"I'll tell you beforehand, the Deck I'm using this time is a pure 'Performapal' Deck."
"I activate the effect of 'Performapal Show Dancer' from my Hand," Hayato said, playing a card. "If your Field has monsters but my Field has no monsters, I can Special Summon it from my Hand."
"Hayato is actually using the 'Performapal' Deck he used to defeat Pegasus? He's completely serious now." Sheppard, one of the spectators of Hayato and Yugi's duel against Pegasus at Duelist Kingdom, naturally recognized this Deck. "If 'Performapal Show Dancer' has already appeared, then the next card should be that one."
"'Performapal Show Dancer''s duty is to liven up the atmosphere with a hot dance at the opening." Hayato said, looking at the blue-haired lady who appeared on his Field, as he played a second card. "Since the atmosphere is already lively, the stage performance officially begins!"
"I Tribute 'Performapal Show Dancer' to Tribute Summon! When 'Performapal Show Dancer' is Tributed for a 'Performapal' monster, it can be treated as two Tributes!"
"Showtime! Appear! 'Performapal Sky Magician'!"
Behind 'Performapal Show Dancer' appeared a man-sized wooden box. She walked into it and closed the box. The next moment, the box disassembled, and in its place, on Hayato's Field, was 'Performapal Sky Magician', wielding four rings!
[Performapal Sky Magician ATK2500]
Hayato immediately ordered, "Enter my Battle Phase! 'Performapal Sky Magician', attack 'Jinzo'!"
"Forbidden Quadruple Existence!"
"'Performapal Sky Magician''s Attack is higher than 'Jinzo'!" Ishizu said with some joy. "As long as 'Jinzo' is destroyed, its Trap Card sealing effect will naturally be lifted."
However, Sheppard, who was beside her, had a different opinion. As the successor of the Cyber Style, which had been entangled with the Psychic Style for a long time, he understood the dueling style of Psychic Style Duelists extremely well; no one knew it better than him.
"Although the representative monster of the Psychic Style is 'Jinzo', which seals Trap Cards, and it seems their Deck is specifically prepared to counter Duelists who are good at using Trap Cards, it's because of 'Cybernetic Amplifier' that they are actually the best at using Trap Cards."
Indeed, just as Sheppard's words fell, Zhuzhao Zhi opened a Set Card in his Back Row: "I activate the Trap Card I Set last Turn!"
'Performapal Sky Magician' threw out the four rings in its hands, which hovered anti-gravity in the air. Within each of the four rings, an energy orb converged. A powerful magic cannon was fired, but just as it was about to hit 'Jinzo', it was blocked and even absorbed by a spherical barrier that appeared out of thin air!
[Zhuzhao: 4000 → 6500 Life Points]
The reason for all of this was the Set Card Zhuzhao Zhi had just activated—
"Although 'Jinzo' indiscriminately negates all Trap Cards on the Field, because of 'Cybernetic Amplifier''s effect, only I can still use Trap Cards right now." Zhuzhao Zhi's lips curled into a smile. "The effect of 'Absorption Shield' is to negate one of your monsters' Attacks and increase my Life Points by that monster's Attack value."
"Meaning, you just 'negated' my monster's Attack, right?" Hayato calmly played a card, inserting it into his Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone. "Quick-Play Spell Card 'Double Up Chance' activate! This card can only be used when my monster's Attack is negated. It gives that monster, whose Attack was negated, a second Attack opportunity!"
"Furthermore, its Attack is doubled."
The first round of magic cannon attack was ineffective. 'Performapal Sky Magician' raised its hand a second time, and energy orbs once again converged within the four rings. At the same time, a trace of magical energy from the activated 'Double Up Chance' was captured and absorbed by 'Performapal Sky Magician'.
"Because I activated a Spell Card, I chain the effect of 'Performapal Sky Magician'; once per turn, it can absorb magical energy from a Spell Card to enhance itself!"
[Performapal Sky Magician ATK2500 → 2800 → 5600]
"Attack of 5600?!" Zhuzhao Zhi, who had been looking smug moments ago, changed his expression. Seeing the four magic cannons about to fire again, he quickly opened another Set Card in his Back Row. "Trap Card activate, 'Half Shut'!"
"I target one monster on the Field, and that monster cannot be destroyed by Battle this Turn, and any Battle Damage I take from that Battle is halved!"
"Boom!"
Almost immediately after Zhuzhao Zhi activated his Trap Card, 'Performapal Sky Magician''s attack successfully hit 'Jinzo'. The powerful force instantly shattered its defense, and the overflowing damage was reduced by a barrier surrounding Zhuzhao Zhi himself, no longer as terrifying as it was at first.
[Zhuzhao: 6500 → 4900 Life Points]
Even after the damage was halved, the damage caused by 'Performapal Sky Magician''s doubled Attack was still a full 1600. However, regrettably, Hayato ultimately failed to destroy 'Jinzo' this Turn, and the one-sided Trap Card sealing remained.
[Performapal Sky Magician ATK5600 → 2800]
"It managed to escape, what a shame." Hayato shook his head in regret, then drew two cards and placed them in his Spell & Trap Zone. "I set two cards, my Turn ends."
[Hayato: 4000 Life Points, Hand 1]
[Performapal Sky Magician ATK2800]
[Set Card] X2
"It's my Turn again, Draw!" Looking at the drawn card, Zhuzhao Zhi beamed with joy. "I Normal Summon 'Psychic Reflector' in Attack Position, then activate its effect!"
"When this monster is successfully Summoned, I can add one 'Jinzo' or one Spell/Trap Card that mentions this card name from my Deck to my Hand!"
[Psychic Reflector 4 Stars/LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Effect]
[1700/1000]
Saying this, Zhuzhao Zhi manually searched his Deck for a card and pulled out a Spell Card to reveal. "I activate the effect of this card I searched, 'Psychic Energy Shock'!"
"If 'Jinzo' exists on my Field, I can target and destroy one card on your Field!" Zhuzhao Zhi said with a smile. "The card I choose, of course, is 'Performapal Sky Magician'!"
From 'Jinzo''s hand, violent Psychic Power was released, sweeping towards 'Performapal Sky Magician' on Hayato's Field.
'If this monster is destroyed, you will have no monsters left on your Field to act as a shield. Then, I'll just use 'Psychic Reflector' with 1700 ATK and 'Jinzo' with 2400 ATK to direct attack, and this duel will be my victory!'
Zhuzhao Zhi's thoughts were quite good, but unfortunately, everything he planned was based on the premise that 'Performapal Sky Magician' would be successfully destroyed by 'Psychic Energy Shock'.
The instant the Psychic Power was about to hit 'Performapal Sky Magician', Hayato took the 'Performapal Sky Magician' card from his Duel Disk, then placed another card from his Hand: "I activate the effect of this monster in my Hand!"
"I return 'Performapal Sky Magician' (Level 5 or higher) on my Field to my Hand, and Special Summon this card from my Hand. This effect can also be activated during your Turn. Let me perform a brilliant substitution magic trick, 'Performapal Sky Pupil'!"
The violent Psychic Power hit nothing. In that instant, 'Performapal Sky Magician' on Hayato's Field threw out three rings. One of the rings passed from his head down to his feet, as if performing a trick, and he instantly vanished.
Of the three rings he threw, two landed on the ground and were caught by 'Performapal Sky Pupil', which replaced him. The other ring rolled to 'Jinzo''s front.
The moment the Psychic Power struck the ring in the air that had made 'Performapal Sky Magician' disappear, a Psychic Power lightning bolt of equal intensity flew out from the ring on the ground, destroying 'Jinzo' as it stood bewildered.
"Tit-for-tat, when 'Performapal Sky Magician' Leaves the Field, it can Target one card on the Field and destroy it," Hayato calmly returned the 'Performapal Sky Magician' card to his Hand.
"Damn it!" Zhuzhao Zhi's displeasure was clearly written on his face. Although he used 'Psychic Energy Shock' to destroy 'Performapal Sky Magician', the symbol of the Psychic Style — 'Jinzo' — was also destroyed as a result. He gained no advantage whatsoever.
"In that case, I'll destroy that monster on your Field."
Zhuzhao Zhi pointed at 'Performapal Sky Pupil' on Hayato's Field: "'Psychic Reflector', attack 'Performapal Sky Pupil'!"
'Performapal Sky Pupil' was Special Summoned in Defense Position. Although its 800 DEF was not enough to stop 'Psychic Reflector''s attack, it prevented Hayato's Life Points from decreasing.
However, 'Performapal Sky Pupil''s departure also became an opportunity for Hayato to combo.
"Because 'Performapal Sky Pupil' was destroyed, my Set Card can be activated. Quick-Play Spell Card, 'Illusion Balloon'!" Hayato said, catching five cards that popped out from the top of his Deck. "Reveal the top five cards of my Deck, choose one 'Performapal' monster among them and Special Summon it to the Field, then shuffle the remaining cards back into the Deck."
"The monster I will Summon is this one, come forth, 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku'!"
Though it was the mythical "Baku" said to devour dreams, 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku', which appeared on Hayato's Field to replace 'Performapal Sky Pupil', was quite cute. Its chubby body was an elegant purple, and it indeed resembled a balloon.
[Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku Level 6/Wind Attribute]
[Beast-Type/Effect]
[1000/2000]
"2000 DEF, huh, tch. Anyway, next Turn you won't be able to gather enough Tributes to Summon 'Performapal Sky Magician' for a while," Zhuzhao Zhi glanced disdainfully at the somewhat goofy-looking 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku'. "Turn end."
In his opinion, Duel Monsters should properly have a realistic art style. Whether it was the 'Jinzo' series that gained Psychic Power through cruel human experiments, or the Machine-Type lifeforms like 'Cyber Dragon' that were invented through arduous research, those were true Duel Monsters.
But the monsters Hayato Summoned—whether it was 'Performapal Show Dancer', 'Performapal Sky Magician', 'Performapal Sky Pupil', or now this 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku'—were all Q-style, somewhat unserious circus monsters. No matter how strong their ATK or Effects might be, Zhuzhao Zhi would not acknowledge these monsters.
If Hayato knew Zhuzhao Zhi's thoughts, he would probably arrange for him to duel Pegasus. Their philosophies were at two extremes: one pursued realism, the other pursued fantasy.
However, considering that Pegasus had lost his Millennium Eye, and Zhuzhao Zhi was a burly, muscular man, it would probably end in Zhuzhao Zhi's victory.
[Zhuzhao: 4900 Life Points, Hand 0]
[Psychic Reflector ATK1700]
[Jinzo - Psychic Lord ATK2600]
"My Turn, Draw!" Hayato looked at the drawn card. "I activate the Spell Card, 'Graceful Charity'. I draw three cards from my Deck, then discard two cards from my Hand."
Saying this, he drew three cards from the top of his Deck, and under Zhuzhao Zhi's gaze, he discarded the 'Performapal Sky Magician' that was already in his Hand, along with another card, sending them to the Graveyard.
"I set one card, my Turn ends."
[Hayato: 4000 Life Points, Hand 1]
[Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku DEF2000]
[Set Card] X2
"Hmph, no intention of Summoning a monster, or perhaps you didn't draw any powerful cards," Zhuzhao Zhi again cast a scornful glance at 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku' on Hayato's Field. "With that ridiculous appearance, it's obvious it won't be a powerful monster."
"Only the Psychic Style is the strongest! My Turn, Draw!" Drawing a card and looking at it, Zhuzhao Zhi activated it. "Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'! I can draw two more cards!"
Seeing the two cards he drew, Zhuzhao Zhi was stunned for a moment, then burst into ecstatic, triumphant laughter: "Heheheh, hahahaha, I drew it! I drew the Psychic Style's strongest monster!"
"Let me show you, Duelist King! Witness the ultimate secret technique of the Psychic Style!"
Hayato's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this: "An ultimate monster?! Could it be a monster on par with 'Cyber End Dragon' or 'Chimeratech Rampage Dragon'?"
"First, I Normal Summon 'Jinzo - Psychic Jacker'." Zhuzhao Zhi first Summoned a monster to his Field.
'Jinzo - Psychic Jacker' adhered to the consistent human-modification style of the 'Jinzo' Archetype, but compared to other 'Jinzo' monsters, 'Jinzo - Psychic Jacker''s biggest characteristic and advantage was that he had hair, albeit made of tubes.
Zhuzhao Zhi continued: "The Psychic Style's strongest monster requires me to Tribute one 'Jinzo' on my Field to Special Summon it. However, while 'Jinzo - Psychic Jacker' is on the Field or in the Graveyard, its card name can be treated as 'Jinzo'."
"I Tribute 'Jinzo - Psychic Jacker' and send it to the Graveyard! Don't blink, the pain will be over in an instant!"
"Come forth, the ultimate secret technique of the Psychic Style, 'Jinzo - Psychic Lord'!"
The 'Jinzo - Psychic Jacker' with a full head of "beautiful hair" disappeared, replaced on Zhuzhao Zhi's Field by another familiar, bald head, just like 'Jinzo'. As soon as 'Jinzo - Psychic Lord' appeared on the Field, the familiar Psychic Power was unleashed again, sweeping towards Hayato's Back Row.
[Jinzo - Psychic Lord Level 8/DARK Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Effect]
[2600/1600]
"'Jinzo - Psychic Lord' possesses the same effect as 'Jinzo'; it can also seal off Trap Cards on the Field, so don't even think about using your Set Cards in the Back Row to protect yourself again," Zhuzhao Zhi said triumphantly. "Battle Phase! 'Jinzo - Psychic Lord', attack that 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku'!"
'Jinzo - Psychic Lord', with an ATK as high as one (Gaia the Dragon Champion), raised a Hand, and its powerful Psychic Power accurately captured the 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku' that stood frozen in place. As he clenched his Hand, 'Performapal Barrier Balloon Baku' was instantly crushed by the Psychic Power and sent to the Graveyard.
"Then, 'Psychic Reflector' performs a direct attack!"
[Hayato: 4000 → 2300 Life Points]
Watching Hayato's Life Points decrease, and seeing that he didn't activate any cards from his Hand or Set Cards, Zhuzhao Zhi couldn't help but grin triumphantly: "You still have 2300 Life Points, huh? Hmph, you're as fragile as a candle in the wind. Then, this Turn temporarily ends."
"Next Turn, I will end this Battle and declare to everyone that what the Cyber Style couldn't do, the Psychic Style will do! We are the strongest style!"
[Zhuzhao Zhi: 4900 Life Points, Hand 0]
[Jinzo - Psychic Lord ATK2600]
[Psychic Reflector ATK1700]
"No, Psychic Style Duelist, Zhuzhao Zhi, you don't have another Turn." Just as Zhuzhao Zhi was fantasizing about a bright future where the Psychic Style Dojo would grow strong after defeating Hayato, Hayato, who had placed his finger on his Deck, ready to Draw, spoke up.
"What did you say?"
"I said, you don't have another Turn. Because this Turn, I will end this duel," Hayato said, Drawing a card. "My Turn, Draw!"
"Hmph, I have 'Jinzo - Psychic Lord' with 2600 ATK and 'Psychic Reflector' with 1700 ATK on my Field. You're not actually thinking you can use the relatively weaker 'Psychic Reflector' as a breakthrough point to defeat me, are you?"
Zhuzhao Zhi showed a scornful smile: "Even if that were the case, I still have a full 4900 Life Points. Can you really Draw a monster with 6600 or more ATK to one-turn kill me?"
"If you don't try, how will you know I can't do it?" Hayato said, placing a Monster Card on his Field. "I Normal Summon 'Wretched Ghost of the Attic', then Equip the Spell Card 'Divine Magic Wand' to her."
A delicate-looking girl appeared on Hayato's Field, thinly clad and seemingly powerless. Even with the 'Divine Magic Wand' that could increase ATK, she only possessed an extremely weak amount of battle power, enough to bully monsters like the Ojama family.
[Wretched Ghost of the Attic 0/100 → 500/100]
"Then, I activate the effect of 'Divine Magic Wand'. I Tribute 'Wretched Ghost of the Attic' equipped with it and send her to the Graveyard, then Draw two cards from my Deck."
Watching Hayato Draw two cards from his Deck, Zhuzhao Zhi scoffed with a disdainful smile: "First, you Summoned a fodder monster that can't even scratch me, then you personally sent it to the Graveyard, wasting your Normal Summon for the Turn. Is this what you meant by ending the duel this Turn, Duelist King?"
"I don't see any chance of victory at all."
"Is that so? Perhaps you're looking in the wrong place." Hayato raised his Duel Disk, pointing to the Graveyard Zone where 'Wretched Ghost of the Attic''s card had just been sent. "My chance of victory has already assembled in the Graveyard; the puzzle to victory is complete!"
"I activate the Spell Card, 'Magicalized Fusion'! This card is used to Fusion Summon cards that are specifically Spellcaster-Type. As Fusion Materials, I can choose Spellcaster-Type monsters from my Field or Graveyard!"
As Hayato placed a card from his Hand into the Spell & Trap Zone and activated it, a sudden gust of wind swept across the Field.
From Hayato's Graveyard, one monster after another that had been sent to the Graveyard in previous Turns revived. The commonality of these monsters was that they were all Spellcaster-Type monsters.
'Performapal Show Dancer'
'Performapal Sky Pupil'
'Performapal Sky Magician'
'Skilled Blue Magician'
'Wretched Ghost of the Attic'
Five monsters gathered on the Field as transparent spirit forms. Zhuzhao Zhi remembered the other four, but he couldn't recall when Hayato had used 'Skilled Blue Magician'.
Hayato noticed the confusion in Zhuzhao Zhi's eyes and smiled as he explained: "Earlier, I activated 'Graceful Charity'."
"It was sent to the Graveyard at that time?" Feeling the unexplained pressure from the spirit forms of the five monsters on Hayato's Field, Zhuzhao Zhi gritted his teeth. "Using five Spellcaster-Type monsters as Fusion Materials, what kind of monster could it be?"
Ishizu also looked at the five monsters on Hayato's Field with shock: "As far as I know, the legendary strongest Dragon-Type monster, 'Five-Headed Dragon', is a monster that can only be Fusion Summoned by using five Dragon-Type monsters. Hayato is actually Fusing five monster cards now?!"
"Is he repeatedly using his hidden power, time and time again…" Sheppard recalled the words his Former Master, his own Master, had said when he returned from Duelist Kingdom to the Cyber Style Dojo and inherited the 'Cyber Dragon'.
'You met an extraordinary person on the island of Duelist Kingdom, Sheppard. You, having grown stronger, have become a mature Duelist worthy of the 'Cyber Dragon'. However, don't be arrogant or complacent; what you see with your naked eyes is merely the tip of the iceberg of reality.'
'The Cyber Style is a style adept at absorbing the strengths of others to grow stronger, it has no limits; even the limits of Fusion can be surpassed.'
"Having seen the limits of perfection surpassed, are you now going to show me the limits of Fusion, Hayato…" Sheppard stared intently at Hayato. "I look forward to it!"
(end of chapter)