Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Within the vastness of space, Ra's Winged Dragon flapped its wings, flames not radiating outwards but instead gathering within its body. At that moment, it seemed to truly transform into the sun, even drawing in meteors from the cosmos with its gravity. When the gathered meteors and meteors reached a certain number, Ra's Winged Dragon opened its folded wings again, engulfing the countless meteors in flames and hurling them towards Daitoku-ji Temple!

Under the bombardment of several beams of light, Daitokuji's remaining 1000 life points were instantly wiped out. However, because Hayato had the Winged Rathalos hold back a bit, although Daitokuji was sent flying and fell to the ground the moment his life points were depleted, he was only burning hot and did not suffer any specific damage. He was also in a conscious state.

"...Speaking of which, it really is a genuine 'pure Gaia' deck." Daitokuji, who was lying on his back on the ground, didn't rush to get up and said this.

[Daitoku-ji Hugo: 1000LP → 0]

"The so-called 'Gaia' is 'Earth,' which is this planet—Earth. In that case, it's reasonable for me to play a 'Sun' card, right? Without the sun, where would Earth be?" Hayato put away his Duel Disk and picked up the briefcase he had placed at Daitokuji's feet. "This is a 'pure Gaia' deck. This is my judgment."

"Steaming buns, can't the clay support the vessel?"

Chapter 1040...disappeared!?

Wow, congratulations on defeating another formidable opponent! Settlement is in progress...

[The rewards for this duel have been completed. You have received 1000 DP.]

You have received a card drop, please check your account.

Ignoring the system's sarcastic tone, Hayato casually opened the system inventory and took out a newly dropped card, which turned out to be the Perpetual Trap Card [Great Universe].

However, the system drop that Hayato obtained was not the same as the one that only affected him, the "Great Universe" from Daitokuji's version, but the OCG version that affected both of them. Its strength was increased by 10% or even 90%. At least if Daitokuji had used this version before, Hayato would not have been able to win so easily.

"I'll take your card." After looking at [Great Universe], although the card was strong, it didn't synergize well with Hayato's deck, so Hayato didn't add it to his deck. He simply put it back in the system's storage, waiting for Hayato to feel like using it sometime.

However, that possibility isn't very high. After all, Hayato's most frequently used and most proficient tactics are Liberation and Graveyard Building, but [Mass Universe] is precisely used to counter those tactics. Hayato isn't some Kamen Rider on set who'd create a father for himself; why would he use tactics that make him uncomfortable?

After Hayato put the card away, Daitokuji, who had just been directly attacked by [Ra's Winged Dragon of Ra], finally recovered and got up from the ground. He said to Hayato, "I have to say, it really lives up to its reputation as the legendary 'God Card'. Even though you held back when you attacked, Mr. Hayato, I feel like my lifespan has been reduced by at least five or six years."

"In that case, wouldn't it be better to just get a new body?"

"Don't make 'human transmutation' sound so easy, Mr. Hayato. I haven't even finished the 'Philosopher's Stone' yet, so I have no intention of multitasking. Cough cough..." Daitokuji coughed twice, got up and walked towards Hayato.

Hayato, seeing Daitokuji standing at the edge of the clearing where there was a drop in elevation, bent down and pulled him back to the ground.

They were just engaged in a battle of ideals and resolve, yet now, after the duel, there's no trace of them being enemies. That's part of the charm of Duel Monsters.

“If it were anyone else, Mr. Kagemaru could question me about whether I used my full strength in the fight, but since my opponent is Mr. Hayato, my defeat is understandable. Even Mr. Kagemaru couldn’t force me to defeat you.” Without showing any frustration at losing the duel, Daitokuji shrugged and said casually, “I have done my best and given it my all.”

"Don't worry, if that guy Kagemaru causes you trouble, you might come after me. I haven't even settled accounts with him yet, how dare he cause trouble on my turf." Hayato patted Daitokuji on the shoulder, then lifted the metal box he was carrying to his face. "But speaking of which, what exactly does that guy Kagemaru want from you?"

Looking at the briefcase in Hayato's hand, Daitokuji, who had been all smiles, became serious and his smile faded: "That's a card made from a forbidden stone tablet I accidentally found in Egypt during my world travels in search of the Philosopher's Stone. It contains three terrifying monsters that are like demon gods. Kagemaru's purpose is for me to seal the card in the alchemy circle here, so that the power of this island can awaken the demon gods within the card."

“However, even I was hesitant about whether sealing the card on the island would affect the students there, which is why I brought the card here to think about it quietly, only to be met with your arrival, Mr. Hayato.” After a pause, Daitokuji smiled again. “But now that I’ve been defeated by Mr. Hayato, I no longer need to think about such troublesome issues.”

"The Demon God Card? Interesting." Hayato, intrigued by Daitokuji's description, looked at the briefcase's combination lock. "Daitokuji-sensei, what's the combination to this briefcase? Let me check it. Could it be 114514?"

“I don’t know what it means, but the password is clearly seven digits.” Daitokuji took the suitcase from Hayato’s hand, flipping the scrambled combination back to its correct position. “I sealed this suitcase. Only I know the password. Even Mr. Kagemaru has to find me to open it. The password is my birthday, August 10, 1919, which is 1919810…”

Knowing that Daitokuji was currently using a second body and wasn't as young as he appeared, Hayato wasn't surprised by Daitokuji's age. However, seeing Daitokuji suddenly stop after adjusting the combination lock to open the box, he asked curiously, "What's wrong, Daitokuji-sensei?"

"Gone?! Gone?!"

With the astonished tone of someone from the future witnessing Accelerated Synchro, Daitokuji opened his briefcase and pointed inside with surprise and even horror, saying, "The three cards I put inside have all disappeared! Those three dangerous 'Three Phantom Demons' cards are gone!"

"This is terrible! Could it be that someone cracked my password and stole the cards? If so, what horrible things would they do with those three dangerous cards?!"

Hayato rubbed his chin: "Uh, maybe the person who stole your card gave it to a bunch of small fry, then had those small fry challenge someone and have the card delivered to their door?"

"How could that be? Mr. Hayato, you must be joking!" Daitokuji said anxiously. "Oh no, those three cards require a lot of life force just to activate. They're fine when they're separate, but if they're gathered together, they could bring danger to the whole world. If we're not careful, they might even absorb the lives of everyone in the world."

Daitoku-ji, who had been pacing back and forth, turned around, looked at Hayato, and said...

"We don't know who stole those three cards, but we must find them and seal them before they are awakened—"

Hayato reached into the card holder at his waist, pulled out three cards, and said to the stunned Daitokuji, "Instead of guessing here, I think it's faster to just ask the three of them directly, right?"

“Those are the dangerous ‘Three Phantoms,’ they’re not so easy to deal with.” Daitokuji said subconsciously, then pointed at the ‘Three Phantoms’ in Hayato’s hand and said, “Wait, compared to that, why are the ‘Three Phantoms’ cards in your hands, Mr. Hayato?”

"Does that mean you have the ability to take out the card without opening the combination lock on the briefcase?"

"How could that be? Stop talking about supernatural stuff. We're teachers at the Duel Academy, we're all about science." Hayato waved the "Three Phantom Demons" cards in his hand. "Besides, didn't I already tell you where they came from? The person who stole these three cards gave them to a bunch of nobodies, and then had those nobodies challenge other people, and ended up delivering these three cards to their doorstep."

Daitokuji looked at the card in Hayato's hand. It was indeed the "Three Phantom Demons." He was the one who made the three cards based on the discovered stone tablet. There was no way he could be wrong. "Mr. Hayato, you're not joking, are you?"

Hayato had no reason to lie to Daitokuji, so he was telling the truth. The three "Three Phantom Demons" cards in his hand were the ones that Dark Bakura traded with Malik, then handed over to Gross's underlings to challenge Hayato and Yugi, and eventually ended up in Hayato's hands through various means. In fact, the last two cards only came into Hayato's hands because Dark Bakura took the initiative to betray him.

Hayato had previously wondered how Dark Bakura got the cards for the "Three Phantom Demons." Now that he thought about it, he probably stole them from Daitokuji. It might be difficult for anyone else to steal the cards from an alchemist like Daitokuji who had lived for so long, but it makes perfect sense that it was Dark Bakura.

In addition, when Hayato heard Daitokuji mention that the cards he made from the stone slabs were the "Three Phantoms," he also understood why Anubis's Babar had known how to manipulate the power of the "Three Phantoms" into the [Gate of Phantoms] during the "Pyramid of Light" incident. If the "Three Phantoms" were once part of the legacy of ancient Egypt, then it would make sense.

Furthermore, the "Three Phantoms" were even born during Anubis's lifetime. Considering that Anubis, despite his arrogant claim to replace Atum and the Seahorse as Pharaoh, was actually just an unimportant apprentice who was mummified by Akhenate and sealed in the Pyramid of Light, the "Three Phantoms" might even be related to Akhenate.

"Let me confirm first. Master Daitokuji, you said that you found the stone tablet of the 'Three Phantom Demons' in Egypt. Could you tell me exactly where you found it?"

Hearing Hayato's words, Daitokuji scratched his cheek somewhat embarrassedly: "Well, it's a bit embarrassing to say, but I actually did something that was almost like a tomb raider. I found three stone slabs in a tomb that had just been discovered by an archaeological team but had not yet started formal excavation. I used a little trick to drive the archaeological team away and then stole the stone slabs."

"That tomb is really strange. I found a lot of evidence in it that could prove the person buried there was probably a member of the royal family, but the size of the tomb was only at the level of an ordinary ancient Egyptian priest, or even the level of someone who had committed some serious crime and was the least respected. It's very strange."

"However, I'm not an archaeologist after all, so I don't pay much attention to the specific identities of the people buried in the tomb. After discovering that the priest seemed to have been an alchemist in his lifetime, my attention was mainly focused on this part of the tomb—"

"Alright, that's enough for me." Hayato waved his hand, indicating that Daitokuji didn't need to go into the details of his archaeological work on ancient Egyptian alchemy. Based on what Daitokuji had already said, he could basically conclude that the "Three Phantom Demons" tablet really was the one Daitokuji had unearthed from Aknadi's tomb.

After all, he was the guardian priest of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, a member of the royal family whose identity was kept hidden, someone who had committed a serious crime, and someone who also possessed some alchemy skills. Who else could he be but Akhenaten?

This also explains how Anubis could manipulate the "Three Phantoms," since these were the stone tablets created by his teacher Akhenate. Even if they were transferred from the stone tablets to the cards, it wouldn't affect his ability to control the "Three Phantoms" to transform into the [Phantom Gate].

After questioning the "Three Phantom Demons" in his possession, just as Hayato had expected, it turned out that Dark Bakura had indeed stolen the "Three Phantom Demons" cards from Daitokuji's suitcase when he was away from home, and had left the suitcase there without taking it with him. As a result, when Kagemaru sent someone to bring Daitokuji's suitcase to the Duel Academy, they couldn't open the suitcase to check because they didn't know the password, and they didn't know that the suitcase was already empty at that time.

As for where Daitokuji Temple hides its treasures, how could Dark Bakura know? Don't forget that back in Duel City, even though Dark Bakura lost the Millennium Wisdom Wheel, he still managed to steal the Millennium Eye from Pegasus. If Kagemaru could find out where Daitokuji Temple hid the treasures, how could Dark Bakura, with the Millennium Eye, not know?

In addition, Hayato also confirmed with the "Three Phantom Demons" about their so-called "absorbing the life force of the whole world after awakening." Upon hearing Hayato's question, [Phantom Demon Emperor - Labiere] and the others quickly stated that they were just absorbing life force for fun and there was no such thing as needing to absorb the life force of the whole world to awaken them. They were definitely not in danger.

Watching Hayato interact with the "Three Phantom Demons" so warmly, like an older brother, Daitokuji was somewhat confused and bewildered. As the card maker, how could he not understand? Just transferring the "Three Phantom Demons" from the stone slab into cards, the sheer evil aura they emitted nearly killed him. How could these three evil Phantom Demon cards be so obedient in Hayato's hands, asking no questions whatsoever?

"Mr. Hayato, how come the 'Three Phantom Demons' would...?"

"You want to ask why the 'Three Phantoms' listen to me so much, right?" Hayato asked, then looked at Daitokuji who had spoken and said confidently, "Of course it's because my excellent personal charm, brilliant character, and dazzling golden spirit have moved and won over the 'Three Phantoms'."

Excellent personal charisma refers to the Thunder Summoning Shot of the Sky Dragon of Osiris; radiant character refers to the Divine Fist Crushing Blow of the Titan of Obelisk; and dazzling golden spirit refers to the Divine Flame Cannon of the Winged Dragon of Ra.

Originally, Zhang Huaimin, who was not yet asleep and had not absorbed enough life force, was forcibly awakened by Dark Bakura, just like Su Shi, who had a younger brother who was a prime minister. After receiving the warm greetings from Hayato's "Three Phantom Gods", how could the "Three Phantom Gods" not be moved? If anyone was not moved, they would probably be physically "subdued" in the next second.

'Take it as if you really mean it, and I'll really believe you.'

Even Daitokuji didn't quite believe Hayato's words. He looked at the "Three Phantom Demons" in Hayato's hand and said, "Since they are in your hands, Mr. Hayato, I'm relieved. I don't need to worry about them being used by thieves to do anything dangerous."

"Hey, don't think this is the end of it, Daitokuji-sensei. This isn't over yet." Looking at the "Three Phantom Demons" in his hand, Hayato had an idea. "Our Chairman Kagemaru is a great contributor to the establishment of Duel Academy, and he has done you a great favor. He also has shares in Duel Academy... no, it's nothing. Come on, let's think of a way to help him."

Kagemaru, who was far away at his own pharmaceutical company and lying in a life support pod, suddenly felt that he was being watched by something dangerous.

Chapter 1041 What working person doesn't go crazy? They're just putting on a brave face.

"The moment when a boy or girl becomes the brightest new star, the chemical reaction triggered by the fusion of hope and brilliance, eternal radiance, a moment of burning. The dueling arena of destiny that no one can predict, that's what I want to see."

With her hands on her hips, Chronos's representative from the PTA—a woman in her late thirties who was not yet forty—said aggressively, "It is precisely because I have a certain interest in Duel Monsters and expect that Duel Monsters will become a mature industry chain in the future that I agreed to let my child enroll in your newly established school."

"But what was the result? Your school doesn't even value us parents who came to inspect, and even the principal is too lazy to come out and receive us. So how good can our children's treatment be when they go to your school?"

"Madam, please don't be so agitated." As a contemporary teacher trained in the Electronic Stream, Samejima, though spirited during the duel, now felt somewhat overwhelmed by the aggressive PTA representative and unsure how to respond. "Principal Kobayashi couldn't attend due to unforeseen circumstances. Our academy still highly values ​​your presence, Madam—"

"If they really cared, they wouldn't have sent that guy with the ugly face that looks like a durian that fell from the fourth floor, who clearly isn't a good person, to greet us!" The PTA representative pointed at Chronos next to him and said with dissatisfaction.

"Wow, you actually said that about my appearance?! It's not like I wanted to look like this, you know?!" Hearing the PTA representative's words, Chronos looked utterly dejected, squatting down beside a stone sculpture by the roadside and pulling at the weeds. "And you said I'm not a good person, when all I wanted to do was teach my students to be excellent, to be a positive person, you know...!"

The Chronos has sunk!

"Wow! He suddenly became depressed, Professor Chronos!" Ayukawa-sensei looked at Chronos squatting by the roadside, lowered her voice and said to Aoki in surprise, "That PTA representative suddenly became so aggressive, he wasn't like this when he got out of the car."

"It's like a fanatical idol who excitedly buys tickets to their favorite group's 10th anniversary concert, only to find their seat taken and then gets angry and starts fighting with the person who took it. Is that the kind of aggression you're trying to describe?"

Speaking in a rather subtle analogy, as if alluding to some real event, Kira Aoki rubbed his temples. "I thought that teaching at an academy on a deserted island would reduce at least half of the boring social engagements, but I still have to deal with these troublesome parents."

"However, if the target is an adult, it shouldn't be a problem to use some methods employed by professionals, right..."

"The tactics of gangsters?"

Ms. Ayukawa was taken aback, then saw a serious-looking Aoki walk up to the PTA representative who was questioning Principal Samejima. Despite being dressed in a suit and tie, looking like an ordinary office worker, when Aoki got serious, Ms. Ayukawa felt as if she could sense the terrifying aura of a serial killer emanating from him, as if he were about to attack the PTA representative at any moment!

Under the watchful eyes of Ms. Ayukawa and Vice Principal Samejima, Aoki bowed deeply to the PTA representative and began with practiced ease and dramatic flair: "Private Marseille!"

The methods employed by so-called "social figures" certainly wouldn't involve intimidation or other troublesome approaches. After all, the PTA represented by this woman directly influences the college's student admissions decisions, and they absolutely cannot afford to offend her. In that case, they'd have no choice but to tough it out!

Aoki tried to "hold on"... but it was ineffective against the PTA representative!

"Huh? Sorry? Is this how your school solves problems? You think an apology can solve everything? That's wishful thinking!" The PTA representative was still unconvinced by Aoki's practiced 45-degree bow. "I feel like your school has more and more problems. It was founded by the Haima Group, but it's performed so poorly."

"This pre-school visit was definitely the right decision. When I get back, I'll definitely share what I've seen and heard with other parents so they know what kind of school they've enrolled their children in!"

"Red bean paste, secret horse race!" Kira Aoki bent over at a ninety-degree angle, but "holding on" was still ineffective!

Watching Ayukawa pull Aoki, who was still bowing, aside and place him next to Chronos, who was still weeding, Samejima Iemitsu wiped the sweat from his brow and continued trying to persuade the PTA representative: "Madam, please calm down..."

"Who are you calling 'lady'? (Inhales) Who are you calling 'lady'! Can't you go look in the mirror yourself? A bald old man is calling me 'lady'? Am I even from the same generation as you?!"

"Old man?! I'm clearly in my early forties..." When Samejima heard the PTA representative's words, he froze for a moment, completely stunned and unable to move, as if he had turned into a stone statue.

The only surviving teacher, Ayukawa, watched the PTA representative trembling and couldn't help but think: This woman, is she probably only chosen as the representative to inspect the academy because she has the most sharp tongue and is the best at arguing? I wonder which student's parent she is. Luckily, my mother didn't argue like this at school when I was in school, otherwise I would have been a disgrace.

"Hmph, I only said a few words and you teachers can't even handle it? How can you manage and teach a group of underage students with such a low level of mental fortitude? You are really unqualified as teachers, you are really pathetic."

With her arms crossed, the PTA representative looked coldly at Ayukawa Emi. "If I don't see any more outstanding teachers who can prove the school's teaching ability, such as your principal Hayato Dai... cough, Mr. Kobayashi Hayato, I'm afraid I have no reason to stay here any longer. Instead, I should go back and tell the other parents just how bad this school is."

"Even if you say that, Principal Kobayashi, like Mr. Daitokuji, suddenly ran away and I don't know where he went. I can't call him back." Ayukawa Emi said helplessly, while inwardly wondering if Principal Kobayashi and Mr. Daitokuji had anticipated this situation and therefore ran away in advance?

Damn it, they didn't even take me with them! I don't want to deal with these troublesome parents here either!

Principal, help me!

"Ayukawa-sensei?"

Ayukawa Emi's prayers seemed to have worked. As she kept calling out to Hayato, she heard his voice not far behind her. Turning around in surprise, Ayukawa Emi saw Hayato and Daitokuji-sensei walking towards her along a forest path.

"Wow! It's Hayato-sama! He's even more handsome than on TV!"

However, to Ayukawa Emi's surprise, the PTA representative was even more excited than she was, even though she thought she was the one most eager for Principal Kobayashi's return. Upon seeing Hayato, she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice, "No, no, I can't take it anymore, my life is complete..."

"It's just that squinty-eyed look that's so annoying, it looks so pathetic and submissive."

"Get bullied? Ugh, so pathetic..." After finishing their tasks with Hayato and returning to the Duel Academy together, Daitokuji was still confused about what was going on with Vice Principal Samejima, Chronos, and Kira Aoki-sensei. Hearing the PTA representative give him such a poor evaluation, he sank into a state of dejection. "I... I'm definitely not as easy to bully as I look..."

"You collapsed way too quickly, Daitokuji-sensei," Ayukawa Emi couldn't help but retort, then glanced at the PTA representative, "And, Representative, didn't you just say 'Hayato-sama—'?"

"Ahem, it's nothing." Noticing that he had gotten a little excited and blurted out his thoughts, which Ayukawa Emi had overheard, the PTA representative coughed lightly to regain his composure and tried to adopt the same unapproachable attitude he had shown towards Samejima and the others when Hayato arrived.