"Utilize the 'Clean Chestnut Ball's effect to draw a card from the deck!"
Yugen's eyes opened again, reaching out to draw a card.
As his intense gaze shot forth, the Judge's face, which had remained unchanged despite his inner turmoil, finally showed a reaction.
This feeling was different from before.
The moment Yugen drew the card, the keen light that erupted in his eyes made him seem like a different person entirely.
And the Sealing Artifact hanging on his chest, which previously seemed to subtly unsettle the Judge but wasn't overtly noticeable, had now taken on a prominent presence. It had seemed only to provide a kind of metaphysical aid during the duel, unknowingly enhancing Yugen's "strength" as a Duelist.
But now, the dramatic reaction was no longer like an intangible assistance; instead, it felt as if it was taking center stage.
Not acting anymore, are we?
Even Kaiba's heart leaped, unconsciously clenching his fist as he stared wide-eyed at the source of the blinding golden light.
This power, this unsettling feeling, the sensation of blood boiling...
It's that guy!
Kaiba was certain there was no mistaking it. After all, he could recognize that scent no matter what form it took.
He stared intently at the glowing Sealing Artifact on Yugen's chest, and after a moment was even more astonished to see a vague outline of a human figure within the light.
Though not entirely clear, the shadow unmistakably exuded a regal aura. A golden adornment hung on the chest, a cloak billowed behind, and the Eye of Horus on the forehead seemed to pierce through all evil around.
And yet, the figure seemed to cross its arms in solemnity, eyes closed as if chanting something softly.
The audience was still confused, but Kaiba's heart was already racing, with only one thought flashing through his mind—
—Only those who can accurately recite the Priest Spell can wield the Divine Power.
Sure enough, when Yugen raised his head again, the Eye of Horus, akin to the one on that figure, appeared on his forehead. He held the card he'd drawn high, and the brilliance tearing the sky seemed like the newly born sun.
"The 'Clean Chestnut Ball' effect allows the monster drawn to be Special Summoned directly!
Let the ever-changing fire of heaven illuminate the earth eternally!
Sun God, Winged Divine Dragon of Ra, descend!!!"
Thunderclouds roared above the field, like an enraged giant beast. Destructive energy was brewing, each thunderclap resonating with the soul of the earth. Waves around the island surged restlessly, crashing against the shore's rocks as if the earth itself was in agitation.
And then appeared the light.
It pierced through the oppression and fear, brilliant golden light breaking out from the deep clouds, like unsheathing a sharp blade that pierced through the thick darkness. Countless rays of golden light intertwined and pierced the dark clouds bathing the earth.
Emerging from the light was the divine bird bathed in golden glory!
With a pure golden body each feather shimmered with solar brilliance, like the primal flame burning at the dawn of creation. Its wings unfurled slowly, vast and boundless, as if capable of veiling the sky.
The leader of legendary Phantom Gods, the strongest of them all, the Winged Divine Dragon of Ra, stood atop Duel City's peak once more after nearly ten years!
"Impossible..." the Judge could no longer remain calm, "The Clean Chestnut Ball, with its one chance to draw... actually drew the strongest Phantom God!?"
Ali Kabir (Impossible)!
The audience was stunned.
"Sun God... Yugen!?"
Judai stared in shock at Yugen on the field feeling that familiar companion wrapped in golden light seemed shrouded in divinity, making him hard to see clearly.
The audience like Judai and Marufuji Ryo who were kids playing in the mud ten years ago had heard of the Phantom God name but never expected to witness it in their lifetime.
Nor did they imagine the real Phantom God to appear far stronger than anything they'd heard before.
Marufuji Ryo mumbled, "The trembling sensation of battling under such divine majesty... is it really possible?"
As taught in Duel Academy, for a Duelist in a match, maintaining one's "momentum" should be the primary task. When facing top players, any internal fear signals an impending loss.
But against such Divine Beasts and overwhelming pressure, trying to remain steadfast is already difficult enough, let alone overpowering the opponent.
And back then in Duel City, there were three such Gods.
Did the Duelists back then really battle under such immense pressure?
"Tch, wretched Pharaoh, can't you just stay dead peacefully in your grave instead of pulling such tiresome stunts..."
The Judge gritted his teeth, fury in his eyes.
"But the strongest Phantom God's Attack Power is determined by the total value of monsters summoned as tributes. By summoning Winged Divine Dragon using the 'Clean Chestnut Ball's effect, even the strongest Phantom God is just an empty shell!"
[Winged Divine Dragon of Ra, Attack Power 0]
Yet, the Winged Divine Dragon let out a sharp roar, its crimson gaze fixed on the Judge. Whether recognizing an old nemesis in the guise of Cheating Snake or simply expressing rage over being mocked was unknown.
"Ah." Judai snapped back to the duel, worrying again, "Even summoning a Phantom God, the Attack Power is still..."
Yugen's forehead with Eye of Horus radiated responding to the golden light of the Divine Artifact. He said calmly, "Indeed, a Winged Divine Dragon summoned without tributes has no Attack Power.
But it also harbors other abilities."
The Judge startled but then responded sternly, "You think you have the qualification to control a Phantom God?"
The Winged Divine Dragon, known as strongest, was among the Three Phantom Gods the hardest to control. Back then, even as the Tomb Guardian Marik didn't fully understand how to properly utilize its hidden effects, only his darkened alter ego could handle it.
Only those who can accurately recite the Priest Spell can channel the Divine Power, precisely the idea.
Yugen didn't reply, only continued speaking to himself.
"Winged Divine Dragon of Ra, effect activation. By paying 1000 Life Points, destroy all the monsters on the opponent's field.
And this effect, upon Special Summoning Winged Divine Dragon, is usable during the opponent's turn as well."
[Yugen, LP 2800→LP 1800]
Following those words, the golden adornment on his chest flashed with radiance. The regal spectral figure appeared, arms crossed seemingly chanting inaudible spells.
Seeing this, the Judge's eyes widened in understanding.
The damned Pharaoh left the strongest Phantom God but...
...And it's even on automatic mode!
It's plug-and-play even programmed to chant Ancient Priest Spells; can you believe it?