Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

However, as the battle began, Ramses II saw that [Shadowdome - Seven Sages Giant Kundal] in Hayato's graveyard began to struggle, forcibly breaking free from the control of the hindrance [Shadowdome Midrash], and waving its staff to send a card into Hayato's hand.

"Although the Special Summon was negated, the effect of [Shaddoll - Seven Sages Giant Kunma], which was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, was activated as a result." Hayato caught the card he retrieved from his deck. "This effect can only be activated if this card is sent to the Graveyard. Add one [Shaddoll] card from my Deck or Graveyard to your hand, and then discard one card from your hand."

"I added [Shadowdress Aria] from my deck to my hand and then sent it to the graveyard."

The card that passed through Hayato's hand and was quickly sent to the graveyard was a blue-haired mage girl sealed in an orange transistor. Several black and purple energy tentacles reached into the transistor to modify the girl. Judging from her appearance, she was clearly the same mage girl who had previously piloted [Shadowdew - Seven Sages Giant Kun], except that her appearance was before she was transformed into a doll-like body, when she was still known as [Relic Mage Aria].

"If 【Shadowdress - Aria】 is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, you can target up to three cards in both players' Graveyards to activate this effect. While it has the troublesome resistance of having to target cards while it's on the field and can be repeatedly revived from the Graveyard, if you just destroy them, you won't be able to revive the 【Horus】 monster, right?"

Hayato's voice reached Ramses II's ears. He saw Hayato pointing to his own graveyard and saying, "[Horus's Glory - Imset, [Horus's Blessing - Kebushenaf], and [Horus the Black Flame God], in my name, I hereby expel you from this graveyard!"

From Ramses II's tomb, the card of the Trisolaran monster that Hayato had named was suddenly spat out of Ramses II's Duel Disk. It shattered like a stone slab when it fell to the ground, and the fragments of the card turned into golden particles and disappeared in a very short time.

But Ramses II scoffed dismissively, "Hmph, knowing you can't defeat me, you resort to such a pointless tactic to annoy me? You're too naive, Hayato Kobayashi. Not to mention that I have two copies of 'Horus the Black Flame God' in my graveyard, even if you temporarily banish the 'Horus' monsters from my graveyard, I can still use the effect of 'King's Coffin' to Special Summon 'Horus' monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard during my turn."

"Muda muda muda, your resistance is utterly futile in my eyes!"

However, upon hearing Ramses II's words, Hayato revealed a strange smile: "'I will interrupt Kobayashi Hayato,' you said that, didn't you? As punishment for being an enemy of me, a Camus, I will shatter your hopes!"

Even though the battle had already begun, Hayato wasn't in a hurry to have his monster attack Ramses II. Instead, he pointed at him and said, "Ramses II—no, at a time like this, it's more appropriate to call him by his four-character name..."

"Mélimon!"

"Why did I specifically explain the effects of [Divine Shaddoll - Seven Sages Giant Kunda] to you when I used [Shaddoll's Apocalypse] to fuse and summon it!"

"Why did I use [Planet Exploration Vehicle] to search for the Field Spell Card [Dark World - Shadow Utopia]?!"

"Why would I deliberately step into the trap of the [Ascension Horn Flute] you set and draw a card!"

"There's only one answer, Meliamon!"

Hearing Hayato's three consecutive questions, Ramses II, his brows furrowing, watched as Hayato suddenly sent a card from his hand to the graveyard and then revealed the last card in his hand. "That is, your reaction is all within my calculations. My real purpose is to use the [Ascension Horn] to draw a card from my hand!"

"【Dark World - Shadowy Utopia】is not only an exceptionally suitable location for 【Shaddoll's False Canon】, but also the perfect place for me to use this ultimate fusion card! Hahahaha!"

The moment Hayato revealed the card, the entire arena froze. Everything seemed to be locked in place by space and time, unable to move. They could only watch helplessly as a bolt of lightning danced and spread within the card in Hayato's hand, gradually opening into a vortex that seemed capable of encompassing the entire world.

"Whether it's a meticulously planned trap, an ingenious spell, or the effect of a powerful monster, no card can chain this card's activation. Discard one card from my hand to unleash ultimate power!" Hayato inserted the card in his hand into the Spell & Trap Zone and shouted, "Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, [Super Polymerization]!"

"I will perform a Fusion Summon by sending the Fusion Material Monsters, which I have chosen from both players' fields, to the Graveyard. The materials I have chosen are two DARK monsters on my opponent's field!"

Upon hearing Hayato's words, Ramses II instinctively denied it, saying, "But the two monsters on the field are water and wind attributes respectively, not—"

He stopped halfway through his sentence because he noticed the flickering dark green flames around him. The presence of the Field Spell Card [Dark World - Shadow Utopia] had forcibly changed the attributes of all the monsters on both sides' fields to DARK!

"So that's how it is? So that's why you specifically searched for this Field Spell Card? You actually planned this all along, back when you drew those two cards with [Pot of Greed]!" Ramses II looked at Hayato and said, "Was this also part of your calculations, Kobayashi Hayato!"

Hayato did not answer Ramses II's questioning. The only response he received was the fusion vortex of [Hyperfusion], which seemed to contain infinite power and endlessly spiraled towards the center like a golden spiral. Ramses II's [Horus's Forerunner - Hapi] and [Horus's Blessing - Duamteph] were simultaneously drawn into that infinite vortex.

【King's Coffin】 grants the 【Horus】 monsters the ability to not be destroyed by cards that do not target, such as 【Lightning Strike】. When one of them is dealt with alone, it will trigger the effects of the other surviving 【Horus】 monsters. The flaw of this chain trap is whether there is a way to expel all the 【Horus】 monsters from the field at once, and 【Super Polymerization】 is Hayato's answer.

None of the Horus that were sent to the graveyard at the same time could activate their respective effects. Although they could return to the battlefield in the next turn with the power of the King's Coffin at the call of Ramses II, their power had already been taken away by Hayato and incorporated into the fusion, providing nourishment for the being conceived within.

"The materials are two DARK attribute monsters, and the Despairing Vines, laden with fruits of sin and blood, are born from the depths of hell! Appear! Poisonous dragon with hungry fangs!"

"Level 8☆! Fusion Summon! Wagatsumashi!"

At the very center of the endless swirling vortex of fusion, in that seemingly infinite place, purple began to spread in reverse. A pair of ferocious eyes opened, revealing dragon pupils full of arrogance and greed. Golden and blood-red orbs lit up one by one. From the vortex containing ultimate power, the purple venomous dragon used its sharp claws to forcefully pry open the gaps, stretching out its vine-like and ferocious body to Hayato's field!

"【Ferocious, Hungry, and Poisonous Fusion Dragon】!"

[Fierce, Hungry, and Poisonous Fusion Dragon] [8☆/Dark]

[Dragon/Fusion/Effect]

[2800/2000]

As the [Fierce, Hungry, Poisonous Fusion Dragon] appeared, a gust of wind suddenly blew up behind Hayato, causing his clothes to flutter and revealing an extremely "healthy" smile: "The so-called trial is to overcome and get rid of difficulties. Let me teach you what 'cannot get up again' means, Ramses II!"

"Glory or victory, it all belongs to me, Kobayashi Hayato! I am the winner! The winds of victory are blowing from behind me, Kobayashi Hayato!"

Pointing forward, Hayato commanded, "[Ferocious, Hungry, and Poisonous Fusion Dragon]! [Shadowdew Nephilim]!"

"Clear any obstacles in my way and attack the enemy directly!"

In Ramses II's tomb, a rainbow light briefly shone, but Ramses II did not respond to [Rainbow Kuriboh]. He simply crossed his arms and said to himself, "No, there's no need for that, Nefertari. That guy knows about the power you lent me."

"In the end, he still managed to avoid taking you away from Yu. Hmph, even the most despicable guy still has his bottom line. That way, Yu wouldn't struggle so pathetically even knowing that the ending couldn't be changed."

The instant Hayato ordered the direct attack, Ramses II could undoubtedly have used the effect of the Rainbow Kuriboh (which Hayato hadn't banished) in his Graveyard to Special Summon it in Defense Position. However, with two monsters with 2800 ATK on Hayato's field, blocking either attack would have been pointless. Facing the combined assault of the purple giant and the poison dragon, Ramses II maintained his pharaoh's nobility and composure until the very end, welcoming the final battle.

Ramses II: 2750 LP → 0

Chapter 1160 Kono Dio!

"In the very end, it was still me, Hayato Kobayashi, who emerged victorious! The Emperor is still me, Hayato Kobayashi! This has never changed!"

"Tough! Iron Chicken! Super Q!"

"Hehe, hehehahahahaha!"

After losing the duel due to his life points reaching zero, the surrounding virtual images dissipated and the original environment was restored. Along with the change in images came Hayato's arrogant laughter after winning the duel, and the voice of Kaiba could be faintly heard coming from Hayato's Duel Disk.

"Hmph, that's exactly why I really don't want to lose to you. You're so smug after winning the duel." Hearing Hayato's laughter, which was exactly the same as his own, Ramses II curled his lip and said unhappily, "But because pointing fingers at others is the privilege and privilege of the victor, I can only watch this bastard smugly in front of me."

"Hmph, how can one be a king without arrogance? Your displeasure isn't with me, Kobayashi Hayato, being arrogant from the high ground of victory, but simply because you're not the one who can be arrogant just because you won, are you?" Hayato glanced at Ramses II, proudly pointing a thumb at himself, and said, "The one who laughs last isn't you, an outdated pharaoh, but me, Kobayashi Hayato!"

"Tsk, I can't argue with that. Even I have to admit that what you said, 'How can one become king without a calm mind,' makes some sense." Hayato's words were a fatal blow, directly pointing out Ramses II's thoughts. After all, the two of them were too similar. Knowing what he was thinking meant knowing what the other was thinking.

That's why Hayato and Ramses II were always so incompatible. Anyone else would probably feel the same way; it would be hard to like someone who knows all your thoughts and whose insults are almost equivalent to insults directed at you.

Unable to refute Hayato and unable to bear Hayato's arrogant attitude after winning the duel, Ramses II, as expected of an outstanding military strategist who won the Battle of Kadesh during his lifetime, decisively chose to tactically shift the topic to others. The first to be targeted was the only human on this "Dark Sun Ship" besides Kobayashi Hayato—Marufuji Ryo, who had been watching the entire battle.

"Bow down with gratitude, you shimmering one. Not just anyone has the right to witness a duel in which I, as a Pharaoh, am of the highest caliber, participate. Even if you lose your composure and go mad over the sublimity of the duel, it is alright. I grant your permission."

— Rather, it's okay to lose your composure a little; it'll just draw Kobayashi Hayato's attention away and prevent him from jumping up and down to mock you and continuing to be so arrogant.

"This was indeed a very exciting duel. Whether it was the repeated resurrections of Horus or Principal Hayato's brilliant planning, it was all very exciting..." After hearing Ramses II's words, Marufuji Ryo, as usual, began to analyze the details of the duel and rationally try to summarize the experience for learning.

But after hearing Marufuji Ryo say a few words, Ramses II raised an eyebrow and looked at Hayato, saying, "Is this all your students are? How come they're still so stupid even now?"

"Then you'll have to ask his teacher who took him as a disciple."

Hayato shrugged, a helpless expression on his face. He was the King of Duels, not the King of Talk. He was good at playing cards, but education and psychological guidance were not his forte. It would be difficult to reverse and correct the education that Marufuji Ryo had received for many years in three years of school. Anyway, two years had passed, and Marufuji Ryo was still the same Marufuji Ryo.

The saying "It is a person's greatest virtue to know himself" means that a person should know his own limitations and not overestimate his abilities. However, from another perspective, it also means that it is very difficult for a person to see what kind of person he is.

"Respect" and "dignity", "electronic flow", "Caesar", "perfection"... and so on, the things he learned later enveloped Marufuji Ryo's heart, arming him and gradually making him stronger and "perfect", but also gradually making Marufuji Ryo unable to see clearly who he really was.

Just like now, even though Ryo Marufuji witnessed the entire duel between Hayato and Ramses II, he subconsciously analyzed the duel with rational thinking because of the dueling knowledge he had learned over the years, just like a machine.

Undoubtedly, his habit can help a person improve themselves step by step, making up for their shortcomings in the process of learning little by little to get closer to "perfection". However, for a duelist, "perfection" is the enemy. Simply being "perfect" is not enough.

With the right curvature, the lines can "perfectly" form a "perfect" circle. After that, as long as the perfect curvature is maintained, the area of ​​the circle will continue to expand as the circumference increases.

However, the golden spiral extending according to the golden ratio is not a "perfect" arc that can form a circle, but it can extend indefinitely. However, when a duelist's vision is limited by the finite "perfection", his progress will always be unable to break free from the framework. Only by stepping into infinity can a duelist continue to grow stronger.

"Forget those boring things that nobody will remember anyway, Marufuji." Hayato, the principal of the Duel Academy, said this to Marufuji Ryo, urging his students to forget what they had learned. "Don't think, don't think with your logic, but feel with your emotions. What exactly did you 'see' in the duel?"

"Principal Hayato?"

“You heard me right, that’s exactly what I meant.” Seeing Marufuji Ryo’s puzzled expression, Hayato replied as if he could read minds, “Having just lost a duel with that guy, don’t you want to find out where you’re lacking and make yourself stronger? If so, then like I just said, just give up thinking about it for now.”

"The more you think about 'giving up thinking,' the less you can actually give up thinking. But this is all the guidance I can give you. Even if you think it's absurd or you can't do it, if you want to become stronger, just do as I say and 'give up thinking.'"

"This is my Lesson 1—don't have any strange expectations of me."

In fact, before Hayato said those words, Ryo Marufuji did have some expectations for Hayato. He wanted Hayato to point out the shortcomings in his duel that could be improved, which would be a convenient shortcut rather than taking the long way around by thinking about the shortcomings on his own.

However, since Hayato had said so, Marufuji Ryo naturally took Hayato's words to heart and forced himself to stop using ordinary dueling knowledge and logic to analyze and understand the duel between Hayato and Ramses II.

Although the symbol of "Electronic Flow," the [Electronic Dragon], is a Machine-type monster, it doesn't mean that duelists of "Electronic Flow" will gradually gravitate towards cold machines in order to become stronger. On the contrary, because the true secret of "Electronic Flow" comes from the stars, there are philosophical thoughts in the teachings of "Electronic Flow."

Although he had already graduated from "Electronic Flow," perhaps due to his exceptional talent, Marufuji Ryo's training time in "Electronic Flow" was far shorter than that of others. As a result, while ordinary people were just beginning to delve into philosophical thinking after finishing the mechanical and calm training of "Electronic Flow," Marufuji Ryo had already obtained the certificate of graduation as "Electronic Terminator Dragon."

Despite never having studied at the "Electronic Flow" dojo, Hayato, by "coincidence," began to give Ryo Marufuji his unfinished philosophical instruction, causing him to abandon his thinking and begin to comprehend the pure essence of dueling itself.

It must be said that Ryo Marufuji does indeed possess remarkable abilities, not only in duels. When Hayato told him to abandon his thinking, and he recalled the details of Hayato's duel with Ramses II, he managed to forget his instinct for "rational analysis" rather than "suppress" it, and truly felt the duel itself purely from his instincts, even though it was his first attempt.

The yellow sand that makes up the ever-resurrecting Horus monsters, the dark fire that fills the field, the summoning spells that connect to other dimensions, and the shadows that exist between life and death—many elements that appear in the duel flashed through Ryo Marufuji's mind. After a moment, he suddenly said uncertainly with a slightly hesitant tone, "The sun?"

"Hmm?" Ramses II glanced at Marufuji Ryo with a hint of surprise upon hearing his words.

“Although there is no evidence, it’s just a sudden feeling that came out of nowhere.” After a pause, Ryo Marufuji looked at Hayato and repeated his thoughts, “The feeling I got from that duel just now was that of the sun, a battle between two suns.”

Upon hearing Marufuji Ryo's words, Ramses II made no attempt to hide his laughter and immediately burst out laughing, saying, "Hehe, hehehahahaha, I originally thought he was a fool blinded by my brilliance. Although he is still someone who cannot see his own faint light, he is not beyond redemption because he can recognize me as the supreme sun."

Whether it's the Horus used by Ramses II who keeps jumping out of the graveyard, or the Shadow Summoning used by Hayato that is not normal in terms of art style, on the surface, it all seems to be from the underworld, not something that could be done in the mortal world.

However, this is only the surface, the surface that rational thinking can see. When Ryo Marufuji abandoned thinking and "feeled" as Hayato suggested, he truly felt something deeper hidden beneath the surface.

Whether it was Hayato or Ramses II, the cards they used had absolutely no effect on their spirits, just as the attraction of a magnet is insignificant in the face of the sun's gravity. Hayato and Ramses II, once in duel mode, were like the blazing sun, unabashedly releasing all their light and heat.

Like the sun, they fought with all their might; like the sun, they fought for victory.

The point is not to fight with all their might. The point of their duel is to win. They are not going all out for some trivial reason like "going all out". The only reason they are doing so is for the sake of "victory".

After his defeat to Ramses II, Ryo Marufuji wavered once again when he realized the true difference between himself and Hayato and Ramses II. He had always fought with all his might, and won because of that. But Hayato and the others fought only for victory, and then gave their all for victory.

Although they seem the same, there are fundamentally irreconcilable differences between the two. At the same time, what shakes Marufuji Ryo the most is that he vaguely yearns for the other side, not to fight with all his might and win, but to fight with all his might to win.

No, this...no...

Ramses II had little interest in Marufuji Ryo, who was vaguely aware of his own inner thoughts. Although Ryo could catch his eye, that was all. Ryo, who vaguely understood his true nature, was not worthy of his attention. He was only good at attracting Hayato's attention.

"Although I narrowly lost to you, I still thoroughly enjoyed this trip to the mortal world." Ignoring Hayato's retort, "What kind of narrow defeat is that?" Ramses II said, "However, it is precisely because of the sunrise and sunset, and the brilliance of the sun, that it is so precious. Next time, I will return from the underworld like lightning."

"And by then, you'll no longer be able to hold onto victory, Hayato Kobayashi. Take advantage of this last bit of sunshine to savor the hard-won victory that you'll never be able to reach again, hahahahaha!"

"That sounds nice, but you said something similar last year after you were defeated and before you shamefully ran away," Hayato retorted, glancing at another golden spaceship in the distance. "Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered that you didn't recklessly expose that ridiculous lie?"

"Secrets hidden beneath the yellow sand will one day be revealed, let alone fragile lies?" Ramses II shrugged. "Besides, which family doesn't have a few loyal but stupid subjects? I'm not the kind of wicked person who enjoys seeing others suffer."

"Huh? What's with that look? Want to fight?" Hayato said unhappily, noticing that Ramses II was actually looking at him while speaking, and completely denying that he was the "malicious person who enjoys watching others suffer."

Unexpectedly, Ramses II gave Hayato no chance at all, and with a wicked smile, he waved his hand: "This is the moment!"

Suddenly, the golden spaceship vanished, and Hayato and Ryo Marufuji, having lost their footing, plummeted towards the ground below. The triumphant voice of Ramses II, whose body had dissipated and returned to the underworld, echoed from the sky: "You fell for it, Hayato Kobayashi! This is my revenge plan!"

"Although you will definitely not be killed by the fall, you have lost your composure and can no longer maintain the arrogance of a victor. In the end, Ozymandias still has the upper hand!"

"In terms of strategy, you're no match for me. You, Kobayashi Hayato, won't be the one laughing last—"

"Ko No Ozymandias!"