Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh!

"So that's what happened in Shimizu Town?" Mokuba murmured.

"Yeah, some ancient monster was revived and is out gathering energy," Kira replied.

"Another ancient monster..."

Mokuba rubbed his temples.

"Another?" Kira noticed this wasn't the first time.

"Yeah." Mokuba shrugged. "With all the Duel Monster development, more relics keep surfacing, and ancient monsters keep popping up.

Just two months ago, the Greek branch reported digging up a so-called Hades, claiming he ruled the underworld. He possessed a local official and formed a group..."

"Hades, lord of the underworld?" Kira asked.

"Probably. You know him?" Mokuba replied.

"Not exactly," Kira said, face complicated.

It's not about knowing him—it's a Yu-Gi-Oh card. Level 6, Fiend, ATK 2450, makes your Fiends unaffected by being destroyed in battle. He thought it was pretty weak...

"What happened then?" Kira asked.

"Not much," Mokuba said. "KaibaCorp's Duel Enforcement Squad took them out. That Hades monster put up a fight, but they beat him two-on-one in a duel."

That weakling even caused trouble?

Kira hadn't seen the spirit's strength, but if it was the "Dark Ruler Ha Des" card, it'd probably be bottom-tier in his spirit team.

"No sign of Joey?" Mokuba asked.

Kira shook his head. "He was probably there, but gone by the time I arrived."

"I see. Thanks for your help," Mokuba nodded. "We've got this covered. You don't need to worry."

Kira didn't press for details. With Tragoedia's clone in Shimizu Town dealt with, KaibaCorp could handle the rest.

"But be careful with that monster," Kira warned. "This isn't your average dark spirit. Regular duelists may not be enough."

Mokuba smiled. "Don't worry. The squad's all top-level duelists."

Top level... Kira thought.

To him, today's pro duelists were like jonin ninja in another village. Fine for background noise, but in a real fight... not so much.

"What? You disagree?" Mokuba noticed Kira's expression.

"Hmm... I just think this monster, only Kaiba himself could handle."

"That strong?" Mokuba was surprised.

Kira nodded seriously.

He wasn't exaggerating.

Tragoedia's upper limit was unknown; in the GX manga, it was only defeated when Jaden received the Supreme Power from High Priest. Before that, it was far above every other character in power, but never directly fought a legendary duelist.

But its background was no joke.

Three thousand years ago, when the astrologer possessed by Tragoedia was caught by the priests, he revealed the darkest secret even the Pharaoh didn't know—the creation of the Millennium Items, and the massacre of the entire Kul Elna village as a sacrifice.

The final boss of DM, Zorc Necrophades, used Kul Elna's only survivor as his vessel. The future King of Thieves witnessed the slaughter and developed deep darkness.

The GX manga added that the survivor wasn't the only one.

Among the palace priests, an astrologer was also a hidden Kul Elna villager. He survived by working in the palace, and when he learned the truth, fell into despair, giving birth to Tragoedia.

That's why Tragoedia could rival the Millennium Items' darkness.

"I see. If even you thinks so..." Mokuba nodded seriously.

"I'll warn the investigation team and inform my brother. Thanks."

As they talked, they walked through KaibaCorp's lobby to the exit.

"The tournament resumes today. The top 8 will probably be decided soon," Mokuba said.

"Oh? How many spots are filled?"

Kira had made it before the suspension, along with Kaiba and, unsurprisingly, Koyo Hibiki, the world's strongest HERO user.

"Already five. Oh, your buddy made it too," Mokuba grinned. "Not bad for someone you recommended—I was surprised he's from Slifer Red, but he's really strong."

"Jaden?" Kira wasn't surprised.

They'd already teamed up to storm Doma's club; he was only two cards short then.

"Oh, and something interesting is happening at the finalists' gathering spot—your buddy's involved. Want to check it out?"

"Huh?"

Kira was puzzled.

But at the gathering, he understood.

On the city's waterfront, two duelists stood apart, dueling.

One was the classic Slider Red with jellyfish hair—clearly Jaden.

And the other...

"Koyo Hibiki?"

Kira was surprised.

Jaden was dueling the world champion?

"But they've both already qualified, right?"

"Yeah," Mokuba shrugged, "but your friend greeted his idol, they started chatting, got excited, and couldn't wait for the official match—so here they are."

Kira: "..."

What kind of duel-maniac meeting is this?