"The final battle!"
Judge Izuno stood at the center of the duel field, with Yugen and the Judge facing each other, both expressionless.
Everyone else had also taken their places on either side outside the arena, watching the stage with either worry or anticipation.
"Yugen..." Keihei muttered, "Will he be alright?"
In the previous match, although he hoped his brother would win, Yugen had become a very good friend. They all knew how terrifying the Judge was, someone not easily defeated by an ordinary person.
Of course, he knew Yugen was exceptional as well, but he couldn't help worrying.
"He won't be."
"Huh?"
Surprised, Keihei turned his head and only saw Kaiba standing calmly behind him, arms crossed, exuding more confidence than even the person involved.
"...Brother?" he couldn't help but speak.
"This guy will have a way."
Kaiba narrowed his eyes, staring directly at Yugen, with more to say in the second half of his thought.
—Having arrogantly beaten me and then losing casually to someone else, I would never forgive him.
At this moment, Hibiki Midori had also left Hibiki Momiji's hospital room to watch the final. This person was responsible for her brother's downfall. Even though she didn't know the Judge's exact background, she knew he wasn't someone to be left alone, as he would bring greater harm to the world.
Of course, she also hoped strongly for Yugen's victory.
"Fujiki Yugen, I know about you," the Judge said with a slight squint, "Very interesting."
"Oh?" Yugen was intrigued, "Go on."
The Judge seemed surprised by his composure but continued with a chuckle, "A once talentless boy, betting everything on this path of a conqueror, has made it this far..."
He clicked his tongue with narrowed eyes.
"Truly an inspiring and admirable path for a Duelist."
Yugen: "?"
What was this guy suddenly talking about?
But without waiting to ask, Izuno's arm had already fallen, declaring, "The final starts!"
Then he leapt off the stage.
The Judge didn't say much, unfolding his Duel Disc. Yugen, perplexed, stopped asking and also unfolded his Duel Disc.
"Duel!" x2
[Judge, LP 4000]
[Yugen, LP 4000]
"I'll go first, draw a card."
The choice was in Yugen's hands, and he, along with the Cheating Snake, wasn't one to be polite. He went first and drew a card without hesitation.
"Activate the Magic Card 'Take Over 5'."
Yugen played this divine card from Judai's animation as his first move.
"Send the top five cards from the deck to the graveyard."
Five cards were drawn and placed on the Duel Disc. The cards slipped into the dark graveyard zone one after another with mechanical sounds, and he glanced at each one, getting a rough idea of the resources sent to the grave.
"Summon 'Ojama Yellow' in Defense Position," Yugen declared.
[Ojama Yellow, Defense Power 1000]
"Set two Covering Cards, turn end."
"Starting the first turn by accumulating graveyard resources and forming a defense,"
the Judge calmly spoke, though a strange light flickered in his eyes.
"A standard first turn, very much your style, or should I say... the current Fujiki Yugen, right?" he smiled, "But has your duel always been like this?"
Yugen didn't understand what he meant, but chose not to focus on it.
"Silent, interesting," the Judge's face half-shrouded in shadow, "Everyone fights with secrets, not wanting to say much is understandable."
Yugen frowned.
The Judge didn't pursue further: "My turn, draw."
He paused, and a slot on the Duel Disc's field area popped out, and he slammed the drawn card onto it without adding it to his hand.
"Since it's the final battle, I won't waste time. Let me activate——
——Field Spell 'Orichalcos Barrier'!"
The card was absorbed into the Duel Disc, and currents surged from it, spreading throughout the field. A green light burst from his center, rapidly forming a hexagram barrier on the ground, enveloping the field entirely in a green glow.
The people present were not unfamiliar with this dangerous barrier. But this time, its brilliance surpassed anything seen before, its green light deeper and even more threatening. As the beams shot into the sky, they resembled the roar of the Thunder Dragon, as lightning clashed amidst the thunder.
"Brother, it's that barrier again!" Keihei said, "In this duel, the loser will..."
"Mm, there's nothing to be surprised about, it's expected," Kaiba said calmly.
His gaze, sharp as a blade, remained fixed on Yugen.
But you'll definitely win in the end, right, Yu↑gen↓?
"With this, only one can leave this barrier by the end of this duel."
The Judge slowly drew another card from his hand.
"Activate the Magic Card 'Pot of Greed', draw two cards from the deck."
He leisurely drew two cards, then immediately played another card in his hand.
"The Magic Card 'Angel's Charity', draw three cards from the deck, then discard two from the hand."
He then looked at Yugen.
"I actually think it's a bit of a shame, there's no need for us to fight like this. Through these days of competition, I've noticed some surprising similarities between us."
"Oh?" Yugen raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"
He was curious about what similarities he could have with a Cheating Snake.
"We both excel at handling different card decks, always keep our trump cards hidden, and maintain an unwavering confidence."
The Judge seemed to have been observing him the whole time as he spoke.
"And... neither of us shows our depth easily."
Yugen remained silent.
The Judge wasn't bothered by his continued silence, just smiled and went on.
"But I can see your difference. In this duel, I will show my trump card...
Summon from my hand 'Balrog Valley'!" (Original Card)
A flame appeared on his field, forming a swirling vortex. The blazing fire gathered, guided by an unknown force, seemingly given life to take shape.
It was a massive flaming red monster, its eyes like burning flames. Within its hand was a long sword forged from fire, its transparent and scorching blade with flame patterns flowing as if alive, and atop it burned an eternal flame.
[Balrog Valley, Attack Power 1000]
"Balrog Valley's effect, its attack power rises by 500 points for each Fire Attribute monster on the field. Being a Fire Attribute itself, its attack power increases by 500.
And it gains the effect of the Orichalcos Barrier, increasing attack power by another 500."
[Balrog Valley, Attack Power 2000]
"Brother, it's Ameluda's..." Keihei couldn't help but say.
Kaiba remained silent but nodded.
Most present hadn't seen this unique monster before, as this card didn't exist outside. It was printed by Doma and was the main monster Ameluda used in his first duel against Kaiba.
"Feeling confused?" the Judge chuckled lightly, "Don't worry, you'll soon understand its power."
With a light wave of his hand, he said,
"Battle. Balrog Valley, attack 'Ojama Yellow'."