Amazoness Tiger, Tania.
"Tiger" wasn't a title.
It was a literal term!
Tania's true form wasn't human but that of a powerful tiger-type Spirit, though she also had a humanoid form: the muscular, big-sister figure she commonly used.
During the Shadow Riders incident, Hikaru hadn't encountered the Amazoness arc directly, though he heard about it later. Bastion had lost to Tania because he got distracted, and Tania had clearly taken a liking to him.
Yes.
Even though Bastion appeared weak and bookish, a walking encyclopedia and an honor student, he was actually quite the muscular dude...
Whether courage or wisdom, Bastion was highly regarded, and Tania never forgot him.
They were one of the very rare mutually romantic couples in the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise.
The moment he saw her, Bastion couldn't control his emotions and cried out.
Naturally, when she heard her name, Tania, nearly two meters tall, built like a tank, put on a surprised, girlish expression and said, "Bastion?"
The Tyler sisters, who'd been preparing to goad Hikaru, paused and exchanged looks as they had the same thoughts.
'Oooh~~'
'This looks juicy!'
"Huh? Tania, you know him?"
From the forest, the Amazoness War Chief, who'd been acting as an examiner, asked curiously.
"He is. Remember? I mentioned my time in the human world."
"Ahh...the Shadow Riders incident!"
The War Chief looked back at Bastion in surprise.
Clearly, Tania had already spoken of him.
"We can't pretend we didn't hear this."
As the two tried to catch up,
a cold, proud voice cut through the air. The surrounding Amazoness warriors froze, and even the War Chief stepped aside.
A blonde warrior pulled open a tent flap. From within emerged a tall figure in a massive red cape, heavy armor, and a tiger-skin skirt. Her tanned, muscular frame radiated power. She dragged a colossal blade behind her.
"Oh! Amazoness Empress?" Gloria's eyes lit up.
Surely this was the highest-ranking Amazoness Spirit.
For her and Grace, this was a worthy opponent.
"Empress."
With her appearance, all the Amazoness warriors bowed in unison. Even Tania wasn't exempt.
"Spirits are spirits. Humans are humans. Tania, you know this."
"Yes, Empress... I understand."
Though one of Tania's goals during the Shadow Rider arc had been to find a "good man," some things couldn't be said in front of the Empress.
Yet what she didn't expect was for Bastion, usually quiet and awkward, to step into the camp and shout:
"No, Empress, I think you're wrong!"
Celina stared.
Among the Fusion Club elders, Bastion was the quietest, least imposing. He usually just helped her study. Even during crises, he rarely stepped up. This was the first time she saw him so passionate.
"A human warrior? Bastion Misawa, was it? What insight do you claim?"
The Empress turned to him, eyes gleaming sharply.
All the Amazoness warriors glared at Bastion. Even the friendly War Chief scowled.
Tiger and lion roars echoed, pressing down on him.
But to everyone's shock, Bastion didn't flinch. He looked the Empress in the eye and declared:
"Empress, the times have changed!"
He cleared his throat.
"With the discovery of alternate dimensions and interdimensional travel, the world is no longer the same!
Communication between dimensions, bonds between humans and Spirits, the world is transforming.
Surely you've heard of the recent Fusion Army incident?"
He glanced at the Tyler sisters; however, they weren't interested. Still watching the drama.
"The Fusion Army? Hmph. Humans warring against each other? Disgraceful," the Empress sneered.
"It is," Bastion nodded firmly. "But it also opens a new frontier."
He took a deep breath.
"Previously, I applied to KaibaCorp to visit Neo Domino City, to study Xyz Summoning in the X-Dimension. But due to the Fusion Army's attack, that was canceled.
"Yet it made me realize
;"Humans clash. Nations go to war. Now, even dimensions battle.
"So what about Spirits and humans?"
The Empress furrowed her brow slightly.
'Interesting.'
"My friend Hikaru shared much with me. I know his ways with Spirits, how humans and Spirits can form genuine bonds. During that time, I came to a 100% logical conclusion!
"That is;
"Diplomat!"
Bastion punched the air. "To connect humans, Spirits, and other dimensions, as a Diplomat!
"I volunteer to be the first!"
Hikaru leaned back.
'That's our Bastion.'
The man who canonically fell in love with a Spirit.
So now he's planning to marry a Spirit and launch his diplomatic career that way?
'Already planning his post-graduation life, huh?'
"Diplomat?" the Empress repeated, intrigued. She pondered, then shook her head.
"Amazoness warriors need no diplomacy. Only strength earns the right to speak!"
"Hahaha, why waste breath!" Gloria finally jumped in. She was tired of showing off her physique with all this archery and strength testing. "If talking fails, Duel!"
Her bloodthirsty declaration was echoed by many around.
If words fail, Duel!
Crush them until they submit!
"...Heh. Interesting human," the Empress muttered, then eyed the Tyler sisters, an idea forming.
"Very well, Bastion Misawa. You call yourself a diplomat? I care little for such things, but since you've made this declaration...
I'll give you a chance.
Prove yourself as a Diplomat.
Here and now, choose four warriors from all present, humans and Spirits alike. Engage in a 2v2 Spirit Duel!"
"If this Duel earns genuine praise and recognition from everyone, a truly excellent performance, then I'll acknowledge your ambition.
Tania may leave with you."
"Not only that, if you succeed, every human warrior here will pass, and I shall also grant you and the participating warriors my Special Seal."
"Furthermore, if the human side wins, I shall bestow the most luxurious rewards and our Amazoness tribe's secret card."
"Well? Do you accept?"
Bastion exhaled slowly. He looked at Tania.
Seeing her resolute gaze, he nodded.
Then looked at Hikaru, who raised his thumb.
Outstanding.
Bastion cleared his throat again and said to the Empress:
"Then I accept this challenge!"
No surprise, Hikaru was already ready.
After all, he still didn't have an Amazoness Fusion Card!