Chapter 1039: The Archer Who Could Have Delivered the Finale

"By the effect of Synchro Explorer, I Special Summon 'Quickdraw Synchron' from my Graveyard!"

The hollow in Synchro Explorer's chest was like a gateway to the Underworld, and Quickdraw Synchron flew back onto Yusei's field amidst a vortex of starlight.

【Quickdraw Synchron, ATK 700】

At this moment, Yusei had once again gathered a Tuner and a non-Tuner on his field. Combined with the Stardust Dragon and two Doppel Tokens already present, the range of levels available for a Synchro Summon was vast. Furthermore, Yusei had already used his Normal Summon opportunity for this turn.

Yet, the Cosmic Blazar Dragon on the opponent's side still showed no reaction.

Clearly, the opponent felt there was no rush to act until Yusei Synchro Summoned something that could truly threaten it. The opponent had absolute confidence in the abilities of "Cosmic Blazar Dragon," believing it could handle whatever Yusei summoned.

"Level 5, Tuner monster 'Quickdraw Synchron'!"

"Level 2, 'Synchro Explorer'!"

"Tuning!"

【5+2=7】

"Gathering cries shall become echoing arrows to pierce the sky, becoming a path of shining light! Synchro Summon!"

"Appear, Junk Archer!"

A Synchro ring expanded in the air, with the phantoms of gears and mechanical parts rotating and colliding within it. As Quickdraw Synchron and Synchro Explorer transformed into orange-red data streams, blinding sparks erupted from the center of the ring. Junk Archer's mechanical feet were the first to break through the light curtain, its hydraulic joints emitting a "Hiss—" of exhaust.

Stardust from the Synchro process still clung to its orange-red armor, and white steam vented continuously from the seams of its shoulder plates. The moment it fully manifested, a red light flashed across its mechanical monocular scope, and the compound bow in its hand automatically unfolded into combat mode, the bowstring vibrating with a high-frequency hum.

【Junk Archer, ATK 2300】

Junk Archer was a Synchro monster Yusei frequently used in the anime, and it was later hailed by fans as the archer who "almost delivered the grand finale."

Junk Archer's effect allowed it to banish one monster on the opponent's field from the game until the end of the turn, once per turn. Clearly, this effect would have been effective even against Zone's Timelords.

However, in episode 148 of the 5D's anime, Yusei chose to Synchro Summon the Black Rose Dragon given to him by Akiza, despite being in a position to Synchro Summon "Junk Archer." Black Rose Dragon's effects—whether clearing the field or reducing the opponent's monster's ATK to 0—were useless against the Timelords. Beyond its symbolic significance as "the card of his wife," it was effectively useless in the final battle against the Timelords.

Conversely, later analysis by duelists suggested that if Yusei had not summoned Black Rose Dragon but instead chose to Synchro Summon the Level 7 Junk Archer, using its effect to banish the only Timelord on the opponent's field, and then followed up with a total attack from his own Synchro monsters, he likely would have defeated Zone that turn.

Furthermore, looking at the cards Zone held on his field during the subsequent duel, Zone had no means to stop Junk Archer or defend against the attacks. If Yusei had Synchro Summoned Junk Archer there, there would have been no opportunity for Shooting Quasar Dragon to appear, and Zone would never have had the chance to summon his Ultimate Timelord; he would have been defeated instantly.

The only logical explanation is that before this duel began, every teammate shoved an extra dragon into his deck, and with too many meaningless cards causing his Extra Deck to overflow, Yusei had no choice but to cut Junk Archer.

So, in a sense, this was a super-powerful monster capable of delivering the grand finale, surpassing even Shooting Quasar Dragon.

Naturally, the Copy Yusei could not allow such a powerful monster to land.

"Then, at this moment, I activate the effect of 'Cosmic Blazar Dragon'!"

Yusei's heart tightened: "So he finally acted."

He had been guarding against the terrifying ability this Blazar Dragon might possess, only he didn't know what it was.

"One of Cosmic Blazar Dragon's three effects: Summon Negation!" Copy Yusei said. "When the opponent Summons, Special Summons, or Flip Summons a monster, Cosmic Blazar Dragon banishes itself from the game to negate that Summon and destroy it!"

Yusei: "What did you say!?"

What a truly powerful ability!

The phantom of Cosmic Blazar Dragon suddenly lit up in the starry sky. Its pure white dragon body decomposed into countless light particles, and the stripped-away energy transformed into starlight chains that entangled Junk Archer as it materialized. The mechanical warrior's monocular scope flashed frantically with red warning lights, and the bowstring emitted a piercing metallic snapping sound amidst the distortion of space.

When Blazar Dragon completely vanished into stardust, all the starlight chains contracted simultaneously. Junk Archer's orange-red armor disintegrated under the pressure, mechanical joints erupted with electrical sparks, and it finally collapsed into data fragments along with its compound bow.

Yusei frowned. It was indeed a powerful ability, but now the opponent's field was empty. And with Stardust Dragon still on his own field, if he attacked with the opponent's remaining Life Points, it seemed he would win.

It couldn't possibly be that simple.

Yusei understood in his heart. The opponent had no face-down cards in the back row; either they had hand traps, or they were hiding something in the Graveyard.

Because it was a deck similar to his own, Yusei could be certain of this. He himself had a pile of hand traps and Graveyard traps—some released as physical cards, and even more that had only been used once in the anime and never officially printed.

"If that's the case..."

Yusei's gaze was firm.

"Delta Accel Synchro is indeed a realm I have yet to reach. But I am also walking my own path of evolution, and I will continue to move forward firmly on this path!"

Yusei waved his hand and played another card from his hand.

"I banish one 'Doppel Token' on my field from the game, and Special Summon 'Genex Ally Birdman' from my hand!"

【Genex Ally Birdman, ATK 0】

The token shattered and dissipated, and a tiny spirit surrounded by golden light leaped out.

"Level 1, Tuner monster 'Genex Ally Birdman'!

Level 1, 'Doppel Token'!

Tuning!"

【1+1=2】

"Gathering wishes will guide the new speed toward the horizon, becoming a path illuminated by light! Power of hope, Synchro Tuner—

—Formula Synchron!"

【Formula Synchron, DEF 1500】

"Formula Synchron's effect, once per turn, I draw one card from my Deck." (Original effect)

Yusei drew a card.

The copy of Yusei chuckled: "It's coming, your Accel Synchro."

"That's right!"

Yusei twisted the throttle, and his D-Wheel sprinted at full speed like a wild horse off its leash, as if wrapped in a red glow.

"Clear Mind!"

Yusei raised his hand.

"Level 2, Synchro Tuner 'Formula Synchron'!

Level 8, Synchro Monster 'Stardust Dragon'!

Tuning!"

"The gathering crystal of dreams will open the new door of evolution, becoming a path shining with light! Accel Synchro—

—Be born, Shooting Star Dragon!!!"

(End of chapter)