International Fantasy Association, Headquarters.
The helicopter descends slowly like riding the Hurricane. Izuno, a veteran from the Kaiba Group, jumps off the plane first, standing guard like a protector.
Keihei Kaiba, dressed in a white suit, disembarks immediately.
"Sorry, sorry, kept you waiting. Got held up by something on the way."
Keihei laughs as he steps forward and shakes hands with Pegasus Moonwalker.
"No worries, I just arrived myself." Pegasus Moonwalker smiles faintly, exchanging pleasantries, "President Kaiba is really a busy man. I suppose he's busy developing some new important card game now?"
"Uh... not really."
Keihei scratches his head.
In fact, recently it seems his brother is researching something related to dimensional travel. Keihei figures his brother might be pondering that the Mortal World now, influenced by some new Duel King, has become too much like the Underworld, and considering that the card games in the Underworld are more like the Mortal World. So, he's itching to go back down and play cards with his old friends...
"Shall we go inside to talk more?" Moonwalker gestures invitingly.
"No, let's wait a bit. The Duel King is on his way; he told me he'd arrive soon." Keihei said.
"Oh?" Moonwalker shows interest immediately, "Is he coming too? How long?"
"About... ten seconds?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked up to see the burning trail in the sky.
It was a glider, leaving a blazing arc in the air. Yugen leaps from it, adjusts his angle, and descends vertically, landing in a half-squat on the helipad, kicking up a swirl of transparent Tornado.
"Yugen!"
Keihei is the first to welcome him, greeting him with a smile.
"You've been busy lately, haven't seen you for ages."
"There've been some things... but should be sorted soon." Yugen smiles as he steps up and greets Moonwalker with a handshake.
"I hear it's about a significant series card deck research with Kaiba Group and International Fantasy Association collaboration?"
Yugen follows the two into the building.
"Yes, there are several projects to discuss." Keihei smiles, "There are a few card decks in development you might be interested in... Moonwalker, why not show Yugen?"
Pegasus Moonwalker smiles and takes a tablet from the assistant beside him, handing it to Yugen.
Yugen flips through casually; indeed, there are some card decks he had not seen in the market before. However, compared to his past life's memory, most are incomplete, with only a few cards; most are nonexistent.
But there were some that piqued his interest.
For example, surprisingly, a card deck with the "Next Gen" field.
In his memory, this should be a card deck from the Synchro Era because this deck focuses on Synchro. Without Magic Traps, the entire deck consists only of Monsters, with Synchro as the mainstay, utilizing different attributes of Synchro Materials to achieve effects.
However, unsurprisingly, there are only a few cards, and of course, no Synchro cards. Perhaps that's the reason this developing card deck currently isn't highly rated internally, and the development team doesn't have high hopes for its potential.
Yugen figured although this deck was researched and developed now, it is sure to mature in the Synchro Era. Even now, Yugen can't fully develop its potential.
Still, there are some particular cards that interest him.
"Can my lab apply for one of these developing card decks?" Yugen asks, "I'm interested too."
"I guessed you'd say that."
Keihei says with a chuckle.
"So I've already talked to Pegasus and the others, and have specially prepared the cards for you. You'll take them as you leave later."
Upon hearing this, Yugen can't help but feel grateful; Keihei is indeed reliable.
"Additionally, we're considering forming a new project group and hope Mr. Yugen's lab can join."
Pegasus Moonwalker stated.
"It's a project related to Duel King Muto Yuugi."
Yugen asked curiously, "Hasn't Mr. Yugi's research always been a priority?"
"Yes. However, outsiders aren't aware, but in fact, Muto Yuugi from back in the Duel King era is strictly speaking two people. One is the current Muto Yuugi, the other is the Pharaoh from three thousand years ago."
Keihei said.
"Over the years, research has mostly focused on the Pharaoh, who is long gone... alright, a major factor is my brother's push.
But many people don't know that the current game's dueling style and card choices are quite different from the Pharaoh from back then. This time, we're establishing research on the cards Mr. Yugi used, as well as the potential of the related series."
Yugen understood. Referring to the tabletop game...
"There are rumors that Mr. Yugi hasn't duelled for many years, or at least not publicly. However, his tactical style is unique; it would be a pity if it were forgotten as he retired."
Pegasus Moonwalker said, looking at Yugen, then suddenly smiling strangely.
"Keihei said Mr. Yugen, you previously exhibited a unique understanding of many cards used by Muto Yuugi, and he mentioned your style... well... to say it like this, shares some unintentional similarities with Mr. Yugi."
Yugen: "..."
Sounds logical.
He actually knows the tabletop game's card deck also has plenty to explore. Previously, he pointed out some development directions to Kaiba Group's related research groups, albeit only hinting at some development directions without deep guidance. Now taking charge isn't too bad.
The cards used by Yugi involve many series themes, and he immediately thought of several worthwhile directions to investigate.
"However, these aren't the main focus of today's meeting."
Pegasus Moonwalker had already led the two to the conference room, and they sat at the table.
"Kaiba Group seems to have heard some news."
Keihei also sat on the side, asking.
"Apparently, International Fantasy Association has some major discoveries in foreign ruins recently?"
Kaiba Group and International Fantasy Association's excavation teams are stationed worldwide. Earlier, it was commonly believed that Duel Monsters originated in Ancient Egypt, but this claim has been somewhat challenged academically.
Nowadays, many people believe that Ancient Egypt was merely one region where Duel Monsters flourished, but not necessarily the origin. Archaeological evidence now shows traces of Duel Monsters worldwide; a remarkable discovery could be found beneath any land.
"Yes, our team in Europe, after six years, finally found what we've been searching for."
Pegasus Moonwalker paused, smiling as he asked.
"Have you heard of 'Sword Fighting Beast'?"