"Enhanced tactile sensation, huh?" Kaiba furrowed his brow. "This already exceeds the set safety thresholds, doesn't it?"
Boosting the normal tactile sensation of a duel to values that could harm the human body is not impossible. When Kaiba initially tested the performance of the Duel Disc and played against AI, the virtual tactile sensation was also set beyond the safety limit.
Additionally, in the animation, Marik brainwashed Jonouchi and remotely controlled him to engage in a death duel with Yugi. At that time, he didn't use a Dark Duel, but it seems he adjusted Jonouchi's Duel Disc to inflict damage beyond regular duel standards.
"It's just the 'civilian' safety threshold," explained Officer Fujino, who was watching from the sidelines. "But there are no such limits if it's military equipment.
After all, the Duelists trained by the D Department aren't like you, playing for the sake of the game. For us, dueling is a weapon, and when it comes to weapons, the stronger the firepower, the better."
Indeed, it seems reasonable enough.
If the purpose of having special Duelists is to deal with supernatural phenomena and combat various Dark Duelists, then it's reasonable to maximize the damage potential of the Duel Disc.
Kaiba scoffed: "Military use, you say? When Kaiba Group registered the Duel Disc patent, there was no such talk."
"That's true because we hadn't anticipated that the toys you produce would be deployed for military use," Officer Fujino shrugged. "But I think, if it's the legendary Kaiba Seto, he wouldn't mind damage to this extent.
Rest assured, since it's just a match, even with enhanced tactile sensations, it won't be fatal. In fact, this level is what our Duelists regularly train at."
He paused, revealing what seemed to be a provocative look.
"Of course, you can refuse to continue, President," he said. "But I think you wouldn't do that, right?"
"Brother!" Mokuba worried about his brother's safety, "You don't have to..."
But before he could finish, Kaiba waved his hand and interrupted.
"That's nonsense! I've never backed down, not even against those boring supernatural games!" Kaiba shouted. "Duel, resume!"
The paused duel resumed.
"Due to the recent battle, my summoned 'Fencing Fire Ferret' was destroyed," Kaiba shouted. "But at this moment, the special ability of 'Fencing Fire Ferret' also activates!
When this monster is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, it destroys one face-up monster on the opponent's field and inflicts 500 points of damage to the opponent's player!"
He pointed towards the hidden monster beneath the water's surface.
"The one I will destroy is your hidden 'Citadel Whale' underwater!"
The previously retreated fiery monster reappeared as a phantom. It swung its tail, a comet-like tail flame bursting out from behind, dashing toward the direction where the missile previously launched like it was breaking through space!
"I see," Officer Fujino commented from the sidelines, "the previous attack wasn't just a reckless offense. It was testing the unseen 'Citadel Whale' while utilizing the Monster Effect for destruction?
To consider this step, as expected of Kaiba Seto."
But then he smirked, revealing a self-satisfied smile.
"However..."
The remnants of 'Fencing Fire Ferret's flames exploded across the water's surface and shot straight underwater, suddenly appearing to hit a transparent water barrier. The flames roiled and exploded, the water sizzled under the high heat, turning into white steam rising into the sky.
The final attack of 'Fencing Fire Ferret' seemed countered by some unknown force and failed.
Kaiba was taken aback.
Why wasn't this guy's monster destroyed?
"The effect of Citadel Whale," Egawa said calmly. "Once per turn, it can negate and destroy the activation of Magic, Trap, or Monster Effects targeting Water Attribute Monsters on the field."
"Tch," Kaiba clicked his tongue, "Annoying effect."
The company database, storing data on all available cards in the market, quickly confirmed to Kaiba that the monster named 'Citadel Whale' didn't exist on the market.
Undoubtedly, this must be one of the new ace monsters independently developed by the D Department.
"I set a card, my turn ends."
"My turn, draw," Egawa added the drawn card to his hand. "Battle! 'Citadel Whale,' attack 'Replicard LAD'!"
Kaiba squinted, focusing his attention, trying to pinpoint the trace of the invisible monster during the attack.
However, unfortunately, it seemed the opponent still had no intention of revealing itself.
The virtual ocean surface suddenly burst with water columns, and missiles soared into the sky with sharp whistling, aiming at the only remaining monster on Kaiba's field.
[Replicard LAD, Attack 1700]
The missiles hit, tearing the monster into fragments. Scorching fireballs exploded, the heat wave billowing Kaiba's wide white coat.
[Kaiba, LP 3350 → LP 2700]
Being somewhat prepared, Kaiba withstood the impact directly without much effort, his body swayed slightly, and his heel slid back half a step.
"This level of damage is nothing compared to the battles I've experienced," Kaiba shouted. "Activate the Set Card! Trap Card - Soul Rope!
When a monster is destroyed, pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon a Level 4 Monster from the Deck!" (Animation Effect)
[Kaiba, LP 2700 →LP 1700]
He raised his voice, revealing a Monster Card: "Special Summon 'Kaiser Sea Horse'!"
[Kaiser Sea Horse, Attack 1700]
"Then I'll set another card, ending my turn," Egawa said.
"Brother!" Mokuba was worried, seeing his brother seemingly at a disadvantage.
But Kaiba didn't get distracted, continuing to focus on analyzing the situation.
Citadel Whale, capable of negating any card effects targeting water attribute monsters, does indeed have a rather tricky ability.
But from the two consecutive battles, it can be deduced that this monster's attack is only 2350, not particularly high.
Such a monster can be shattered by absolute power!
"My turn, draw!"
It might be what they call being in sync; Kaiba knew exactly what card he had drawn without even needing to glance.
"The effect of Kaiser Sea Horse! When used as a Tribute for the Tribute Summon of a Light Attribute Monster, it can be counted as two tributes!" Kaiba held up the drawn card high, "Use Kaiser Sea Horse as two tributes for a Tribute Summon!
Shed ultimate light upon the darkness, make your entrance with the stance of an absolute king! My strongest servant—
—Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
The roaring gale, a radiant white light, a massive creature flapped its wings, its silver-white head emerging through the curtain of light. The dragon soared around the light pillar, exuding ultimate dominance and grace.
Written as servant, read as wife, a white phantom beast from three thousand years ago—
—Blue-Eyes White Dragon descends!