Duels should be played with a smile.

"Then...not only will you be unable to save yourself, you'll also be on the verge of death, oh no, I should say your bird will be on the verge of death too."

"Wait, something still doesn't seem right. It should be my bird... Never mind, I won't dwell on it. The more I think about it, the weirder it gets."

"The second effect of Ice Water Curse: When your Ice Water Monster is destroyed in battle, target that destroyed monster and inflict damage equal to that monster's original ATK!"

"The Five Divine Dragons originally had an attack power of 5000! Take this! Phantom Binding Strike!"

The power of ice and water transformed into the form of the defeated five divine dragons, rushing towards Yata-guru, condensing, exploding, and scattering in all directions, leaving Yata-guru disoriented.

【Yata-U LP: 6900→1900】

"Cover 2, round over, your turn."

"You will have a very enjoyable experience in the next round."

"A very pleasant experience?" Yata Uchi drew his card for this turn with some skepticism, and then gave the order directly.

"Great Opening! Activate your effect, target the Ice Emperor, and banish him!"

"Your Ice Water Curse prevents monsters from activating their effects during their turn of being brought to the field, but it's no longer their turn of being brought to the field!"

A few seconds passed, and Da Kai stood there, stunned and motionless.

"Ok?"

"What 'hmm'? I said I'd give you a pleasant experience, and I definitely will!"

"The effect of Ice Emperor is that as long as there is Ice Emperor on the field, the opponent cannot activate its effect during the turn when a monster on their field is not on the field."

"Wait a minute!" Yata-U finally realized.

"One can only activate during the turn the character enters the field, while the other cannot activate during the turn the character enters the field?"

"Yup!"

"Then does that mean I can't get it to work no matter what I do?"

"Yup!"

"Then what's the point of playing?"

"Yeah~"

Chapter Thirteen: Do you even understand the true value of pulling the plug?

In an ordinary house, a person and a clump of starlight are communicating face to face. The clump of starlight can be vaguely seen to be human-shaped, while the person next to him has a face full of troubles.

"Astral! Kotori asked me to go to her house today. Do you think I need to prepare anything?" Yuma Tsukumo shouted, clutching his head, his words tinged with a mixture of joy and worry.

If Yuma hadn't confessed his feelings that time, he might not be so troubled. But unfortunately, Yuma has absolutely no ability to resist Kotori's direct attacks.

Yuma had always been used to having the little bird by his side, but when the bird actually launched a direct attack, Yuma suddenly realized... something seemed off?

In response to Yuma's shout, Astral floated in the air, expressionless, crossed his arms, and shook his head: "This question is beyond my comprehension. Communication between people is a very complex thing. Even after spending so much time with you, I often cannot understand some of your behaviors."

"Besides, didn't you used to say things like 'we'll be friends after a duel' and 'we'll understand each other' after a duel? Following that logic, you only need to duel with the bird once to understand."

Even though Astral's tone didn't have much variation, it always gave people the illusion that he was stirring things up.

It must be my imagination, right? Astral isn't that kind of person, is he?

"What you said makes so much sense—what a load of rubbish! If I were to duel her, I'd already met her! There wouldn't be time to prepare a gift then!"

"Why don't you go ask Kaito and Shark?"

"They...they probably aren't much better off than you." Yuma recalled his past experiences and gave up on the idea.

Shark Girl might be a good choice, but if Yuma actually goes to Shark Girl to ask her... he can't even imagine what terrible things might happen in the future!

“Hmm…” Astral rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. After a while, he slowly said, “Based on my observations of humans, giving gifts should be tailored to their preferences.”

“That’s right! So do you have any suggestions?” Yuma asked expectantly, his eyes shining as he waited for Astral to give him a suitable answer.

“In that case, why don’t you just give her her favorite thing?” Astral gave a matter-of-fact answer.

"What is it? Tell me quickly!"

Yuma's expectations were already at their peak; he was just waiting for Astral's answer so he could immediately begin preparations.

"Isn't that yourself?"

"..."

Yuma glanced at the gift box and ribbon he had prepared in his hand and fell into deep thought.

You can't just stuff yourself in there, can you?

……

"Huh? What is this thing?"

Some incomprehensible images flashed through my mind.

Leyou was momentarily dazed. When he came to his senses, he only remembered that he vaguely saw a classless Xyz Monster card flash before his eyes.

At the same time, Ella also passed on some information to herself.

"...Things seem to be getting interesting, but for the time being, they seem to have nothing to do with me."

He is currently still engaged in a duel, and is still acting as a warden, guarding the prisoner, Hachita.

"So? Do you like the prison I built for you using the power of ice and water?"

"...As expected of you." With a nonchalant reply, Yata felt that his previous idea of ​​turning the tables seemed somewhat unrealistic.

But! True duelists never give up easily! Until the very last moment, no one knows the outcome!

"Since it's a monster's effect, then just destroy all your monsters!"

"Magic Card [Lightning Strike]!"

The card is extremely simple and straightforward, and sometimes simplicity means efficiency.

The cards that Yata Uchi has are mostly like this.

Dark clouds gathered, and lightning was about to strike. The Ice and Water Clan could seal the abilities of monsters, but they didn't have a good way to deal with magic.

Therefore, we must learn to make reasonable use of external forces.

"I'm back to interact with you again!"

While laughing, Leyou flipped over another card.

"It's still the sealing spell. Discard the magic card in your hand, nullify and destroy your lightning strike, and then disable it in this duel!"

With a snap, the thunderclouds in the sky were dispelled by the sudden talisman. Yata Uo looked at the card in his hand and fell into deep thought.

This duel is going to be incredibly difficult!

"Cover one backcourt ball and one frontcourt ball, and I'll end this round."

There are still quite a few cards that can destroy monsters, so let's defend for a few rounds and then make further plans.

The Great Opening can temporarily act as a meat shield, and with the help of that backline card, it can prevent it from being killed by the effects of Ice Water Emperor and Ice Water Curse, so that this duel does not end directly. At this time, we must be patient!

"Well... it's my turn."

Leyou drew a card, glanced at it, and then directly placed it face down on the card opposite Yata Uchiha's back row card.

"Round over, continue, it's your turn."

Yata was stunned.

"You only need to launch a single, casual attack to defeat me, right?"

“That’s right.” Leyou nodded. “Even if you have a backcourt and a blocking card, I have a plan. Your defense can’t stop me.”

A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and Yata asked again, "Then why don't you just attack directly?"

It didn't quite believe Leyou's claims, but it didn't dare to ignore them either.

The unknown is always more frightening than the known.

You never know what's covering the backcourt on the other side.

It could be a vast, empty universe, or it could be a DD bomb and a monster bait, or it could be a dimensional wall combined with a magic tube and a destruction wheel.

There's always something that can make you feel incredibly good.

“Showing mercy to your opponent in a duel is not a good habit.” Drawing a card and setting it face down, Yata Uchiha ended his turn in the blink of an eye.

"But there is something called the composure of the strong."

One draw, one cover, and the joyful smile remains.

"Furthermore, as I said, I want you to be convinced. I won't reduce your LP to zero in this duel. I will just keep suppressing you until you admit defeat yourself."

Killing someone is easy, but to truly subdue them, you have to break their spirit!

"Round over, please continue your performance."

The situation became tense.

Leyu doesn't attack; he just draws cards and then sets them. Yata no Uchi doesn't do much either; he simply draws cards and sets them when he can, otherwise he keeps them in his hand. With Raikou and Yuubou banned, he can only hope to get Black Hole and also hope that Leyu doesn't have a third Seal of Demon Sealing.

Obviously, this is not very realistic.

The game continued until both sides had set four cards in their back row and had two or three cards left in their hands. Finally, Yata Uchiha began to do things other than set cards.

"Next comes my final struggle. If you can break through..."

Hachitau didn't finish speaking, but the implication was clear.

"please."

"Then... the first one is this card!"

"Normal Summon! [Ascension Mage Zang Xuan]!"

The monk-like Zang Xuan appeared on the field, his strange power enveloping the entire area, which even the power of ice water could not dispel.

[Light · 3★ · Mage · Attack Power 200]

Despite its unremarkable stats, this card is included in Yata's deck because of its continuous ability that takes effect without needing to be activated, and the other card that can form an ultimate synergy with it.

That card had already been taken by Yata Ugata long ago, just for one last gamble.