Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Ugh!" Hayato cried out in pain, suffering his first injury in the battle so far.

[Hayato: 4000→2000LP]

"Because the battle destroyed the monster, [Core Dual Blades] can now perform a second direct attack—"

"Before that, I activated the card!"

Dartz was interrupted by Hayato halfway through her sentence.

Hayato's backfield card opened, and a beam of red light suddenly shot towards the [Nuclear Dual Blade], which was about to launch a second attack, transforming into a collar around its neck with several grenades attached.

The card Hayato activated wasn't particularly rare, and Dartz recognized it immediately: "This is... [Destruction Wheel]?"

"The effect is to destroy one monster on the field and then inflict damage on both duelists equal to that monster's ATK..." Dartz said, a rather helpless expression on his face. "Are you really that obsessed with winning and losing, Hayato?"

"At least I don't want to lose my freedom in life." Hayato showed a resentful expression. "Because of the effect of [Destruction Wheel], your [Core Dual Blades] will be destroyed, and then both of us will suffer 7000 points of damage!"

"Now's the time! I've reached my limit. Press it now!"

Hayato pointed a thumbs-up at the collar around the neck of the [Core Dual Blade Hand], then bent it as if to press down, and the [Destruction Wheel] exploded with this action!

"boom!"

[Hayato: 2000LP → 0]

[Dartz: 4000LP→0]

Although Hayato didn't engage in any dark games, and Dartz didn't use the "Orichalcos Barrier" in this duel, the simulated impact of the 7000-point damage alone was enough to exhaust an ordinary duelist and cause them to collapse. In an instant, due to the impact of the "Destruction Wheel," Hayato and Dartz, who were standing on opposite sides, both knelt on one knee, panting heavily.

Because he had taken 2000 fewer damage than Hayato, and perhaps because he was no longer a normal life form, Dartz got up earlier than Hayato. He walked up to Hayato and extended his hand to the still-recovering Hayato: "The duel ended in a draw, Hayato. It seems I can't entrust my life to you."

"Hmph, are you trying to humiliate me, Dartz?" Hayato didn't shake Dartz's hand, but stood up with a look of resentment. "To draw in such a humiliating way is really an insult to my reputation. It's really embarrassing."

"But Dartz, I was just careless. If I go all out again, I won't lose!"

“Yes, I know that too, Hayato. But you’re not the only one who didn’t give it your all; I did too.” Dartz looked at Hayato with regret when he didn’t hold her hand, and then said, “But thanks to my duel with you, I’ve realized something.”

"Even if you lose this duel, you who come from another world, I doubt you would submit to me and join Doma. This unwavering will truly moves me. Therefore, I have changed my mind and will not force your will."

"However, if you look at the world from my perspective, you will understand the correctness of what I am doing. The world that humanity has created is wrong and must be changed. The Doma Organization is not an evil organization that acts for its own selfish desires."

Dartz extended his hand again, looking directly into Hayato's eyes: "So, join Doma, Hayato, not as my subordinate, but as my collaborator."

Faced with Dartz's renewed invitation, Hayato pondered for a moment, then slowly raised his arm, grasped Dartz's hand, and said stubbornly, "Let me make this clear beforehand: I'm just waiting for the next opportunity to take your life. I won't do anything for you."

Dartz didn't care about Hayato's words and said with a smile, "Of course, no problem, but I believe you will understand me before that."

Just as Hayato grasped Dartz's hand, he finally received a message from the system:

[Special condition {Joining the opposing faction: Dueling Dartz to a draw 1/1} completed]

[Task in progress]

[Task change completed]

[Main Quest Triggered: {I Want to Become a Yangko Star}]

[Quest Description: Immortal, with an indestructible body, and the power of "Orichalcohol"—how can Dartz possibly defeat him? He might as well join Dorma.]

[Trigger Condition: During the mission "{The Emperor is me, Hayato, and that has never changed}", complete the option to "Join the opposing faction"]

【content:

Enemy, damn it! Enemy, attack! ———Defeat the holder of the [Legendary Dragon] card 0/3

Fight them all once — Defeat the Three Musketeers of Doma 0/3

Nine Days to Become a Gangster Boss — Defeat Dartz 0/1

? ? ? ——— Defeat ? ? ? 0/1】

[Mission Reward Preview: 30000 DP, 5 UR Limited Exchange Tickets]

Yes, the current stalemate was entirely created by Hayato himself.

Hayato losing to Dartz? That's just impossible.

In fact, when Hayato appeared in front of Dartz, he received a system notification informing him that his presence had triggered the hidden condition of the quest "The Emperor is me, Hayato, and that has never changed," which had been triggered long ago.

If Hayato fights Dartz to a draw, he can change his original mission of annihilating the Doma organization to his current mission of joining the Doma organization.

Hayato remembers Dartz, who is essentially one with the power of "Orichalcos." As the darkness of the planet, "Orichalcos" was only forcibly sealed away at the end of the Doma arc thanks to the power of Yugi's pharaoh. Dartz is certainly not someone who can be killed by a Dark Game.

Dartz didn't care about the condition of "risking Dartz's life in a duel," and Hayato didn't really take it seriously either.

After all, back in Duel Kingdom, Hayato had already learned through his Dark Games with Dark Bakura that Dark Games were only good for dealing with ordinary duelists. However, when it came to dealing with Anubis, Bakura, and Dartz, who fed on darkness, a pistol might not have been as effective. At least a pistol didn't require expending energy like Dark Games.

In order to make his joining the Doma organization not seem too abrupt, Hayato even came up with a persona for himself. However, he didn't use it at all because Dartz inexplicably took a liking to him. It was only after the duel ended in a draw that Hayato reluctantly used some of the acting skills he had painstakingly put together.

However, upon reflection, Hayato realized that his weaknesses were actually quite significant. For instance, when using Destruction Wheel on Core Dual Blades, he could have chained it with Flash Absorption, thus destroying it before its attack power could be increased, resulting in Dartz being left with no chance.

For example, there is actually a Rainbow Kuriboh in your own graveyard that was previously sent there by [Famous Deduction]. Even if you don't use [Destruction Wheel], you can still Special Summon Rainbow Kuriboh after [Cyber ​​Dragon Head] is destroyed by [Nuclear Twinswords], and it will not be directly attacked.

Hayato actually left quite a few such flaws in this duel. After all, Hayato's usual habit is to dig pits for others to fall into. Even though he deliberately held back this time to achieve a draw, he still subconsciously left quite a few pits unfilled.

It's like how a player who plays Thunder Slide will subconsciously place a T when they draw a red card, a player who plays Waste 2 will habitually conjure a Water Machine and a Hundred-Headed Dragon, and a player who plays Dragon Radiance will check it whenever they see someone activate an effect—it's all become a conditioned reflex.

Hopefully, Dartz hasn't noticed these flaws.

Despite Hayato's worries, his acting was actually quite good, as it was his first time acting and he was based on his experience of being killed by Kaiba. At least in Dartz's opinion, Hayato's performance was genuine.

Hayato, who came from another world, formed a bond with the nameless Pharaoh and others, becoming his companions. Due to an accident, he went to another world and returned to the present, appearing before him. After learning that he was the leader of the Doma organization, Hayato, out of a sense of justice and to protect his companions, attacked him. In the final duel, he was willing to abandon the honor of a duelist and perish with the "Destruction Wheel" rather than join Doma.

Ah, what a radiant soul!

Who knows how many filters were applied to Dartz's gaze when she looked at Hayato from another world.

Dartz was overjoyed that Hayato was willing to join Doma. In his view, since Hayato was willing to stay in Doma, it meant that there was hope that Hayato could be persuaded by him. With more effort, he might soon be able to make Hayato understand him and truly become his comrade, working together for the new world.

Dartz believes that it was her personal charm that successfully persuaded Hayato, while Hayato joined Doma with ulterior motives, planning to give Dartz a big one someday. In the end, her feelings were misplaced.

Chapter 566 Powder! I need more powder!

Hayato's identity as a member of the Doma organization is actually quite subtle.

According to Dartz, he was the superior of the "Three Musketeers of Dorma". In the Dorma organization, Rafiru and the other two were originally second only to Dartz. Hayato was parachuted in above them. Although he did not replace Dartz, he could be considered the second-in-command of Dorma.

The problem is that Hayato is only the leader of the "Three Musketeers of Doma". The other members of the Doma organization will not obey Hayato's orders, even though he is their superior's superior. Maintaining a superficial respect is already the limit.

After all, there's a saying: "The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal, but my daughter's daughter is still my vassal..."

The second half of the sentence is not important.

Even among the "Three Musketeers of Doma," who are nominally directly under Hayato's command, Rafael and the others are not particularly enthusiastic about Hayato joining Doma.

Especially—

"Let me make this clear beforehand, I don't trust you, Hayato Kobayashi."

Inside the cabin of a small passenger plane, Ameruda sat opposite Hayato with his arms crossed, staring at Hayato with an unfriendly expression. "From any perspective, as the Duel King, you have no reason to join the Doma organization and become Dartz's subordinate. What exactly is your purpose?"

Hayato casually picked at his ear: "To correct you, my relationship with Dartz is just a partnership. He gave me this power, I joined Doma and then gave him a chance to persuade me, that's all."

As he spoke, Hayato shook a bracelet with green gemstones that was tied to his wrist.

After joining the Doma organization, Hayato, who naturally received one of the "Orichalcos Fragments" that almost everyone in the organization possessed, also received a card called "Orichalcos Barrier." The latter requires the presence of the former to activate, but despite having the ability to use "Orichalcos Barrier," Hayato had no intention of adding it to his deck.

After all, it's the infamous "whoever uses it loses" barrier. In the original work, from Grimo, a minor character in the Doma organization, to the Doma Three Musketeers and Dartz, anyone who used the [Orichalcos Barrier] was destined to lose in a duel. Even the game has fallen victim to this trick.

"Sigh~ For power, it makes perfect sense~"

Baron, sitting next to Ameruda, glanced at the "Orichalcos fragment" on Hayato's wrist and said sarcastically, "He's already the Duel King, so the reason for pursuing power is a bit too unbelievable, isn't it?"

Hayato's life so far has been thoroughly investigated by the Doma organization. He has a complete family and is well-off. As a duelist, he has become the "Duel King" and stands above almost everyone else. There is really no need for him to pursue power in his life.

The three musketeers of Doma each had their own reasons for joining the Doma organization.

Ameruda's childhood home was embroiled in a war orchestrated by Gosaburo Kaiba, the then-president of the Kaiba Corporation, who had died twice in the process, in order to test newly developed weapons. Ameruda's younger brother died in that war, and Ameruda harbored resentment towards the Kaiba Corporation and Seto Kaiba, who inherited the Kaiba Corporation.

He joined the Doma organization in order to use its power to take revenge on the Kaiba Group.

Baron was an orphan who lived alone since childhood. Once, his church was burned down, and he got into a fight and killed someone, which landed him in prison. Later, through Darz, he defeated more than 20 people in a duel and was released from prison.

While staying in the Doma organization was partly to repay Daz's kindness, it was also largely due to Baron's own easygoing nature.

As for Rafael, he, like Baron and Ameruda, was all alone. His family was lost during a sea voyage when he was a child. After the shipwreck, Rafael lived on a deserted island for several years with the card of "Guardian Ethos," a gift given to him by his younger siblings before their deaths, before being rescued. However, when he returned, he found that his family property had been seized by his relatives because of the death of his family.

Feeling lost and weary of the world, Rafiru joins the Doma organization under Dartz's guidance. He believes that Dartz can indeed create a better new world after purging humanity. In order to prevent the tragedy he experienced from happening again, he may be the only one among the Doma Three Musketeers who shares the same will as Dartz and will carry out Dartz's orders.

While Ameruda and Baron expressed their distrust and rejection of Hayato, Rafael, who was sitting to the side, remained silent. Only after Baron and Ameruda quieted down did he say quietly, "Pursuing power, huh? That's really your style, Hayato Kobayashi."

"Huh? Rafael, do you believe this guy?"

"Ah, isn't that obvious?" Seeing Baron's puzzled expression, Rafael said with certainty, as if he had seen through everything. "Think back, Baron, what kind of person is Hayato Kobayashi? Putting aside all his past actions, think back to the Duel Monster that best reveals a person's true nature. Think about what kind of person he is."

"While Kobayashi Hayato's ability and the synergy of his deck certainly contributed to his becoming the Duel King, other players like Yugi Muto and Seto Kaiba also had the potential to become the King."

"The most crucial factor in his ability to become the Duel King is his decisiveness. He is willing to give up everything for victory, even sending the Duel Monster that has made great contributions to his own graveyard."

As he spoke, Rafael shifted his gaze from Baron and met Hayato's eyes. Hayato could sense an extremely strong sense of disapproval in Rafael's gaze.

Baron recalled that Rafael was right; Kobayashi Hayato's style as a duelist was indeed that of a "profit-maximizing" person who prioritized sacrificing his own monsters.

"What do you mean?"

“Rafael means that the higher someone is, the less willing they are to come down. After all, he was willing to give up a lot to reach the position of Duel King.” Amelda seemed to understand something after Rafael’s explanation, and she had a knowing look on her face. “Although we didn’t see it directly, didn’t we hear the sounds of the Duel Monsters when we entered the palace?”

"Presumably, Kobayashi Hayato was at a disadvantage in his duel with Dartz, which is why he needs power, just as he said, to find an opportunity to defeat Dartz."

Rafiru nodded in agreement, acknowledging that Ameruda's analysis aligned with his own thoughts.

“Ah, that’s right, so I said from the very beginning that I need power, more Poom.” Hayato said, fiddling with the “Orichalcos Shard” on his wrist. “Complete suppression, no one can surpass the back of the line, that’s the aesthetic of the ‘chased’ that I admire. Power is a necessary existence.”

Ameruda narrowed his eyes upon hearing this and asked, "Even if joining the Doma Organization might mean losing the friends who stood behind you before? You know, for Lord Dartz's plan, we're going to collect a large number of powerful duelists' souls. Your friends are all indispensable and excellent resources."

"Friends? Heh, those who stand behind a king are destined to be rejected. Friends are just a hindrance; my goal is to become the strongest in the world."

Listening to Hayato's plagiarism of a certain car crash king from decades later, Raphael looked at the expression on Hayato's face. Seemingly confirming that Hayato was not lying, he sighed and said, "Is that really so? In that case, even if you and I are on the same side now, I still cannot agree with you, Kobayashi Hayato."

"However, for the sake of the organization, I will obey Lord Dartz's orders and accept your joining."

Rafael has already made his statement. As one of the three musketeers of Doma, he accepted Hayato's reasons for joining Doma. Seeing that Rafael, who is practically the leader among the three, had made his statement, Baron, who doesn't actually care too much about Hayato, naturally nodded to Hayato as well, indicating that he also accepted Hayato.

However, even though Ameruda understood Hayato's reasons for joining Doma, he still resisted Hayato's joining because he still remembered that Hayato had defeated him in a duel.

Baron noticed his dissatisfaction and jokingly advised, "Relax, Ameruda. At least Hayato has already accepted the 'Orichalcos Fragment'."