Kira basically understood: the main purpose of this early WRGP was still to call down Ark Cradle, but more to prepare for the final battle against the intruder masterminds.
It was being rushed because Z-ONE now felt threatened. Originally WRGP was a year away, but now, the enemy might not give them that much time.
This also meant Yusei and the others would have to grow faster than in the anime; their time was short.
"All three of Iliaster's Pure Nobles will compete in the tournament," Z-ONE said.
"They'll be Yusei Fudo and his companions' primary opponents. After overcoming the 'Synchro Killer' obstacle, Yusei should be able to attain new levels even quicker."
It seemed Z-ONE had long anticipated his Meklord Emperor trio wouldn't be much of a match for Yusei and his friends. Even with their ace "Synchro Killer" abilities and as the elite generals of Iliaster, they still couldn't outmatch Team 5DS.
Z-ONE went on: "Besides the Pure Nobles, top duelists from northern Europe—Team Ragnarok—are also likely to participate in the WRGP.
They'll be the second major challenge for Yusei's group; overcoming this will be a milestone for them."
Z-ONE paused and looked at Kira.
"And finally..."
Kira raised his brows. "You want me to enter as well? Haven't I already fought them all?"
Well, as long as there's reward next time, he wouldn't really mind.
But Z-ONE corrected him: "Not as a stepping stone for Yusei, but if you'd like to join the WRGP, that would be ideal."
Kira thought for a moment. "You mean to collect more duel energy?"
After all, WRGP itself was staged for that reason, and the energy collected from king-level duelists like him would be vastly more efficient.
"That's one reason. More importantly, as I said: if that mastermind intends to act during WRGP, they'll probably send Anomalies specifically to confront you."
Kira laughed, "So I'm bait now, am I?"
Z-ONE spoke evenly: "If that's how you see it, so be it. But whether you accept is your own choice."
Kira smiled wryly.
"Well, I don't mind being bait. One of my main reasons for coming to this dimension was to meet that mastermind, after all…"
He hadn't finished when Z-ONE interjected calmly, "You want extra payment, don't you?"
"As expected of the great Z-ONE!" Kira posed in admiration. "Your mind-reading skills are unmatched!"
Z-ONE remained expressionless, silent.
But that silence said it all—was it really hard to guess his motivations?
If there was ever a time to have "Wants money" written across one's face… No, strictly speaking, Kira didn't want money, but cards instead.
In this world, cards were far more valuable than cash. Rare cards could be sold for a king's ransom, but money couldn't buy the most powerful cards—especially those at world-ending levels.
"The mastermind has also invaded my own dimension," Kira said. "I've always hoped they'd come at me directly. When I took Goodwin's place, I wanted to lure them out myself, but it was always just small fry.
Now even my disguise has been blown."
Kira shook his head regretfully.
Z-ONE was silent.
Even Rudger, the Dark Signer leader, was a small fry to him? For a king-level duelist, perhaps that was justified.
"You may no longer be Goodwin, but you don't have to be him to attract attention," Z-ONE said. "What matters isn't Rex Goodwin, but the position of Director of Security.
As Director—with the authority that comes with it—it's far easier to guide the chain of events."
By the start of 5DS Season 3 in the anime, though Goodwin exited the stage, the Director of Security slot remained tightly under Iliaster's control.
Iliaster didn't even bother with puppet rulers anymore; their Three Pure Nobles directly took over.
The trio, with no public backing or records, parachuted in to jointly become the new Directors of Security. Much of the WRGP's organization and pre-tournament work was driven through this authority.
Kira guessed what Z-ONE was suggesting: "Are you saying I should just take over the Sector Security myself?"
Thinking about it, it made perfect sense. In the anime, Iliaster's Three Pure Nobles appeared out of nowhere, unknown to the public or even internally to the department. If that post could be filled by any stranger, then anyone—including Kira, an out-of-nowhere foreigner—could do it.
"But the Director were meant to be your Three Pure Nobles, right?" Kira said. "Wouldn't your people object if you put me there instead?"
To his surprise, Z-ONE gave him a long, meaningful look, then suddenly posed a question: "Then what if I handed all of Iliaster to you? Would you be interested?"
Kira was briefly stunned; he met Z-ONE's gaze through the thick Nautilus-like shell, trying to read his intentions.
"You serious?"
"Do I seem like the joking type to you?" Z-ONE replied flatly.
Kira frowned.
"You realize our cooperation is just mutual interest. I'm not even from this dimension," Kira said. "Once things are over, I'll leave this world and your organization. I have my own life, my friends—my world to protect. That's why I came here in the first place."
"It doesn't matter," Z-ONE replied without hesitation.
"As you can see, my time is running out. My fellow warriors, my organization—when I die, all that will probably vanish as well.
If we can't stop the apocalypse, there will be no future for us or Iliaster either.
If we succeed, we won't be needed any longer.
If we fail—" He paused, voice turning grim.
"—You can then return to your own dimension, and use the lessons of this world's destruction to prevent your own from repeating it. By then, there may be nothing left here to save, anyway."
Kira considered for several seconds, then nodded.
"All right. If you're sure this is the way forward, then I'll take it."
…
Leaving Z-ONE's domain, Kira returned to reality.
With hands in his pockets, he looked up at the sky—the blue, the clouds, the vibrant, bustling and yet peaceful city, totally unaware of the impending danger.
"Director of Sector Security. Leader of Iliaster, huh?" Kira muttered.
He'd only come to this dimension seeking trouble, maybe scavenge some rare cards.
And yet, in less than a month, here he was—the boss of the villain organization…