The GX Tournament has ended, and a new semester has begun. The old principal, Samejima, is once again plotting something.
It's no wonder that many viewers thought the principal might be a hidden BOSS, as the GX plot really had him acting too much like an insider.
In the "Light of Destruction" original chapters, there's a crucial chess piece in Saiou's world-destroying plan, a little prince named "Aokim" from a small country, who holds the key to a super satellite capable of leveling the world.
Originally, this guy wasn't on the invitation list for GX Tournament participants, but Principal Samejima insisted on inviting him.
In fact, during the last semester's GX Tournament, Principal Samejima had the idea of inviting this prince to compete. After all, he's not only a crown prince, a key official of the World Government, but also a renowned expert in the Duel World.
But this decision was vetoed by Youyu.
So even during the chaos caused by the Light of Destruction at the Academy, the scenario of Saiou hijacking the satellite to sweep the globe didn't occur as in the original.
But finishing that mess wasn't enough; immediately with the new semester, Principal Samejima's spirit of causing trouble was burning again.
At the start of the GX Animation Other Dimension arc, to "promote the growth of Yuki Judai," the old principal invited a special lecturer from the Duel Academy Western Branch, "Professor Cobra."
It is said that this professor had military experience and single-handedly raised the level of the entire Western Branch, making him an expert in both practical and teaching experience.
From the conclusion of this season's animation, Samejima's plan seems to have succeeded; he truly "promoted Yuki Judai's growth," nearly rejuvenating him completely. However, the cost was Judai becoming a reclusive sunshine youth...
And incredibly, every time Samejima brings a world-ending class of trouble to the Academy, he runs away once trouble arises, always on a business trip or on his way to a trip. Then the entire school primarily relies on Yuki Judai to clean up the mess.
Previously, when Samejima wanted to invite Prince Aokim to the tournament, Youyu directly vetoed it, but this time when Samejima wanted to invite Professor Cobra, Youyu thought it over and didn't object.
After all, in the original story, Professor Cobra became a villain because the darkness in his heart was manipulated by Yubel, who returned from beyond, making him Yubel's puppet.
But now Yubel isn't up there in the sky; she stays obediently beside Judai. Youyu thought about it and concluded that Professor Cobra probably wouldn't have a chance to go dark.
Even if you say he wants to go dark and retaliate against society, he's just a retired officer, card-playing skills might be strong, but that's about it. Without the backing of a darkened Yubel, he probably can't stir up much trouble.
So Youyu ultimately didn't stop the old principal, just kept an eye out.
The new school year has welcomed another batch of lovely freshmen.
This time there wasn't a superstar with a "world champion" title like Ed, but instead, there came a skin-fair and adorable, lively and cute, 'legendary little sister'.
Her name is Saotome Rei, the new student representative for the new school year.
This little sister did not hide her fiery feelings at all. After enrollment, she directly entered the Osiris Red Dormitory, and on the first day, she targeted the legendary senior Judai she admired for a long time.
She wants to have meals with Judai, sit next to him in class, and even live in the dorm next door to him...
...and even during the opening ceremony, as she's giving her speech as the student representative, she's sending Judai a flirty glance!
Asuka watched this little sister wink at Judai as she walked down from the podium, and immediately frowned.
How can this little sister do such a thing!
However, she was comforted by the fact that the sister's performance might be in vain because Judai didn't see any of it.
At this moment, Judai is sitting upright in his seat, appearing to be paying attention, but he's actually sound asleep, with eyes drawn on his eyelids...
But considering Judai's obliviousness, even if he saw it, it wouldn't matter.
Regardless, the companions around him are increasing daily (as Judai sees everyone as partners), like his earliest little brother Marufuji Shou, like Asuka, Ed, Manjome, and the new little brother Kenzan collected last semester...
Kenzan is an excellent student with a Dinosaur Card Deck, last semester he led his gang to ambush passing Duel Discs in the academy forest.
Judai happened to pass by, and Kenzan tried to rob Judai's Duel Disc, but to his surprise, Judai was super excited, shouting, "Hey, what a coincidence, you also like snatching Duel Discs!"...
Then the story becomes simple. Kenzan was educated by Judai through dueling about the reasons behind flowers blooming, immediately reformed his ways, wholeheartedly acknowledging Judai as his big brother, and vowed never to snatch Duel Discs again...
At the end of the last semester, after Judai won that interstellar duel, his fan following grew exponentially, for a while encountering a series of street proclamations from little sisters on the way to the cafeteria, he became numb to it.
Judai slept through almost the entire opening ceremony.
Until Principal Samejima personally took the stage to speak: "Everyone knows that our Duel Academy has branches all over the world, where top-notch duelists sometimes appear.
This year we've welcomed top students from these branches, which means champions from each academy branch.
We hope through duel exchanges, everyone can progress together..."
Just as he said this, the sleeping Judai suddenly opened his eyes: "Ah! Champions from each academy! Where are they? Can I duel against them!?"
The little brother Kenzan beside him wore a face of sweat: "Big brother, you're too excited..."
Next, the principal introduced the top duelists from each branch.
Student representative from the Eastern Branch, Amon Garam.
Student representative from the Western Branch, Austin O'Brien.
Student representative from the Southern Branch, Jim Crocodile Cook.
Student representative from the Northern Branch, John Anderson.
These students are champions at their respective branches, elites among elites, and their performances in the series truly match that title.
You could say their appearance elevated the skill levels of the GX regular characters by a whole notch, at least in the original animation, Judai's friends at the academy's headquarters couldn't match these champions from other schools.
Finally, there was the rough-looking, brawny fellow with a villainous face, Professor Cobra, specially invited from the Duel Academy Western Branch.
This professor clearly was an action-driven tough character, taking the stage unexpectedly dominating the scene.
After Principal Samejima's introduction, Professor Cobra bluntly spoke.
"I can engage in trivial pleasantries here, but they are of no benefit to anyone. I advocate practical combat over boring dialogue.
As duelists, only through duels can we truly assess teaching results, and that has always been my approach.
Then now, let's immediately execute that approach! Instantly initiate an exhibition match, with opponents I designate randomly!"
Upon hearing this, the entire place couldn't help but stir up.
"What? An exhibition match?" Professor Chronos murmured, "Never heard of such thing, Norne."
He glanced at the school head Napoleon beside him, and then at Principal Samejima, discovering everyone was just as bewildered as he was.
Is this outsider professor ordering people around so familiarly?
"I require the opponents to be... John Anderson." Professor Cobra's gaze was sharp as knives, "and Yuki Judai!"
Principal Samejima seemed torn between speaking and stopping, perhaps contemplating a bit, maybe deciding in the end to save face for this special lecturer, saying nothing against the sudden decision.
But him not saying anything didn't mean no one would.
"Practical combat? Sure, I also advocate practical combat."
The voice came from the side of the venue.
All eyes turned towards the source.
Duel King Youyu!
The legendary original king who saved the world countless times, the living legend in this academy!
Especially the other school champions meeting him for the first time, and the newly enrolled freshmen, couldn't help but gasp—
—Hiss~ so terrifying!
Professor Cobra bowed slightly: "I'm truly flattered that the legendary Principal Youyu agrees with my view."
"Certainly, as duelists, no matter how well you learn the theory, without corresponding practical skills, it's meaningless." Youyu paused with a hint of a smile, "But rather than force students into designated confrontations, shouldn't we as teachers set an example?"
Professor Cobra was taken aback: "You mean..."
"I had heard of Professor Cobra's extraordinary skills; once a strong practical fighter in the military's duel department, later when transferred to the academy, possessed far above average practical abilities."
Youyu smiled, gesturing to the Duel Disc on his hand.
"I wonder if I have the honor to learn a thing or two in front of the students?"
Professor Cobra: "!"