Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Seeing this, Hayato glanced at his base score and said, "Damn it, you actually got a second chance at life, Yugi. But don't think that a mere [Magic Cylinder] can defeat me. I still have 2700 base points. After taking that [Magic Cylinder] and getting the 2600 points back, I'll still have 100 points left. I'm practically invincible, how could I possibly lose?"

Although he didn't quite understand what "locked health" meant, Yugi shook his head as he looked at Hayato and said, "No, the final effect damage that [Magic Cylinder] will inflict on you is not 2600 points, but 5200 points, Hayato."

Yugi takes a card from the graveyard and explains, "When I activate [Magic Cylinder], I can banish this card from my graveyard—[Heavy Loader]—to activate it, and the damage dealt to my opponent by that effect will be doubled!"

Originally, after one of the Magic Cylinders absorbed the damage, the other should have returned that damage to the attacker intact. However, as the game removed the Heavy Reload from the graveyard, Hayato saw that the Magic Cylinder that was glowing at the exit suddenly split into two!?

"When was that card sent to the cemetery?!"

Seeing Hayato's surprised expression, Atem explained, "This is all thanks to you, Hayato. After all, it was you, using a 'pure [Machine Knight] deck,' who took the initiative to send this card to the graveyard for Aibo."

Hearing Atem's teasing, Hayato realized the answer: "Was it during 'Machine Knight: Heavenly Sweep'? Was [Heavy Loader] in your hand back then?"

"If it weren't for that so-called 'Machine Knight God's Sweep,' even if we wanted to send this card to the graveyard, it would have taken some effort and would have inevitably alerted you, Hayato, ultimately preventing the effect of 'Magic Cylinder' from working as well as it does now."

Atum paused, then said with some satisfaction, "Compared to the dueling ceremony before, your use of cards is much stronger now, Aibo. As expected of the legendary duelist who defeated the Pharaoh."

"Don't flatter me so much, my other self. In my heart, you will always be a strong person. I've always been trying to learn from you because of your courage and perseverance."

“But I also learned from you the gentle strength, Aibo.” Atum nodded. “As two of us, we complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Indeed, as two of us, we are invincible.”

"Then—" Atum and Yugi said in unison, pointing forward, "Let's clear the game right now! Watch us clear it in one life!"

"[Heavy Loader]·[Magic Cylinder], let's return Hayato's attack completely! Full Counterattack!"

The golden light reappeared, but this time it wasn't directed at Yugi and his friends, but rather returned to Hayato's location. Under the intense light, Yugi and his friends couldn't see any expression on Hayato's face or any action he took. They only saw him being hit by the returned damage and sent flying!

"Buga—!!!"

【Hayato: 2700LP→】

Seeing that Hayato had indeed been knocked away and his life points were rapidly decreasing, Yugi finally breathed a sigh of relief. There was no other reason; although he genuinely believed Hayato was an ally, Hayato's performance was so intimidating that Yugi often had the illusion during duels that he was fighting some kind of villain who was about to destroy the world.

Especially considering that few of the monsters Hayato used didn't seem like good guys, and given Hayato's frequent and aggressive attacks in the duel, it's impossible to say there wasn't any pressure.

But in the end, we won. No, we won; we finally defeated Hayato.

Thinking of this, the game smiled, and then heard Atum say, "Finally—"

"You finally defeated me, is that what you're trying to say?"

Suddenly, Hayato's voice rang out again, causing Yugi's smile to freeze and Atum to swallow back the words he hadn't said. They looked towards where Hayato was.

Hayato, who had been sent flying by the simulated impact of the Magic Cylinder and was now lying on the ground, pushed himself up with his hands and looked at Yugi, saying, "You've really disappointed me, but as a Kami, I am absolutely invincible and won't be so easily annihilated by you!"

【Hayato: →100LP】

Seeing Hayato's life score stop changing and finally display 100 points, the game was somewhat surprised: "He actually locked in his health?!"

"No, it was just now, Hayato, that you used some card effect, right?" Atum guessed, but seeing that Hayato still had two cards left in his hand, which didn't seem like they had been used, "But where did they come from?"

“Trap Card [Damage Reduction]: By banishing this card from the Graveyard, I can reduce the effect damage I take this turn by half.” Hayato took a card from the Graveyard, showed it to Yugi, and sneered, “You’re not the only ones who know how to use the Graveyard. That [Power Wall] card had already sown the seeds of victory.”

"I am immortal!"

(La la la la, la la la la la la la~ The eternally immortal Hayato~~ Kami da!)

Watching Hayato use the "Damage Reduction" effect to double the damage of his "Magic Cylinder," only to have the returned damage halved back to its original value, and then humming a strange yet somewhat catchy tune because he had locked his base score at the minimum of 100 points, the game felt a little regretful. He was just one last 100 points short...

However, things will be alright in the next turn, because in the next turn, the card that was banished at the start of the duel by the effect of [Sealed Golden Chest] will return to your hand.

That is [Monster Reborn], a powerful card that can revive a single monster from both players' graveyards onto your field. I banished it before mainly to allow Hayato to use its effect, but Hayato doesn't seem to have drawn [Monster Reborn], so he hasn't been able to use this sealing effect.

Yugi has already decided on the monster he wants to Special Summon. Among the cards he sent to the Graveyard by the effect of "Machine Knight: God of War" is a "Chaos Dark Magician". He can choose to Special Summon it and use its effect to recover "Heavenly Treasure Card" from the Graveyard to replenish his hand, so as to defeat Hayato in one go in the next turn.

"There's something I feel I need to remind you of again, Yugi Muto."

Hayato's sudden voice interrupted his thought process, causing him to turn his attention back to the field, where he saw Hayato inserting a card into the spell/trap zone.

"Although it's been a long time, I've said it before: don't use those 'attack negation' cards against me." Hayato said, activating the Quick-Play Spell Card in his hand. "Although [Spiral Fusion] only grants [Dragon Magic Knight - Gaia] the ability to attack monsters twice, that doesn't mean I can't attack duelists twice with the help of this card!"

"Quick-Play Spell Card [Double Chance]: When a monster's attack is negated, you can target that monster. During this Battle Phase, that monster can only attack once more!"

Meeting Atum and Yugi's surprised gazes, Hayato waved his hand forward and said, "Let's try again, [Gaia], let's carry on that failed spin and try the Golden Rider Spin again!"

"With the effect of [Double Chance], the ATK of the targeted monster is doubled during its Damage Step. That means the ATK of [Dragon Spell Knight - Gaia] is now—"

"5200 points!"

【Dragon Knight - Gaia】【ATK2600→5200】【ATK7800→5200】

Despite his previous failed attack, which not only failed to defeat his opponent but also injured Hayato, [Dragon Magic Knight - Gaia] took to the air once more, launching a second charge with unwavering resolve. [The Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon] began to spin in coordination with [Gaia], the spiraling power flowing from [The Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon] to [Gaia], while the swirling force within Gaia was perfectly transferred to the lance in his hand as he leaped from [The Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon]!

Gaia hurled a swirling lance, gleaming with golden light, towards the game!

The dazzling gold color made the game player instinctively close their eyes.

[Game: 2000LP → 0]

Chapter 997

"...At the critical moment, I used the Nine Heavens Thunder Double Kick, kicking one foot into Gaia's butt, and using the momentum to nimbly dodge the Magic Cylinder's counterattack."

"Then Gaia, who I kicked awake, rallied and used Stream of Lightning to wipe out their basic attack points. They got up, one shot and they were dead. What's there to say?"

Listening to Hayato's description, the boy with the jellyfish-shaped hair retorted, "No, Mr. Hayato, are you sure you're talking about Duel Monsters? It sounds more like some kind of live-action fighting game?"

"Idiot, who told you that Duel Monsters can only stand still and not move? Even if you're not playing cards on a motorcycle, you'll realize your mistake when you're a step slower than others and can't pick up an invincible move card to dodge, or when you get punched away by an opponent who has merged with Oba." Hayato threatened Jaden, somewhat annoyed that he had questioned the veracity of his description.

"If Duel Monsters turned out like that in the future, it would be too pathetic. I think the current style of dueling is more normal." Jaden felt that even something like playing cards while riding a motorcycle was too advanced and unacceptable, let alone what came after.

"Hmph, if you can't accept a duel like that, then just drown yourself with your Duel Disk." Manjoume said arrogantly from the side. "Then, with no opponent to stand in my way, I, Mr. Manjoume, will advance triumphantly, win all the way, take the title of Duel King, and become the strongest duelist."

"Huh? I don't want that kind of thing. Besides, Manjoume, you can't even beat me, so how could you possibly become the Duel King? And it's not that becoming the Duel King makes you the strongest duelist, but rather that the strongest duelist becomes the Duel King, right?"

Hayato watched the two's debate with amusement—it was more of a debate than a one-sided attempt by Manjoume Jun to persuade the carefree and indifferent Yuki Judai—and took a sip of the cola resting on the armrest.

Then, he frowned and his expression twisted, as if he had eaten something disgusting.

"Your next question will be, 'Why does such an heretical company as Coca-Cola exist in the world?'"

Why does such an unusual thing as Coca-Cola exist in the world?

Subconsciously, Hayato spoke the words of the voice beside him, turned his head, and saw Isis sitting down next to him and handing him a bottle of cola.

"I saw you were almost done with your duel, so I just went to buy this. I got Pepsi, in a glass bottle, and it's chilled, just like you like." Isis handed the cola to Hayato, then took the Coca-Cola from Hayato's armrest. "Didn't you finish yours before you went to find Seto Kaiba and the others?"

"Oh right, I just remembered. Thanks, Isis." Hayato scratched his head, took the cola, and easily popped it open with the back of his fingernail. He took a big gulp before the bubbles burst out, while Isis, with a straw in her mouth, also took a sip of her cola.

Although Hayato had just taken a sip of her cola, Isis seemed completely calm and didn't seem to care much about the "indirect kiss" or anything like that—if her ears hadn't turned red with embarrassment.

Putting down the bottle, Hayato looked at Isis beside him and said, "But speaking of which, Isis, you're the complete opposite of me. You don't care much about bubbles or temperature, and you prefer Coca-Cola to Pepsi."

“After all, I’m a lady, and I have to maintain my image.” Isis said with a smile as she watched Hayato burp. “Besides, isn’t this great? You like Pepsi, and I like Coca-Cola. No matter which one we buy, one of us will like it.”

"Indeed, just like last time when I went to see a movie, I had a couple of drinks."

Isis watched Hayato put down the bottle in his hand, tilted her head, and said, "Aren't you going to take a few more sips while it's still fresh?"

"Natsume Soseki once said that if a bottle of cola is worth 500 yen, then the first sip after opening it is worth 400 yen."

Hearing Hayato confidently fabricate something that Natsume Soseki definitely never said, Isis smiled and asked, "By the way, has the problem been resolved?"

“Solve trouble? No, there’s no trouble to deal with at all.” Hayato said, glancing around. None of the audience members noticed him; they were all staring intently at the stage in the center of the arena. There, two duelists were dueling. “Unless Kaiba Corporation gives a special explanation, these audience members still don’t realize what just happened here. They still think it’s some kind of special performance.”

"Oh my god! After the Electro Wizard weakened and destroyed the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Jonouchi actually used a Trap Card to revive his ace!"

"Congratulations to Jonouchi for winning this duel! Let's give him a round of applause for this wonderful duel he and his opponent have put on!"

As the duel on stage progressed, the passionate commentary of Isono, the only designated tool of the Haima Group, rang out continuously, stirring the emotions of the entire audience. At the climax of the duel, following Isono's call, the audience indeed excitedly applauded and cheered for the victor, and the two duelists for the next duel took turns appearing on stage amidst enthusiastic applause.

It's clear that besides driving, fighting, and acting as a duel referee, he also has great potential in commentary. Even Keihei sitting next to him is nodding in satisfaction and writing something on his tablet. It's unlikely that he's just giving Isono more work to squeeze out his remaining value.

After clapping a few times, Isis lowered her hands and said, "In this world, there aren't many people who have the ability to see through the fog and know the truth. Hayato, you can't expect everyone to have the same excellent eyesight as you and the other duelists."

"But thanks to this, the mess that Blue God and those Pranahs made was easily dealt with, and I also had a good game with Atum and the game."

At this point, Hayato turned around somewhat unhappily, rubbing Manjoume's cheeks, "So why were you two idiots so late? You didn't see my cool pose when I defeated Atem at all. If your sister Isis hadn't said that nothing would happen, I would have thought you two had been kidnapped."

"I even had to recount the details of the duel to you two myself, and the worst part is you still don't believe I didn't use the [Spiritual Exophysis] this time?"

"Because Mr. Hayato, your real Tamashi is clearly [Summoning Outer—]" Noticing Hayato's gaze, Jaden quickly covered his mouth and didn't continue.

"It's not like I wanted this to happen! It's all this guy's fault! I was supposed to wait for him, but the train broke down halfway, so I was late too!" Manjoume, his face being rubbed, blamed the situation without hesitation. "It's all his fault!"

"It wasn't my fault that the train broke down, and I was late because I was waiting for you, Manjoume, who couldn't run anymore, right?"

"Which normal eleven-year-old elementary school student has your monstrous physical strength?"

"Because this is the most basic quality of becoming a hero!"

"Heroes can be categorized into mutants and tech-based heroes, okay?"

In the blink of an eye, Manjoume and Jaden's conversation veered from who caused them to be so late that they completely missed the opening of the GeneX tournament and the subsequent series of duels, to whether tech-based heroes are cooler or superpower-based heroes are more authentic. Even Hayato found it difficult to join their conversation.

In other words, under the operation and construction of the Kaiba Group, Domino City has now basically achieved 80% or more of the main area's surveillance coverage. It should be mentioned that the so-called main area includes any area where people might exist, such as streets, alleys, and even sewers. Otherwise, these two kids would be too easy to be fooled. That's why their parents were so careless as to let them come to the GeneX competition without their parents' company.

Or perhaps they were quite comfortable having Hayato and Isis take care of the two children.

Jaden Yuki's parents were one thing, but his father had already joined the new headquarters of the International Illusion Society in the United States, which had been basically rebuilt. Hayato, as the largest shareholder of the International Illusion Society and a world-renowned dueling king, couldn't be more at ease.

But let's not even mention that Jun Manjoume's parents are abroad and he rarely sees them, or his older brother who is also too busy managing the Manjoume Group to be seen. And let's not even think about his second brother, Masaji Manjoume, who is in Domino City and is even Hayato's classmate, yet he refuses to come and take care of his younger brother.

Since that kid was eliminated from the Duel City competition at lightning speed, Manjoume Masashi, who suffered setbacks in love and failed in pursuing his dreams, chose to open his own shop. Reluctantly, he chose to inherit the influence of the Manjoume Foundation, revised his career path survey form, and changed "become the strongest duelist and confess to Nosaka Miho" to "become a senator" and planned to enter politics in the future.

However, even if the influence of the Manjoume Group can pave the way for someone in politics, the prerequisite is that Manjoume Masashi must first cross the threshold, that is, he must first graduate from a good university such as the University of Tokyo. As a result, while almost the entire Domino City was active for the GeneX competition held by the Kaiba Group, Manjoume Masashi was attending cram school in order to get as many points as possible on the University of Tokyo's entrance exam.

So much so that when his younger brother Jun Manjoume was coming to the GeneX tournament, Masaji Manjoume was completely busy. When he learned that Hayato had time to take care of his brother, he was overjoyed and dumped Jun Manjoume on him.

However, thinking of the route survey form, Hayato couldn't help but look at Jaden, who was arguing with Jun Banjou about what a "hero" was.

The GeneX competition is expected to last for about a week based on the number of participants. The final competition, held at the end of February or the beginning of March, will determine the champions of the youth and adult groups. At the same time, it will also be the graduation season for elementary schools in Domino City.

Then, because of her father's work, the Jaden family was going to move to the United States, and Jaden would also be transferring from Domino City Elementary School to junior high school in the United States. This was something that Jaden and Manjoume had known for a long time. The end of the GeneX competition meant that graduation season, which symbolized parting, had arrived. Therefore, even without their parents' company, the two of them still came to watch the GeneX competition.

However, just as young Jun Manjoume and Jaden Yuki were, so too were Hayato and Yugi. Yugi wanted to become a game designer, Masaji Manjoume wanted to go into politics, and although it was difficult to adapt, Bakura did find the joy of becoming an idol. Kyoko wanted to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer, Honda had no choice but to go back to inherit his family's Honda car factory, and Jonouchi aimed to become a professional duelist and meet Mai Kujaku at an international tournament.

Otogi? That kid has two dreams: one is to make Monster Dice Great Again, and the other is to win over Shizuka. While Jonouchi may not have any dreams, he can shatter them with a single punch.

Speaking of dreams, Hayato looked at Isis with some curiosity and asked, "I suddenly remembered, does Malik have any dreams?"

“I don’t know, I’ve never thought about that kind of question.” Isis shrugged. “Besides, he’s been away from home for so many years, and he only recently went back to his ancestral lands with you. I’m afraid only Lishid knows what kind of dream he really has.”

"But if you ask me, it's probably..."

Multiple images flashed through Hayato and Isis's minds simultaneously—