"So you didn't die."
Youyu stood at the door, just a few steps from President Kagemaru, looking at the unnaturally young face.
"Obviously." Kagemaru smiled, "That monster from ancient times... is it called 'Tragoedia'? It thought it controlled everything, that it could use the resources of the company I founded to achieve its ambitions.
But do you know the truth? It is just an idiot, full of astonishing powers, capable of shaking the world, yet it lacks the ability to use them effectively."
He paused, adding mockingly, "Just like a child waving an assault rifle."
"Tragoedia thought it manipulated you, but the truth is the opposite, right?" Youyu said, "You lost to it in a duel, became its pawn, its puppet... but that wasn't you at all.
What you sacrificed to Tragoedia was a puppet — a body you had long abandoned due to age and illness.
Tragoedia thought it controlled 'President Kagemaru,' but it was merely the shell you left behind after your transformation."
Youyu squinted his eyes.
"'Human Alchemy,' the forbidden chapter of Alchemy, an artificial creation that can bear the weight of a soul, achieving soul migration."
Kagemaru chuckled dryly twice.
"Looks like you've talked to Daitokuji."
He didn't deny it, appearing like a villain whose scheme had succeeded, feeling confident and no longer needing to hide.
He had passed the stage of secretive maneuverings; he only couldn't wait to find someone to share his wicked plans with, boasting of his 'genius' idea, like flaunting a prank.
"Yes, even I must admit Daitokuji played a crucial role in my plans. The amount I invested in his Alchemy project is something an ordinary person might never dare even dream of, but it was worth it."
He spread his hands, proudly showing off his young, strong, and vibrant body.
"Look, the miracle of Alchemy, a creation combining the wisdom of brilliant minds, magic, and technology— a young perfect body.
Daitokuji's technique made things much easier. Alchemy allowed me to extend my life, buying me the time I needed—otherwise, I might have died before my plans reached this point.
Moreover, it provided me with a cover. Tragoedia is a fool, but his short-term goals align with mine— to seize the 'Three Phantasm' from you and Kaiba Seto. So I let him do conspicuous tasks while I avoided unnecessary attention from the shadows...
...just like the attention of troublesome characters like Mr. Youyu."
"So you turned the tables, letting Tragoedia take your former body as a puppet." Youyu said, "Tragoedia thought you and your Heaven and Earth Imaging Society were his pawns, his sword, but in truth, he was your shield."
"Exactly." Kagemaru said, "Thanks to him as a cover, I could conduct necessary actions without drawing any attention. Including you, Duel King Youyu, all of you even thought I was dead.
I know you might believe 'Seven Stars' were sent out by Tragoedia, you and the people in the D Department, you all think the 'Phantasm' tablets ended up in Tragoedia's hands.
But Tragoedia is just a poor fool kept in the dark. In fact, all of those were orchestrated by me. Speaking of which, I should thank that idiot Tragoedia; without him drawing attention, I might not have reached this point."
"Seven Stars... you sent them to attack Duel Academy students, for what reason?" Youyu asked.
He genuinely couldn't see any sense in it.
After all, although Seven Stars might belong to the upper-mid tier among Dark Duelists, in Youyu's eyes, they were just weaklings. They're like a parade of clowns lining up only to fail, completely pointless.
"Of course, I didn't expect 'Seven Stars' to be of any use; their level is insignificant in front of Mr. Youyu, I understand." Kagemaru laughed, "But have you considered, perhaps the duel itself is the goal?"
Youyu remembered.
In the original work, it seemed to be the case. The so-called "seven keys to seal the Phantasm" were actually just a ruse; sending Seven Stars to seize the keys through Dark Duels, the process itself was the true goal.
Even President Kagemaru had planned this when the Academy was established.
The Three Phantasm are demons that feed on the energy of Duel Monster Spirits; the energy generated by duelists in a duel can to some extent serve as food for the Phantasm.
When sending Seven Stars to attack students, Kagemaru didn't really expect them to win. To him, it doesn't matter who wins or loses; he just wants to provide ample energy to the Three Phantasm sealed on the island through Dark Duels.
That's why, at the end of the animated Three Phantasm arc, although Judai and others succeeded in defeating all Seven Stars members, the seal was still lifted, and the Three Phantasm reappeared in the world.
But the difference here from the animation is that Kagemaru overlooked a small detail... a fatal detail.
"The Three Phantasm weren't sealed on the island at all." Youyu shrugged, "Perhaps your purpose in sending Seven Stars was to recharge the Three Phantasm to let them break the seal themselves? But you'll be disappointed."
Kagemaru smiled, "Indeed, I've already realized. Your vigilance truly surprised me, Mr. Youyu. I hadn't anticipated in advance that the island's seal was a facade, and the Three Phantasm were never sealed there but kept close to you.
I must admit that in this aspect, I've been outdone again; the 'Seven Stars' plan is an utter failure."
Despite his words, Kagemaru maintained a calm smile all along. Coupled with the oppressive feeling Youyu had sensed since stepping into the building, it left Youyu with an ominous premonition.
"The three Phantasm cards you now possess are from the entities' emergence of chaos, later sealed into cards, correct?" Kagemaru suddenly asked.
Youyu didn't deny.
"But have you ever considered... that to this day, no one in the world has ever discovered the Phantasm tablets?"
Youyu's gaze chilled.
"Could it be you..."
"Yes." Kagemaru laughed heartily, "Fate led me to discover them, in corners of the world forgotten by time, sealed since the Ancient Era—the 'Phantasm' tablets!
The Phantasm acknowledged me, accepted me, endowed me with that power... and ultimately bestowed me these!"
He revealed three cards that were evidently prepared a long time ago.
Red, yellow, and blue cards, without levels or attributes, with illustrations of ferocious and wild monsters.
These are the Three Phantasm!