Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

Chapter 1763 Yakumo Danmi Sword

"This is the effect of [Heavenly Feather Blade of the Snake] - When this card is Tributed, you can add one [Snake] card from my Deck to your hand and then Special Summon it."

"In other words, this is immortality! And this effect is shared by all three superior [Sword of the Snake] forms; [Sword of the Snake of Futsu-no-Mitama] also has this effect!"

"I add a second copy of [Snake Sword Descent] to my hand from my deck, and then Special Summon [Heavenly Feather Blade Snake Sword] in Defense Position!"

【草那艺：3200LP，手牌6→4→2→3】

【Sword Master of the Snake - Kusana Art】【DEF400】

【Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsu no Tsurugi】【DEF3400】

【Heavenly Feather Slash - The Fourth Sword】【DEF1800】

The card that had just been added to his hand was played again by Kusanagi. He picked up the card "Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi" from his Duel Disk and said, "I've already explained the effect of the card 'Mitama no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi' before. Now I'm activating the Ritual Spell Card 'Mitama no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi' again. This time, I'm going to Tribute the Level 8 'Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi' from my field as a Ritual Summon to Special Summon a Reptile Ritual Monster from my Deck!"

"Summer has arrived, the sun blazes and sways; rain has come, life stirs and stirs. Flowing from the foot of Mount Yu, it splits into eight branches and transforms into gods, nine mountains and eight seas, without end!"

As Kusanagi activated his Ritual Spell Card, the eight-headed serpent that had been relegated to the Duelist Zone as if it were merely a background figure suddenly came to life. In contrast, the Duel Monster "Kusanagi" on the field became somewhat stiff, as if the two had been swapped.

At the same time, at the point where the eight-headed serpent's head split, another "Kusanagi" emerged, but only its upper body was visible, while its lower body remained integrated with the eight-headed serpent!
"Ritual Summoning, Level 8☆!" the newly appeared Kusanagi laughed wildly, "Wind Grass Tiger, Cloud Grass Dragon, Heavenly Grass Me!"

"The Great Sword of the Mitsugari - [The Sword of the Clouds]!"

【The Sword of the Hidden Clouds】【8☆/Dark】

[Reptile family/ritual/effect]

[3200/800]

Just as the stats of [Ama-no-Habakiri no Mitsuki] are twice that of [Mitsuki no Mikoto - Kou-masa], the stats of [Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsuki] are twice that of [Mitsuki no Mikoto - Sasuke], and the stats of [Ama-no-Kura-no-Mitama no Mitsuki] are also twice that of [Mitsuki no Mikoto - Kusanagi]. Although its defense is only 800 points, its attack power is as high as 3200 points, surpassing the "legendary [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]"!
More importantly, when Kusanagi first used the effect of "Descent of the Snake Sword", he only released "Futsu-no-Mitama no Snake Sword" from the deck without using its effect. Therefore, when he used "Descent of the Snake Sword" again this time, "Futsu-no-Mitama no Snake Sword", which had already been properly summoned, had its revival restriction removed, providing Kusanagi with another search while also being revived from the graveyard!

"If this card is in my Graveyard and any one of the following cards is Tributed: [Mitsugumo no Mitsuki], [Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsuki], or [Ama-no-Habakiri no Mitsuki] on my field, return it to my Deck."

"And the effect of the released [Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi]: When this card is released, add one [Mitsu-no-Tsurugi] card from my Deck to my hand, other than [Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi], and then Special Summon it. I add [Mitsu-no-Tsurugi no Prayer] to my hand and Special Summon it in Defense Position."

【Cao Na Yi: 3200LP, hand 3→2→3】

"How is it, Hayato Kobayashi? This is the true power of the [Mitsu Sword] that you are about to face, and it is also my complete form!"

Hearing Kusanagi's words, Hayato looked up at the Yamata no Orochi, which was even larger than the two [Mitsu no Tsurugi] from before, and said, "I feel... it's just so-so, isn't it? It's one thing for duelists to go on stage and play cards themselves, but don't you know there's a taboo in Duel Monsters, that is, you can't just 'fuse' with your own monster or anything like that?"

"Nonsense!" Upon hearing Hayato's words, Kusanagi frowned. "[Kusanagi, the Supreme of the Snake Sword] and [Kusanagi, the Snake Sword of the Ama-Kurakumo] are one entity. This body is the most supreme and noble body in the mortal world. Don't use the term 'fusion' to insult my wisdom!"

"Such a great achievement doesn't frighten you? Are you truly unshaken or just putting on a brave face? Well then, let me use even greater power to make you tremble!" As she spoke, Kusanagi played another card, "Spell Card [Advanced Draw], this card requires me to Tribute one Level 8 or higher monster on my field to activate, and its effect is the same as [Pot of Greed]: draw two cards."

"The reason I'm using this card instead of [Pot of Greed] is because I want to release [Kusanagi no Mitsuki] and trigger its effect when it's released!"

With the activation of the card, the [Kusanagi no Mitsuki] disappeared for a moment and then returned to the field, and Kusanagi's hand size increased from three cards to a full five!

"This time, I'm adding the card 'Great Exorcism of the Snake Sword' from my deck to my hand, and then I'll Special Summon 'The Snake Sword of the Ama-Kurakumo'!"

"Finally, I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Sword of the Rock] and set four cards face-down on the back row. End of turn!"

【草那艺：3200LP，手牌3→4→5→0】

【Sword Master of the Snake - Kusana Art】【DEF400】

【Futsu-no-Mitama no Mitsu no Tsurugi】【DEF3400】

【Heavenly Feather Slash - The Fourth Sword】【DEF1800】

【The Sword of the Clouds】【ATK3200】

Backcourt: [Sword of the Rock] [Face Card] x4
After a burst of activity in one round, Kusanagi filled his back row and almost filled his front row with monsters. A group of [Sword of the Snake] monsters surrounded [Sword of the Snake - Kusanagi] and occupied the field, giving people the feeling of stepping into a myth and facing a number of monsters.

Hayato's system shop is also urgently inputting information about the [Mitsu Sword] cards, but the progress is a bit slow. At present, it has only recorded the effects of all the [Mitsu Sword] cards that have been used by Kusanagi. However, Hayato is not yet able to find more information about other [Mitsu Sword] cards from this system that can act as a "card search".

However, one thing is certain—the current three [Snake Swords] are all quite troublesome.

Not to mention that the effect is simply to display the hand to assist in the development and suppress the opponent's attack power on the field, [Ama-no-Habakiri no Mitsu-no-Tsurugi] can chain and revive the Reptile-Type monsters in the Graveyard every time Hayato Special Summons a monster, and there is no restriction of once per turn, only that the same chain can only be activated once.

This means that if Hayato uses the same explosive attack tactic, Kusanagi will also benefit from a continuous increase in field value.

The effect of [Ama-no-Murakumo no Mitsuki] is even more disgusting. Although it wasn't shown earlier, it has the effect of destroying all monsters on the opponent's field when Special Summoned. If it can be Ritual Summoned at Speed ​​2 using cards like those from Kusanagi, it's essentially a Speed ​​2 [Lightning Strike], no wonder it has so many lightning patterns. But the key point isn't actually this effect, but rather the second effect of [Ama-no-Murakumo no Mitsuki], which is activated when the opponent activates an effect, allowing the opponent to choose to discard one card from their hand or negate that effect, essentially a "three-color negation". Although often the opponent will only choose to discard one card, it becomes quite troublesome if the opponent has insufficient cards in their hand—and right now, Hayato only has three cards in his hand.

"My turn, draw a card—"

Just as Hayato finished drawing his card and entered the preparation phase, Kusanagi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he activated a face-down card in his back row without hesitation: "This is the moment! I'm going to activate this trap card in my back row during my opponent's preparation phase—[Yakumo Danmaku]!"

As the cards were activated, the [Ama-no-Habakiri no Mi-no-Tsurugi] on the Sona Geisha Stadium transformed into a tornado, instantly creating a massive storm; the [Futsu-no-Mitama no Mi-no-Tsurugi] spewed forth flames, and a sea of ​​fire covered the entire field; the [Ama-no-Kurakumo no Mi-no-Tsurugi] even summoned a vast expanse of thunderclouds, and countless bolts of lightning crashed down from the sky!
In an instant, it seemed as if the entire world was drawing upon the power of nature, and the center of this anomaly was none other than the "Kusanagi Sword" in the hand of [Kusanagi no Kami - Kusanagi], who was at the very center of the entire arena.

"I can only activate this ultimate [Yakumo Slayer Sword] if the [Yakumo Slayer Sword] Ritual Spell Card exists in my Graveyard and I Tribute three monsters on my field whose original card names are [Ama-no-Habakiri no Yakumo Slayer Sword], [Futsu-no-Mitama no Yakumo Slayer Sword], and [Ama-no-Murakumo no Yakumo Slayer Sword]!"

Kusanagi laughed wildly, now he looked like the ravaged god "Yamata Orochi" who wreaked havoc on the mountains and rivers. "Under the effect of this [Yakumo Danmyo no Tsurugi], the opponent must banish a total of eight cards from their hand, field, graveyard, and Extra Deck!"

"Facing the three calamities of wind, fire, and thunder, facing the immense power of this desolate god, facing the might of us [Sword of the Snake]!"

"Kamui Draws His Sword - Yakumo Danji Sword!"

The three raging calamities all converged on the sword in Kusanagi's hand, transforming into an unparalleled slash that flew towards Hayato. Hayato's card was constantly shaking under this slash, on the verge of being banished at any moment.

Although it's up to Hayato to choose which card to banish, with only four cards in his hand, two cards in his graveyard, and no cards on the field, this card's effect forces Hayato to banish at least two cards from his Extra Deck!
Hayato didn't hesitate much and immediately took out "Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring" and "Infinite Impermanence" from his graveyard, as well as six cards from his Extra Deck, saying, "Then, I will banish these two cards from my graveyard and these six cards from my Extra Deck!"

Although banishing so many cards from the Extra Deck at once will definitely have some impact, it's better than losing cards in your hand. Besides, Hayato didn't tell Kusanagi whether banishing monsters from his Extra Deck was a good thing or a bad thing.

Kusanagi, unaware of the situation, smiled contemptuously after seeing Hayato's decision: "He chose to sacrifice monsters in the graveyard and cards from the Extra Deck. How foolish! Isn't this sacrificing his future for the sake of his current survival?"

"But now that the effect of [Yakumo Severed Sword] has finished resolving, the three [Swords of the Midas] that I released will return to my field with their respective effects, and I can search for three cards from my deck at once!"

C1 [Ama-no-Murakumo no Mi-no-Tsurugi] C2 [Futsu-no-Mitama no Mi-no-Tsurugi] C3 [Ama-no-Habakiri no Mi-no-Tsurugi]

"Look at what you're saying. Let's not even talk about how my cards willingly offered their power to me." Hayato put away the banished cards, then spread his arms and looked at the blue flame that appeared on his field. "Your [Yakumo Danmaku] is nothing but a weakened version of '[Star Relic Marked Scars]' and a weakened version of 'Orichalcos Heavenly Sweep'. What right do you have to claim that I should sacrifice my future?"

"It was precisely because of your card that I triggered the effect of the banished card!"

"【Inferno Machine - Evil】! This effect can only be activated if this card is sent to the Graveyard or banished. Add one 【Purgatory】 Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand!"

C4, [Hellfire Machine - Evil]!
Because the effect of [Yakumo Danmakusen] has just been dealt with, and the [Mitsuki] of Kusanagi have not yet returned to the field, even if Hayato activates [Hellfire Machine: Evil], there is no need to worry about the "pseudo" three-color Yasushi of [Ama-no-Mitsuki].

Using the power of the banished [Inferno Machine - Evil], Hayato retrieves a card from his deck and reveals it: "The card I'm adding to my hand is this [Blazing Purgatory]."

【小林隼人：4000LP，手牌5→4→3→4→5】

At the same time, Kusanagi had already used the effect of three [Snake Swords] to retrieve three cards and add them to his hand, and then Special Summoned them all back to the field.

"【Blazing Purgatory】, 【Hellfire Machine】? Those cards sound pretty dangerous. Is that your deck, Hayato Kobayashi?!"

Just recalling the fleeting image of [Hellfire Machine - Evil]'s face sent chills down Kusanagi's spine. Then, he was filled with rage at the thought that someone of his noble and esteemed status could be so afraid of a monster that had already been banished. "But you absolutely cannot defeat my invincible [Snake Sword]! With your mere five cards, you can't do anything!"

"Can't do anything? Then I'll just swap all five cards in my hand, won't that solve the problem?" Hayato said with a matter-of-fact expression, playing the card he had just retrieved. "Spell Card [Blazing Purgatory], this card requires me to reveal one [Purgatory] Spell/Trap Card or [Inferno] Monster in my hand to my opponent to activate—"

"At this very moment!" As Hayato activated [Blazing Purgatory], Kusanagi waved his hand and said, "I'm going to chain-activate the effect of myself—that is, the effect of [Ama-no-Murakumo no Mi]!"

"When your opponent activates an effect, they have the choice—to discard a card from their hand to continue the effect, or to keep the card and negate the activated effect. Choose quickly, Hayato Kobayashi! Will you yield to my offer of a card, or will your effect fail prematurely?"

Although he really wanted to say something like "I want to create the future with my companions," Hayato simply picked up a card and said, "My choice is to discard the card, and what I'm discarding is this very 'Feast of Purgatory' that I'm showing you in order to activate 'Blazing Purgatory'."

"It doesn't matter, I was going to throw this card away anyway."

Upon hearing this, Kusanagi was taken aback: "What did you say?"

"【Blazing Purgatory】reveals the activation of 【Purgatory's Feast】, and to ensure its effect continues smoothly, I discard 【Purgatory's Feast】 due to the effect of your 【Ama-no-Murakumo no Mitsu】. At this moment, I have three cards remaining in my hand." Hayato paused, but the Duel Disk automatically retrieved three cards and added them to his hand. "And the effect of 【Blazing Purgatory】 is—discard all cards in my hand, and then draw the same number of cards from my deck!"

"Therefore, I will draw three cards!"

【小林隼人：4000LP，手牌5→4→3→3】

The moment Hayato finished building his graveyard, all three cards that had been discarded in his graveyard lit up, seemingly activating their effects!

TW03 has already revealed four new cards each for Star Knight and X-Swordsman, but we don't know what the remaining two themes will be. I'll just make a wild guess: Zerg and Allied Forces.
The new Star Knight cards are transformations of the original Star Knights, such as the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, and represent the future.

The X swordsman represents Sousa and his companions in their younger days, and his path leads to the "past."

(In the end, the good boss and the bad boss were still the same people when they were young – no change at all, right? (half annoyed))