Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"【Final Battle!】 is a Trap Card that can only be activated during the opponent's turn if my Life Points are below 1000." Hayato's voice came from the mist. "After selecting the One-in-One Monster on my field, all cards in both players' hands and on the field are sent to the Graveyard, and then the opponent can Special Summon the One-in-One Monster from their Deck."

"Afterwards, the two remaining monsters on the field will fight, and the battle will deal 0 damage to both sides. If either of them still has a monster left after the battle, that person wins the duel; otherwise, it is considered a draw."

The fog dissipated slightly, allowing Yugi to see Hayato's face clearly.

"Hmph, in that case, I'll summon this monster." Yugi chuckled, picked a monster card from his deck, and summoned it to the field.

The fog dissipated faster and faster, and the monster summoned by Yugi finally revealed its true form. Blood-red flesh, a pale exoskeleton, jet-black wings, and ghastly green eyes. Standing opposite [Card Gunner] was none other than [Summoning of the Devil], the very same monster Yugi had used to defeat [Gaia] in the duel where Hayato had lost.

"So it's this monster. Game, you really have a twisted sense of humor," Hayato said with a laugh. "Trying to defeat me twice with a single monster? Not so easy. I'm not going to let you win."

"That's what I should say, Hayato." Despite it being the final battle, both Hayato and Yugi laughed easily and even started chatting. "The winner of this duel is me."

"Further words are useless. You can't convince me about games with just talk. Perhaps—"

"I already knew that. In that case—"

"【Card Gunner】, Attack!"

"【The Demon's Summoning】, destroy it!"

Lightning and artillery fire clashed on the field, briefly stalemating before the yellow lightning and white artillery fire crossed paths and each hit its target.

Chapter 158 The Two Kings

Both sides' attacks hit their respective targets, and with a loud "boom," the smoke that had not yet completely dissipated became thicker again, making it impossible to see what was happening on the field.

"Who won in the end?" Jonouchi had been standing up from his seat since earlier, leaning against the railing at the front of the stands, gripping the handrails tightly, his heart pounding with tension.

Samejima frowned: "While Hayato's [Card Gunner] on the field does have the effect of increasing attack power, it can only be activated during Hayato's own turn. Moreover, even if it is increased to the maximum, it is only 1900 attack power, while Yugi's [Summon the Devil] has higher attack power."

"Theoretically speaking, we should have won the game. However..."

"But since Hayato activated a card like 'Final Battle!', it means he must have some kind of plan, right?" Thinking this, Mai Kujaku relaxed and sat back down.

As the smoke cleared, the first thing to catch everyone's eye was the unscathed [Summoning of the Demon] on the game field. Its bone claws casually brushed across its chest; the previous attack from [Card Cannonballer] had failed to inflict any damage. [Summoning of the Demon] looked at its opponent with disdain.

"So, he really won the game in the end?" Honda said with a questioning tone as he saw [The Summoning of the Devil] appear. After all, according to the rules of [The Final Battle!], if there are still monsters on the field, then he has won.

But Bakura saw what was happening in the smoke among everyone: "No, Hayato also has a monster on his field, and [Card Gunner] hasn't been destroyed!"

"what?!"

The smoke on Hayato's field quickly dissipated, revealing the figure of [Card Gunner]. However, in front of [Card Gunner], there was another figure crouching, holding a shield as tall as Hayato.

"Shield Warrior is one of the three cards that were previously sent to the Graveyard by Card Gunner." Hayato drew a card from the Graveyard and showed it to Yugi. "When a monster on the field battles, Shield Warrior can be banished from the Graveyard to protect my monsters from being destroyed by battle."

"Both sides have monsters on their fields, so the result is obvious, isn't it?"

"Hmph, what a stubborn fellow, Hayato." Yugi chuckled, looking at the old butler beside the dueling platform: "Well then, Mr. Referee, announce the result of the match."

The old deacon looked up at Pegasus on the platform, and after receiving approval, picked up the microphone: "According to the effect of [Final Battle!] activated by Kobayashi Hayato, both Yugi Muto and Kobayashi Hayato have monsters on their fields, resulting in a draw!"

"I hereby declare that the final champion of the Duel Kingdom Tournament, and the one who will defend the title of 'Duel King', is Hayato Kobayashi and Yugi Muto!"

On the large screen, Hayato and Yugi's avatars lit up side by side, their originally brown frames now edged in gold. At the same time, the words "Duel King" appeared on the screen.

"There are two winners?!" Jonouchi looked surprised, then burst into genuine laughter: "Great! It's a draw, neither of them lost!"

"What an unexpected ending," Samejima said with a smile, and began to applaud.

"Clap"

"Clap clap clap"

Inspired by Samejima, Kyoko, Honda, Bakura, Mai, Jonouchi, and even the old butler who was the referee all started to applaud, applauding the birth of the Duel King and the wonderful duel presented by the two duelists on the dueling stage.

"Well played, game." Hayato clapped his hands. "Seriously, I felt like I used every trick in the book, but in the end, I could only manage a draw with you."

“But I used all my strength in this duel, Hayato.” Yugi clapped. “[Yata], [Gaia], [Earth Spirit], your bond with the cards left a deep impression on me. It was quite an interesting duel.”

Just as the two were enjoying their friends' congratulations, Pegasus's voice drifted from the platform: "Interesting, Hayato boy, game boy~"

The two of them turned their heads to look at the high platform.

Pegasus was leaning over the fence, looking down at Yugi and Hayato below, like a high-ranking king looking down at the actors who were putting on a wonderful show for him. He had a mysterious smile on his face and was clapping his hands as well.

However, compared to the enthusiastic applause from others, Bekas's clapping seemed weak and listless.

"So, the two of you have defeated so many opponents and reached the top of all duelists? Oh, even I didn't expect this. If I had known, I should have prepared more prizes."

With a forced smile, Pegasus extended his hand toward Hayato and Yugi: "So, Hayato boy, Yugi boy, the card I mailed to you should still be with you, right?"

Hayato and Yugi exchanged a glance, then each pulled out an envelope and drew two cards from it—one with a treasure image, "Glory of the King's Right Hand," and the other with a blank image, "Glory of the King's Left Hand."

"As a reward for the Serpent Duel you two have offered me, I can make an exception and provide you with two prizes~" Pegasus looked at the two of them, "The right hand symbolizes wealth, and you can receive a large sum of money; while the left hand symbolizes glory, and you can have the opportunity to challenge me."

"So, what will you choose? Will you use your left hand?" Pegasus said, his smile fading from his face. "However, if you use your left hand, the loser of the duel will end up like Kaiba Boy, you know?"

Pegasus can easily make a decision about either Hayato or the game without even a second of thought.

"Hehe, hehehe, hehehehehe!" Hayato glanced at the card in his hand and suddenly laughed. "Pegasus, isn't there only one answer to this kind of question?"

"Chicken Sauce, Seahorse, Keipi, you brought them pain." Yugi glanced at the cards in his hand and suddenly laughed. However, it wasn't a warm smile, but a cold laugh filled with fighting spirit. "Our choice is—"

"I challenge you, I wield the scythe of judgment against you, and I will cleanse your hands of the sins that have stained them!"

With perfectly synchronized movements, Hayato and Yugi simultaneously presented the cards in their hands. It was a blank card, "Glory of the King's Left Hand," and both Hayato and Yugi had witnessed its purpose: to seal souls.

"Sparashi! You two certainly didn't disappoint me, Hayato boy, game boy!" Pegasus looked at the two men below, brimming with fighting spirit, and smiled confidently.

"Well then, I hope you all do your best in tomorrow's duel!"

After saying that, Pegasus turned and left with a loud "hoohoohoo" laugh, disappearing from the high platform.

Chapter 159 My room is quite big, you're welcome to come and play.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Shocking facts!"

As soon as they entered Hayato's room, the group was startled. The first thing they saw upon entering was Seto Kaiba, sitting upright on the sofa with his hands crossed and his chin resting on his hands.

"Kaiba-kun!?!"

"Seahorse!"

"Seto Kaiba?"

Just as Yugi was about to ask Hayato how Kaiba, whose soul had been sealed after his defeat in the duel with Pegasus, ended up in Hayato's room, he suddenly realized something.

With so many people entering Hayato's room, the noise was quite loud. Moreover, everyone had been shouting in unison; even if Kaiba had fallen asleep sitting up, he should have been woken up by the noise. However, from the very beginning, Kaiba hadn't reacted at all, a reaction the Game of Thrones had seen before—on his grandfather, Sugoroku Muto.

Clearly, the person appearing in Hayato's room, while indeed Seto Kaiba himself, is not Kaiba—because his soul is still in Pegasus's hands; what appears here is merely his body.

Rewind to ten minutes earlier. After the duel, Pegasus, Hayato, and Yugi left after exchanging harsh words, while Hayato and Yugi returned to the audience seats to receive congratulations from their friends.

"Your duel just now was truly spectacular, Yugi, Hayato." Jonouchi's smile was incredibly bright, he seemed even happier than if he had won the championship himself. He had always been such a straightforward person, and this was genuine happiness for his two friends.

"Beautiful construction, impressive duel." Samejima said approvingly, "It was as thrilling as dancing on the edge of a knife. I'm afraid even if I had ten more years, it would be difficult to produce a duel like the two of you."

As he spoke, Samejima suddenly had an idea: Although I have discovered the limits of my abilities, perhaps I can train someone to inherit my dueling skills and then surpass Hayato and Yugi.

"Congratulations." Mai crossed her arms and, after being persuaded by Jonouchi, clapped her hands somewhat reluctantly to offer her congratulations. "Congratulations on becoming the Duel Kings, Hayato and Yugi. Honestly, I really wanted the prize money too."

"Ah, speaking of the prize money." Hayato, who had been looking at Jonouchi and Mai with a gossipy gaze, heard Mai's last sentence and pulled out the "Glory of the Right Hand" card from his pocket, handing it to Jonouchi. "Now that Duel Kingdom has ended, this card can be used to claim the prize money, right?"

"Take it, Jonouchi."

Jonouchi looked at the card Hayato offered and immediately refused, saying, "No, Hayato, I can't take your card."

He wanted to say something more, but then he noticed that the game had also handed him his card.

Hayato waved the card in his hand: "You know my family's financial situation. We're not short of money. In fact, before coming to Duel Kingdom, I hardly ever touched the allowance my mom gave me. I don't have any money to spare, and even if I did, I could ask my family for it."

"But, you still don't have the money for Jonouchi's sister's surgery, do you?" The transformed Yugi smiled gently, handing the card in his hand towards Jonouchi again.

"But......"

Seeing that Jonouchi was still hesitating, Hayato pried open Jonouchi's hand and stuffed his own and the game's cards into his hand: "What are these? So just take them. Don't treat this as our money, don't treat it as Pegasus's money. This is a rare opportunity to take advantage of a big spender, don't try to put it back."

"Anyway, I've given you both the game cards and the game cards today. But if there's too much, remember to give me the change. Then, when we get back, let's have a good time and go on vacation somewhere like Hawaii." Seeing that Jonouchi wanted to say something, Hayato added, "No need for thanks, aren't we friends?"

“Hayato…Yugi…” Tears welled up in Jonouchi’s eyes, but he held them back and wiped them away with his sleeve. “Yes, I will remember your kindness.”

Just as Jonouchi was about to say something, Hayato suddenly grinned lewdly, leaned close to Honda's ear, and whispered in a voice just loud enough for Jonouchi to hear, "Speaking of which, Jonouchi's younger sister is called Shizuka, right? I remember she was a great beauty..."

Hehehe~

"Hehehe~"

"You two bastards, don't even think about hitting on my sister!" Jonouchi's tears instantly disappeared after Hayato interrupted him, and he started playfully fighting with the two of them. Honda was a little embarrassed to admit that he did have feelings for Jonouchi's sister, Shizuka, but Hayato kept saying things like, "Don't do this, brother-in-law," and "I'm just taking advantage of your kindness, you know?"

It must be admitted that Hayato's move was quite effective, successfully persuading Jonouchi to accept Hayato and Yugi's "Fortune" card. After the post-battle celebration, only one final question remained for the group.

"Pegasus, the father of Duel Monsters, a genius game designer. Not only does he have the deepest understanding of Duel Monsters, but he also makes full use of his identity as a card designer, possessing a considerable number of unique cards." Samejima shared the information he knew with Hayato and Yugi. "As far as I know, the true identity of the deck Pegasus uses is the [Toon] deck."

Although the Duel Kingdom tournament has ended, the next battle is between the two Duel Kings and the Father of Duel Monsters. As duelists, neither Mai Kujaku nor Iemitsu Samejima wanted to miss tomorrow's match, so they remained in the castle.

“Ah, I know, we saw Pegasus use it that day.” Kyoko recalled the day they arrived at the castle. “He was the only one who possessed the [Cartoon] monster, and its effects were incredibly overpowered. It was so unfair.”

“Impossible to destroy and direct attack—these two effects alone are enough to give us a headache. And every single one of Pegasus’s monsters has these resistances,” Hayato said helplessly. “And what’s even more troublesome than the [Cartoon] monsters, which can still be countered, is Pegasus’s mind-reading ability.”

“Mind reading is indeed troublesome.” Mai Kongque frowned. “Using such an ability in a duel is practically cheating.”

Jonouchi chuckled and said, "But Mai, you have no right to talk about Pegasus like that, do you, who puts perfume on cards?"

"Noisy!"

Honda's concerns were somewhat different: "Speaking of cheating, I'm worried about one thing. What if Pegasus gets attacked by Hayato and Yugi together and is about to lose the duel, then uses Keipi and the others as leverage?"

Kyoko was also a little worried after hearing what Honda said: "Pegasus is such a famous person, he shouldn't do such a thing, right?"

"That's hard to say. Didn't he already threaten Kaiba with Keibei that day?" Yugi sighed. He had just had some ideas about how to crack Pegasus's mind-reading ability, but now he had to start considering the possibility that Pegasus was cheating.

However, he also noticed Hayato's nonchalant demeanor. The only time he showed a troubled expression was when the "cartoon" monster was mentioned; afterwards, whether discussing mind reading or the hostages like Kaiba and Keihei, he seemed much more relaxed.

"Actually, we don't need to worry too much about Keipai and the others. I've already made preparations for that." Taking a big gulp of his soda and then clutching his temples to keep warm from the ice, Hayato said with a slightly distorted expression, "I have some good stuff in my room, want to come and take a look?"

"Great stuff? It's a new card?" Jonouchi said with interest, but Hayato waved his hand, "Hey~, it's even more exciting than a new card, and it'll make you guys... well, you know~"

As he spoke, he took the lead and brought the group to his room, which led to the scene at the beginning.

Chapter 160 The Pot of This World, Pegasus