Fudo Yusei had never envisioned such a scenario.
Traveling back to a past era and barging into the historically renowned "Duel Link" system was beyond his expectations, but to be caught by the Legendary Duelist Kaiba Seto and mistaken as an anomaly invading the system?
This was truly unprecedented.
"Hold on," Yusei tried to explain, "I'm not an invader! I'm just..."
He originally wanted to say he was a person from the future who had returned to this era for some special reason, and for some unknown reason got trapped in this Virtual World system.
But on second thought, he realized his statement sounded absurd and unconvincing, even to himself. Believing such a thing would be ludicrous.
In that moment of hesitation, his reaction was taken by President Kaiba as a sign of guilt.
"No need to argue," Kaiba said coolly. "You didn't log into 'Duel Link' through our company's system; although I don't know how you hacked in, disguises are pointless."
Yusei: "..."
Indeed, he didn't enter through Kaiba Company's equipment. Truth be told, he hadn't figured out how he ended up in this Virtual World either, leaving him with no rebuttal against Kaiba's claims.
"I've already used my authority to lock you in," Kaiba said coldly. "No matter how you intruded, you can't leave 'Duel Link' without my permission.
So don't bother with any crooked ideas. If I were you, I'd obediently answer all questions."
The truth was, even if Yusei wanted to log out of the Duel Link system, he couldn't, because he didn't have an option to log out.
But luckily, as a Legendary Duelist, he had heard about some traits of his senior, Kaiba Seto.
"... I know, no matter what I say now you probably won't believe it."
Yusei stepped down from the D-Wheel, unlocked the Duel Disc from the D-Wheel, and equipped it on his wrist.
"Then let's communicate in the way Duelists do, President Kaiba." He said seriously.
A duel is a clash of souls; true duelists connect through cards. Yusei had always believed this.
Moreover, considering the opponent is Kaiba Seto, as long as you win with the cards, everything else becomes negotiable.
People have various principles they follow—President Kaiba is different, as his principles follow card skills.
Sure enough, upon seeing this intruder daring to challenge him in his most proud field of card games, the card-addicted president couldn't help but raise his head and unleash a bold and heroic three-part laugh.
The president might think it is akin to the saying "someone gives a pillow when you feel sleepy"—these days, there are still people daring to challenge him with cards!
Good! In that case, I'll show you the dazzling power of the White Dragon that crushes everything!
The president promptly agreed to the duel and extravagantly proclaimed that if Yusei won, he would overlook the invasion of Duel Link.
However, if Yusei lost, Kaiba Group would immediately arrest him and use all means to make him confess everything.
"Duel!" x2
[Kaiba Seto, LP 4000]
[Fudo Yusei, LP 4000]
"I'll take the first move, draw!" Yusei seized the advantage of going first.
Kaiba confidently folded his arms and sneered, "Come at me with all you've got, then you'll see the chasm between you and a true master, regretting your foolish and arrogant challenge!"
Yusei continued to himself, "Activating Magic Card 'Tuning' from my hand. Add one 'Synchro' Tuner Monster from the Deck to my hand, then send the top card of the Deck to the Graveyard."
A card popped out from the Deck.
"I'll add 'Quickdraw Synchro' Tuner Monster from the Deck to my hand!"
Kaiba slightly frowned.
A Tuner Monster?
Actually, in this era, Tuner Monsters do exist, such as the ones Kaiba commonly uses like "The White Stone of Legend," "The White Stone of Ancients," or even Kisara's form as the "Maiden with Eyes of Blue," all are Tuners.
However, up until now, neither Kaiba Company nor the International Fantasy Society have explored the true potential of Tuner Monsters. To date, they've only been used as ordinary Effect Monsters.
Kaiba suddenly felt a premonition.
The man before him... perhaps was not ordinary.
Moreover, his flashy, crab-like spiky hair reminded Kaiba of a unique starfish head, giving off an unusual vibe.
"Quickdraw Synchro's effect from my hand, by discarding one Monster from my hand, it can be Special Summoned from the hand.
Appear, Level 5, Quickdraw Synchro!"
[Quickdraw Synchro, DEF 1400]
"Then activate the effect of discarded 'Level Eater' in the Graveyard!" Yusei continued, "This card can lower one star level from a Level 5 or higher Monster on the field to Special Summon itself from the Graveyard.
I'll decrease the Level 5 'Quickdraw Synchro' to Level 4 and Special Summon 'Level Eater'!"
[Quickdraw Synchro, LV 5 → LV 4]
"And the card sent to the Graveyard by 'Tuning' was 'Quillbolt Hedgehog'!" Another card was ejected from Yusei's Duel Disc Graveyard, "When there's a Tuner Monster on my field, 'Quillbolt Hedgehog' can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard.
Come forth, Quillbolt Hedgehog!"
[Quillbolt Hedgehog, DEF 800]
"Summoning three Monsters instantly? Hmph, it's somewhat impressive."
Kaiba commented while focusing intently on Yusei's field.
His premonition grew stronger.
As if there was an unmissable moment coming.
"I'll use Level 4 'Quickdraw Synchro' combined with Level 1 'Level Eater,' Tuning!"
Kaiba's eyelid twitched.
"Tuning!?"
Tuner Monsters, known as "Tuners," have the ability to manipulate their own and other Monsters' star levels and summon powerful Monsters.
This is known as "Synchro Summon."
The summon rules are very simple, mere star level addition.
Kaiba knew this well.
Since the first KC Cup, when a mysterious Duelist from the future showcased the new possibilities of "Synchro Summon," Kaiba had never given up exploring this field.
However, all past attempts had failed.
And now, the crab-haired man before him nonchalantly pulled off the Synchro Summon he had studied for years without progress!
"Gathered starlight shall awaken new power, becoming a radiant path!"
[4+1=5]
Yusei raised his right hand high.
"Synchro Summon! Appear——
——Level 5, Junk Warrior!"
Quickdraw Synchro turned into four stars, and Level Eater similarly transformed into one star, total of five stars linked together, forming a shimmering curtain of light, cascading like a waterfall.
A steel fist broke through the light, a Blue-armored Warrior dashed out and soared into the skies! His red visor gleamed sharply like blades, propelling streams trailing vibrant golden sparks through the air as he whirled, while white ribbons danced in the wind.
He glided, spun in mid-air, and halted...
...then performed the most impeccable splits.
Synchro Monster, Junk Warrior, summoned!
Kaiba's eyes were wide open.
"Synchro... Monster!?"