Synopsis: Hou explains why he hid the truth about his mentor's death. After that, Masato and Daijirou face off once again, with Daijirou showing the results of his training.
OP: Black and White
Continuing from the previous story, outside of Guru's Hut, they all sat down in a circle, legs crossed on the open grass. They all pay attention to Hou himself as he looks at them sadly.
Hou: I'm very sorry that I kept it a secret. But...Guru...Our Master, one of my greatest friends... passed away a few months ago.
Everyone is very worried.
Hou: The reason why I didn't share it with his students, aka Daijirou, Seiji, Note, Kanessada, Kei, Mamoru, Rei, and myself, is simple. I didn't want this news to suddenly ruin everything. And if we know our Master well, he wouldn't want his death to frown on all of us.
Everyone is quite surprised.
Kanessada: (Nods sadly) You're right. But still, this made me feel like I disrespected him.
Note: Yeah, Hou. You should've told us about this.
Seiji: What were you even thinking?
Hou: (Calms them) I know. I know. I'm sorry. I take no excuse for my actions. But please...it was tough to share back then. I just couldn't...(sigh) Doesn't matter, I'm an idiot for hiding this.
Daijirou: Calm Down. You're not an idiot. You just cared too much for us back then. You just couldn't bear to suddenly drop the bombshell on us.
Mamoru: True, you're the one who kept encouraging us to keep going whenever we gave up on something. And you were closest to Guru the most. You knew him so well that if he were alive, he would keep your mouth shut.
Hearing this, Hou is surprised but nods in agreement sadly.
Kei: Just don't do it again. Next time, just tell us if something goes wrong.
Hou: (Nods) I will. I promise.
Daryl: But I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me and Masato that you trained under him?
Seiji: It's because Guru told us not to. He didn't want his secrets to fall into the wrong hands. Plus, if Hou did, then you would seek him non-stop, and Guru would feel bombarded big time, wouldn't he?
Daryl: Ah?
Seiji: I know you, Daryl. You're the type to pursue any possible knowledge, no? This includes Buddyfight.
Daijirou: The same for you, Masato. You would constantly seek guidance to overcome any challenges that arise. Including seeking for Guru himself.
Hearing this, Daryl & Masato feel a bit ashamed but agree.
Shiloh: So you guys respect Guru greatly. I wish I could have met him, though.
Daijirou: He is a wise but also strange mentor. None of us can sometimes tell his nature.
Seiji: But because of Him, we have become who we are today.
Kanessada: But I have a question. How did he pass away exactly, Hou?
Hearing Kanessada's request, Hou's mood shifts to even greater sadness as his eyes are slowly being covered by shade.
Hou: (Flashback) One day, Garga & I came for a visit. The moment the door was opened, he was on the ground.
Garga: We were shocked. Not a single pulse. His body was freezing. We tried to wake him up countless times, however...
Hou Ren's tears are showing as he grips his left wrist. He suddenly becomes Demonic.
Hou: He was gone. Like really gone. I didn't even get to say goodbye, and he just left like that. I had so much to tell him. Just WHY GURU? WHY?
Everyone is quite shocked to see Hou like that.Shiloh feels incredibly worried and hugs him.
Kanessada: (taps his shoulder) It's okay... Don't blame yourself. Destiny is cruel sometimes.
Garga: (taps his back) Kanessada's right. None of us knew this would happen. Don't let his passing overcome you.
Note: What happened to his buddy? Giant Tanuki?
Hou: He laid with him to rest. I tried to stop him, but he said he is Guru's BFF. Bonded together, flesh and soul.
Note: No...
Hou: (Sigh) Guru was more than just a mentor. He's like a father to me. We spent time together. Exchanging stories. Enjoying food. Those times felt amazing.
Garga: He gave us a lot of life lessons. He even allowed us to read his books so that we could gain more knowledge in Buddyfight.
Shiloh: I see.
Daijirou: You're not the only one. Guru made me realize that strength alone can never overcome what's ahead of me.
Seiji: It doesn't matter that I wish and need to be the best. I should not compare myself at all.
Note: He often gave me advice on how to improve my career.
Kanessada: Some lessons on being a better Samurai helped a lot.
Mamoru: My skills in defeating illegal monsters have improved.
Kei: I was able to get past my guilt and become a better person thanks to him.
Hou: What about you, Rei?
Rei: Uh...Me?
The students stare at him suspiciously while crossing their arms, while everyone else thinks they are weird as they react awkwardly.
Rei: Okay, fine... I've learned that I should stop seeing people suffering as enjoyment. Guru made me realize that I should just make those around me happy.
Seiji: Hmmmm... Sure.
Hou: Yeah...Oh Right. I want to give him this. (Holds out a pack of fried buns)
Masato: Where those come from?
Note: Are those—
Hou: (interrupts) His favorite old-fashioned nostalgia-inducing school lunch-style fried buns. Back in the day, we both ate these, and they were delicious.
He holds out a plate and places those buns on it before placing them softly in front of Guru's tombstone. Hou Ren even lights up 3 joss sticks and prays with them. Everyone else also joined their hands in prayer.
Kei: I'm sure he's squealing in joy right now.
Hou Ren: Probably...This didn't cross my mind earlier, but I'm going to win this tournament for him. So that I can pay homage. For everything he has taught me.
Daijirou: Is that so? I respect that.
Seiji: So will I.
Note: We all will.
Daryl: I suppose this includes us. Right, Masato?
Masato: Yep.
Hou Ren: No surprise there. Let's do this...for Guru.
Everyone nods. Everyone then leans their arms on each other's shoulders as they pay respect to their old master.
The Next Day, at another shop, Masato arranges his deck on a bench. His expression seems serious, but inside, he is anxious. He remembers what happened at Guru's hut.
Masato: I still can't believe they are trained under the famous Guru Bunbuku. That explains why they are so strong. (sigh)
He holds out his complete deck and stares at it with sharp and serious eyes.
Masato: Even if that's true, I won't lose. No matter what.
Agito & the Linkdragon Order come out of their cards.
Agito: You know, one thing I don't understand is why we weren't his disciples.
Harahara: Yeah, what is it that they have that we don't?
Masato: I don't know. Regardless, we can't let our guard down. Hou trained us too, and let's use what we learned in our fight.
Linkdrgon Order: Right.
???: Fancy seeing you here.
Catching their attention, they look at who's calling them. Daijirou Kuroyashiki walks in, and the Linkdragon Order sees him with grudge looks.
Tategami: Not you again.
Harahara: You got some nerve.
Masato: Okay, calm down, you guys. (stands up) It's been a while, Senior.
Daijirou: Likewise, Old friend. (Spots his deck) I see you're prepping up.
Masato: That's a yes.
Daijirou: Hmm... (Holds out his deck) How bout a match?
At the shop's stage, Daijirou and Masato are about to fight. Ion and Takokichi appear once again.
Ion: Whenever there's a buddyfight, you can find us. Ion & Takokichi. Today, we have the Ace of Sports, Masato Rikuo, facing the heir of the Kuroyashiki Clan, Daijirou Kuroyashiki.
Takokichi: Dragon Share and Against All Odds. Which side will win?
Masato: The Linked Spiral is the Chain of Bonds. Luminize, Ultimate Spiral Linkdragon Order.
Daijirou: I will surpass myself. Again and again. Until all who stand fall before me. Luminize, STRONGEST MAX.
Ion & Takokichi: Buddy.....FIGHT.
Both: Raise the Flag.
Masato: Ancient World.
Daijirou: Ancient World.
Ion: Daijirou goes first.
Daijirou: Draw. Charge and Draw. I buddycall Revived Supremacy, Zerberos to the center.
Zerberos descends in his new form.
Agito: He evolved?
Daijirou: You haven't seen anything yet. (Sets) Set, Overcrest. Zerberos. Attack the fighter.
Masato's Life: 10 -> 7
Daijirou: The drawback is that this new Zerberos doesn't have "Against all odds". However...
Masato feels a bit anxious.
Daijirou: I can still activate Overcrest's effect. I evolve Zerberos into Zerberos Aog.
Zerberos evolves into Zerberos Aog.
Daijirou: Brings back memories, doesn't it?
Masato: You said it.
Daijirou: Unfortunately for you, with Revived Supremacy in the dropzone, Aog gains 10000 defense. And with Aog's ability...
Masato: (shocked) 35000 defense.
Daijirou: Indeed. Now, my turn is over.
Ion: Daijirou unleashed his new power and was able to combo his abilities and increase Aog's defense. Incredible.
Masato: So that's your new power. You're as strong as ever. But I have a question, how did you end up as Guru's student? And why were you chosen instead of me?
Daijirou: (smiles) What can I say? Guru thinks I have great potential and took me in. I normally decline his offer, but I did it otherwise because I want to be stronger.
Masato: But that doesn't explain why I didn't get selected.
Daijirou: It's because you declined his invitation.
Masato: (confused) What?
Daijirou: (Flashback) Before accepting us as students, Guru tasked us to meet him via invitation. Unbeknownst to us, however, the invitation did not mention his name. And upon reaching, he fought us, even though he's in disguise.
Masato: Why, though?
Daijirou: To test us. Based on trust, skill, and loyalty. I lost to him that day, and thus he revealed himself and offered me to be his student. Naturally, I agreed. (Flashback end)
Masato is surprised.
Daijirou: However, in your case, according to Guru, you didn't even take a glance at the invite. Like you just tossed it aside.
Masato: Wha?
Masato suddenly remembers receiving some sort of invite in the past. However, after reading it, he tossed it aside, thinking it was a trick. He even says, "I'm not falling for this kind of scam. Nice try. " and then walks away.
Masato & Agito: THAT WAS GURU'S INVITATION ???
Daijirou: When he saw it all, he saw it all. You said it all, then you said it all.
Masato: (in regret) Ai yi yi...
Agito: Masato...
Masato: (freaks out) How was I supposed to know? Well, training or not, I'm not holding back. Cast. Linkdragon Order's Links. (Ability) Johaku to the center. And I buddycall Agito to the right.
Agito & Johaku: (Appears) Let's do this.
Masato: Cast. Linkdragon Order's Hunt. (Ability) Equip...Order's Axe, Wild Axe. (Equips) Agito's ability, I call Kaina to the left.
Kaina appears.
Masato: Joy, Sadness, and Strength. Let's unite our feelings as one.
Masato & Linkdragon Order: Dragon Share!!! (glows)
Ion: There it is. Masato's Specialty once again. Dragon Share!!!.
Dajirou: (smirks) Come At Me!!!
Masato: Everyone. Link attack with me. (Attacks)
Linkdragon Order: Right. (Attacks)
Ion: Their combined power reaches 45000. That's more than enough to destroy Zerberos Aog.
Daijirou: Cast. Wrath Trigger. Zerberos Aog stays on the field, and he gains counterattack.
Masato: What?
Aog counterattacks on Kaina!!!
Kaina: Curses. (Destroyed)
Ion: Unbelievable. Zerberos remained, and he destroyed Kaina. Because of that, Masato doesn't have enough power.
Daijirou: (smiles) What are you going to do?
Masato: Tch...My turn is over.
Daijirou: I'm not the same as the last time we fought. Overcrest's ability activates. Evolve into Viclord, Zerberos Zeed.
Aog evolves into Zerberos Zeed.
Daijirou: Draw. Charge & Draw. If you think Zerberos Zeed is alone, think again. Prepare to witness the result of my training. Equip!!! (equips) Dragon Lord, Crescent Blade.
Everyone's shocked!!!
Agito: Daijirou just—
Masato: Equipped an item!!!
Daijirou: I told you, I'm not the same as the last time we fought. As long as Zerberos is the only monster on board, Crescent Blade gains 10000 power and 2 critical. And with Zerberos's effect in the dropzone, add even more power.
Masato and the Linkdragon Order are even more surprised.
Daijirou: And also, this item can attack even with a monster in the center. Further, it has double attack.
Masato: Not gonna happen. I pay 2 gauge & 1 life and cast!!! Linkdragon Chain Stopper. For this turn, your cards cannot attack.
Chains came out of nowhere and locked around Daijirou's item and Zerberos Zeed, restricting them from attacking.
Daijirou: Grrr.
Ion: Whoa!!! Daijirou's item and Zerberos zeed were locked in!!!
Masato: Your item surprised me, Daijirou, but with it, you and Zeed can make 5 unstoppable attacks. I can't let that happen.
Daijirou: Not bad. But I wouldn't celebrate just yet. Remember how we fought in the playoffs back then? Zeberos has one last form, you know.
Masato: Ah???
Daijirou: (smirks) Hmmm. Cast. Seamless Dragon Lord. (Holds out a card)
The card starts to aura farm with flames.
Daijirou: This may be Hou's line, but...here's my final Ace. I evolve Zerberos Zeed, Into Emplord, Zeberos THE END.
Zerberos Zeed evolves into his final form. While his new form slightly resembles Zerberos LOST, the colour scheme is all dark and molten red. His wings become four instead of two. The bottom mouth becomes glowing yellow instead. Everyone's shocked.
Ion: Wait, wait, wait, what? What happened to Zerberos LOST???
Daijirou: Ever since Guru's training, I have trained myself even more. I appreciate Guru and even Ranma's help. But I also want to do things independently. Thus, the final result is right here before you.
Agito: Is it me, or does it look even more menacing than before? Especially now with different colours.
Daijirou: Patience, Agito. How about we let his actions speak for themselves? Zerberos, Attack Masato.
Zerberos Zeed's bottom mouth begins to charge and breeds fire, much to Agito & Johaku's shock, before being burned alive.
Agito & Johaku: AHHHH!!!
Johaku is out, but Agito revives.
Masato: What the???
Daijirou: Zerberos Zeed can attack everything on the opponent's field. Including You!!!
Zerberos breeds fire now with his main mouth. It hits.
Daijirou: Double attack.
Zerberos attacks.
Masato: Cast. Undying Linkdragon Order. (Blocks)
Daijirou: Triple attack.
Masato's Life: 7 → 3
Daijirou: Zerberos has Quadruple attack. This will end you.
Zerberos attacks.
Masato: Cast. Link Dragon Bonds Shield. (Blocks)
The attack hits but fails to finish Masato off. Daijirou's smirks.
Daijirou: My turn is over.
Ion: Masato may have survived. But Daijirou's brutal attacks wiped out all of his monsters. This is too much!!!
Masato: It's not the first time I experienced this, but I'm not giving up. Draw. Charge & Draw.
Masato looks at what he drew and smirks.
Masato: Gather, Linkdragon Order. (Pays 3 gauge & 4 cards to soul) Deity of Enthusiasm and Bonds, Godagito to the center!!!
Agito: (appears) Incredible power flows within me.
Ion: GodAgito is here!!!
Masato: GodAgito has 2 Kainas, Johaku, and Jisen in his soul. With his ability, I send Jodolo, Tricera, and Wings to the soul. Cast. Linkdragon Order's Hunt. (Draws) Ready for this?
Agito: Anytime.
Masato & Agito: Spiral Dragod Share!!!
GodAgito sparks with thunder once again. Daijirou prepares himself in a stance.
Masato: GodAgito. Attack Zerberos the End!!!
GodAgito: (Attacks) Right!!!
Ion: GodAgito now has 32000 power!!! That's more than enough to top Zerberos's defense.
Daijirou: I wouldn't be so sure. Zerberos The End's ability activates. (Discards two cards)
Zerberos suddenly turns into static stone, and GodAgito's tail slash has no effect.
GodAgito: What?
Daijirou: (chuckles) If I discard two Max Dragon cards from my hand, it will not perish itself.
Masato: WHAT?
Daijirou: And further...(Zerberos Destroys GodAgito) Counterattack!!!
GodAgito yells aloud and loses Wings.
GodAgito: That's Nothing!!! (Attacks)
Daijirou: Hmph. Simpleton!!! (Discards)
Now Zerberos powers up with flames surrounding it and grabs GodAgito by the neck and slams him down, destroying Tricera.
GodAgito: Curses.
Daijirou: I'm not letting you destroy Zerberos easily.
Masato: But GodAgito has Triple Attack. And you have one card left.
GodAgito rises up and attacks.
Daijirou: Cast. Trying a Dragon's Best. (Blocks) Counterattack!!!
GodAgito is punched by Zerberos's right hand, losing Jodolo in the process.
Daijirou: The mistake I made back then was standing there doing nothing. Well, I might as well make amends by reducing your assets now.
Masato: My bonds are not that easily broken. Cast. Linkdragon Order's Renewal. GodAgito stands.
GodAgito stands and summons a new monster???
Ion: That's odd. I have never seen that monster before.
Masato: Meet Raider, Jimbo. When placed, I can summon one size 1 or smaller linkdragon order monster from the dropzone. I choose Wings.
Wings is summoned.
GodAgito: (Attack) One more time.
GodAgito flies high once again and rushes forward and destroys Zerberos in one whole strike!!!
Masato: For Share!!!
Daijirou: ZERBEROS!!!
Ion: Unbelievable. Zerberos has been annihilated once again. And with Pentetrate, Daijirou received 5 damage.
Wings: And my dragon share too.
Daijirou's Life: 4 → 3
Masato: (swings) Wings, let's finish him off. (Strikes)
Wings and Masato link attack together, and all Daijirou can do is to watch in shock as he can't block due to no cards in hand. Daijirou's flag is destroyed.
Ion: Game End. Winner. Masato Rikuo.
Masato: For Share.
Daijirou: (smiles) Even with my own strength, you still surpass me. You're something else, my friend.
Sunset arrived. The two friends met with each other. The Linkdragon also stands there face-to-face.
Daijirou: I owe you lot an apology.
Masato: (surprised) Come again?
Tategami: (surprised) Excuse me?
Daijirou: For abandoning & insulting you all, as well as keeping Guru's training in secret. (Bows) I'm sorry.
Masato and the Linkdragon Order are shocked. Masato smiles and walks forward.
Masato: Actually, I had to thank you.
Daijirou: Thank me? Why?
Masato: Because if it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have met those guys. I wouldn't even have gotten this strong, to be honest.
Daijirou: Masato...(sigh, smiles) You never change, do you? You know what? Why don't we play some sports together tomorrow? Just like old times.
Masato: (Surprised) You mean it? (excited) Yeah, Sure.
Daijirou: (smirks) Then I'll see you at my manor. (turns, walks away)
Tategami: Since when does he apologize?
Harahara: I still don't trust him.
Masato: Whether he's sincere or not, I'm just glad I get to see him again. That is all.
The Story ends as the camera focuses on the sunset in the sky.
Anime Ending: Gonna Be Right.
Preview...
Seiji: Seiji Here. It's my turn to show the results of my training. My opponent is none other than Daryl. Next time, "Checkmate Unfold". Join us for a Buddyfight.
Story End.