Yu-Gi-Oh!: Worldwide Mix, the Ultimate Necromancer Duel

In the monitoring room.

Seto Kaiba stood with his arms crossed in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed on the screen that was playing a replay.

On the screen, there was You Chen's back as he turned and left the arena. The image froze at the moment he stepped out of the dueling area—sunlight poured down from the dome, casting a soft halo on his shoulders.

Seto Kaiba's expression remained cold and unchanging, revealing no emotional fluctuations. His sharp eyes were like two bottomless ancient wells, making it impossible to discern what lay within them.

But Keihei Kaiba, who was standing next to him, noticed.

The corners of the older brother's mouth seemed to curve upwards in an extremely subtle arc.

The curve was very shallow, almost negligible. But as the younger brother who had grown up with his older brother since childhood, Keiping knew all too well what that expression meant.

That's the expression my brother only shows when he's interested in someone.

"interesting……"

Seto Kaiba muttered those words to himself, then turned and left. His white trench coat traced a clean, sharp line behind him.

This is the second time he has uttered these three words today.

The first time was when Youchen started the infinite chain.

This is the second time.

Kaiba Keihei glanced back at the screen, then at his brother's departing figure, and scratched his head.

It's rare to find someone whose older brother would say "interesting" twice in a row.

……

The Seahorse Arena was now in complete chaos.

"That was awesome! This duel is the most interesting one I've ever seen!"

"I admit, I didn't think he was a good match for me before the game—but now I'm convinced, completely convinced!"

"A one-star player defeated a four-star champion, and a full-day champion at that! What does that even mean?!"

"I'm a fan now! From today onwards, I'm his fan! He's the first duelist to play with 'very new stuff'!"

"I'm in awe! Coach, I want to learn this!!"

"Get out! The coach said he doesn't know either, but he wants to learn!"

Cheers, screams, and whistles rose and fell, creating a noisy sea.

Those who were just mocking You Chen for "overestimating himself" now stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief and the pain of being slapped in the face.

But no one cared about the pain.

Because that duel was just so exciting.

It was so brilliant that they forgot the stupid things they had just said.

Among the crowd, Katsuya Jonouchi stared wide-eyed, his expression beyond mere shock.

His eyes were wide open like copper bells, his chin almost hit the ground, and he stood there motionless as if struck by lightning.

It took him a full three seconds to snap out of his daze.

"Yugi! Yugi, did you see that?!" He grabbed Yugi Muto's shoulder and shook him violently. "That one-star duelist actually won! He took down that bug!"

Yugi Muto was shaken so badly that he swayed from side to side, his whole body trembling like a blade of grass in a storm.

He coughed twice, barely managing to steady himself.

"Yes, I saw it." His gaze passed through the crowd and landed at the end of the passage where You Chen had disappeared, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

It's a heartfelt appreciation and recognition when you encounter someone strong.

"Really strong." Yugi said softly, his tone tinged with a hint of admiration. "You can't tell at all that he's a one-star duelist. That understanding of the deck, that conception of the chains... that can't be developed overnight."

Jonouchi loosened his grip and scratched the back of his head: "To be honest, I didn't have high hopes for him either, but I didn't expect him to win in the end! And he won so beautifully!"

He paused, then suddenly grinned: "But one thing I'm sure of—watching that bug get its comeuppance is incredibly satisfying!"

Xingzi stood to the side, speechless with shock.

She was just saying how pitiful this duelist was.

Thinking about it now, I just feel my cheeks burning.

Not far away, Asuka Tenjouin was also in the crowd.

Unlike the others who cheered and jumped for joy, she simply stood quietly in place, watching the direction You Chen had left in.

A faint ripple appeared in those bright eyes.

This was the second time she had met this person.

During their first duel, she only felt that the boy was somewhat special, but that was all.

This time, however, the impression he left on her was far more profound than the first time.

That calm and composed demeanor, that meticulous and calculated approach, that sense of control that allows one to manipulate their opponent—none of these should appear in a one-star duelist.

But that's exactly what happened.

"Who exactly is he?" she murmured softly, her voice so low that only she could hear it.

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling the strands of hair on her forehead.

"This kind of dueling strategy... is indeed refreshing."

"I don't know when we'll see each other again."

……

As You Chen stepped out of the arena, the sunlight outside was somewhat dazzling.

He squinted, stood still for two seconds to allow his eyes to adjust to the light, and then continued walking forward.

Holding the ID card in his hand, he glanced down at it.

The lone star on the card has now become three.

"Finally, I'm qualified to enroll in the Duel Academy." He breathed a sigh of relief and casually put the card into his pocket.

Then, as if remembering something, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.

"At least I won't have to sleep on the streets anymore."

He used to stay in a budget hotel that cost 200 yuan a night, counting how long his 10,000 yuan would last.

it's good now.

Once you enter the Duel Academy, all your food and lodging will be provided, and you can openly improve your strength.

Thinking of this, You Chen's mood improved a bit.

He was just about to find a place to get something to eat when a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

"Wow! Look! It's the Duelists!"

"It really is! They're back?"

"Wait... why are there only so few people?"

You Chen raised his head and followed the gaze of the crowd.

On the main road of Tongshiye, a convoy was slowly approaching.

Leading the way was a military green command vehicle with an antenna mounted on its roof, its body covered in dust and scorch marks. Several trucks followed behind, their cargo beds covered with tarpaulins, through which people could be vaguely seen sitting.

Further on were several modified armored vehicles with iron bars welded to their windows, resembling mobile cages.

You Chen's gaze swept over the convoy.

Almost none of the people on the bus were unharmed. Some had bandages wrapped around their heads, some had splints on their arms, and some still had traces of blood on their faces. Their expressions were tired and numb, as if they had just survived a fierce battle.

You Chen did a rough count.

The entire convoy consisted of only about forty or fifty people.

"Weren't there hundreds of people when they left? How come there are so few left?" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Have you heard? The elves attacking the city this time are exceptionally strong." A middle-aged man wearing glasses said in a low voice, "I have a relative in the army. He said that every elf we've encountered this time has special abilities and can even initiate Dark Duels."

"A dark duel?" Someone gasped.