell card on Yusei's field.
Boom!
The Continuous Spell shattered with the blow.
"What a pity..." Yugo, watching this duel, held his head, a bit upset.
Such a pity. If that card were on the field, wouldn't big bro Yusei be able to play freely!
"Idiot, do you think big bro Yusei is as dumb as you?" Beside him, Rin couldn't help jabbing at him again.
Everyone normally wished they could hide their cards' effects as tightly as possible, so why did Yusei deliberately speak this card's effect aloud this time?
The reason was simple: to force the opponent to use a card effect to deal with it!
Hadn't they seen that guy called Hugh, so full of confidence before, now with his expression changed outright?
In the Presidential Palace, Shun Obsidian, Yuto, and the two masked men in black were also watching this scene.
"On purpose?" Shun Obsidian said coldly.
But he could understand Hugh too.
Although the opponent deliberately spoke the card's effect aloud, deliberately forcing him to use this Trap card, in fact, he had to do this.
The reason was simple: he couldn't guarantee whether or not there was that kind of thing in Yusei's hand.
If there really were a related effect, then as long as Yusei chained properly, Hugh's side could only watch the opponent operate, with no way to interfere at all, which for a duel was practically a "death sentence."
So he couldn't gamble on Yusei's hand!
"Activate Spell Card, Tuning." Yusei continued, placing a card onto the D-Wheel. "I add 1 Synchron Tuner monster from my Deck to my hand, after which I send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard.
I add Quickdraw Synchron from my Deck to my hand."
He showed his hand, then flipped over the top card of his Deck, looked it over carefully, and placed it into the Graveyard.
"When the opponent controls a monster and I control none, this card can be Special Summoned."
"Special Summon, Level 2, the Tuner monster, T.G. Striker."
"Activated when a Level 4 or lower monster is successfully Special Summoned. This card can be Special Summoned from the hand. Special Summon, T.G. Warwolf."
"Using the Level 2 T.G. Striker and the Level 3 T.G. Warwolf, I tune."
"Synchro Summon, Level 5, T.G. Hyper Librarian!"
T.G. Hyper Librarian. Level 5, DARK Attribute, Spellcaster-Type. ATK 2400.
Along with the tuning, a half-mechanical, half-mage monster in a robe swung its robes, holding an e-book in hand, and took the stage with a light chuckle.
"Only 2400 ATK?"
"Looks like it might not be enough?"
"I discard the Quillbolt Hedgehog in my hand to Special Summon Quickdraw Synchron."
"I activate the effect of Quillbolt Hedgehog in my Graveyard. While I control a Tuner, it can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard."
"Wait!"
Seeing Yusei about to gather a Tuner and non-Tuner again, and this being the only Special Summon that entered a chain, Hugh hurriedly seized this chance: "Draco Berserker of the Tenyi's effect, it can be activated when the opponent activates a monster effect. That monster is banished!"
Quillbolt Hedgehog was struggling its way out of the Graveyard when suddenly a huge black giant hand directly picked it up and tossed it off the track.
"Ha, this way, you can't perform the next round of Synchro Summon." Hugh said confidently.
"Is your idea to stop the Synchro?" Yusei again asked, out of nowhere.
Hearing this question, for the first time Hugh stopped that cynical smile. He pondered for a good while before saying: "There are no gods or emperors, and no need for a savior either. I'm participating in this competition only to prove that I am the world's strongest Synchro duelist.
So Synchro or stopping others from Synchro, either is fine."
"Is this precisely the conviction behind your use of monsters other than Effect Monsters?"
"That's right! Even if there really are 'gods,' that god can just be a clay idol that we worship now and then, no problem!"
"How nice." Yusei couldn't help nodding. "But they are also a part of this world all the same."
"What does that have to do with me."
Yusei took a deep breath, then said: "I don't dare call myself the strongest Synchro duelist. In fact, even with the other companions on my own team, I'm not certain I can completely defeat them. But fortunately, I know the 'strongest' Fusion duelist."
?
The spectators, already baffled by the two's out-of-nowhere exchange, grew even more puzzled hearing this, especially in the Fusion Dimension team, where quite a few expressed obvious doubt.
The strongest Fusion duelist?
Is he more impressive than Hikaru?
Come out and let's see.
"He gave me an inspiration." Yusei continued. "Since I use the power of Synchro, I shouldn't fear the power of Synchro; since I believe in the power of Synchro, I should believe all the more in the philosophy of Synchro.
I hope to connect everyone's thoughts and step into a brand-new future together."
"What on earth do you mean?" Hugh couldn't take it. "Has the Crimson Dragon finally gone mad?"
"Not the Crimson Dragon. It's me!"
"I activate the effect of Level Eater in my Graveyard!"
What was that?
Hugh blanked for a moment.
When did it go to the Graveyard!?
Quite a few people expressed puzzlement.
"It was at the very start!" Someone realized.
It was the monster Tuning sent to the Graveyard!
This is bad.
Hearing the anxious voice of his teammate come through his earpiece, Hugh realized he'd been fooled twice in a row!
The first time was Yusei deliberately activating Synchro Chase to force him to use the Trap.
The second time was, after the consecutive direct Special Summons that didn't enter a chain, activating "Quillbolt Hedgehog's" effect to make him mistakenly think, "If I don't chain and banish Quillbolt Hedgehog right now, it'll be too late," and thereby hiding his true "core card"!
This is bad.
"Level Eater's effect, activated by targeting one Level 5 or higher monster on my field. That monster's Level drops by 1, and this card is Special Summoned."
"I reduce Quickdraw Synchron's Level by 1 and Special Summon Level Eater."
"Using the Level 4 Quickdraw Synchron and the Level 1 Level Eater, I tune!"
"The Synchro conditions are a Synchron Tuner and one or more non-Tuner monsters."
"Limiter, release!"
"Level restriction, lifted."
"Synchro permission, granted."
"Gathered wishes, become a brand-new light and illuminate my path."
The two monsters turned into shooting stars, into light, into a halo, gathering in the air, then a figure slowly flickered into being.
"Synchro Summon, Level 5, Junk Speeder!"
"At this instant, T.G. Hyper Librarian's effect: activated when I or my opponent Synchro Summons a Synchro Monster. While this card is face-up on the field, I draw 1 card."
"At the same time, Junk Speeder's effect! Activated when this card is successfully Synchro Summoned. I Special Summon as many 'Synchron' Tuner monsters as possible from my Deck in Defense Position. At this time, only 1 Synchron Tuner of the same Level can be Special Summoned. The turn this effect activates, I can't Special Summon monsters other than Synchro Monsters from the Extra Deck!"
"Huh?"
"Whoa!?"
"Special Summon as many Tuners as possible?"
The spectators boiled over.
Hugh, too, watched in stunned amazement at that mechanical runner racing through the air behind him.
Special Summon as many Tuners as possible!?
What are you trying to do!
Are you trying to soar into the heavens!?
"Special Summon, Level 2, Assault Synchron; Level 3, Revolution Synchron; Level 5, Wheel Synchron!"
"Yusei Fudo, that's... an astonishing Synchro." Hugh watched the scene in shock.
Among the Pendulum Dimension spectators, several showed shocked expressions: "Without Pendulum Summoning, he can also Special Summon this many monsters at once!?"
"This... is this what the Synchro Dimension's Synchro really is?"
Kite Tenjo watched the broadcast footage and, for no particular reason, felt considerably lighter.
Watching an interesting duel could at least barely console the pain his toilsome fate brought him.
As for the Fusion Dimension, although they were surprised, they didn't dwell on it too much.
After all, everyone had seen world-ending-level scenes already. Although this kind of scene was surprising, it wasn't that frightening; at most they marveled that this Yusei Fudo really was impressive.
Yusei drove abreast of Hugh, met his eyes, and said: "Captain Hugh, I think it shouldn't be the 'strongest Synchro duelist.' Rather, everyone in our world is a Synchro companion, everyone is the strongest core of Synchro."
Power gathered one by one by one, then building an even greater scene: this was Synchro!
Down below, Hikaru noticed that Yusei's supporters were skyrocketing at rocket speed, and among them, one eye-catching figure was:
Die-hard fans?
Hikaru's brow knit tightly.
How do you determine die-hard fans? With just simple voting, how could it possibly determine who's a "die-hard fan"?
What is Goodwin up to.
"You talk a good game, but don't forget, Draco Berserker's ATK is 3000!" Hugh, having been outplayed twice by Yusei mentally, was still a bit unconvinced at this moment and stubbornly said, "And my Vishuda can be banished from the Graveyard to make a card on your field return to your hand.
If you can't win this turn, then next turn, my counterattack will definitely make you see how formidable I am."
"There's no next turn."
"?!"
Yusei, ever serious and unsmiling, only wanted to display dueling at this moment: "Synchro is the process of gathering, of many hands making the fire burn higher. True, your monster's ATK is far higher than mine, but if I keep Synchro-ing, that's not necessarily the case anymore.
Using the Level 3 Leo's power, I tune Revolution Synchron with the Junk Speeder on my field.
Synchro Summon, Level 8.
Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon!"
Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon. Level 8, WIND Attribute, Dragon-Type. ATK 2500.
ATK 2500.
That's fine...
Hugh was just consoling himself when he saw Yusei actually draw another card from his Deck.
"Wait, is that effect just freely usable!?" He pointed at Hyper Librarian, his face draining of color.
Yusei silently nodded.
He'd finally realized the crisis.
A bit terrifying.
"It's not over yet. Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon's effect: during my or my opponent's Main Phase, I release this card to activate. I can directly Special Summon 1 Stardust Dragon from the Extra Deck as a Synchro Summon."
The Stardust Dragon, like a raging gale, suddenly slammed on nonexistent brakes in the sky, then slowly came to a stop.
At this point, no one would foolishly ask, "It's the same ATK and Attribute, the same Synchro Monster, so why go to the extra trouble of Special Summoning it?"
Because Yusei could keep drawing cards through this effect!
Not only that...
"After Special Summoning with this effect, I can perform 1 Synchro Summon of a Synchro Monster. The monster Synchro Summoned by this effect is unaffected by the opponent's activated effects this turn."
!!
He already had infinite staying power, yet he was still hedging just in case!?
"Using Crow's power, I tune. The Level 2 Assault Synchron and the Level 8 Stardust Dragon, I tune!"
"The Synchro conditions are a Tuner monster and one or more non-Tuner Synchro Monsters."
He's going to use a Synchro Monster's Synchro Monster!
Hugh swallowed.
Was he going to use the Crimson Dragon's power?
"Synchro Summon... the symbol of the Downtown's power!"
"Level 10!"
"Satellite Warrior!"
The dragon turned into a golden star, flapping its wings amid black feathers. A pitch-black X materialized behind Yusei, then the hologram slowly began to coalesce, and amid countless phantoms, a tall warrior slowly came to rest here.
Satellite Warrior. Level 10, DARK Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK 2500.
"Satellite... Warrior?"
Quite a few Downtown citizens felt their tear ducts about to go out of control.
Because, at the very beginning, the Downtown had also been called the "Satellite district."
Therefore, this Satellite Warrior was the warrior of the Satellite district!
Yusei, this man who had walked out of the Downtown, had never forgotten his companions in the Downtown!
"Yusei, go for it!!" Some old acquaintances who had once doubted Yusei, seeing this scene, cheered Yusei on excitedly right in front of their TV screens.
And likewise, Hikaru could see Yusei's number of supporters climbing madly too.
"Whoa..." Hikaru offhandedly flipped up his mask and took a sip of juice.
"But its ATK is still only 2500!"
"When Satellite Warrior is Synchro Summoned, it can target cards on the opponent's field up to the number of Synchro Monsters in my Graveyard. Those cards are destroyed, and this card's ATK rises by 1000 per number destroyed."
?!!!
Yusei Fudo's Graveyard...
Hugh looked at Yusei's Graveyard.
At the same time, the event broadcast directly opened up Yusei's Graveyard and displayed it to all the spectators. There were several Synchro Monsters in Yusei's Graveyard!
Junk Speeder, Accel Synchro Stardust, Stardust Dragon, exactly three!!
Even this had been calculated!?
Hugh's face drained of color.
But he had no way to counterattack, and in fact no way to counterattack at all!
Because Satellite Warrior was now unaffected by the effects of any of his cards!
Three missiles flew out from behind Satellite Warrior and exploded on Hugh's field.
Boom
The monsters on Hugh's field were instantly shattered clean!
At the same time.
Satellite Warrior, ATK: 2500 → 5500.
Counting the other monsters, forget 4000, even 8000 could be wiped out in an instant.
"Battle! Satellite Warrior attacks directly!"
In the stands, Kite Tenjo again couldn't help speaking up: "Yusei Fudo... I didn't expect him to be this impressive."
The Pendulum Dimension members sitting in the adjacent seats hadn't quite caught on yet.
He didn't explain.
It was a very simple matter.
Yusei Fudo could still tune freely!
He still had "Level Eater" in his Graveyard, and the Hyper Librarian on his field had already done a great deal of drawing.
Those drawn cards, could they all be useless dead cards? And what if he tuned a few more times? Wouldn't that mean a whole field of white monsters?
It brought to mind that faint discomfort he'd felt earlier watching "Light" duel.
Team 5D's...
Their hidden cards were probably far more valuable than the so-called "champion team's."
It was just a pity that his "teammates" weren't here. Otherwise, if Yuma Tsukumo and Reginald Kastle were here, he might really have the interest to seriously prepare in this competition and cross hands with the strong.
He stood up, preparing to leave. On the screen, the missiles had already fallen onto the track, erupting in a terrifying light that lit the whole arena black.
Hugh, LP: 4000 → 0.
The match was over. The whole course wasn't even a fifth complete before Hugh was defeated. He looked at the track distance and couldn't help pursing his lips.
"You okay?" On the other side, Yusei ran back.
Hugh didn't accept his goodwill, only gave a snort and said flatly: "Yusei Fudo, this time you won, but it only means you're the victor, not that you're the final champion.
Next, you'll still have to face countless enemies with different ideas and different pursuits. Someone like me is already easy to talk to."
"I understand." Yusei extended his hand.
Hugh hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand too, was pulled up by Yusei, and then continued: "I'll try to help persuade my teammates, but in the end it still depends on your performance, your team's performance."
"Many thanks." Yusei finally showed a smile for once.
And at this moment.
Hikaru looked at the post-duel data and couldn't help stroking his chin.
Die-hards... three hundred seventy-one people?
Could these so-called die-hards be...