This matter is naturally not over.
Not long after, investigators from Kaiba Company arrived on the island and conducted investigations on all involved persons.
Not just the principal, even Professor Cronos was not spared.
Naturally, the Integration Department and Fusion Department... could not escape being investigated either.
Among them, the Integration Department, founded by Akaba Leo, had to be investigated, while the Fusion Department was only asked simple questions because it stood opposite.
However, Tenjo Hikari was different.
Not only was he once a member of the Integration Department, but he also declared in front of the people of the three dimensions that "Polymerization is the noblest summoning method" as a duelist, warranting a detailed investigation.
This incident had frightened Manjome quite a bit these past few days. He obediently explained to his classmates about his "conspiracy" with Tenjo Hikari and shared all the information about the investigation of Akaba Leo, vouching for Tenjo Hikari, saying he could not possibly be Akaba Leo's subordinate.
"Ah, it's Manjome-sama." The two in black sunglasses heard Manjome's words, quickly greeted him, then shook their heads in response, "But no matter what, Manjome-sama, Tenjo Hikari as the duelist most representative of Fusion in our dimension must undergo scrutiny.
After all, the slogan those guys shouted during the attack..."
He didn't continue.
But everyone present knew...
It was "Polymerization is the noblest summoning method."
"Damn it..." Judai rushed out, wanting to grab Tenjo Hikari.
He absolutely did not believe Tenjo Hikari would collude with someone like Akaba Leo, so he insisted on not allowing an investigation of Tenjo Hikari.
After all, Tenjo Hikari wasn't a criminal, so why investigate him!?
Wouldn't that mean doubting Tenjo Hikari!?
"Judai." Tenjo Hikari saw Judai's reaction and spoke directly.
"?"
Tenjo Hikari chuckled.
"I appreciate your concern for me, but there's no need for that," Tenjo Hikari said, "I am a duelist, a duelist pursuing Polymerization. I'm known as the Ultimate Fusion Master by all dimensions, so being investigated is to be expected.
But if you trust Kaiba Company, then I'm absolutely innocent. Given that, why worry about me?
As those uncles said, at most, I'll just be late to participate in the tournament."
"Hikari, that's not the issue, is it?" Mitsuzawa wiped the sweat from his forehead, "They actually suspect you of doing something like this!"
"Cough, please note, it's only assisting in the investigation, not suspicion," the two men in black added.
A group of friends looked at Tenjo Hikari, seeing his nonchalant expression, but didn't know what to say.
"Rather than worry about me... I hope you spend more time with Serena," Tenjo Hikari hesitated for a moment but said it anyway.
"This..." A few friends exchanged glances but fell silent.
It's not that they doubted Serena.
Serena seemed unable to mastermind any cunning schemes or be someone secretly within their group.
She didn't have that talent.
They genuinely didn't know what to say.
Serena's father launched a surprise attack, killing so many people; what will she do in the future?
A while back, several students who had benefited from the principal showed dissatisfaction, even outright rage at Serena. Although Serena ignored them, could she truly not be upset?
Even if Kaiba Company had investigated Serena early on and knew she was said to be Akaba Leo's daughter but was actually like a living duel weapon, in anger, how many students could stay calm?
Due to Akaba Leo's actions, the entire school, even multiple Duel Academy branches, have been implicated. Even though as students, most were only questioned, in such an atmosphere, how could they face their families and friends?
The Academy had barely expanded its influence in society; now it's subject to such level criticism, what can be done?
They didn't know.
They were quite confused, left to ponder individually.
Especially like Judai, who's been notably cold these days, as if determined to grind Akaba Leo's bones into dust.
And maybe he really could.
"Anyway, don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine," Tenjo Hikari waved casually, bidding farewell to a few friends, "You go ahead; I'll catch up later. Don't let me be the one collecting all 8 Marks faster than you."
"Haha, what are you saying, Tenjo? We set off days earlier; we're sure to easily beat our opponents!" Manjome coughed, pulling his voice as he spoke.
The atmosphere in the Fusion Department was eerily tense these days.
He'd seen Judai's eyes turning golden earlier.
Serena, due to her identity as Akaba Leo's daughter, had not been active in the Fusion Department these days.
If they don't work to liven things up, it feels like the air might cease.
"I'm absolutely going to be faster than you, this time I'll surely win the champion title, and claim my first victory!" Mitsuzawa wasn't really concerned about being first or second this time, but seeing Manjome speak, he quickly joined in, trying to relax the atmosphere.
Perhaps only when talking about dueling, could they regain vitality.
Tenjo Hikari laughed a few times before following the two men in black into a designated classroom.
Next, until the day after the GX Tournament begins, Tenjo Hikari was subjected to repeated interrogations nonstop.
However, those interrogating Tenjo Hikari mostly understood his situation; it was just a necessary procedure that had to be shown outside and to the world.
It was also a chance for Tenjo Hikari to prove himself.
Tenjo Hikari didn't mind; on the way, he even saw the Tyler Sisters and other Integration Department members. The Tyler Sisters were surprised upon seeing him and asked the men in black why Tenjo Hikari was there.
Additionally.
Tenjo Hikari noticed Marufuji Shou sitting on a bench, head down, expressionless.
He seemed to be pondering many things, greeted Tenjo Hikari after seeing him, then continued to bow his head, contemplating.
Tenjo Hikari was a bit surprised.
The aura seemed different.
Last week, Shou heard from the principal's call that his brother Marufuji Ryo, for a "stronger duel," defeated him, took away the Cyber Style Deck sealed as "Cyber Dark Style," abandoning his long-held "Respect for Dueling."
A few days ago, Akaba Leo's sudden raid further led him and the Integration Department to such a predicament.
Don't know if this was considered imprisonment or "enlightenment through dragon experience," but anyway, he thought of many things while staying here.
Interrogations lasted several days.
Tenjo Hikari also dueled several times with the interrogating duelists here.
Tenjo Hikari's "Polymerization" received a lot of affirmation from the interrogators.
Pure Polymerization, so pure, fundamentally different from Akaba Leo's methods.
A visible disparity.
He passed—
Tenjo Hikari exhaled deeply.
Though these few days offered nice meals, drinks, and accommodations, being confined in a cramped space was certainly uncomfortable.
Fortunately, he had spirits to keep him company, preventing boredom.
He returned to the Fusion Department, intending to pack up and then head to the competition. But when Tenjo Hikari entered the Fusion Department, he found Serena, a girl in a red outfit and purple ponytail, cautiously cooking instant noodles in the Activity Department where there was supposed to be no students.
The moment Tenjo Hikari opened the door, her hands trembled, almost toppling the instant noodles.
"Serena?"
Tenjo Hikari's gentle call brought the girl back to her senses, she turned her head, upon noticing Tenjo Hikari, her vision blurred. Instantly, she put down everything in her hands and, just like a returning swallow, dashed to Tenjo Hikari, buried her face in his chest, and hugged him tightly, refusing to let go.
"...It's okay. It's alright."
Seeing this, Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but softly reassure, and then a clattering sound was followed by a flurry of voices.
"Hikari?"
"Tenjo? Finally, you're back!"
Tenjo Hikari's pupils contracted.
Judai, Mitsuzawa, Manjome, Fubuki, Asuka, all of them hadn't gone to compete but were waiting here for Tenjo Hikari. Hearing Serena and Tenjo Hikari's voices, they quickly ran out.
Tenjo Hikari couldn't suppress the upward curvature of his lips.
"You bunch of fools, if I had directly gone to compete, would you have waited for me for half a year?"
"Besides, even if we go, we'll have to separate and find duelists, right?"
Saying that, he even laughed himself.
"Haha, anyway, let's go."