Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"【Predatory Plants】...After 【Shaddoll】 and 【Death Village】, you've actually pulled out another card from the 【Predatory Plants】 field." Yugi commented from the side, "Hayato, the purity of your 'pure 【Tears of Elegy】 deck is just too high."

"Is it a coincidence? [Predator-Rhinoceros Dragon] and [Hungry Poison Fusion Dragon] are both Level 8 Dark Attribute Fusion Monsters, but their Attack and Defense are only 100 points lower each?" Jonouchi also curiously examined the appearance of [Predator-Rhinoceros Dragon].

Although Hayato had used the Predator deck quite a bit when playing cards with Jonouchi and the others in real life, it was mostly used as a foundation. They would switch to other graveyard decks like VWXYZ to get the LIGHT attribute and then instantly transform into Chaos. Or they would take advantage of Jonouchi's many DARK monsters with Red-Eyes and use Super Polymerization to get materials to transform into Ferocious Hungry Poison Fusion Dragon or the Predator deck's own terminal, Predator-Spike Vine Three-Pointed Hellflower.

On the other hand, the [Predatory Plant-Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] is something Kaiba and Yugi might have seen before, but Jonouchi is seeing it for the first time today. He wonders what its effects are. However, judging from its prototype being a carnivorous plant, the giant rhinoceros horn, and its ferocious appearance, it must be a rather ferocious monster, right?

"Hmph, it's nothing but a fake with the appearance of a dragon. It's not as good as [Blue Eyes]." Kaiba's comment was as personal as ever, full of bias and prejudice.

However, Kaiba's words reminded Jonouchi of something, and he suddenly turned to Kaiba smugly, saying, "Oh, I see. No wonder Yugi reminded me about the [Tears of Elegy - Mermaid] that Hayato sent to the graveyard. [Dragon's Might] isn't a card whose attack count is determined when it's activated. Since Hayato also performed a Special Summon this turn, it means that [Dragon's Might] grants [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] an additional attack!"

"Looks like our battle isn't over anytime soon, Kaiba!"

Pointing at the only Blue-Eyes Tyrannosaurus Rex on Kaiba's field, Jonouchi ordered, "Attack again, Red-Eyes! This time, the target is the Blue-Eyes Tyrannosaurus Rex in attack position on Kaiba's field! Although its attack power is 3400 points and it can only deal 1400 battle damage, which won't be enough to deplete Kaiba's Life Points, every little bit helps!"

"Black Flame Bullet - Triple Strike!!"

Under the follow-up attack of [Dragon's Fighting Spirit], [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] once again spewed out a burst of dazzling dragon flame. Although the name "Black Flame Bullet" doesn't really match the color scheme of this move, as long as the momentum is there, the name doesn't matter much—didn't you see Hayato shouting something like "Starburst Abandoned Healing Slash" before?

Meanwhile, Kaiba glanced at Hayato's [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon], which was summoned by fusing [Shadowy Midrash] and [Tearful Melo Mermaid], and a smile crept onto his lips.

"As expected, Hayato Kobayashi, are you, like me, also looking forward to the chemical changes caused by the fusion of miracle and brilliance, the eternal radiance and the momentary burning that arise from the clash of duelists' wills, and the magnificent performance that will unfold on the unpredictable stage of fate in the virtual world 'Duel-Links'?"

"In that case..."

Holding his only card high above his head, Kaiba shouted, "Come on, Jonouchi Katsuya! Your attack will awaken a brand new power of the Blue Eyes that neither you nor Yugi Muto have ever seen before! Open your eyes wide and watch as the Blue Eyes gains this incredible power thanks to the world-class technology of the Kaiba Group!"

The colorful black flames struck the Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon. Although it had recovered its original power by the end of Hayato's turn and was no longer affected by the effect of the Hungry Poison Fusion Dragon, the Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon was only slightly stronger than other Blue-Eyes Dragons when attacking. When defending, it only had the advantage of 400 more attack power and resistance to trap cards.

When they met on a narrow path, the Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon faced off against the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and even with all its might, it could not defeat it!

The battle ended the moment it began. Under the damage from the Black Flame Bullet, the Blue-Eyes Tyrannosaurus only had time to use its wings to protect its body and reduce some of the damage before using its last strength to leave something on the Kaiba field before being instantly destroyed and sent to the graveyard. Kaiba's Life Points also dropped sharply again, plummeting to a mere 300 points!

Seto Kaiba: 1700→300LP

The basic score of the seahorse is already as fragile as a candle in the wind!

As a professional duelist, Jonouchi would certainly not casually throw out this classic flag. However, before he could even provoke Kaiba with a couple of inexplicable remarks about his previous attack declaration, he suddenly discovered that there was an extra face-down card on Kaiba's field, which should have been empty.

"Use your brain before you speak, you mediocre person." Interrupting Jonouchi before he could even ask a question, Kaiba took a card from his graveyard and inserted it into his Spell & Trap Zone. "The face-down card on my back field is a product of the third effect of Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon. Once per turn, at the end of the Damage Step when Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon battles, I can target one Trap Card in my Graveyard and activate Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon's effect, then set that card in my Spell & Trap Zone."

"I've chosen the only Trap Card in my Graveyard, [Deck Destruction Virus]!"

Chapter 1278

"You've already destroyed my hand once, but you're going to do it again?!" Jonouchi frowned. "I knew you wouldn't use this card against Hayato's deck, which clearly loves to fill the graveyard. You actually want to destroy my hand? Tch, but this doesn't quite match your previous threats. I don't see what a trap card has to do with Kaiba Corporation's technology."

"Hmph, this mediocre guy's brain is even more stupid than I expected. I never said that this face-down card was the new form of [Blue Eyes] that I was going to show. Is your [Red Eyes] a trap card instead of a monster card?"

As he spoke, Kaiba spread his five fingers on his right hand, which had somehow become empty, and said, "If any card on the field is destroyed, I activate the effect of this monster in my hand and Special Summon it!"

He slammed his outstretched hand onto the deck of the airship. "Come out, Wagatsumashi! The evolved pride and soul dragon!"

"Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon!"

Amidst the roar of the seahorse, the deck of the airship beneath their feet suddenly began to deform as if it were a creation of Cybertron, and a massive hangar rose out of thin air in the distance. As the hangar doors rose, a "jet plane" emerged from the tracks in front of the hangar and drove onto the catapult deck.

No! At first glance, Jonouchi did mistakenly believe that the jet was just a 1:1 replica of Kaiba's real-world "Blue-Eyes Jet," a jet that had been given a severe aerodynamic overhaul and was known for its powerful, brick-like flight. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that the "jet" was actually blinking and scratching itself with its claws, which served as landing gear.

That thing was actually a living dragon monster!?

Looking at Hayato's [Predator-Rhinoceros], which looks exactly like a Dragon but is actually a Plant, and Kaiba's [Blue-Eyes Jetdragon], which looks exactly like a Machine but is actually a Dragon, Jonouchi was momentarily bewildered. Even Jonouchi still couldn't quite get used to the unique "find the Dragon" mechanic in Duel Monsters.

"Your summoning phrase is so cool, I thought you were going to summon 'Pride and Soul Dragon'. It's another jet dragon." Hayato was calm, after all, he had seen this card before, and he had even personally piloted Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Jet in real life.

Upon hearing Hayato's words, Kaiba glared at him, recalling his unpleasant experience of being imprinted with an unknown "Ultimate Dragon Mage" by Hayato using "Super Fusion" on "Blue Eyes".

"【Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon】Can be Special Summoned from my hand or Graveyard when any card on the field is destroyed by any battle or effect, and as long as she is on my field, no other cards on my field can be destroyed by my opponent's effects!" With his last card played and hands empty, Kaiba crossed his arms and proudly showed off his new card—at least it was new to Yugi and Jonouchi. As for Hayato… Kaiba had no idea where this guy got all that information about cards; he'd never seen a card that even Hayato hadn't heard of.

Blue-Eyes Breathing Dragoon [8☆/Light]

[Dragon Clan/Effect]

[3000/0]

"You say you're protecting the cards on your field, but all you have is one face-down card. And that face-down card is even the [Deck Destruction Virus] that was just face-down this turn." The more Kaiba wanted others to look at his cards with admiration, the less Jonouchi would let him have his way, and immediately exposed him, "Besides, because of the effect of [Dragon's Fighting Spirit], the Special Summon of your [Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon] actually gave my [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] an extra attack."

Since Jonouchi wouldn't let Kaiba have his fun, Kaiba naturally wouldn't let Jonouchi continue to be arrogant. He curled the corners of his mouth and said coldly, "Heh, so according to you, you're going to continue attacking me, using your hard-won 4800-point attack power [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] to attack my attack-status 3000-point attack power [Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon]?"

The Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon, which looks very similar to a jet, has 3000 ATK, a figure that almost any random monster drawn in the Blue-Eyes deck would have, making it seem like a designated comparison target. However, its DEF is far inferior to other Blue-Eyes monsters, with 0 DEF, the same as the Blue-Eyes Ritual Monsters Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon and Blue-Eyes Chaos Max Dragon.

The way a monster is displayed in Duel Monsters is determined by its attack power versus defense power. This is a practice that beginners who are just starting out with Duel Monsters will be specifically reminded and corrected about. Even if you don't understand the effects of some monsters that look like short essays, you should at least pay attention to the occasion and the situation on the field when the monster is displayed.

With only 300 Life Points, Kaiba knew that "Dragon's Might" was still active, yet he still Special Summoned "Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon," and even put it in Attack Position? Does Kaiba really think he's an idiot?

"Do I look like the kind of person who knowingly walks into a trap? Tsk, you actually dared to nod, you bastard!" Jonouchi was furious when he saw that the seahorse had actually nodded after hearing his words. However, he did not rashly attack the Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon, whose effects had not yet been revealed.

In fact, his decision was indeed correct. Just like Hayato's Shadowdoll Nephilim has the overpowered ability to destroy the opponent's monster directly at the start of the damage step when it is Special Summoned, Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon naturally "inadvertently" "referenced" its effect after countless duels with Hayato.

If Red-Eyes Black Dragon actually attacks Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon, its third effect will be triggered. At the start of its damage step in battle, it will return one card from the opponent's field directly to their hand. This effect is much more annoying than destroying, banishing, or even sending to the graveyard. After all, there are many effects of Duel Monsters, but few monster effects have the trigger condition of "being returned to the hand".

Not to mention that monsters returned to the hand cannot be easily Special Summoned back using effects like "Monster Resurrection," and when they encounter Fusion Monsters, they can even be bounced back into the Fusion Deck, requiring the player to gather Fusion Materials again to Fusion Summon them again. It's as disgusting as having your monster sent back to the Fusion Deck by someone using "Fusion Deactivation" at second speed!

For some reason, Hayato, who had taught Jonouchi the special use of [Fusion Release] and even induced him to use it in his duel with Kaiba in the Duel City semi-finals, couldn't help but sneeze. However, a kind-hearted duelist like him would never be the subject of gossip behind his back, so it must be that this virtual world was too realistic and he caught a chill from the wind. Hmm.

"【Dragon's Fighting Spirit】 has given 【Red-Eyes Black Dragon】another chance to attack. I, Jonouchi, am incredibly clever and would never fall for that arrogant and cunning Kaiba. However, I'm also very unwilling to waste this attack chance without attacking him." Jonouchi's gaze swept across the field, passing over Yugi without stopping, before he looked at Hayato, who was standing not far from Kaiba.

"Hey! Let's choose that monster as our target." Jonouchi had a sudden inspiration and locked his gaze on a monster on Hayato's field, with a bright light bulb appearing next to its head.

"Where did this random decoration come from?" Jonouchi casually removed the light bulb and tossed it aside, pointing in Hayato's direction. "While I don't want to start focusing my energy on dealing with you so early, weakening your team beforehand seems like a good option."

"Hayato, the monster with the lowest ATK of yours, only 800, and in Attack Position—that [Tears of Elegy Mermaid]—is my target!" With a wave of his hand, Jonouchi commanded, "Black Flame Bullet—Four-Hit Combo!!"

While the Tearful Family members all possess the cheesy ability to perform a second-speed fusion at the graveyard when sent there, this effect is only triggered if they are sent to the graveyard by an effect or destroyed in battle.

On the other hand, their fusion is also limited by the restriction that each mermaid can only use its own effect to fuse once per turn. Hayato has already used the effect of the [Tearful Melo Mermaid] from his deck to send to the graveyard to fuse and summon [Predator-Rhinoceros Dragon]. Even if Hayato has a card that can activate from his hand to send a monster on the field to the graveyard, it will not trigger Melo's effect again.

"You really don't know how to cherish women at all. But why only attack four times instead of five? Is it because five times isn't enough?" Hayato looked relaxed as the five-colored black flame bullets flew towards him, and even talked nonsense that no one could understand, as if he didn't take the black flame bullets' 4800 attack power seriously at all.

After losing the 900 attack power boost from the previous round's [Divine Shadow - Merchant's Staff Spirit] effect, the attack power of [Tears of Elegy Clan - Mermaid] has dropped back to its original 800. Even the small fist that [Disrupt - Yellow] and its defense cannot break will be destroyed the moment it touches the Black Flame Bullet, and the overflowing 4000 basic points will probably be wiped out in an instant.

Hayato thought to himself as he watched the black flames explode in front of a suddenly appearing seven-colored rainbow. The five-colored black flames were completely blocked by the seven-colored light barrier and did not harm him or Melo in the slightest.

With its two tiny paws, it directed the rainbow-colored light curtain to expand, changing it from its original arc-shaped protective shield mode to a cylindrical shape that surrounded the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. The Rainbow Kuriboh wiped away non-existent sweat from its forehead, jumped down from the air, landed back on Hayato's shoulder, and rubbed against his cheek.

"In the opponent's monster's attack declaration—"

"Tsk, as expected, it's another Rainbow Kuriboh. I've had enough of that already, hurry up and take it away." Jonouchi sighed, extinguishing the nascent fantasy in his mind that he might be the first to defeat Hayato. "The Rainbow Kuriboh will be equipped on Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and then Red-Eyes Black Dragon will be unable to attack, right? I've heard that effect almost two thousand times."

"It wasn't that easy to beat you, Hayato."

"If you, Jonouchi, easily defeat Hayato, wouldn't all the hard work Kaiba and I put in seem worthless?" Yugi said with a smile, watching Hayato insert the card in his hand into the Spell & Trap Zone. The Rainbow Kuriboh was equipped as an Equip Card to Jonouchi's invincible black dragon on the field, sealing its attack.

As long as [Rainbow Kuriboh] is still equipped on [Red-Eyes Black Dragon], Jonouchi's [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] will have a high attack power of 4800 but will be unable to attack, just like Hayato's [Greedy Poison Fusion Dragon] whose attack was sealed by [Blue-Eyes Aura].

"Unable to continue attacking, it seems I have no choice but to end the battle phase." With a helpless shrug, Jonouchi glanced at the six cards in his hand, drawing one. "But I didn't say I was going to end the turn like this. Hayato returned the rice as Fusion Material to the Fusion Deck; you're not the only one who lifted the Special Summon restriction, Kaiba!"

"Although I can't use Red-Eyes Fusion because I've already Special Summoned Red-Eyes Black Dragon, my other monsters are eager to make their appearance!" With that, Jonouchi played a card from his hand. "This is the first card to appear. Normal Summon Fireblade!"

After playing the card, Jonouchi wanted to see what other people thought of the Warrior-type monster created based on his own appearance. Although he had enjoyed the surprise of Ryo Marufuji during their duel, the real thrill came from the praise he received from top-tier duelists like Hayato.

However, to Jonouchi's surprise, after glancing at a completely empty spot, Kaiba suddenly gave him a chilling smirk. After casually pointing at something, Jonouchi discovered that while the card "Flame Swordsman" appeared in his monster zone, the monster itself did not appear on the card.

On the contrary, flames rose from beneath his feet, and to the astonishment of the city's inhabitants, the flames transformed into armor and a battle robe, which he donned. A crimson greatsword was suddenly thrust into his hand!

Upon seeing his current appearance, Jonouchi slapped his thigh: "Oh no, I've turned into a monster card!?"

【Flame Swordsman】【4☆/Flame】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[1800/1600]

"It was you who did this, wasn't it, Seahorse!"

"The outfit of the ineffective mortal fusion monster [Flame Swordsman] is quite a match for you, Jonouchi, who is a mediocre talent. But the accusation of 'trickery' is just your slander. I didn't do anything. I just detected a small bug in the virtual world and temporarily fixed it."

"Then don't turn your head away halfway through your sentence, you bastard!"

"Ha, I just don't want to be amused by your clown-like appearance."

Kaiba's facial expression control was quite impressive; he managed not to reveal that he was the one who did it. Everyone else could see that he was the one who did it, but he didn't blush at all and could still flirt with (lol) Jonouchi normally.

"Oh well, I've experienced that before when I dueled Baron, so let's just relive the past. Anyway, the expansion will be over soon." Jonouchi flicked his sword. "The brand new [Flame Swordsman] card series is probably only known to Hayato and Yugi. Kaiba, just you wait and see this surprise. After all, this deck can start with a single card and expand all the way to the end!"

"[Flame Swordsman]'s effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, add one Spell/Trap Card with the name [Flame Swordsman] from my Deck to my hand!"

However, despite holding the sword for a long time, Jonouchi was unable to activate the effect or add the card from the deck to his hand.

"Huh? What's going on? Did you do something to me again, Seahorse?"

"Hmph, is it that you, a mere castle, are not only mentally challenged but also visually impaired?" Kaiba pointed to the side unhappily, "The person interfering with you is over there."

Looking over, Jonouchi saw Hayato directing the [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] to quietly embed its roots into the deck, clearly doing something shady. When he noticed Jonouchi's actions, Hayato even put his hands on his hips smugly and said, "No need to thank me, Jonouchi, just accept my gift."

Sensing something, Jonouchi turned around and saw the roots that had broken through the metal deck tangled together, quietly sticking to his back and secretly absorbing his fire power. Then Jonouchi saw his... oops, I mean, his [Flame Swordsman] level rapidly drop to 1☆?

Chapter 1279: Barbarians got a new card, but there wasn't a chance to include it in Jonouchi's duel.

"Once per turn, [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] can target 1 monster on the field with a [Predator Counter]. Monsters with a [Predator Counter] of 2 stars or higher become Level 1. This effect can be activated during your opponent's turn."

Hayato paused, then proudly pointed at Jonouchi with his hands on his hips and said, "Then, as long as [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] is in the Monster Zone, the effects of monsters with [Predator Counter] activated by the opponent will be nullified!"

"That means [Flame Swordsman], your effect has been directly nullified!"

"Calling something that negates my card's effect a gift is one thing, but I'm Jonouchi, not the 'Flame Swordsman,' so don't arbitrarily change the subject to 'Duel Monster'!"

【Flame Swordsman】(Predator indicator 0→1)【4☆/Flame→1☆/Flame】

Seeing the level of his monsters rapidly dropping to only 1☆ on his field, Jonouchi, who had just been talking about showing off the power of the "Flame Swordsman," felt somewhat embarrassed. After all, he didn't have any other support cards from the "Flame Swordsman" series in his hand, and if the effect of "Fighting Flame Swordsman" was negated, he was helpless.

However, with the [Flame Swordsman] downgraded and the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] having its attack sealed, the two monsters on my field are actually...

Thinking of this, Jonouchi drew another card and said, "Even if Hayato seals the effect, the evolution of [Flame Swordsman] will continue, along with [Red-Eyes]!"

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card [Red-Eyes Reincarnation]! Tribute all monsters in my hand and on the field whose combined Level is 8 or higher. Since the combined Level of [Flame Swordsman] and [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] on my field, whose Levels were lowered, is exactly 8, I Tribute them to the Graveyard and Ritual Summon this monster!"

"Ritual Summoning! Level 8☆!"

"A fiery breath envelops me! Roar! [Crimson King]!"

Like a character from the O-God film created by poet Kubo, Jonouchi raises the greatsword of the "Flame Swordsman" straight in front of him with one hand, recites lines that sound like a release speech, and shouts out the monster's name.

The next moment, the giant sword indeed unleashed its power like a cleaver, transforming into a blazing inferno that enveloped the entire [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] within the city and on his field!