Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

[Player Derivatives] [ATK400]

The decisive blow failed, and Baron looked at Jonouchi, who was struggling to stand but refused to fall: "You bastard!"

He was clearly knocked down, so why didn't he just lie down and accept the outcome? Why did he get up again? This guy who refuses to give up!

It only summoned a monster with an attack power of 400. With such a weak hand and an empty hand, what can it possibly achieve?

This futile struggle will change nothing, and he knows it all too well. Back then, in order to stop the demolition of the church, Baron repeatedly chased away the thugs who came to his door, but all he got in return was the church being burned to the ground.

No matter how hard you try to change the "process", the most important thing is still the "result". A "process" without "result" is simply a waste of effort!

What exactly is Katsuya Jonouchi fighting for?

For the first time, Baron doesn't view Jonouchi from the perspective of "the person that Mai likes" or "the enemy that Dartz asked him to eliminate," but rather as "his own opponent."

He suddenly had a premonition that there might be something very important about Jonouchi that he needed to know.

Unconsciously, a smile appeared on Balong's lips: "Blessing..."

Chapter 598 I hadn't thought of a title and accidentally forgot to choose one

Fully armed, Baron drew two cards from his hand: "[Armor] Monsters can only use one at a time to attack, even if it is negated, so you've escaped with your life, Jonouchi."

“But the outcome will remain the same,” Baron said firmly, glancing at the peacock dancing who was running towards him from a distance. “I will defeat you with the dance as my witness.”

"Set two cards face down, and my turn ends. Also, at the end of my turn, any Armored monsters Special Summoned by Armor Gravity will be destroyed and sent to the Graveyard."

As Baron finished speaking, his armor disintegrated instantly, leaving only a Spirit Helmet Armor with the attack symbol on Baron's head.

[Baron: 3600LP, 1 cards in hand]

[Spirit Helmet/Armor] [ATK0]

[Survival Treasure Card] [Face Card] x3

Long ago, after the end of Duel City, International Mirage and Kaiba Entertainment planned a "Banned/Limited Card List". At that time, there were many cards nominated for "Banned Cards", such as [Chaos Emperor Dragon - Messenger of the End], [Yata Crow], etc.

Although the final result was that only two cards besides "Wait" were locked in the blacklist, namely [Yata-u] and [Chaos Emperor Dragon - Messenger of the End], the then-current limited card [Heavenly Treasure Card] was almost locked in as well, as was [Survival Treasure Card] which was used by Malik in conjunction with [Regenerated Slime], and was almost unusable.

Now, after several rounds, Jonouchi has truly experienced just how powerful the [Survival Treasure Card], which was almost banned, really is. Combined with the constantly resurrecting [Armor], Baron is continuously gaining a large number of cards to squander, while Jonouchi's side is practically out of cards.

His hand and back row were empty, and the only thing on the field was a [Player Token] with only 400 attack power, which was equivalent to his base score. His efforts just now were probably nothing but a futile struggle in the eyes of anyone, let alone Baron.

However, Jonouchi thought it was not like that.

"Is the result all that matters? No, it's not like that." Raising his head, Jonouchi looked at Baron through the visor of his helmet, met his gaze, and said firmly, "Baron, in my opinion, my efforts have not been in vain."

"If we only pursue the 'result' and ignore the 'process,' it is easy for people to take shortcuts. When people take shortcuts, they may lose sight of reality and even lose their enthusiasm for why they are moving forward."

With his fingers resting on the deck, Jonouchi prepared to draw a card. "More important than the 'result' is the 'process,' the will to seek truth within the 'process'! As long as I have this will to move towards truth, no matter how many times I fail, I cannot be defeated, and I will eventually reach my goal, because I am always moving forward, and that will never be wrong!"

"In my turn, a true duelist can even create his own future in card draws!"

"Draw!"

The drawn card was casually tossed into the Duel Disk by Jonouchi: "I activate the Spell Card [Treasure of Fate]! If you think the outcome of 'you have won' has been locked by fate, then I will now defy that fate!"

A spinning die flew out from the opened [Treasure of Fate] and landed on the field, tumbling around. Jonouchi said, "The effect of this card is: roll a die, I draw a number of cards from the top of my deck according to the number rolled, and then banish the same number of cards from the top of my deck!"

The dice stopped rolling, revealing the highest possible number: six!

"Alright! Then I can draw six cards, and then banish those six cards from the top of the deck. Draw!"

He drew six cards to replenish his hand to its maximum capacity, and then banished six cards from the top of his deck, significantly reducing the thickness of his deck. Jonouchi looked down to check his hand and saw a familiar card.

Turning his head to look at the peacock maiden who had arrived not far away, Jonouchi smiled and took out the card to activate it: "Although this is a one-on-one duel, it seems that I am not fighting alone."

"Activate the Spell Card [Harpie's Feather Duster] to destroy all Spell/Trap Cards on your opponent's field! Lend me your power, Mai!"

"What?!"

Even Baron couldn't help but show a surprised expression when he saw that Jonouchi had actually drawn such a powerful card as the Harpy's Feather Duster.

The feather duster swung, creating a strong wind that swept through all four cards in Baron's back row, destroying them one by one. However, after the storm subsided, Baron was seen putting on a suit of armor.

[Active Protection - Armor] [DEF1500]

Jonouchi understood what had happened. It was the same [Magnetic Armor] from before, which chained to [Harpie's Feather Duster] to Special Summon [Active Protection Armor] from the Graveyard. It also used the effect of [Survival Treasure Card] one last time to draw a card before being destroyed.

Despite having his back row cards destroyed, Baron, now wearing [Active Protection - Armor], showed no sign of displeasure. In fact, when he looked at Jonouchi, he couldn't help but reveal an expectant expression.

It is not about pursuing the "result" but about pursuing the "process";

I prefer constant change and progress to a life without any ups and downs.

No matter how you look at it, Jonouchi seems to be a different being from Baron, but at this moment Baron only feels a strange similarity between himself and Jonouchi, and at the same time, a strange passion is being awakened in Baron's heart.

He was looking forward to seeing what kind of card Jonouchi would pull out next, and how Jonouchi would change his fate with a lifespan that was less than a fraction of his own.

As the storm subsided, Jonouchi played a card from his hand: "Here we go! I activate my Ritual Spell Card, Red-Eyes Reincarnation!"

"Tribute monsters from my hand or field until their combined Levels reach 8 or higher, or banish Red-Eyes monsters from my Graveyard as an alternative to Tribute!"

With a flick of his Duel Disk, he retrieved a Red-Eyes Black Dragon from the Graveyard, then pointed a thumbs-up at himself and declared loudly, "I release the Level 7 Red-Eyes Black Dragon from the Graveyard, and I also release myself, which is the Player Token!"

"Ritually summon this card from my hand!"

The presence of the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] transformed into raging flames and crashed down upon Jonouchi. Flames soared into the sky, and within this intense heat, Jonouchi's resolute voice rang out:

"Tearing through the darkness, burning heaven and earth to ashes, the solitary, absolute king!! All things tremble before his mighty power!!"

"Ritual Summoning! [Crimson King]!!"

Chapter 599 Rider...Red Kick!

"Ritual Summoning! [Crimson King]!"

The black dragon transformed into flames that coiled around the aura armor. In the firelight, Jonouchi, with a resolute gaze, appeared, dressed in a set of sharp, jet-black armor.

Because the design was so cool, and all he had on him at the moment were [Mental Helmet - Armor] and [Active Protection - Armor], Baron almost couldn't tell whether he or Jonouchi was the user of the [Armor] deck.

Jonouchi raised his arm, looking at the armor he was wearing.

The power of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon flowed through the armor, protecting Jonouchi inside. Jonouchi felt as if he had become one with the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.

Is that so? The darkness I was just in was actually the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]?

For some reason, Jonouchi felt this knowledge appear in his mind, and he quickly realized that the card spirit he had awakened was [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]. It was just that it had refused to show itself before, so he only realized now that [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] was his card spirit.

It seems that Red-Eyes had awakened its own consciousness a long time ago, but it had been observing Jonouchi from within its own card, since Jonouchi at that time did not have the ability to see spirits.

Compared to the radiant and proud White Dragon, Red-Eyes was more silent and pragmatic. It had always simply watched Jonouchi fight and grow, and offered its power whenever Jonouchi needed to cooperate. However, after Jonouchi awakened his spirit power, it voluntarily withdrew its power, returned to the card, and even stopped showing itself, turning into "Black Stone".

He was like a shy little girl who refused to see Jonouchi, but when he was hurt by Baron, the Red-Eyes Black Dragon took the initiative to protect Jonouchi within its own power, which was the darkness where Jonouchi had been before.

At the time, it was actually thinking of using this method to divert the target of Baron's damage and to take the damage for Jonouchi.

However, Red-Eyes never expected that its master, Jonouchi, whom it was protecting, would actually break through its protection and return to his body through sheer willpower.

It was reckless, but Red-Eyes couldn't just watch Jonouchi continue to be hurt by Baron. Fortunately, it appeared directly among the six cards Jonouchi drew with the Treasure Card of Destiny, and used the power of Red-Eyes Reincarnation to attach itself to the Aura Armor for more direct protection.

The "Red-Eyes Reincarnation" is what is "reincarnated" as the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". However, in addition to this power, a part of the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon's" memories also entered the "Red King" and were touched and understood by Jonouchi.

"I accept this power, [Red-Eyes]!"

Clenching his fist, Jonouchi felt the power of the Red Eyes—no, the Crimson King—on his body, and raised a finger to the sky.

It was exactly noon, the sun was high in the sky, and the sunlight was dazzling.

"Heaven is calling, earth is calling, and humanity is calling! Calling upon me to defeat evil!"

"I am the warrior of justice, [Crimson King] Katsuya Jonouchi!"

【Crimson King】【8☆/Flame】

[Dragon Clan/Ritual/Effect]

[2400/2100]

"Entering my battle phase, then [Crimson King] attacks [Spirit Helmet - Armor]. Here we go, Baron!" Jonouchi stomped the ground, unfurling his metallic dragon wings amidst the flying debris and leaping into the air. He assumed a flying kick stance, his target naturally the [Spirit Helmet - Armor] indicated by Baron's attack.

"It feels like it might work!"

"Tch, don't underestimate me. The target of your attack is shifting!" Seeing Jonouchi launch an attack, Baron didn't dodge or evade, instead spreading his arms to reveal his chest and the sturdy [Active Protection Armor]. "What's taking the brunt of your attack is my [Active Protection Armor] in defensive stance!"

"Red Kick!"

"The Shield of Determination to Rise Up!"

Amidst the powerful shouts of Jonouchi and Baron, [Crimson King] Jonouchi's flying kick struck Baron's [Active Protection Armor]. Baron felt an impact like a nuclear explosion, which forcefully sent him flying and crashing into the wall!

"Ooh!"

Despite possessing the power to absorb all damage, the [Active Protection Armor] shattered violently after taking a hit from the [Crimson King]. Although its base score did not decrease at all, intense pain was transmitted into Baron's body.

Using the recoil, he did a backflip back to his original position, landing gracefully in his armor. Looking at Baron who had been kicked away, he confidently said, "How about it, Baron? Did you witness the performance of [Crimson King]?"

"Even if the turn when [Active Protection - Armor] is destroyed will absorb all the damage you take, after feeling this pain now, can you still say things like 'the process doesn't matter, only the result matters'?"

"Furthermore, the effect activated when [Active Protection Armor] is destroyed will also activate the power of [Crimson King]!"

As Jonouchi finished speaking, a dragon head mark appeared on the spot where Baron had been kicked, and after moving to the location of the [Spirit Helmet - Armor] on Baron's head, it suddenly exploded!

"This is!?"

The answer to Mai's surprised question came from Jonouchi: "Once per turn, when either you or your opponent activates the effect of a Spell, Trap, or Monster other than [Crimson King], you can target 1 monster on the field and destroy that monster."

Listening to Jonouchi's explanation, the unarmored Baron leaned against the wall and stood up, unable to help but glance at his hands: "My hands are trembling!?"

"Am I getting weaker because I'm afraid?"

Baron could sense that the flying kick from Jonouchi was no ordinary attack. There must have been something else attacking him that he didn't have, and it was that kind of power that sent him flying.

"Well done, Jonouchi!" From the sidelines, Mai, though unsure of the exact effects of Baron's [Armor] deck, was pleased to see Jonouchi's attack go so far as to cheer him on.

As he watched the peacock dance cheering for the city, Baron's trembling fingers paused and then clenched tightly.

"I see, I understand now. Katsuya, I understand where the difference lies between us."

'You're fighting me amidst friendships and bonds that I see as a burden, and how can I, all alone, possibly withstand it?'

“I finally understand, Jonouchi, why Mai is so devoted to you. After our duel, I finally understand.” Looking at Jonouchi, Baron said firmly, “You possess a quality that neither I nor Mai have, and that is what distinguishes us.”

"Fear? No, after realizing the truth, I'm experiencing a long-lost excitement! This is the first time I've felt this way since I started playing Duel Monsters. You've shown me how to have fun, Jonouchi!"