Early the next morning, Yuji called Allen.
"Can you contact Kaito?" Yuji asked directly.
Allen scratched her head in distress. "Chief Kaito has been unreachable since he left the academy, but he always shows up when we're in trouble."
"Alright, I understand." Yuji suspected Kaito might be lurking somewhere near the camp.
"I'll go scout the Sanjuku District first. You all guard the camp." Yuji said.
"Is there such urgency?" Allen asked.
"We need to move to the new camp as soon as possible while our opponents are demoralized and distracted. Otherwise, once they regroup, our operations won't go as smoothly." Yuji explained.
"But how can you go there alone? The Sanjuku District is on the opposite side of Heartland." Allen asked.
"Don't worry about that. By the way, organize the survivors to collect abandoned vehicles nearby, preferably buses or trucks that can carry multiple people." Yuji instructed.
"Abandoned vehicles? I understand your plan. There are still a few near the camp, but we don't have spare parts to repair them." Allen said.
"Just collect them. I have my own methods."
After all, he hadn't used Yusei's scrap-picking skills to build a D-Wheel, so using his wrench to repair a few broken cars should be no problem.
"By the way, if Kaito shows up, give these to him." Yuji handed over a package containing the Photon Coat and several cards he'd drawn yesterday.
"I understand. Be careful on the road, Brother Yuji." Allen said.
...
After leaving the camp, Yuji found a car with relatively minor damage and took out Yusei's repair wrench.
The moment he held the wrench, Yuji felt as if possessed by knowledge. The entire car's structure emerged in his mind - what was broken and how to repair it. Answers to these questions appeared instantly.
It didn't take long to get the car running. Yuji stepped on the accelerator and set off after fumbling briefly with how to drive.
As for being a road hazard, Yuji could only say that in current Heartland, nobody dared wander outside in broad daylight except Fusion Dimension invaders, and those invaders would be eliminated on sight.
A few hours later, Yuji arrived at the outskirts of Sanjuku District. From the surrounding building ruins, he could clearly sense the separation between this area and Heartland proper. Beyond the boundary markers, the building ruins showed obvious futuristic technology style, but inside the boundary, everything had a strong cyberpunk flavor.
Yuji parked and prepared to continue on foot. The streets here were intricate and maze-like. For first-time visitors, driving was definitely not a good choice.
Not long after entering Sanjuku District, Yuji got lost like countless first-time visitors before him.
Fortunately, Yuji encountered local residents, though these locals weren't particularly friendly at the moment. Seven or eight young people who clearly weren't upstanding citizens surrounded him.
"You dare wander our district alone. Very brave for an outsider." The leader, Reynold, adorned with various chains, looked at Yuji and sneered.
Yuji, who had come prepared, raised his right hand, revealing the red silk scarf representing the Resistance: "Where's your resistance leader? I need to speak with him."
"You think our boss meets with just anyone? What if you're a spy sent by Fusion soldiers?" Reynold sneered.
"True, a red scarf can't prove my identity, but what about this?" Yuji pulled a badge from his pocket and tossed it over.
"This is...?" Reynold caught the badge and examined it. The ruby heart emblem shone in the sunlight. Reynold looked at Yuji in shock: "Were you sent by Heartland Academy's chief?"
"Not exactly. The badge is mine." Yuji said.
"You're the chief of Heartland Academy?"
"Yes," Yuji nodded. "Can I meet your boss now?"
"I don't remember us having dealings with outsiders." Reynold said with narrowed eyes.
"Insider, outsider - can we really afford such distinctions when facing a common enemy?" Yuji said, catching the badge Reynold returned.
"Come with us." After confirming his identity, Reynold's attitude improved slightly. Though his tone remained stiff, at least the hostility had lessened.
After the group led Yuji through the city's winding streets for a considerable time, they arrived at an abandoned church.
"Our boss usually doesn't handle day-to-day matters. If you have questions, please speak with our vice-leader." Reynold said stiffly.
"Thanks for guiding me." Yuji said, preparing to enter the church. But just as he was about to push open the door, a man in a suit rushed out. Upon seeing Reynold and the others, he immediately said:
"Quick, gather the brothers - the boss has disappeared again!" The suited man was filled with anxiety.
"What? The boss is gone again?" Reynold was also surprised. Forgetting Yuji was still beside him, he turned to leave with his group.
"What happened? Do you need help?" Yuji asked from the side.
"Reynold, who is this?" The suited man noticed Yuji and asked Reynold.
"Vice-Leader, this is the chief of Heartland Academy. He said he came to discuss matters with us." Reynold said.
"So he's the actual leader of the rebels here?" Yuji thought while observing the suited man.
Unlike the others who looked like obvious rogues, the vice-leader's appearance was completely incongruous with his surroundings. His silver suit was neat and tidy, his leather shoes polished to a shine, and behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes regarded Yuji with curiosity.
"So you're a guest. Please forgive me, but we have urgent matters to attend to." The gang's vice-leader said politely.
"From what you're saying, it seems your boss is missing?" Yuji asked.
"It's not that simple. It's complicated to explain. If you'd like to help, chief, then come with me. I'll explain on the way." The vice-leader said, walking outside.
Yuji followed, watching as more and more duelists emerged from various alleys. He couldn't help asking curiously: "Who is your boss? Why mobilize such a large force?"
"Because if we don't move quickly, the boss will probably die outside." The vice-leader said after taking a deep breath.
"It seems you know what he's planning to do? If he's capable enough to lead here, ordinary enemies shouldn't be able to harm him, unless he's taking on an entire army alone..." Yuji saw the worry in the vice-leader's eyes growing thicker and couldn't help but be surprised.
"You can't be serious? Did he really do that?" Yuji turned pale with shock.
(End of this chapter)