Jet aircraft.
Yugen was sure he didn't hear wrong. It seemed the Kaiba Brothers really were discussing giving him a jet aircraft.
"A new model jet aircraft developed by the Kaiba Group, equipped with an autonomous driving system," Keihei said. "It's very easy to operate. You just need to input the destination, and the built-in AI can automatically navigate to the target location.
It's using the same AI as on the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, a version not officially released for sale."
Yugen nodded. He knew the president's Blue-Eyes White Dragon was equipped with AI capable of performing autonomous driving, and could even do stationary hovering and 360-degree turns, among other high-difficulty maneuvers, which were also Kaiba Family's black technology.
However, he wasn't surprised that a card game company had such advanced technology. After all, before researching card games, the Kaiba Family originated from the military industry, and even before switching to card research, they had world-leading black technology.
The most exaggerated performance was during the Naiya saga. According to the AI Naiya's calculations, the Kaiba Group entirely possessed the power to dominate the world with their own black technology and military might...
...Of course, that's just what Naiya and Gozaburo said. It's the AI's calculation, and whether it's true or not couldn't be determined since there wasn't an actual battle in the storyline. But the Kaiba Family's military technology being world-leading was certain.
"Of course, AI control is not that precise. The autonomous driving can't land just anywhere, but hovering over your specified coordinates is no problem."
"And then I have to jump down myself, right?"
Yugen quickly imagined the president landing heroically from a plane in the usual superhero manner... Well, sometimes the president would have a jet-powered glider strapped on for a free fall, giving off more of a luxury superhero vibe.
What more can be said?
Just thankful to the president for sparing a plane, generous old buddy...
...A literal plane.
...
...
Two days later.
A black car slowly passed through the city, arriving outside an ancient manor on the outskirts.
Massive oak gates, covered with mottled moss and the traces of time, had iron door knockers with a rustic design.
The car stopped at the gate. The door opened, and Zarug was the first to step out, followed closely by four of his inseparable followers.
The group of five thieves stood outside the gate, facing the massive manor and glanced around.
"Is this... the place?"
Zik muttered.
"The meeting locations are getting stranger and stranger."
"How much is this manor worth?" Mina asked greedily.
"Keep your spirits up, be professional," Zarug scolded. "We're here with a mission today, don't embarrass our Thief Gang."
"Yes, boss!"
Zarug took a deep breath and stepped forward. The seemingly ancient gates were actually automatic, and they slowly opened as he approached. A cobblestone path wound forward, with neatly trimmed bushes on both sides.
At this moment, Yugen's voice came through his concealed earpiece: "Can you hear me?"
"Of course, loud and clear, boss," Zarug whispered.
"Good. Now look towards your three o'clock direction."
"Huh?"
Zarug was momentarily puzzled.
He gestured for a while, counting "one, two, three" in his mouth. When he found the direction, he saw a dark-skinned, muscular woman approaching them.
"That's Tania, your teammate for this mission," Yugen said. "I've asked her to greet you."
As he spoke, the woman also pressed her ear, seemingly listening to something in her earpiece. After listening, she looked around, quickly spotting them, and lazily waved her hand at them.
The thieves waved back in response.
Yugen continued: "First corner after entering, turn left; that's also one of us. Give a greeting."
By now, Tania had joined up with the Black Scorpion group. They followed Yugen's instructions and, sure enough, encountered someone at the corner. The person was dressed in old-fashioned yet luxurious attire, wearing a golden mask, and stood with arms crossed in an arrogant manner.
But he seemed to hear someone talking to him, then turned around and nodded at them.
The Black Scorpion group returned the gesture, all feeling a bit surprised inside.
Could this be the Invincible War God Pharaoh rumored in the organization?
Even such legendary duelists have been swayed, as expected of someone titled King...
Upon reaching the designated meeting room, several Seven-Star members didn't speak, exchanged glances to confirm their identities, then simply found seats to sit down.
This appeared to be a room originally designed as a dining room, with a long table surrounded by six chairs.
At the end, there was a seventh chair, though it was empty. But behind the chair, a giant screen hung on the wall.
The group sat down. Before long, another person entered.
This person wore a hood and mask, and under the shadow of the hood, his eyes appeared dangerously dark red.
Zarug and the others immediately became alert.
They didn't know this person's identity, but they knew he was reputed as a rare alchemy expert of the time, known within the organization as "Alchemist."
They also knew this person was a confidant of the Master of Seven-Star, with a status entirely different from other officers.
The Master of Seven-Star never showed up, but often instructions and intentions were conveyed through this person, who seemed like the right-hand man of the Master of Seven-Star.
It was unexpected when Yugen said through the earpiece: "One of us."
The Black Scorpion group: "?"
Huh?
Even this person is one of us?
Zarug was bewildered when he saw the Alchemist seemed to hear something as well, then turned to nod in their direction, confirming identities through eye contact.
Zarug: "..."
The Alchemist pulled a chair, sat down, didn't speak, and took out a thick Alchemy Scripture to read.
All eight people in the room remained silent, and the atmosphere was somewhat depressing.
Now there were four Seven-Star officers in the room, totaling eight people, eight undercover operatives.
After a short wait, the door opened again. Another person entered.
This person was broad and stout, his burly body clad in a long black coat. He wore a black hat and a metal mask, his appearance slightly intimidating under the cold light.
His Duel Disc was also particularly conspicuous, similar in model to Professor Chronos's, fixed on his chest instead of worn on his arm.
His codename was Titan.
He once had encounters with Yugen, claiming to be a Dark Duelist, but in reality, he was just a fraudster. At the time, he was scared unconscious by ghost pranks in the academy's abandoned dormitory, then taken away by the academy.
However, he was later bailed out by the Master of Seven-Star, empowered with dark powers, and became a true Dark Duelist, now one of the Seven-Star.
"Take note, this one is the enemy."
Almost everyone else received Yugen's warning.
Zarug looked at this burly, fearsome-faced guy, but his gaze involuntarily turned to one of sympathy.
In a room of nine people, he's the only genuine Seven-Star left.
Suddenly, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy...