Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"That's right, it's my trump card!" Without giving Manjoume a chance, Jaden immediately accepted and seized ownership of [Armed Neos]. "Isn't it strong? Isn't it awesome? It's so cool!"

"While it's quite strange that a Light and Dark attribute monster fused into a Wind attribute monster, it's probably because your monster can actually fuse with an Armored Dragon monster instead of a Dark Armored Dragon?" Saiou guessed, then added, "But it doesn't matter! Just by looking at its design, you can tell that the monster probably inherited the same destructive effects!"

“That’s right. Because of the fusion of Light and Dark attributes, the mutation of [Dark Armed Dragon] has been corrected back to its original state of [Armed Dragon LV7]. The effect that [Armed Neos] gains is—” Jaden said, pointing to Manjoume’s graveyard, “If this card is successfully Special Summoned, you can activate this effect: Destroy all Dragon-Type monsters in my Graveyard and all monsters on your opponent’s field with a Level lower than that level!”

"The monster I've chosen is—the Triceratops from Manjoume's graveyard!"

In the graveyard of Manjoume, the Triceratops, which was previously summoned by the Imperial Vein of the Primal Stone as a sacrifice for the second advanced summoning of the Primal Stone Dragon - Imperial Topaz Dragon, reappears. At level 8, it transforms into a stream of light and falls into the hands of the Armed Neo-Universe Warrior, who then violently pushes it out!

"Hua Xu's eternal slumber!"

The shockwave split into eight, hurtling towards the monsters on Saiou's field from multiple directions. It precisely destroyed the level 8 monster [Arcane Power XXI - World], but did not harm the higher-level level 10 monster [Arcane Power EX - Light Dominator] in the slightest.

"To restrain that originally rampaging destructive power by choosing a level, you possess quite remarkable talent, Jaden Yuki..." Seeing that Jaden had indeed, as he said, only destroyed [Secret Ritual Power XXI - World] and not [Secret Ritual Power EX - Lord of Light], Saiou's face was cold. He clearly remembered that there was a level 10 [Dragon King of Light and Darkness] in Manjoume's graveyard. "But you are far too arrogant!"

"While Judai is indeed incredibly stupid in some ways, not everyone has the right to criticize him." Manjoume glanced at Saiou and sneered, "You should be thinking about how to protect your own [Armed Neos] from my [Armed Neos] attacks."

“That’s right, under the attack of my Armed Neos.” Hearing Manjoume secretly slipping in his own message, Jaden calmly took back ownership and played a card from his hand. “Next, I will activate this spell card, Pot of Greed, to return five monster cards from my graveyard to the deck, shuffle them, and draw two cards.”

"I return the following five cards to the deck: [E·hero Winged Man], [E·hero Neosman], [E·hero Bubble Man], [Swamp Demon King], and [Joyful Companion - Meow Meow Leopard Cat]. I draw two cards!"

[Yujo Judai: 2000LP, hand size 1→2]

Jaden retrieved several cards, including [E-hero Bubble Man] and [E-hero Winged Man], which he had previously sent to the graveyard with [Angel's Charity], replenishing his hand. Then he played another card, "Next, this Spell Card [Weapon Hole]. At the cost of not being able to Normal Summon this turn, I send the top card of my deck to the graveyard, and then search for one Equip Card from my deck and graveyard and add it to my hand."

"It's a shame that [Armed Neos] doesn't have the [Hero] field and can't equip [Beloved Hero]..." Jaden sighed regretfully, but still took a card from his deck. "However, I can still equip this [Assault Armor] to [Armed Neos]!"

The card art features the spirited E-Hero Neos, whose Assault Armor card was equipped by Jaden to Armed Neos. However, before it could take effect and boost Armed Neos's attack, Jaden removed it from the Duel Disk and sent it to the Graveyard, saying, "Assault Armor can only be equipped to one Warrior-Type monster on my field. It's an Equip Card that Dragon-Type monsters can't use."

After giving Manjoume a meaningful look, which was met with a glare from him, Jaden continued, "Although it can increase the ATK of equipped monsters by 300 points, I'm going to send the 'Strike Armor' in the Graveyard to activate its second effect."

"Then—it's time for the battle phase, Saiou!" Jaden said, pointing to the only remaining [Armor Power EX - Light Dominator] on the opponent's field. "In this situation, perhaps using a common move from the [Armored Dragon] series monsters would be more appropriate? So... defeat the formidable enemy before you! [Armored Neos], attack [Armor Power EX - Light Dominator]!"

"Eight-point halo!"

Chapter 1542 The Universe~~~Has Arrived!!

Saiou couldn't do anything about Jaden not making a Normal Summon during his turn. After all, he couldn't just tell Jaden that he had a card in his hand and wait for Jaden to summon a monster and then activate it, waiting to deplete Jaden's Life Points.

The appearance of [Armed Neo-Universe Warrior] was unexpected, but Saiou still didn't care, because its 3500 attack power was not enough to defeat [Secret Ritual Power EX - Light Dominator], whose attack power was only 2500, and also deplete its own basic points. It could only cause a mere 1000 points of combat damage.

However, she wouldn't even give her opponent the chance to inflict a "mere" 1000 points of damage, because she still had [Secret Power XIV - Temperance] in her hands. She could block the attack of the [Dragon King of Light and Darkness] who had previously been so powerful, and she could naturally block the attack of Judai's [Armed Neos] at this moment.

However, Saiou faced a choice. Rationally speaking, he didn't need to use the effect of [Arcane Power XIV - Temperance] for 1000 points of combat damage, since he still had 2000 base points and could easily withstand such an attack.

But here's the key point—Saiou once again used his ability to "predict" the future, wanting to see his own future situation. He then witnessed Jaden's [Armed Neos] disappearing from the field. In that scene, although he couldn't find where [Arcane Power EX - Light Dominator], which was revived by Manjoume Nagasaku, appeared, he did see that he had two cards left in his hand.

However, the only cards remaining in his hand are [Ace of Swords] and [Presence of Fate], but not [Arcane Power XIV - Temperance] or [The High Priestess's Staff]. In other words, if he wants to reach that future, he needs to use up both of his cards before that time arrives!

Should he trust the future he saw as a diviner, or the rational thinking of a duelist? Saiou did not hesitate.

"I have a second [Secret Ritual Power XIV - Temperance] in my hand!" Revealing a card, Saiou sneered, "Your fate doesn't allow your attack to successfully reach me; don't even think about inflicting any more damage!"

As Saiou discarded [Arcane Power XIV - Temperance], his long gray hair once again transformed into arms to block in front of him. The light wheel that briefly condensed in the hands of [Armed Neos] and shot out successfully destroyed Saiou's [Arcane Power EX - Light Dominator] on the field, but the remaining light waves were completely blocked by [Arcane Power XIV - Temperance] and failed to cause even the slightest damage to Saiou.

Just as Saiou was about to say something after the attack by [Armed Neos] ended, a second light suddenly appeared from the dust and smoke stirred up by the destruction of [Secret Ritual Power EX - Light Dominator]. The spinning "Eight-Part Light Wheel" had a second shot, and instead of being fired by [Armed Neos], it was being held in Saiou's hand and swung at him, about to saw it off!?

"N-Nani!?"

Saiou was startled, not expecting this situation, and Jaden quickly explained, "Hmph, otherwise why do you think I activated [Assault Armor] earlier, Saiou? Of course, it's because the second effect of [Assault Armor] is that it allows the equipped monster to attack twice in one battle cycle during this turn!"

As Judai spoke, Ichiji Saiou said, "Attack the opponent directly!"

"You used [Secret Ritual Power XIV - Temperance] too early, you blue-haired guy!" Manjoume sneered at Saiou beside Judai. "What's with all this talk about destiny and the future? If it can't help in a duel, it's just pointless nonsense. Just because you followed your own 'destiny,' you've already disqualified as a duelist!"

"You arrogantly used that card's effect for a mere 1000 points of damage? Well then, try to withstand this unreduced 3500 points of battle damage!" Despite Jaden being the one initiating the monster's attack, Manjoume seized the naming rights for the move, shouting, "Use this move to finish them off—Armed Guillotine!"

Upon hearing Wan Zhangmu's command, [Armed Neo-Universe Warrior] changed his actions, pressing his other hand onto the Eight-Part Light Wheel and pulling it, transforming it into an extremely long slash of light that shot towards Saiou at incredible speed!

Without the obstruction of [Secret Ritual Power EX - Light Dominator], [Armed Neos Warrior] was about to unleash its full power on Saiou, wiping out his remaining 2000 points in one fell swoop!?

But at this moment, Saiou did not show any panic or surprise, but rather a relaxed expression: "I see. There was a second attack. I was wondering why, when there was only one monster that could attack, I only had two cards left in my hand in the future I saw."

"This proves the absoluteness of fate! Judai Yuki, Jun Manjoume! Your seemingly fatal blow still manifests itself in the future revealed by absolute fate!" As he spoke, Saiou revealed a card from his hand, "Chain attack declaration of [Armed Neos], activate the trap card [High Priestess's Staff] from my hand!"

"A trap card activated from the hand!?" Jaden looked at the card Saiou played in surprise. "The same type as [Red Reboot]?"

"Only when there are no monster cards on my field can this 'High Priestess' be activated directly from my hand without being set. It's not just Kobayashi Hayato who has that kind of power; guided by fate, I too have obtained such a powerful card!" Saiou explained the card's effect, "Under the effect of 'High Priestess', the attack of the attacking monster is negated, and the Battle Phase is forcibly ended!"

"[Attack Nullification] Same effect? ​​And it can even be activated from the hand?" Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a bit too cheesy? I heard from Hayato-sensei that Pegasus from the International Illusion Club often prints some shameless cards for himself without permission. I feel like your card is just as bad."

"Pegasus of the International Illusion Society? He's just someone bound by the fate of 'creating Duel Monsters,' how can he compare to me, who can steer the ship that determines the future and control the wheel of destiny?" Saiou sneered, pointing at Jaden. "For example, the [High Priestess's Staff] even has the ability to deal an additional 500 points of effect damage to duelists whose attacks on monsters have been nullified!"

"Ugh!" The Ultra Guillotine that [Armed Neos] fired... I mean, the "Armed Guillotine" was neutralized by a barrier of blue light released from the [High Priestess's Staff] card just before it hit Saiou. At the same time, a bolt of electricity shot out from that beam of light and struck Jaden. Caught off guard, Jaden groaned and shook his hand repeatedly, trying to relieve the numbness.

[Yuki Jaden: 2000→1500LP, 1 cards in hand]

"The attack was nullified, and the battle phase was forcibly ended, but it doesn't really matter, since I didn't have any monsters left to attack anyway." Jaden glanced at the [Armed Neos] on the field, which had already destroyed a monster in battle. "I can take 500 points of damage. Looking at it this way, this [High Priestess's Staff] card seems rather stingy?"

"Then, in my Main Phase Two, I'll activate the second effect of my 'Original Stone' card in my back row, declaring its name as 'E·Hero Winged Warrior'." After a moment's thought, Jaden took a card from his Duel Disk and placed it face down on the disk. "Although 'Weapon Hole' prevents me from Normal Summoning this turn, 'Original Stone' still allows me to Special Summon a monster normally."

In the Jaden series, the [E·hero Winged Man] appears in Defense Position, even though it is a Normal Monster with no effect, but its appearance rate is so high that it is almost exhausting. Because it is a Normal Monster, it receives an ATK boost from [Original Stone Royal Vein].

【E·hero Winged Warrior】【1000/1000→1900/1000】

However, even though Jaden and Manjoume's graveyards only contain two Normal Monsters, Triceratops and Dark Knight Gaia, the ATK bonus that E. Hero Wingman receives is 900 points, which is only possible with three corresponding Normal Monsters?

"The previous 'Weapon Hole' sent the top card of my deck to the graveyard, which was this 'E-Hero Burst Lady'. Because of the increase in the number of Normal Monsters, the bonus provided by 'Original Stone' has also increased." Jaden explained the situation, then shrugged. "However, now that 'E-Hero Winged Warrior' is in Defense Position, the difference in ATK doesn't have much of an impact."

"I'll put one last card face down to end my turn."

[Yujo Judai: 1500LP, hand size 1→0]

【E·hero Winged Warrior】【DEF1000】

【Armed New Universe】【ATK3500】

[The Royal Vein of Raw Gems] [Gaikarta]

Seeing that the first round of the Jaden had ended, although it had put pressure on him and Saiou to lose, Manjoume Nagasaku breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed greatly. He even became smug: "As expected, he's just a kid. Although he does have some skill, it's not much. Since you didn't win the duel in one round, you have no chance of winning."

"If you ask why—it's because of this [Monster Reborn] card in my hand! When my turn begins, I can Special Summon Mr. Saiou's [Secret Power EX - Light Dominator] and annihilate your Fusion Monster!" Looking at Jaden, Manjoume Nagasaku said contemptuously, "What a pity, it seems your first turn is your last turn, you loser friend."

“Yes, it was definitely my last turn.” Judai nodded, seemingly oblivious to the taunt, and then asked, “But Manjoume’s older brother, you haven’t forgotten that you still have [Nightmare Mirage] in your back row, have you?”

"Of course I remember this card. Do you think I can't keep [Monster Resurrection] in my hand?" Manjoume Nagasaku paused, then drew a card from his deck. "My turn, draw. And then, what do you think about having this card?"

"Quick-Play Spell Card [Extraordinary Food]! Sends my Continuous Spell Card [Nightmare Mirage] from my back row to the Graveyard, restoring 1000 Life Points! Also, because the Continuous Spell Card [Nightmare Mirage] went to the Graveyard, I don't need to deal with its effect and randomly discard cards!"

Manjoume Nagasaku said smugly, accepting the reply of the basic points. He didn't use the card "Zetsu" and send "God's Abode - Valhalla" to the graveyard, after all, no one could say for sure whether he would have a chance to use that card during Saiou's turn.

【万丈目长作：1600→2600LP，手牌1→2→1】

"To draw [Extraordinary Food] at a time like this, is my brother such a powerful duelist?" Manjoume looked uncertainly at Manjoume Chosaku, then at Saiou. "Or is this another trick of your so-called 'fate'?"

"This is no trick; it's a future predetermined!" Saiou said, looking at Manjoume with satisfaction. "Moreover, fate has already revealed the future to me: your last hope—[Armed Neos] will vanish from your field like bubbles!"

"Tch, [Secret Ritual Power EX - Ruler of Light]? 4000 attack points and you think that's impressive?" Manjoume said unhappily, glancing at the silent Jaden, and complained, "Why don't you say something tough to refute me?"

“But what they said isn’t wrong either, right? [Armed Neos] is indeed going to disappear from the field.” Jaden pointed to the monster on his field. “That’s because that’s the essence of [Armed Neos]’s effect—'Contact Transformation'!”

At the very moment that Manjoume Nagasaku's preparation phase ended and the main phase began, Judai Kazuki suddenly waved his hand and said, "After [Armed Neos] destroyed [Armored Power EX - Light Dominator] in the previous round of battle, he used his own second effect at that moment. With the help of [Armed Dragon]'s power, he had a similar effect of growing through battle. At that moment, he gained a brand new ability, the same evolutionary power as [Armed Dragon]!"

"During the main phase for both players, I can only activate its effect by releasing my [Armed Neos]!" Jaden retrieved a card from his Duel Disk and then took a card from his Fusion Deck. "I Special Summon a [E·Hero] Fusion Monster from my Fusion Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions!"

Behind Jaden, his triple contact fusion of Neos Fusion Monsters appeared one by one, including E. Hero Chaos Neos, E. Hero Nebula Neos, and E. Hero Storm Neos, which he had previously fused and summoned in duels with others, as well as E. Hero Lava Neos, which he had mastered but had not yet appeared.

Behind these [New Universe] fusion monsters, which represent "triple contact fusion," a new power is born through the power of [Armed Dragon], and four rays of light converge to emit an extremely brilliant color—just like the vast and colorful universe itself, shining and magnificent!

"A union of friendship! The quadruple starlight will awaken hope and miracles, and a brand new hero will be born at the end of all gravity! 3, 2, 1!"

"Contact Transformation! Quadruple Contact Fusion, Level 11☆!"

With his arms crossed in front of his chest, Judai squatted slightly before suddenly raising his arms overhead and shouting, "The universe... is here!!!"

"【E·hero Universe Neo-Cosmic Warrior】!"

Chapter 1543 How can the Manjoume Group be managed well while dealing with such insects?

【E·hero Cosmic Neos】【11☆/Light】

[Warrior Race/Fusion/Effect]

[3500/3000]

"It has comparable attack and defense capabilities to the previous [Armed Neos], but it has regained the [E·hero] field?" Saiou frowned. "However, in terms of attack power, the soon-to-be-resurrected [Secret Ritual Power EX - Light Ruler] is still higher!"

That's what he said, but Saiou was still a little uneasy. After all, the future he saw didn't mention the appearance of this monster. When he saw Armed Neos disappear, he naturally assumed that it had been destroyed. Who would have thought that it would disappear from the field using its own effect?

"Saying something like that shows you don't really understand Duel Monsters, Saio." Jaden shook his finger smugly and said, "Is the focus on attack and defense? The focus is actually on the [E-Hero Cosmic Neos] rank! Do you know how rare an 11-star monster is? That's a rank that symbolizes power!"

"I had originally planned to try this in my previous duel with Edward, but I felt I was still missing something. However, thanks to the evolutionary growth power of the Armed Dragon lent by Manjoume, Neos and the others have received the final growth they needed, allowing the E·hero Universe Neos to be born now!"

Hearing Judai's boasting and explanation, Manjoume Chosaku was quite disdainful: "What good is all that talk? Can it change his attack power? Boring monster, watch me use [Monster Resurrection] to revive [Arcane Power EX - Light Ruler] and then destroy this flashy monster!"

After [E·hero Cosmic Neos] appeared, it began to release a burst of seven-colored light, dazzling like the RGB lighting effects of a game device, which made Manjoume Chosaku very uncomfortable. He couldn't wait to use [Monster Resurrection] in his hand, and Jaden didn't seem to have any intention of stopping him.

However, after inserting the [Monster Resurrection] card into the Duel Disk, Manjoume Nagasaku heard his Duel Disk suddenly emit a "non-compliant operation" warning sound.

Error~

Error~

Undeterred, Manjoume tried again, even wiping the card's surface to guess if it was damaged and couldn't be read, but the result remained unchanged. He couldn't activate [Monster Resurrection]!

"This is the effect of [E·hero Cosmic Neos], originating from the power of 'gravity' that fills the universe, no, exists between all things." Jaden raised the Duel Disk, as if to prove that RGB lighting effects can really enhance device performance. "Under the pull of gravity, all things will reach their respective ends, and will not be bound by that ethereal fate."

"This effect can only be activated if 【E·hero Cosmic Neos】 is Special Summoned from the Fusion Deck. This turn, your opponent cannot activate any effects activated on the field, nor can they activate any Spell/Trap/Monster effects in response to the activation of this effect!"

Upon hearing Jaden's explanation, not only were Saiou and Chosaku on the field stunned, but Asuka and the others off the field were also dumbfounded. After a long while, Misawa finally managed to stammer out, "Doesn't that mean that the opponent's effects are completely blocked? They can't do anything except Normal Summon monsters or Set cards?"

"What's even more outrageous is that it can force the opponent not to chain this effect to activate, meaning cards like [Infinite Bubble] or [Forbidden Drop] can't be used either? How cheating!"

"And judging from the effect, it seems like it can be reliably summoned during the opponent's turn by my brother using a card like [Beloved Contact]! So strong, too strong!"

Manjoume Nagasaku stared wide-eyed at [E·hero Cosmic Neos]: "How could such a monster exist!"

"But didn't you see it with your own eyes? Do you dare to defy me, who possesses the power of [E·hero Cosmic Neos], Chosaku-kun?" Manjoume said arrogantly. "Now, because of the seal of [E·hero Cosmic Neos], you can't activate [Monster Resurrection], which must be activated on the field, and you don't have any other monsters to summon. All that awaits you is to end your turn in such a powerless manner!"

The humiliation of being mocked like this made Manjou's face turn red. He turned his head to look at Saiou, only to find that even Saiou was just looking at the monster [E·hero Cosmic Neos], which had never appeared in the future he had foreseen, and could not say a word.

"I...I...I..." Unable to utter a word for a long time, Manjoume Nagasaku glanced at the [Monster Resurrection] in his hand, thinking that at least Saiou could use it, so he set it face-down to the back row and said, "I'll set one card, and that's how I end my turn—"

"Then, at the very moment the opponent ends their turn, the second effect of [E·hero Cosmic Neos] is forcibly activated, returning them to the Fusion Deck!"