Manjome stared in amazement at the Z-Infinity Tank on the field.
Although he didn't know the effect of this card, just by looking at it, he had already guessed a possibility.
It was the evolution of Z-Metal Tank!
This brought up the thought he didn't want to consider again into his mind.
The masked person in front of him, could it really be...
Kaibaman!
His breathing became rapid.
"If there's a Light Attribute Machine-Type Fusion Monster or Union Monster on your field, you can activate this card's effect and Special Summon from your hand!" Kaibaman drew a card from his hand, "Special Summon X-Cross Cannon!"
X-Cross Cannon, LV 4, Light Attribute, Machine-Type, Attack Power 1800.
This time, it's an upgraded version of X-Head Cannon!!
Seeing the more glamorous and massive robot than Head Cannon, Manjome couldn't help but swallow hard.
His Deck composition.
The Armed Dragon series fought together from small to large; the Ojama Monsters were found in an abandoned dry well, discarded by students as unwanted 0 ATK monsters; and the XYZ Series were cards given to him by Kaiba.
The XYZ Series are Super Rare Cards, although they might not be very powerful in this world, they are undoubtedly "Rare" cards.
Of course.
Newer than XYZ...
Where would a normal person get them!?
"X-Cross Cannon's effect, once per turn, allows you to treat one Machine-Type Light Attribute Union Monster in your Deck as an Equip Spell, equipping it to it.
Heh... of course, it's Y-Yare Head."
"Grrrowl!"
Y-Yare Head, looking almost identical to Y-Dragon Head, only the flowing light on its body shows its new identity.
"By now, you should be able to understand, right?"
Manjome swallowed and nodded.
"Then—combine X-Cross Cannon, Y-Yare Head, and Z-Infinity Tank on the field together!"
Rumble—
Three brand new mechanical monsters operated on the field. Infinity Tank landed at the bottom, Yare Head spread its wings in the center, and Cross Cannon leapt up, assembling at the top.
"Fusion Summon—
XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon!"
Boom boom boom!!!
The three monsters combined and shot towards the sky, lighting up the entire hot spring like daylight!
XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon, LV 9, Machine-Type, Attack Power 3000.
"Attack Power... 3000?!" Manjome was stunned, "How can it be Attack Power 3000?"
It's all X, all Y, all Z, although the lower level monsters were updated, the attack power is the same!
Yet after combining, the attack power exceeded Dragon Cannon by 200!
"Heh, battle, XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon, destroy that giant dragon."
One by one, mechanical cannons aimed at the Dragon Cannon, the infinite light burst out, instantly piercing through Armed Dragon LV5.
Manjome LP: 4000→3400.
The one destroyed was Armed Dragon?
Good—if so, there's still a chance for me, I can totally activate Dragon Cannon's effect to destroy this brand-new robot!
"Turn end." Kaibaman ended his turn just like that.
Good!
"My turn, draw—"
"At this moment, I will activate the monster effect of XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon."
"Huh?" Manjome froze while drawing his card.
"Hyper Dragon Cannon effect, once per opponent's turn, you can discard 1 card from your hand to destroy 1 card on your opponent's field." Kaibaman extended his hand, pointing at XYZ-Dragon Cannon, "What I want to destroy, of course, is XYZ-Dragon Cannon."
He inserted a card from his hand into the Graveyard.
"Go, Hyper Dragon Cannon! Hyper Cannon!"
The tank, dragon head, and cannon, the three combined mechanical monsters simultaneously gathered power, then burst into light, striking the Dragon Cannon specifically, leaving Manjome, who was thinking of using the Dragon Cannon's effect to counterattack the Hyper Dragon Cannon, frozen.
"How could... it be stronger than XYZ-Dragon Cannon."
But—
Isn't that also inevitable?
Since XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon is a newer card than Dragon Cannon, and has stronger attack power than Dragon Cannon, isn't it naturally stronger to some extent?
Indeed...
I really, I really can't win...
"Hmph." Noticing Manjome's retreat, Kaibaman couldn't help but snort coldly.
And this cold snort made Manjome lower his head in even greater fear.
"You unprogressive fool!" Kaibaman lifted his head, "Is this the best you can do!?"
"But, Master, I..." Manjome stopped pretending not to recognize him; of course he knew who he was.
"Just like this, you dare claim to be the best Duelist?" Kaiba Seto stopped pretending, or rather, he never cared whether he'd be recognized, "Like this, you think you can defeat me!?"
"I..." Manjome never thought about defeating Kaiba.
From childhood to adulthood, Kaiba didn't teach him much. Only when he was confused would he occasionally give pointers, or simply toss some cards at him, letting him figure it out himself.
Even regarding family matters, he never gave him guidance.
Previously, in the Union Hangar, Kaiba learned about the Manjome Family and Akaba Leo's affairs, and tossed all of it to Manjome, leaving him to handle it himself. Back then, Manjome tried his best to find a way.
But—
His methods were useless. Not long ago, the Fusion Army struck Heartland, causing unimaginable disasters across dimensions. Manjome Group, due to collaborations with the Fusion Army, was hit from all sides, and his two brothers were too busy to confront him. He had ample opportunity to take charge of the Manjome Group.
Yet all this was not achieved by him.
It was all "picked up" by him.
He lacks his master's talent, his master's aura, doesn't duel as well as his master, nor has his master's mindset...
He...
"Hmph, weakling!" Kaiba Seto spoke again, "How can a Duelist willingly forfeit!
No matter how strong the opponent, no matter how terrifying the enemy, a Duelist shouldn't bow to them!
Otherwise, how can you claim to be an 'excellent' Duelist?"
Manjome gritted his teeth, unable to retort.
Kaiba's voice softened a bit, slowly making a fist before him, "You've just entered the new era of dueling; in front of you lies an infinite future.
Faced with cards more advanced than yours, Duelists more seasoned than you, faced with your master, would you willingly concede?
What is the most crucial thing for an excellent Duelist?
Is it all-new cards?
Is it powerful monsters?
It's neither—it's the courage to challenge any enemy!
Jun.
A few days ago, I got news from your friend, Tenjo Hikari, saying—if he becomes Champion, he hopes to obtain...
Blue-Eyes."
!!!!
Hearing this, Manjome snapped his head up to meet Kaiba's gaze.
"He... This... That Tenjo guy—that guy couldn't possibly want Ultimate Dragon!!!"
Manjome's eyes widened, his heart pounding wildly.
Blue-Eyes White Dragon is the master's Soul Card, the true soul to wield even over forsaking God!
Without Blue-Eyes White Dragon, there would be no Kaiba Seto!
Countless people in the world attempted to challenge Kaiba, tried various means to thwart him, but Kaiba will forever advance alongside Blue-Eyes!
Manjome glanced at his right hand.
He...
Forget about challenging the master, he never considered the matter of "Blue-Eyes White Dragon"!
Clearly, the master gave him many cards, clearly handed him lots of legendary Rare Cards, but he never thought about... nor dared to ask.
Blue-Eyes...
That Tenjo guy!
Audacious?
Fearless?
No...
He just wants the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!
Even if the opponent is Kaiba Seto, even if it's Kaiba Company, a cross-dimension level company!
He only wants the Fusion Card.
It doesn't matter about anything else. He just wants fusion!
As a peer, as a classmate, as a club member friend—
What about him?
He absolutely can't accept losing to a peer!
He is the glory and thunderbolt of the Manjome Family!
"... I understand, Master!" Manjome felt his heart calm down, the fear inside gradually dissipating, replaced by an endless competitive spirit since childhood!
All along, from childhood, he feared Kaiba.
But now, he finally understands.
There's nothing to fear!
A Duelist's heart shouldn't harbor such feelings!
Kaiba's lips curled into a smile, crossing his arms, nodding lightly: "Heh... bring it on. Jun."