Chapter 304: Teaching According to Individual Aptitude

Wan Wan Zhangmu stared in shock at the field's z-Infinite Tracks.

Though he didn't know the effect of this card, just by its appearance, he had already guessed one possibility.

It's the evolution of z-Metal Tracks!

This brought back a thought he had refused to consider.

Could this masked man before him really be…

Master Haima!

His breathing grew rapid.

"When you have a Light-attribute Machine-type Fusion Monster or Alliance Monster on your field, this card can activate its effect to Special Summon from your hand!" Haima drew a card, "Special Summon x-Intersect Cannon!"

x-Intersect Cannon, Level 4, Light-attribute, Machine-type, ATK 1800.

This is the upgraded version of x-Leader Cannon!!

Watching the robot—more elaborate and massive than Leader Cannon—Wan Wan Zhangmu involuntarily swallowed.

His deck composition.

The Armed Dragon series were cards he'd battled with since childhood; the Disruptor Monsters were discarded 0-ATK monsters he'd found in an abandoned well; the XYZ series were cards Haima had given him.

The XYZ series were ultra-rare cards—though perhaps not overly powerful in this world, they were undeniably genuine "rare" cards.

Naturally.

XYZ even newer than XYZ…

Where would an ordinary person even get these!?

"x-Intersect Cannon's effect: once per turn, you can equip it with 1 Machine-type, Light-attribute Alliance Monster from your deck as an Equip Spell Card."

"Heh… of course, y-Agile Dragon Head."

"Gaaah!"

y-Agile Dragon Head looked nearly identical to y-Dragon Head, save for the flowing light along its body, revealing its new identity.

"By now, you should understand, right?"

Wan Wan Zhangmu swallowed and nodded.

"Then—Fusion Summon x-Intersect Cannon, y-Agile Dragon Head, and z-Infinite Tracks together!"

Boom—

Three brand-new Machine Monsters activated on the field: z-Infinite Tracks settled at the bottom, y-Agile Dragon Head spread its wings to the center, and x-Intersect Cannon leapt upward to assemble at the top.

"Fusion Summon—

XYZ-Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon!"

Boom boom boom!!!

The three Monsters fused together, blasting skyward, illuminating the entire hot spring like daylight!

XYZ-Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon, Level 9, Machine-type, ATK 3000.

"ATK… 3000?!" Wan Wan Zhangmu froze, "How can its ATK be 3000?"

All were x, all were y, all were z—the lower-tier Monsters were newer, but their ATK was unchanged!

Yet after fusion, its ATK surpassed Divine Dragon Cannon by 200!

"Heh, Battle Phase, XYZ-Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon, destroy that Dragon Cannon."

Mechanical cannons lined up and fired endless beams, instantly piercing Armed Dragon LV5.

Wan Wan Zhangmu LP: 4000 → 3400.

It destroyed Armed Dragon?

Good—then I still have a chance. I can still activate Divine Dragon Cannon's effect to destroy this new robot!

"End Phase." Haima ended his turn with casual indifference.

Perfect!

"My turn, Draw—"

"At this moment, I activate the Monster Effect of XYZ-Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon."

"Huh?" Wan Wan Zhangmu drew his card, motion frozen.

"XYZ-Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon's effect: once per opponent's turn, you can discard 1 card from your hand to destroy 1 card on your opponent's field." Haima extended his hand, pointing at XYZ-Dragon Cannon, "I choose to destroy XYZ-Dragon Cannon."

He discarded a card from his hand into the graveyard.

"Go, Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon! Extreme Cannon!"

Tracks, Dragon Head, Cannon—the three fused Machine Monsters simultaneously gathered power, then erupted in light, striking Divine Dragon Cannon. Instantly, Wan Wan Zhangmu, who had just planned to counterattack using Divine Dragon Cannon's effect, stood stunned.

"How… can it be stronger than XYZ-Dragon Cannon?"

But—

Wasn't that only natural?

XYZ-Extreme Divine Dragon Cannon, being a card even newer than Dragon Cannon, naturally has higher ATK. So being stronger in some way is only logical.

Of course…

I can't win. I simply can't win…

"Hmph." Noticing Wan Wan Zhangmu's retreat, Haima let out a cold scoff.

That scoff made Wan Wan Zhangmu bow his head even further in fear.

"You're still the same useless fool!" Haima lifted his chin, "Is this really all you've got?!"

"But Master, I…" Wan Wan Zhangmu no longer pretended ignorance—he recognized who this man was.

"Do you dare call yourself the greatest Duelist with this?" Haima Rensei dropped the act—or rather, he never cared if anyone recognized him, "Do you really think you can defeat me?!"

"I…" Wan Wan Zhangmu had never once dreamed of defeating Haima.

Since childhood, Haima had taught him little—only occasionally offering advice when he was lost, otherwise just tossing him cards and leaving him to figure it out himself.

Even regarding family matters, he'd never guided him.

Previously, in the Alliance Storage, Haima learned that Wan Wan Zhangmu's family had ties to Chi Ma Ling Wang and blamed him entirely, telling him to deal with it himself. At the time, Wan Wan Zhangmu had exhausted every possible solution.

But—

His solutions were useless. Not long ago, the Fusion Army launched a surprise attack on Heart Garden, triggering unimaginable disasters across two dimensions. Wan Wan Zhangmu Group, due to its alliance with the Fusion Army, suffered blows from all sides. His two older brothers were overwhelmed, too busy to oppose him, giving him ample opportunity to seize control of Wan Wan Zhangmu Group.

But none of this was achieved by him.

He merely… stumbled upon it.

He lacked his Master's talent, his Master's presence, his Master's Dueling skill, his Master's mindset…

He…

"Hmph, worthless!" Haima Rensei spoke again, "How can a Duelist surrender willingly!

No matter how strong the opponent, no matter how terrifying the enemy, a Duelist must never kneel before his rival!

Otherwise, how can you call yourself a【Superior】Duelist?"

Wan Wan Zhangmu clenched his teeth but had no retort.

Haima's voice softened slightly as he slowly clenched his fist before him, "You've only just entered the New Era of Dueling. Before you lies infinite potential.

Faced with cards newer than yours, Duelists more experienced than you, and even your own Master—do you truly surrender so easily?

What is the most important quality of a Superior Duelist?

New cards?

Powerful Monsters?

Neither—it's the courage to challenge any enemy!

Listen.

A few days ago, I received word: your friend—the one who, if he becomes Champion, wishes to receive…

Blue-Eyes."

!!!!

Hearing this, Wan Wan Zhangmu snapped his head up, locking eyes with Haima.

"He… this… that Tenjo guy—does he want the Ultimate Dragon?!"

Wan Wan Zhangmu's eyes widened, his heart pounding violently.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon is Haima's Soul Card—the true soul he'd sacrifice even a God to wield!

Without Blue-Eyes White Dragon, there is no Haima Rensei!

Countless people have challenged Haima, tried every trick to stop him—but Haima always advances alongside Blue-Eyes!

Wan Wan Zhangmu looked at his right hand.

He…

He hadn't even dreamed of "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," let alone dared challenge his Master!

Haima had given him countless cards, even legendary rare cards—but he'd never once thought about it… never dared to ask.

Blue-Eyes…

That Tenjo guy!

Reckless?

Fearless?

No…

He only wants the【Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon】!

Even if the opponent is Haima Rensei, even if the opponent is Haima Company—a cross-dimensional corporation!

He merely wanted the 【Fusion Card】.

It had nothing to do with anything else. He simply wanted fusion!

As a peer, as a classmate, as a friend in the same club—

What about himself?

He could never accept losing to someone his own age!

He was the pride and thunder of the Wan Wan Zhangmu family!

"... I understand, Master!" Wan Wan Zhangmu felt his heart calm down; his fear gradually receded, replaced by an endless, lifelong competitiveness that had burned within him since childhood!

He had always, since childhood, feared Kaiba.

But now, he finally understood.

There was nothing to fear!

A Duelist's heart must not harbor such emotions!

Kaiba's lips curled upward; he crossed his arms and nodded slightly: "Hmph... Come at me then. Approved."

(End of Chapter)