As expected, there are other unexpected circumstances.
Even Kurosaki Shun, who personally witnessed the battle of the Three Warriors against Vector, did not know what had happened, which must have been "guided by a higher" existence.
Tenjo Hikari listened silently to the whole story, and at least figured out the events in the Xyz Dimension.
The whole thing seemed similar to the first season of "Yu-Gi-Oh! Z4," but there were differences in details because of the addition of the Goddess of Despair.
The throne did not disappear but was taken away by the Goddess of Despair, and IV also left the Xyz Dimension for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, under the help and research of the remaining members of the Arclight Family, Shun mastered the power of "Rank-Up."
Mortals who want to oppose the supernatural "Baal" and have lost "Numbers" can only choose No-less card users who are excellent and strong enough. Aside from Tenjo Kaito, who isn't entirely mortal, Shun seems to be one of the most suitable candidates, aside from possibly Yuto.
After understanding these things, Tenjo Hikari didn't play any mind games with Shun, instead sharing some of his side's stories with him.
He looked at Kurosaki Shun, his eyes flickering with a green glow.
At this moment, Kurosaki Shun was actually very similar to Fudou Yusei, his body having gone through excessive "modifications," but unlike Yusei, who genuinely chose complete human transformation to become a half-human, half-God "United God," Kurosaki Shun merely enhanced the human "foundation" as much as possible.
Tenjo Hikari had previously seen Kurosaki Shun's Extra Deck, and in fact, his Extra Deck already contained a "Rank 10" level Monster, but due to the excessive potency of Rank-Up Magic, he could never use them normally; even when Ranks "8", he felt faint.
Tenjo Hikari told Kurosaki Shun that he had a way to allow him to increase the upper limit of using "Rank-Up Magic," but in return for the trade, he hoped Kurosaki Shun could do him a favor.
"What kind of favor?" Kurosaki Shun frowned.
In principle, since Tenjo Hikari rescued Ruri, not to mention helping him with a favor, even if asked to sell his life for Tenjo Hikari, it wouldn't matter, but he still wanted to hold onto his core values.
"Yusei needs to use a mortal body to connect all the people in this world," Tenjo Hikari said, "but now, due to the schedule, he hardly has time to communicate with others.
The only time he can connect with other contestants is during the competition, and this brief three-day break period; so today, he left our base early to visit the contestants one by one."
Kurosaki Shun was stunned upon hearing this.
"He couldn't connect with those at the City Hall. You're helping over there, right? Can you help him acquire some means of contact? The more, the better."
Kurosaki Shun never imagined that the request Tenjo Hikari put forward would be such a request!
He was momentarily dumbfounded, then lowered his head.
Actually, he wanted to give up on the WRGP competition. After all, he was only participating because Goodwin had discovered his and Yuto's whereabouts and was willing to lend them help, but now that Ruri was found, he could leave these matters aside for now.
To safely send Ruri home and reassure mom and dad, that was what occupied his thoughts.
But Tenjo Hikari's words...
"Is that person so worthy of your help? He's not even from the Fusion Dimension; he's from this dimension's native people."
Tenjo Hikari listened to Kurosaki Shun's question and chuckled lightly.
He knew Kurosaki Shun paid special attention to "Dimensional Gate" due to his experiences.
"Shun, do you remember the things I told you during our duel?"
"...Which one?" He felt a bit pressured.
Tenjo Hikari was very careful during their duel, and when he thought back, he felt exceptionally embarrassed; however, his poker face nature helped him mask the awkwardness well.
"The Fusion Army is indeed evil, so it ought to be destroyed. Even as part of the Fusion Dimension itself, and having once joined the Fusion Army's [Reserve], I will strive to destroy it!"
Tenjo Hikari stood up and clenched his fist, his eyes flickering in a way Kurosaki Shun couldn't quite comprehend—not so much a glow, but a passion for the future and a love for summoning methods.
"Yusei yearns to recreate a brand-new order during this chaotic time, to let harmony and love spread throughout the world once more, to let all existence sit down together again—though this is Synchro, how similar is it to the ideology of Fusion!
Shouldn't the world be like this inherently!?
My Fusion, my belief, drives me to continue down this path. I believe it will also make me become stronger!"
He looked down at Kurosaki Shun: "Shun, as a Duelist, don't you find... this to be joyful?"
Joy—
Yes.
The most primitive, most fundamental aspect of dueling is that it makes oneself joyful.
A person's love and passion for something are never guided by duty, but by joy, by the inner self.
Tenjo Hikari...
This guy's words really matched everything he said during the duel.
For a moment, he felt admiration, and all the moments from their prior duel resurfaced, with the statement "That Fusion Army was destroyed—by my hand" repeatedly echoed in his mind.
When calm returned, everything in the duel became akin to a rich wine, constantly reappearing before his eyes.
Alchemy's principles, the display of Alchemy through the duel, the sincerity of the words, and the dislike for the Fusion Army.
No wonder Ruri respects him so much.
He incessantly nodded inwardly.
No surprise Tenjo Hikari can be regarded as "the strongest Fusion Duelist," "Absolute Fusion Master," with those from the Fusion Dimension having no objections, undoubtedly a pure Duelist beyond imagination.
His wariness gradually dissipated, feeling instead more remorseful.
"Given this, then... I'll do my best..." Shun spoke with little confidence.
Because.
Compared to dueling, it's challenging for him as a poker-faced person to socialize with others.
But since Tenjo Hikari saved his sister, he had to help!