Beside the bonfire, Yuji spent his first night in this world. Early the next morning, Shinjo Katsu gathered all the survivors from the camp.
"Chief Yuji, everyone is assembled. There are 3,732 people in total, of which 1,009 are capable of fighting. The rest are wounded and refugees." Shinjo reported to Yuji after counting the numbers.
"Is that all we have left?" Yuji frowned. "Get ready to move out. We start now. If we're lucky, we'll reach the Spade Academy stronghold by evening."
"Where are we going?" At that moment, the gathered crowd began to whisper.
"It seems to be the Spade Academy stronghold in the east?"
"Why are we going there?"
"The chief has his own plan - everyone can concentrate their strength together."
"But if we're concentrated, won't it be easier for the Fusion soldiers to catch us?"
Seeing the growing chaos, Yuji had no choice but to find a high point. Looking at the noisy crowd below, he said:
"Everyone, quiet down and listen to me!" Yuji's voice silenced the chaotic crowd below.
Looking at the people who had calmed down, Yuji spoke slowly: "Most of you here know my identity. After the principal and the graduating seniors died in battle, I took over their responsibilities and led the remaining duelists from Heartland Academy in our resistance."
"However, the Fusion Dimension's army has now occupied most of Heartland, and there will be a steady stream of reinforcements following. But what about us? Can we really only survive under their offensive?"
"Everyone, I thought about this for a long time yesterday. For the future of our dimension, we can no longer fight separately like this. We must integrate all our vital forces and advance and retreat together."
"I know this is a road full of hardships and sacrifices. One wrong step means doom. If we maintain the status quo, we can survive for a while longer. Some of you here may not want to follow me."
"However, everyone, the Fusion Dimension soldiers are determined to kill us all! Even the elderly and children who can't hold a duel disk receive no mercy!"
"This war was imposed on us by them! Without this war, I should have graduated by now, and then as a professional duelist, I could have used my duels to bring happiness to you all!"
"If there hadn't been this war, you would still be complaining about your bosses at work, going home to loving families, and watching wonderful duels from time to time. Our Heartland would still be that utopia! However, all of this was destroyed by the Fusion Dimension!"
"So everyone, rather than being defeated by the Fusion soldiers one by one, it's better to unite and let those invaders know we're not easy prey. This way, we have a chance at survival!"
"Yes, that's right! Let those Fusion soldiers know our power! Drive them out of Heartland!" Under Yuji's speech, several energetic duelists below couldn't help shouting.
"No, what we must do is not just drive them out of Heartland!" Yuji shook his head and looked at the crowd below: "In the future, after our XYZ Dimension's recovered, we will repay all the pain they've inflicted on us - twofold!"
"Now, we're about to embark on this road. Even if it's covered in endless thorns, are you willing to follow me?" Yuji raised his right arm and clenched his fist tightly.
"Isn't it just one life? After my sister was turned into a card by those Fusion soldiers, my heart died long ago. I'll follow you, Chief!" A teenager gritted his teeth in the audience.
The boy's words were like a spark, igniting the previously lifeless crowd, and the scene suddenly became animated.
After the crowd quieted somewhat, Yuji waved his hand: "Let's move out!"
After Yuji left with everyone from Heartland Academy, a blond man with a red ribbon on his wrist emerged from the shadows of the ruins.
"Repay our pain twice over? Interesting." The man said, walking in the direction where Yuji and the others had departed.
...
That evening, Yuji led the group near the Spade Academy branch. They had been lucky along the way, not encountering any Fusion Dimension forces.
However, when they arrived near the Spade Academy branch, they realized why their journey had been uneventful - hundreds of Obelisk Force troops surrounded the entire Spade Academy branch.
"Because Yuto and Shun aren't here, they're going for total annihilation?" Yuji frowned, watching the army that kept passing by not far from their hiding place.
"What should we do?" Shinjo asked. "Our combat-capable numbers are fewer than Spade Academy's. A frontal assault definitely won't work."
After thinking for a while, Yuji looked at Shinjo: "So, we can only find a way to contact the people from Spade Academy inside the encirclement, and see if we can coordinate a breakout."
"Shinjo, I'll find a way to get inside. You take everyone and wait here for my signal." Yuji said.
"But, Chief Yuji, this is too dangerous..."
"Listen, let everyone rest tonight. If I fail to send a signal before tomorrow morning, from now on, you'll be the head of Heartland Academy. Take everyone to find a place to hide. If any survivors or Lancers come to the academy, please help them." Yuji said.
Shinjo was taken aback by Yuji's serious words and hurriedly said, "Brother Yuji, are you really going to take this risk?"
"The survivors and combat capabilities of Spade Academy are the best preserved among the four major academies. If they all die here, there really will be no hope for Heartland." Yuji said.
"This..." Shinjo hesitated for a while, then nodded: "I understand, Chief Yuji. You must come back alive!"
...
That night, inside the Spade Academy branch.
"Damn it! Did none of the four people we sent for help get through?" A teenager about Shinjo's age slammed the table in frustration.
"The outside is completely surrounded, and the communication system was destroyed long ago. I'm afraid there will be no support." Inside the camp, a little girl said with a gloomy expression. "We have to fight to the death."
"Of course I know that, but we can handle ordinary foot soldiers. Now that Chief Yuto and Shun aren't here, who can stop the twin sisters? Just today, more than 40 of us were turned into cards by them." The boy gritted his teeth.
"This is bad, Makoto! Those twins are out fighting again!" A chubby young man rushed into the tent in panic.
At that moment, in the Spade Academy camp, two women moved as if they owned the place.
"Sister, is this the supposedly strongest Spade Academy in this dimension? How come no one can fight?" The white-haired woman looked at the retreating duelists around her, shrugging casually.
"I heard their leaders, Yuto and Kurosaki Shun, known as the Twins, have run away? How amusing - leaders who fled?" The blonde woman also said with a smile.
(End of this chapter)