Chapter 31: Jounouchi, Arrange My

The evening breeze in Jounouchi was a bit chilly, and Jonouchi, dressed thinly, shivered from time to time.

As night was about to fall, Jonouchi finally rendezvoused with Yugi.

On the way, they also happened to run into Honda, Shizuka, and Otogi, who had come to cheer them on.

At this moment, the group was walking toward where the Kc Airship was.

"Hey, Yugi, if you had to judge, do you think that guy called 'Nam' might be Malik?"

Jonouchi, who was walking, asked the starfish-headed boy beside him.

That boy wore a dark-blue school uniform, with a pyramid-shaped pendant hanging on his chest — he was the protagonist of DM, Mutou Yugi.

Yugi lowered his head, pondering slightly.

Just now, Jonouchi had already told Yugi everything that had happened today.

Yugi was the brains of the little group, and Jonouchi really wanted to get the answer from him.

"I've never met that You Tian, and I've never met that Nam either, so I can't judge for the moment."

Jonouchi nodded.

"Indeed."

"But you know, I had a tag-team Duel with You Tian, and he showed no 'mercy' to the Gurus — he's a partner worth trusting."

"And, as a fellow Duelist, I can feel You Tian's…"

Recalling You Tian's Dueling style, Jonouchi for a moment didn't know how to evaluate it.

"I thought about it for a long time!"

"If I had to judge, I'd choose to believe You Tian!"

In the end, Jonouchi made a conclusive remark.

Yugi nodded slightly.

"I wonder what kind of Duelist that You Tian is?"

Honda: "Jonouchi, when did you learn how to think?"

Otogi: "Even an idiot has moments when he thinks properly?"

Hearing Jonouchi's words, Honda and Otogi, his two snarky buddies, naturally wouldn't pass up the chance to roast him.

"Tch, damn it!!!"

Jonouchi flew into a rage, furiously charging at the two, trapping their heads under his arms. He looked as if he was going to strangle them to death.

Honda and Otogi begged for mercy repeatedly.

But the moment Jonouchi loosened his grip, Honda and Otogi, in perfect sync, swiftly broke free and both trapped Jonouchi under their arms.

This time, it was Jonouchi's turn to beg for mercy repeatedly.

"Honestly! Big brother."

Walking behind, Shizuka and Anzu, seeing the three of them bickering like children, couldn't help but shake their heads.

"By the way, Anzu-neesan."

Shizuka cupped a hand over her mouth and whispered, turning to Anzu.

"That person you mentioned earlier, Miss Wu, really…"

At this point, Shizuka's voice grew even quieter.

"Does she really have feelings for my brother?"

Anzu's face broke into an auntie-like smile.

"It's true!"

"It's just that neither of these two has ever pierced that thin layer of paper!"

Shizuka pressed a finger to her lips, smiling with her eyes.

To think that her idiot brother would one day actually manage to find a girlfriend.

"I really wonder what Miss Wu looks like?"

"Oh, right!"

Anzu took out her phone and pulled up a group photo she had taken with Kongque Wu back in Duelist Kingdom.

"You haven't met Wu yet, have you?"

Anzu pointed at Kongque Wu in the photo, showing it to Shizuka.

"Wow! Isn't she a great beauty!"

Seeing Kongque Wu's appearance, Shizuka was astonished.

She looked at Kongque Wu in the photo, then looked ahead at Jonouchi, who was brawling with Honda and Otogi.

"Anzu-neesan, are Miss Wu's eyes okay? Why on earth would she take a liking to my brother?"

Anzu pressed her lips together and chuckled softly.

"Wu is also a very formidable Duelist. Presumably, she's also made it into the Duel City top eight."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be able to ask her yourself in a bit… Ouch!"

Suddenly, Anzu bumped into the few people ahead who had stopped for some unknown reason.

"What the heck!"

The two girls darted out from behind the group.

At this moment, Yugi, Jonouchi, Honda, and Otogi, as if they hadn't heard Anzu's complaint, were staring fixedly into the distant sky.

Hmm?

The two, following the group's gaze, looked into the distance in confusion as well.

There, Obelisk the Tormentor stood towering like a mountain.

"Ah!" Shizuka gasped and covered her mouth.

"W-what is that!" Anzu cried out in shock.

Then, all they saw was Jiaoxin Hei raising his massive, heavy fist and smashing it downward with a whistling roar!

"It's Obelisk the Tormentor! Seto is Dueling someone!" You Tian's face turned grim.

"Is this… is this Seto's God Card?" Jonouchi's voice trembled slightly.

"That's the direction of the Soul Prison! Could Seto be Dueling Malik?"

You Tian's spirit sharpened.

"Go!"

Saying this, everyone ran toward the location of Obelisk the Tormentor.

……

On the Airship, You Tian's Duel with Seto had reached its final moment.

Boom!

Seto's Ring of Destruction activated successfully!

The next instant, an explosion of shockwaves erupted across the field, hurling both Seto and You Tian backward, slamming them hard onto the ground.

"Ah!" ×2

"Nisama!"

Kawai rushed toward the flying Seto.

In the instant he was flung by the blast, You Tian instinctively curled into a ball, shielding his vital areas—but this also sent him flying farther.

"Ow ow ow!"

He struggled to his feet, brushing dust off his body.

【You Tian LP: 950→0】

The Duel ended; the figure of Obelisk began to slowly vanish.

Seto, already supported by Kawai, walked toward him.

The two stood facing each other, silent.

Kawai, supporting Seto, studied their expressions and felt a strange sense of familiarity.

Why does Brother look at this man the same way he looks at You Tian?

Still, this man simply can't compare to You Tian.

"Hmph!" Kawai cleared his throat and looked at You Tian.

"Your Dueling skill isn't weak—but my brother still has the upper hand!"

You Tian ignored Kawai, a smile on his lips as he stared at Seto; Seto returned the gaze just as steadily.

Suddenly…

"Hahahahahaha!" ×2

Both burst into laughter at once.

"Boss, that was quite a battle. But as for who wins—we'll have to settle it next time!"

A question mark appeared above Kawai's head.

What is this guy talking about? Brother clearly won—what does he mean by "settle it next time"?

"What are you saying? Clearly…"

Whoosh!

Seto raised his hand to cut off Kawai's words.

"Nisama?"

Suddenly, Kawai noticed the Life Point counter on Seto's Duel Disk—it now read: 0!

【Seto LP: 1550→0】

【Result: Tie】

"What?! How?!" Kawai couldn't believe it.

You Tian smiled and pulled a card from his Duel Disk.

"Magic Card Rush—this card increased my Amazon's Swordsman's Attack Power by 700."

"So, Ring of Destruction deals us both 2200 points of damage!"

Kawai:!

……

Seto's lips curled in a satisfied smile, as if pleased with this opponent.

"Hmph. But I think the true moment of victory won't be far off!"

With that, Seto turned his gaze toward the Duel Boat.

You Tian understood his meaning.

"But right now, I need to rest. Ow ow ow!"

He winced as he rubbed his shoulder.

"Seto-sama!"

Seeing the Duel had ended, Isono ran over from where he'd been guarding the Airship.

Seto glanced at You Tian, then said nothing more.

Under Kawai's support, he walked away without looking back toward the Duel Boat.

"Isono, arrange my Massage Health Package for this man."

Isono blinked slightly and turned toward You Tian.

"Yes, Seto-sama!"

"Mr. You Tian, please follow me!"

"Massage Health Package?"

A pink exclamation mark appeared above You Tian's head.

Huh? Does it mean what I think it means?

Oh no! Not allowed, President! I already said—I'm still a minor! I can't join your IMPACT!

Though he fiercely rejected it in his heart, You Tian's slightly upturned lips and determined steps betrayed his true thoughts.

"You Tian!"

At that moment, Game, Jonouchi, and the others ran over from afar.