"So we meet again, Seto Kaiba."
The voice sounded in mid-air. Accompanied by the rolling celestial thunder, a phantom of a person seemed to appear within the descending lightning.
Like a translucent ghost, with hands behind his back, looking down at Kaiba.
"This feeling..."
Kaiba looked up, frowning at that person.
"Is it Dazi?"
The person chuckled softly.
"Very perceptive, President Kaiba. But no, I am not Dazi," he said, "As you already know, Dazi no longer exists.
The nameless Pharaoh defeated him, ending his ten-thousand-year plan. As a loser, he could only sink into the sea along with his former kingdom Atlantis."
Kaiba crossed his arms: "So now another unworthy guy wants to inherit his enterprise, huh?"
After a pause, he frowned and said.
"'Judge,' that's what you're called, right? What do you think you are? The one to deliver judgment?"
"No, President Kaiba. Not the one to deliver judgment, but I am the judgment itself," the man said calmly, "There are countless causes and effects in this world.
When humanity makes choices to fulfill their desires, using unscrupulous means for their benefit, they create 'cause.'
And when this seed grows over long ages, I emerge as the destined 'effect.'"
"You..."
Kaiba looked up at the fissure in the sky, and the giant creature glaring coldly at him through the gap, suddenly seemed to understand something.
"You're catching on, President Kaiba. Indeed."
The Judge smiled.
"Dazi was once chosen, for he had potential. But he spent ten thousand years proving his limitations."
With a gentle wave of his arm, the Judge shifted scenes dramatically. Kaiba and Keihei found themselves amidst the realistic images of a VR landscape. The disaster-stricken city vanished instantly, replaced by an ancient battlefield.
Like a tapestry where history and myth intertwined, on a ground forgotten by time. The sunset's glow spilled across the battlefield, as the Orichalcos Hexagram marks fell like stars.
Countless armored warriors charged fearlessly, the roars of dragons shaking the battlefield. Elves, demons, goblins, Dragon Race... countless species, human and elven armies intertwined, the battle lines stretching to the horizon.
An endless battle, an epic war that almost reshaped the world's order ten thousand years ago.
"Dazi had such potential, possessed so many resources, such power. But he was betrayed by his own father, who found the Nameless Dragon, bringing with him endless armies from the Elf Realm to fight.
That was his first failure, forcing him to reflect for ten thousand years."
The Judge waved his hand again. The scene spun around, time flew by quickly, arriving at the modern era.
The steel jungles of modern buildings, neon lights mingling with stars. The sky churned with red dragons, blue giants, and golden divine birds, under the command of a colorful-haired king, attacking the huge Snake God with justice.
"He had a second chance, received relentless support from Orichalcos, but the result didn't change... no, compared to before, this failure was perhaps more painful.
Not only was he utterly defeated, even the power of Orichalcos suffered heavy damage from the Phantom God's assault."
"So, what do you want to say?" Kaiba asked.
"Nothing." The Judge said blandly, "Just realized, when you want something done right, you must do it yourself.
So this time, there will be no chosen one, no deputy.
This time, I will personally accomplish what must be done."
Kaiba's face fell as he realized something: "Are you saying you're that thing?"
"God of Orichalcos, representing the will of the planet, embodying all negative manifestations of the beings on this planet.
Taking over the unfinished task that Dazi couldn't complete, I'll continue it personally."
As he spoke, the thunderous roaring emanated from mid-air, the giant snake image tumbling down, roaring angrily towards Kaiba.
"Heh." Kaiba sneered, "After all that talk, you're still just a stray dog."
"That's not for you to say, Seto Kaiba." The Judge sneered, "If I remember correctly, you were defeated by Dazi before.
If even my deputy couldn't defeat you, what makes you confident to face me?"
"Dazi may have been a bastard, but at least he was a strong Duelist," Kaiba said expressionlessly, "And you? This so-called Evil God is just a stray dog without a master."
"Interesting."
The Judge's gaze gradually turned icy.
He slowly waved his hand, at that moment it seemed as if the entire sky lowered several degrees. The black Snake God descended slowly, its scarlet eyes locking onto Kaiba's position, and the howling gale flapped his clothes wildly.
But Kaiba looked up at the massive creature without any sign of weakness. The True Ultimate Blue-Eyes Dragon rose behind him, roaring defiantly towards the Snake God's position in mid-air.
"Ultimate Dragon... heh, it seems indeed it has evolved quite a bit over the years. It looks like you haven't been idle after all."
The Judge's spirit body slowly levitated, floating in mid-air, as if riding atop the head of the Orichalcos Snake God, sizing up Kaiba and his Ultimate Dragon with disdain.
"Well, it's just a mere Blue-Eyes, even if it has evolved, it's nothing to worry about. I won't even need to return to my full form..."
He suddenly paused, his movements abruptly stiffening.
Then he frowned unusually, glancing in a certain direction, revealing a hint of disgust.
"Tch... on second thought, forget it."
As his words fell, the storm gradually subsided. The typhoon-like rage finally calmed, the dark clouds turned dim, and the Snake God slowly withdrew its head.
"For you, a duel surely suits best."
The Judge spoke nonchalantly, his form becoming increasingly transparent as he ascended with the tumbling Snake God.
"In this arena of yours, in a Duelist's manner... it suits you, doesn't it?"
Though he felt a bit strange about this sudden change, Kaiba frowned but did not delve deeper: "Heh, naturally. As long as it's a duel challenge, I'll accept it anytime."
Also, this Cheating Snake merely flaunted a bit of divine might, and even without a full appearance, it's caused such a degree of widespread disaster. If the Blue-Eyes were to directly clash with him here, regardless of who wins or loses, the surrounding urban environment might not withstand it, the disaster area must continue to expand.
Solving it with a duel can also minimize collateral damage, avoiding harm to innocents.
"Heh, I knew you'd agree, worthy of President Kaiba. So then... I'm waiting for you on the Duel City's ultimate stage, Seto Kaiba."
As he spoke, he dissipated along with the Snake God's phantom.
In a moment, the dark clouds dispersed, the storm disassembled, leaving only a ravaged street.
"Brother!"
Keihei hurriedly ran to Kaiba's side.
"Why did that guy suddenly leave? Was he actually afraid of the evolved Blue-Eyes' power?"
Kaiba frowned and remained silent.
He didn't think that was the case.
Honestly, although he had always had confidence in the Blue-Eyes, he felt that if they faced this Evil God here, even if the Evil God didn't fully revive, it would take a hard battle to win.
The opponent also indeed showed considerable confidence, but why just now suddenly seemed to have some moment of change in attitude, leaving in such a hurry almost as if fearing something...
Kaiba recalled that guy seemed to glance at a certain direction before leaving, considering this he also looked in that direction.
And incidentally, he saw a certain Yugen walking over from the main thoroughfare.
"President? Keihei?"
Yugen walked over strangely, looking around.
"What happened here just now?"
Kaiba: "..."
Could it be... he's afraid of this kid?