YUGIOH: It's Time to Duel!

Chapter 65: Thief VS a Starving Dragon, Who Will Win?



[3rd POV]

Two months later, in the Domino High Library...

"Is this truly so confusing?" Seto asked, his gaze fixed upon the array of mathematical materials spread out before him.

Yuna rolled her eyes in exasperation, focusing on the questions before her. Her pen moved hesitantly across the paper, tracing out each answer with uncertainty. Amidst the quiet of the library, the only sound was the rhythmic scribbling of her pen. As she worked, Yuna's gaze drifted to the man seated across from her, and she couldn't help but wonder how they had found themselves in this perplexing predicament.

It began about a week ago when Mokuba decided to pay a surprise visit. Upon arriving, he was greeted by the sight of books strewn across the kitchen table. To Yuna's disbelief, Mokuba effortlessly grasped the questions, dismissing them as simple despite the fact that it had taken her a while to comprehend each topic.

Transported into the world of Yugioh, Yuna had never fathomed that she would find herself back in school, facing the same academic demands as before. The sheer volume of work was driving her to the brink of insanity.

Noticing her situation, Mokuba shrugged: "Maybe Big Brother can help you? Since he's much smarter than me. I can ask him if you want?"

With little to lose, Yuna nodded nonchalantly, anticipating Seto's typical response of urging her to figure it out herself rather than going out of his way to teach her.

However...

"All you need to do is transfer the numbers from this side to that side, and then the variables will be isolated," Seto said, gesturing towards Yuna's notes. Yuna furrowed her brow as she stared, trying to comprehend his explanation.

Finally, with a pinch at the bridge of his nose and a resigned sigh, Seto lamented, "Why is this so difficult for you to grasp? Look..."

He picked up the book and scanned its contents. "How about this?" he proposed. "If your opponent has eighty-five thousand seven hundred life points with nothing on their field, and you've just summoned Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from your graveyard, what level of monster do you need to banish to..."

"Eight hundred... and twenty-nine," Yuna answered promptly.

Seto paused his expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. "Then try this question," he said, sliding the book towards her. However, Yuna merely furrowed her brow deeply at the

equation, unable to grasp the formula.

"Why don't you try thinking of each question as related to Duel Monsters?" Seto suggested with a hint of resignation in his tone.

"Duel... Monsters..." Yuna repeated, her tone uncertain.

To Yuna's surprise, Seto began to reframe each question in terms of Duel Monsters, and she found herself able to solve each one in the blink of an eye.

As she finally closed the book, a realization dawned on Yuna at how childish the method was. Blushing, she glanced at Seto, who appeared to regard her with a mixture of amusement and perhaps a touch of condescension, as if he were indulging an infant and her face flushed even redder with embarrassment.

"If you approach it like that, I doubt you'll have any trouble passing," Seto stated assertively, raising an eyebrow. "Is that everything?"

"Nn..." Yuna murmured, shaking her head while staring down at the table. "Thank you," she added softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

She patiently waited, but Seto remained seated, his arms crossed as he observed her with a penetrating gaze. Yuna squirmed uncomfortably under his scrutiny, feeling the weight of his cold eyes. Finally, Seto opened his mouth, addressing a question that had been weighing on him for months.

"By the way, do you have anyone you like?"

Yuna stiffened, staring at him in shock. "What... do you... mean?" she asked cautiously, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Is there someone you're interested in?" Seto repeated while leaning back in his chair, shrugging casually. "I've heard it's something people our age talk about."

'But people like us just talk about Duel Monsters...' Yuna pondered. 'Especially Kaiba, so why

is he asking something like this?' she wondered, her suspicion growing.

"I... don't," Yuna answered honestly, her voice trailing off as she gauged Seto's reaction carefully.

"Then who is it..." Yuna heard Seto mumble under his breath. He bit the tip of his thumb, lost in thought, his expression unreadable.

It had been two months since the three visitors from the future bid their farewells and returned to their respective timelines. Seto couldn't help but overhear Yumi's whispered words to Yuna, words that shook him to his core...

"I want a big brother..."

Seto instinctively shuddered, his mind racing as he reflected on those words. 'This means that Yumi is Sano's....' he thought, a myriad of emotions swirling within him.

Running his hand through his hair in agitation, Seto couldn't shake the wild notion forming in his head. 'What if... What if I'm the father?' he thought, his mind racing with the implications. Suddenly overcome with embarrassment, Seto covered his face, desperately trying to hide the deep blush creeping over his cheeks.

The idea wasn't entirely impossible, given that they shared the same hair colour. However, Seto also knew that brown was a standard hair colour, and a wave of pessimism washed over him as he realized the absurdity of the situation.

"Kaiba?" Snapping out of his daze, Seto turned to the girl sitting across from him. "How... about you? Do you... have anyone?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and hesitance. Freezing, Seto found himself contemplating the question in a way he hadn't expected. Typically, if he were asked something like this, he would scowl and brush it off with disdain. However, this time, he found himself unable to do so...

"I don't know," Seto responded quietly, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window as he grappled with his thoughts.

Yuna blinked in surprise at the unexpected answer, and a palpable awkwardness settled over the room. She couldn't comprehend what had prompted Seto to respond so vaguely, and she felt a sense of distance growing between them. The Seto Kaiba she had idolized through the screen seemed increasingly elusive.

Despite the discomfort, Yuna couldn't help but smile, realizing that the characters she adored were far more complex and nuanced than she had ever imagined.

Three Weeks Later...

Soon, the final exams flew by in a blur, and thanks to Seto's guidance, Yuna passed with ease, and she found herself once again in his debt. With the conclusion of the finals, the holiday season swiftly approached, and the much-anticipated day planned with Yugi had arrived. Stopping outside of the Museum, Yuna gaped at the building in awe. History had never been her strong suit, and the sheer magnitude of the monumental structure left her feeling slightly

intimidated.

"Lady Sano, you have arrived," Ishizu greeted warmly as Yuna glanced up the stairs, spotting her waiting at the entrance.

Following Ishizu's lead, Yuna stepped into the Museum, where she began to guide her

through each exhibit expertly, explaining the history behind each attraction with the skill of a

seasoned tour guide.

"Where... are other... people?" Yuna asked curiously as they made their way through the museum, noticing the absence of other visitors despite it being prime opening hours.

"I had made sure that there would be no intrusion," Ishizu responded, gesturing towards the exhibit at the centre of the museum. "Although I wanted to show you more, I believe it's best if we complete our objective today first."

Moving towards the Ancient Egyptian exhibit, Yuna finally spotted the massive limestone tablet displayed on a black obsidian pedestal. Upon the tablet were various engravings of countless hieroglyphics and depictions that Yuna recognized as the Dark Magician, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and two figures standing beneath the towering Duel Monsters, facing each

other.

Approaching the artifact, Yuna instinctively held her breath upon witnessing the scene depicted before her. Subconsciously, she halted, her gaze fixed intently on the engravings, absorbing every detail with rapt attention.

"Ah, Sano-san, you're here!" Turning around, Yuna saw Yugi and his friends, their expressions noticeably brightening as they greeted her warmly.

"Yugi..." Yuna murmured, reaching for her waist where she had stored her deck box. With

careful precision, she retrieved the Winged Dragon of Ra, holding it out for Yugi and his

friends to see.

"Thank you, Sano-San; I'm truly grateful for this," Yugi responded with genuine sincerity, his eyes reflecting his gratitude.

As Yugi accepted the card from Yuna's hand, her gaze lowered slightly, and she suppressed the sigh that threatened to escape her throat. Despite the trouble the Winged Dragon of Ra had caused her, she couldn't deny the allure and power of a true Egyptian God. "Look, those are the pictures of the three Egyptian Gods," Joey pointed out excitedly. "That's Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor, and the Winged Dragon of Ra." Nodding solemnly, Yugi took a deep breath. The Millennium Puzzle on his chest began to shine with an ethereal light, and everyone present could sense a shift in the aura surrounding

him.

Standing before the tablet, Yami Yugi gazed at the three drawings etched upon it. With a determined expression, he held out his hand, placing each of the cards on their respective pictures. Almost immediately, the cards in Yami Yugi's hand began to glow brilliantly, causing everyone present to shield their eyes from the blinding light.

However, the intense light soon vanished, giving way to an overwhelming darkness that seemed to engulf the room. Yami Yugi let out a pained groan as the Egyptian God Cards emitted a crackling, purple electricity, striking him with its force. "Yugi!" Tea shrieked in shock, rushing towards him as he collapsed onto his back.

As the three cards slipped from Yami Yugi's grasp and fell to the floor, the tablet beneath them began to tremble. To everyone's disbelief, the artifact was suddenly enveloped in a

shimmering, translucent ice.

"What in the world..." Joey muttered in a daze.

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, jolting everyone out of their stupor. Without hesitation, they rushed out of the museum, only to be met with a scene of utter chaos and horror. Monsters of all shapes and sizes appeared in the sky and on the ground, launching relentless attacks on the unsuspecting civilians nearby. Panic and fear gripped the crowd as they struggled to comprehend the nightmarish spectacle unfolding before them. "Miss Sano, be careful!" Ishizu warned, pulling Yuna towards her just in time as a yellowish- flying beast swooped dangerously close overhead.

The monster let out a deafening roar before perching atop the museum rooftop, its lengthy snake-like body coiling around the flagpole. "That's the Curse of Dragon!" Tristan exclaimed, leaving everyone speechless. "But what is it doing here?!" Unfortunately, Tristan's questions remained unanswered as the Duel Monster attempted to attack once more. It lunged at him, and he dropped to the floor, narrowly dodging the

dragon's razor-sharp teeth.

Losing its balance, Curse of Dragon crashed onto the hard stone pavement and immediately snapped around, this time aiming towards Yami Yugi and Tea. However, to everyone's surprise, Curse of Dragon merely phased through their bodies, its image flickering before it

swiftly flew away into the sky.

"What was that..." Tea mumbled shakily, her voice trembling with fear. "Do you think what happened earlier has something to do with it?"

"Or maybe it's Kaiba Corp's doing!" Joey grumbled angrily. "Don't they make these types of things?" However, before he could elaborate on his point, he sensed an intense glare behind him, causing him to falter.

"Wheeler-san... Please apologize..." Yuna muttered in displeasure.

"Ah..." Joey flinched, realizing his mistake. "Sorry, I misspoke," he apologized sincerely,

acknowledging his error.

"Nonetheless, it still doesn't hurt to check with Kaiba; he might know what's happening," Yami Yugi explained, glancing at Yuna for confirmation.

Seeing Yuna nodding in agreement, Yami Yugi smiled with relief: "Alright, let's go."

"Although I would love to follow suit, I humbly apologize," Ishizu interjected, her voice filled with sincerity. "But I shall remain here and investigate what happened to the Tablet of Memories. I pray that you will be safe on your journey."

With their resolve firm, the group set off, navigating the chaotic streets with caution, mindful

of the Duel Monsters lurking around every corner. Some creatures paid them no heed, while others exhibited hostile behaviour before running away, much like the Curse of Dragon.

"Looks like there's less and less monsters." Tea said, and everyone felt their confidence returning.

With hurried steps, they finally reached the imposing entrance of Kaiba Corp. However, as they approached, they realized that they weren't the only ones there.

"Was Kaiba Corp responsible for this chaotic event!?" "Is this the result of the Duel Disks holograms malfunctioning!?" "Does Kaiba Corp have any explanation for what happened!?" Hundreds of reporters swarmed outside the entrance of Kaiba Corp, bombarding the staff

with questions in their quest for information. Standing at the forefront of the chaotic scene

was Roland, Seto's trusted right-hand man, skillfully managing the onslaught of reporters while wiping the sweat from his face with a handkerchief. "Everyone, please calm down," Roland urged, his voice projecting above the clamour of the

crowd. "Mr. Kaiba will be holding a press conference later tonight, but I can assure you that

this has nothing to do with Kaiba Corp..."

However, his words were immediately drowned out by a barrage of even more questions from the persistent reporters, each bombarding for answers amidst the chaos.

"I don't think we have a chance of getting our answers after all..." Joey commented, his

expression grave as he observed the chaotic scene unfolding before them. "Didn't Roland say that Kaiba will hold a conference later?" Tea pointed out, her voice an/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

beacon of reason amidst the chaos. "Looks like we just have to wait."

Each of Yugi's friends voiced their agreement, acknowledging that waiting was the best course of action given the circumstances. With no immediate answers forthcoming, they decided to call it a day, bidding farewell to Yuna before departing for Solomon Mutou's Card Shop. Naturally, unable to unlock the Pharoah's memories, the Winged Dragon of Ra was naturally returned to her deck, and Yugi promised that they would try again next time. Waving her hand in farewell, Yuna glanced at the swarm of reporters engulfing the Kaiba Corp

building, a sense of unease settling in her heart. She couldn't help but feel worried for the two Kaiba Brothers, knowing the challenges they were undoubtedly going to face in the coming days. However, amidst her concerns, she held onto the faith that they would undoubtedly

overcome it.

Night...

"From the last twenty-four hours, monsters have been spotted all over the world, including a winged dragon perched on top of the Taj Mahal!" The news reporter's voice echoed from the television. "These creatures are believed to be life-like holograms associated with the

popular game Duel Monsters."

Staring at the screen, Yuna's expression darkened with a complicated mix of emotions. Already aware of the true mastermind behind all this chaos, she understood just how nefarious the enemy's plans were. Anxious about the uncertain future that lay ahead, Yuna couldn't shake off the feeling of unease gnawing at her heart.

"We now take you live to the Kaiba Corp press conference, where the gaming company

president, Seto Kaiba, will make a statement," the news anchor announced as the broadcast shifted to the Kaiba Corp press conference.

Immediately, Yuna's eyes fixated on the screen as Seto calmly walked onto the stage. : "Ah... He's definitely pissed off right now..." She muttered to herself. Adjusting the microphone with a sigh of annoyance, Seto began his statement. "After thorough testing of our hologram simulation system, I can assure you that these sightings are unrelated to Kaiba Corp. Our state-of-the-art technology is working perfectly." Without offering any further explanation, Seto Kaiba swiftly exited the stage, leaving the

onsite reporters stunned by his abrupt departure. "You heard it, folks," the news anchor declared, addressing the audience. "Seto Kaiba claims that they were not responsible for today's events!"

*Click*

Not wanting to hear any more speculation, Yuna turned off the television with the remote.

Moving to her bedroom, she sank onto the bed and hugged her legs, feeling a mix of frustration and apprehension swirling within her. Opening her laptop, she began to scroll through the internet and search through today's event.

Despite not being responsible for the events, Seto was still facing backlash and criticism on

the online forums, with many people unjustly blaming him for the chaos. Yuna sighed in frustration and closed her laptop, feeling irritated by the unfairness of the situation. It troubled her to see Seto being unjustly blamed for something beyond his control while the actual perpetrators remained at large.

"Tsk... Dartz, karma will surely hit you like a truck," Yuna mumbled angrily, clenching her fists in anger.

Suddenly, Yuna's phone came to life, the loud alarm breaking the tense silence in the room. Hastily picking up the device, she pressed the answer button and brought it to her ear. "Sano-san!" Yugi's urgent voice pierced through the line. "Just moments ago, someone robbed my grandfather's store! They stole the Egyptian God Cards!" Immediately, Yuna froze as a chilling realization washed over her. A single fact that she had forgotten suddenly flashed in her mind: in this arc, all three Egyptian God Cards would be

stolen by Dartz. But, now that it has changed, she was the one who had the Winged Dragon of

Ra...

Just at that moment, the lights in Yuna's apartment floor flickered ominously before abruptly cutting out, plunging her into darkness. Heart pounding, Yuna stood up slowly, her senses on

high alert. She could hear the front door opening, and a sinking feeling settled in her stomach as she realized that someone had entered the house...

"Someone's here..." Yuna muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What!?!! Who's here?!" Yugi's panicked voice came through the phone, filled with concern and alarm: "What's happening?!"

"I have to... go..." Yuna replied urgently, her mind racing with apprehension. Before Yugi

could ask any more questions, she abruptly hung up the phone. Taking a deep breath, Yuna tried to stay calm and said in a whisper, praying to the spirits

residing in her soul: "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon... Please help me..."

WOOSH

Immediately, a dark presence materialized in front of her, merging into the form of a sinister dragon. Yuna met its gaze with determination, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over her. With a nod from Yuna, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon acknowledged her command and

slithered into the darkness.

Meanwhile...

A man stood silently in the centre of Yuna's living room, his presence casting a chilling aura in

the darkness. He was dressed in a full-body coat with padded shoulders, belted sleeves, and fingerless gloves, giving him an ominous and intimidating appearance. Scanning the room with a trained eye, the man meticulously checked each area, ensuring that there was no sign of his target. Moving with stealth and precision, he approached the bedroom door, reaching out to touch the handle. Suddenly, with a gasp of surprise, he leapt backward as a claw-like appendage phased through the door, slashing at the spot where he

had been standing just moments before.

"I knew this wouldn't be easy..." the man muttered under his breath as the figure of Starving

Venom Fusion Dragon fully revealed itself, bursting through the door with a formidable presence. Standing up to face the imposing creature, the man's gaze shifted to the girl standing at the other end of the room, her eyes glaring at him fiercely.

Yuna raised her arm, her hand trembling slightly as she pointed at the intruder with a

commanding gesture. "Stop... him,"

Responding to Yuna's command, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon hissed menacingly and swiftly lunged towards the intruder with lethal intent. The man clicked his teeth in anticipation, swiftly dodging aside as the dragon crashed into the nearby table with incredible force. The impact caused the wood to explode into a million pieces. "Tsk... Guardian Grarl, protect me from that beast!" he shouted and revealed a card from his

pocket.

Suddenly, the hallway rumbled as a giant brown bipedal lizard appeared, its towering figure clad in imposing armour and wielding a formidable battle axe. With a roar of defiance, Guardian Grarl fearlessly charged towards Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. With nothing standing between them, the man advanced towards Yuna with the intent to

capture her. Gritting her teeth, Yuna yelled: "Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!"

BOOOM

The man was thrown across the room, crashing against the wall with a resounding impact that

left a noticeable dent. Despite the pain, he chuckled grimly as he struggled to rise to his feet,

his gaze fixed on the majestic golden dragon standing protectively between him and his

target.

Even though Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand had not been summoned to its full size, its imposing presence still sent a shiver down the man's spine. The sheer power emanating from

the majestic creature filled the room, casting a formidable aura that made it clear the intruder

was facing a force to be reckoned with.

"To face the rumoured Divine Dragon... It's quite the sight," the man remarked, his tone

more subdued.

Yuna, her voice steady despite the tension in the room, cut to the chase. "Who....are you?" she

asked, her gaze fixed on the shadowy figure before her, trying to make out his features in the

dim light of the room.

"My name is Rafael," the man introduced himself, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity. "I

am one of the three swordsmen of Doma, and I'm here to retrieve the Winged Dragon of Ra." Hearing Rafael's declaration, Yuna's frown deepened, and she subconsciously patted the deck box attached to her waist. However, unbeknownst to Rafael, all of Yuna's valuable cards were

safely stored in the system, inaccessible to anyone else but her.

"I won't... give it... to you..." Yuna stated firmly, her resolve unwavering as she took a step

forward. With a flick of her wrist, Yuna activated her Duel Disk, the device coming to life, and

a system screen appeared in the corner of her vision.

[Task #9: This is My House!]

[Fend off the intruder from your home.] [Reward: 2500 Credits]

Gazing at Yuna with a smirk, Rafael slowly stood up from where he had been thrown against

the wall. "Guardian Grarl, return," he commanded, and with his words, the monster engaged

in battle with Starving Venom Fusion Dragon vanished in a burst of light. Rafael then extended his arm, revealing a Duel Disk that resembled the blade of a scythe, a menacing glint

in his eyes as he prepared for the impending duel.

"Looks like you won't yield... Good," Rafael chuckled darkly, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Then I will just take it from you forcibly... Get ready, and I will show you the power of our great God!!"

"Duel!" x2

[Yuna Sano: 4000 LP]

[Rafael: 4000 LP]

I hope you enjoy it!