Dueling waterside, Kaiba Seto surmises, Jounouchi Katsuya is a hasty duelist. He plays too many cards without a second thought. Jounouchi will learn in due time, including right now, that his skill is no match for Kaiba. He should have thought just as carefully about picking a fight with him if he didn't want to end up as a guinea pig.

Duelist Kingdom was not a tournament for Kaiba, but a rescue mission. It seems it might be for Jounouchi as well, something about his sister and her eyesight. But nothing will get in the way of rescuing Mokuba, including competition.

The philosophy may have worked for Yugi, but Kaiba hasn't seen enough to change anything so hastily.

XXX

When he reaches the docks and see's a possessed Jounouchi dueling Yugi, Kaiba can only think that this is the end result of what he's thought all along. No one is your comrade. You alone can rely on yourself.

But Jounouchi breaks free of his mind control. The power of their friendship having been the catalyst. Kaiba can scarcely believe it. So, he doesn't, and thinks it must be a poor excuse for mind control. But even he isn't convinced.

Regardless, Jounouchi fights to save Yugi after calling a draw, at the expense of saving himself. These fools were dedicated to their friendship far greater than anyone Kaiba's seen. But when he witnesses Jounouchi's little sister dive into the water to save Jounouchi, he is reminded of Mokuba and his fierce spirit. Maybe the power of a bond is worth protecting after all.

XXX

The competition has left Kaiba worn and exhausted in a way he didn't expect. He'd lost to Yugi. A bitter enough defeat. But he'd also had to confront Guzaburo's influence on him. And Kaiba is tired of hearing about the old man. But he isn't done until Mokuba too reminds him after his duel for bronze with Jounouchi that, he misses the big brother who use to smile and cherish their dreams. And Kaiba knows things have gone too far.

Maybe Jounouchi was a poor duelist, but he had a point that he needed to have some fun. The blonde still seemed intent on pursuing him as a friend and competitor though, and Kaiba found this strangely comforting. An old dog trying to learn new tricks. And as he teases them for thinking he's anything but fighting and alive, he leaves the island with a refreshed spirit.

XXX

In the boat on their way to the Pharaoh's tomb, Jounouchi deems himself a worthy opponent of Atem. Kaiba Seto may be warming to the idea of friendship, but he will hold fast to the fact that he is the superior duelist, and he isn't afraid to say it with a hand block to Jounouchi's face. They've become comfortable enough for such gestures now.

Yugi is of course the one to duel Atem. It makes the most sense. But Kaiba is again left wondering why he has agreed to come along, when the realization dawns on him, not for the first time, that these people see him as a comrade. Though prior, he would have scoffed at this and tossed it aside, they have bred a certain familiarity.

Kaiba knows he's been hanging around them much longer than he'd thought though, when he starts to regard Anzu as bold and Jounouchi as humorous and even brave, as his idiot 'friends' seemed notorious for finding themselves in danger. And maybe that's exactly what he'll settle on for his appraisal. But he'd be hard pressed to admit that to any of them.