Chapter 213: Egyptian Artifacts Traveling Exhibition
Hayato found it a bit strange that Ishizu kept staring at him, so he quickly said, "It definitely can't be me. I've never even been to Egypt."
Seeing Hayato so nervous, Ishizu smiled and said, "Of course it's not you, Mr. Hayato. In fact, we already know who stole that important card."
"It's an international theft organization called the Rare Hunters. They specialize in hunting rare Duel Monster Cards worldwide, and very few of their targets manage to keep their cards."
"Hmph, no matter who it is, if they dare to lay their hands on my (Blue-Eyes), I will crush them without mercy," Kaiba said arrogantly. "So, woman, if you just wanted to tell me something like this, you're merely wasting my time!"
"Please be patient, Mr. Kaiba. I introduced the existence of the Rare Hunters simply to lead up to the card I'm about to introduce to the three of you. However," Ishizu paused for a moment, then looked at Tristan and Joey, who were standing with Yugi and Hayato, and apologized, "the fewer people who know the following information, the better."
"Ah, just when it was getting to the crucial part, you're leaving us hanging..." Joey said, a little helplessly, then pleaded, "Miss Ishizu, we promise we won't tell anyone else about this. Grandpa, you help me say something, too."
"There's nothing I can do, Joey. This is Ishizu's wish, and I can't change her mind."
Watching his disciple, Joey, look disappointed, Solomon chuckled mischievously, "So, you'll have to wait in the outer room for a bit."
"No, Mr. Joey, Mr. Tristan, it's fine for you to stay here. Because the thing I'm about to introduce cannot simply be explained with words. But I can take the three of you to see something related to it," Ishizu said, looking at Hayato, Yugi, and Kaiba.
"Huh?! Even I can't listen?" Grandpa Sugoroku was very surprised, then sat on the sofa dejectedly. "I thought I'd get to know what that thing was. Being kept in suspense is terrible."
"So now you know how I feel, Grandpa," Joey retorted. "Why did you get happy so early?"
"You little brat, go practice your Draws! Téa told me you actually lost to the owner of that Black Crown Game Shop. You're an embarrassment to me!"
"But I lost because of a Dice roll, not a Draw!"
"Don't talk back!"
Yugi and Hayato exchanged a glance, then followed Ishizu as she walked out of the Game Shop. Kaiba followed closely behind them.
The reason Yugi followed Ishizu was that he noticed the golden ornament on Ishizu's collarbone was different from her other accessories. It bore the mark of the Eye of Udjat, and the feeling it gave him was somewhat similar to Pegasus's (Millennium Eye), Hayato's (Millennium Ring), and his own (Millennium Puzzle) that he had seen before. Unsurprisingly, it was also a Millennium Item.
Yami Yugi's intuition told him that although he had no memory of his past, since he resided within the (Millennium Puzzle) and had lost his memory, the existence of the Millennium Items was very likely connected to his lost memory. Every owner of a Millennium Item might know about his past.
Of course, what he didn't know was that the current owner of the (Millennium Ring), Hayato, was one of the few Millennium Item owners who knew the most about his past.
Kaiba's reason for following Ishizu was also simple: Ishizu was the director of the Egyptian Antiquities Administration, and this Antiquities Exhibition was represented by her on behalf of the Egyptian Government. The reception and exhibition arrangements for Japan were undertaken by KaibaCorp.
However, that was merely for business. The real reason Kaiba so patiently accepted Ishizu's invitation to wait for Hayato and Yugi at the Game Shop, instead of leaving the arrangements to Mokuba, was a reason Ishizu gave him during her invitation: she could provide him with an ultimate power even greater than that of the strongest Dragon, (Blue-Eyes).
Having witnessed the limits of his power in the DM World, Kaiba was currently searching for greater power. Although he was somewhat skeptical of how a place like Egypt could give him power stronger than (Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon), considering that Pegasus had also designed Duel Monsters only after returning from a trip to Egypt, Kaiba waited here with a mix of belief and doubt.
In any case, if the power Ishizu offered him turned out to be weak, he could at least use it as leverage against Ishizu and the Egyptian Antiquities Administration she represented, thereby securing more benefits for KaibaCorp. No matter what, Kaiba would definitely not suffer a loss.
As for Hayato's reason for following, it was purely because Ishizu was a beautiful woman, and Hayato was a lecher. He, of course, knew what Ishizu intended to show Yugi and Kaiba, but knowing was one thing; he was quite interested in witnessing that Stone Tablet himself. What he didn't quite understand, however, was that although he had 'borrowed' the (Millennium Ring) from Dark Bakura, he shouldn't have much connection to Ancient Egypt's affairs, right?
Or rather, was it enough to simply possess a Millennium Item, or have possessed one in a previous life?
Amidst the bickering of Joey and Grandpa Muto after their "plastic master-disciple relationship" fractured, the group of four boarded Kaiba's extended black luxury sedan. After rolling over a "flower of hope" by the roadside, they drove towards a location provided by Ishizu.
Not long after, the car stopped, and the group exited the sedan. Looking up at the building before them, Hayato read its name: "Egyptian Artifacts Traveling Exhibition?"
"Yes, this is where the thing I want the three of you to see is located," Ishizu said, standing next to Hayato. A fragrant scent wafted into Hayato's nose. Unlike Mai Valentine's perfume, which, though elegant, was discernible, Ishizu's scent was difficult to distinguish without careful attention, just like her—mysterious and profound.
Hayato didn't dwell too long on what was likely a natural body scent. Instead, he pointed at the building and said, "What I'm more curious about is, I don't recall this building existing in Domino City, do I? Where did it suddenly pop up from? Or is it actually a trailer enlarged by Pym Particles?"
Kaiba, holding a briefcase, said disdainfully:
"Hmph, ignorant. KaibaCorp undertook the Egyptian Artifacts Traveling Exhibition. Because this exhibition concerns diplomacy, the Domino City Government has granted KaibaCorp great convenience. In such circumstances, completing a building in a short time is effortless for KaibaCorp."
To this day, Mendel's First Law remains a legend to Hayato. Recently, the Card Shop next door saw seven or eight new players get into the physical card game, but most are still learning Ritual Summon and Fusion, with only one knowing Synchro Summon and Xyz Summon.
Then he was "educated" by (Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer) in a Fusion Duel, and suddenly understood the pleasure of "fishing in a pond".
Also, thanks to reader "Lao Youzi" for the 100 Qidian coins. Thank you. However, the tip came so late; please take care of yourself and go to bed early.
(end of chapter)