Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Looks like you've regained consciousness, Amon Garlem?" O'Brien stepped forward, examining Amon who appeared unharmed. "What happened to you? Why did you disappear? Why did you become like that? And why did you attack us?"

“Don’t ask him so many questions right now, Bro~” Jim patted O’Brien on the shoulder, signaling him not to rush him, and stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with him to ask Amon, “Right now, there should only be one focus. Amon Garlem, is what happened to you related to Professor Cobra—Professor Klaus Wallis?”

Amon nodded. Although he didn't understand how he got here, he roughly recalled and gave an answer: "Although I'm not very clear about what happened in between, I'm sure that the last part of my memory is when Klaus Wallis—that is, Professor Cobra—was entangled with me in a fight, and I was hit by a force and lost consciousness."

"What was hit was my deck. In a daze, I could feel that my cards seemed to have their own consciousness and were forcibly stuffed into my body. Until just now, I had been feeling like I was trapped in a crowded little dark room."

“That makes sense then.” Manjoume finished packing up his deck and stepped forward, saying, “I thought that ‘King of Mist’ was some kind of foreign spirit, but it turns out it’s your own card? I’ve heard Hayato-sensei talk about being backfired on by your own spirit before, and now I’ve actually seen a real-life example of it—although there was some external interference involved.”

"It was probably that force that forcibly awakened the spirit in your card, and then used some means to forcibly trap your spirit into your body, which led to you losing consciousness and being controlled by the spirit, becoming a puppet-like existence."

Manjoume's casual attitude in mentioning elves as if it were water made Amon feel rather awkward. After all, even though he had experienced being controlled by elves, he was still just an "ordinary person" like O'Brien, Jim, and many others who could not see elves. He touched his body and said, "But now, I no longer feel the sensation of an elf trapped inside my body."

"Of course, because I, Manjoume, personally drove away the spirit for you." Pointing to himself proudly, Manjoume had the right to be arrogant. "Don't worry, there won't be any aftereffects. Although I did make the [Dragon King of Light and Darkness] exert a bit more force, at most it will just make your muscles sore."

“The one who’s really in trouble… is me.” As soon as he finished speaking, Manjoume raised his wrist, revealing the “Death Bracelet” that was always glowing.

Although the Duel Energy in the Duel Disk, which had shielded him from the effects of the "Death Gloves" many times, had been continuously collected, the expenditures were ultimately greater than the incomes. After this duel, the Duel Energy in Manjoume's Duel Disk was finally exhausted. Manjoume had already sensed that he was still able to stand normally thanks to the last remaining Duel Energy.

As Manjoume raised his wrist, the duel energy in his duel disk was completely depleted. The power of the "Death Gloves," which Professor Cobra had already turned up to its maximum when he discovered Jaden and his group, began to absorb Manjoume's stamina. In just a breath, he was forced to kneel on one knee in a rather disheveled state, unable to stand up.

“Death Gauntlet!” Amon glanced at his hand instinctively, and seeing his empty wrist, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Luckily, I took it off during Principal Hayato’s duel, and Professor Cobra didn’t put it back on me.”

"Principal Hayato's duel?" Jim and O'Brien helped Manjoume up, one on each side. Jim was curious when he heard Amon's words.

"This isn't the time to talk about that. If I'm not mistaken, you're not the only ones here, are you?" Amon looked around, recognizing this forest as the underground forest he had visited before, and said seriously to the three people in front of him, "I'm not the only one being controlled by Professor Cobra. I'll go with you. We must stop Professor Cobra and that Pokémon with him as soon as possible!"

Chapter 1713 The Knight of Hatred

"I wonder how Manjoume and the others are doing." As they walked toward the entrance to the underground laboratory, Judai suddenly said, "I hope he can get along well with O'Brien."

"It's hard to say. After all, Manjoume is always arrogant and looks down on everyone else as an equal."

Hearing Asuka's words, John had a different opinion: "I think Manjoume is alright. Although he looks like a hedgehog and is hard to approach, he is actually a very easy person to understand, isn't he? As long as you call him 'Mr. Manjoume,' he becomes very easy to talk to."

“…That’s undeniable.” Asuka smiled helplessly. “But I guess, John, you believe in Manjoume as much as Judai does, not just because he, like you and Judai, can see the existence of spirits, right?”

"Hey, because I think that people who have the ability to see spirits naturally possess talents that surpass others, and naturally also have corresponding responsibilities and virtues." John scratched the back of his head a little embarrassedly, a naive smile on his face, after Asuka saw through him.

“However, saying that Manjoume is easy to deal with is only true in normal times. When it comes to crucial moments, Manjoume is actually quite reliable. The reason he keeps targeting O'Brien is simply because O'Brien used to study under Professor Cobra, whom we are looking for this time.” Judai paused and then said, “But I believe that O'Brien is not one of Professor Cobra’s people, and Jim will also persuade the two of them, so it shouldn’t come to a fight.”

"You're so confident in Jaden after just one duel with Obryan?" Asuka asked, puzzled. "I watched that duel, didn't I? But all I saw was Obryan using his blood-burning tactics to destroy your monsters, Jaden."

"Appearances may be one thing, but I could feel O'Brien's burning heart during the duel, which is enough to prove that he is by no means a bad person."

Asuka shook her head helplessly as she looked at John and Judai, one who believed that "anyone who can see spirits must be a good person" and the other who firmly believed that "anyone with such a burning fighting spirit cannot be a bad person."

She didn't refute Jaden. After all, Duel Monsters are such mysterious things. Not to mention others, didn't she herself quickly become close friends with Jaden after a duel?

—Although it has been two years since they became 'good friends', which is a long time, Asuka has recently been restless and wants to take her relationship with Jaden a step further, stimulated by Rei Saotome.

Thinking about it that way, if John Anderson weren't here, wouldn't it be a "date" between me and Judai?!

Ugh! What time is it? Asuka, why are you thinking about all this nonsense? Everyone here is busy trying to resolve the "exposing duel" issue—you, why are you only thinking about yourself?!

Shaking her head, Asuka tried to shake off the inexplicable thoughts that had welled up in her mind, but looking at Judai with her arm around John, Asuka felt a little jealous. Before, she thought the biggest threat was that precocious little girl, Saotome Rei, but the speed at which Judai's relationship with John Anderson, whom she had known for less than a year and whose total communication time had not even reached a week, had improved was a bit too rapid.

And was it just my imagination? I even had the feeling that among the three of us standing together, I was the third wheel? I was clearly there first!

No, it's an illusion. Yes, it definitely is.

Thinking of this, Asuka quickened her pace and walked to Judai's side.

Although the underground forest was vast, the Jadens were not slow walkers. After walking for a while, they successfully reached the entrance to the underground laboratory in the central area of ​​the forest, but they had to stop there.

The reason was simple: the entrance to the underground laboratory was completely sealed off by a raised steel gate, refusing entry to anyone. The group of Judai and his companions, who had come from the short bridge in front of the entrance, looked around for a long time but couldn't find anything like a combination lock, fingerprint recognition, or facial scan that could open the door.

"Any news from Miss Saotome, Judai?" John asked Judai from the tree branch below, having climbed up to a higher point but still finding nothing suspicious above the entrance gate.

“Rei said that there were no gates or mechanisms in the original design of this place, and even when the Kaiba Corporation came here to re-evaluate the geology, it was not modified.” Judai shook his head and said helplessly, “So if I’m not mistaken, it was Professor Cobra who made the modifications and added the gates later.”

"Damn it, they actually did this in a place like this. It's obvious that guy already discovered we've entered, so he's avoiding a fight."

Hearing Judai's words, Asuka comforted her, "There must be a way to open this place. Or we could try having O'Brien restart the power. Some electronic doors can be opened this way, right?"

“If all else fails, we can go back to O’Brien. He has a lot of explosives—although I think the idea that mercenaries always carry a lot of explosives is a bit of a stereotype.” John climbed down from the tree, offering his opinion and adding a sarcastic remark.

Just as the two finished speaking, before Jaden could say anything, another male voice suddenly rang out: "That's impossible. This door seems to be made of some kind of special alloy. Pure explosions simply cannot penetrate it, nor can they be done using methods like the thermal jet of an armor-piercing projectile. Even laser cutting might not be able to open it."

"Who goes there?!" Upon hearing this, Judai suddenly looked warily towards the direction of the voice. "There are other people here besides us? Could it be—"

“No, that’s not Professor Cobra. Their voices are completely different.” Asuka shook her head. “Besides, even though it’s a course that only starts in the second year, we’ve been listening to it for a year already. Don’t you recognize that’s our teacher’s voice?”

"The instructor of the Duel Construction course - Mr. Koji Sato".

"Clap, clap, clap..." While clapping his hands, the young teacher wearing glasses, Koji Sato, emerged from the woods in a different direction from the path that the Jadens had taken. He smiled and said to Asuka, "Although it was a course limited to the second year and became an elective course that was not mandatory in the third year, it is very gratifying that you still remember your teacher, Tenjouin-kun."

"It was actually a teacher I knew! What a relief!"

John was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Asuka, still with a serious expression, questioning the appearing teacher, Koji Sato: "But, teacher, you still haven't told us why you're here!"

Although they recognized the person who appeared as a teacher, neither Asuka nor Jaden lowered their guard. After all, they had experienced what happened at Daitokuji Temple and knew that even teachers in the school could not be completely trusted—even though in the end, Daitokuji Temple did not harm Jaden and the other students.

This is an abandoned SAL research institute, and the underground forest is located quite deep inside. Not to mention that this entrance leads to an even deeper underground laboratory. When we arrived at this locked entrance in order to track Professor Cobra, Professor Koji Sato, who should have been at the school, also inexplicably appeared here. How could we not be suspicious of him?

“An interesting question, like asking a student going to the cafeteria if they’re going to eat. This is a research institute, right? Even though it’s abandoned, it’s still a fairly spacious institute where people can conduct their own experiments.” Koji Sato pushed up his glasses and said, “Naturally, I also conduct my own dueling experiments here, starting a year ago after this place was abandoned.”

"It started so long ago?" Since Professor Cobra only came to the Duel Academy headquarters this semester, Jaden subconsciously lowered his guard against Professor Sato Koji in front of him. "Teacher, you really love dueling."

After all, being a teacher at the Duel Academy is not an easy job, and Koji Sato even uses his spare time to conduct dueling experiments, so there is probably no other reason than his love for it.

"Of course, I have dedicated my entire life to dueling."

"Yeah, yeah, duels are just that fun, aren't they?" Jaden nodded in agreement. Why hadn't he ever thought of himself as being so similar to Mr. Sato before? It probably wasn't because he always slept in class, right?

“I see. I’m sure now. Sato-sensei isn’t a bad person.” Judai suddenly gave Asuka and John a thumbs up. “Because he also loves dueling.”

"Is that really the case? But my girlish intuition tells me that you, Sato-sensei, are definitely holding back something!" Even though Judai acknowledged Sato-sensei's opinion, Asuka still rationally pressed on, "If you've been conducting dueling experiments here since a year ago, then, Sato-sensei, do you know the whereabouts of Professor Cobra—that is, Professor Klaus Wallis?"

Upon hearing Asuka's words, Professor Sato did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked disappointed and said, "While I do not agree with Professor Klaus Wallis's philosophy of sacrificing many others to promote the growth of a few, why give a teacher a nickname like 'Professor Cobra'? It seems you've picked up a bad habit too, Tenjouin-kun."

Turning his head to stare at Judai, Koji Sato's eyes were filled with obvious disgust: "This is all because of you, Judai Yuki. You're still spreading the 'plague' in the academy. As expected, I still hate you."

"Waaah, why are you making it sound so harsh? I actually felt like I got along pretty well with you, teacher." Judai seemed quite hurt by Sato Koji's words, then sniffed his arm. "And 'plague' and stuff... (sniffs)... I can't smell anything, can I?"

“Something’s not right, Judai.” At that moment, John gently nudged Judai’s arm, gesturing for him to look at the same spot on Sato Koji’s arm. “That spot, I don’t know if I’m seeing things, Judai, do you see anything?”

Upon hearing this, Judai looked at Sato Koji's arm and noticed that outside the Duel Academy's teacher uniform, something seemed to have stuck to him while he was walking through the forest; a dark, unsightly object was pressed tightly against Sato Koji's arm.

"Is that... a scar? Or a clump of mud? Or does it look a bit like fragments of some kind of armor?"

Hearing Judai's mutterings and John's words, Asuka asked in confusion, "Is there something on Sato-sensei's arm?"

"Asuka, can't you see it?" Jaden asked, puzzled, then suddenly realized something. "Could it be... that's some kind of spirit too?"

"But there's no time to worry about that now, Sato-sensei, let's talk later. Right now, we need to figure out how to get through this door, find Professor Cobra, and stop the 'exposing the duel.' So, sensei, you—"

Jaden stopped talking because Koji Sato was raising his right hand, revealing the "death gauntlet" he was wearing under his sleeve: "I wear that thing too."

"Huh!? Teacher, you don't have to worry about being expelled or anything, so why are you wearing that thing?" John was a little confused, but because he was worried that if the other person stayed here, he might not know what had happened in the academy recently, so he kindly reminded him, "But Teacher Sato, you have to be careful, you absolutely can't duel. I don't know if you received Professor Chronos's group notification, but the 'exposing duel' has become quite dangerous now."

"Unfortunately, sometimes the world doesn't change according to people's wishes. People without talent can't become stronger even if they want to climb up, while people without talent squander their talents; people who strive to improve are held back by one trivial matter after another and can't move forward, while people who are alone are content to stay in the same place."

Speaking in a way that was hard to understand, after hearing John's advice, Koji Sato actually took out a duel disk and put it on. "Even if I refuse all the duel challenges I will encounter next, as long as I say one word, those of you who are still trying to persuade me to stop dueling will start to challenge me in the blink of an eye, right? Although I would also like to have a duel here."

Looking at the three people in front of him, Sato Koji first glanced at the top student of the Obelisk-Blue dormitory, Tenjouin Asuka, and then at John Anderson, the outstanding student representative from the Duel Academy North Branch. Sato Koji's gaze was fixed on Yuki Jaden, who was standing between the two. The red Osiris-Red dormitory uniform he was wearing was very eye-catching in Sato Koji's eyes.

"--That door was recently breached, and Professor Cobra prepared a new one. There is only one way to open that door, and that is to defeat me in a duel."

A look of surprise appeared on the faces of all three of them at the same time, even Asuka, who had been suspicious of Mr. Sato since the beginning, was surprised, because even she did not expect Mr. Sato to suddenly say such a strange thing.

"What... are you saying?" As if a blond-haired male protagonist had activated his Holy Word D, Jaden looked at Professor Sato in confusion. "That inexplicable setting, are you one of Professor Cobra's people? And what will happen to someone who duels while wearing this 'Death Gauntlet'? Don't you understand what we were talking about just now?!"

"I don't care what happens when we duel while wearing the 'Death Gauntlet,' whether it's me or you, Jaden Yuki." Koji Sato looked at Jaden with a calm smile that seemed to be tinged with disgust. "I'm not on Professor Cobra's side, but he seems to have done something to me, amplifying the darkness that's been suppressed in my heart. That's why I'm standing here, filled with hatred, seeking revenge on you, Jaden."

"Revenge? What kind of strange term is that?" Judai frowned. After confirming that Professor Sato Koji was not a friend or neutral party, but a real enemy standing against them, his expression became serious. "We haven't had any interaction except during class, have we? I've only been sleeping during class and haven't disturbed your lecture."

"...This is the cruelest thing you've ever done to me, Judai. Because of you, the students' spirit of learning in this school has died, their passion for learning has been buried, and even my passion for teaching has been..."

Squinting at Judai, Koji Sato's face still wore a calm smile, but it looked somewhat distorted, like a contemptuous grin, and his eyes held a murderous intent. "You will be held fully responsible for this, Judai Yuki—for your sins."

"My, sin?" Judai blinked, looking bewildered.

Chapter 1714 unfolds in a T-shape; please provide your guidance.

"Do you really want to duel with Mr. Sato?" Asuka frowned, looking at Koji Sato in front of her. "What did Judai do wrong that made Mr. Sato hate him so much?"

"Can't we just sit down and talk things over?" John paused, then shook his head. "That's what I was going to say, but it's obvious that this Mr. Sato is in a very abnormal state. Is he possessed by a card spirit? It's impossible to persuade him with simple words."

"Is he seemingly conscious, but actually mentally affected? Even so, the thought of the consequences of engaging in a 'revealing duel'..." Jaden looked at Koji Sato, who had already set up his duel disk and was waiting for him to fight, and gritted his teeth as he took out his deck. "However, there are many other people facing the threat of 'revealing duels'. Nobody knows when the power of the 'Death Grip' will be increased to the point where it can defeat people without engaging in a duel."

"I'll be your opponent, Mr. Sato. I'm going to defeat you right here. Just bear with me for a bit!"

Unfolding the Duel Disk, Jaden shouted, "Duel!"

[Koji Sato: 4000LP, 5 cards in hand]

[Yujo Judai: 4000LP, 5 cards in hand]

"Hmph, although you sound like you care about everyone else, you quickly accepted the reality that 'the duel has to take place here.' Jaden, that's your true nature, isn't it? A pure love for dueling." Koji Sato looked at Jaden with a smirk. "Or rather, you don't care about anything else and just purely love dueling."

"...Teacher, what nonsense are you talking about?" Judai frowned at Teacher Sato Koji. "Is there anything wrong with liking duels? And like you said yourself, I can't save more people if I don't defeat you, so that's why I accepted your duel!"

“I’ve never denied that there’s anything wrong with your love of dueling, Jaden. After all, it’s the essence of everything you’ve shown so far.” Koji Sato’s smile was almost a bitter one. “It’s just that it’s truly pathetic that you’ve never realized the real, underlying logic of your own behavior, has you?”

"Skipping classes, not doing homework, and spreading your listlessness to other students... that's why you did such a cruel thing."

"So, although I can't deny that I didn't perform well in class, you shouldn't hold a grudge against me for it, right, teacher?" Judai knew that what he did was indeed embarrassing and unbecoming of a student, after Sato Koji pointed out his poor performance in class. He was somewhat embarrassed and angry when he retorted to Sato Koji.

"If those with strength cannot discover the truth, the world will become quite cruel and brutal." After saying something cryptic, Koji Sato drew a card from his deck. "Hey, Judai, do you still want to open that door? Since you, using [Hero], are unwilling to take responsibility and take the initiative, then let's start the duel from my side."

"My turn, draw a card."

Seeing Sato Koji draw his card, Judai raised an eyebrow, not too concerned about losing the first move. Instead, he intended to start the duel as the next attacker, since that way, if he could unleash enough power, he could OTK his opponent in one turn and end the duel.

"The Spell Card [Reinforcement] is activated. I add one Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from my Deck to my hand. The card I chose is this one: [Scabbed Wound Knight]."

Taking a card from his deck, Mr. Sato played it out, saying, "Next, I will Normal Summon [Scabbed Scar Knight] in Attack Position."

【The Scarred Knight】【4☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

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