"I don't know," Bruno's expression darkened.
"In that battle, the two of them set off from Neo Domino City. Two dragons followed them, battling fiercely until the sky and earth blurred, fighting their way out of Neo Domino City. But neither of them ever returned."
"Neither of them returned?" Yūga Hōzumi listened to Bruno's words, feeling like he was being played. This story had the distinct flavor of a Xuanhuan novel, with two Duelists fighting until the end of time, until even the Great Dao was worn away. However, considering this guy was probably 14 or 15, right in the peak age for chuunibyou, Yūga Hōzumi didn't dwell on it and continued asking, "And then?"
Bruno's gaze dimmed, and he continued, "After they both disappeared, due to the war, almost all users of Double Tuning and Accel Synchro had perished. At that point, The Top Echelons' Sector Security took action. They used siege tactics, attempting to round up all surviving D-Wheel riders in one fell swoop."
"The Revolutionary Army back then fought with their last drop of blood to preserve the Accel Synchro inheritance left by that person. However, the Double Tuning inheritance was forcibly seized by those shameless Top Echelons and kept under wraps, only accessible to each succeeding King who pledged loyalty to them," Bruno explained.
"I understand," Yūga Hōzumi nodded. No wonder this guy had such a strong reaction to Accel Synchro. "But what do you mean no one in Neo Domino City knows Accel Synchro anymore? Doesn't your Revolutionary Army have the inheritance? And your Deck was also born for Accel Synchro!"
"That's true, but within the Revolutionary Army's inheritance, besides my Deck, only one sentence was left behind: 'With a Clear Mind, achieve resonance with the unique vibrations of a Synchro Tuner Monster, and thereby open the Gate of the Future'."
"The most crucial part, concerning the Clear Mind, was lost during the breakout," Bruno lowered his head. "Even for this legacy Deck, throughout the Revolutionary Army's history, I am the only one who has received its recognition and is qualified to wield it. I once believed I could recreate the miracle of Accel Synchro, but even now, I still haven't touched the threshold of a Clear Mind."
"Therefore, if possible, please do not conceal the whereabouts of that senior. This is truly important to our Revolutionary Army." Bruno, prostrating himself, bowed his head deeply, his attitude extremely sincere.
This left Yūga Hōzumi a bit speechless. Where was he supposed to find a D-Wheel rider who had mastered Accel Synchro for him?!
"I'm sorry, I don't know where he is," Yūga Hōzumi said, while also encouraging him, "However, since you've received this Deck's recognition, I believe you will eventually be able to comprehend the Clear Mind."
"But..."
Bruno still wanted to say something, but Yūga Hōzumi interrupted him, holding up the two cards, Effect Veiler and Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, and asked, "Let's talk about something else. Where did you get these two cards?"
"If you like these cards, they are yours. The Revolutionary Army has many more, all made by a card creator friend of mine," Bruno said.
"Do you have your friend's contact information? Has he considered switching jobs?" Yūga Hōzumi's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Why do you ask that? Xiu is just an untalented, ordinary card creator. He can't make any cards besides Tuner Monsters," Bruno said, bewildered by Yūga Hōzumi's question.
???
Yūga Hōzumi was startled by Bruno's words. *Is your Synchro Dimension really that prosperous? Calling such a strategic talent an untalented, ordinary card creator?*
"Are these kinds of cards common?" Yūga Hōzumi asked, confirming repeatedly.
"Not really. Among the card creators I know, only Xiu can make these kinds of Tuner Monsters. But what's the use of Tuner Monsters that don't form a complete archetype?" Bruno replied.
Yūga Hōzumi: ...
*I think you've underestimated your friend's potential. Do you believe your friend might become the greatest card creator of all time?* Yūga Hōzumi thought, then slowly spoke, testing the waters:
"How about I go with you to meet your leader, and incidentally, meet this friend of yours?"
Yūga Hōzumi, who had originally intended to put on airs and make the Revolutionary Army's leader come to him, decisively changed his mind when faced with the temptation of such a top talent. He began scheming in his mind how to trick that card creator named Xiu into coming to Heartland City.
"This..." Bruno hesitated. Although all indications showed that Yūga Hōzumi and his two companions were not from The Top Echelons, it was, after all, their first meeting. Taking them directly to the Revolutionary Army's main base truly wasn't appropriate.
"I'll go back and inform the leader. Can I come back tomorrow? It's not that we don't trust you, it's just..." Bruno wanted to explain, but Yūga Hōzumi stopped him.
"My apologies, I was too hasty. You should go back first. I'll wait for you here." Yūga Hōzumi sighed, returning the Duel Disk and Deck to Bruno.
"Then, I'll leave these children in your care." Bruno nodded profusely, then turned and left.
...
At noon the next day, Bruno arrived at the courtyard, bringing with him a tall man with long white hair and an Eyes Boy who looked quite timid and meek.
"Senior Yūga Hōzumi, this is our leader," Bruno introduced. Looking at the newcomer's appearance, Yūga Hōzumi was momentarily taken aback.
"Take the children out to play," Yūga Hōzumi said after a brief moment of stunned silence, looking at Serena who was teaching the children how to duel nearby.
Serena nodded, took the children, and left the room, clearing the space for the two men.
"Leader of the Revolutionary Army, Kyosuke Kiryu." The tall man with long white hair extended his right hand toward Yūga Hōzumi.
"Leader of the Heartland Resistance Army, Yuan Youhao." Yūga Hōzumi gripped Kiryu's outstretched hand without hesitation, simultaneously looking at the hand's owner.
Although he bore the same name and face, even the location of the golden mark on his face was identical, this person's aura was completely different from the leader of Team Satisfaction Yūga Hōzumi remembered.
"Heartland City?" Kiryu asked, puzzled.
"We come from another dimension; we're not locals of Neo Domino City," Yūga Hōzumi replied.
After Yūga Hōzumi recounted the dimensional war initiated by the Fusion Dimension to Kiryu, Kiryu's brow furrowed deeply.
"I deeply sympathize with the plight of your homeland," Kiryu said. "However, if you're looking for allies, haven't you come to the wrong person? Our Revolutionary Army is currently struggling even to protect ourselves."
"If not with you, then with whom can we form an alliance?" Yūga Hōzumi said with a smile. "With those ruthless capitalists from The Top Echelons who eat people without spitting out the bones? Don't be silly, aren't you clear about their true nature? Besides, I've always believed in one principle: help is mutual."
"You mean..." Kiryu's brow furrowed deeply as he looked at Yūga Hōzumi.
"I wonder if you'd be willing for the three of us to join your ranks, Comrade Kiryu."
...
(end of chapter)