"Leaving?"
Z-ONE asked.
"More or less." Kira shrugged. "I'll observe for another two days, borrow your Iliaster equipment to confirm this dimension is truly back on track and no longer a threat to my world."
Z-ONE nodded. "It should be fine now. If anything else comes up, Yusei Fudo can handle it."
"You're still planning to follow the original path?"
"Mm." Z-ONE said.
The WRGP would continue. Iliaster's Three Pure Nobles would enter as the "Team New World" and face Yusei's group. Yusei would defeat them. The circuit would complete. The Ark Cradle would descend. Z-ONE would personally challenge Yusei for the final test.
Though the route remained the same as the anime, Z-ONE's mindset had changed completely.
He already knew the ending. After witnessing Yusei's performance today, he understood he would lose. Yusei would defeat him and guide this world toward a new future.
That was enough.
The Ark Cradle battle was Z-ONE's final gift of tempering—to solidify Yusei's growth and strength, and to warn this era never to forget passion and righteousness, lest the Ener-D once again bring catastrophe.
Then he could depart in peace.
Finally, Z-ONE spoke as if to himself: "Thanks."
Kira had already turned away, their backs to each other.
Without looking back, Kira waved. "I didn't do anything."
Z-ONE gave a soft laugh. "Without you, Yusei Fudo wouldn't have reached this point or beaten his other self."
"Maybe. I was only protecting my own world."
Kira's figure gradually disappeared.
"Farewell."
He mounted his Duel Runner and vanished down the road.
After a long silence, Z-ONE whispered, "Mm. Farewell, King of another world."
…
Kira returned to Iliaster and used its equipment to scan both dimensions again.
Every historical anomaly had vanished one by one. All divergent branches were gone. History had returned to its original path. This world would no longer collide with others.
His purpose here was complete.
Before leaving, however, he tied up loose ends.
He summoned the Iliaster Three Pure Nobles and informed them he was departing. During his absence, they would reclaim their original positions as leaders of Iliaster.
He expected them to be thrilled—they had hated having a superior suddenly placed above them and had only accepted it after being thoroughly educated in duels.
Instead, their expressions turned complicated.
"Leaving?"
Primo spoke first.
"You're abandoning everything?"
"I told you from the start—I'm only here to save my own world," Kira replied. "My task is done. I've even paid my respects to your god. From now on you three are in charge again. Shouldn't you be happy?"
The three exchanged glances.
Finally, the steady Jakob spoke. "I admit… we may have been disrespectful at first. But you proved your power surpasses ours. God chose you to lead Iliaster for a reason. Though we never said it openly, we all agree you are better suited to guide the world onto the right path. So…"
Lester finished for him. "So we're still willing to follow you. Our pride doesn't matter—as long as the world is saved and becomes what God desires."
He looked at Primo. "Right, Primo?"
The proudest of the three turned away with a click of his tongue. "Yeah… that's about it."
Kira blinked, genuinely surprised. He had assumed they resented him. He never expected even their tsundere side to be this honest.
He smiled. "I'm flattered… but don't worry. Your future is already saved."
The three stared in shock.
They had spent countless loops trying and failing to save the future. How could he speak so casually?
"Trust me. Just carry out the tasks your god assigned you."
Kira bid them farewell.
"Then… goodbye."
He left Iliaster's domain and returned to the Sector Security, entering his old office one last time.
He had spent a long time here. Saying goodbye felt oddly reluctant.
He still had things to pack. Using his authority as chief, he arranged to take one perpetual motion machine back to his own dimension for study. He also planned to bring all the research data and completed cards from his many project teams.
He didn't intend to disappear forever. The foundations he had built were too valuable to abandon completely. He would return later, after the research here matured, and perhaps harvest another wave of leeks.
Perfect plan.
He made the necessary calls, ordering everything prepared by tomorrow. Then he leaned back in his chair, savoring his final afternoon.
The door opened.
Visitors.
Yusei Fudo, Crow Hogan, Akiza Izinski… and Jack Atlas, wrapped head-to-toe in bandages and plaster like a rice dumpling.
"Kira!"
Akiza spoke first, voice tense.
"You're leaving?"
…