[Judai, LP 1000]
[Hibiki Momiji, LP 3300]
When Yugen came down, it seemed the duel was in its final stages. On Momiji's field was a defense-position "Elemental Hero Forest Hero," while Judai's field was empty.
[Elemental Hero Forest Hero, Defense Power 2000]
Although they were both using Elemental Heroes, Judai's was centered around the four infamous Mortal Bone heroes, a common version you could buy at any roadside card shop.
On the other hand, Momiji's heroes seemed to have no Mortal Bones and included some rare heroes that weren't available on the market.
In other words, Momiji's Elemental Heroes were a championship special edition. This luxury version against Judai's common version gave off a vibe of relying on technology if you're rich versus mutation if you're not.
"I've felt the passionate heart between you and your heroes, Judai," Momiji smiled, "A duelist worthy of reaching this point."
Encountering a fan is always a pleasure, and even he couldn't help but admire seeing Judai make it to the quarterfinals with just a bunch of common Mortal Bone heroes.
After dueling, he was even more infected by Judai's enthusiasm, feeling his passion for the duel ignite like never before.
"But your field is empty, and you have only one card in hand," Momiji laughed, "With just one draw, can you break through the 2000 Defense Power of Forest Hero's defense?"
"Hehe, I still have one draw left."
Judai rubbed his nose, excited.
"Then watch, Mr. Momiji, my draw!
It's my turn, draw!"
After drawing, Judai exclaimed excitedly.
"Great, it really came!
First, I activate the Magic Card 'Dark Mass Production Factory', which allows me to return two Ordinary Monsters from the graveyard to my hand. I will return 'Elemental Hero Lightning Hero' and 'Elemental Hero Clayman' to my hand."
"Recovering those two Elemental Heroes..."
Momiji seemed to have guessed something, slightly narrowing his eyes.
So the card Judai just drew must be...
"Activate the Magic Card 'Fusion'! Fuse 'Elemental Hero Lightning Hero' and 'Elemental Hero Clayman'—"
The two heroes vanished into a fusion vortex, lightning descending, and a giant surrounded by thunder emerged!
Elemental Hero Thunder Giant, summon!
[Elemental Hero Thunder Giant, Attack Power 2400]
"The final draw, precisely drawing the crucial 'Fusion' magic for Elemental Heroes, huh."
Momiji showed an expression of approval.
Indeed, this kid...
He's simply a genius born for dueling.
"When Elemental Hero Thunder Giant is successfully fusion summoned, destroy monsters on the opponent's field with original attack lower than itself!" (Original effect)
Judai exclaimed excitedly.
"Go, Thunder Giant—
—Thunder Flash!"
Rumbling lightning blasted from the giant hero's palm, like a torrent of celestial thunder, gathering on Momiji's field, shattering Forest Hero, leaving behind only slowly rising black smoke.
"Thunder Giant's direct attack!"
No Defense Monster, no Cover Card. Spears of lightning roared from Thunder Giant's hands, piercing through Momiji.
The champion steadily took the surge of electricity across his body, the hem of his clothing fluttering, yet his face showed a satisfied smile.
[Hibiki Momiji, LP 3300→LP 900]
"Alright, my turn is over."
Judai grew more and more excited.
"Just a bit more!"
Now that Thunder Giant was summoned, the situation had reversed. Momiji had no monsters on the field, and only one card in hand. Plus, just one draw next turn, defeating a trump card like Thunder Giant shouldn't be easy...
But the more it is, the more exciting it becomes.
"What move will Mr. Momiji make next?" Judai became more excited as he thought.
He's dueling the world's best hero user, Mr. Momiji, who used the power of heroes to win the world championship!
Could there be anything more wonderful?
"I've felt your passion. But it looks like this, no matter what, should be the last draw." Momiji smiled, "I really wish this duel could go on forever..."
"Haha, me too." Judai said happily.
Momiji smiled and then became serious: "My turn!"
But just as his fingers touched the top of his card deck, he suddenly froze, his expression momentarily rigid as if electrified.
"Ugh..."
His expression changed slightly, and he wobbled.
"Mr. Momiji?" Judai was stunned.
"It's nothing... More importantly, here it comes, Judai!"
Hibiki Momiji's unusual demeanor vanished in an instant, quickly adjusting back.
"In this Duel, I will also fight to the end as a Duelist!
Activate the Magic Card 'Hero Arrival'!"
Yugen narrowed his eyes.
Goodness, is this what championship power looks like?
Even though they're both Hero Card Decks, casually drawing a card against Judai is a crushing attack...
Hero Arrival was a powerful Hero asset that gained widespread use as soon as it was physically released, appearing even in many non-Hero-related decks. In the original manga, it was Hibiki Momiji's card, and remarkably, after becoming a physical card, its effects were not weakened or altered at all compared to the original.
"When there are no face-up Monsters on your field, pay half your Life Points," Hibiki Momiji stated, "Special Summon an 'Elemental Hero' with 4 or fewer stars from your Card Deck!"
[Hibiki Momiji, LP 900→LP 450]
"So, I pay half my Life Points to Special Summon this card from my Card Deck..."
Hibiki Momiji revealed the Monster Card he searched from his Card Deck.
"Elemental Hero Sky Hero!"
Yugen was speechless for a moment.
Ah, here comes Brother Sky, a very familiar setup. Truly worthy of a champion's combo...
Although Judai represents the face of Elemental Heroes, at least half of the Elemental Hero assets favored by players belong to Hibiki Momiji's family. The title "strongest Hero user" is not without reason.
However, Yugen was then surprised that Hibiki Momiji did not activate Brother Sky's effect.
Hero Arrival summons Brother Sky, and when Brother Sky's Summon is successful, he can search another "Hero" card from the Card Deck. This sequencing is ingrained in the DNA of Hero players from the "Arrival Hero" era...
Then Yugen remembered.
Oh, my mistake, it's not a physical card Brother Sky.
After becoming a physical card, Brother Sky received an Epic Level boost. The original "Elemental Hero Sky Hero" from the manga had an 1800-grade quality lower panel but only had the effect "can halve its Attack Power for a direct attack."
Completely not the same level of strength as the physical card version.
Yugen pondered, resting his chin on his hand.
Looking at it this way, the strengthening and improvement space for the world's Elemental Heroes is quite substantial...
"Activate the Magic Card 'Miracle Fusion', excluding Elemental Heroes from the Graveyard to fuse!"
Hibiki Momiji revealed the two cards that exited from the Graveyard.
"I exclude 'Elemental Hero Forest Hero' and 'Elemental Hero Ocean Hero' from the game to perform a Fusion Summon!"
He raised his arm high, and the two Monsters disappeared in the fusion vortex.
"Watch closely, Judai, this is my trump card, the world's only ultra-rare hero—
—Elemental Hero Earthman!!!"
Forest and Ocean fusion transformed into the embodiment of this blue planet, descending into the duel field in the form of an elemental giant.
Elemental Hero Earthman, summon!
"So... so amazing!"
Judai's eyes almost turned heart-shaped.
"Earth, the world's only ultra-rare hero..."
Yugen also furrowed his brow slightly.
It wasn't merely a 3D projection. He could sense it now, that unique oppression and powerful force, undoubtedly a spirit inhabiting... and a spirit of considerable strength at that.
"Elemental Hero Earthman, one of the Planet Series of Earth, didn't expect to see it here."
Keihei spoke with interest.
"This tournament is going to be interesting."
"Earthman's effect allows it to use Elemental Heroes on its field as a tribute to absorb the values of Attack Power and Defense Power!"
Hibiki Momiji shouted.
"Use Sky Hero as a tribute to absorb and unleash the strongest power! Earthman—
—Scorching Lava Mode!"
The white giant turned completely crimson, as if magma from the Earth's core erupted from its body, enveloping the giant in intertwining, surging lava!
[Elemental Hero Earthman, Attack Power 4300]
"Judai, this is the final blow!" Hibiki Momiji shouted, "Attack 'Elemental Hero Thunder Giant'!"
Earthman charged at full speed, the magma seemingly morphing into a blade he held in his hand. Thunder Giant was sliced and melted, fiery flames swallowed the view, but Judai was still full of excitement.
"Earthman is super cool..."
[Judai, LP 1000→LP 0]