Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"It might even self-destruct at the end of this round. You spent 1000 life points just to summon such trash, Hayato Kobayashi?"

"Haven't you heard that the pinker you wear, the harder you fight? It's the same principle with Duel Monsters. Sometimes the weaker the attack power, the more dangerous it is." Hayato said, spreading his hands. "Although it's not as good as some monsters with 0 attack and 0 defense, you still need to be wary of any monster summoned with Cup Noodles."

Tenma Yagyō paused, not understanding what "cup noodles" meant, but seeing Hayato send the card "Easy Fusion" to the graveyard, he realized it. The "Easy Fusion" card, which depicted a cup of cup noodles with the "Fusion" symbol on it, was the "cup noodles" Hayato was referring to. It was quite a vivid description, to be honest.

"The Predator Plant - Pineapple Insect Eater Whale summoned by the Easy Fusion Summon is considered a Fusion Summon. If the Predator Plant - Pineapple Insect Eater Whale is successfully Fusion Summoned, I can add one Predator Plant monster or one Predator Spell Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."

"The card I'm adding to my hand is this one: [Predatory Plant - Bee Orchid Scorpion]".

By adding the card to his hand, Hayato still had six cards in his hand, even though there was an extra Fusion Monster on the field. He drew a Spell Card and played it: "Then this Quick-Play Spell Card, Predator Generate, can be used to reveal any number of Predator cards in my hand to my opponent. You can target the number of face-up monsters on your opponent's field that I have revealed."

“I reveal the Predator Plant - Bee Orchid Scorpion and the Predator Plant - Glandular Wasp from my hand, and place a Predator Counter on each of your monsters, the Predator Plant - Suppress Pluto and the Predator Plant - Despair Uranus.”

Two vines suddenly shot out from the card activated by Hayato, instantly spreading across Pegasus Night Walk's field and entangling his two monsters. Just as Pegasus Night Walk was in a state of tension, he discovered that his two monsters did not seem to be greatly affected.

The effect was not nullified, destroyed, or excluded; the attack and defense were not reduced, and even the race remained unchanged.

So, what exactly is the purpose of that predation marker? Just as Tenma Yagyō was searching for the changes in his monster, he heard Hayato continue:

"Plants are very greedy, constantly thirsting for nutrients, and vicious [predatory plants] will regard everything in front of them as nutrients to plunder and devour in order to evolve themselves."

Hayato glanced maliciously at the two monsters on the field of Pegasus Night Walk, then pointed to his own [Predatory Plant - Pineapple Insect Eater Whale], saying, "Activate the second effect of [Predatory Plant - Pineapple Insect Eater Whale]: Target one monster you control, Tribute that monster, and Special Summon one [Predatory Plant] monster from your Deck."

Tenma Yako glanced at Hayato on the field: "Are you going to unleash that monster with the really long name? Heh, you're just wasting the monster you got by trading 1000 life points. You might as well keep more life points so I can torment you a little longer."

"I'm sorry, but my Life Points are mine to use as I see fit, and that's none of your business." Hayato looked at Tenma Yagyō, who seemed to be wearing an arrogant expression, and feigned surprise. "Oh dear, I almost forgot, besides the monsters on my field, you can also Tribute monsters on your opponent's field that have Predator Counters placed on them~"

"What?!" Upon hearing Hayato's words, Tenma Yago didn't believe that he had genuinely forgotten the effects of his monster. This guy was definitely deliberately adding the effects at the end to mess with his mind. "Is that how you use the predator mark?"

"Which one should I choose? Which one should I choose?" Humming a strange tune, Hayato pointed at [Despair Uranus], "I've decided on you, that [Despair Uranus]. What level are you? You're spherical like [Ra]?"

"I release [Despair Uranus], and then I Special Summon [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Dragon] from my Deck!"

Next to the [Predatory Plant - Pineapple Insectivorous Valley Whale], another plant quickly grew. Like the [Predatory Plant - Pineapple Insectivorous Valley Whale], although it bears the name of the "Plant Tribe", the [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Plant Pterosaur] resembles an ancient pterosaur in appearance, and also conforms to the appearance of "pitcher plant", which is almost the most famous predatory plant.

[Predatory Plant - Pitcher Plant] [3☆/Dark]

[Plant Tribe/Effect]

[300/2100]

"Is the release of my [Despair Uranus] just to summon a weak monster with an attack power of no more than 300 points?" Tenma Yago was furious, not only because Hayato brought out a monster of that caliber, which was clearly looking down on him, but also because his powerful and invincible [Despair Uranus] had only resulted in a weak monster.

Hearing that the other party was still only looking at the monster's attack power and not its other abilities, Hayato said helplessly, "You really are stubborn, aren't you? I mean, the performance of a Duel Monster is not the key factor in determining the outcome. What matters is not its attack power but its effects."

"The second effect of [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Dragon] can be activated once per turn to target 1 monster on your opponent's field whose Level is lower than this card's, and gain control of that monster until the end of the turn."

As Hayato spoke, his [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Dragon] opened its huge mouth, and the mere act of inhaling created a storm.

But Tenma Yagoko laughed when he heard Hayato's words, and said contemptuously, "Idiot, you can't even remember the effects of your own monsters? That monster with an effect similar to [Mind Change] is only level 3, but my [Pluto Suppression] is level 8... Hmm!?"

While casually glancing at his only remaining [Suppress Pluto] on the field, Pegasus Night Walk suddenly discovered that his [Suppress Pluto]'s level had inexplicably become 1☆!?

"Hmph, predator markers aren't just for show. Monsters with predator markers at level 2 or higher will have their level forcibly reduced to level 1, becoming nourishment for the [Predator Plants]." Hayato waved his hand and said, "Your monster is pretty good, but it'll be mine in the next second. Go, [Predator Plant - Pitcher Plant]!"

Although [Suppress Pluto] resisted strongly, it was unable to resist the airflow released by [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Dragon] due to the predatory markers wrapped around its body. It was forcibly dragged onto Hayato's field, causing Pegasus Night Walk's field to be empty in an instant!

Tenma Yako was furious that Hayato had NTR'd his monster right in front of him, but the next moment Hayato said quite skillfully, "Then I will activate the effect of [Suppress Pluto]. I declare one card name per turn. If my opponent has a declared card in their hand, I can gain control of one card on their field."

"Wait, wait a minute!" Tenma Yagyō stared wide-eyed at Hayato. "Why are you so good at using my monster's effects? How come you're so skilled at it?!"

I'm the one who should be the master of [Suppress Pluto], right? This is clearly my first time using this monster in a duel, so why isn't it me who first used its effect, but my opponent, Kobayashi Hayato? And why does he seem so familiar with [Suppress Pluto]?

Hayato had no idea what Tenma Yagyō was thinking. He picked at his ear and said, "Why are you yelling so loudly? Doesn't this card clearly state its effect? ​​Your card doesn't have any weird restrictions like only people who understand specific words can use its effects."

"Besides, who said this is your monster? This is clearly my monster!"

Looking at Kobayashi Hayato, the Minotaur enthusiast, Tenma Yako felt his fist harden. What was even more infuriating was that Hayato continued, "Although the ability to use an effect only if you guess the hand correctly sounds useless, it's undeniable that someone just used [Bitter Choice] to make me personally choose a card to add to your hand, and you didn't even play it last turn."

"My card name is [Lava Gunner]."

There's no need for confirmation; the card is practically face-up in Pegasus Night Walk's hand, allowing the effect of "Suppress Pluto" to pass smoothly. Hayato can freely choose one card on Pegasus Night Walk's field to own. This effect not only grants control over monster cards but also over activated or face-down Spell/Trap Cards.

Therefore, Hayato decisively chose the already activated [Nightmare of the Mirage] on the field: "Next turn, you must really not want to discard the card you finally drew, right? I'm kind-hearted and can't bear to see others suffer, so I'll take your [Nightmare of the Mirage]. Go [Suppress Pluto], Dark Water!"

Watching his monster "Pluto Suppression" help Hayato NTR another one of his cards with Hayato's nonsensical move name, Tenma Yako's expression twisted, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Onore Kobayashi Hayato!"

However, his curses could not change anything. Under the power of "Suppressing Pluto", "Nightmare of the Mirage" was transferred to Hayato's field, leaving Tenma Yagyō with only one face-down card on his field.

Even for Hayato Kobayashi, first he used my monster to release, and then he stole two cards. This should be his limit, right?

Just as Toma Yako was thinking this, Hayato took out another card and said, "I haven't performed a Normal Summon this turn, have I? Tribute Summon my [Pluto Suppression] card."

"Neptune, whose future is blocked by Asuka, with limitless potential, trample Pluto underfoot and declare who is the strongest planet card!"

"【Tyrant Neptune】!"

The vines on the dark Pluto loosened, but [Suppress Pluto] no longer had the strength to return to its original owner's field. It was pinned down by a heavy foot and couldn't even turn over. It was killed by the scythe wielded by the monster on its body, which resembled a nightmare and a tyrant.

A monster with flames burning in its eyes makes its appearance.

【Tyrant Neptune】【10☆/Water】

[Crawler Category/Effect]

【？ /？ →2600/2000】

"【Tyrant Neptune】? You actually included that card in your deck?" Tenma Yagyō glanced at Hayato, recalling Hayato's words before the duel began, about "the strongest evolved dragon," and realized it was just a bluff.

"To deal with you, this card would be better, but I'm not sure if you know its effect, so let me repeat it first." Hayato glanced at the [Tyrant Neptune] card he had obtained from Kobayashi Hiroyuki on his field. Since Tenma Yagyō attacked Kobayashi Hiroyuki, he would indeed have to retaliate with one of Kobayashi Hiroyuki's cards.

"Although it is a Level 10☆, [Tyrant Neptune] can be Tribute Summoned by Tributing only one monster, and its ATK and DEF will increase by the sum of the original ATK and DEF of the monsters Tributed at the time of the Tribute Summon. In addition, when its Tribute Summon is successful, it will also receive everything from one Tribute, including the card name and effect."

Under the watchful eye of Tianma Yexing, the card name of [Tyrant Neptune] changed, and it actually became [Suppress Pluto].

"The effect of 【Suppress Pluto】 does not have the restriction of being used once per turn, so 【Tyrant Neptune】, which has both the card name and effect, is activated. Declare a card name, and if your opponent has the declared card in their hand, gain control of one card on their field. I declare 【Lava Gunner】 again."

"Give me your face card!"

Hearing that Hayato had used the effect of [Suppressing Pluto] again, and that it wasn't his own power the first time and not his own power the second time either, Tenma Yagyō was filled with grief and indignation. For some reason, he felt that his emerald green hair was becoming even more vibrant.

Chapter 894 War of Extinction (Monster Card)

Hayato inserted the card he'd taken from Pegasus Night into his Duel Disk, glanced at it, and then looked away.

Hayato draws a card from his hand and plays it: "Activate the Spell Card 'Predatory Activity'. Special Summon 1 'Predatory Plant' monster from my hand, and then add 1 'Predatory' card other than 'Predatory Activity' from my Deck to my hand."

Special Summon [Predatory Plant - Bee Orchid Scorpion] from my hand, and add another [Predatory Generate] to my hand.

The Hayato Field is overgrown with weeds, and behind the vigorous vitality of the plants lies an infinite killing intent. The bee orchid, an insect-attracting plant shaped like a poisonous scorpion, appears in the Hayato Field and emits a deadly fragrance.

[Predatory Plant - Bee Orchid Scorpion] [3☆/Dark]

[Plant Tribe/Effect]

[1200/800]

Actually, there was a negative effect written on the [Predatory Activity] card that Hayato just activated. After all, the effect of unconditionally Special Summoning from the hand and searching the entire deck looks very strong. However, powerful cards are often accompanied by great risks. The negative effect of [Predatory Activity] is that after this card is activated, Hayato cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck in this turn unless he Fusion Summons it.

However, these days the Extra Deck is still called Fusion Deck, so this negative effect is practically nonexistent, and Hayato didn't mention it.

"If the [Predatory Plant - Bee Orchid Scorpion] is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned, I can activate this effect by sending one [Predatory Plant] from my hand—the [Predatory Plant - Glandular Wasp] that was just shown—to the Graveyard."

One card was sent to the graveyard, and Hayato drew another card from his deck. "Special Summon one Predator Plant from my deck, except for [Bee Orchid Scorpion]. Come forth, [Predator Plant - Snake Bottle Grass Cobra]!"

In just one turn, Hayato has already made his fourth Special Summon. If we consider the previous one when he summoned Tyrant Neptune, if this were in Hayato's previous competitive environment, his Snake Bottle Grass Cobra would probably have been released along with other monsters and turned into a powerful and cool meteor the moment it appeared on the field.

However, Tenma Yagyō's hand didn't have a card as advanced as [Primal Life Form - Nibiru], so he could only watch helplessly as Hayato's field gained another monster.

[Predatory Plant - Snake Bottle Grass Cobra] [3☆/Dark]

[Plant Tribe/Effect]

[1000/1500]

"It's not over yet! It can activate when [Glandular Wasp] is sent to the graveyard or when [Spirit Bottle Cobra] is successfully Special Summoned by the effect of [Predatory Plant], C1 [Glandular Wasp] C2 [Spirit Bottle Cobra]."

"The effect of [Snake Bottle Grass Cobra] adds one [Fusion] Spell Card from my Deck to my hand, and then the effect of [Glandular Grass Wasp] adds one [Predatory Plant] monster other than [Glandular Grass Wasp] from my Deck to my hand."

As Hayato drew two cards from his deck that had been automatically retrieved by the Duel Disk, Amelda subconsciously glanced at the cards in Hayato's hand: "He still has four cards in his hand?! He's already set up five monsters on the field and cleared his opponent's field, so why does he still have four cards in his hand? Isn't he losing cards at all?"

"After all, it's Hayato-san. In his words, 'I'm willing to lose money, but only when the rice is all gone, the dog has licked up the noodles, and the candle has burned through the lock.' Although I don't quite understand what kind of strange metaphor that is."

Guiping shrugged helplessly, looking at Hayato's back and said, "But I do remember Hayato mentioning that Duel Monsters is actually the same as running a company. You make sure your opponent doesn't make any money while you make as much as you can. That's the concept of 'card advantage'."

Ameluda mentally calculated the number of cards Hayato had on the field, in his hand, and in his graveyard, and nodded, saying, "It's like a plant growing wildly. Hayato Kobayashi's [Predatory Plant] deck is not only ferociously devouring everything, but also actively absorbing nutrients to maintain its growth. It can summon monsters like crazy while still retaining so many cards."

"That's really terrifying. Luckily, I'm no longer a duelist."

"Hmph, that just means your capacity is limited to this level, Ameruda. True duelists do not flinch because of the strength of their opponents. The more formidable the opponent, the more worthwhile it is to conquer them. Only when they achieve victory can they feel intense joy and satisfaction."

Kaiba glanced at Ameruda and said disdainfully, then looked at Hayato: "No matter who the opponent is, I will continue to evolve with [Blue Eyes] to a new level to surpass them. One day I will use this evolved, strongest dragon to deliver a complete defeat to Kobayashi Hayato, Muto Yugi, and the others one by one!"

Although Kaiba was very imposing, Ameluda, upon hearing his words, leaned close to Keihei's ear and whispered, "I felt like I'd heard Kobayashi Hayato's lines somewhere before. Oh, it was Kaiba's lines."

"Ameruda, when you challenged your brother to a duel before, you must have heard your brother make a few of his chuunibyou (delusional) remarks, right?"

"Hey, I've long forgotten about that kind of thing, along with all those entanglements and hatred."

On the duel field, as Hayato replenished his hand to four cards, Tenma Yako paid little attention to card advantage. What he cared about most was still the most obvious and simple criterion for judging the strength of a monster—attack power.

【Tyrant Neptune】【ATK2600】

[Predatory Plant-eating Pineapple Insectivorous Whale] [ATK1000]

[Predatory Plant - Pitcher Plant] [ATK300]

[Predatory Plant - Bee Orchid Scorpion] [ATK1200]

[Predatory Plant - Snake Bottle Grass Cobra] [ATK1000]

Although the attack power of a single monster is not high, when the number of them increases, the attack power of the monsters on Hayato's field reaches as high as 6100 points. Even after removing the [Pineapple Insect Eater Valley Whale] which cannot attack, the attack power is still as high as 5100 points, which is enough to wipe out the basic points of Pegasus Night!

You have to understand, he had absolutely no cards on his field. They were either freed by Hayato or stolen by Hayato, so he couldn't stop Hayato's offensive at all!

Fortunately, although Hayato has now taken [Nightmare of the Mirage], Tenma Yagyō has obtained some useful cards from that gacha pull.

Hayato looked at Pegasus Night Walk. Although his form after fusing with [Tragodia] was no longer that of an ordinary person, his confidence was undisguised. Apart from the graveyard which clearly had no grave pit, his only reliance was the three cards in his hand besides [Lava Gunner].

Unfortunately, the effect of [Suppress Pluto] that Hayato got from Pegasus Night Walk is not the effect of the actual card. After declaring the card name, it does not have the ability to "check the opponent's hand". It cannot forcibly see the other party's hand like Dolphin. At the same time, the meaning of the card in Hayato's hand that is not yet clear does not have the ability to destroy the hand.

It seems the only option is to test the waters with a direct attack.

Hayato thought to himself, and declared, "Entering the battle phase, the first attack will be a direct assault with [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Plant], fear can hit things that bombs can't reach!"

"That's a line from an anime. Where did you come from, some robotic dinosaur?" Tenma Yagyō looked disdainfully at the Pteranodon, whose attack power was only 300 points. Under Hayato's command, it took off and swooped down from the sky, its big mouth bulging as if it was about to spit something out.