Chapter 24: You

Since Card Spirits are bound within their cards, most of them cannot stray far from their physical cards.

Najimi Magic Sprite desperately wanted to leave You Tian, but helplessly, her card was inside his deck—she couldn't run away.

"Nana, don't be angry—your health matters. Your master might be missing a few brain cells; just bear with him!"

Najimi Magic Sprite clearly wasn't listening to the Death Guardian's soothing words.

Father told me to find a "qualified Duelist," but instead, I ended up in the hands of this guy who just appeared out of nowhere.

Hmph! Even Father is ridiculous! Why didn't he just send me straight to Mutou Yugi?

Mutou Yugi clearly has decent Dueling strength—he defeated Father back in Duelist Kingdom. If anyone qualifies, it's him!

But look at this You Tian.

Najimi Magic Sprite secretly glanced at You Tian.

Pfft, utterly ordinary.

Most importantly, would a guy like this even care about a Card Spirit's life? Could he possibly protect the Elven Realm with his own life?

Najimi Magic Sprite shook her head in denial.

Sigh… I just hope this You Tian gets defeated by someone. Then, under the card-betting rules, I could be claimed by someone stronger.

"Nana, your master's just a bit ugly and a bit mediocre at cards—that's really the only flaw…"

"Hey." You Tian, who had just been standing a short distance away, walked over.

Thud!

The Death Guardian, who had just been badmouthing You Tian, suddenly dropped to his knees.

"Master, I drank too much water—everything I said was drunken nonsense!"

"You know I respect you the most!"

"My reverence for you flows like an endless river!"

You Tian's lips twitched—he was once again stunned by this guy's speed of kneeling and sheer audacity.

"Get lost!"

"Yes, Master!"

Seeing You Tian didn't hold a grudge over his earlier behind-the-back insults, the Death Guardian immediately slipped back into the deck.

Najimi Magic Sprite shot You Tian a sidelong glare and let out a discontented hum.

"Sigh." You Tian sighed.

If I didn't need your protection, I'd never bother negotiating with this Kc Airship!

"Here's the deal—I'll be leaving this place in about ten days. Before I go, I'll mail you back to the International Illusion Society."

"But for these ten days, please stay quietly in my deck and protect me. What do you say?"

Hearing You Tian's words, Najimi Magic Sprite seemed to freeze for a moment.

She turned her large eye toward him.

"Really?"

"Really."

This guy doesn't seem like he's lying…

Najimi Magic Sprite thought for a moment.

"Deal!"

Seeing Najimi Magic Sprite agree, You Tian finally relaxed a little.

With that, the Najimi Magic Sprite returned to You Tian's deck.

…

After walking a little longer, You Tian finally reached his destination—the Kc Airship parking yard.

Boom—boom—

The steel behemoth roared deafeningly, its white hull swelling and pulsing violently.

Kaima's bodyguard—Isono—stood rigidly in a black suit at the airship's passenger ramp entrance.

You Tian stared at the massive airship, his spirit slightly shaken.

He adjusted his attire and walked toward Isono.

"Hello, I've collected all six chips. May I board the airship now?"

As he spoke, You Tian handed over the six chips.

Isono was startled.

Someone actually collected them this fast?

He verified the quantity and authenticity of the chips You Tian had handed him.

"Confirmed. You may board the airship…"

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from afar.

Honk-honk-honk-honk!

Two motorcycles roared toward You Tian and Isono at high speed.

Screech—!

The two motorcycles skidded to a halt in front of You Tian, and two middle-aged men stepped off.

Without any other action, they walked straight toward You Tian.

Swish! ×2

Both men pulled out their credentials from their pockets and spread them out, holding them up toward You Tian and Isono.

"We are the Jounouchi City Public Security Bureau!"

"Mr. You Tian, we suspect you are connected to a malicious robbery case. You are under arrest!"

???

A string of question marks slowly rose above You Tian's head.

He pointed at himself.

"Me!?"

The men nodded.

Far away, in the darkness, Malik watched it all, his mood delightfully light.

After failing to infiltrate the protagonist's group, Malik turned to another scheming thought.

Since he could not gain the trust of Yugi's friends for now, he might as well head straight to the final Duel location and wait for them—then decide his next move.

But he never expected that, on his way to the Kc Airship, he encountered the very man who had defeated the Light and Dark Mask.

After repeatedly comparing this figure with the memory footage obtained from his subordinates, he confirmed You Tian's identity.

Yet, compared to this man, the true enemy of the Tomb Wardens—the Nameless Pharaoh—was whom he should truly confront.

As for this fellow~

Malik devised a wicked plan.

The Gurus had planted moles in every industry in Jounouchi: card shops, entertainment venues, even the Public Security Bureau.

That was why the Kaiba Corporation, despite its vast power, had never been able to wipe out all Gurus members from the city.

Malik immediately notified his mole inside the Public Security Bureau, ordering them to arrest You Tian on charges of robbery.

And to ensure these two agents reached the scene quickly, Malik even lent them his prized limited-edition Harley motorcycle.

"Hehehehe, finally, I got some kimoji today!"

"Please come with us!"

Saying this, the two Gurus security officers moved to forcibly take You Tian away.

"Wait, wait, wait!" You Tian stepped back quickly.

"I'm a good person! You've got the wrong guy! I've only been here one day—how could I have robbed anyone…"

As he spoke, You Tian froze.

Damn! Did the robbery of the Light and Dark Mask blow up?

But wait—in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dueling is everything! Why are there cops here!?

Even if you're riding motorcycles, you still have to win a Duel to take me away, right?

Besides, wasn't the one I robbed the Gurus? Do the Gurus even have human rights?

"You Tian."

Suddenly, the Najimi Magic Sprite inside his Deck sent him a mental message.

Huh?

"I sense dark power watching us from nearby."

You Tian's heart clenched sharply.

In an instant, he understood everything.

Malik!

That dog Malik!

It's definitely this bastard using underhanded tricks!

You Tian had always wondered: between Light Malik and Dark Malik, which one was the evil personality born from the Millennium Rod?

That sounds odd. If it's called Dark Malik, shouldn't he be the evil one?

But let's recall what each did after their debut in the Original Plot.

Dark Malik:

First appearance: awakened immediately, then suppressed back by Rishid's tattoo—accomplished nothing.

Second appearance: while Light Malik and his sister Isis sneaked out, their father caught them. As Rishid was nearly beaten to death by their father, Dark Malik seized control, stole the Millennium Rod, and killed his monstrous father.

Third appearance: after Rishid used a fake Slifer the Sky Dragon, Dark Malik forcibly took over his body.

Later, he dueled Kongque Wu in a Dark Game and punished her.

Afterwards, he dueled Jonouchi in a Dark Game.

Finally, he dueled the Pharaoh in a Dark Game.

And Light Malik?

Before Duel City: founded the massive counterfeit card organization Gurus, committing vile acts—stealing cards, printing fakes, selling them.

Through the Millennium Rod, he also controlled many vulnerable souls: the Magician Pandora, the Silent Puppet, and others.

He even experimented with live humans to replicate Slifer the Sky Dragon cards—countless died in the process.

During the Duel City arc: he constantly solved problems through kidnapping and threats.

Only after being kicked out by Dark Malik did his actions seem almost human.

You Tian believed Dark Malik was the one who followed the rules of Yu-Gi-Oh!.

You might say: Dark Malik constantly played Dark Games and tormented souls after winning—how could he be rule-abiding?

But in the Yu-Gi-Oh! world, losing a Duel means losing your soul—that's perfectly reasonable!

In contrast, Light Malik relied entirely on underhanded tactics: kidnapping, threats, anything and everything.

Of course, both men's moral levels were merely a five-star citizen versus a four-and-a-half-star difference—You Tian disliked them both equally.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the security officers were about to take You Tian away, Isono spoke up.

"This young man has already made the top eight of our Duel City — none of you can take him!"

The two Gurus security officers frowned.

As one of the world's foremost financial giants, Kaiba Corporation wielded considerable power.

Especially in Jounouchi.

The two of them were only peripheral Gurus personnel; unless absolutely necessary, they truly did not want to offend the Kaiba Group.

But Lord Malik himself had given the order…

"We are enforcing Jounouchi's laws!"

"Exactly! Does Kaiba Corporation's bodyguard really have that much face?"

Saying so, the two were about to forcibly drag You Tian away.

You Tian's expression darkened.

"Xuanming Elders!" (the names You Tian had given his two spirits)

"Prepare to act!"

But just then, a burst of hearty laughter rang out from behind them.

"Hmph hahahahaha! Scum — my guest, and you dare take him away!"

Everyone turned to look.

"Lord Kaiba!" Isono shouted excitedly.

That's right — the newcomer wore an anti-gravity cape, with Kawai following behind; it was none other than Seto Kaiba.

"I'll give you five seconds. Get lost!"

Hearing those words, the two Gurus security officers who had been so aggressive a moment ago instantly went ashen-faced!