White streams of light surged into the room from every direction.
A colossal dragon, far larger than Blue-Eyes White Dragon and clad in shimmering silver-white armor, descended into the grand hall.
Indigo-Eyes Silver Dragon Rank 8 / LIGHT / Dragon / ATK 4000 / Materials: 2 Level 8 monsters
With the dragon's appearance, the air itself seemed to freeze. Even the ethereal tentacles around the chamber faded into nothing.
"When Indigo-Eyes Silver Dragon is Xyz Summoned, all face-up cards your opponent controls are negated!"
Kaiba Man spread his arms wide, his voice echoing through the stone. "This is the next step for Blue-Eyes, the power of Xyz!"
Hikaru frowned. 'So this is his evolution of Blue-Eyes...'
He remembered reading about it in his past life, the moment this card was first announced. It had been overshadowed by the Link-1 Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon, but its effect still stood out to him.
At the time, people dismissed it compared to Galaxy-Eyes Photon Lord or Titanic Galaxy, both reliable negators, he thought. But a full-field negation on summon… that's still terrifying.
He looked down at his field. The glowing aura of his Field Spell faded to gray, its effect completely nullified.
Dreamland, negated.
And since its text doesn't specify "until the end of the turn," it's a permanent negation…
That realization stung. Dreamland was the backbone of his sustain strategy; now it was nothing but decoration.
Across the field, Kaiba Man raised his Duel Disk. "Indigo-Eyes Silver Dragon's effect!
Detach one Xyz Material, then target one Normal Monster in your GY or banished zone. Special Summon that monster, and it gains 1000 ATK!"
A silver orb rose from Indigo-Eyes and burst into light.
"Awaken, my servant, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
The resurrected dragon emerged with a triumphant roar, its power flaring.
Blue-Eyes White Dragon — Level 8 / LIGHT / Dragon / ATK 3000 → 4000
Wind howled through the hall, forcing Hikaru to brace himself against the shockwave.
"Battle! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack the magician! Burst Stream of Destruction!"
The radiant beam obliterated Dark Paladin, whose negated powers left him defenseless.
Hikaru LP: 2000 → 900
Kaiba Man's voice rang through the smoke. "And now, Indigo-Eyes Silver Dragon, destroy Ryu Senshi!"
The massive dragon's tail whipped across the field, smashing the defending warrior to pieces.
Kaiba Man smiled coldly. "Your field is empty. Dictator of D, finish this, attack directly!"
The smaller dragon knight, its staff tipped with a Blue-Eyes head, charged forward.
"Wait, Quick-Play Spell, Scapegoat!"
Four multicolored sheep appeared before Hikaru, forming a trembling shield.
Kaiba Man's grin faltered for a moment before twisting again. "Heh, delaying the inevitable. Dictator of D, strike the one on the left!"
The blue sheep exploded under the impact, but Hikaru remained standing.
Kaiba Man slid his final card facedown. "Set one card. End turn."
Phew.
Hikaru exhaled softly, 'That was too close.'
He glanced at Scapegoat. Two turns ago, he'd planned to use it to summon Thousand-Eyes Restrict at a crucial moment, forcing Kaiba Man to trigger Ultimate Creature of Destruction.
In hindsight, that would've been disastrous. If Indigo-Eyes Silver Dragon had negated Thousand-Eyes Restrict's effect, the direct hit would've been a 4000-point blow.
"Another turn, huh?" Kaiba Man's smirk returned. "Let's see how long you can keep struggling."
Hikaru drew. The card slid between his fingers, and he smiled faintly.
"Activate Spell Card, Polymerization!"
"I Fusion Summon Frightfur Sheep by fusing Fluffal Penguin and Edge Imp Chain from my hand!"
Frightfur Sheep – Level 5 / DARK / Fiend / ATK 2000 / DEF 2000
"Both Fusion Materials activate!
Edge Imp Chain adds Frightfur Patchwork from my Deck to my hand!
Fluffal Penguin draws two cards, then I discard one — Fusion Substitute!"
Kaiba Man arched a brow. "So you're rebuilding your resources."
Hikaru ignored him. "Activate Frightfur Patchwork! I add Polymerization and Edge Imp Sabres from my Deck to my hand!"
"Heh. That makes all three of your Fusion Spells accessible now, doesn't it?" Kaiba Man folded his arms.
"That's right," Hikaru replied calmly. "But that's not the point. Next, activate Fusion Substitute's Graveyard effect! I banish it to return Dark Paladin to my Extra Deck and draw one card."
He drew swiftly, the card glinting in his fingers. "Perfect."
"Once again, Polymerization! I fuse Edge Imp Sabres and Fluffal Dolphin!"
"Fusion Summon, Frightfur Tiger!"
The Dolphin was sheared apart by scissor-like blades before reforming as a snarling plush tiger stitched with glowing thread.
Frightfur Tiger – Level 6 / DARK / Fiend / ATK 1900 / DEF 1200
"When Frightfur Tiger is Fusion Summoned, I can destroy cards on the field up to the number of Fusion Materials used!"
Kaiba Man's expression flickered. "Hmph… so you're not just turtling."
Hikaru raised his Duel Disk. "I destroy The Ultimate Creature of Destruction!"
The green tiger let out a stitched roar, pouncing into the air. The Trap Card exploded in blue shards.
Kaiba Man scowled. "Destroying my defenses won't save you. Against Blue-Eyes, all resistance is meaningless!"
Hikaru shook his head. "Not meaningless. It's called building toward victory. You, of all people, Yugi's rival, should understand that best."
Kaiba Man froze for a heartbeat, eyes narrowing.
"You actually recognized me? Interesting." Kaiba Man's eyes narrowed, a faint smile on his lips.
Hikaru shrugged. "You told me yourself."
"Me?" Kaiba Man blinked, then froze.
"The future you," Hikaru said quietly. Now everything clicked. Kaiba's earlier words about needing his own approval to claim Blue-Eyes finally made sense.
Of course. In every world, there was only one person who loved Blue-Eyes more than anyone else, who was so obsessively protective of it that even touching it required his blessing.
Seto Kaiba himself.
After all, the same man once destroyed the fourth Blue-Eyes White Dragon just to ensure no one else could use it.
But even the same Kaiba, at different times, existed in different "states."
The young Kaiba, before being humbled by Yugi Muto, was a pathological Blue-Eyes fanatic.
The later Kaiba saw Blue-Eyes as an extension of his soul, his pride, his purpose, his proof of existence.
And this one, this Kaiba, born from the era when he traversed dimensions and discovered worlds filled with countless Blue-Eyes, was the most possessive of all. A Kaiba who refused to share his dragons with anyone.
The Kaiba at the height of obsession.
"I see." Kaiba Man's voice lowered, realization dawning. "No wonder you knew my dragons' effects. No wonder you weren't surprised to see them. You've already faced me before, or rather, a future version of myself."
In an instant, he understood everything: that this duelist had earned the approval of his future self, that he was here not to steal Blue-Eyes, but to prove himself worthy of it.
Kaiba Man laughed sharply. "But it's useless! Even if the future me acknowledged you, this Kaiba won't! Unless you can truly satisfy me, unless your Fusion reaches perfection, you won't take a single step further into this Hall of Light!"
His Duel Disk gleamed. "Show me something more! Because right now, you're just barely above a fourth-rate duelist!"
"It doesn't matter," Hikaru replied, his tone calm but firm. "All I need… is to make you acknowledge me again!"
He raised his arm. "I activate Frightfur Tiger's effect! When this card is Fusion Summoned, I can target cards on the field up to the number of Fusion Materials used for it and destroy them!
I target Indigo-Eyes Silver Dragon and your Set card!"
The massive silver dragon roared as Hikaru's plush beast lunged. Kaiba's Set card flipped open, revealing True Light.
Hikaru exhaled in relief.
Tierra blinked from the sidelines. "What's that card?"
"That Trap can Special Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Hikaru explained quickly. "If I'd destroyed both monsters first and then attacked, he could've revived Blue-Eyes and redirected the attack with Dictator of D. That would've been disastrous."
He adjusted his hand, then declared, "Set two cards. Turn end."
Kaiba Man scoffed. "That's all? Hmph." He drew. "My turn. Draw."
"Spell Card, Pot of Greed."
"Next, Trade-In. I discard Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon, draw two."
A faint chuckle escaped him. "Heh… looks like you've hit your limit."
He slammed another card into his Duel Disk. "Activate Monster Reborn! I revive Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
The ground shook as a familiar roar filled the shrine, the radiant dragon taking form once again.
"And that's not all! I activate Dictator of D's effect! By discarding Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon from my hand, I can Special Summon another Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Graveyard!"
Twin dragons appeared beside him, their roars overlapping in a storm of light.
"Battle!" Kaiba Man thrust his hand forward. "Dictator of D, destroy the red Sheep Token!"
The knight swung its staff like a lance, shattering the creature into fragments of light.
"Next! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, annihilate that tiger that dared to challenge my dragons, Burst Stream of Destruction!"
A beam of blinding energy obliterated Frightfur Tiger instantly.
"And that pitiful plush of yours, gone as well! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack again!"
The second dragon's claws tore through Frightfur Sheep, smashing it apart.
"Not so fast!" Hikaru countered. "Frightfur Sheep's effect activates! When destroyed by battle, it Special Summons itself from the Graveyard, and if it does, it gains 800 ATK!"
Frightfur Sheep re-stitched itself together, the seams glowing red. "I'll still keep it in Defense Position," Hikaru added.
Kaiba Man folded his arms, unmoved. "It doesn't matter. Blue-Eyes, crush it!"
At this point, Hikaru's field had only two Sheep Tokens left, one pink, one yellow.
"Heh heh heh… it's not over yet!"
Kaiba Man's cold smile widened. "You claim to be a Duelist who pursues Fusion? Then witness the ultimate evolution of the strongest Dragon, the new form of the Ultimate Dragon itself!"
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Ready Fusion!"
A circle of blinding light expanded around him.
"I pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon one Level 6 or lower Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, but it cannot attack and its effects are negated."
Hikaru's eyes narrowed. "He's preparing materials…"
Kaiba Man raised another card. "Now, I activate Polymerization!I fuse the three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' on my field!"
"Witness it, the true ultimate evolution of Blue-Eyes!"
"Fusion Summon! Level 12, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
The three dragons dissolved into radiant streams of white light, merging into an immense, triple-headed dragon that illuminated the entire hall with sacred brilliance.Each of its heads shimmered with destructive power, its roar shaking the very foundations of the shrine.
Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon — Level 12 / LIGHT / Dragon / Fusion / ATK 4500.
Tierra gasped. "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon? Why not Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon? Has it… evolved again?"
Kaiba Man laughed. "So even in your so-called 'future,' you haven't seen this? Then allow me to educate you!
As long as I have another 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' in my Extra Deck, this monster can attack up to three times each Battle Phase!"
Hikaru clenched his fists. 'That's the one from the movie, Neo Ultimate Dragon…!"
Two of the dragon's heads turned toward the pink and yellow Sheep Tokens. A moment later, blinding light engulfed them both, and the tokens disintegrated instantly.
"This ends now! Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, direct attack!"
"Wait! I activate a Trap!"
Kaiba Man frowned slightly. "What now?"
"Trap Card , Chain Material!"
"During this turn, I can banish Fusion Materials from my hand, Deck, field, or Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon! The Fusion Monster I Summon this way cannot attack, and it will be destroyed during the End Phase!"
"Oh? Chain Material, huh?" Kaiba Man's grin returned. "A true Fusion Duelist till the very end… admirable."
Hikaru raised another card. "And I activate Deadly Fusion!"
"What?" Kaiba Man's eyes widened. "A Fusion from a Trap Card?"
"That's right!
By Chain Material's effect, I banish the Fusion Materials Predaplant Chlamydosundew and D.D. Scout Plane from my Deck!"
"Fusion Summon! Level 7 — Predaplant Chimerafflesia!"
A mass of thorny vines erupted across the floor, blooming into a massive carnivorous flower with fanged petals and a sinister, metallic sheen.
Predaplant Chimerafflesia — Level 7 / DARK / Plant / Fusion / ATK 2500.
Kaiba Man raised an eyebrow. "A Level 7, 2500 ATK monster? That's your ace?"
Hikaru's eyes flashed. "Every Fusion I make is an ace!And this one, Chimerafflesia, is one of my favorites!"
Kaiba Man chuckled. "So that's it… you'll stand your ground with that? Very well! Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Predaplant Chimerafflesia!"
"At this moment, Chimerafflesia's effect activates!
When it battles a face-up monster, that opponent's monster loses 1000 ATK, and Chimerafflesia gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn!"
Tierra pumped her fist. "He took the bait! Chimerafflesia's dream fight, against a monster with 4500 ATK!"
Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK 4500 → 3500!
Predaplant Chimerafflesia ATK 2500 → 3500!
The dragon's triple beam of destruction collided with the surging vines of the monstrous flower, light and darkness exploded, obliterating both monsters in a thunderous flash.
Tierra exhaled, clutching her chest. "They both… destroyed each other. Only one monster left, Dictator of D!"
Before she could finish, Kaiba Man drew his final card.
"Quick-Play Spell — Ultimate Fusion!" Kaiba Man declared coldly.
"Activate during either Main Phase. Return monsters from my hand, field, or Graveyard to the Deck as Fusion Material, then Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster that lists 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' or 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' as material!"
A brilliant light spread through the hall.
"Return the three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' from my Graveyard to the Deck!"
"Behold, my most loyal and ultimate servant!"
"Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
The three-headed dragon that had dispersed moments ago re-formed in a vortex of energy, its scales gleaming like forged platinum. Its radiance dimmed slightly compared to its Neo form, yet the sheer pressure of its presence was undiminished.
Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon — Level 12 / LIGHT / Dragon / Fusion / ATK 4500.
Tierra's brow furrowed. "Again…?!"
Kaiba Man's gaze sharpened. "Your Fusions were impressive, but ultimately meaningless. Your Field Spell lies negated. Your hand is empty. Tell me, how will you defeat the strongest dragon in existence?"
He lowered his Duel Disk slightly. "Turn end."
"At that moment," Hikaru said quietly, "the effect of my banished D.D. Scout Plane activates.
When this card is banished: during the End Phase, Special Summon it in Attack Position."
A small mechanical creature materialized from a rift.
D.D. Scout Plane — Level 2 / DARK / Machine / ATK 800.
Hikaru exhaled; his hands trembled slightly.
Kaiba Man sneered. "What's wrong? Are you shaking from fear, fear of me, fear of failure, fear of Blue-Eyes itself?"
Hikaru's grip tightened on his cards. Sweat traced his cheek, but his eyes never left Kaiba Man.
"No, Mr. Kaiba," he said slowly. "You're trembling too."
Kaiba Man's smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
"You claim you'll defeat this dragon under these conditions?"
"That's right," Hikaru replied. "As long as I draw the next card I'm thinking of, I can."
Kaiba Man crossed his arms. "Then draw it! Let's see if your words have power!"
Hikaru drew. A faint purple shimmer glowed from the card's surface.
"It's here…" he whispered.
"The effect of Predaplant Chimerafflesia, which was destroyed last turn, now activates! If this card is sent to the Graveyard, during your next Standby Phase, you can add 1 Spell Card with 'Fusion' in its name from your Deck to your hand!"
Kaiba Man chuckled. "So it retrieves any Fusion Spell, hm? Impressive. What will you choose?"
Tierra leaned in eagerly. "Shaddoll Fusion? Future Fusion? Those would be strongest right now!"
Hikaru shook his head. "Power alone doesn't guarantee victory. Only one card can lead me there, any other choice would bring only risk."
"The card I add," he declared, "is Fusion Recovery!"
Tierra blinked. "Fusion Recovery?! That can't help here..."
"No," Hikaru interrupted, "it's exactly right."
A soft blue glow enveloped his Duel Disk.
"I activate Fusion Recovery! Target 1 'Polymerization' (or Fusion Spell) in my Graveyard and 1 monster that was used as its Fusion Material; add them both to my hand!"
A vortex opened; he retrieved a gleaming Fusion Spell and a familiar staff-wielding figure card.
"'Polymerization'… and Dark Magician!"
Tierra gasped. "You're bringing back him?"
Hikaru nodded.
Understanding dawned on Tierra's face.
Kaiba Man's expression turned wary. "So that's your plan."
Hikaru raised his Duel Disk high. "Send Dark Magician and Buster Blader from my hand to the Graveyard, Fusion Summon!
The master of dark sorcery and the dragon-slaying swordsman unite as one!"
"Fusion Summon! Dark Paladin!"
From the swirling darkness emerged the armored Magician-Knight, his greatsword gleaming with a dragon's reflected light. He landed before Hikaru, cloak billowing in the residual energy of creation.
Dark Paladin — Level 8 / DARK / Spellcaster / Fusion / ATK 2900 / DEF 2400.
"To replace your hand and Special Summon all those Dragons, you've filled your Graveyard with them, Mr. Kaiba," Hikaru said, eyes glinting.
"Let's count, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon in your Graveyard, The White Stone of Legend, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, White Spirit Dragon, Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon, another Alternative White Dragon… and my Keeper of the Dragon Magic.
That's eight Dragon monsters in total!"
He raised his arm, voice resounding through the hall.
"Which means, Dark Paladin's ATK increases by 4000!"
Dark Paladin — ATK 2900 → 6900!
The Paladin's sword erupted with searing crimson energy, a storm of magical pressure crackling through the ruins.
"Battle!" Hikaru roared.
"Dark Paladin, attack Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! Super Magic Ripple Slash!"
Kaiba Man's eyes flashed. "Wait, Dictator of D.'s effect! When a 'Blue-Eyes' monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can change the attack target to another monster I control!"
"Fine then," Hikaru replied coldly. "Then I'll strike down your commander first!"
Dark Paladin's sword twisted mid-swing, redirecting toward Dictator of D. The vortex of black and emerald energy carved through the air, shattering Kaiba's control field.
Dictator of D. raised his staff, roaring defiantly, but the moment the blade struck, a ripple of magic detonated across the field, engulfing him in a burst of light.
Dictator of D. — Destroyed.
Kaiba Man's Life Points plummeted:
LP: 2100 → 0.
The Duel Disk on Kaiba's arm powered down. The holographic dragons that filled the hall, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon included, stood still for a moment before fading into shimmering motes of light.
Kaiba Man folded his arms, looking up at the dissolving Blue-Eyes with a faint, satisfied smile.
"So that's how it is. A Duel worthy of Blue-Eyes itself."
His form began to dissolve into light, scattering into the air like falling stars.
Gasps echoed all around.
"Wow!"
"So amazing!"
"That human actually defeated the invincible Kaiba Man!"
"Silence!" another voice boomed, deeper and older.
"He is only the second human in over ten years to reach this point. Show respect!"
As the last fragments of Kaiba Man's light disappeared, dozens of spirits emerged from the shadows, some human, some dragon-shaped, glowing faintly in the ancient hall.
...
Bonu @400
Read 20 chapters ahead @keepsmiling P@reon