Responses to Reviews
As of last chapter, Fifth Circuit has hit over ONE THOUSAND REVIEWS! Thank you all so much for the support and feedback. Reviews really do make my day.
Thank you to HunterHQ, sanedimentio, Kyred, suppes1, thirdegree101, neostardustdragon101, D3lph0xL0v3r, RoyalTwinFangs, Dinomain, Jason, Guest, SakushiRyu, yuman28, TheSupremeKingParadoxDragon, Darkknight55, LazinessRules, doa570047, Dimension Se7en, Ethan Kironus, FlameFireZero X, and savagemaster1999 for reviewing Chapter 23.
For those who don't know, I changed the effect of Borreload Ravenous Dragon, so that instead of just being able to gain ATK once, it can gain ATK each turn by targeting a Link Monster on the field or GY. This was to give it more long-term viability instead of just being a one-turn wonder.
Doa570047: No, Jun doesn't have a crush on Asuka. Honestly, as amusing as it was, I don't feel like it contributed anything to Jun's character and actually hurt him. Plus the whole mess it led to at the end of GX season 1.
And now, I hope you all enjoy Chapter 24!
Chapter 24: Thunder and Lightning
Ryoken led Jun through the meandering mazes that were the city's back alleys. In just under a minute, Jun was lost, as would any potential pursuers they might have. But Ryoken was never lost. He always knew which direction he was going. For Ryoken was in possession of an almighty trick, something that would ensure that no matter which part of the city he was in, he would always find his way.
It was called a map.
Following said map, Ryoken led Jun to a warehouse that he, Asuka, and Sho had agreed to meet at.
"This warehouse is unused right now," he told Jun. "We shouldn't be interrupted." The younger man's eyes narrowed but he didn't respond. Taking one last glance to make sure there wasn't anyone around, Ryoken opened the door and led Jun inside.
Asuka and Sho were already there, sitting on a few crates in the center of the warehouse. On the sound of the door opening, they looked up warily. Only to relax when Ryoken walked into the light.
"Kogami!" Sho said happily. "I'm glad you made it!"
Asuka nodded before turning to Ryoken's companion. "It's been a while, Manjome."
"…That it has, Tenjoin." Jun turned and sneered at Sho. "And the younger Marufuji. I heard a rumor you'd been carded. Should've known it was too good to be true."
Rather than be offended, Sho just rolled his eyes. "It's good to see you too, Manjome."
"Well, since we're all here, I suppose it's time to ask." Ryoken turned to face Jun. "We heard about your defection, Manjome. Why did you leave Academia?"
Jun narrowed his eyes. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"We saved you from the Capture Squad, Manjome," Asuka said. "More than that, you, me, and Sho used to be friends at Academia. At the very least, I want to know if there's some way I can help you."
Jun stared at Asuka before sighing. "My brothers."
Ryoken raised an eyebrow. "Brothers?"
Jun looked at him. "You're not from this dimension, are you? That Duel Disk isn't one of Academia's. Nor does it resemble the ones Tenjoin and Marufuji have. My family, the Manjome family, is one of the richest families in the country with influence everywhere. My brothers, Chosaku and Shoji, had enormous influence in the political and financial worlds, respectively. In fact, they were one of the Professor's main backers, providing Academia with money and the means to get their message out."
Jun narrowed his eyes. "But I found out recently that Chosaku and Shoji had been arrested and carded." Asuka's and Sho's eyes widened in shock and horror. "Officially, it's because they were guilty of subversive behavior. Traitors, they said. But I know the truth; my brothers could be thickheaded and narrow-minded, but they weren't traitors. No, I know the Professor is the one who betrayed them!"
He lowered his head. "Our assets have been seized by the government, and the Professor has them in his pocket. All our money, influence, and property likely now belongs to Academia now. When I found out, I decided to run."
"Manjome…" Asuka muttered, looking at the man with sorrowful eyes.
"So, what is it you want?" Ryoken asked, drawing everyone's attention. "Do you want revenge on Academia for their betrayal?"
Jun narrowed his eyes. "Is that a serious question? Of course I want revenge! My brothers may have been pricks, but they were still family. I'm going to pay Academia, and the Professor, back for betraying my family."
Asuka frowned. "I don't blame you for wanting revenge Manjome, but that won't solve anything. Will tearing Academia down bring back your brothers?"
Jun glared at her. "Don't feed me platitudes, Tenjoin. What would you do if Academia carded your brother?" Asuka glared back at him but didn't answer. "For that matter, why did you defect? All I could find out was that you had a disagreement with the Professor."
"That's one way to put it," Asuka muttered. Louder, she said, "I defected because I realized how sick Academia really is."
"Oh?" Jun raised an eyebrow. "I remember you being very willing to go to the Xyz Dimension to fight."
"And I was," Asuka agreed. "But there's a difference between fighting with honor and fighting with cruelty." She scowled. "I heard about how our classmates behaved in Heartland. How they carded anyone without regard for who they were. Not just duelists, but civilians as well. How they treated the attack as a hunting game, comparing how many people they carded with each other…"
She looked Jun in the eye. "I can understand carding duelists; they are warriors who accept the risks. But carding civilians and treating it not as an honorable fight but as a game for your own amusement… I can't forgive that. That's why I left Academia."
"…There are no innocents on the battlefield, Tenjoin," Jun said. "You remember that lesson, don't you?"
"So you're saying you would card a civilian?" Asuka raised an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't enjoy it, if that's what you're asking," Jun said with a grimace. He knew what Asuka meant when she talked about their classmates treating the invasion as a game; how they would keep score of how many people they carded and brag about it as though they should feel proud of it. It disgusted him. Jun took pride in his skills, but he wasn't a sadist. "But yeah, if I thought it necessary to achieve victory, I would do it. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I would still do it. Sometimes you have to accept sacrifices to win."
"That is a slippery slope, Manjome," Asuka said with a frown. "If you make compromises like that, then you'll start justifying even worse behavior as necessary. I imagine that's how the Professor got where he is."
"Hmm." Jun closed his eyes. "As interesting as this is, I'm not here to debate with you, Tenjoin." He opened his eyes and turned to glare at Sho. "What about you, Marufuji? Why'd you defect?"
Sho frowned. "The same reason as Asuka; I couldn't abide Academia's behavior. And I knew I couldn't change it from the inside, so I left."
Jun scoffed. "And in so doing, you've made your own brother your enemy. I can't say I envy you, Marufuji."
Sho's frown deepened. "I knew what I would be doing when I left. If doing the right thing means I have to fight Ryo one day, then I'll accept that. I can't stand aside and let atrocities be committed. That's why I'm here."
"That's why most of them have left Academia," Ryoken spoke up, drawing the others' attention. "These two aren't the only defectors, as I'm sure you know. They have banded together, under the leadership of a new teacher."
"Oh? A teacher?" Jun raised an eyebrow. "Not you, Tenjoin?"
"I assist our teacher in running You Show Duel School," Asuka said. "To teach everyone to bring smiles through dueling."
Jun blinked and then sneered. "Smiles through dueling? Are you kidding me? How can everyone smile from dueling? A duel always has a winner and a loser; how can you make the loser smile with everyone else?"
Jun's dismissal didn't insult Asuka. If anything, it amused her, judging by her smile. "I had the same thought when he first told me about his ideals. But eventually, I saw what he meant. Teacher isn't from the Fusion Dimension. Where he is from, dueling is not a battle between warriors, but a game between duelists. It is about enjoying dueling for its own sake, not using it to hurt others. And he wants to share that ideal with Academia.
"I won't lie and say it's easy to understand; but everyone at our school is someone who fled from Academia after disagreeing with their ideals. You know what would happen if they stayed. They would have been sent to the reeducation camps. We saved them, gave them a place to belong."
Jun's eyes narrowed. "That's all well and good, Tenjoin. And what exactly are you planning on doing regarding Academia? The Professor won't keep allowing these defections. The Capture Squad is proof of that."
"The teacher is someone who knew Leo Akaba before he was the Professor," Asuka answered. "He believes that if he can talk to the Professor, he can convince him he is wrong."
"And if he can't?"
"Then we'll fight," Asuka said simply. "Not because Academia is an enemy that needs to be defeated. But because its people are misguided, and they need to be shown that there is another way."
Jun scoffed again. "How idealistic of you." He turned to Ryoken. "What about you? You believe this 'smiles' business?"
"No," Ryoken said simply, shaking his head. Jun blinked in surprise. "I respect Tenjoin's beliefs. I won't try to change her mind, or that of her teacher. But to me, dueling is just a tool. It is a means to an end, not the end itself. Dueling is the tool I use to achieve my goal."
"Oh?" Jun found himself curious. "And what is your goal?"
"To protect my brother and my home. The Link Dimension."
Jun blinked. "Link Dimension?" His eyes narrowed. "I'd heard that a fifth dimension had been found. And Joseph talked about fighting someone with a weird summoning method in the Standard Dimension."
"Weird summoning method?" Ryoken repeated, surprised. His eyes narrowed. "Did this Joseph happen to mention his opponent's name?"
"He didn't get an actual name, but I think Joseph's opponent called himself Kingmaker or something."
So Yuji is in Standard, Ryoken thought. I did think it likely that we were each sent to different dimensions. This is no proof, but it's enough evidence for me to work with.
"Kingmaker is another name my brother goes by," Ryoken said. "Just as I go by the name Revolver." Jun's eyes widened at that. He recognized the name. It seemed Ryoken's reputation had reached Academia. "If he dueled against Academia, then that makes them my enemies. That is why, despite not agreeing with their philosophy, I have allied with Tenjoin and her teacher." Asuka's eyes narrowed at that. "Will you join us as well? Even if you disagree with Tenjoin's beliefs, there is strength in numbers. We will have a better chance to defeat our enemies if we work together."
Jun stared at Ryoken and then sneered. "You're certainly a smooth talker. But how do I know you're up to the task? I know what Tenjoin and Marufuji are capable of; I went to class with them. But I know nothing about you."
"I defeated the Captain of the Capture Squad," Ryoken pointed out.
"Any of us here could have done that," Jun shot back. "For all I know, it was a fluke. If I were to join you as you suggest, how would I know you're strong enough not to drag me down?"
"I see." Ryoken closed his eyes and nodded. "You are concerned that I am not strong enough to survive facing Academia alongside you. In that case, how about a verification?" He raised his left arm.
Jun raised an eyebrow in interest. "A duel?"
"Yes. I only saw the end of your duel and Tenjoin speaks highly of you, but I would like to verify your dueling with my own eyes. And you can do the same for me."
"H-Hey," Sho interrupted. "Even if Manjome hasn't agreed to join, we're all against Academia! We don't need to fight each other!"
"This isn't a fight, Marufuji," Jun said, his eyes not leaving Ryoken's face. "This is just a test. To make sure we're as good as we say we are." He sneered. "And I accept. I kind of want to see this new summoning method for myself."
"Asuka!" Sho said worryingly, looking to his friend. To his dismay, she just sighed and shook her head.
"There's no way to stop Manjome when he gets like this," she said forlornly as Jun and Ryoken took several steps back from each other. "And I suspect Kogami would be just as stubborn." She turned to Sho and smiled. "Don't worry. A duel like this is probably as friendly as those two can get."
Sho stared at her and then sighed. "I hate how true that is," he whined.
Ryoken and Jun faced each other and activated their Duel Disks.
"Duel!"
Ryoken Kogami: 4000 LP
Jun Manjome: 4000 LP
"Master Rule Override activated."
They drew their cards. "I'll take the first turn," Ryoken said. "By discarding Background Dragon, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon!" A black and red dragon with prism panels attached to its wings appeared in Attack Position.
Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3
"I summon Sniffer Dragon!" A red bipedal dragon with black armor on its legs, chest, head, tail, and arms appeared.
Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2
"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add another Sniffer Dragon from my Deck to my hand." Ryoken raised his right hand. "Appear, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are two non-Token Level 4 or lower Dragon monsters. I set Defrag Dragon and Sniffer Dragon in the Link Markers!" Ryoken's dragons entered the bottom and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Twin Triangle Dragon!" A maroon and gold metal dragon emerged from the Link portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.
Twin Triangle Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓→
"Link Summoning," Jun muttered.
"Twin Triangle Dragon's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard to its Link Marker. Resurrect, Background Dragon!" A large dragon covered in orange and black armor appeared at Twin Triangle Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.
Ryoken Kogami: 4000→3500 LP
Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5
"The monster Special Summoned by Twin Triangle Dragon's effect cannot attack and its effects are negated," Ryoken continued. "Appear again, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are two or more non-Token monsters. I set Background Dragon and Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top, left, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Triple Burst Dragon!" A red mechanical dragon with green holographic wings and three cannon barrels embedded in its chest emerged from the Link portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.
Triple Burst Dragon ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↑↓
"As I Special Summoned a Dragon Link Monster, I can Special Summon Linkbelt Wall Dragon from my hand!" A large green mechanical dragon with yellow bullets covering the sides of its serpentine body appeared in Defense Position, coiled behind Ryoken.
Linkbelt Wall Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 6
"When Linkbelt Wall Dragon is Special Sumoned, I place two Wall Counters on it."
Linkbelt Wall Dragon: 0 WC→2 WC
"So long as Linkbelt Wall Dragon is on the field, neither of us can Link Summon a Link Monster with a higher Link Rating than the number of Wall Counters on it," Ryoken said. "In addition, you cannot target my other monsters for attacks, and only Link Monsters can attack."
Jun's eyes narrowed. "Since Jun doesn't have Link Monsters, that effect will stop him from attacking," Sho surmised.
"A clever move," Asuka said. "But I doubt it will impact Manjome too much."
"I Set one card. I end my turn."
"So you're fighting defensively from the start," Jun said with a sneer. "I guess if I want to measure your skills, I'll have to go on the offensive. My turn! Draw!"
"Linkbelt Wall Dragon's effect activates!" Ryoken suddenly declared. "During each Standby Phase, it gains a Wall Counter!"
Linkbelt Wall Dragon: 2 WC→3 WC
Jun decided to ignore that; that effect only affected Link Monsters, and he didn't have any. But that hadn't been why Ryoken had summoned it; he had brought it out to prevent Jun's monsters from monsters.
Pity it wouldn't do any good.
"I activate the Field Spell Card: Union Hangar! When this card is activated, I can add a Light Machine Union monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Y-Dragon Head to my hand."
Ryoken narrowed his eyes. When Manjome dueled before, he used Dragon monsters, he thought. But now he is using Machine Union monsters. This must be what Tenjoin meant when she said he had a varied Deck.
"I summon X-Head Cannon." A blue-and-yellow machine with no legs and two cannons on its shoulders appeared.
X-Head Cannon ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Frontline Base! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Union monster from my hand. Come, Y-Dragon Head!" A red mechanical dragon appeared in Attack Position.
Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500 DEF 1600 LVL: 4
"Since a Light Machine Union monster was Summoned, Union Hangar's effect activates!" Jun continued. "I can now equip a Light Machine Union monster with a different name from my Deck to that monster, but the Union monster I equip cannot be Special Summoned this turn. I equip Y-Dragon Head with Union Driver!" A man in a white armored bodysuit appeared and sat on Y-Dragon Head's back. "I activate the effect of the equipped Union Driver! While it's equipped to a monster, I can banish it to equip a Level 4 or lower Union monster from my Deck to that monster. I banish Union Driver and equip Y-Dragon Head with Z-Metal Tank!" The man in a bodysuit disappeared and was replaced by a yellow and blue tank that Y-Dragon Head laid into. "While Y-Dragon Head is equipped with Z-Metal Tank, it gains 600 attack and defense points."
Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500→2100 DEF 1600→2200
"The equipped Z-Metal Tank's effect activates! I Special Summon it in Attack Position!" The blue and yellow tank detached itself from Y-Dragon Head.
Z-Metal Tank ATK 1500 DEF 1300 LVL: 4
Y-Dragon Head ATK 2100→1500 DEF 2200→1600
"X, Y, and Z," Asuka muttered, her eyes narrowing. She recognized this combination.
"Now, I banish X-Head Cannon, Y-Dragon Head, and Z-Metal Tank! Fusion Summon! Come, Level 8! XYZ-Dragon Cannon!" Y-Dragon Head's wings popped off as X-Head Cannon connected to its back. The two monsters then set themselves into Z-Metal Tank's body. The resulting Fusion Monster was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8
Ryoken blinked in genuine surprise. Fusion Summoning without a Fusion card. I wasn't expecting that.
"Dragon Cannon's effect activates!" Jun declared. "By discarding Ojamagic, one of your cards is destroyed!" The cannons on X-Head Cannon gathered energy and fired at Linkbelt Wall Dragon, destroying it in an explosion and making Ryoken shield his eyes.
When the man lowered his arm, he gave an annoyed grimace. "That's a rather annoying effect."
"It gets worse," Jun promised. "Since I sent Ojamagic to the Graveyard, I now add Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow from my Deck to my hand. And I can use Dragon Cannon's effect so long as I have cards in my hand. I discard Ojama Black to destroy your Triple Burst Dragon!" The Fusion Monster's cannons fired again. Ryoken smirked in response.
"I'm sorry to say that won't work a second time," he said smugly, surprising Jun. "Trap activate! Link Barricade!" The card showed numerous crisscrossed red arrows forming a fence, with Auram the World Chalice Blademaster standing behind said fence. "For the rest of the turn, my Link Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle and are unaffected by your card effects!" The beams hit Triple Burst Dragon and caused an explosion, but when the smoke cleared Triple Burst Dragon was unharmed.
"Tch." Jun grit his teeth. "Not bad. I guess if I can't destroy your monster, I can still deal damage. I equip the Equip Spell Card: Hyper Cannon to Dragon Cannon!" The cannon barrels on X-Head Cannon's shoulders changed, becoming more streamlined and turning silver, with violet lights on the inside. "While Hyper Cannon is equipped, your card effects can't target or destroy Dragon Cannon. Nor can its control be changed, and if it battles your Special Summoned monster, it gains 1000 attack points during damage calculation!" Ryoken's eyes narrowed.
"Battle! Dragon Cannon attacks Triple Burst Dragon! XYZ Hyper Cannon!" The cannon barrels charged and fired violet energy at Triple Burst Dragon. "Hyper Cannon's effect activates!"
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→3800
"Due to Link Barricade's effect, Triple Burst Dragon can't be destroyed by battle!" Ryoken reminded Jun.
"But you'll still take damage!" Jun countered. The beams struck, and Ryoken grunted as he was pushed back by the attack's shockwave.
Ryoken Kogami: 3500→2100 LP
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 3800→2800
"I end my turn." Jun narrowed his eyes. "I heard the name 'Revolver' back in Academia. They were the bane of the Juvenile Corps, said to be able to defeat a dozen officers at once. So far, I'm not impressed. If you want to show me that you can help me, you'll have to do better than this."
Ryoken smirked. Such arrogance. And really, a dozen officers? He'd fought several of them, yes, but the most he'd fought at once had been five. And even he had trouble that time.
That aside, he supposed he should put up a tougher fight. That Dragon Cannon was a threat so long as Jun had cards in his hand. And with that Equip Card… Hmm. It couldn't be destroyed or targeted by card effects, and its possession couldn't be changed, so… yes. That would work.
"My turn! Draw!" Ryoken declared. "Triple Burst Dragon's effect activates! By Tributing it, I can Special Summon a Link-2 or lower monster from my Graveyard and a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand. I Special Summon Twin Triangle Dragon and Sniffer Dragon!" Triple Burst Dragon disintegrated and was replaced by the maroon and gold armored dragon and another copy of the red humanoid dragon in Attack Position.
Twin Triangle Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓→
Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2
"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates! I add my third Sniffer Dragon from my Deck to my hand. I activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! As my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can draw two cards."
Ryoken drew and smiled at his cards. "I summon Sniffer Dragon!" The third copy of the red dragon appeared.
Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2
Ryoken raised his right hand. "Manifest, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters. I set both Sniffer Dragons and Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon in the Link Markers!" Ryoken's monsters entered the top, bottom, left, and bottom-right arrows. "My gale that slices open the closed world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Borrelsword Dragon!" The dragon that emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone was mechanized, with yellow holographic wings, red skin with silver mechanical parts, a gun barrel in its chest, and three blades attached to its head.
Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↑↓
"3000 attack points?" Jun muttered, his eyes narrowing. "This must be his ace monster."
"I activate the effect of Defrag Dragon in the Graveyard!" Ryoken continued. "By banishing three monsters with the same name from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon. I banish three Sniffer Dragons!" The red-and-black dragon reappeared at Borrelsword Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.
Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3
"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Borrel Ignition and equip it to Borrelsword Dragon!" The card showed a massive gun barrel, with Anesthrokket Dragon, Autorokket Dragon, and Shelrokket Dragon lying in three of the six holes. The back of Shelrokket Dragon's hole was glowing yellow. "While Borrel Ignition is equipped to Borrelsword Dragon, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."
Ryoken gestured to his field. "Battle!" he declared, surprising Jun, Asuka, and Sho. "Borrelsword Dragon attacks Dragon Cannon!" The two blades on the sides of Borrelsword Dragon's head snapped upwards, forming a single massive blade, which it brought down on Dragon Cannon in a charge.
"You fool!" Jun said dismissively. "Hyper Cannon's effect activates when Dragon Cannon battles, not when it attacks!"
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→3800
Jun's Fusion Monster fired violet energy from its cannons, meeting Borrelsword Dragon's blade in midair.
"Borrelsword Dragon isn't destroyed by battle!"
"But you'll take damage from attacking a monster with more attack points!" Jun reminded Ryoken. The man winced from the backlash of his attack.
Ryoken Kogami: 2100→1300 LP
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 3800→2800
"Why did Kogami attack when Manjome's monster was stronger?" Sho wondered. Asuka just narrowed her eyes.
Ryoken answered their question via his actions. "Borrelsword Dragon's effect activates! After it battles your monster, Borrelsword Dragon gains attack points equal to half of your monster's attack points until the end of the turn. And then your monster's attack points are halved!"
Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000→4400
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→1400
Jun grit his teeth. "So you attacked in order to strengthen your monster and weaken mine? But Borrelsword Dragon's attack is over!"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Huh?" Jun grunted at Ryoken's question.
"Borrelsword Dragon's additional effect activates! Once per turn, I can change an Attack Position monster to Defense Position. I change Defrag Dragon to Defense Position." Said dragon shifted. "And then, since this effect was activated during my turn, Borrelsword Dragon can attack again!"
Jun gasped. "A second attack?" Sho said in surprise. "That's what Kogami was aiming for?"
"Attack again, Borrelsword Dragon! Electric Varrel Sword Slash!"
Jun grit his teeth. "Hyper Cannon's effect activates!"
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 1400→2400
Lightning sparked on Borrelsword Dragon's blade as it brought it down on Dragon Cannon, bisecting the monster down the middle. The resulting explosion blew Jun back and knocked him off his feet, making him grunt when he landed on the ground.
Jun Manjome: 4000→2000 LP
"Amazing," Sho whispered. "He defeated Dragon Cannon and halved Manjome's Life Points just like that."
Jun grimaced as he pushed himself up. "Not bad. But not good enough; I know at least a dozen people at Academia who could beat that combo. And since Hyper Cannon was sent to the Graveyard because the equipped monster left the field, I can add it to my hand."
Ryoken smiled. "It is good you are not letting yourself get depressed; Academia is a fearsome foe, as you well know. If you were to falter from a single attack, I would question your resolve." Jun grit his teeth at the comment. "As the equipped Borrelsword Dragon destroyed your monster by battle, the effect of Borrel Ignition activates! I gain Life Points equal to half your monster's original attack points and draw a card."
Ryoken Kogami: 1300→2700 LP
"So he had a way to replenish his Life Points," Asuka said. "No wonder he was willing to take damage earlier."
"Next, I activate the effect of Link Barricade in my Graveyard! By banishing it and the Link Monster Twin Triangle Dragon from my Graveyard, I can draw two cards, but I cannot add cards to my hand for the rest of the turn."
Ryoken drew, then said, "I Set two cards. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Borrelsword Dragon's attack points return to normal."
Borrelsword Dragon ATK 4400→3000
Ryoken placed his right hand on his hip. "Like I said before, I don't duel for enjoyment; I only duel to achieve my goal. My goal is to protect my family from those who would hurt them. Right now, that is Academia. If you'd rather work alone, go ahead. But I think we can better achieve our goals working together."
Jun smirked. "You talk a pretty big game. And you've got some skills. But I still need to see more before I'm willing to work with you. My turn! Draw!" Looking at his card, Jun smirked. "Time to take things seriously. I activate the Spell Card: Ojamassimilation! By revealing a Light Machine Fusion Monster in my Extra Deck, I can banish any number of 'Ojama' monsters from my hand, field, and Graveyard to Special Summon an equal number of that monster's Fusion Materials from my hand, Deck, and/or Graveyard."
Sho gasped. "Manjome has a card like that?!"
"I reveal the Fusion Monster VW-Tiger Catapult, and banish Ojama Black from my Graveyard and Ojama Green from my hand to Special Summon its Fusion Materials from my Deck: V-Tiger Jet and W-Wing Catapult!" A yellow and green mechanical tiger with jet wings and engines appeared, along with a blue machine with engines and wings. Both monsters materialized in Attack Position.
V-Tiger Jet ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4
W-Wing Catapult ATK 1300 DEF 1500 LVL: 4
Ryoken narrowed his eyes in thought. "On their own, his Ojama monsters are practically useless," he muttered. "But he's figured out how to get the maximum usage out of them, either as fuel for the effects of his more powerful monsters or as tributes to bring out his more powerful monsters." He found himself smiling as he remembered how Jun used Ojamagic and Ojama Black with Dragon Cannon. "Monsters as bullets. He and I aren't so different."
"I banish V-Tiger Jet and W-Wing Catapult!" Jun declared. "Fusion Summon! Come, Level 6! VW-Tiger Catapult!" W-Wing Catapult split down the middle, allowing V-Tiger Jet to attach itself to the top of the other monster. Jun's new Fusion Monster was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
VW-Tiger Catapult ATK 2000 DEF 2100 LVL: 6
"Impressive," Ryoken allowed. "But even if you equip Hyper Cannon to this monster, it won't be strong enough to defeat Borrelsword Dragon."
"Then why don't I bring out a monster that is?" Jun offered, making Ryoken raise an eyebrow. "I activate the Spell Card: Ojamarketing!" The card showed a boardroom with the five Ojama Brothers all wearing suits. Ojama Yellow was standing next to a projected screen and pointing to it while the others sat around a conference table. Ojamas Red and Blue were watching attentively, Ojama Green was eating cake, and Ojama Black was sleeping and drooling in his chair. "By banishing Ojama Yellow from my hand, I can Special Summon a Light Machine monster from my Graveyard while ignoring its summoning conditions. Resurrect, Dragon Cannon!" The Fusion Monster made of three machines reappeared in Attack Position.
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8
"The Dragon Cannon Special Summoned by Ojamarketing cannot attack and its effects are negated."
Ryoken narrowed his eyes. "This monster is X, Y, and Z," he thought aloud. "And your other Fusion Monster is V and W. Which means…"
Jun smirked. "You catch on pretty quick. But then this wouldn't be a challenge if you were too slow. I banish VW-Tiger Catapult and XYZ-Dragon Cannon!" The two Fusion Monsters broke apart into their component monsters and then began reassembling into a new one. "Fusion Summon! Come, Level 8! VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!" Jun's newest Fusion Monster had W-Wing Catapult as legs, Y-Dragon Head's body at its waist, X-Head Cannon as its torso and head, while X-Head Cannon's arms held Z-Metal Tank's treads. V-Tiger Jet was on its back, with its head covering X-Head Cannon's head as a cowl, Y-Dragon Head's wings were spread behind it held in place by Z-Metal Tank's main body. The massive Fusion Monster was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8
"Hmm." Ryoken hummed as he looked over the new monster. "When you faced that duelist before, you used Armed Dragons. Now you use Light Machine monsters that combine to form increasingly powerful Fusion Monsters. And both times, you used your Ojama monsters. Three different archetypes, each with different strategies inherent to them. And yet you have merged these archetypes together flawlessly." Ryoken couldn't help but smile, impressed by Jun's resourcefulness and versatility. "You are a really strong duelist."
"As much as I like praise, is there really any point to what you're saying?" Jun asked rudely. "I already know all that."
"I figured you would, but I thought it bore being said," Ryoken said. "That aside, there is a weakness to your strategy."
"And what is that?"
"This." Ryoken gestured to his field. "Borrelsword Dragon's effect activates! Once per turn, an Attack Position monster is changed to Defense Position!" Jun gasped as his Dragon Catapult Cannon shifted so that it was kneeling. "Link Monsters cannot exist in Defense Position, so this effect is useless against them." Ryoken smirked. "But against Fusion Monsters and the like, it's very potent."
Jun grit his teeth. "You activated that effect as soon as you could. Because you knew what card I was going to play next."
"That's right. I seized the momentary advantage when I could."
"Clever," Jun allowed. "I activate the effect of Ojamassimilation in the Graveyard! By banishing it and shuffling Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow back into my Deck, I can draw a card."
"Oh?" Ryoken raised an eyebrow. "So you're placing the fate of this duel on a single draw?"
Jun sneered. "You say that like you've never done that." Ryoken chuckled. True enough. "I draw!" Jun drew and smirked. "It seems my fate is to win this duel! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Dimension Explosion! This card returns Dragon Catapult Cannon to my Extra Deck!"
"What?" Asuka and Sho gasped as the massive Fusion Monster disappeared. Ryoken blinked, surprised as they were.
"Dimension Explosion then lets us each Special Summon up to two of our monsters that were banished," Jun continued. "I Special Summon Tiger Catapult and Dragon Cannon!" The two Fusion Monsters reappeared on Jun's field, both in Attack Position.
VW-Tiger Catapult ATK 2000 DEF 2100 LVL: 6
XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8
Ryoken blinked again and then smirked, realizing Jun's plan. "I Special Summon two Sniffer Dragons." Two copies of the red armored dragon appeared in Defense Position.
Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2 x 2
Jun pointed to his field. "Once again, I banish Tiger Catapult and Dragon Cannon! Fusion Summon! Come, Level 8! VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!" The two monsters broke apart and reassembled again, bringing their combined Fusion Monster form back to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8
Ryoken couldn't help but laugh. "You managed to get around Borrelsword Dragon's effect. Impressive."
"Not as impressive as this! Dragon Catapult Cannon's effect! Once per turn, I can banish one of your cards! I banish Borrelsword Dragon!" Dragon Catapult Cannon's blasters fired blue energy at Borrelsword Dragon, making it disintegrate and making Ryoken wince.
"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Hyper Cannon and equip it to Dragon Catapult Cannon." The monster's cannon barrels turned into silver streamlined barrels. "Battle! Dragon Catapult Cannon attacks Sniffer Dragon! At this point, Dragon Catapult Cannon's effect activates! When it declares an attack, that monster's battle position can be changed!" Ryoken's eyes widened as Sniffer Dragon changed to Attack Position. "With Hyper Cannon equipped, Dragon Catapult Cannon's attack points are 4000. I win!"
"Not yet!" Ryoken denied. "Trap activate! Dragon's Renewal!" The card showed Flash Charge Dragon rising from a pool of motor oil as Gateway Dragon and Dillingerous Dragon were falling into it. "By Tributing my two Sniffer Dragons and Defrag Dragon, I can Special Summon a Dragon Link Monster from my Graveyard whose Link Rating is equal to the number of Tributed monsters. Since I Tributed three monsters, I Special Summon Triple Burst Dragon!" Ryoken's three dragons disintegrated and were replaced by a red mechanical dragon with three gun barrels in its chest.
Triple Burst Dragon ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↑↓
Jun grit his teeth. "In that case, Dragon Catapult Cannon attacks Triple Burst Dragon! And since Triple Burst Dragon is a Special Summoned monster, Dragon Catapult Cannon gains 1000 attack points via Hyper Cannon's effect!"
VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon ATK 3000→4000
"Go! Ultimate Destruction!" The cannon barrels fired yellow energy at Triple Burst Dragon, destroying it and making Ryoken grunt from the shockwave of the explosion.
Ryoken Kogami: 2700→1100 LP
VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon ATK 4000→3000
Ryoken briefly frowned. "If Hyper Cannon's effect had been an activated one, then Triple Burst Dragon would have been able to negate it." But alas, it wasn't. "Since Triple Burst Dragon was Special Summoned using Dragon's Renewal and left the field, it is now banished."
"I end my turn," Jun said. His eyes narrowed in thought. "I'll be honest. You're stronger than I thought you'd be. Forcing me to use Dimension Explosion like that; there aren't many people who could do that. Even fewer who could survive a turn against my Dragon Catapult Cannon."
"Hmm. I often feel the same about people who survive Borrelsword Dragon," Ryoken replied with a smirk.
"If that's the case, then I suggest you win this turn. Because this will probably be the last chance you get."
"We'll see whether you're right or not. My turn! Draw!" Ryoken looked at his card and raised an eyebrow. Oh? Well, it looked like he would be able to test out a new monster of his. "I activate the effect of Background Dragon in the Graveyard! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Background Dragon and a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand in Defense Position. Resurrect, Background Dragon! And be joined by Gateway Dragon!" The orange armored dragon reappeared, joined by a golden serpentine dragon that emerged from a golden gate.
Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5
Gateway Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Rapid Trigger!" Ryoken declared. "By destroying monsters on my field, I can perform a Fusion Summon!"
"What?" Jun, Asuka, and Sho gasped. "You're Fusion Summoning by destroying your monsters?"
Ryoken smirked. "I destroy Background Dragon and Gateway Dragon and Fusion Summon!" The two dragons shattered into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as tornados. The two tornados merged into a single violet twister. "The two forlorn anger that live in the network, surpass the root of evil and become one! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Borreload Furious Dragon!" A new red and gray mechanical dragon emerged from the whirlwind. This one had violet parts of armor on its legs, arms, chest barrel, and violet horns. Purple holographic wings spread out from its back. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8
"Kogami Fusion Summoned?!" Sho said in surprise.
"I remember teacher talking with him about Fusion Summoning," Asuka muttered. "To think he actually made one…"
Jun narrowed his eyes and sneered. "I wasn't expecting a Fusion Monster. But its attack points are the same as my Dragon Catapult Cannon's. And that's without Hyper Cannon's effect."
"I suppose I'll have to deal with that," Ryoken allowed. "Since I used Rapid Trigger to Fusion Summon Furious Dragon, it can only attack monsters that were Special Summoned from the Extra Deck and it is unaffected by the activated effects of other monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. And since Background Dragon left the field, it is banished by its effect." Ryoken took the last card in his hand. "I summon Magnarokket Dragon!" A blue armored dragon with a missile on its head and green holographic wings appeared.
Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4
"Furious Dragon's effect activates!" Ryoken declared. "Once per turn, I can target a monster I control and a card you control and destroy them!" Jun's eyes widened. "I destroy Magnarokket Dragon and Hyper Cannon! Null Varrel Fire!" Magnarokket Dragon became an orb of light and entered Furious Dragon's chest cavity. The dragon opened its mouth and revealed a gun barrel that charged with violet energy. The dragon shot the beam of energy at Jun's Equip Card, destroying it and making its owner wince.
"This duel was more interesting than I expected it to be," Ryoken said. "But it's time to put an end to it. Continuous Trap activate! Execute Protocols! And then I activate the effect of Dragon's Renewal in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can return a banished Link Monster to my Graveyard. I return Borrelsword Dragon to my Graveyard."
Ryoken pointed to the field. "Battle! At this point, I activate the effect of Execute Protocols! By banishing a Dark Link Monster from my Graveyard, one 'Borrel' monster I control gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points until the end of the turn. I banish Borrelsword Dragon to give its attack points to Furious Dragon!" The Fusion Monster roared as it glowed with power.
Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000→6000
"Borreload Furious Dragon attacks Dragon Catapult Cannon! Varrel Cannon of Ferocity!" The gun barrel extended itself again and charged with yellow energy. The dragon raised its head, then brought it back down and fired the beam. The beam struck Jun's Machine monster, engulfing it in a massive explosion. Jun cried out as he was knocked off his feet and landed painfully on his back.
Jun Manjome: 2000→0 LP
"I did see Kogami duel the Juvenile Corps before," Sho muttered as Borreload Furious Dragon disappeared. "But there were times where I thought Manjome would really win there."
Asuka nodded in agreement. "It seems our initial comparison was right; perhaps only the Kaiser and Yuri might be able to match Kogami."
Jun grunted and pushed himself to a sitting position. Only to look up when Ryoken offered him a hand.
"You've seen my strength for yourself now," Ryoken said. "You and I are both strong, but Academia has something we don't: numbers. Will you join up with us to fight them?"
Jun stared at the hand. Then he smirked. And took the hand.
Ryoken smiled as he pulled Jun up. "One question," Jun said, his eyes narrowing as Asuka and Sho walked over. "You said before you fought Academia to protect your brother. So what would you do if they carded him?"
Ryoken stilled as he allowed the thought to enter his mind. He had seen one of the Juvenile Officers card someone once. It had been quick and clean, a mercy if anything. But if that were to happen to Yuji…
"I would burn Academia to the ground," he whispered harshly, so that only Jun could hear. The other man stared at him before smiling in understanding.
"I think you and I will get along nicely."
"So?" Asuka said as she and Sho reached them. "What say you, Manjome?"
Jun turned to face her and closed his eyes in thought. "I still don't agree with the whole 'dueling for smiles' thing. Dueling is a battle, either for competition or war. I've seen too much to just dismiss that." His eyes opened. "But this guy here proved his strength. And it'll be fun fighting alongside you again. I suppose I can put up with Marufuji."
Sho rolled his eyes. "It's good to know that even losing doesn't change the size of your head, Manjome."
Asuka smiled at the interaction before turning to Ryoken. "If that's that then, we should return." Ryoken nodded in agreement.
The four took a circuitous route back to You Show, including running over rooftops and a gondola ride. When they got back, Asuka took Jun to meet Yusho while Sho went to the cafeteria and Ryoken decided to go to his lab.
Not long after arriving at You Show, Ryoken had raided a warehouse – which was woefully unprepared. Had he been in charge, he would have fired whoever designed the security systems. There, he had managed to get away with several pieces of hardware that were, according to Asuka, out of date, but still served his purposes nicely. Now he had a computer, a backdoor into the Juvenile Corps' communications – but not Academia's, sadly; the Professor was smart enough to encrypt them – and several other pieces of equipment that he would find uses for. He had already made use of a card fabricator to make Fusion cards for himself. If only he could convince Asuka and the others to use his Master Rules, then he could make Link Monsters for them. And convince them to help him raid another warehouse for materials; the Juvenile Corps had upped their security since his visit, as well they should. If they hadn't, he would have attacked their main offices just to tell them how stupid they were.
Anyway, after he got back and been berated by Asuka for being careless – which he hadn't been; it had been a calculated risk and he made sure he had every advantage he could while alone – Yusho had decided to give him a room to set up his lab. There sat his computer and card fabricator, along with something far more important to his current goal. He had left tracking devices in his brother's and his teammates' Duel Disks, but the range was limited. So after acquiring new hardware, he had built an amplifier to increase the range. The only problem was that he couldn't make it run continually; a side effect of trying to use older equipment from another dimension in sync with his top-of-the-line Duel Disk. No, Ryoken had to be there in person to run it.
If Ryoken was being honest with himself, he didn't expect to find anyone as he powered his scanner and amplifier up. He had been searching for almost two weeks and hadn't found anything. So unless Team 13 had teleported here-.
BEEP BEEP
Ryoken blinked as a signal popped up. He quickly brought it up and saw the ID code. "Hanako Zaizen," he whispered. Nature Queen was here in the Fusion Dimension. But where?
He brought up a digital map of the city and superimposed the tracking signal over it. The signal went out past the harbor, towards-
His eyes narrowed. "Academia," he growled. He couldn't see Hanako joining up with Academia willingly; she was the most moral of her team and never support Academia's actions if she knew about them. Which meant…
Hanako had been captured by Academia. And was being held on their island.
A few questions cross his mind. Why was she captured instead of carded? being the main one. But Ryoken felt a smirk cross his face. "Well, Manjome," he said. "I think you're about to get your revenge sooner than you expected."
Ryoken Kogami vs. Jun Manjome
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Ryoken
Ryoken activates the effect of Defrag Dragon in his hand, discarding Background Dragon to Special Summon it (1000/600/3) in Attack Position. Ryoken Normal Summons Sniffer Dragon (800/400/2). As Sniffer Dragon was Summoned, Ryoken adds a 2nd Sniffer Dragon from his Deck to his hand. Ryoken uses Defrag Dragon and Sniffer Dragon to Link Summon Twin Triangle Dragon (1200/2/↓→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Twin Triangle Dragon was Link Summoned, Ryoken can pay 500 LP (Ryoken: 4000→3500 LP) to Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher monster from his GY to its Link Marker with its effects negated, but it cannot attack. Ryoken Special Summons Background Dragon (1600/1800/5) in Attack Position. Ryoken uses Background Dragon and Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon to Link Summon Triple Burst Dragon (2400/3/←↑↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As a Dragon Link Monster was Special Summoned to Ryoken's field, he activates the effect of Linkbelt Wall Dragon in his hand, Special Summoning it (0/2100/6) in Defense Position. As Linkbelt Wall Dragon was Special Summoned, Ryoken places 2 Wall Counters on it (Linkbelt Wall Dragon: 0 WC→2 WC). Neither player can Summon a Link Monster with a higher Link Rating than the number of Wall Counters on Linkbelt Wall Dragon, only Link Monsters can declare an attack, and Jun's monsters cannot target Ryoken's monsters for attacks, except Linkbelt Wall Dragon. Ryoken Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 2: Jun
Jun draws. During the Standby Phase, Linkbelt Wall Dragon gains 1 Wall Counter (Linkbelt Wall Dragon: 2 WC→3 WC). Jun activates the Field Spell Card Union Hangar. As Union Hangar was activated, Jun can add 1 Light Machine Union monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Y-Dragon Head to his hand. Jun Normal Summons X-Head Cannon (1800/1500/4). Jun activates the Continuous Spell Card Frontline Base. He activates its effect, letting him Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Union monster from his hand. He Special Summons Y-Dragon Head (1500/1600/4) in Attack Position. As a Light Machine Union monster was Summoned, Union Hangar's effect activates, and Jun can equip 1 Light Machine Union monster from his Deck to that monster, but that monster cannot be Special Summoned this turn. He equips Union Driver to Y-Dragon Head. Jun activates the effect of the equipped Union Driver, banishing it to equip 1 Level 4 or lower Union monster from his Deck to Y-Dragon Head. June equips Z-Metal Tank to Y-Dragon Head. While Z-Metal Tank is equipped, the equipped monster gains 600 ATK/DEF (Y-Dragon Head: 1500→2100/1600→2200). Jun activates Z-Metal Tank's effect, unequipping it from Y-Dragon Head and Special Summoning it (1500/1300) in Attack Position (Y-Dragon Head: 2100→1500/2200→1600). Jun banishes X-Head Cannon, Y-Dragon Head, and Z-Metal Tank to Fusion Summon XYZ-Dragon Cannon (2800/2600/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Jun activates the effect of Dragon Cannon, discarding Ojamagic to target and destroy 1 card Ryoken controls. He targets and destroys Linkbelt Wall Dragon. As Ojamagic was sent to the GY, Jun adds Ojama Black, Ojama Green, and Ojama Yellow from his Deck to his hand. Jun activates the effect of Dragon Cannon, discarding Ojama Black and targeting Triple Burst Dragon, but Ryoken activates his Set Trap Card Link Barricade. Until the end of the turn, Ryoken's Link Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle and are unaffected by Jun's card effects. Jun activates the Equip Spell Card Hyper Cannon, equipping it to Dragon Cannon. Dragon Cannon cannot be targeted or destroyed by Ryoken's card effects, it cannot change control, and if it battles Ryoken's Special Summoned monster, it gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation only.
Dragon Cannon attacks Triple Burst Dragon (Dragon Cannon: 2800→3800). Triple Burst Dragon isn't destroyed via Link Barricade's effect (Ryoken: 3500→2100 LP) (Dragon Cannon: 3800→2800). Jun ends his turn.
Turn 3: Ryoken
Ryoken draws. He activates the effect of Triple Burst Dragon, Tributing it to Special Summon 1 Link-2 or lower monster from his GY, then Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from his hand. He Special Summons Twin Triangle Dragon (1200/2/↓→) from his GY and Sniffer Dragon (800/400/2) from his hand in Attack Position. As Sniffer Dragon was Summoned, Ryoken adds a 3rd Sniffer Dragon from his Deck to his hand. As his LP are lower than Jun's and only Jun controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, Ryoken activates the Spell Card Final Offguard, which lets him draw 2 cards. Ryoken Normal Summons Sniffer Dragon (800/400/2). Ryoken uses 2 Sniffer Dragons and Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon to Link Summon Borrelsword Dragon (3000/4/←↙↑↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Defrag Dragon is in his GY, Ryoken activates its effect to banish 3 Sniffer Dragons from his GY to Special Summon it (1000/600/3) to Borrelsword Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Ryoken activates the Equip Spell Card Borrel Ignition, equipping it to Borrelsword Dragon and preventing it from being destroyed by battle or card effects.
Borrelsword Dragon attacks Dragon Cannon (Dragon Cannon: 2800→3800). Borrelsword Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle due to Borrel Ignition's effect (Ryoken: 2100→1300 LP) (Dragon Cannon: 3800→2800). After damage calculation, as Borrelsword Dragon battled Jun's monster, it gains ATK equal to half of Dragon Cannon's ATK until the end of the turn (Borrelsword Dragon: 3000→4400) and Dragon Cannon's ATK becomes half its current ATK (Dragon Cannon: 2800→1400). Ryoken activates Borrelsword Dragon's effect, targeting Defrag Dragon and changing it to Defense Position. As Borrelsword Dragon's effect was activated during Ryoken's turn, it can declare a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn. Borrelsword Dragon attacks Dragon Cannon (Dragon Cannon: 1400→2400). Dragon Cannon is destroyed (Jun: 4000→2000 LP). Since Hyper Cannon was sent to the GY because the equipped monster left the field, Jun adds Hyper Cannon to his hand. As the monster equipped with Borrel Ignition destroyed Jun's monster by battle, Ryoken gains LP equal to half that monster's original ATK and draws 1 card (Ryoken: 1300→2700 LP). Ryoken activates the effect of Link Barricade in his GY, banishing it and Twin Triangle Dragon to draw 2 cards, but he cannot add cards from his Deck to his hand for the rest of the turn. Ryoken Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn, and Borrelsword Dragon's effect ends (Borrelsword Dragon: 4400→3000).
Turn 4: Jun
Jun draws. He activates the Spell Card Ojamassimilation, which lets him reveal 1 Light Machine Fusion Monster in his Extra Deck, then banish any number of "Ojama" monsters from his hand, field, and/or GY to Special Summon Fusion Materials listed on that Fusion Monster from his hand, Deck, and/or GY equal to the number of banished monsters. Jun reveals VW-Tiger Catapult, and banishes Ojama Black from his GY and Ojama Green from his hand to Special Summon V-Tiger Jet (1600/1800/4) and W-Wing Catapult (1300/1500/4) from his Deck in Attack Position. Jun banishes V-Tiger Jet and W-Wing Catapult to Fusion Summon VW-Tiger Catapult (2000/2100/6) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Jun activates the Spell Card Ojamarketing, which lets him banish 1 "Ojama" monster from his hand, field, or GY to Special Summon 1 Light Machine monster from his GY, ignoring the summoning conditions, but it cannot declare an attack and its effects are negated. He banishes Ojama Yellow from his hand to Special Summon XYZ-Dragon Cannon (2800/2600/8) in Attack Position. Jun banishes VW-Tiger Jet and XYZ-Dragon Cannon to Fusion Summon VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon (3000/2800/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Ryoken activates the effect of Borrelsword Dragon, targeting Dragon Catapult Cannon and changing it to Defense Position. Jun activates the effect of Ojamassimilation in his GY, banishing it to shuffle the banished Ojama Black, Ojama Green, and Ojama Yellow into his Deck and then draw 1 card. Jun activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Dimension Explosion, returning Dragon Catapult Cannon to his Extra Deck to allow both players to Special Summon up to 2 of their banished monsters. Jun Special Summons Tiger Catapult (2000/2100/6) and Dragon Cannon (2800/2600/8) in Attack Position and Ryoken Special Summons 2 Sniffer Dragons (800/400/2), both in Defense Position. Jun banishes Tiger Jet and Dragon Cannon to Fusion Summon VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon (3000/2800/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Jun activates the effect of Dragon Catapult Cannon to banish Borrelsword Dragon. Jun activates the Equip Spell Card Hyper Cannon, equipping it to Dragon Catapult Cannon.
Dragon Catapult Cannon attacks Sniffer Dragon. As it declared an attack, Jun activates Dragon Catapult Cannon's effect, changing Sniffer Dragon to Attack Position. Ryoken activates his Set Trap Card Dragon's Renewal, which lets him Tribute Dragon monsters he controls and then Special Summon 1 Dragon Link Monster from his GY whose Link Rating is equal to the number of Tributed monsters. He Tributes Defrag Dragon and 2 Sniffer Dragons to Special Summon Triple Burst Dragon (2400/3/←↑↓) from his GY. A replay occurs and Dragon Catapult Cannon attacks Triple Burst Dragon (Dragon Catapult Cannon: 3000→4000). Triple Burst Dragon is destroyed (Ryoken: 2700→1100 LP) (Dragon Catapult Cannon: 4000→3000 LP). As Triple Burst Dragon left the field, it is banished. Jun ends his turn.
Turn 5: Ryoken
Ryoken draws. As he controls no monsters, he activates the effect of Background Dragon in his GY, Special Summoning it and 1 Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from his hand in Defense Position, but Background Dragon will be banished when it leaves the field. He Special Summons Background Dragon (1600/1800/5) and Gateway Dragon (1600/1400/4). Ryoken activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Rapid Trigger, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster by destroying the listed Fusion Materials on his field, but it can only attack monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck and is unaffected by activated effects from other monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. Ryoken destroys Background Dragon and Gateway Dragon to Fusion Summon Borreload Furious Dragon (3000/2500/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Background Dragon is banished as it left the field. Ryoken Normal Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800/1200/4). Ryoken activates the effect of Borreload Furious Dragon, targeting Magnarokket Dragon and Hyper Cannon. Both cards are destroyed. Ryoken activates the Set Continuous Trap Card Execute Protocols. He activates the effect of Dragon's Renewal in his GY, banishing it to return the banished Borrelsword Dragon to his GY.
Ryoken activates the effect of Execute Protocols, which lets him banish 1 Dark Link Monster from his GY to increase the ATK of 1 "Borrel" monster he controls by that monster's ATK until the end of the turn. He banishes Borrelsword Dragon and targets Borreload Furious Dragon (Borreload Furious Dragon: 3000→6000). Borreload Furious Dragon attacks and destroys Dragon Catapult Cannon (Jun: 2000→0 LP). Ryoken wins.
Jun Manjome:
Hyper Cannon Equip Spell Card
Equip only to a LIGHT Machine Fusion Monster. The equipped monster cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects, also possession of the equipped monster cannot switch. If the equipped monster battles your opponent's Special Summoned monster, it gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation only. If this card is sent to the GY because the equipped monster left the field: You can add this card to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Hyper Cannon" once per Duel.
Ojamarketing Normal Spell Card
Banish 1 "Ojama" monster from your hand, face-up field, or GY; Special Summon 1 LIGHT Machine monster from your GY with its effects negated, ignoring the summoning conditions. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot declare an attack this turn. You can only activate "Ojamarketing" once per turn.
Ryoken Kogami:
Link Barricade Normal Trap Card
Until the end of the turn, Link Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle and are unaffected by your opponent's card effects. You can banish this card and 1 Link Monster from your GY; draw 2 cards, also you cannot add cards from your Deck to your hand for the rest of the turn. You cannot activate this effect the turn this card is sent to the GY.
Borrel Ignition Equip Spell Card
Equip only to a "Borrel" monster. The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. If the equipped monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can gain LP equal to half that monster's original ATK and draw 1 card.
Dragon's Renewal Normal Trap Card
Tribute any number of Dragon monsters you control; Special Summon 1 Dragon Link Monster from your GY whose Link Rating is equal to the number of Tributed monsters, but banish it when it leaves the field. If you Tribute a Link Monster via this effect, it is treated as a number of monsters equal to its Link Rating. You can banish this card in your GY and target 1 of your banished Link Monsters; return it to your GY.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: The Fifth Circuit. Chapter 25 – Bloom into Scrap
Question of the Chapter
Since Go's in the Synchro Dimension, I suppose it's no spoiler that he'll be getting a Synchro Monster. So my question is: Should Go get a Fusion and/or Xyz Monster, and should Hanako get a Fusion and/or Synchro Monster?
Author's Notes
A big thank you to SakushiRyu for helping with this chapter's duel and the cards used. This was a fast chapter to write, mostly because it only had a single duel. I did rewrite the duel once though, as I noticed it bore a strong similarity to Ryoken's duel with the Capture Squad Captain last chapter. I wanted to show the variability in Ryoken's Deck by having him not use his Rokket monsters this time. Just as I had Jun use his V-to-Z monsters instead of his Armed Dragons.
At this point in the story, Jun and Ryoken are very similar. Both want to fight Academia and neither believes in Yusho's philosophy. This is reflected in their dueling strategies, where they both use monsters as "bullets" if you will; Ryoken with his Rokkets and Jun with the Ojamas. Though there's a key difference between the two: Ryoken is far more ruthless than Jun.
Since we're at this point in the story, let's talk about Ryoken's morality. In the VRAINS anime, Revolver was unrestrained, willing to do anything to accomplish his goal, which was killing the Ignis. To do that, he took extreme measures, the Tower of Hanoi being the largest example. Fifth Circuit's Ryoken isn't as extreme, for the simple facts that his father is still part of his life, the Ignis were never created, and he has a brother, but he is still more willing to take actions the other main characters, including Yuji, would balk at. But this willingness is because of the core of Ryoken's character, both in VRAINS and Fifth Circuit. In VRAINS, he wants to kill the Ignis to fulfill his father's legacy (yes, he believes them a danger to humanity, but his father is the more personal reason), while in Fifth Circuit, he would obliterate Academia if they hurt Yuji. At his core, to me, Ryoken is someone who cares very deeply about his family and is willing to do whatever he must for their sake.
Now that I have that mini character analysis out of the way, we also had Ryoken find out Hanako is in Academia. Sadly, we won't be continuing in this plot threat until the Synchro arc ends, as I want to finish that off first. And after the Synchro arc, we'll have the Heartland arc and, well, you'll see when we reach that point.
Thank you for reading Chapter 24 of Fifth Circuit. I can promise from now on that I won't be losing any chapters to power outages again. Why? Because I now have an uninterruptible power supply. It was expensive, but with all the storms we've been getting, it's been invaluable already. I hope you all stay safe out there.