Kaiba's voice fell, and soon after, a figure appeared in that darkness.
Just like in his memory, the red suit and white-haired old man, but his physique was surprisingly robust, even more spirited than Kaiba remembered.
Or it should be said that this is only natural. The last time he saw the real Gozaburo in reality was when he forced Gozaburo to step down. Gozaburo then was just an angry but powerless old man, looking so weak and exhausted.
But now he seemed much more energized.
"Long time no see, Seto."
Gozaburo folded his hands behind his back and said calmly.
"I see you have grown up and remembered my teachings. I told you, everything a man has must be obtained through his own efforts, and it seems you have truly practiced that in your life.
You already have the potential to do whatever it takes, even to use them against me—your father, who taught you these things."
Kaiba sneered, "Are you serious, Gozaburo? There are only you and me here, so you can drop the pretentious words. We both know what the truth really was back then, no need to fabricate fake memories to try and build some deeply touching past."
He waved his large hand, and even the hem of his virtual coat seemed to ripple with the air from his gesture.
"For me, there is nothing worthwhile in the past, especially related to you, Gozaburo." Kaiba shouted, "I already defeated you twice, but since you're so persistent, I don't mind doing it again.
No matter how you make your comeback, even if you become a ghost seeking revenge, I will confront you to the end."
"Twice, huh."
Gozaburo pondered for a moment and said.
"I see, you mean the time with Naiya?"
Kaiba frowned, "Still acting dumb at this point? This kind of conversation has already happened once, hasn't it?"
He was referring to the incident during the first Duel City tournament when Atom was still around.
The AI of Gozaburo's real son, Naiya Kaiba, who died in a car accident, hijacked Kaiba's airship during Duel City and forcibly brought all the contestants onboard into Naiya's virtual world.
But in the end, it was discovered that Naiya was also just a victim. The true ruler of the virtual world was the AI of Gozaburo Kaiba, who had backed up his consciousness as data before his death, achieving digital immortality.
Not only that, the old man even evolved abilities to effortlessly breach all the firewalls in the world, moving freely within the internet. And he had calculated that by maximally utilizing all the military, weapons, and production lines possessed by Kaiba Group, he could completely control the entire Earth within a month.
But of course, back then Gozaburo was still a bit overly optimistic. Because in his calculation, he only considered traditional weaponry, ignoring the importance of card games in the new era.
Even if left unchecked, Gozaburo, who was stuck in the old era thinking of conquering the world with planes, cannons, and missiles, was destined to fail.
But that AI should have been completely destroyed; the server he resided in was bombed with Kaiba Group's missiles until not a trace was left.
"What you've seen was nothing but an abandoned, old model of 'me.'" Gozaburo said, folding his hands, "Of course, even that 'me' was unaware of this fact."
"What?" Kaiba frowned.
"When Naiya had the accident, the top scientists of Kaiba Group sealed him into a data world. But that was our first attempt, inevitably, the technology was immature."
Gozaburo Kaiba said.
"However, the birth of Electronic Naiya helped us a great deal. He possessed unmatched learning ability, especially providing us many insights and key data in the field of artificial intelligence.
Thus, afterwards, the relevant technology of Kaiba Group advanced by leaps and bounds.
And from the birth of Electronic Naiya until you forced me to hand over Kaiba Group, during which several years had passed, completely enough for us to elevate the relevant technology to a new height."
"What are you trying to say, Gozaburo?" Kaiba frowned.
"The point is, back then, whether Naiya or another 'me' you faced, both were just defective products on the development road, long since should have been eliminated."
Gozaburo continued to say.
"I think even that 'me' himself didn't know these; he thought he was the last backup of Gozaburo Kaiba uploaded before death. But in reality, he was just a test product, downloaded on hardware of the same model as Naiya, for verifying the possibility of digital immortality solutions.
In fact, after the test, he was supposed to be destroyed along with all similar derivative models. But I hadn't had time to do so when your incident happened, Seto."
He looked at Kaiba and spoke calmly, without the resentment and rage of the past, as if talking about something unrelated to himself.
"You took my company, forced me to death, so naturally the project stopped.
However, in the end, before Gozaburo Kaiba died, he did activate the project one last time, sealing his consciousness into then still in testing new generation devices.
Fortunately, I succeeded. I survived through this means and created the most perfect life form in history."
"You're not talking about yourself, are you?" Kaiba sneered, "Seems you haven't improved at all compared to back then, whether in reality or digitally, you were never able to see yourself clearly, Gozaburo. That's why you lost to me."
"It's only you who think you've won, Seto." Gozaburo shook his head.
"Oh? So this is how you claim victory?" Kaiba mocked, "Creating a bunch of my replicas to wag their tails like chihuahuas begging you for mercy?"
"They were just test products, completely worthless from the start." Gozaburo said blandly, "They were stepping stones developed for a greater project, destined to be discarded and recycled as waste from their birth...
...Well, dying for me can be considered fulfilling their only bit of value."
"You really haven't changed at all, Gozaburo." Kaiba frowned, "You were scum back then, now you're just scum holding power."
"I don't expect you to change your view of me, Seto. But with all these years to think and with a clearer, more rational mind, my view of you has indeed changed, Seto."
Gozaburo looked at him, seemingly wanting to see through Kaiba's virtual body and into his heart.
"Do you know where the end of the project I just mentioned, of all the stepping stones I created, lies?"
"Hmph, since it's your idea, it must be some boring stuff again." Kaiba snorted.
Gozaburo was indifferent and continued, "It is for you, Seto."
Kaiba furrowed his brow.
"They thought they were designed to mimic or research ways to defeat you, but not so. This was necessary tuning to create the most perfect you."
"What are you talking about, old man?" Kaiba asked coldly.
"You're a genius, Seto. Putting down resentment over the years, I have realized. You are the only genius I acknowledge, the only one who should obtain immortality like me, to share infinite knowledge and all power.
You took everything from me, my fortune, my company, my life. But I forgive you, Seto."
Gozaburo Kaiba reached out his hand to him.
"I want you to become my son again."