Joey also realized the problem and said, "Yeah—there might be more duels this afternoon. If we don't eat something, our bodies won't hold up. And let me tell you now—we're not sharing any food with you, Kaiba!"
"Hmph. That's none of your concern," Kaiba shot back.
"Tch. Good intentions treated like dog liver," Joey grumbled, then left with Téa.
"Kaiba… let's go find something to eat too," Kisaragi said.
"No need to make it that complicated."
Kaiba pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Isono. Based on my location, bring two sets of luxury cuisine to Duelist Kingdom immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
Not long after, a KaibaCorp aircraft descended and landed not far away. The moment it touched down, several attendants stepped out, set up a dining table, and began serving dish after dish.
"Go eat," Kaiba said as he walked toward the table.
Kisaragi stared in speechless disbelief.
"So this is what money power looks like… only Kaiba would do something like this."
She sat down at the table.
Attendants kept rotating fresh dishes based on the pace Kaiba and Kisaragi ate, making it feel less like a deserted island and more like a five-star hotel.
Wild Mushrooms vs. Candlelight Dinner
Not long later, Yugi's group returned carrying wild mushrooms and edible plants.
Joey had been about to show off their "survival haul" in front of Kaiba… but the instant he saw Kaiba and Kisaragi enjoying a full luxury spread, he froze like a statue.
"This is insane… it's basically a candlelight dinner," Téa muttered.
"Kaiba's so extra," Tristan said.
"Kaiba, you jerk! You were hiding food like this?!" Joey yelled, drooling a little.
"I have no obligation to share food with you," Kaiba said coolly, "so eat your mushrooms and weeds."
He threw Joey's own words straight back at him.
"Y-you…!"
Joey had no counterattack. He could only help Yugi start a fire.
As Joey chewed grilled mushrooms, he stared at the table of gourmet dishes—tears quietly pooling at the corner of his mouth.
"Joey, eat properly!" Téa scolded. "If there's another duel later, you'll need your strength!"
"I KNOW!" Joey snapped and angrily swallowed the last mushroom skewer.
Kaiba Orders Dinner… and Camping Gear
By the time Kaiba and Kisaragi finished eating, the attendants began packing up.
"Isono," Kaiba said, "bring dinner again tonight. And add camping supplies."
"Yes, sir!"
Isono bowed and left with the team—boarding the aircraft and departing.
Joey glared. "Kaiba is seriously putting on a show—"
Then he suddenly sniffed the air.
"…You guys smell that? Something really good."
"Yeah!" Tristan said. "Joey, your nose is freakishly sharp."
"Damn right!"
"That's because you're a stray dog," Kaiba cut in.
"You—!" Joey was ready to explode, but the smell won. He followed it instead.
The Bonfire on the Shore
The group reached the coast and saw a bonfire. Dozens of fish were already skewered and roasted beside it.
"WHOA—grilled fish! We're saved!" Joey's eyes turned into sparkles as he sprinted toward it.
"Joey, don't!" Téa tried to stop him. "That's someone else's food!"
"That's obviously heaven delivering food to us!" Joey cackled, reaching out.
"Seriously—always an excuse," Téa groaned.
Tristan, however, nodded solemnly. "No… I think Joey's logic is pretty solid."
Then he dashed after Joey. "HEY! Don't hog it all!"
Téa sighed and walked over with Yugi.
"Time to dig in!" Joey and Tristan said, about to bite—
—when a man with dark-blue hair, dark skin, and a bare upper body climbed up from the coastal cliffs, a harpoon in his hand.
"You punks—how dare you steal my—!"
Before he could finish, a huge wave smacked him mid-sentence.
"…Ugh. Of course we got caught," Téa facepalmed.
The man stood up dripping wet, furious.
"I wasn't done talking! You punks—how dare you steal my fish!"
Yugi noticed the man's glove—and the Metal Stars on it.
"You collected seven Metal Stars… You're Mako Tsunami? One of the top four from the National Duelist Tournament? You're a contestant too?!"
"It's me. And who the heck are you, starfish-head? Don't think knowing my name means you can eat my fish openly!"
Before Yugi could respond, Kisaragi's voice came from behind.
"Yugi—everyone—did you find any food?"
Mako snapped his head around.
"You're… Kisaragi Aoi! The National Champion who beat Seto Kaiba!"
"That's me," Kisaragi said. "You're Mako Tsunami?"
Mako scratched the back of his head and grinned.
"It's an honor you remember me. I watched your duel. You beat Weevil so easily… After that, I became your fan."
"Thanks."
"Then if they're your friends," Mako said magnanimously, "eat as much as you want!"
"Really? Thanks!" Joey and the others cheered and started eating.
Mako looked at Kisaragi. "Aren't you eating too?"
"I already ate earlier. I'm good."
"Hmph. Low-grade food like that could never enter our mouths," Kaiba scoffed.
"Kaiba, you—!" Joey flared up again, but Tristan grabbed him.
"Joey, stop wasting energy. If you've got time to be mad, eat faster!"
Joey grumbled and kept eating.
Mako ate with them too… and while chewing, he wore a slightly strange smile.
Fish Were the Bait
After Yugi's group finished the fish and prepared to leave, Mako stood up—harpoon in hand.
"Hold it."
"You think you can just walk away after eating my fish?" he said. "That'd make me look pathetic."
"It looks like two of you who ate my fish are contestants… so duel me."
Joey blinked. "So you lure people into duels like this?"
"No wonder he was acting friendly!" Tristan said.
"Exactly," Mako said, voice sharpening. "Those fish were my bait. And now the prey has taken the hook—how could I let you escape so easily?"
He hurled the harpoon—
It slammed into the ground right at Yugi and Joey's feet.
Both of them flinched at the same time.
Kisaragi sighed, sounding genuinely disappointed.
"What a shame. I thought you came to challenge me."
Mako instantly switched to a fawning grin.
"Hehehe… challenging you would be suicide. You're basically the favorite to win this whole tournament—why would I donate Metal Stars to you?"
At that moment, the Millennium Puzzle on Yugi's chest glowed.
Yami Yugi emerged.
"Fine," he said calmly. "Then I'll accept your challenge."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 120)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 100)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 100)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter89)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter86)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter63)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter75)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 53
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 57
From Junkman to Wasteland 35
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