Me: Hey…guys…um yea, sorry for the really delayed chapter but I have a really good reason!

I have a couple things that happen but the major one is that my USB drive that had all my stories finally died on me. I had to get back all of my old chapters and retype what I could remember from my dead USB drive.

The other reason is the joints in hands for some odd reason started to hurt. I was limited to typing and writing for right now until I know the reason which there is one that is I'm not getting enough sleep – insomnia! And I might I have some Asthma problems cause of my acid reflux…yay – not!

Also, I was sick as well…so yea…sorry for the delay guys. Sorry, I normally reply your reviews but I have other fanfics to update and I don't want my hands to hurt by the time I'm half way to updating the other chapters.

But I will answer one review guest. Yes, Bastion's name in Japanese is Daichi, but in Japan, saying their last name is out of respect and formal while saying their first name is less formal and family terms in a way.

Well, all side and done, onward to the story!

-Duel Academy, Card Shop-

"See yea tomorrow, Tome-san!" shouted Jaden, finishing his shift. The brunette was leaving the main building when he stopped Sho and Vante running to him. Confused, he waved, "What's going on? I thought I was supposed to meet you guys at the Slifer dorm."

"Aniki, something horrible has happened!" said Sho, dramatically.

Vante gritted his teeth, "Hayato might get expelled!"

"Huh?! Hayato expelled?!" said Jaden before dashing towards the Slifer dorm.

The trio reached to the dorms to see a bunch of Slifer students standing by Daitokuji's room. They pushed a few students to stand by the slight open door. Inside, sitting with their head dorm was a man that sort of looks like Hayato but with muscles.

Vante made a face, "I can't believe that buff guy is Hayato's father."

"You're kidding?!" said Jaden in disbelief.

"He came here in person to withdraw Hayato-kun from school and take him home – tonight!" explained Sho. Jaden frowned before the three started listening on to their conversation.

"That boy only bein' in Slifer Red is deplorable! On top of that, he's falling and has to repeat a grade! He could hardly be more of a pathetic man!" said Kumazo, Hayato's father.

"Well, that's quite something…I guess," said Daitokuji.

"Then, adandonin' being' a duelist in good grace and joinin' the family sake brewery is also th' path of a man!" said Kumazo. "Am I wrong, Sensei?"

"N-No," replied Daitokuji, waving his hands. "Ah, that's Satsuma shocku liquor, if I'm not mistaken-nya."

"Go n' help yourself, if you want," said Kumazo, happily, placing a bottle of sake on the table.

"Oh, no, no, no, I can't do that-nya," said Daitokuji.

That's when Kumazo looked serious, "So, therefore, I'm takin' Hayato back home!"

Sho whispered, "What should we do?"

Rather replying, Jaden dashed to the dorms. Sho and Vante followed the brunette to see him enter their room. When they entered, Hayato was packing.

"You're really quitting school, mate?" asked Vante.

"Sure am," replied Hayato, not turning around.

"Sure am?" repeated Jaden in disbelief.

"Well, on that note we had a short urn together, but take care," said Hayato, not facing them.

Vante gritted his teeth, "You're just giving up becoming a duelist just like that?!" He grabbed Hayato's shoulder to see his roommate crying.

"Hayato," murmured Jaden.

"You're crying?" said Sho.

"I…really never wanted to seriously become a duelist," said Hayato, whipping his tears with his sleeve. "I've felt like 'Well, guess it'd be nice to be one'…but my ideas are different now. I've been thinking of actually trying my hardest for the first time… 'and I can hear duel monster spirits…like Judai.'

"Did you say that to your dad?" asked Jaden.

Hayato shook his head, "No way, no how! My dad is really scary when he gets mad!"

"Come on," said Jaden, pulling Hayato off the floor.

The brunette requested Daitokuji to have a meeting with Samejima in order to allow Hayato to stay. Kumazo and Daitokuji were with them.

"Is there any way you can give up on expelling Hayato?" asked Jaden.

"And you are?" asked Kumazo.

"I'm one of Hayato's best friends, Judai Yuki."

"I-I'm Sho Marufuji, Hayato-kun's friend and roommate."

"And I'm Vante McKnight, Hayato's friend and roommate."

"Yuki-kun, I understand how you must feel, but this is a matter between Mr. Maeda's family," said Samejima. "For us to…"

"Fine," said Kumazo, smirking. "However, there's one condition."

Vante frowned, "Condition?"

"You're gonna duel me, Hayato," replied Kumazo as Hayato gasped. "If you beat me, we'll pretend this lil' matter never happened. But if I win, you'll come back home with me on th' double."

Sho, Vante, and Jaden turned to see Hayato glaring at his father.

Kumazo smirked, "How about it? You accept?"

"I do!" replied Hayato.

"Then, th' duel'll start tomorrow mornin'," said Kumazo. "What do you think, Mr. Principal?"

Samejima nodded, "I think it is a good way to resolve things."

With everything set, Daitokuji led his students out of Samejima's office and guided them back to the Slifer dorm.

"Well, that was unexpectedly easy, you know?" said Vante.

"But, there's the whole 'if he wins' condition," said Sho.

Vante smirked, "It's bloody obvious that Hayato is going to win. He's facing his amateur dad."

"Allow me to tell you something-nya," said Daitokuji as his students stop walking. "Hayato-kun's father is a legendary duelist who has gained fame worldwide as a master of the Satsuma Jigen-style."

"Wha?!" said Sho and Vante.

'Why does that sound…familiar?' thought Jaden.

"The Satsuma Jigen-style is a one-hit kill sword style that specializes in datotsu sword strikes. He's a frightening master of the art, said to slice his opponents in moments with his one-hit dueling that applies its secrets," explained Daitokuji.

Sho and Vante gasped in shock while Jaden widened his eyes a bit.

"So the rumors say, anyway-nya," finished Daitokuji. Sho and Vante dropped to the ground.

"If his father's that good – Hayato?" said Jaden, turning around to see his friend with a serious look. The brunette nodded, "If that's the case, we'll help you out! C'mon guys, we have a deck to rebuild!"

With permission of his dorm leader, Jaden was allowed to stay overnight to help Hayato rebuild his deck while Kumazo hanged out with Daitokuji, drinking some sake. In the morning, everyone was at the Slifer duel arena.

"Well, allow me to server as the official witness to this duel-nya," said Daitokuji. Looking over at Kumazo, "Mr. Kumazo Maeda, if you lose, you shall allow Hayato-kun to stay at this academy, right-nya?"

"My word is as good as my bond," responded Kumazo.

"Mm, Hayato-kun, if you lose, you'll gracefully drop out of from school and succeed in your family's sake brewery, okay-nya?" said Daitokuji.

"It makes no difference to me," replied Hayato.

Daitokuji nodded, "Very well, then fight with all you have, without any regrets-nya."

"Duel!"

Kumazo: 4000
Hayato: 4000

"Draw…Alright, I summon Death Koala (1100/1800)," said Hayato.

"W-What?!" said Jaden in disbelief. "He put Death Koala in attack mode?!"

"Huh? Something wrong, Aniki?" asked Sho.

Vante crossed his arms, "Death Koala is a revers effect monster."

Hayato widened his eyes upon seeing his mistake.

"You damned fool! Death Koala is a card that deals 400 points of damage for each card in the opponent's hand when it's reversed!" shouted Kumazo. He gritted his teeth, "The fact that you wasted it by summonin' it in attack mode proves you haven't studied enough!"

Hayato slumped his shoulders, "Y-You're right. I end my turn…"

"You dummy, you're gonna hurry n' quit school and come back home! My turn!" said Kumazo, drawing his card before smirking.

"Be sure to observe his mastery, you three-nya," said Daitokuji.

"Let's see his so called one-hit kill move," whispered Vante. Sho and Jaden embrace themselves.

"I summon Drunken Tiger (1800/600)," said Kumazo.

"Drunken…Tiger?" said Hayato as Jaden and the others were confused as well.

"Is that his one-hit kill?" wondered Sho.

"…Don't let its appearance fool you," said Jaden with widen eyes, then narrowing them, "It may not look it, but I'm positive it has some frightening moves."

"Drunken Tiger attacks! Dead-Drunk Punch!" ordered Kumazo. The drunken tiger destroyed the koala, leaving a pink mist behind and Hayato loses 700 life points.

Kumazo: 4000
Hayato: 3300

"Dead-Drunk…Punch?" said Jaden.

"Or in other words…" started Sho.

Vante made a face, "…a cat punch."

Kumazo laughed, "A drunken cat's punch is more than enough for you!" as his monster can't stand still, "I end my turn."

"M-My turn," said Hayato, nervously.

"Relax, you need to relax, Hayato!" supported Jaden.

"Right! Your father might not be as great as you expect!" said Sho. Kumazo glared towards them, causing Sho to hide behind Jaden.

"Hang in there, mate!" encouraged Vante.

"R-Right," said Hayato, drawing his card. "I activate the magic card, March of the Koalas! It special summons a level 4 or lower 'koala' monster from my cemetery."

The koala that was destroyed returns to the field.

"Hayato summoned another Death Koala in attack mode!" said Sho.

"It's okay," said Jaden. "March of the Koala has another effect."

"Indeed, it does," said Daitokuji. "It can special summon a monster identical to the monster special summoned from the cemetery from your hand-nya."

"I special summon Death Koala from my hand!" said Hayato as another koala appeared on his field. "Next, I sacrifice both Death Koalas to summon Big Koala (2700/2000)!"

"Well, I'll be," murmured Kumazo, feeling slightly worried.

"Here I go dad! Big Koala attack Drunken Tiger! Surekill Eucalyptus Bomb!" ordered Hayato. The big blue koala picked up the tiger and throw him to the ground. Kumazo lost 900 life points.

Kumazo: 3100
Hayato: 3300

"I end my turn," said Hayato.

"Way to go, Hayato!" said Jaden, happily.

"Nice!" cheered Sho.

"Keep it up, mate!" said Vante.

"It's not over yet! My turn!" said Kumazo, drawing his card. "I summon Drunken Angel (1800/400)!" A drunken angel spirit appeared, holding a bottle and shouted 'Awright!'

"Another drunkard?" said Hayato.

"Whazzat? I ain't drunk just yet, bro!" argued Angel. Jaden and Hayato widen their eyes.

That's when Yubel appeared next to Jaden, angrily. She gritted her teeth, "That bastard…he's always drunk – all of them are!"

Jaden sighed with a sweat-drop going down.

"Next, I play the permanent magic, One Bottle of Sake!" said Kumazo. A bottle of sake appeared on his field, making Angel to widen his eyes with joy. "And then, I play the permanent magic, Flipping the Table!"

Suddenly, Hayato and his father were standing on a large table. That's when Kumazo grab the edge of the table and toss it to the air, causing Big Koala and the bottle of sake to be destroyed.

Kumazo laughed, "See that? Flipping the Table destroys all other cards on my field and then destroys that many cards on my opponent's field! It's a One-hit kill card!"

Sho sighed, "So, that's what 'One-Hit Kill' meant?"

"This move has nothing to do with the Satsuma Jigen-style then," said Jaden, disappointedly.

Vante made an annoyed face, "Basically, it's an almost unfair reset move."

"You're always like this when something goes against your interest, dad!" argued Hayato.

Kumazo laughed, "There's nothing that won't let the head of the house get his way!" as Angel was swinging back and forth.

"Huh? Didn't Flipping the Table destroyed Drunken Angel?" wondered Hayato.

Kumazo smirked, "You're too naïve, boy. Drunken Angel's effect prevents him to be destroyed by Flipping the Table's effect."

"What?!" shouted Hayato and Vante.

"That heck? That sake bottle disappeared?" said Angel, looking around.

"Also, by destroying the magic card, One Bottle of Sake and sending it to the cemetery, its effect activates," said Kumazo. "You receive 500 points of damage."

Suddenly, Hayato was surrounded by a pink mist. He covered his nose, "Reeks of alcohol!"

Kumazo: 3100
Hayato: 2800

"Brace yourself, Hayato! Drunken Angel, attack directly! Bottle of Cannon!" ordered Kumazo.

"Go buy me some booze!" shouted Angel, using the bottle as a cannon and Hayato loses 1800 life points.

Kumazo: 3100
Hayato: 1000

Sho and Vante gasped to see how much damage their roommate took while Jaden had a slight serious look on his face.

"I'm not done yet!" said Hayato with determination.

Jaden smiled, 'That's it, Hayato. Don't give up just yet.'

'Hmph…this is turnin' out to be pretty good,' thought Kumazo with a slight pride. "I'm endin' my turn!"

Petting his cat, Daitokuji smiled, "Only 1000 life points left. This will be a do-or-die situation for Hayato-kun-nya."

"My turn," said Hayato, drawing his card that Sho gave him last night.

Flashback:

"Right! Then, I'll give you this, It was in a pack I bought the other day, but I can't use it," said Sho.

"And you're giving it to me?" asked Hayato in disbelief.

"If you add this kangaroo to your koalas, you'll have an Australian deck," said Sho.

Flashback ends.

'I…don't want to leave this school!' thought Hayato. "I activate the magic card, Silent Dead! It can special summon a Normal monster from my cemetery! I call back Big Koala!" The big blue koala appeared in defense mode.

'I don't want to leave just yet!' thought Hayato, seriously. "Next, I activate the magic card, fusion!"

Kumazo gritted his teeth, slightly.

"I fuse Big Koala with Death Kangaroo in my hand to summon Master of Oz (4200/3700)!" said Hayato.

'That card,' thought Kumazo, recalling what he heard last night.

Flashback:

Upon hearing his son and his friends, Kumazo walked to his son's dorm room and carefully, he opened the door slightly.

"Right then, take this. Its attack points are 4200. Use it well, and I know for sure you are going to win!" said Jaden.

"You're giving me an awesome card like that?" asked Hayato.

"I – We want you to win. We're friends now and it will be lonely without you here if you went back home," said Jaden.

Outside, Kumazo saw something he never thought he'll see again; his son smiling – a true smile.

Flashback ends.

Instead of smirking or looking down at his son, Kumazo had a small smile.

'I don't want to be away from my new friends!' thought Hayato. "Master of Oz attack Drunken Angel! Ayers Rocky!" The big green koala throws a punch at Angel, destroying it. Kumazo lost a huge amount of life points, 2400.

Kumazo: 700
Hayato: 1000

"700 points left! He was so close!" said Sho.

"Bloody hell, this duel is intense," said Vante.

'He's not letting him win so easily, is he?' thought Jaden.

"Hayato! I applaud you for runnin' me down this far…but you're losing this duel!" said Kumazo.

"Quit bluffing. I have my Master of Oz out!" said Hayato.

"Did you forget that I have Flipping the Table? Your monster will be destroyed no matter how high or low its attack points are!" said Kumazo.

"Then what'll you do after that?" questioned Hayato, causing his father to frown. "I know 'bout it – Flipping the Table's demerit!"

"Huh? Flipping the Table's demerit?" said Jaden.

"After using Flipping the Table's effect, you can't summon a monster," revealed Hayato as his father gritted his teeth. "As long as you end your turn, unable to summon a monster after using Flipping the Table – on my next turn, your field will be wide open, dad!"

"…not a bad hunch…you're impressed me quite a bit," said Kumazo, drawing his card. "But I'm not finished yet! You're about a million years too early to go n' surpass me! I play Two Bottles of Sake!"

"When One Bottle of Sake is destroyed, it deducts 500 points…so two Bottles…." said Sho, counting his fingers.

"He had the other one reserve?!" said Vante.

"I activate Flipping the Table!" said Kumazo, tossing the table and destroying the two bottles and Hayato's monster. "Due to Two Bottles of Sake bein' destroyed and send to the cemetery the opposing player's dealt a total of 1000 points of damage!"

Hayato covered his nose as the pink mist surrounds him.

Kumazo: 700
Hayato: 0

"Hayato lost!" said Sho, sadly.

"Damn it!" said Vante.

"Hayato," murmured Jaden.

Hayato slumped onto the floor, sadly. His father stood there before leaving. Back at the Slifer dorm, Hayato was finishing packing as his friends came in.

"Are you really going?!" said Sho.

"You can't. You just starting to enjoy dueling!" said Vante.

"I promised, so I have no choice," said Hayato, sadly.

Sho was about to argue but Jaden stopped him. "A promise is a promise, guys," said the brunette before given a smile to Hayato. "Just make sure you take care."

"You guys too!" said Hayato, sobbing. "Well, I'd better get going. Don't want my dad to wait."

Vante sighed, "We'll go with you mate."

Outside by the bridge, instead seeing his father it was Daitokuji.

"Um, where's my dad?" asked Hayato.

"He went home on his own-nya," replied Daitokuji, confusing Hayato. That's when he took out a letter, "Before he left, he asked me to give this to you."

Hayato took the letter and started reading it.

This time…I'll forgive you out of consideration for your friends. You should take good care of those friends 'a yours.

Tearing up, Hayato started to run while shouting 'Dad!'

Stopping at the cliff, Hayato shouted, "Dad! I'm…I'm going to get even stronger! And mark my words, no matter what, I'll beat you!"

Jaden, Vante and Sho stood behind Hayato, watching a small boat fade away. That's when Jaden realize if he'll be able to beat his own father, taking the title as the Duel King of Duel Monsters.

'The time will come…and I'll be ready,' thought Jaden.

-Break Line-

Next Chapter: Tag Team Trial, Part 1