"Comrade?" Kiryu repeated the word, then smiled inexplicably. "People with shared ideals? That's a fitting title."
"However, I heard from Bruno that you don't seem optimistic about our chances of success," Kiryu said, changing the subject.
"That's right. I'm not very optimistic about your chances," Yūga Hōzumi stated bluntly.
"Can you tell me why? Yūga Hōzumi... Comrade?" Kiryu paused before uttering the new title.
"Because your revolution lacks ideological support."
"Ideology?" Kiryu was a bit confused.
"Why do the Top Echelons oppress you? Have you ever considered that? Or rather, what gives them the right to oppress you?" Yūga Hōzumi said.
"Is that important?" Kiryu asked.
"Of course." Yūga Hōzumi nodded. "Your revolution is largely sustained by the hatred born from the oppression of the commoners by The Top Echelons. However, hatred alone isn't enough to see a revolution through to the end."
This reminded Yūga Hōzumi of the so-called revolution in the original story, which was a childish farce. It got halfway done before one of Tomato's speeches made everyone pack up and go home to their mothers.
"You haven't realized the root of your conflict with The Top Echelons," Yūga Hōzumi said.
...
After Yūga Hōzumi gave Kiryu a simple yet profound explanation using content from his past life's high school political science textbook, Kiryu felt as if he had been enlightened.
"Thank you so much for your guidance, Comrade Yūga Hōzumi," Kiryu said excitedly, firmly grasping Yūga Hōzumi's hand. "You could say that your arrival has allowed me to truly see hope for a successful revolution."
"Alright, there's no need for such formalities. Aren't we comrades?" Yūga Hōzumi said with a smile.
"That's right. We are comrades," Kiryu said, smiling.
"Do you have a place to stay? This isn't a long-term solution. Your photos are on all the wanted posters," Kiryu said.
"Not yet. We still need to find our companion," Yūga Hōzumi replied.
"The Lone Falcon?" Kiryu understood. "I got word yesterday that the Underground Duel Arena he was at was raided by Security. Do you need our help rescuing him?"
"Already arrested? It seems we were a step too late," Yūga Hōzumi said, frowning. "As for a rescue, there's no need. If I'm not mistaken, he should show up at the upcoming Friendship Cup."
"The Friendship Cup?" Kiryu pondered for a moment. "Crow and Shinji Weber reported back that they'll also be participating in the Friendship Cup. Our original plan was to use Shinji Weber reaching the top and defeating Jack Atlas as the trigger to launch the revolution. Do you have any suggestions?"
"If he launches the revolution after defeating Jack Atlas, and we can ride that momentum to seize important facilities like the factories in Neo Domino City before The Top Echelons can react, the revolution will have a ninety percent chance of success. But that's all contingent on one thing: he must actually defeat Jack Atlas and become the new King. Otherwise, it won't be enough to inspire the commoners to follow our lead."
"That's what I'm worried about," Kiryu sighed. "After all, Jack has mastered the legendary Double Tuning. Shinji Weber is skilled, but there's still a huge gap between him and Jack."
"According to my original plan, a fully-developed Bruno should have been the one to challenge Jack. After all, he's the only person in a hundred years to have been acknowledged by the legacy of Accel Synchro," Kiryu said. "However, Bruno has no clue about the legendary state of 'Clear Mind,' and many people are getting impatient."
"I'm sorry, leader. I've been useless," Bruno, who was standing nearby, said, hanging his head in shame.
"Why don't you let me go instead? For some reason, that Jack Atlas guy really gets on my nerves," Kaito interjected from the side.
"That won't work. Only one of their own can break the King's undefeated legend and inspire the oppressed commoners. Outsiders like us can't," Yūga Hōzumi said.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside. A moment later, Frank burst through the door, panting as he said, "This is bad! Security is here! Serena was surrounded while covering our escape!"
"What?!" Yūga Hōzumi and Kaito shot to their feet and hurried toward the parked D-Wheels.
Kiryu and Bruno exchanged a glance before following them.
"My apologies. The Security Officers normally wouldn't come to this area. I might have brought this trouble on us," Kiryu said apologetically as he boarded his D-Wheel.
"We're comrades now, don't be so formal." Yūga Hōzumi took out the spare key to Serena's D-Wheel and looked at the small, bespectacled boy following Bruno. "Do you know how to ride a D-Wheel?"
Eyes Boy nodded silently and got onto Serena's D-Wheel.
The roar of D-Wheel engines echoed one after another as five D-Wheels started up. The five of them sped off in the direction where Serena was surrounded.
...
"When Lunalight Blue Cat is Special Summoned: The ATK of one other 'Lunalight' monster I control becomes double its original ATK until the end of the turn."
Lunalight Cat Dancer ATK: 2400 → 4800
"I activate Lunalight Cat Dancer's effect! By Tributing Lunalight Blue Cat, this turn, each of my opponent's monsters cannot be destroyed by battle once, and this card can attack all of my opponent's monsters twice each!"
"Battle! Lunalight Cat Dancer attacks Goyo Chaser!"
...
Three Security Officers fell to Serena's attack, but three more quickly took their place, starting a new duel.
"Is there no end to them?!" Serena gritted her teeth, looking at the ever-increasing number of Security Officers around her. She wiped the sweat from her forehead. This was the ninth squad of Security Officers she had defeated.
Fortunately, just then, the roar of D-Wheel engines sounded in the distance, growing closer and closer.
Two D-Wheels descended from a rooftop. Kiryu and Bruno aggressively forced back the besieging Security Officers, and then Yūga Hōzumi drifted to a stop on his D-Wheel right in front of Serena.
"Get on!" Yūga Hōzumi tossed her a helmet.
"Took you long enough," Serena said, glaring at Yūga Hōzumi before putting on the helmet and getting on the back of his D-Wheel.
The three D-Wheels sped off before the Security Officers could react. They met up with Kaito and Eyes Boy, who were providing support from the periphery due to their poorer driving skills. The five of them then accelerated in unison, leaving the Security Officers far behind in the dust.
...
(end of chapter)