Inside and outside the duel room, students had already crowded in to witness the match. Beneath the dueling platform, various filming setups were in position. Media representatives from major television stations had gathered, all waiting for this "comeback battle" that would mark Jaden Yuki's return to the public eye.
An unknown reporter started the commotion, and everyone's eyes turned toward the entrance. A young man in red with a brown jellyfish hairstyle walked in, his expression calm and his Duel Disk strapped to his left arm.
"It's Jaden Yuki!"
"Quick, get the cameras ready!"
In an instant, the reporters swarmed Jaden. A flood of questions nearly overwhelmed the young man, whose expression was already somewhat grim.
Meanwhile, on the dueling platform, Chazz had been waiting for some time. His side of the stage was significantly lonelier, with only a few reporters hired by the Princeton Group surrounding him.
"Hey, what's wrong with these guys? Why are all the cameras focused on Jaden Yuki's face!"
In the spectator stands, Chazz's two older brothers, Jagger and Slade Princeton, watched the scene. They stood with their arms crossed, staring at the reporters while gnashing their teeth.
"Don't worry. Even if Chazz isn't as popular as Jaden, as long as he uses the rare cards we gave him, he has a real chance to defeat him."
"Exactly. Those cards were purchased by the Princeton Group at a staggering cost. Jaden Yuki might be famous in the dueling world, but victory isn't won by fame alone."
"It's won with money and power! Hahaha!"
The two brothers laughed triumphantly, as if they could already see Chazz Princeton rising to the top by stepping over Jaden Yuki's defeated body.
However, even under the flashbulbs of a few reporters, Chazz's eyes were slightly bloodshot as they remained fixed on Jaden.
If you want to defeat him, you must borrow my power, Chazz Princeton.
"Hmph."
Recalling what had happened in the washroom moments ago, Chazz gritted his teeth and slowly drew a card from his deck.
*Ghost Reaper & Winter Cherries.*
A pink haired girl smiled coldly from the card art. Within that same illustration, the faint silhouette of a white haired girl with twin tails could be seen in her hand.
*Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit.*
Because Ghost Reaper had discovered her, she had dragged Ghost Ogre into her own card to prevent her from snitching to the Supreme King.
"Even if... even if I have to borrow someone else's power, as long as I can defeat Jaden Yuki..." Chazz closed his eyes. A flicker of resentment rose in his heart.
But... if he did that, would he still be a duelist?
"My, I can feel that your heart isn't very steady," the voice of Ghost Reaper whispered in Chazz's ear. "What's wrong? Are you getting cold feet?"
Chazz gritted his teeth and glared at the girl in the card art. "Don't be ridiculous! How could I possibly back down? I will win this duel no matter what!"
"That's more like it..."
In the spirit world, Ghost Reaper smiled as she watched Chazz's gaze turn firm once again. She then glanced behind her at Ghost Ogre, whom she had tied up securely, and at Ojama Yellow, who was shivering in a corner.
"Hmph. I didn't expect you to submit to the Supreme King, Ghost Ogre. You're a disappointment."
"I didn't 'submit'! I simply admire the Supreme King and want to stay by his side!" Ghost Ogre lay on the ground, wriggling desperately like an insect.
"Admire him?" Ghost Reaper looked at Ghost Ogre with disdain. "Have you been brainwashed by him?"
"What?! You're the one who was tricked by Ash Blossom and still helped her count the money!" Ghost Ogre shouted furiously. "You know what her personality is like! Besides, the Supreme King isn't a bad person!"
"Hmph, you really are brainwashed..." Ghost Reaper brushed her pink hair out of her eyes and turned away, carrying her scythe. She had no interest in listening to Ghost Ogre's barking. "Compared to the Supreme King, I prefer to trust my friends."
"Friends? Hey! Am I not your friend too?!" Ghost Ogre's anger flared.
"You? Given how you sold out Ghost Belle before, I'll remain skeptical," Ghost Reaper huffed.
Ghost Ogre was left speechless. While she had done it for self-preservation at the time, she had revealed Ghost Belle's whereabouts. That was a stain on her record she couldn't wash away.
"I... I can't believe it. My face is being broadcast across the country no, the whole world..."
On the platform, Professor Crowler was so nervous he looked like he was turning into a paper cutout. Not only was the hand holding the microphone incredibly stiff, but his expression had frozen into the square shape of a Pot of Avarice.
"A-anyway! The match between Duel Academy Main and North Academy... begins now!"
Amidst the thunderous cheers of the audience, Professor Crowler took a deep breath and raised his arm high.
"First! Representing the elite of the elite from Obelisk Blue Jaden Yuki!"
The cameras cut to Jaden's face. As his image appeared on screens everywhere, countless fanatical fans let out piercing screams.
"Jaden Yuki!"
"Kyaa! He's so handsome! Lord Jaden!"
"Go for it, Lord Jaden!"
The cheers in the spectator stands rose in waves. Alexis Rhodes looked at Mindy and Jasmine beside her, who were cheering and even waving support banners. She couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"I thought you two were indifferent toward Jaden..."
"Who said that? I like any guy as long as he's handsome!" Mindy replied with a straight face.
"He might have a strange temper, but with his popularity and looks, how can a girl help but like him a little?" Jasmine added with a serious nod of analysis.
You two... Alexis tilted her head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"And his opponent from North Academy" Crowler gestured toward the other side of the stage.
"Wait. I'll announce my own name."
Before Crowler could finish, Chazz interrupted him coldly.
"Eh?" Crowler looked at him, completely dazed.
Ignoring the professor, Chazz strode forward and snatched the microphone. His gaze locked onto Jaden.
"Jaden Yuki, I admit it. You've crushed me into the abyss twice before. In the midst of endless confusion, I have been searching for a path to victory."
Chazz paused, a trace of conflict flickering in his eyes as he looked at Jaden. "To defeat you... I won't hesitate to use even the power of a demon."
A demon?
"I see..." Jaden blinked, seemingly understanding something.
"Jaden Yuki! As long as I am a duelist, and as long as I haven't truly beaten you once, I will challenge you again and again and again! No matter how many times it takes, even if I have to gamble my career and my pride as a duelist! I"
Chazz raised a finger.
"1! 10! 100! 1,000! Chazz it up!"
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
The North Academy students cheered frantically. The sheer intensity of his popularity even took Jaden by surprise.
"I, Chazz Princeton, will prove that I can defeat you! Jaden, I will not lose this duel!"
Activating his Duel Disk, Chazz stared Jaden down.
"Fine. Bring it on, Chazz. I can already feel the passion in your heart." Jaden smiled and activated his own Duel Disk. He could feel Chazz's fighting spirit; it was genuine. Those were the eyes of a duelist.
In that case...
"DUEL!"
Jaden and Chazz both drew five cards from their decks.
[Jaden Yuki LP: 4000]
[Chazz Princeton LP: 4000]
Jaden looked at the five cards in his hand.
*Traptrix Myrmeleo, Crackdown, Compulsory Evacuation Device, Storming Mirror Force, Maxx "C".*
Come on, Chazz.
Since you're so fired up, I'll naturally use my HEROes to give you the respect you deserve in this collision of souls!
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