Yugen roughly understood. The main purpose of this WRGP was still to summon the Arc Cradle, but largely to prepare and attempt a decisive battle with the mastermind invading this dimension.
The reason for the early start was because ZONE began to feel the threat. Originally, the WRGP was set for a year later, but given the current situation, the enemy might not leave them so long to prepare.
This also meant that Yusei and the others needed to progress faster than in the animated timeline; the time left for them was shorter.
"The Taiyi Three Emperors will all attend the match then."
ZONE said.
"They will be Yusei Fudo and his partners' primary opponents. Crossing the 'Synchro Killer' barrier, Yusei Fudo should be able to reach new heights faster."
It seemed ZONE had already anticipated that his Mechanical Emperor trio group was unlikely to be the match for Yusei and his team. Even with such a trump card as the 'Synchro Killer', even if he was the leader of Taiyi and ZONE's top Grand General, it's ultimately no match for the 5DS team.
ZONE: "Apart from the Three Emperors, in the upcoming WRGP, the 'Twilight of the Gods Team' composed of Northern Europe's top Duelists will probably attend too.
They are the second major obstacle Yusei Fudo will encounter, crossing this threshold should also be a milestone for them."
ZONE paused and looked at Yugen again.
"And finally..."
Yugen raised an eyebrow: "I'm up again? Didn't I already fight them all?"
Well, as long as there's compensation next time, it's fine for him to step up...
ZONE said: "No, this time it's not to act as a whetstone for Yusei Fudo, but if you are willing to participate in WRGP, it would be for the best."
Yugen thought for a moment: "To collect more Duel Energy?"
The WRGP itself was a competition held to collect Duel Energy, so if a King Level Duelist like him acts, the efficiency would indeed be higher.
"That's just one aspect. As I just said, if that mastermind invader plans to act in WRGP, they would probably take the opportunity to dispatch anomalies to deal with you."
Yugen laughed: "Oh, so you mean I'm the bait?"
ZONE said: "If that is how you wish to interpret it, then you may. But it's up to you whether or not you want to accept."
Yugen chuckled softly.
"Well, if you want me to act as bait, that's fine too. After all, one of the major reasons I came to this dimension in the first place was to meet the mastermind..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but ZONE calmly interjected: "You want more money, right."
"As expected of the ZONE God," Yugen expressed admiration, "even the ability to read minds is so remarkable!"
ZONE was expressionless, completely silent.
Yet that silence seemed to say, do you need any special ability to understand this?
Almost like writing "want money" on his face...no, to be exact, others generally want money, but this guy wants cards.
In this world, cards are more valuable than money. Rare Cards can be exchanged for wealth comparable to a nation, but wealth can't bring the top-tier cards—especially when it comes to world-destroying topics.
"That mastermind also invaded my dimension," Yugen said, "I actually wanted to test them originally. In fact, when I first replaced Godwin, it was all to lure them into making a move against me, but unfortunately, they were always just small fry.
And now the cover is blown..."
Yugen shook his head regretfully.
ZONE was silent.
Even a leader of the Dark Markers like Ludger is considered small fry, huh...
Alright, for a Duel King Level powerhouse, they do have the capital to say so.
"Though you've lost Godwin's identity, it doesn't have to be Godwin to attract attention," ZONE began, "What's important isn't Rex Godwin, but the 'Chief of Public Security Maintenance' position.
With the rank and power of the Chief, naturally, it is easier to guide the progress of events."
5DS's third season began, and although Godwin exited the stage, the 'Chief of Public Security Maintenance' position stayed under Taiyi's control.
Taiyi later stopped wasting energy supporting puppets and instead had the Three Emperors personally take the stage.
Without background or public resume, the Three Emperors directly parachuted in and, under the system's operation, the three together became the new chiefs of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau. Subsequently, many pre-WRGP actions were directly promoted by the three utilizing the Bureau's power.
Yugen seemed to anticipate what ZONE wanted to say: "Are you saying... that I should directly take over the Public Security Maintenance Bureau myself?"
Thinking in this way, it does make sense. Anyway, in the animation, the Taiyi trio also parachuted in, and whether it's for the public or within the Bureau, they're completely unfamiliar faces, so it doesn't matter who is in this position.
Of course, Yugen, an Otherworld traveler who appeared out of nowhere, can do it too.
"But according to the original plan, the Chiefs are your side's Taiyi Three Emperors, right?" Yugen said, "Wouldn't your organization have issues with suddenly assigning this way?"
Expecting his question, ZONE instead looked at him meaningfully for a moment, then suddenly asked, "If Taiyi were all handed over to you, would you be interested?"
Yugen froze for a moment, staring back at the other's thick Nautilus shell, trying to see through his thoughts with eye contact.
"Are you serious?"
ZONE said: "Do I seem like the type to joke around?"
Yugen furrowed his brow slightly.
"But you should know, we're only cooperating because our interests align. I'm not even from this dimension," Yugen said, "Once this is all over, I will naturally leave this dimension, and of course leave your organization.
I also have my life, my companions, and my world to protect. I came here for such reasons."
"Irrelevant."
ZONE replied without hesitation, indifferently.
"As you can see, my life isn't continuing much longer. Whether companion or organization, they might all perish at my passing.
If we can't stop the future's destruction, there's essentially no future for me, or Taiyi.
If successful, we will no longer be needed.
If failed..."
He paused, somberly.
"...then you can return to your dimension, absorb this world's destruction experience, ensuring your world doesn't repeat mistakes. By then, there will probably be little left here to save."
Yugen meditated for seconds, then nodded.
"Understood. If you find it satisfactory like this... then fine, I'll accept."
...
...
Leaving ZONE's domain, Yugen returned to the present world.
With hands in his pockets, he looked up at the sky, at the blue sky and white clouds, this bustling yet peaceful city, seemingly unaware of the impending danger.
"The Chief of Public Security Maintenance Bureau, as well as... the leader of Taiyi?"
Yugen murmured.
He originally came to this dimension just wanting to stir things up and earn some cards.
Who would have thought that in less than a month, he actually became the boss of an organization...