"Looks like I bet correctly after all."
Kira looked at the fake Z-ONE and chuckled.
"What did I tell you?"
Fake Z-ONE: "…"
From the result, Kira had been right.
Even though Copy Yusei's realm far surpassed Yusei's, even though the copy possessed top-tier Clear Mind, Delta Accel Synchro, Cosmic Blazar Dragon, and the Meklord Emperor God—an absolute counter to Synchro Monsters—even with every conceivable advantage, even when the paper matchup looked like an utter stomp, Yusei Fudo had fearlessly fought and won.
"This isn't scientific. According to calculations, Yusei Fudo does not possess this level of strength," Fake Z-ONE muttered. "Data…"
Before he could continue, Z-ONE interrupted. "Precisely because you are always so obsessed with data, you cannot see what truly matters."
Fake Z-ONE: "What?"
"What I seek—the thing that can truly change the future." Z-ONE's voice remained calm, yet carried a hint of satisfaction. "Perhaps at the start of this duel Yusei Fudo really was weaker than your copy.
But is that still true now?"
Fake Z-ONE stared at the projection of Yusei for a long moment, then seemed to understand.
"Duelist Level… broken ten?"
Surprise colored his tone.
"The King's Domain?"
"Looks like it."
Even Z-ONE's usually emotionless voice could not hide a trace of a smile.
This entire incident had been unexpected for Z-ONE. The challenge from the replicated 5D's group from another dimension had disrupted the WRGP and his plans.
Yet from the result, that very challenge had accelerated Yusei Fudo's evolution far beyond what Z-ONE had anticipated.
Yusei Fudo had become a King.
In this dimension, in this timeline—the true Duel King. This was exactly what Z-ONE had always wanted to see, the reason he had orchestrated the WRGP, the Ark Cradle, and every trial that followed.
Thanks to these otherworldly copies, the goal had been reached ahead of schedule. Z-ONE was genuinely pleased.
Perhaps this entire development had also been part of Copy Yusei's plan.
Copy Yusei's challenge to the true Yusei had contained multiple calculations from the beginning.
If the copy won, he would replace Yusei in the final Ark Cradle confrontation and stop Z-ONE's plan to destroy New Domino City.
If the copy lost, it would mean Yusei Fudo had awakened new power and touched a higher realm.
Either outcome was acceptable.
Now the copy lay collapsed on the elevated track.
Thick engine oil snaked across the asphalt like glowing serpents. The Duel Runner's twisted frame was embedded in the barrier ten meters away, still spitting electric arcs. Copy Yusei lay on his back in the center of the oil slick. The artificial skin on the right side of his face had peeled away like cracked pottery, exposing the metal cheekbone sparking orange-red. Sparks landed on his leather jacket, burning small black holes that smelled of scorched fabric.
Neck wiring was severed. When the mechanical pupil dilated, shattered crystalline arrays inside the iris refracted chaotic colors like a broken kaleidoscope.
When he tried to raise his left hand, the forearm hydraulic line burst. Pale-blue fluid sprayed into the moonlight like alien blood.
Yusei stopped his Duel Runner and sprinted over.
"Are you all right?!"
From the scene alone it was obvious he was not.
But Copy Yusei only forced a small smile. "I'm fine…"
Yusei knelt, lifted the copy's upper body, and let the half-shattered form lean against him. "Don't talk. I'll find someone to repair you—"
"No need."
Copy Yusei smiled—calm, accepting.
"It's enough. What I wanted to do… has already been completed."
Yusei froze. "What?"
"In the past, I believed I was the true Yusei Fudo."
The copy's voice was hoarse, laced with static crackles.
"Accel Synchro… Delta Accel Synchro… top-tier Clear Mind…"
He struggled to speak.
"And our bonds—the 5D's bonds. I fought alongside my companions, supporting each other. With all of that… I truly thought… I was no longer inferior to you…"
Yusei's expression grew complicated. "You…"
He tried to speak, but Copy Yusei cut him off again.
"Until today—meeting you, the true original once more—I finally understood. Your strength is not only in bonds with companions, nor only in powerful cards.
Even with similar cards, similar partners… I still could never become you. No matter how advanced the technology, no matter how perfect the craftsmanship—it is impossible to create a second Yusei Fudo."
Yusei was silent for a moment, then looked up. "Yes. You are not me."
He paused, then continued. "But you don't have to become me either. You are you. I can see it—you are a true, proud Duelist who fights unwaveringly for your beliefs and your companions.
Even if you are artificial… through this duel I felt your heart."
He clenched his right fist and pressed it to his chest.
"I can feel your sincere soul—a noble soul that belongs to a true Duelist."
Copy Yusei was silent for several seconds, then smiled in genuine relief.
"Being told that by the original… this is probably the highest praise I could ever receive."
With what seemed like his final strength, he raised one hand and offered a single card.
Yusei took it—then his face changed.
It was the very card that had just decided the duel: Cosmic Blazar Dragon.
"This…" Yusei was stunned. "This is your Delta Accel Synchro—the most important card you have."
"Yes. The most important card… but it always belonged to you—the true Yusei Fudo."
Copy Yusei's voice was steady.
"My mission is complete—or rather, it has failed. My timeline was already destroyed. My world ceased to exist long ago. The purpose for which I was created was never fulfilled.
Now this world's future has been entrusted back to you, Yusei Fudo. With you as you are now, I am certain you will succeed in preventing this world from repeating the same tragedy.
So I no longer have any reason to exist."
From the overturned Duel Runner beside him came a cold electronic voice.
"Self-destruct program activated. Countdown initiated."
Yusei's face went pale.
"What are you doing?!"