Blue-Eyes White Dragon, descend!
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Attack Power 3000]
"Oh, it finally arrived," Officer Fujino said from the side, "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the legendary dragon that only Kaiba Seto owns in the world."
But he sneered immediately after, "However, our D Department's dueling has already evolved far beyond this, even the legendary Blue-Eyes is utterly powerless in comparison. Egawa, take this opportunity to show President Kaiba properly!"
"Go, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba shouted at the top of his lungs, "With the absolute power of light, shatter that lurking pretender hidden in the sea!"
The White Dragon opened its mouth, shaking its long neck, and during its charging period, it seemed as though all the floating particles in the air were invisibly drawn, gathering into a vortex of light at its mouth.
Burst Stream of Destruction!
The surface of the water was broken apart, white sprays billowing everywhere. A massive, dark steel shadow was finally exposed under this apocalyptic white light, rising like a mountain from beneath the sea, tons of water crashing down its body.
It was a whale-shaped mobile weapon, even larger in size than the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, with a steel fortress on its back, loaded with missile launchers and thick, black cannons.
From the start of the duel until this moment, this mysteriously hidden monster in the depths of the ocean finally showed its true form in front of the White Dragon.
[Citadel Whale, Attack Power 2350]
This shape resembling a deep-sea submarine was indeed quite fitting with a military aesthetic.
"Such a creature will crumble before my Blue-Eyes!" Kaiba declared.
But at this moment, Egawa waved his hand, flipping up the first card he had set: "Activate Set Card! Continuous Trap - Sea Stealth Attack!"
Kaiba moved his eyebrow slightly: "A trap searched by 'Citadel Whale' in the first turn?"
"The effect of Sea Stealth Attack," the trap card emerged on the sea in front of Egawa, "When a Level 5 or higher Water Attribute monster battles an opponent's monster, ignore battle damage, and the opponent's monster is destroyed directly!"
"Nani!?" Kaiba's face changed slightly.
"How can this be!?" Mokuba was also shocked, "And it's a Continuous Trap... doesn't that mean the Level 7 Citadel Whale can never be defeated!?"
If attacked by a monster, it gets destroyed directly, and using card effects would be negated by the Citadel Whale's own abilities...
This is too strong!?
"Hmph, such a ridiculously convenient effect." Kaiba snorted, but quickly played another card, "Quick-Play Magic - Forbidden Dress!"
Reduce the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack power by 600 points, but it cannot be targeted by card effects or be destroyed by effects this turn!"
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Attack Power 3000 → Attack Power 2400]
"Amazing, big brother!" Mokuba began again, "Even with a 600-point reduction, the Blue-Eyes' attack power is still 50 points higher than the opponent's! Without being destroyed by effects, it can ignore the effect of Sea Stealth Attack!"
"Oh? You've got some tricks." Fujino nodded slightly, still confident and smiling, "But..."
Only to see Egawa wave his arm again, declaring: "Continuous Trap - Sea Stealth Attack, activate another effect!"
"Nani?" Kaiba was surprised again, "There's a second effect?"
"The other effect of Sea Stealth Attack allows you to banish a Water Attribute monster from your field until the end of the turn once per turn." Egawa said, "During this turn, all face-up Magic and Trap cards on your field cannot be destroyed by effects."
The trap activated, water currents turned into pillars rising from the ground, enveloping the immense body of the Citadel Whale, and with a soft blue glow, it faded, disappearing from the field.
"It even comes with the ability to protect Magic and Trap," Mokuba clenched his fist.
Kaiba frowned slightly.
Banish his own monster from play... but wouldn't that leave the opponent's field completely empty?
What's the purpose?
Is it to protect the ace monster even at the cost of significant Life Points?
But no matter what plan they have, the word 'retreat' doesn't exist in Kaiba Seto's dictionary!
"Then, continue the attack!" Kaiba shouted, "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, direct attack at the player!"
Battle Recall, the White Dragon launched the attack again. An endless blazing white light burst from the dragon's mouth, sweeping toward Egawa's face!
Fujino murmured from the side, "It's useless."
Sure enough, Egawa continued to wave his arm, saying: "Activate Set Card! Continuous Trap - Tornado Wall!"
Azure water pillars surged from the ground, standing like an unbreachable wall of water in front of Egawa. The White Dragon's beam crashed with immense force against the wall, causing water to splash and evaporate, but ultimately failing to penetrate this defense to reach Egawa himself.
The effect of Tornado Wall," Egawa said calmly, "When the Field Magic 'Umi' is on the field, all direct attacks from the opponent become null and void." (animation effect)
"Tch, so many petty tricks." Kaiba gritted his teeth.
This "Tornado Wall" is not a new card; Kajiki Ryota used it against Jonouchi during Duel City.
The "nullifies direct attacks" effect does not target, so even with the protection of "Forbidden Dress," the Blue-Eyes White Dragon is powerless to penetrate this barrier.
In fact, the effect of the physical card "Tornado Wall" is somewhat enhanced compared to its anime effect. The physical card nullifies all battle damage as long as Umi is on the field, whereas the anime effect can only block direct attacks and is not as useful as the physical card.
Of course, considering the current situation, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.
"I'll set two cards and end my turn," Kaiba said.
"At the end phase, the effect of 'Sea Stealth Attack,'" Egawa said, "'Citadel Whale' that was banished returns to the field."
The water on the surface churned, a burst of blue light flickered, causing intense movement. The massive black fortress made its return to the field, diving back underwater with a rumbling noise, lying in ambush.
Kaiba also said, "At the end phase, the attack power of Blue-Eyes returns to normal."
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon, ATK 2400 → ATK 3000]
Though he remained disdainful in appearance, Kaiba no longer underestimated this special duelist from the D department.
Without a doubt, the strength of this so-called elite is genuine, even ranked among the world's top duelists.
Yet, it doesn't seem particularly surprising.
After all, he is a duelist trained with the military's full resources, using cards developed with the best technology. Training duelists to the resource standards of developing secret weapons, having such skills seems only reasonable.
"Interesting, indeed interesting." Not only was Kaiba not annoyed, but instead, a smile began to curve on his lips, taking a bit more interest.
If it weren't for duels like this, there would be no meaning!
"My turn." Egawa draws a card, then reveals the card he just drew, "Summon 'Amphibious Bugroth MK-3'!"
Like a combat machine produced by the military, it rose from beneath the sea, carrying two torpedoes marked with "MK-3," hovering above the water, with the tail engine humming.
[Amphibious Bugroth MK-3, ATK 1500]
This time Egawa didn't hide his monster under the sea again, seemingly feeling there was no need. With a wave of his hand, he went straight into the battle: "First, Citadel Whale! Attack Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
[Citadel Whale, ATK 2350]
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon, ATK 3000]
Attacking with a monster of lower attack power, yet everyone knew what was going to happen next.
At the moment of battle between the level seven Citadel Whale and Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the effect of Continuous Trap - Sea Stealth Attack would trigger — when a level five or higher Water Attribute Monster battles, destroy the opponent's monster without calculating damage.
If Blue-Eyes is destroyed, the president's field would be completely exposed without any defense.
"Brother!" Mokuba began to worry.
"Hmph, such a trick was already foreseen!" Kaiba shouted, "Activate the Set Card! Trap Card - Lumenize! When the opponent's monster declares an attack, negate that monster's attack.
Until the end of my next turn, increase that monster's attack power and add it to the attack power of one Light Attribute Monster on my field!"
"Nice one!" Mokuba cheered, "If this works, not only can destruction be avoided, but Blue-Eyes' attack power could soar to 5350 in one move! Next turn, by attacking 'Amphibious Bugroth MK-3,' a huge damage of 3850 points can be dealt, leaving the opponent with just 150 life points..."
Just one card reversed the situation, truly brother deserves his reputation!
"Then, activate the effect of 'Citadel Whale.'" Egawa raised his palm, "Once per turn, when a Magic, Trap, or Monster Effect is activated targeting a Water Attribute Monster, negate that effect and destroy it!"
The ability of Citadel Whale activated, the cannons on the fortress lowered, and the shots tore through the photon shield without mercy, blasting Kaiba's reversing trap into pieces.
"Continue the battle, Citadel Whale attacks Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Egawa called out, "Then at the battle moment, effect of Continuous Trap - Sea Stealth Attack! For a monster battling a level five or higher Water Attribute Monster, destroy directly without calculating damage!"
Fujino looked towards Kaiba, talking to himself, "Kaiba Seto... is this all you've got…?"
However, just when the White Dragon seemed about to be destroyed, and all defense lines appeared to be on the verge of collapsing, Kaiba… laughed?
"Heh heh heh… Ah hahaha!!!"
Suddenly bursting into laughter without warning, Fujino was taken aback.
Why is he laughing?
Losing, and still this happy?
"You all must think, I am at a loss on what to do, right?" Kaiba crossed his arms, coldly smiled, "But in fact, the one stepping into the trap is you!
Watch closely, this is what a truly powerful duelist is, the dueling that leads in realms you cannot reach!
Activate Set Card, Trap Card - Witch's Strike!"
The Set Card in front of Kaiba opened, emanating overwhelming, unresistable power from the Trap Card!
"Witch's Strike can only be activated when the opponent negates a monster's summon, special summon, or negates the activation of my Magic, Trap, or Monster effects!"
The strict activation condition is accompanied by a powerful effect, especially so for this card!
Kaiba sneered, "When Witch's Strike activates successfully, destroy all cards on the opponent's field and in their hand!"
Fujino: "What!!??"