"Yadaze!"
Because they lived in the same dorm, Jaden had already been deeply influenced by Minazuki's personality—and had unconsciously picked up that signature catchphrase as well.
"Using a reversal tactic that exploits Buster Blader's DEF being lower than Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning's ATK… that's exactly what I'd expect from you, Mr. Jonouchi."
"No, Jaden—you played your part beautifully too! That HERO barrier was full of spirit. Never forget that mindset!"
With the situation turned around, the cooperation between Duelists of two generations—Jonouchi and Jaden—naturally turned into a round of mutual praise.
"But celebrating already is way too early~"
The Spirit Twins' voices drifted out from behind the smoke kicked up by the lightning explosion.
"You made such a big show of it—don't tell me you don't know the rule of 'lots of smoke means no damage'?"
Jonouchi stiffened, then nodded in agreement.
"That kind of snark is very Hoshino-like. Looks like your imitation isn't completely useless after all."
"Oh, it's not just the snark that's good! I activate my Set Quick-Play Spell—Karma of the Destruction Swordsman!"
The card they had Set last turn flipped open. On the Spirit Twins' field, Buster Blader raised its greatsword, cleaving through the lightning with the blade's aura.
[Karma of the Destruction Swordsman – Quick-Play Spell Effect:
Target up to 3 monsters of the same Type in your opponent's Graveyard; banish them, then target 1 "Buster Blader" monster or "Destruction Sword" monster you control. Until the end of this turn, that monster gains ATK and DEF equal to the number of monsters banished × 500.]
"Then I banish the two Warrior-Type Elemental HERO monsters in your Graveyard, Jaden, and target my Buster Blader. Its ATK and DEF increase by 1000 until the end of the turn!"
[Buster Blader DEF 2300 → 3300 / ATK 4100 → 5100]
"Now Buster Blader's DEF exceeds Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning's ATK, so it won't be destroyed by that effect!"
Jonouchi shot back immediately.
"Karma of the Destruction Swordsman can only be applied to one monster—so the other Buster Blader still can't escape destruction!"
[Buster Blader, the Destruction Swordmaster Destroyed]
"Then I suppose I should praise you for doing fairly well~"
As she sent the monster to the Graveyard, the elder spirit smiled.
"But if you miss this chance, you may never get another opportunity to turn the tables."
"That's not necessarily true," Jonouchi replied firmly.
"A Duel isn't decided until the very last moment."
Though his words were confident, a Buster Blader whose ATK had once exceeded 5000—combined with Fusion being sealed—was truly a wall that was difficult to overcome.
Instead of switching Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning to Attack Position, Jonouchi placed another card horizontally onto his Duel Disk to reinforce his defense.
"I activate the Spell Double Summon, giving me one additional Normal Summon. Then I Normal Summon in Defense Position—Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight!"
[Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight ★★★★ (Level 4)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 1600]
Now, combined with the two HERO monsters in Defense Position on Jaden's field, four Defense Position monsters stood together as a solid wall.
"Finally, I Set one card and end my turn! And since the turn ends, the ATK and DEF boost from Karma of the Destruction Swordsman disappears!"
[Buster Blader ATK 5100 → 4100]
"Constantly retreating—is that what you call persistence?"
The elder spirit sneered.
"My turn. Draw!"
As her turn began, she calmly placed a card onto the Duel Disk.
"Now I activate the Spell Monster Reborn, reviving the Buster Blader, the Destruction Swordmaster that was destroyed earlier by Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning's effect!"
[Buster Blader, the Destruction Swordmaster ATK 2600]
As it returned to the field, scorch marks from the lightning blast still lingered on its armor.
"Sis, even though we have the advantage," the younger spirit warned,
"we can't allow Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning to activate its effect again."
If Jonouchi managed to trigger another board wipe, a Buster Blader without boosted DEF would be wiped out instantly.
"I know~ That's why we need to deal with that troublesome monster first."
Raising her Duel Disk into a battle stance, the spirit wearing Hoshino's appearance—impressively—perfectly mimicked her Duel motions.
"Entering the Battle Phase! Buster Blader attacks Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning!"
A massive greatsword strike, carrying 4100 ATK, tore through the air toward Jonouchi's Defense Position monster.
"I've been waiting for that move! I activate my Set Trap—Spikeshield with Chain!"
[Spikeshield with Chain – Trap Effect:
After activation, this card becomes an Equip Card that increases the equipped monster's ATK by 500.]
[Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning ATK 2500 → 3000]
A spiked shield appeared in the Archfiend's hands, attempting to block Buster Blader's terrifying blow.
"Are you losing your head, Jonouchi?" the Spirit Twin mocked.
"It's in Defense Position—what good does raising its ATK by 500 do?"
"Getting confused in a Duel? Don't underestimate a pro!"
Jonouchi replied, activating the card fully while eyeing the shield.
"If it's called a shield, then of course its real effect shines when defending!"
[Spikeshield with Chain Effect: If the equipped monster battles while in Defense Position, during damage calculation its DEF increases by its ATK.]
"Thanks to Spikeshield with Chain, Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning's DEF increases by its ATK—3000 points!"
[Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning DEF 1200 → 4200]
[Buster Blader ATK 4100]
"Its DEF is exactly 100 points higher than the ATK! Is this the skill of a professional Duelist?!" Jaden exclaimed in admiration.
"Beautiful defense," the Spirit Sisters teased.
"If this were the pro circuit, that kind of play would earn endless cheers and applause~"
"But this is a Shadow Game—where lives are on the line," they continued coldly.
"That trick won't save you here, Jonouchi! I activate my Set Trap—DNA Surgery!"
[DNA Surgery – Trap Effect: Declare 1 Type. While this card is face-up on the field, all face-up monsters on the field become the declared Type.]
The elder spirit smiled.
"I declare Dragon-Type! Now every monster on the field is a Dragon~"
Younger Spirit:
"Because all four monsters on your field have become Dragon-Type, Buster Blader's ATK increases by 2000!"
[Buster Blader ATK 4100 → 6100]
Drawing in the surging dragon souls from across the field, Buster Blader's power skyrocketed once more. Its razor-sharp blade shattered Spikeshield with Chain with ease.
[Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning → Destroyed]
"Now you no longer have any means of counterattacking. Next comes the attack of Buster Blader, the Destruction Swordmaster!"
The dragon-slaying blade struck twice in succession. Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight, in Defense Position on Jonouchi's field, was destroyed as well. Due to the Swordmaster's effect, Gearfried was equipped to the monster as an Equip Card.
"Then I end the Battle Phase and activate Buster Blader, the Destruction Swordmaster's effect! I send the equipped Gearfried to the Graveyard—destroy all monsters of the same Type on your field!"
A chained annihilation—one flash of the dragon-slaying sword!
The Shadow Rider unleashed destruction to its absolute extreme, wiping out every monster on both Jonouchi's and Jaden's fields in a single turn.
"So this is the level of a Shadow Rider…"
Feeling pressure he had never experienced—even on the professional circuit—Jonouchi muttered in awe.
Of course, the "human level" Jonouchi referred to meant professional Duelists in the Duel League. Duelists like Hoshino or Yugi—who not only wielded God Cards but possessed overwhelming dueling skill—were in a completely different category.
"And to think… Hoshino has already defeated four opponents like this…"
He let out a slow breath.
"She really is incredible—just like always, never someone you can underestimate."
The Spirit Sisters exchanged confident smiles.
"Don't lump us together with those earlier failures. Even Hoshino Chiyuki wouldn't be a match for us."
[Buster Blader ATK 6100 → 4100]
"Since the destroyed monsters returned to their original Types after leaving the field, Buster Blader's ATK has reverted. Still, this is already a situation you can't turn around."
At present, neither Jonouchi nor Jaden had a single card left on the field, and Jaden had only one card remaining in his hand.
Meanwhile, the twin Spirits controlled the field with two Buster Bladers, backed by the Continuous Trap Cards DNA Surgery and Non-Fusion Area.
"At this rate, when the turn comes back to us again, this Duel will be over."
Lowering their Duel Disks to signal the end of their turn, the Spirit Sisters urged impatiently:
"Go on—end your pointless struggle already. Once we finish you off completely, Hoshino Chiyuki will be our next prey~"
"You say Sensei isn't your match? Don't make me laugh."
As his turn began, Jaden shot back sharply.
"If you want to defeat Sensei, you'll have to get past me first!"
Twin Spirit:
"Such spirit, Jaden-kun. But sheer passion alone won't win you a Duel!"
"This isn't just passion," Jaden replied calmly.
"I can feel it—the bonds between my deck and my cards… they're all connecting."
With his fingertips resting on the top of his Deck, Jaden closed his eyes.
"This final draw is proof of the bonds connecting me, Mr. Jonouchi, and Sensei!"
"Judai…?"
If the twin Spirits merely copied Hoshino's appearance, then at this moment, Jonouchi felt as if he were seeing Hoshino's younger self reflected in the boy named Jaden Yuki.
"Hoshino's student, huh… You really do look the part, Jaden."
Jonouchi grinned fiercely.
"Compared to their cheap imitation, your duelist's soul is far closer to hers. Go on—show them what the new generation can do!"
"—My turn. Draw!"
Drawing the card of hope that marked the start of his turn, Jaden slammed it onto his Duel Disk.
"Perfect! I Normal Summon Elemental HERO Prisma in Attack Position!"
[Elemental HERO Prisma ★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1100]
The prism-armored HERO, its body gleaming with mirror-like brilliance, stepped alone onto this desperate battlefield.
"So this is the card you claim represents your bonds?" the Spirit Twin scoffed.
"To us, it's just a very ordinary Elemental HERO."
Jaden raised his hand and declared:
"No—this is the moment! I activate Elemental HERO Prisma's effect!"
[Once per turn: Reveal 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, then send 1 Fusion Material Monster listed on it from your Deck to the Graveyard. Until the End Phase, this card's name becomes the name of the monster sent to the Graveyard.]
Jaden turned toward Jonouchi.
"The Fusion Monster capable of breaking through this deadlock… it exists in your Extra Deck, doesn't it, Mr. Jonouchi?"
"In my Extra Deck… the monster born from our bonds?"
Jonouchi's eyes widened as he immediately grasped Jaden's intent.
"I see now! If there's any monster that can overcome this situation—it has to be him!"
"This is the proof of the bond I once fought alongside Hoshino with—Siegfried Alter!"
Jonouchi pulled the card from his Extra Deck and revealed it. For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to that night seven years ago on Duelist Kingdom Island—standing shoulder to shoulder with Hoshino in battle.
[Crimson Demon Dragon – Siegfried Alter]
[Dragon-Type + "Heroic Spirit – Siegfried"]
As prism light refracted, Elemental HERO Prisma, having activated its effect, projected the shadow of a hero—or rather, the shadow of one who had inherited a hero's will.
"Because of Elemental HERO Prisma's effect, I send Artificial Hero – Sieg from my Deck to the Graveyard. Until the end of the turn, Elemental HERO Prisma is treated as having the same name!"
[Artificial Hero – Sieg
This card's name is also treated as "Heroic Spirit – Siegfried."]
[Elemental HERO Prisma → Artificial Hero – Sieg]
Bathed in Prisma's radiant light, Jonouchi couldn't hide his excitement.
"A hero… That fits you perfectly, Jaden!
Use the power you inherited from Hoshino—and let the Shadow Rider witness the light of the new generation of Duelists!"
If Jonouchi and Aster Phoenix represented a clash between generations, then Jonouchi and Jaden represented recognition between generations.
"The dragon slayer shall one day become the dragon!"
Jaden declared, raising the final card in his hand.
"I Tribute Elemental HERO Prisma, whose name is treated as Artificial Hero – Sieg, and Special Summon from my hand—Evil Dragon Fafnir!"