Chapter 249: Now, Let's Duel!
On Domino City's shopping street.
"These guys are way too diligent, aren't they? They're already waiting here so early?" Hayato complained, holding a thin, somewhat glass-like card in his hand, looking at the crowd that packed the shopping street.
After leaving Ishizu's house, Hayato and Ishizu both made their way towards the shopping street. They had originally thought that since it was just past seven in the morning, during the office workers' rush hour, there wouldn't be too many people on the shopping street.
But the road was practically overflowing with Duelists wearing Duel Disks on their wrists.
"What's wrong with these people?" "I'm not sure, have the mafia become so brazen that they're all coming out to fight in broad daylight?"
Hayato even overheard two middle-aged men, briefcases tucked under their arms, discussing the Duelists who had collectively taken to the streets.
However, it was clear they mistook the Duelists for a group of delinquents on the move, and their Duel Disks were seen as some kind of weapon; after all, they did look quite cool.
It was quite reasonable for those two office workers to think that way, as the increasing number of Duelists naturally led to a mixed bag of average quality, and sure enough, two or three individuals dressed like delinquents were standing right in front of them.
"From today onwards, Domino City is about to become Battle City. You don't even know that, old man?"
"Are you living in the Stone Age? They've been advertising it for a whole month!"
"If you don't want to be hunted and get hurt, then run!"
Ishizu frowned, looking at the arrogant delinquent Duelists. "Battle City has attracted a few too many Duelists."
"While we want to attract as many Rare Hunters as possible, it seems we've also brought in some unsavory characters by accident," Hayato shrugged, stepping forward and patting one of the three delinquent Duelists surrounding the two office workers. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Hah, who's this punk trying to get in my business—"
The delinquent turned around, clearly annoyed. After arriving in Domino City, he had managed to achieve "LV5" status thanks to his excellent fighting skills and decent Dueling abilities. Then, using "borrowed" money, he bought a Duel Disk, becoming one of the qualified Duelists.
At the same time, he had successfully taken on two obedient underlings.
He was quite ambitious, planning to use the Battle City Tournament in Domino City to rise to fame and become the strongest delinquent in all of Japan, and the two office workers before him were his chosen source of funds.
But when he turned his head, he saw the tall and imposing Hayato.
"I'm sorry! I know I was wrong!" The delinquent Duelist immediately performed a practiced apology and escape, clearly a seasoned professional at bowing and retreating.
Hayato watched the delinquent leave with his underlings, scoffing, "I actually thought he was some kind of street thug, but he's just a coward."
"It's probably because, Hayato, your height is too exaggerated. There aren't any Japanese people who are 195 cm tall," Ishizu said, standing beside Hayato, hands on her hips with a helpless expression. "Honestly, didn't I tell you to take care of your body? Your injuries haven't healed yet."
Unlike her casual attire at home, Ishizu had changed back into her original Egyptian white robes for going out, though this time she wasn't wearing her veil.
"I told you it was nothing serious! That attack from *The Winged Dragon of Ra* barely—"
Hayato wanted to clarify again that he wasn't injured at all and his previous unconsciousness was just due to exhaustion, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, he heard a familiar voice.
"Greetings, Duelists, and welcome to 'Battle City' — Domino City!"
Instantly, not just he and Ishizu, but all the Duelists gathered on the shopping street ceased their commotion, growing quiet and looking up.
However, the large screens on both sides of the street remained unchanged.
"Where is that voice coming from?" "That voice just now sounded so familiar." "That's Seto Kaiba! Where is he?!"
As they couldn't immediately pinpoint the source of the voice, the previously quiet crowd began to stir again. Just then, a massive shadow slowly enveloped the entire street.
"Is it cloudy today?" Ishizu looked at Hayato, who smirked slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "The weather's supposed to be clear all day today. It's just that, occasionally, some show-off appears in the sky."
Amidst the roar of engines, the true form of the "cloud" that blocked the sunlight revealed itself above the shopping street: an extremely massive airship appeared, suspending an equally enormous display screen, and Kaiba's stern face was on that screen!
"President Kaiba certainly has deep pockets..." Ishizu said, somewhat speechless at the sight. Although she possessed a Millennium Necklace capable of future visions, she usually only used it for more important glimpses into the future.
The opening declaration of Battle City had proceeded normally in her future visions, and Ishizu hadn't paid much attention to how Kaiba would open the event, so she was a bit surprised at this moment.
"Now, I will announce the rules of Battle City."
"Within Domino City, whenever and wherever Duelists possessing Duel Disks meet, a battle begins. Using a Deck of 40 or more cards, including rare cards, they will engage in a Duel Monsters battle. The winner will acquire the loser's rare card, as well as one Puzzle Card held by the opponent!"
"A Puzzle Card?" Ishizu took out a card somewhat similar to the "glass-like card" in Hayato's hand; the only difference between the two was the puzzle-like pattern in the central area. "Is this a Puzzle Card?"
Hayato, meanwhile, held two Puzzle Cards in his hand. One was his own, and the other was given to Ishizu by Odion as a substitute for Marik after Marik's defeat last night, for her to pass on to Hayato.
"Collect Puzzle Cards along the way. When all six types of Puzzle Cards are gathered, they will reveal the path to Battle City's final stage," Kaiba sneered from the screen. "For fairness, I, who am also participating in Battle City, do not know the location of the final stage either, but it is definitely within Domino City!"
"Only the first eight Duelists to reach the destination will qualify for the final stage of the tournament. So, hunt for rare cards to strengthen your Decks, and for the glory of defeating the King of Duelists, start your duels now, Duelists!"
The airship departed from above the shopping street, and just then, Hayato heard someone calling his name from not far away: "Hayato!"
(end of chapter)