The intelligence revealed by Mizuchi was indeed accurate.
After being possessed by the Light of Destruction, Saiou Takuma's actions were repeatedly thwarted. The Light Society he had painstakingly developed was swiftly dismantled, and he was beaten black and blue by this world's Duel King.
If it were simply a lost game, it could be overlooked, but then he encountered the legendary Gambling God Jonouchi, and even in his most proud domain of coin and dice, he suffered a crushing defeat.
This made Saiou a bit unable to accept it.
No matter how unwilling he was to accept it, he had to admit that the destiny they initially observed might indeed have been shaken. Perhaps the so-called "Legendary Duelists" indeed have enough power to shake destiny, making things unable to proceed according to their planned trajectory.
But it didn't matter, they still have other ways.
After research and discussion by the Light of Destruction, the next breakthrough is on a student from Duel Academy named Yuki Judai!
First came those Cosmic Heroes who pursued from the cosmos, holding the power of "Cosmic Darkness," and with heroes like "Elemental Hero Neos" who were feared, from the camp perspective, they are the natural enemies of the Light of Destruction.
And these people chose Yuki Judai, which made Judai one of the most worthy targets on Earth.
Additionally, Yuki Judai carries another identity: he is the only student of Duel King Youyu.
This quickly made the Light of Destruction feel that they found a breakthrough. Judai and the Neos were originally targets that had to be removed on their path of invasion, and if Judai is taken down here, he can be used as a hostage to counter Duel King Youyu, making him restrained and hard to fight back.
Even though it is said that Yuki Judai is extraordinarily gifted, Saiou did not take it to heart.
Extraordinarily gifted? No matter how gifted, isn't he just a student?
If you're really that amazing, why not participate in tournaments and win trophies? Why still stay at the academy to study?
So for this trip, Saiou is determined to win.
He feels the only difficulty in this whole action plan is how to approach Yuki Judai without drawing unnecessary attention.
Ha, Duel King, surprised?
I can't handle you, but can't I handle your student!?
Saiou even thought about it. He wouldn't simply defeat Judai. After winning, he would unleash the traditional skills of the Light of Destruction, brainwashing him into a member of the Light Society, directly arranging him as a general around him.
Afterwards, when that hateful Duel King Youyu comes to cause trouble, let the brainwashed Yuki Judai go up and have teacher and student fight — whoever loses would immediately die.
By then, the Duel King won't bear to harm his student, which will surely make him restrained and unable to exert full force. If he's lucky, he might be directly defeated by Yuki Judai due to compassion, even if he is ruthless enough to defeat his own disciple, surely his mind would be chaotic, and then he'll seize the opportunity, finally avenging the past shame...
Ha, I'm a genius!
Saiou was very proud.
The plan itself is nothing wrong, after all, it's also the common tactic of the villains across the worlds. Using dirty tricks like mind manipulation to play the drama of family betrayal, sibling conflict, and sect slaughter though stereotypical, it indeed works.
However, Saiou may not have realized, in this seemingly perfect plan, there is a tiny flaw.
The choice of hostage... he might not be able to defeat...
...
"Eh?"
Judai stood in the vacant grounds of Duel Academy, looking around blankly. All around was desolate, down the small path next to the teaching building, in the forest behind the hills, nowhere in sight was anyone.
"How strange." He glanced left and right, murmuring, "Duel Academy is now during the GX Tournament period, there should be a lot of people. Where is everyone..."
Yubel floated out immediately. She opened her mouth but before she could say anything, someone interrupted and blocked her words back into her throat.
"Be careful, Judai!" said Elemental Hero Neos, "This isn't the real world; it's a virtual space!"
Back then, in the virtual space constructed by Kaiba Noah, Duel Spirits couldn't enter.
But later, President Haima seemed to have considered this when developing the new Duel Disc, using their company's omnipotent black tech to upgrade the Duel Disc's system, making the supernatural power contained in a card perfectly manifest in the "Duel Links" system.
In this way, the spirits dwelling in the Duelists' card deck can follow them into the "Duel Links" system.
This feature caused quite a stir when it was first introduced. Many in the industry familiar with Kaiba Seto were surprised, never expecting President Haima, who always sneered at these supernatural "Duel Spirits," would make such modifications in the new Duel Disc.
There are rumors that the president did this specific upgrade because he himself found a certain spirit he was so attached to, that he hoped to take her along even when dueling online...
Yubel glanced at Neos, not amused.
In the past, watching over Judai was my responsibility! Why is this newcomer cosmic being butting in?
"Virtual space?"
Judai checked his Duel Disc, quickly exclaiming, "Ah!"
"Duel Link System? But I don't recall logging in..."
"Heh heh heh heh... hahahahaha!!!"
A dark, eerie laugh reverberated through the space as if surrounding them from all directions, accompanying the desolate atmosphere, imparting a few chills and eerieness.
A bolt of lightning descended from beyond the sky! Azure thunder formed as a twisted dragon, striking directly where Judai stood!
"Hah!"
Elemental Hero Neos swiftly flew out — even in the Data World, the all-rounder Neos could fight. Countless light particles condensed into the substance of the Elemental Hero, and with a knife-hand strike mid-air, he drove the lightning away.
"'Elemental Hero Neos,' the hero linking Cosmic Space... you are also a trouble."
The voice echoed once more.
White light gathered from all directions, like flowing water. The light transformed into human form before Judai, in white robes, long blue hair, with pupils shrinking to pinpoint smallness, face contorted unnaturally like not a human.
"Ugh, so ugly!" Judai blurted out without thinking.
"Don't get careless, Judai," Neos reminded, "This person... is extremely strong!"
"Heh heh, well said." Saiou sneered, "Yuki Judai, your destiny's final moment is upon us. Prepare to embrace the final chapter of your fate!"