Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

[Heavenly Dragon Demon God] [8☆/Dark]

[Phantom Dragon Race/Synchro/Effect]

[3000/0]

"Another Phantom Dragon Monster" noticed the race of [Heavenly Dragon Demon God], and Kaiba's expression became very serious, because this race had only recently been developed, and before that it had always existed as a Secret Card. No one knew whether this race was as strong as the Dragon race or as weak as the Undead or Insect races—of course, this was Kaiba's understanding of races, and he didn't care what races powerful cards like [Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring] and [G-Crypto] belonged to.

The strongest impression the Phantom Dragons left on Kaiba didn't come from other cards, but from the powerful, aloof feeling of the [Ice Sword Dragon - Phantom Ice Dragon] that had just appeared on Hayato's field. This made him wonder what kind of effect the [Heavenly Might Dragon Demon God] would have.

Hayato, meanwhile, sized up the massive muscles of the [Heavenly Dragon Demon God], who, despite its inability to conceal its violent aura, dared not utter a sound in his presence, and whistled, "It's all solid muscle, isn't it?"

"Then I'll continue my playthrough. [Albus the Ash] is the state of [Albus the Fallen] without its brand power. However, its card name can still be used as [Albus the Fallen] while it exists on the field or in the graveyard. That's why I was able to Special Summon it just now with the effect of [Iron Beast Flame Worker - Kit]."

"However, Synchro Summoning is ultimately not the most suitable power for Albus. To unleash its full potential, it is indeed the fusion power brought by the Mark that is needed—so I activate the Spell Card [White Mark] to re-grant this Mark's power to [Albus of Ashes]!"

Like a spinning wheel of flames, it outlines two symbols of "infinity" that overlap, forming an infinity leading to infinity. And in this spinning wheel of fire, Albus of Ash in Hayato's graveyard is reawakened, still saying, "Akrysia, listen to me—huh? I'm back again?"

“Yes, but you’ll be leaving soon.” Hayato not only took out the card [Albus the Ash] from the graveyard, but also another card, [Iron Beast Flame Engineer - Kit]. “With the power of [White Mark], I will use monsters on my field and in my hand that include Dragon monsters as Fusion Material to perform a Fusion Summon.”

"However, when using [Albus's Fallen Blood] as fusion material, [White Mark] can also be used as fusion material by excluding monsters from my graveyard. Here, I will exclude [Albus of Ash] and the Beast-type monster [Iron Beast Flame Engineer - Kit] from my graveyard!"

"The fusion material requirements are met by combining [Albus's Fallen Heir] with a beast-type, beast-warrior-type, ornith-type monster—two silent rages residing within the brand, now transcending their source of calamity and merging into one!"

"Fusion Summon, Level 8☆!"

"Charging complete! Launch—[Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga]!"

[Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga] [8☆/Dark]

[Bird/Beast Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2500/2000]

The "Iron Dragon - Blue Swift Dragon" that once severely tormented the old man Sugoroku has descended onto Hayato's field under the effect of "White Mark," occupying the last empty slot in his monster zone. Although he still has one card in his hand and hasn't even performed a Normal Summon this turn, Hayato has already set up a monster lineup that is more than enough to break through Kaiba's defenses.

【小林隼人：4000LP，手牌：2→1→2→2→1】

【Ice Sword Dragon - Phantom Ice Dragon】【ATK2500】

【Teaching Thunder - Flederis】【ATK2500】

【Knight of Guidance - Flederis】【ATK2500】

【Heavenly Dragon Demon God】【ATK3000】

【Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga】【ATK2500】

"And so, I'll begin my battle phase, and then use [Heavenly Might Dragon Demon God] to attack [Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon]!"

"Heavenly Might Wave Cannon!"

With his hands forming a lotus shape and gathered at his waist, [Heavenly Might Dragon Demon God] took a deep breath to gather his strength, then suddenly thrust out his palms, unleashing a burst of energy that shot towards [Abyss Blue-Eyed Dragon], annihilating and destroying it in an instant!

"Tch, but because [Blue-Eyes Dragon of the Abyss] is in Defense Position, even if it's destroyed, I won't take battle damage." Kaiba picked up the card and sent it to the Graveyard. "Besides, since I finally have a Level 8 or higher monster destroyed on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"

"The pure white power hidden within the infinite source of time, raise your wings that tremble amidst the intertwining echoes of souls, and emerge from the azure abyss! [White Dragon with Abyss Eyes]!!"

(The effect of the Abyss Eye in the movie is that it can be destroyed as long as it is level 8 or higher.)
At the end of the last round, Kaiba used "Blue-Eyes Dragon of the Abyss" to search for two cards in a row, hoping to make people think that the cards he searched were nothing more than Ritual Spell Cards and their corresponding Ritual Monster Cards, based on the inherent impression of "Blue-Eyes Dragon of the Abyss". As it turned out, one of the cards he searched was actually "White Dragon of the Abyss".

After the Blue-Eyed Silver Dragon protected the dragon monsters from being destroyed by effects, battle destruction became the most convenient option for Kaiba's monsters. However, if you think that way, it will just be what Kaiba wants, just like now, which will make the Abyss-Eyed White Dragon appear!
【Abyss-Eyed White Dragon】【10☆/Light】

[Dragon Clan/Effect]

[0/0]

"Not only that, [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] will also inherit the ATK of one of my Dragon-Type monsters in my Graveyard—this [Blue-Eyes White Dragon], and absorb the rage of Dragon-Type monsters in both of our Graveyards, converting it into 600 damage per monster to counterattack you!" Before he finished playing the card, Kaiba immediately activated the effect of the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] that had just appeared.

However, just as the seahorse gave the order, the [Abyss Eye White Dragon] had just emerged from that iconic white halo, bringing back the power she had painstakingly collected from the graveyard, when in the next moment she saw the pitch-black [Heavenly Might Dragon Demon God] rapidly approaching her and raising its hand to deliver an elbow strike!
"Man!"

【Abyssal White Dragon】 let out a roar that meant “suffering” before being struck by the elbow strike of 【Heavenly Dragon Demon God】 and crashed mid-flight, its whereabouts unknown. Only then did Kaiba hear Hayato’s explanation: “The first effect of 【Heavenly Dragon Demon God】 is that it can be activated when the opponent activates a monster’s effect, banishing that monster!”

"And since it's an exclusion rather than destruction, the other effect of [Abyss Eye White Dragon] can't be activated either, right?"

The seahorse snorted coldly, "So this is the effect? ​​[Heavenly Might Dragon Demon God], the second Phantom Dragon monster worthy of my attention. But at least its effect wasn't nullified. You'd better enjoy the power of the five dragon monsters in my graveyard!"

The power of the five dragon monsters—the Blue-Eyes Silver Dragon, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the Ancient White Stone, the Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon, and the Abyss Blue-Eyes Dragon—attacked Hayato, instantly reducing his life points significantly!

[Hayato Kobayashi: 4000→400LP, hand card: 1]

"You've really gone all out on me, Seto! Well then, I'll retaliate!" Hayato exclaimed, excitedly watching his Life Points plummet. "When [Heavenly Dragon Demon] successfully destroys an Effect Monster and sends it to the Graveyard, the power of [Heavenly Dragon Demon] is released, increasing the ATK of the destroyed monster by the original ATK value. Since the destroyed [Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon] has the same ATK and DEF of 2500, [Heavenly Dragon Demon]'s ATK will also increase by 2500!"

[Heavenly Dragon Demon God] [ATK3000→5500]

"Furthermore, [Heavenly Dragon Demon God] can attack the monster only once more during this battle phase!" Hayato pointed to the strongest monster on Kaiba's field. "The effect of [Ultimate Dragon Magician] is negated by [Knight of Guidance - Fledelis] until the end of this turn. It would be a shame not to destroy it now."

"Additional Attack - Heavenly Might Unparalleled Explosive Wave Cannon!"

Another Ki Blast was unleashed by [Heavenly Dragon Demon God], piercing straight through [Ultimate Dragon Mage]'s body and also affecting Kaiba. This time, because [Ultimate Dragon Mage] possessed considerable attack power and was placed on the field in Attack Stance by Kaiba, he couldn't avoid the battle damage, and his Life Score also dropped!
Seto Kaiba: 4000→3500LP, Hand: 2→1

Despite taking 500 points of combat damage, Kaiba frowned. It wasn't because of the magnitude of the impact, but because he felt somewhat annoyed that even after going to such lengths, Kobayashi Hayato had managed to defeat his invincible [Ultimate Dragon Mage] without using the "Albus version of Hyper Fusion."

"You really don't hold grudges overnight, Hayato Kobayashi, well done!" He picked up the [Ultimate Dragon Sorcerer] card, a cold smile on his face. "But this only dealt me ​​500 points of battle damage, didn't it? And this card was clearly the first one you created. Have you forgotten its effect so quickly?"

"Although the [Ultimate Dragon Magister] on the field had its effect negated by your [Knight of Guidance - Fledris], in Duel Monsters, even if a monster is set on the field and then flipped back, it is still considered a new card, let alone when it leaves the field and goes to the Graveyard?"

"The ultimate power of the [Ultimate Dragon Magister]! If this face-up card leaves the field due to your opponent's actions—whether it's as Special Summoning Material, destroyed by battle or card effect, banished, or even Tributed—its second effect will be triggered!"

"Special Summon one Blue-Eyes monster or Chaos Ritual Monster from my Graveyard or Extra Deck! And this card is the one I'm going to Special Summon—"

"【Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon】!"

Kaiba really likes the card "Ultimate Dragon Magister". Although it no longer has the "Blue-Eyes" attribute, the three "pseudo-tricolor combos" it provides can offer much-needed protection for "Blue-Eyes". Moreover, its second effect is exactly what he prepared for his challenge against Hayato Kobayashi.

Whether it's cards like "Albus's Fallen" and "Super Polymerization," or cards like "Lava Demon" or "Turtle Kaiju - Gamesiale," the effect of "Ultimate Dragon Magister" can be triggered unless it's banished face-down or returned to the Extra Deck where card information is lost.

Although this card was ultimately created by Hayato Kobayashi stealing his "Blue-Eyes" and fusing it during a duel, the contrast between its origin and effect is somewhat ironic, but Kaiba doesn't care about that. As long as it works, that's enough!

【Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon】While even Kaiba, a fan of 【Blue-Eyes】, might find its artwork undeniably appealing, its resistances are undeniably powerful. It's essentially a continuous version of the effects 【Blue-Eyes Silver Dragon】 bestowed upon other Dragon-Type monsters—it cannot be targeted by opponent's effects nor destroyed by them, and it retains the 4500 ATK of 【Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon】. It's simply the perfect choice for this situation!

After thinking for a long time, Kaiba waited for the arrival of the Blue-Eyes Ultra Dragon, but a familiar scene appeared before his eyes once again—

"Man!"

When [Ultimate Dragon Magister] left the field, it left behind a summoning circle that allowed Kaiba to Special Summon [Blue-Eyes] and [Chaos] Ritual Monsters from his Extra Deck and Graveyard. In the opened portal, [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] almost poked its head out, but was once again kicked back into the Extra Deck by an elbow.

However, this time, the one that made the move was not the [Heavenly Dragon Demon] that had used up all its power and returned to Hayato's field to rest, but the [Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga] that appeared last among all the monsters on Hayato's field?
—By the way, when the seahorse saw the monster appear, it wanted to complain. No matter if the monster was a machine, rock, thunder, fire or even dragon, the seahorse could come up with some nonsense to explain it back. But why was the monster a bird-beast?

As if he had touched on Kaiba's thoughts, Hayato spoke up before he could express his doubts, saying, "The main body of [Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga] is not the giant robot or Albus being carried away by its claws, but [Gee] in the pilot's seat. Isn't that amazing, Honey?"

"Just now, Seth asked me if I remembered the effect of [Ultimate Dragon Mage]. It was because I remembered its effect that I prepared [Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga] at the end, because I knew you would definitely activate its effect when it leaves the field."

"On the surface, I'm on the first layer with the effect of [Ultimate Dragon Mage] active, while Seth, who's trying to summon a new monster using his exit effect, is on the second layer. But actually, I'm in the atmosphere—because the effect of [Iron Dragon - Blue Nargacuga] isn't that easy to trigger; it can only be activated when the effect of a Fusion/Synchro Monster is activated. And [Ultimate Dragon Mage] is the Fusion Monster I need to activate its effect!"

"Under the effect of [Iron Dragon - Blue Swift Dragon], the effect of [Ultimate Dragon Magister] is negated—and after that, I can return another card from the field to my hand. This effect doesn't target, so the effects of [Blue-Eyes Silver Dragon] and [Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon] can't provide protection!" Hayato pointed to Kaiba's field, "I return the Defense Position [Blue-Eyes Silver Dragon] to my hand—that is, back to its owner's Extra Deck!"

The elbow flew, stopping the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon from entering the field and shattering the summoning circle of the Blue-Eyes Dragon. The Blue-Eyes Dragon hovered in the air, and the Kit gripped the joystick to adjust the angle and aim at the card on Kaiba's field.

"【Iron Dragon - Blue Velociraptor】Pilot, Kit, sortie—Lock-On!"

The spear-shaped weapon unfolded and transformed into a pair of electromagnetic cannons. Blue electric light propelled the two cannonballs to instantly pierce through the body of the [Azure-Eyed Silver Dragon], knocking it back to its previous tuning ring and level star, forcibly dispelling it!
Hayato only used one monster to attack, yet Kaiba's group of powerful monsters were wiped out in just a few rounds, leaving only the lone Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon.
"You actually tricked me, Hayato!" Looking at his only remaining monster on the field, Kaiba roared in helpless rage.

Seto Kaiba: 3500 LP, Hand: 2→1

Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon】【ATK3000

Backcourt: [Forbidden Area of ​​Fusion] [True Light]

Venue: [Hall of Light]

"Getting angry so early? It's still early, Seth. Wait until I beat you before you get angry." Hayato still didn't play any cards, but waved his hand and said, "I know you might be thinking, even though my monster has only 2500 attack power, lower than your Blue-Eyes, it still has such a terrible effect. But let me tell you—don't think you can rest easy just because Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon has 3000 attack power."

"My Battle Phase continues. I will use [Knight of the Instruction - Fledelis] to attack [Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon]." While seemingly suggesting a low-ATK monster attacking a high-ATK monster in a "suicidal" move, Hayato added, "Then, at the moment of the attack declaration, I will activate the second effect of [Knight of the Instruction - Fledelis] on my field!"

"This effect can only be activated when one of my [Teach] monsters declares an attack. It increases the ATK of all [Teach] monsters I control by 500. At this moment, I control two [Teach] monsters: [Teach Knight - Fledelis] and [Teach Thunder - Fledelis]!"

The seahorse's eyes widened: "So that means—"

"—In other words, [Knight of Guidance - Freudris] and [Thunder of Guidance - Freudris] will gain attack power equivalent to [Blue Eyes], which is 3000 points!"

【Teaching Thunder - Flederis】【ATK2500→3000】

【Knight of Guidance - Flederis】【ATK2500→3000】

An attack power of 3000 is neither low nor high, but it can serve as a dividing line to determine whether a monster's attack power is acceptable. If the final attack power is less than 3000, it is too easy for someone to remove it through battle. Conversely, if a card is bad in other aspects but is easy to play and has an attack power of 3000, then this card can at least be used to destroy monsters and clear the field through battle.

In this duel, 3000 attack power means that the [Knight of Instruction - Friedris], who originally could only be killed by the [Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon] and could not threaten it, now has the ability to take it down with her! (End of Chapter)