Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds: The Path of Evolution

VIP area.

Guan Bai sighed upon seeing the result of the match.

Yego smiled as he observed Guan Bai's reaction.

"Mr. Kanpaku, it seems you're lamenting your friend's defeat."

Guan Bai remained silent, simply acquiescing to Yego's assessment.

It's really a pity.

In this duel, Samejima Kawaki's performance was actually on par with Allen's.

If we only look at the comparison of basic points, Allen is even the one who is dominating.

If Allen had been able to block one more trap in the backcourt at the end, or if Samejima Kawakami hadn't had that incredible shot and power combination, then Allen would have won!

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

However, Kanpaku did not think that Allen made the wrong choice in encouraging Samejima Kawami.

Every duelist has his own dueling philosophy.

It's heartening that Allen is able to respect his own heart.

Pulling himself out of his reverie, Guan Bai looked at Yego.

"Mr. Yego, if there's nothing else, I'll be going."

Yego took a sip of the red wine in his hand.

"Of course! Although we're in a working relationship now, I'm not the kind of employee who makes strange demands~"

His tone habitually carried the performance voice of a circus clown.

Guan Bai got goosebumps from hearing this.

It's hard to say whether Joel's aria or Yego's clown sounds stranger.

Let's leave quickly...

Just before Kanpaku left, Yego spoke again.

"By the way, Mr. Kanpaku. The D-Wheel, which is the grand prize for the champion, will be delivered within the next five days. Please look forward to its appearance~"

Within five days? That's pretty efficient.

He was indeed very much looking forward to seeing what the D round of the competition prizes would look like.

Although this D-wheel was issued by the police department, there might be some backdoors inside, but that doesn't matter!

Backdoors and such can be removed, but the D-round is a very real thing!

That's a D-series!

The D-Wheel, which countless OCG enthusiasts have wanted but could never obtain, is now going to be owned by Kanpaku!

Phew, I mustn't let this excitement show in front of Yegor...

Guan Bai turned around to look at Yego with barely managing to remain calm.

"Really? Then I'm really looking forward to it."

After saying that, he closed the door and walked towards the players' lounge.

……

lounge.

"I'm sorry, boss, I didn't get third place."

Allen repeatedly bowed to Jol in apology.

Not only did he fail to win third place, he also inspired his opponent during the duel!

If it were any other boss, they would have already been furious with Allen and ordered him to be thrown into the sea in the satellite district!

Joel waved his hand dismissively.

"A good manager won't interfere with their duelist's dueling! If you think you're doing the right thing, then go for it!"

Although Joel is the boss of Grey Serpent Studio and Allen's contracted agent, theoretically, she does have the right to restrict the duels of her team.

But she doesn't want to be one of those industry scum who disregard the integrity of their duelists!

"Besides, Allen, I'm already very pleased that you made it to the semifinals this time!"

"As long as you take it one step at a time, you too can become a legendary duelist!"

Yanwu Xin also tried to persuade Alan.

"The top four isn't your final destination. A duelist's training isn't something that can be achieved overnight!"

Just then, Kanpaku returned to the lounge from the VIP area.

Opening the door and seeing the somewhat lively lounge, Guan Bai coughed softly.

"I'm back."

The three noisy people paused for a moment, then looked towards the door of the lounge.

After less than half a second of silence—

"Kanpaku, you're back?!"

Joel was the first to rush to Kanpaku's side, his eyes filled with tears of excitement.

She circled Guan Bai halfway around, her gaze sweeping over his body from head to toe, checking to see if Guan Bai had suffered any hidden injuries.

Alan and Yanwu Xin also came forward to check on Guan Bai's situation.

They weren't completely persuaded by Joel's comforting words; when it comes to their friend, no amount of concern is too much.

This genuine concern made Guan Bai feel a warm current flowing through his heart.

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

Guan Bai quickly waved to reassure his concerned companions.

After Joel helped change the subject, the group naturally began to review the duels of the day.

Guan Bai didn't mention what happened in the VIP area, and Joel tacitly didn't ask either.

After all, this isn't the place to talk. If we need to discuss more things, we should wait until after the competition and back in the studio.

Guan Bai looked at Yan Wuxin, somewhat surprised that he was also there.

Although he had already seen Enya Shin cheering him on from the audience, he never expected that he would so easily sneak into the Gray Snake Studio.

"I saw you cheered me on, thank you."

"We've already dueled, so we're friends! Since we're friends, isn't it natural to support a friend?"

Yanwu Xin stroked his orange-red hair and smiled naturally.

Does fighting each other make you friends?

Making friends through cards—that's very much the Yu-Gi-Oh! logic of friendship.

What a pure and simple duelist spirit...

When watching anime, Kanpaku sometimes admires the passionate ways the main characters make friends.

But unexpectedly, one day he actually had the chance to meet Enya Shin, a guy who made friends through duels.

There are also Joel and Allen, whom I met through a duel; they are both people in this world who care about Kanpaku.

This inexplicable sense of resonance confirmed to Kanbai that he had indeed traveled into the time and space of the 5DS.

Is this what it feels like to be bound together?

The small TV in the lounge was playing songs and dances on stage, and the cheerful voices of young girls flowed lightly through the air.

Time slipped away like an illusion, and the celebration finally came to an end.

The awards ceremony has begun.

Amid cheers from the audience, Kanpaku, Alan, and Samejima Kawami went on stage to receive their awards.

As for Kuromiya Torado, who came in second place...

He was utterly defeated by Guan Bai and left without looking back as soon as he woke up.

The organizers couldn't find Miyatora, so they had no choice but to temporarily bring in Allen, one of the semi-finalists, to receive the award.

"The champion of this underground tournament is—the Kanpaku! Let's give him the loudest cheers!!"

At the host's call, the entire audience cheered for Kanpaku.

"Kanpaku, Kanpaku, Kanpaku!"

"Kanpaku, Kanpaku, Kanpaku!!"

Girls dressed as cheerleaders appeared holding the trophy and handed it to Kanpaku amidst applause from the crowd.

Guan Bai accepted the trophy, marking the end of his hard work over this period of time.

Confetti filled the air, a triumphant victory song resounded, and the entire underground stadium transformed into a sea of ​​frenzied celebration.

These sounds are like fireworks exploding.

Although loud, it was still just the lingering sound of music at the end of the celebration.

Amidst cannon salutes and cheers, the underground tournament came to a close.