Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

Chapter 1834 The Great Expedition

Near the ruins leading to the [Valley of Royal Sleep] in the back mountain of Duel Academy —

Hayato appeared here with a group of students who had decided to join the "Expeditionary Force," curiously observing the strange distortion in the air in front of them.

For some reason, Hayato felt that this twisted so-called "singularity" looked familiar, and its aura gave him the feeling that he had definitely encountered it somewhere before.

"Curry!"

Upon hearing the cry of "Rainbow Kuriboh," Hayato, who automatically translated the "Kuriboh language" in his mind, was reminded of a distant memory.

"Back during the KC Cup? It does seem a bit like that. No, considering that the spirits that appeared in the 'singularity' opened by Raphael and the others were also Harpies, maybe they were leading to the same world at all."

Long ago, Baron, Raphael, and Amelda, who were still the "Three Musketeers of Doma," plotted the "KC Cup" incident to cause harassment. In that incident, with the help of Dartz and the power of "Orichalcos," they opened the door to the world of spirits, bringing the spirits from the other side into the real world.

Although the scale is different, the hole in front of us, which is probably too narrow even for a short person to squeeze through, is undoubtedly the same as the passage opened during the "KC Cup". Because of this, after experiencing the relevant events back then, the seahorse was prepared and its years of research results finally came into play.

"Ta-da! Ta-da!"

"Portal Gun!"

Mimicking the sound effects of "Doraemon," Hayato picked up a device that had been moved nearby—a strangely shaped pistol. However, instead of a muzzle, the front of it resembled a three-tube traffic light, and instead of a magazine, there was a container filled with an unknown liquid on top. Overall, it looked less like a gun and more like a supermarket checkout scanner.

"...Okay, actually I feel it's more like the one from 'Rek and Modi'." Hayato picked up what appeared to be yet another infringing work from Haima Group, made a sarcastic remark, and instead of starting it up immediately, glanced at the weapon beside him.

The "pistol" was used in conjunction with a calibration device. Compared to the lightweight gun itself, the machine looked much bulkier and had a long cable that connected to the Duel Academy's circuit network, which had been urgently repaired.

"I thought the equipment from Haima Group would use a more advanced power supply solution." The person operating the instrument was none other than Misawa Kaimi, who had learned a lot about dimensions from Dr. Bein Stein, while Saotome Rei, who wanted to help Judai, was assisting him. "So it turns out it just uses electricity directly?"

“Thanks to the power station on Academy Island, electricity is the most convenient, abundant, and stable energy source we can obtain,” Misawa said without looking up, his hands still manipulating the equipment to calculate something. “You have to understand that this ‘singularity’ isn’t something that ends once it’s opened. We must also solve the problem of how to bring back the people from that place while we’re at it.”

“Since this ‘dimensional fluctuation’ is caused by the ‘ripple echo’ that occurred when that guy named ‘Yubel’ opened the portal last time, then theoretically, as long as we provide enough output, we can expand the portal and make a ‘singularity’ of the current scale reappear in the future, right?”

“It’s not that simple. Outputting such a large amount of energy at once might get more people caught in it, which is too dangerous.” Misawa rejected Rei’s idea. “But if we change our approach, instead of creating a huge ‘ripple’ all at once, we could continuously output it multiple times, causing the ripples to keep echoing…”

"You can still make 'singularities' appear, and even control the timing of their appearance relatively reliably, unlike this time when it was so rushed? I see, you're really amazing, Senior Four Arithmetic!"

"It's Misawa Daichi!"

Even if the person in question is a junior, Misawa wouldn't let them call him by the wrong name without correcting it. He said sternly, while inputting the data he had calculated into the device to synchronize it with the "portal gun" in Hayato's hand: "Hayato-sensei, the instrument has been calibrated and is now synchronizing the data. It is expected to take another minute."

Jaden asked somewhat nervously, "Won't we miss the right time because of this?"

"Don't worry about that. The 'singularity' will last for at least an hour or two, which is more than enough time to collect data, analyze and adjust, and open the dimensional gate." Misawa reassured the anxious Jaden, glancing at the energy fluctuations collected by the instrument. "However, after this 'singularity' appeared, the dueling energy in the surrounding area became quite abundant, almost like we've returned to the Pokémon world."

"Actually, it's still a little lacking. At least even when the Pokémon appear from the cards, they won't be in a materialized state like they were in the other world." Looking at the Winged Kuriboh that was comforting Jaden on his shoulder, and seeing that everyone else seemed oblivious to it, Manjoume knew that the concentration of dueling energy wasn't as exaggerated as in the Pokémon world. "However, it's actually high enough that if you get a little serious, you can materialize the cards, even if the Pokémon on the cards hasn't awakened yet."

"Speaking of which, Hayato-sensei, can duel energy also be used to open dimensional gates?" Marufuji Sho asked, remembering something.

“Of course you can. If the conditions are poor and I’m not around, you can summon your powerful monsters nearby and attack the ‘singularity.’ You might be able to force open the dimensional gate.” Hayato watched as the solution in the gun changed from green to gold, and a display screen on the gun showed the text indicating that the process was completed. “However, doing that would not only waste energy on unnecessary things, but it’s also not stable enough. You might accidentally drag in people who don’t want to enter the Spirit World.”

(The teleportation that Jaden and the others opened was stable at first, but it quickly went berserk and dragged others in.)
Upon hearing this, Judai quickly turned to look at Rei: "Rei, you should leave quickly."

"Eh~" Saotome Rei looked displeased. "But I really want to help you, Judai-sama."

"The biggest help you can give is that you don't go to another world and become an easy hostage to be caught." Hayato flicked Saotome Rei's forehead, and the latter clutched her head in pain, glaring at Hayato.

After learning of the existence of the "Expeditionary Force," she intended to join and did not want Asuka and Jaden to have a chance to be alone. However, Hayato refused her firmly because she was underage and lacked the ability to be independent, which made her very dissatisfied. She was even somewhat delighted when she heard that if the portal was opened too wide, it might pull in the people around her.

"This isn't a picnic, so listen to your teacher, okay, junior?"

Upon hearing Asuka emphasize her age in a mocking tone, Saotome Rei quickly shifted her hostility and glared at Asuka.

Raising the "Portal Gun," Hayato called out to everyone, "Alright, the weapons are now fully tested and we're about to set off—so, everyone assemble!"

After Hayato spoke, the others immediately stopped making noise or ended their rest and gathered in front of him.

Obelisk-Blue Dormitory: Jun Manjoume, Asuka Tenjouin, Fubuki Tenjouin; Taishin-Yellow Dormitory: Sho Marufuji, Daichi Misawa, Tirano Kenzan;

Judai Yuki of the Osiris-Red Dormitory, graduate Ryo Marufuji, and second-year student Ed Phoenix;
Exchange students from the branch campus: Jim Crokdal Cook, Ossin O'Brien, and Amon Garlem.

Looking at the students standing in a row in front of him, Hayato nodded: "Exactly twelve people, what an interesting number—this number signifies completeness and perfection. I hope that when we set off, there were just as many of us, and when we return, there will still be just as many of us."

"I need to remind you, Annie, that including what you gave me, there are actually thirteen people in total~" "And weren't you guys going to rescue that brat named John?" "That means there are a total of fourteen people coming back!"

"Shut up, you three!" Hayato slapped the noisy "Disruptive Brothers" away and continued, "I'm just trying to bring good luck for our departure. Of course, I, the leader, and the soldier John we're going to rescue aren't included in the team. Otherwise, according to you, if we have thirteen people in total, wouldn't there be a 'Judas' mixed in?"

"Anyway—it's time to set off." Hayato pulled the trigger without aiming at the singularity not far away. The three "light tubes" in front of the "portal gun" lit up with golden light, and the energy converted from electricity was shot into the "singularity," forcibly opening it into a passage that people could pass through.

Hayato was very satisfied with this. Although he could have simply used the card Pokémon to open the portal according to the original plot, he still went out of his way to ask Kaiba for help. It wasn't unnecessary; he wanted to get a stable portal.

(The three of them were initially opposed to returning to the Elf Realm.)

(The position is one I didn't plan to join)

In the original plot, Jaden, Manjoume, and the others forcibly opened the "Singularity" using the power of the Card Spirits. However, the portal also went berserk and dragged in some people who had no intention of entering the Spirit World. These included Sho, Misawa, and Fubuki who were standing nearby; Caesar and Edward who were just watching the show; Eiko, Amon's childhood friend who joined in voluntarily; and Professor Chronos who was completely unaware of what was happening.

(Professor Chronos: Mamma mia!)
Although such an accident did help later, it also greatly affected the morale of the team. Hayato didn't need such a shortcut. After confirming that everyone was mentally prepared before joining the "Great Expedition," he even asked Professor Chronos to drag the restless Saotome Rei away.

“Then, I’ll go first.” Having great confidence in Kaiba’s technological capabilities, Hayato naturally took the lead and stepped into the golden interdimensional portal that was suspended in the air without hesitation.

But the moment Hayato passed through the portal, Misawa's eyelids twitched, because the golden portal suddenly dimmed as if its energy was about to run out. The portal had just opened and only teleported Hayato through, and theoretically, it should have lasted for at least a few more minutes.

He hurriedly started operating the instruments, his expression serious: "Not good! For some unknown reason, the dimensional fluctuations are being interfered with. It's like a hand has reached into calm water and stirred up a eddy. The portal won't last much longer, and it seems to be affected and is shifting!"

"What!?" Manjoume exclaimed nervously upon hearing this. "If that thing suddenly disappears, won't we all suddenly die? I'm willing to sacrifice myself, but I don't want to go down in history for such a ridiculous way!"

"It's not that bad, but it's more likely that you'll be randomly thrown into some remote world and never be able to return to the human world!" Misawa solemnly confirmed the status of the portal. "Rationally speaking, my advice is not to use the portal now; it's too dangerous!"

"I'm not afraid of danger, I'm only afraid I won't be able to save John!" Hearing their words, Judai completely ignored the abnormal fluctuations in the portal and rushed over. "I must save John, even if it costs me my life!"

After Hayato, Jaden also rushed into the portal, and several more people followed suit as the portal fluctuated.

"I'm going with you, big brother!" "When it comes to courage, my dinosaur and I will never lose!" "You won't steal my moment of glory, Jaden!"

Although she couldn't outrun a few boys, Asuka was quick on her feet. After glancing at Fubuki, she followed the others without hesitation.

"What a wonderful little sister who dares to love and hate! No wonder she's from the Tenjouin family!" Fubuki winked at Caesar with a grin. Caesar glanced at his old friend and immediately walked alongside Fubuki toward the portal, with Edward following closely behind.

Jim and O'Brien exchanged a glance and rushed into the increasingly dim portal. Amon also walked in without fear. As the portal grew dimmer, Misawa, despite saying he would be rational, couldn't resist and followed them in.

The moment Misawa stepped into the portal, the portal, which had been barely holding on for so long, completely lost its light and shattered violently, spilling golden liquid all over the ground before quickly evaporating completely.

"Judai-sama."

Saotome Rei stared blankly at the spot where Jaden and the others had disappeared, while Professor Chronos stood ramrod straight with a serious expression: "Principal Hayato, Jaden, and the other students wish you all good luck in your martial arts journey and a safe return."

"You've successfully reached that other world, Amon. I'm so happy for you!" Having disembarked from the submarine and arrived on the island, Eiko used binoculars to check on the situation from afar, a look of immense joy on her face. "In this world, you were always suppressed by Sid, by your sense of responsibility and morality, by your 'god,' unable to fully unleash your 'kingly talents.'"

'But that world without Sid is different! You must become a 'king' in that world, Amon. I am here to offer you my prayers and blessings.'

Among the "expeditionary force" that received blessings from all sides, Hayato, who was at the forefront, passed through the short interdimensional passage that took only a few steps to traverse and successfully arrived in the world of the elves on the other side.

However, only one small problem troubled him—

"This is the world of elves? Yes, yes, yes. Oh no, no, no, which elf world is this?!"

Looking around, even Hayato had a bewildered expression.

Did he not go to the right world, but instead ran to the "Great Forest of Birds and Beasts" again? But I didn't see such a big castle in the forest before.

Wait, why do I feel like I've been here before? It has this strangely familiar feel to it.
FGO is so much fun—referring to the skins of Lev, Goetia, Solomon, and Roman. It wasn't Roman, which was expected; it's a bit of a shame it wasn't Goetia, but at least you don't have to pull for it.