Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Why are you talking like we're already dead? And why is it so strange when it comes to me? It's like Baron and I have some kind of shady relationship," Jonouchi complained.

Marufuji Ryo's narration is even worse than that of the boy named John from before; omitting it is still better than that kind of gay-sounding description.

"I heard someone saw you and Mr. Pegasus here, Mr. Jonouchi. I thought it was fake news, but it turns out it's true?"

Marufuji Ryo still had an incredulous expression, while Jonouchi scratched his head after hearing his words: "That is indeed fake news, don't worry about that kind of thing."

"No, you may not care, but I care a lot!" Malik said excitedly, looking at Hayato beside him. "Brother-in-law, you definitely tricked me just now, didn't you! You called me saying things like 'The wind is quite noisy today' and 'There's a discount on potato chips downstairs' to lure me down, and then I was surrounded as soon as I stepped out of the elevator. You definitely tricked me!"

"Why did you just stand by and watch while I was being harassed by those disobedient bastards? Aren't we comrades?"

"Ah, that," Hayato said, gazing into the distance. "It's a little embarrassing to say, but it's all mistakes I made when I was young."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Just as Malik was relentlessly trying to borrow money from Hayato to buy a new motorcycle, Baron returned late after the duel, carrying a large bowl of peanuts and melon seeds.

As he walked, he asked Jonouchi with a hint of doubt, "Hey Jonouchi, are you sure this stuff will let me get my money's worth? I've never been to school, so don't try to fool me."

"Stop asking, Baron. If you keep asking, you'll completely become a comedian. Although I did tell you to eat more shellfish, you might as well drink a dozen kilograms of soda instead." Jonouchi was a little embarrassed and changed the subject. "By the way, you said before that this kid was a disciple of Uncle Samejima's dojo? It's a pity that Hayato won the duel."

Baron shrugged: "Yeah, not surprising at all. And I guess the duel will either involve Hayato releasing his own monster to recover his Life Points, forcibly using someone else's monster, or releasing his own monster to deliver the final blow."

"Well, apart from the last point, the other two are indeed true." Jonouchi scratched his head, looking at Baron with some confusion. "But is that all? Aren't you worried about how this kid will feel after losing the duel?"

"Why should I care about his feelings?" Baron asked, somewhat puzzled by Jonouchi's question.

Jonouchi looked at Baron and then at Marufuji Ryo, and said, "Although you two do look very different and your personalities are quite different, your voices sound exactly the same. Aren't you long-lost brothers or something?"

"Right, Hayato?"

Jonouchi turned around and asked Hayato, only to see Hayato holding up a sign with the ambiguous meaning of "Kou-chan. NTR" as a response to him.

“Ah, speaking of brothers, Marufuji, you’d better go back right away,” Baron said casually. “When I went to get the food just now, I observed the group of kids we brought. It seems that because neither of us were there, quite a few of them started arguing. We need to go over there and take care of them.”

“Especially your brother, he keeps telling other people that ‘Electronic Flow’ is involved in fraud and child trafficking. If it weren’t for your sake, I would have to teach him a lesson. Even though I’ve only been a member of ‘Electronic Flow’ for a short time, I still can’t stand the kid saying those things.”

Upon hearing this, Marufuji Ryo put away the pen and paper he had taken out at some point to ask for an autograph, and said seriously, "Sho? You don't need to worry about me, just discipline him directly. And since you've already noticed, why don't you go over there?"

Baron glanced at the cheap digital watch on his wrist and said somewhat guiltily in a low voice, "There's still more than half an hour left for lunch, we can't waste it—I understand, let's go together!"

Under Marufuji Ryo's stern gaze, which seemed capable of killing, Baron quickly changed his tune.

Chapter 859 Was it intentional or accidental?

Because of the news brought by Baron, Marufuji Ryo couldn't bother asking Hayato, Pegasus, and the others for autographs, and had to leave the buffet restaurant with Baron and head out of the hotel.

Based on the principle of "beating the child on a rainy day - since we're idle anyway," and considering that the group was traveling independently without the restrictions of a fixed departure time and destination tour group, the gamers enthusiastically joined in the fun.

Meanwhile, Jonouchi took the opportunity to ask Baron about his doubts.

"Why would I choose to join 'Cyber ​​Stream'? The thing is, I don't know anything else besides Duel Monsters."

Since he could no longer eat at the buffet, Baron still took a tiny cup of ice cream with him before leaving the restaurant. Although it was winter, considering that he hadn't gotten his money's worth from this meal, Baron swallowed the ice cream while shivering and answered Jonouchi somewhat incoherently.

“…If you eat any more, your stomach will definitely hurt like hell.” Even Jonouchi, who also came from a poor background, was speechless at Baron’s words and said helplessly, “That’s not what I meant. I was saying that there are so many industries where you can use your dueling abilities. America, as the region where ‘Duel Monsters’ first became popular, also has many dueling styles. Why did you choose ‘Cyber ​​Style’?”

From Jonouchi's gaze, Baron could tell that he seemed very interested in the answer to this question. And it wasn't just Jonouchi; Honda and Kyoko, who were standing nearby, also leaned closer with a bit of gossip. Even Marufuji Ryo, who was walking ahead and concerned about the current situation of the "Electronic Flow" disciples, seemed to slow down a few steps after hearing Jonouchi's question.

"Ahem, need I say more? You should know me, right? I've always pursued a peaceful life like a plant, so the most suitable job for me is one that can be stable for a long time, unchanging and without any waves."

Baron cleared his throat twice, his expression serious and righteous, "Although there are many dueling styles in America for me to choose from, the most powerful and promising one is undoubtedly 'Electron Stream.' And there's an old saying in the East, 'Wei Junjie of Western Matter—'"

“It’s ‘Those who understand the times are the heroes,’” Jonouchi corrected.

“That’s not important. What’s important is that I have high hopes for ‘Electronic Flow’ and believe that in the distant future, ‘Electronic Flow’ will definitely surpass all other dueling styles of the same era and become the perfect, strongest, and invincible existence.” Baron showed a rather excited expression. “This is a professional judgment I made based on my own dueling skills.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Baron breathed a sigh of relief after noticing that Marufuji Ryo's pace had returned to normal. However, judging from Jonouchi's expression, he seemed to have taken Baron's words seriously.

Hayato leaned closer to Baron and whispered, "Even if you're going to flatter someone, at least try to do it subtly, right? Only Marufuji Ryo, being a kid, didn't notice. I'm asking you, would anyone else believe what you just said?"

“Nobody believes me, and I don’t believe it either,” Baron said in a low voice, spreading his hands helplessly. “If it were you, you would understand. Although I do want to be an ordinary office worker, I don’t really want to grovel before those who are clearly inferior to me, or even have to bow humbly when I call them to ask for leave.”

"Even if I were to join a dueling school, I wouldn't want to join a weak one. No matter how high the salary is, there will be a lot of trouble and it might be shut down and swallowed up any day."

Upon hearing this, Hayato glanced at Baron and said, "Judging from what you're saying, it seems you considered other schools before joining 'Electronic Stream,' and it appears you even dueled with Samejima? What was the result?"

Upon hearing Hayato mention the duel with Samejima, Baron rolled his eyes at him and said irritably, "That guy called it 'Cyber ​​Style,' but it's completely different from what I know about 'Cyber ​​Style.' He just used cards like [Cyber ​​Summoning Demolitionist] and [Necromantic Temptation]... And then, you know the result, right?"

The Cyber ​​Summoner deals 300 effect damage to the opponent's duelist each time a Machine-Type Machine is successfully Special Summoned. This card appeared in Samejima's deck during the Duel Kingdom arc, where Samejima dueled Hayato and caused him considerable trouble.

The "Temptation of the Necromancer," also known as "The Temptation of the Father of Ultra," is a card that Hayato dropped after his duel with Samejima. Its effect is that each card sent to the graveyard causes the holder to lose 300 Life Points. It seems that Samejima also used it in his deck.

On the surface, these two cards don't seem to deal much damage in a single hit, but the problem is that both cards are continuous traps that will remain on the field for a long time. In the Duel Kingdom duel, Hayato almost lost and was defeated by slowly chipping away at his health if he hadn't brought along [Material Dragon].

Baron's situation was even worse, since Hayato knew that the deck he was using was an "Armor" deck made up entirely of Machine-Type monsters, and that the main strategy was to Special Summon a large number of cards from the deck like fake cards, and then send them to the Graveyard and revive them in large numbers. This resulted in a lot of Special Summonings and sending a large number of cards to the Graveyard.

If Samejima uses two stickers (Spell/Trap Cards that remain on the field), and Baron activates a [Armor Gravity] combo but fails to destroy Samejima in one go, he will lose up to 1800 Life Points in one turn. Even under the 4000 LP rule, or the 8000 LP rule, such damage would still be very painful.

What angered Baron even more was the conversation he had with his opponent after the duel—

"Didn't you say you were playing a pure Cyber ​​Dragon deck? Where's the Cyber ​​Dragon?! I haven't seen it at all! Are you Hayato Kobayashi?!"

"Oh, I see. I removed most of the Cyber ​​Dragons from the deck, but I kept some."

"These are the cards you intentionally kept?" Baron questioned, pointing to the string of red trap cards in Samejima's deck, which was as thick and red as a New Year's red envelope, and feeling like he was about to faint.

"Well, I think only by keeping this part can you know that I'm using a Cyber ​​Dragon deck."

Was it intentional or accidental?

"It was intentional~"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Samejima, he really is still the same as before." Hayato said sullenly, looking at Baron who was gritting his teeth because he was tormented by painful memories.

While they were talking, the group had already arrived at the open space outside the hotel. As soon as they stepped outside, they saw a large group of children in uniform gathered in the parking lot not far away. The children were of different ages, ranging from teenagers to teenagers and children as young as six or seven. The most eye-catching one was a child with unusual short, bluish-green hair.

Before he even got close, Hayato heard the kid confidently telling the others, "If you ask me, 'Cyber ​​Stream' is no different from other schools of thought. They're all just focused on making money. They think that coming to Egypt to experience the long history of Duel Monsters will improve their dueling skills? Who believes that? I haven't seen many legendary duelists who are Egyptian."

"To be honest, those who understand this matter understand it, and those who don't, you won't understand even if I explain it, so it's better not to say anything. Don't come to me asking what happened, because the interests involved are too great, and it won't do you any good to explain. Just pretend you don't know anything. All I can say is that this is a very complicated matter, involving many important figures. It's very difficult for you to find detailed information yourself, as most of it has been deleted from the internet. So all I can say is that those who understand understand, and there's nothing I can do for those who don't."

There were two slightly older boys, around fifteen or sixteen years old, next to the kid. After hearing his words, they said with some disdain, "What do you know, kid? 'Electronic Flow' is different from other styles. I used to join the 'Psychic Flow' dojo. They also charge money, but unlike 'Electronic Flow,' they don't give out cards to apprentices like us."

Upon hearing this, the green-haired brat arrogantly snorted and said, "I don't understand? Have I ever told you my name? My name is Marufuji Sho, the Marufuji from Marufuji Ryo."

"I'm a very low-key person, don't tell anyone about this." He instructed the kids his age who were surrounding him, but the kid named Marufuji Sho shouted, "Don't tell anyone, Marufuji Ryo is my brother!"

As he spoke, a smug smile appeared on his face, as if he was very pleased with the gazes of others he was enjoying, gazes full of envy and admiration.

"Marufuji? You mean Marufuji Ryo is your brother?" The boy was stunned upon hearing this, then exchanged a glance with his companion and whispered, "Is what he said true? That Marufuji Ryo who is said to be the biggest genius to emerge from 'Electronic Stream' in recent years? The one who graduated at the age of nine and obtained the [Electronic Terminator Dragon], and who is one of the Marufuji Ryos who is in charge of our team this time?"

"Even Marufuji Ryo's younger brother said so, could there be some inside story behind 'Electronic Flow' that we don't know about?"

"It's hard to say. I'm a little skeptical of that guy, but his brother is that Marufuji Ryo." One of them seemed to have joined Marufuji Ryo when he was still at the "Electronic Stream" dojo and knew about his performance back then. "Since he's Marufuji Ryo's brother, he should know the inside story, right?"

"So, does that mean there's some inside story behind this training trip?" Hearing their companions say this, a few of the older boys said somewhat angrily, "The idea that you can more clearly touch the brilliance of 'electron flow' by sensing the traces left by time—I felt something was off about that before. It really is just a gimmick to scam money."

"Exactly, they've completely deceived our feelings. I'm so disappointed!"

"Damn it, give me my money back!"

"Is that your younger brother?" Jonouchi pointed to Marufuji Sho, whose hair color stood out from the others' black and blond hair, and said to Marufuji Ryo, "He looks quite young, seven years old?"

“No, Sho is already ten years old this year, but he seems to have developed a little late and looks a bit short now.” Marufuji Ryo said calmly, looking at Marufuji Sho surrounded by a group of peers in the distance, and frowned. “But why would he say those things to others? There’s no inside story at all.”

"He actually spread rumors about 'Electronic Flow,' but wasn't it him who begged his parents to join the Duel style and learn Duel Monsters like me?"

Having clearly heard Marufuji Sho's slander, Marufuji Ryo couldn't understand his purpose at all, and a genuine expression of anger appeared on his face.

"That's just how some people are. When they see someone else's excellence, they don't think about trying to catch up; they're just jealous of the other person's strength and want to drag them down. When they have something that others don't, even if they don't have the means, they'll actively create unnecessary conditions to show it off to others," Hayato said casually, looking at Marufuji Sho, who hadn't yet noticed the group's arrival.

"Oh, didn't you hear me? I couldn't stand my brother's words and actions anymore and just left."

Marufuji Sho stood in the crowd, watching as he easily stirred up the "Electronic Flow" disciples around him with just a few words. He chuckled to himself with a sense of smug satisfaction, but then he suddenly noticed that their gazes were suddenly focused on one spot, looking towards the area behind him.

Just as they were about to say something, a voice suddenly rang out from behind them: "If you have anything to say, go talk to Mr. Baron. He's the person in charge. It's no use talking to me."

The familiar voice made Marufuji Sho falter instantly. He stiffly turned around and saw that it was indeed his older brother, Marufuji Ryo, behind him. He stammered, "Brother...brother?!"

"Um, I—"

"I don't know what your reasons are, Sho, but don't say any more." Looking at Sho Marufuji, Ryo Marufuji's eyes were very complicated, but in the end they turned into coldness and calmness. "Since you also want to become a duelist and have taken the initiative to join 'Cyber ​​Stream', then answer me with a duel."

"Show me your Duel Disk and Deck, and then tell me your reasons for using my name to spread rumors and incite others!"

"Duel!"

With a powerful shout, Marufuji Ryo drew his card and prepared for the duel before Marufuji Sho could react.

Marufuji Ryo's sudden appearance and his abrupt challenge to a duel with Marufuji Sho, who seemed to be his younger brother, instantly silenced the previously noisy crowd. The dozen or so "Electronic Stream" disciples present looked at the cold-faced Marufuji Ryo, unsure of what was going on.

Looking at his brother, who seemed to have heard his earlier words and was angry, Marufuji Sho was no longer the arrogant and smug person he had been in front of others. With trembling hands, he took out his deck and inserted it into the Duel Disk, connecting it with Marufuji Ryo's Duel Disk, and at the same time, his Life Points lit up.

"D, Dule." Overwhelmed with fear, Marufuji Sho even mispronounced the words.

[Ryo Marufuji: 4000LP, 5 card in hand]

[Marufuji Sho: 4000LP, 5 cards in hand]

Chapter 860 We can't beat them, how can we fight them?

"I'll go first, draw a card!"

Marufuji Ryo's words startled Marufuji Sho, because he actually saw his brother, who was using the Cyber ​​Dragon deck, draw another card after drawing five cards from his hand, thus gaining the first turn. Isn't the Cyber ​​Dragon deck more advantageous when going second?

Marufuji Sho didn't understand, but that didn't stop Marufuji Ryo from starting his turn.

"Activate the Spell Card [Time Capsule], banish one card from my Deck face down." After retrieving a card from his Deck and banishing it into his pocket, Ryo Marufuji calmly stated, "[Time Capsule] will be destroyed during my second Standby Phase after activation, and the banished card will be added to my hand."

"Next is this card, which Normal Summons [Primal Cyber ​​Dragon] and activates the Equip Spell Card [Shield Slam] to equip [Primal Cyber ​​Dragon]."

On the field, the prototype of the [Cyber ​​Dragon]—the [Primal Cyber ​​Dragon]—which was connected by cables, appeared. Its attack power increased after being equipped with the [Shield Slam] equipment card.

[Original Electro Dragon → Electro Dragon] [ATK1100 → 2100]

"【Original Cyber ​​Dragon】is an incomplete 【Cyber ​​Dragon】. If 【Cyber ​​Dragon】is a recognized apprentice of 'Cyber ​​Flow', then 【Original Cyber ​​Dragon】is like an apprentice like you who hasn't been granted permission yet, Sho. This card is more suitable for dealing with you."

After entering the duel, despite being very angry, Ryo Marufuji, as before, forced himself to calm down in order to "respect the duel" and "respect his opponent." However, the duel with Hayato also affected him to some extent, leading him to take the initiative and attack first.

"While it is face-up on the field, the card name of [Primal Cyber ​​Dragon] is used as [Cyber ​​Dragon]. Although its ATK is lower than that of the full [Cyber ​​Dragon], [Shield Slam] is a card that can only be equipped to Normal Summoned monsters. It can increase the ATK of [Primal Cyber ​​Dragon] by 1000 points and reduce the battle damage it has dealt to me to 0."

"In other words, the [Primal Cyber ​​Dragon] is almost equivalent to a normal [Cyber ​​Dragon], so attack and defeat him, Marufuji Sho!" Having said this, Marufuji Ryo's eyes, when he looked at his younger brother, had completely abandoned all emotion. "Let me see your reliance, your own reliance besides me!"