# Chapter 24: Preparations Before Departure
[Main Quest: Reforge the Glory of the Xyz Dimension]
[First Stage Mission in progress: Consolidate the forces of the XYZ Dimension Resistance Army and repel the Fusion Dimension]
"Hasn't everyone moved their camp to the Orion District? All of the Xyz Dimension's effective forces should be here, right? Why hasn't the first stage of the mission been completed yet?"
"Wait a minute!" Yūga Hōzumi slapped his forehead. "That inseparable pair from the Black Spades are still out there roaming."
"Looks like I'll have to bring them back to complete the mission," Yūga Hōzumi thought, sitting up from his infirmary bed.
"Brother Yūga Hōzumi, you're awake." Just then, Shinjō Katsu and Allen walked into the infirmary.
"You two came at just the right time. Tell me, how's the camp doing now?" Yūga Hōzumi said.
"Our relocation went very smoothly. Everyone is building new residences with the help of the Underground Duelists here," Shinjō Katsu said. "Currently, Garros is managing everything within the camp."
"Is Kaito still in the camp?" Yūga Hōzumi nodded and asked Allen.
"After Kaito took the things you asked me to give him that day, he stayed in the camp. These past two days, he even led a team to clear out some of the surrounding Fusion Dog strongholds," Allen said.
"Is that so?" Yūga Hōzumi pondered for a moment. "Gather everyone. Let's hold a meeting."
"I understand." Shinjō Katsu nodded, then hurried out.
A while later, Shinjō Katsu brought the second-in-command, Garros, Kaito, and others to the infirmary.
Once everyone had arrived, Yūga Hōzumi spoke.
"Everyone, the first part of our plan has largely succeeded."
"The remaining resistance forces of Heartland City should now be fully assembled. With the strategic advantage of the Orion District and the enemy leader's injury, we will have some time to catch our breath."
"Garros, I'm entrusting you, our man on the ground, with the arrangement of all camp supplies," Yūga Hōzumi said, looking at the second-in-command.
"Understood," Garros nodded.
"Sheng, Cheng, Allen, the training of our Duelist Army is in your hands. Our time is very tight," Yūga Hōzumi continued to assign tasks.
"Kaito, and Yao, I'll be leaving for a while, so the camp's safety is in your hands."
"Where are you going?" Kaito frowned upon hearing Yūga Hōzumi's words.
"To bring Yuto and Shun back, of course. They've been out there long enough," Yūga Hōzumi said.
"Oh, Allen, can you ask around the camp for me if anyone has these cards?" Yūga Hōzumi took out a list and handed it to Allen.
Allen took it, glanced at it, and nodded. Kaito, who was nearby, couldn't help but ask after scanning the cards on the list, "What do you need these cards for? They don't seem to fit your deck at all."
Kaito had his reasons for saying this. From the few duels Yūga Hōzumi had since switching to his new deck, Kaito could tell it was very reliant on cards in hand. Yet, the cards on this list were all like Karma Cut, Raigeki Break, and Divine Wrath, which require discarding a card from the hand as a cost to be activated.
"What if, where I'm going next, I can just pick up cards to pay for these costs during a duel?" Yūga Hōzumi said.
"I don't quite understand what you're saying," Sugihara Yo said.
"Yuto and Shun are currently in the Standard Dimension. A dueling style called Action Duels has recently become popular there," Yūga Hōzumi explained.
"Action Duels?" Everyone was confused.
"Simply put, before a duel begins, many cards called Action Cards are scattered across the field. Duelists can pick them up and activate their effects at any time during the duel," Yūga Hōzumi explained.
"Picking up cards? What kind of genius designed that rule?" Shinjō Katsu couldn't help but complain.
"Maybe they think it's fun for duelists to jump around like clowns, picking up cards all over the field?" Yūga Hōzumi shrugged. "Anyway, when in Rome, do as the Romans do."
"When are you leaving?" Seeing that Yūga Hōzumi already had a plan, Kaito stopped asking questions.
"Tomorrow, I think. The sooner we bring them back, the sooner we'll have more strength. It's not right for them to keep wandering around out there," Yūga Hōzumi said.
After sending everyone off, Garros led Yūga Hōzumi to the residence prepared for him—the church where they first met.
Along the way, both the survivors of Heartland City and the patrolling soldiers greeted Yūga Hōzumi warmly.
"Leader, it's clear that everyone respects you greatly," Garros said.
"It's because I brought them hope," Yūga Hōzumi said after accepting a piece of bread an auntie insisted on giving him.
"Watch my Hope Sword Slash!" A few kids ran past them, playing.
Watching their energetic figures, Yūga Hōzumi couldn't help but smile. "In the future, everything will get better."
…
After returning to the room Garros had arranged for him, Yūga Hōzumi opened the system. After obtaining a Téa Gardner photo album from the daily lottery, Yūga Hōzumi opened his inventory.
First, he exchanged the Dream Scroll he obtained from defeating Aster Phoenix for an Onomatopaira. Then, he looked at the Random No. Monster Lottery Ticket.
"Oh, great God of Duels, I'll trade ten years of celibacy from my three best bros in my college dorm for a good going-first card! I don't want to just wait to die with only Bounzer anymore!"
Currently, among the cards in Yūga Hōzumi's possession, there were many options for clearing the board when going second. Whether it was M7's ability to return a card to the hand or Number 70: Malevolent Sin's temporary banishment, coupled with Hope's 10,000 ATK combo, his going-second strategy was perfectly sufficient. However, for going first, his only option for establishing a field presence was to summon Bounzer and wait for the worst.
[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained No. 25: Force Focus]
"This card?" Yūga Hōzumi looked at the newly appeared Number monster. Its once-per-turn, Spell Speed 2 effect negation only worked on Level 5 or higher monsters. It had its own merits compared to Bounzer.
"Looks like Bounzer will have to protect me for a while longer," Yūga Hōzumi said, taking a deep breath and reaching for the card.
"Huh?" The expected electric shock didn't happen. Yūga Hōzumi smoothly gained mastery over this Number Card.
"Is it because I've transformed once before?" Yūga Hōzumi pondered for a moment, then took out the No. 62 he hadn't had a chance to give to Kaito yet.
Yūga Hōzumi still mastered the card smoothly, without being shocked.
It seemed that after transforming once, using Number monsters no longer triggered the electric shock. Yūga Hōzumi breathed a sigh of relief. This was good; who could handle getting shocked every time they obtained a Number?
Not long after, Shinjō Katsu delivered the collected cards, and Yūga Hōzumi began adjusting his deck for his trip to the Standard Dimension.
…
Early the next morning, Yūga Hōzumi packed his Duel Disk and deck, then used the system's rewarded dimensional travel opportunity to depart.
[Destination: Standard Dimension]
[Teleport Coordinates: Shun Kurosaki]
The moment he landed, the scene before his eyes hit him with a stunning blow.
…
(end of chapter)