Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

(Pegasus, sunbathing and slacking off on the beach: Achoo! This is my tenth sneeze today. Could it be that I've caught a cold from overwork? Oh no!)

Seeing Kagurazaka activate the effect of [Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning] and prepare to launch an additional attack, Jaden glanced at the surrounding [Skyscrapers], sighed, and said helplessly, "So it's finally time to use this card? Ever since I got this card from Mr. Yugi, I haven't had the chance to use it."

"But perhaps the best time to use this card is in your duel against Kagurazaka, who is using the Yugi-sensei deck?"

With that, Jaden pressed the button to activate the face-down card: "Chain effect of Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning, I activate this face-down Trap Card, Virtual World, in my back row!"

"The effect of this card is: I choose one Field Spell Card from my Deck, add it to my hand, or activate it on my field. I choose to activate this Field Spell Card on my field!"

"【Demon Bell Cave】!"

Watching the Skyscraper on Jaden's field disappear, replaced by a cave filled with strange magic? That was none other than the powerful underworld arena that Bakura had given to Yugi and that played a crucial role in his duel with Atem—the Demon Bell Cave!

Although Hayato later managed to obtain the [Magical Bell Cave] card through game drops and freebies, he only had one [Magical Bell Cave] in his hand. On the contrary, as the game progressed, his cards seemed to increase, much like his opponent's hand after a top-tier play.

"What exactly did you protect... Oh, you mispronounced a line." Pointing to the Field Spell Card [Magic Bell Cave] that had just been placed and activated in the Duel Disk area where Jaden's Duel Disk was still open, Hayato complained, "You said my influence on teenagers is immeasurable, but what kind of monstrous cards did you give them this time, Yugi?!"

"Huh? But I feel like [Clock Cave] is a pretty good card, right? Because this card can actively guide both sides to control the number of monsters to enter a one-on-one state that is as fair as possible, right?" Yugi said with a matter-of-fact expression, "As a card designer, I think this is so cool, it perfectly fulfills my imagination of a 'hero'."

"What 'hero'? He's clearly a 'sinister villain'."

As Jaden unleashed [Demon Bell Cave], Kagurazaka frowned deeply. This wasn't because he was troubled or distressed by the effect of [Demon Bell Cave]. On the contrary, he, like everyone else on the sidelines, knew nothing about the [Demon Bell Cave] that Jaden had played.

This is understandable, since the original user of this card was Dark Bakura, and then Bakura gifted it to Yugi before the Duel Ritual with Atem. The details of that Duel Ritual were not made public, and after parting ways with Atem, Yugi stopped participating in public dueling tournaments.

As a result, even top students like Misawa and Asuka were completely unaware of the effects of the card [Clock Cave].

"Could there be some secret weapon hidden that I'm unaware of?"

"You, Kagurazaka, who only uses cards as tools, won't understand this power you've inherited!"

Hearing Judai's words, Kagurazaka became even more annoyed: "Hmph, what inheritance? You say your cards were a gift from Yugi Muto, so what? The one using Yugi Muto's cards is me!"

"The monsters on the field haven't changed in power. As expected, Field Spell Cards are just for show. The kids in the Red Dorm wouldn't understand." Waving his hand again, Kagurazaka commanded, "[Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning], ignore that card and keep attacking to defeat the last monster!"

However, after Kagurazaka finished speaking, the Chaos Warrior - Messenger of Creation, who had just been obediently following orders and attacking, simply stood on his field without making a move.

"[Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning], attack [E·Hero Sky Warrior]!" Kagurazaka was somewhat puzzled, but assumed it was because his attack declaration hadn't been clear enough, so he repeated it. However, the result remained unchanged; the strongest warrior he had considered his ace remained motionless.

"Move, Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning! Why aren't you moving!"

Chapter 1226 One more? Okay, one more!

(This is a supplement to yesterday's post; some people said they couldn't see the whole thing.)

"Move, [Chaos Warrior - Messenger of Creation]! Why aren't you moving!"

Just like a large potato that's been locked on by a woman and won't move, no matter how much Kagurazaka shouted to get the Chaos Warrior - Messenger of Creation to attack, the latter remained rooted to the spot.

It was at this moment that Jaden began to explain the effect of the card he had activated: "The Field Spell Card [Clock Cave] has three effects. First, it is forcibly activated when both players have the same number of monsters on their field during the End Phase, destroying them."

"Second, if I control more monsters than my opponent controls, I cannot activate monster effects or declare an attack. Third, if my opponent controls more monsters than I control, my opponent cannot activate monster effects or declare an attack."

After hearing what Judai said, Kagurazaka's expression changed: "These cards are way too—"

"It's pretty cool, right? Because of this card, in order to avoid being restricted, both duelists will be guided to actively control the number of their monsters to enter a one-on-one battle. And even if they defeat their opponent's monsters, they will hold back and not press their advantage." Jaden smiled. "Don't you think that's cool? As a duelist, I think it perfectly matches my imagination of the heroic battle arena."

"—That's disgusting!"

However, while Jaden's thoughts were subtly in sync with the game, Kagurazaka had a completely different opinion: "What kind of hero uses this kind of arena as a battleground? That card clearly only restricts me! What kind of hero uses this kind of arena as a battleground?"

After a pause, looking at the area of ​​the field closed by the Judai Duel Disk, Kagurazaka continued, "Was it because of that card that [Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning] couldn't attack? The sheer number of monsters actually limited me. Is this what you call a 'fair' battle?"

Although Jaden only chained into Virtual World to search for and activate [Clockwork] in his deck when the effect of [Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning] was activated, and [Clockwork] was activated later, it couldn't affect [Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning] which had already been activated before that, the effect of [Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning] at that moment could add an extra attack. Although the effect was successfully activated, Kagurazaka was completely unable to declare an attack due to the restriction of [Clockwork].

Furthermore, since Jaden only has one monster at this moment, while Kagurazaka has two, even if Jaden activates a Spell/Trap Card during his turn, Kagurazaka cannot chain-trigger the effect of his [Super Magician - Dark Magician's Apprentice] to draw a card.

There are only two ways to break the current situation: either Jaden has more monsters than Kagurazaka, freeing him from the restrictions of the [Clock Cave], or the [Clock Cave] is destroyed, freeing both sides from restrictions. However, Kagurazaka has little hope for the former, and unfortunately, he has no way to achieve the latter.

If he had cards like [Whirlwind] in his hand, he would have used them long ago. Why would he wait until now to use them on [Clockwork]? He also can't actively reduce the number of monsters on his field to one, and then destroy it at the end of his turn using [Clockwork]'s own effect...

No, wait a minute, it seems like I'm not completely helpless?

Kagurazaka, having thought of something, glanced at Jaden and said, "Let your monster stay until your turn. I'll end my Battle Phase and then face down both cards in my hand during Main Phase 2."

"End of round."

Kagurazaka: 3300LP, 0 cards in hand

[Super Archmage - Apprentice of the Dark Archmage] [ATK2800]

Chaos Warrior - The Creator of the Frontier [ATK3000]

[GaiK] X3

"You've escaped with your life, Jaden Yuki." Kagurazaka said ruthlessly, looking at Jaden. "But don't forget, because you avoided my [Black Blast Magic] last turn with [Dark of the Scapegoat], your [Nightmare Mirage] is still on the field. And the only face-down card you have left is [Miracle Fusion], right?"

"Therefore, although you still have four cards in your hand, during your standby phase after drawing cards, you will randomly discard all four cards. With only one card, one face-down card, and one monster left, do you really think you can defeat me in one turn?"

Upon hearing Kagurazaka's words, Jaden simply smiled and replied, "So, Kagurazaka, you're also looking forward to me putting on a spectacular duel? Hehe, in that case, just wait and have hope. A hero's performance will definitely not disappoint you."

"My turn, draw a card—" Jaden drew a card from his deck, glanced at it, and immediately inserted it into his Duel Disk. "Then, during my Standby Phase, I will activate this Quick-Play Spell Card, 'Extraordinary Food,' to send my 'Nightmare Mirage' to the Graveyard and restore 1000 Life Points!"

【游城十代：1800→2800LP，手牌4→5→4】

Although [Unusual Food] was not set face down, as long as it was sent to the graveyard before [Nightmare Mirage] took effect, it didn't matter where [Unusual Food] was activated. Jaden not only preserved his hand but also restored his Life Points to more than half.

Meanwhile, on Kagurazaka's side, the [Super Magician - Dark Magician's Apprentice] on the field was eager to activate the Spell Card [Extraordinary Food], but it couldn't activate its effect due to the restriction of [Magic Bell Cave]. This restriction is different from [Skill Drain], which can be resisted by the monster's own resistance; it is a player-specific effect, and its triggering doesn't require activating a monster effect. Otherwise, Kagurazaka would just have to watch Jaden freely unleash his abilities.

"I activate this face-down card on my back field—[Miracle Fusion]—and banish the Fusion Material Monsters determined by the Fusion Monster of [E-Hero] from my field and Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon." Pressing the button to activate the face-down card, Jaden activated the [Miracle Fusion] he had searched for with the effect of [E-Hero Sunrise] last turn but hadn't used immediately. "The Fusion Material Monsters I selected are [E-Hero Skywalker] on my field and [E-Hero Liquidman] in my Graveyard!"

"Wind and water attributes, but [E·hero Sunrise Warrior] was already excluded from the backstory, right?" Manjoume said calmly, arms crossed. "So it's the same old three moves again. If I'm not mistaken, it's time for the 'transformation' phase again."

As for Manjoume, he had already played with Jaden so many times and had seen it so many times that he was hardly excited about the next combo. Rather, it was because the [Mask Change] card he got from Principal Hayato was so perfectly suited to Jaden's dueling style that he used it time and time again.

"The power of endless storms and the power of pure flowing water converge, transforming into a protective ice barrier standing firm before the enemy!" Holding a card above his head, Jaden summoned, "Fusion Summon! [E·Hero Absolute Zero]!"

【E·hero Absolute Zero】【ATK2500】

"At the same time that [E·hero Absolute Zero] is successfully Fusion Summoned, the effect of [E·hero Liquid], which was banished as Fusion Material for [Hero] Fusion Monster, is activated." Jaden said, drawing two cards from his deck. "I draw two cards from my deck, and then choose one card from my hand to discard."

Seeing that Jaden's hand had increased to five cards instead of decreasing, unlike a typical Fusion deck which was losing cards but was actually gaining cards little by little, Kagurazaka glanced at his face-down cards in the back row and decisively pressed the button, saying, "Then I also have a card to activate to chain the Special Summon of [E·hero Absolute Zero]."

The card was lifted, revealing a red border. Under Jaden's gaze, a bottomless pit suddenly appeared under the feet of his [E·hero Absolute Zero].

"Trap Card [Bewitching Trap Hole], the turn your opponent successfully Special Summons a monster, target one monster your opponent controls with 2000 or more ATK!" Kagurazaka pointed at Jaden and said, "Destroy that monster!"

This [Bewitching Trap Hole] is the card Kagurazaka drew last turn using the effect of [Super Magister - Dark Magister's Apprentice]. Even though he can't activate monster effects now because of [Clock Bell Cave]'s effect, trap cards aren't restricted!

Manjoume and the others thought that Jaden would use his old but effective "Zero to Acid Water" combo to clear the field, but Kagurazaka's unexpected use of the "Bewitching Trap Hole" card added a new twist to the duel.

Jaden had no hand traps to stop the activation of [Bewildering Trap Hole], and could only watch helplessly as his [E·Hero Absolute Zero] was swallowed by the trap. Fortunately, Kagurazaka's graveyard didn't contain any other [Trap Hole] or [Trap Hole] normal traps, so the additional effect of [Bewildering Trap Hole] wasn't triggered.

Also, because [E·hero Absolute Zero] left the field, his effect was also activated!

"【E·Hero Absolute Zero】is forced to activate its effect when it leaves the field, destroying all monsters on your opponent's field." Jaden looked at Kagurazaka on the field and said with some distress, "This seems to be in a bad situation..."

The effect of [Clock Cave] applies to Kagurazaka and also to Jaden. When a monster on Kagurazaka's field is destroyed by Jaden's [E-Hero Absolute Zero], Jaden will be immediately restricted by [Clock Cave] and will be unable to activate its effect or attack whenever he summons a monster!

On the contrary, Kagurazaka was protected by Judai's "Demon Bell Cave"!

The power of [E·hero Absolute Zero] burst forth, destroying all two monsters on the Kagurazaka field. The power of [Major Bell Cave] was withdrawn from Kagurazaka, and a brief silence ensued.

Just when everyone thought Kagurazaka's plan was to use the effect of [Magical Bell Cave] to restrict Jaden's ability with his own card, Yugi showed a surprised expression: "That child, although his will is imitated, I have to praise him."

"Even if it's borrowed ideas and concepts, it definitely feels like a duel with Atem." Hayato nodded in agreement.

Jaden, seemingly aware of what was happening during the duel, looked towards Kagurazaka's arena and couldn't help but show a surprised expression: "Kagurasaka, you!?"

"It can only activate its second effect when [Super Magister - Black Magister's Apprentice] is destroyed. This effect is not limited to whether it is destroyed by myself or the opponent. Moreover, since my field is completely destroyed just like yours, Jaden Yuki, even [Clock Cave] cannot prevent me from activating this effect."

Picking up the card "[Super Magician - Dark Magician Apprentice]" from his Duel Disk, Kagurazaka smiled as he looked at the master and apprentice in the card art. "Special Summon [Dark Magician] and [Dark Magician Girl] from my hand, deck, and graveyard!"

On Kagurazaka's field, [Dark Magician] and [Dark Magician Girl] appeared at the same time. It seems that they avoided the two field bombs by [Torrent Burial] and [E·Hero Absolute Zero] by using a spell cast in cooperation and returned to the field. However, they were forced to break out of their fusion state and stand separately in two monster zones.

[Black Magician] [ATK2500]

Dark Magician Girls, ATK2000

If Kagurazaka hadn't activated the effect of this Special Summoned monster, he could have been safe from Jaden's [Clock Cave]. With his 3300 Life Points, even with an empty field, he could have safely survived Jaden's turn thanks to [Clock Cave] and the protection of his backrow cards. But instead, he activated this effect anyway, deliberately putting himself back into a restricted state?

“I know what you want to ask me, Jaden Yuki. Even though I’m not Yugi Muto at all, and I could have been safer by just watching my monsters get destroyed and leave the field, I still Special Summoned Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl back.”

Kagurazaka took a deep breath and calmed himself down, saying, "Even if I imitate it 99%, I can never perform a duel exactly like the person I'm imitating. I know that better than anyone else. The concept of the duel is imitated, the cards are from elsewhere, and even the battle strategy is borrowed."

"My duel is a fake."

After a pause, Kagurazaka opened her eyes and said, "However, there is no reason why a fake can never defeat the real thing. Even if it is a borrowed idea, I will fight a duel that is my own!"

"Let's start by taking down that [Demon Bell Cave]!"

At this moment, Kagurazaka had to some extent given up imitating the Yugi Muto in his heart and the Yugi Muto he imagined. He had given up rational dueling and was instead influenced by his emotions to fight. But it was precisely this kind of thinking that made him closer to the duel that the real Yugi Muto would engage in.

At the moment when [Dark Magician] and [Dark Magician Girl] gathered together, disregarding that Jaden had no monster cards on the field and could not fully utilize the capabilities of his cards, Kagurazaka pressed another button to activate a face-down card and said: "Quick-Play Spell Card [Dark Blast Magician] activated! [Dark Magician] and [Dark Magician Girl], lend me your power once more!"

"Smash the [Demon Bell Cave]!"

Upon hearing Kagurazaka's words, the Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl on his field exchanged a glance, smiled, and did not answer what their current controller was saying. Instead, they tacitly raised their staffs and pointed them at Jaden's field.

The all-destroying magic bullet took shape again and struck Jaden's only field spell card. Under Jaden's watchful gaze, [Magic Bell Cave] was directly destroyed by [Black Blast Spell], which was capable of destroying everything!

Upon seeing this, Jaden revealed a rather excited smile.

"What a magnificent battle, Kagurazaka!"

After activating the "Black Burst Spell" solely to destroy "Magical Bell Cave," Kagurazaka fell into a brief silence as he watched the Field Spell Card "Magical Bell Cave" being destroyed. He simply watched "Magical Bell Cave" being destroyed, his heart filled with a subtle and indescribable emotion.

He thought that his foolish and reckless actions would earn him ridicule from Judai for his terrible performance, but he never expected to hear Judai's sincere praise.

“To be honest, who wouldn’t want to duel the legendary duelist Yugi Muto? After all, he’s one of the few standing at the very top of the pyramid in the world of Duel Monsters.” Jaden said earnestly to Kagurazaka, “But your duel is also something I want. No, rather than dueling Yugi Muto, at least right now, I genuinely want to duel you, Kagurazaka!”

"Especially when I saw Kagurazaka unleash the second [Black Blast Magic], I cheered from the bottom of my heart. There's no duel more fun than this!"

“Yuki Judai…” Kagurazaka looked at his opponent seriously for the first time. Seeing the sincere smile on Judai’s face, he couldn’t help but smile as well. “That’s right, there’s no more interesting duel than this.”

"So, shall we play a card, Jaden Yuki? Here, another one!"

"Okay, one more!"

Chapter 1227

(The previous text has been modified)

"Come on, one more!"