Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Of course it doesn't matter." Judai felt it was insignificant; he was good at both attacking first and attacking second. "I don't care."

He has always been indifferent.

“I have no objection either. I’m fine with whatever you like, Mr. Saiō.” Manjōme Chōsaku also had no objections.

“I don’t care.” Manjoume felt the same way, but he frowned and pointed to the table in front of Saiou, saying, “But what’s going on with your hand?”

On Saiō's table, all five of his cards were placed face down, and Saiō hadn't looked at them once since they were drawn.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't think it's necessary for me to check what card I drew—given that I've already seen through fate."

"Seeing through fate? Nonsense, I can't understand it." Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Even I would be a little unhappy if I were to duel with a completely new opponent and be looked down upon like this."

"That's right, they're clearly newbies to Duel Monsters, but they act like legendary duelists like Hayato or Yugi, without even looking at the cards," Manjoume mocked. "Do they think they can 'draw whatever cards they want'?"

“That’s about right,” Saiō replied calmly.

"What do you mean by 'more or less like'?" Judai looked at Saiou and said, "Then prove it with your actual performance."

“As you wish.” Saiou nodded, took out a card from the top of his deck, and showed it to the world without even looking at it. “Then, during my Main Phase 1, I activate the Spell Card, [Arcane Reading].

Upon hearing the sound and looking over, Judai and Manjoume were astonished to find that the card Saiou was holding was indeed, as he had declared, a magic card called [Mystic Reading]!?

"You actually guessed right?!" Jaden exclaimed in surprise. "How did you do that? Did you spray special perfume on the cards and then read the cards based on the scent?"

"Idiot, how could that kind of tactic be possible? The cards are so close together, their scents would be mixed up, how could anyone tell them apart? It's not like you're sticking your nose to the deck like a dog and sniffing it." Manjoume complained, then looked at Saiou's card, "But, I don't think I've ever seen that card before, and—isn't that hand in the card art Saiou's own hand?"

"Ah, you figured it out." Saiou looked at the hand in the card that was picking up a card and smiled. "Actually, not only that hand, but also the table in the card illustration and the tarot cards on it are all based on me—because the deck I use is the 'Mystic Power' deck, which combines my tarot divination techniques. Like the two sides of a coin, the 'Mystic Power' cards, just like tarot cards, have different effects depending on their heads or tails!"

"When 【Secret Ritual Reading】 is activated, a head-down or reverse-down position determination is made, which is treated as a coin toss. If head-down, I can add one card from my deck that has a coin toss effect, other than 【Secret Ritual Reading】, to my hand." After a pause, Saiou added, "However, if reversed, the effect of 【Secret Ritual Reading】 becomes that my opponent adds one card from their deck to their hand."

"It's a bit complicated, but isn't this just gambling?" Manjoume said dismissively. "You might win, but you're more likely to let your opponent win. It's too unpredictable."

Manjou-no-Magazaki coldly reprimanded, "Jun, Mr. Saiou's expertise in the Duel Monsters field is different from your lousy bottom-of-the-barrel performance. You are making a hasty conclusion because you don't understand Mr. Saiou."

"Loser..." Manjoume clenched his fists angrily. He was still a little hesitant to use the duel to wake up his older brother, but after hearing Manjoume Chosaku say that about him... Regardless of whether he had been brainwashed by Saiou, he would definitely be able to do it later.

Rather, it's more like—since the goal is to wake the opponent up with a duel, it's okay to use a little more force, right?

Although the Duel Disk wasn't used, for some reason, a thin mist still rose over the dock in the early morning despite the sunlight. Then, the card that Saiou activated seemed to use the virtual projection system on the Duel Disk, projecting onto the front of his table, with a miniature version of the card spinning on it.

After the card spun a few times, Saiou suddenly spoke up: "Fate has told me to stop here."

The card's rotation gradually slowed down and came to a stop, but the final position determined on the [Secret Ritual Reading] was not the upright position that was favorable to Saiō, but rather the reversed position?

"Isn't this a huge failure? They talked so big, but ended up with the worst possible verdict?" Jaden's lips twitched as he complained. "I thought they actually had some kind of superpower to foresee the future."

“No, Judai Yuki, this is precisely the best route to the most suitable destiny.” Saiou shook his head and revealed a mysterious smile. “If it were a one-on-one duel, this effect would indeed benefit the opponent—but don’t forget, this duel is a doubles duel.”

"In this duel, I, Jaden Yuki, Mr. Nagasaku, and then Jun Manjoume will take turns in this order. I cannot enter the battle phase as the first to attack, but you can start attacking me when I have already set up my defenses at the beginning of your turn. Each group shares the graveyard and the field, but the basic points are independent. Therefore, [Secret Ritual Reading] can consider Mr. Nagasaku as my 'opponent'!"

Saiou gestured to the side, while Manjoume Nagasaku, under the watchful eyes of Judai and Manjoume, gave a cold smile and retrieved a card from his Duel Disk: "Hmph, I will definitely not disappoint Mr. Saiou. The card I will choose from my deck is this one—[Tool Game Book]!"

"Although I don't know when even 'game notebooks' became Duel Monster cards, I can't go wrong using this card first." While Manjoume Nagasaku was searching for cards, Jaden also revealed a card in his hand, saying, "During both players' turns, if I have no cards on my field, I can activate this effect by discarding this [Friends' Gathering - Meow Meow Leopard Cat] from my hand!"

"Each time my opponent Special Summons a monster banished from my Graveyard, I draw one card from my Deck."

As Jaden discarded the card, the pink cat leaped out of the graveyard and stood beside him. It had originally intended to rub against Jaden's trouser leg, but upon noticing a stray orange cat hair on Jaden's clothes that didn't belong to it, [Meow Meow Leopard Cat]'s eyes sharpened, and it hissed at Jaden repeatedly.

"Huh? This is 'Pharaoh's' cat hair. What do you mean I'm philandering?"

"You're going to use that card now?" Manjoume raised an eyebrow at Judai's actions. "The opponent's [Arcane Power] deck type hasn't been revealed yet, has it?"

“That’s true, but I can’t use this card during my turn, can I?” Jaden shrugged. “There’ll be no chance to use it after my turn ends. The effect of [Joyful Companion - Meow Meow Leopard Cat] can only be used when I have no cards on my field.”

"That's true."

Saiou glanced at the [Joyful Companion - Meow Meow Leopard Cat] circling around Jaden and calmly said, "Are you trying to force your opponent to limit their Special Summoning of monsters in the Graveyard and banished by gaining more hand resources? But my [Arcane Power] deck doesn't frequently use that type of Special Summoning."

"During my main phase, I discard this [Hecatelis] from my hand to the graveyard to activate its effect." Just like before, without even looking at his hand, Saiou picked up a card from the table, flipped it over, and placed it in the graveyard. "I add one [God's Dwelling - Valhalla] from my deck to my hand."

Although it was called a search, Saiou actually flipped a card from the middle of the card deck and showed it to Jaden and Manjoume without using the Duel Disk's automatic search function. It was the Continuous Spell Card he was looking for, "God's Abode - Valhalla," and he placed it directly on the back row.

"Next, the Continuous Spell Card [God's Dwelling Castle - Valhalla] is activated."

Behind Saiō, a palace rose from the ground, with stone pillars entwined with vines supporting a white marble dome. The central courtyard cast light down, illuminating the throne placed at the far end of the palace against a backdrop of red silk cloth.

The position of the Prince of Sai, who was sitting at the round table, seemed to be exactly where the throne was, making him appear as a god looking down on all living beings.

"The effect of 【Valhalla, the Dwelling of the Gods】is that, once per turn during my Main Phase, if I have no monsters on my field, Special Summon one Angel-Type monster from my hand."

"I use the effect of [Valhalla, the Dwelling of the Gods] to Special Summon this Angel-Type monster, [Arcane Power V-Pope], from my hand in Defense Position!"

Emerald-like light shone in front of Saiou, and a strange creature that looked more like a machine than an angel appeared on Saiou's field with the light splashing like water, assuming defense position. Moreover, like [Arcane Reading], a rotating card appeared above the head of this monster named [Arcane Power V-Hermit].

(Green Emperor)

【Arcane Power V - Pope】【4☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Effect]

[1500/1500]

"【Arcane Power V-Pope】Activates its effect when Normal Summoned, Special Summoned, or Flip Summoned, performing a position check. If in the normal position, 【Arcane Power V-Pope】Special Summons a Level 4 or lower 【Arcane Power】 monster with the same name that is not on my field or in my Graveyard from my Deck to my field."

After a pause, Saiou spread his hands in a seemingly helpless manner, "However, in the reverse position, [Arcane Power V-Pope] will become a Special Summon of one [Arcane Power] monster from my Deck to my opponent's field."

"The advantages and disadvantages are obvious. But with your terrible luck, do you think you can get a reverse position?" Manjoume mocked.

Upon hearing Manjoume's words, Saiou also feigned a guilty expression: "How would we know if we don't try? Probably?"

"Even he himself isn't sure." Seeing Saiou's expression, Manjoume became even more disdainful of him.

After the card spun a few times, Saiou shouted "Stop!" again. The spinning card gradually slowed down, and it seemed that it was about to stop in the correct position. However, a gust of wind suddenly blew in from the sea, which successfully affected the card's effect judgment in the duel. The judgment of [Secret Power V - Pope] jumped forward a lot and landed in the reverse position!

"Pfft! What a ridiculous deck! No wonder you can only be a manager for professional duelists. Your luck is just unbelievable." Manjoume mocked mercilessly. "This [Arcane Power] deck, full of these gambling cards, is just a third-rate deck. And your luck is only fourth-rate. A fourth-rate duelist with a third-rate deck, is there anything more hilarious than that?"

But Judai frowned: "Is that so? But Manjoume, I have a feeling something's not right. Wait a minute, that card's effect is also 'opponent'!"

"Huh? Could it be!" Manjoume, reminded by Judaiichi, suddenly realized.

Ultimately, the two of them mostly engaged in singles duels. It was only after Jaden and Caesar teamed up for a doubles duel, against the Labyrinth Brothers, who were among the best doubles duelists in the world, that he realized Saiou's true purpose.

"As expected of Jaden Yuki, a duelist with considerable talent, just like Edward, and bearing the 'Fool's' hint." Saying words that no one else could understand, Saiou once again precisely drew a card from his deck and handed it to Nagasaku Manjoume without even looking at it. "That's right, just like with the previous [Secret Ritual Reading], for [Secret Ritual Power V - The Pope], I have once again chosen my dueling partner—Nagasaku Manjoume."

"Special Summon this [Arcane Power VI - Lovers] from my deck to his field!"

"I have received your gift!" Respectfully accepting the card [Mystic Power VI - Lovers], Manjoume Nagasaku placed the card horizontally on the duel disk. "Appear, [Mystic Power VI - Lovers]!"

【Secret Power VI - Lovers】【4☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Effect]

[1600/1600]

As the "Lovers" card in the Tarot deck, which is right next to the "Hitler", [Mystic Power VI - Lovers] has the same level as [Mystic Power V - Hierophant], and its attack and defense values ​​are only 100 points higher. It looks like a strange doll, and you can barely see a bit of a "feminine" feeling.

Asuka looked at the card [Secret Power VI - Lovers] and had a strange feeling about it.

"【Arcane Power VI - Lovers】will also have its position determined during Summoning, Flip Summoning, or Special Summoning. In the upright position, 【Arcane Power VI - Lovers】 can be used as two Tributes when Tributing a 【Arcane Power】 monster. Conversely, in the reversed position, the effect of 【Arcane Power VI - Lovers】 will be reversed so that 【Arcane Power】 monsters cannot be Tributed."

After Saiou finished his explanation, Manjoume Nagasaku followed up, saying, "However, under Lord Saiou's guidance, each of his cards becomes a gear that guides destiny toward the most suitable trajectory, and this [Secret Power VI - Lovers] that has been handed to me is no exception!"

"【Secret Power VI - Lovers】Ah, stop here!"

As soon as the words of the long-time narrator fell, the spinning card came to a sudden stop, landing perfectly in the "correct position"!

"That's it! Judai Yuki, Jun Manjoume, the gears of fate have meshed, at this very moment!" Saiou revealed a card from his hand. "Although it's a monster that Manjoume controls, I can use it as a Tribute Summon if needed. Then, I'll Tribute [Secret Power VI - Lovers] as two monsters to perform a Tribute Summon!"

"The pinnacle of the Major Arcana, the ultimate of the Tarot, where the gears of the Wheel of Fortune mesh! Reveal the final [mystical power] called 'The End' under the choice of destiny!"

"Superior Summoning, Level 8☆!"

"Smash, Valudo!"

Chapter 1533 Time Stops Here!

"The-World!"

An ominous white light emanated from the card that Saiou displayed in his hand. Before the eyes of Manjoume, Jaden, and the onlookers, multiple phantom images of Earth simultaneously gathered in the duel arena shrouded in a thin mist.

As Saiou placed the card on the table, multiple phantoms of Earth collided violently. The [Secret Power XXI - World], also a mechanical, tentacle-like monster, and roughly circular in shape, appeared on Saiou's field!

【Arcane Power XXI-World】【8☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Effect]

[3100/3100]

"【Secret Power XXI - The World】is the pinnacle of Tarot cards. Its attack and defense are flawless, surpassing even the legendary 【Blue-Eyes White Dragon】." Saiou couldn't help but smile as he looked at 【Secret Power XXI - The World】appearing on his field. "Even without using its effect, its power surpasses the vast majority of Duel Monsters!"

"And its effect is the ultimate power to dominate the 'world' and stop the gears of fate! Now, let's begin the judgment of forward and reverse positions, but the result..." Seeing the card above [Secret Power XXI - World] stop on its own, Saiou, who had expected this, said with satisfaction, "...Of course, it's in the forward position!"

"If there is a card on the field that has a coin-flipping effect, activate the effect of this card, 【Arcane Power XIX - Sun】, and Special Summon it from my hand to the field."

Following [Arcane Power V - Pope] and [Arcane Power XXI - World], a third monster leaped onto the field of Saiou. A wave of heat accompanied the arrival of this monster, which, as its name suggests, was wreathed in the flames of the blazing sun, and even thinned the mist a bit.

[Zaiwang Takuma: 4000LP, 1 card in hand]

[Arcane Power V - Pope] [DEF 1500]

【Arcane Power XXI-World】【DEF3100】

【Secret Ritual Power XIX - Sun】【7☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Effect]

[2900/2900]

Valhalla, the City of the Gods

"He summoned three monsters in one turn..." Marufuji Sho exclaimed from the sidelines, "This doesn't seem like the work of a beginner in Duel Monsters!"

"Moreover, the quality of the monsters is not low, and they can even be described as powerful." Misawa looked at Saiou's cards, "[Secret Ritual Power] is based on the completely unscientific Tarot divination, but it's actually such a powerful deck?"

"No, the only truly powerful one is probably that man named Saiou. Seeing his string of bad luck before, I initially thought he might just be someone who fooled Big Brother, but now, seeing how well he plays cards, it's clear he's the one who changed Big Brother." Manjoume Masaji said confidently, shouting towards the field, "Go Jun! And that Yuki Judai!"

"Os!" Jaden, hearing the cheers from behind, looked at Saiou with renewed fighting spirit and said, "That's right, Saiou. Although your monster looks very powerful, we are fighting with the expectations of others on our shoulders. We won't give up in front of you just because of that."

"That level? The level you're referring to, you wouldn't happen to be referring to my [Secret Ritual Power XXI - World], would you, Jaden Yuki? Indeed, your reliance is the combination of the three cards in your hand: [E·Hero Bubble Man], [E·Hero Neos Man], and [Swamp Demon King], right?"

Ignoring Jaden's sudden change in expression, Saiou continued, "First, use [E·hero Bubble Man] to gain two cards in your hand. Then, use [Swamp Demon King] to search for [Fusion]. Next, fuse [E·hero Bubble Man] and [E·hero Neos] together into your beloved [E·hero Flame Wingman - Flame Strike]. Search for [Beloved Hero] in your deck, then transform into [E·hero Flame Wingman] using the effect of [E·hero Flame Wingman - Flame Strike] and equip it with [Beloved Hero]. Finally, search for the Field Spell Card [Demon Bell Cave] during the Battle Phase."

"That way, you can use [E·hero Flame Wingman] to first destroy my [Arcane Power XXI - World] through combat, and then destroy [Arcane Power V - Pope], thus wiping out my Life Points in one turn through the effect of activating twice in a row, and eliminating me..."

Hearing Saiou ramble on and on, Manjoume said impatiently, "I know you knew about Judai's three main moves beforehand, but aren't you being a little too certain? How can you be so sure that his first move isn't a card like 'Hero's Arrival'?"