Chapter 272: Ha, Let

This matter is certainly not over.

Not long after, Kaiba Corporation's investigators arrived on the island and interrogated all relevant personnel.

Not even the principal was spared—nor Professor Cronos.

Naturally, the Fusion Department and the Combination Department also couldn't escape scrutiny.

The Combination Department, established by Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang, obviously had to be investigated; the Fusion Department, as its opposite, received only a brief questioning.

But Tenjo Hikari was different.

He had once been a member of the Combination Department, and even declared to humans across three dimensions, "Fusion is the noblest form of summoning"—he had to undergo a thorough investigation.

This incident terrified Wan Wan Zhangmu, who obediently confessed to his classmates everything about his "conspiracy" with Tenjo Hikari, revealed all details of the investigation into Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang, and vouched for Tenjo Hikari, insisting he could never be Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang's subordinate.

"Ah, it's Young Master Wan Wan Zhangmu." The two men in dark sunglasses greeted him immediately, then shook their heads, "But Young Master Wan Wan Zhangmu, no matter what, Tenjo Hikari, as the duelist who most represents fusion across our dimension, must be reviewed."

After all, the slogan those bastards shouted during the attack…"

He didn't finish.

And everyone present knew…

It was: "Fusion is the noblest form of summoning."

"Damn it…" Judai burst out, trying to grab Tenjo Hikari.

He absolutely refused to believe Tenjo Hikari would consort with someone like Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang, so he adamantly opposed investigating him.

After all, Tenjo Hikari isn't a criminal—why investigate him!?

Isn't that just suspecting him!?

"Judai." Tenjo Hikari spoke directly upon seeing Judai's reaction.

"?"

Tenjo Hikari let out a short laugh.

"I'm glad you're worried about me, but you don't need to do this. I'm a duelist—I'm a duelist who pursues fusion, the ultimate fusion user known across all dimensions. So it's natural I'm being investigated."

But if you trust Kaiba Corporation, then I am certainly innocent. If so, why worry about me?

According to those guys, I'll only be delayed slightly in entering the tournament."

"Aguang, this isn't that simple, is it?" San Ze wiped sweat from his forehead. "They're actually suspecting you'd do something like this!"

"Cough, cough—please note, this is merely assisting with the investigation, not suspicion," the two black-clad men added.

The group of friends stared at Tenjo Hikari, seeing his complete indifference, yet found nothing to say.

"More than me… I hope you'll spend more time with Serena." Tenjo Hikari hesitated, then spoke.

"This…" The friends exchanged glances, then fell silent.

They didn't suspect Serena.

Serena's demeanor clearly showed she wasn't the type to scheme, plot, or infiltrate their club.

She lacked the ability.

They simply had no idea what to say.

Serena's father launched a surprise attack, killing so many people—what will become of her now?

For the past few weeks, many students who had benefited from the principal's kindness expressed resentment toward Serena, even openly cursing her. Though she ignored them, could she truly not be heartbroken?

Even though Kaiba Corporation had already investigated Serena and confirmed that, despite being Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang's daughter, she was more like a living dueling weapon, how many students could remain calm in their fury?

Because of Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang, the entire school—and many Duel Academy branches—were dragged into this. Even as students, most were only questioned, yet under this atmosphere, how could one face family and friends?

The academy, which had only just begun expanding its social standing, now faced this level of criticism—what should it do?

They didn't know.

They were utterly lost, each lost in their own thoughts.

Especially Judai—he'd grown chillingly cold these past days, as if he wanted to grind Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang to dust.

And maybe he could.

"Anyway, don't worry—I'm definitely fine." Tenjo Hikari waved casually, bidding farewell to his friends. "You go ahead. I'll catch up later. Don't let me collect all eight seals before you."

"Ha, what are you talking about, Tenjo? We left days before you—we'll easily beat our opponents!" Wan Wan Zhangmu coughed, shouting loudly.

The atmosphere in the Fusion Department these past few days had been eerily tense.

He'd seen Judai's eyes turn gold.

Serena, because of her identity as Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang's daughter, had become inactive in the Fusion Department.

If they didn't liven things up soon, it felt like breathing would stop.

"I'll definitely get there before you. This time, I'll win the championship and claim my first!" San Ze Sanze Dadi, though no longer truly caring about first or second place, quickly chimed in after Wan Wan Zhangmu spoke, trying to ease the tension.

Perhaps only talking about duels could restore their vitality.

Tenjo Hikari chuckled a few times and followed the black-clad men to a designated classroom.

From now until the day after the GX Tournament began, Tenjo Hikari would endure repeated interrogations.

But the interrogators mostly knew Tenjo Hikari's situation—it was merely a necessary procedure, meant to be shown to the outside world.

It was also an opportunity for Tenjo Hikari to prove himself.

Tenjo Hikari didn't mind—he even spotted the Taylor sisters and other Combination Department members on the way. They were surprised to see him and asked the black-clad men why Tenjo Hikari was here.

And beyond that…

Tenjo Hikari noticed Marufuji Ryo sitting on a bench, head bowed, expressionless.

He seemed lost in deep thought. After greeting Tenjo Hikari, he lowered his head again and fell silent.

Tenjo Hikari was taken aback.

His aura felt different.

Last week, Marufuji Ryo learned from the principal's phone call that his brother, Marufuji Ryo, had defeated him in pursuit of a "stronger duel," stolen his "Digital Stream" card deck, and abandoned his lifelong principle of "respecting duels."

A few days ago, Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang's surprise attack had reduced him and the Combination Department to this state.

He didn't know if this counted as imprisonment or as "enlightenment in the dragon's field," but sitting here, he'd thought about countless things.

The interrogations lasted several days.

Tenjo Hikari also dueled several of the interrogators.

His "fusion" received much approval from the interrogators.

Pure fusion—too pure. Nothing like Kagemaru Chima Chima Lingwang.

A visible difference.

Passed—

Tenjo Hikari exhaled.

Though he'd been well-fed, well-rested, and well-housed these past few days, being confined in a small space was still unbearable.

Fortunately, the spirits kept him company—it wasn't boring.

He returned to the Fusion Department, ready to pack his things and head to the tournament. But as Tenjo Hikari entered the Fusion Department, he saw a girl in red, with a purple ponytail, carefully boiling instant noodles in the activity room—normally empty of students.

At the moment he opened the door, she fumbled, nearly spilling the noodles.

"Serena?"

Tenjo Hikari's soft call snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned, saw him, her eyes shimmered, then she dropped everything and, like a swallow returning to its nest, sprinted to him, buried her face in his chest, and clung to him tightly.

"It's… fine. It's fine."

Seeing this, Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but whisper, then—amid a flurry of clattering sounds—voices erupted.

"Aguang?"

"Tenjo? You're finally back!"

Tenjo Hikari's pupils contracted.

Judai, San Ze, Wan Wan Zhangmu, Chui Xue, and Asuka—all had skipped the tournament and waited here for him. Hearing Serena and Tenjo Hikari's voices, they rushed out immediately.

Tenjo Hikari's lips couldn't suppress their upward curve.

"You idiots—if I'd just gone straight to the tournament, were you going to wait half a year?"

"Besides, even if you went, you'd still have to split up to find duelists, right?"

He laughed at himself.

"Ha, anyway—let's go."

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(End of Chapter)