Chapter 23: Gong with the Wind Part 1

On the outskirts of Paradise City, Gong sat in his family's dojo, deep in concentration. His father walked in, nodding in approval of his son's discipline.

"My son, you have done me proud. Not only have you kept our family tradition alive, but you have honed your dueling skills to their peak. You will make a fine pro duelist one day."

"Yes. But in order to do that, Gong needs to enter the Arc League Championship."

"Have you decided who your final opponent shall be?"

Gong opened his eyes, a fire lit like no other.

"I know exactly who it'll be. And I know that he feels the same way."

(Yuya's house)

Yuya yawned and stretched his arms out, ready to start the day. After a quick breakfast, he headed out the door.

"Bye mom, I'm headed to You Show now!"

"See you later, sweetie! Hope you can find someone to duel today!"

Yuya hadn't taken five steps out the door when an arrow flung past him, missing his head by inches. After regaining his wits, Yuya inspected it, finding a note wrapped around the tip. Unwinding it, he read it aloud.

"Yuya, there's something I need to discuss with you. Come to my family's dojo at 10 AM. Gong. Wonder what this is all about?"

Glancing at the time, Yuya decided to make his way there. Whatever it was, he would find out soon.

He reached the Strong Dojo in 30 minutes, the guards bowing to him at the door, which he returned. Making his way into the dojo, he found the students lining the walls up to the center of the room, where Gong stood proud.

"Hey Gong, what's up?"

"Yuya...You need one more duel to enter the tournament, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"I only need one more win to enter as well..."

Yuya's eyes went wide when he realized what Gong was getting at.

"Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying!"

"I am. Yuya Sakaki, I challenge you to a duel! Winner moves on to the Arc League Championship!"

Yuya's shock was soon replaced with a confident grin.

"Gong Strong, I accept your challenge!"

After a few minutes to prepare their decks, both duelists met in the dueling room, bowing to each other out of respect.

"Gong, no matter what happens, you're still my best friend."

"I feel the same way, but don't think Gong will go easy on you. Gong's going all out!"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

With a blinding light, the room around them changed into a deserted battlefield strewn with discarded swords. This was Sword's Cemetery, the signature field of the Strong Dojo.

"Duelists locked in battle..."

"Kicking the Earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters, they storm through this field!"

"Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of dueling! Action..."

DUEL!

Gong: 4000

Yuya: 4000

"I normal summon Superheavy Samurai Magnet (900/1900) in attack mode! And by switching him to defense mode, I can special summon another one from my hand. Normally, you could only attack my Magnet, but since I have two, you can't attack at all! I end my turn."

"Not bad Gong, but I can do better. First, I'll activate Forbidden Chalice. Now one of your Magnets loses its effects in exchange for gaining 400 attack points (900-1300). Next, I summon Performapal Silver Claw in attack mode! Now Silver Claw attacks the Magnet that still has its effects, and since it gains 300 attack points, your monster bites the dust!"

Silver Claw pounced, ripping a huge chunk out of the robot before returning to Yuya's side, allowing him to climb aboard.

"I set two cards face down and end my turn. Your move, Gong!"

With that, Yuya took off in search of Action Cards. Gong smiled as he drew his next card.

"Good play, Yuya, but this duel is far from over. I summon Superheavy Samurai Flutist! But he won't be here for long, because by tributing him I can special summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei from my hand! Now Magnet, attack his Silver Claw!"

Yuya tried to escape, but the Magnet robot was drawing him closer with his magnetic force. Spotting an Action Card hanging from a dead tree, he leapt off Silver Claw, grabbing it just as Silver Claw exploded from a punch.

Yuya: 3900

This card won't help me now, but maybe I can use it later.

"Now Big Benkei, attack Yuya directly!"

"Not so fast Gong, I activate Performapal Call! Now your attack is negated and I can add two Performapals to my hand, like Skullcrobat Joker and Drummerilla."

"Don't think you're out of the woods yet, Yuya. I'll end my turn."

"Get ready Gong, because I'm turning up the heat! First, I'll activate Card of Sanctity! I summon my Joker to add Performapal Partnaga to my hand. Next, with the scale 3 Performapal Partnaga and the scale 8 Performapal Celestial Magician, I set the Pendulum Scale! Come forth, Performapal Drummerilla and Odd Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Next, I activate my face down, Meteorain! Now all of my monsters can inflict Piercing damage this turn."

"Uh oh."

"Uh oh is right, because next I'll use Partnaga's Pendulum ability! Now Odd Eyes gains 300 attack for every Performapal on the field, so that's 600 points (2500-3100). Now Drummerilla, attack his Magnet! And just to make sure his attack hits, I'll use his effect to give him 600 attack points (1600-2200)."

The musical monkey pounced, banging on the mechanical monster until it was nothing but scrap metal, the blowback barely even fazing Gong.

Gong: 3700

"Now Odd Eyes, take out his Big Benkei! But first, I'll use Extreme Sword to give him 1000 attack points (3100-4100)! You asked for my best, and I'm giving it to you. Spiral Flame Strike!"

Yuya's attack hit, covering the battlefield in smoke. But when the dust settled, Big Benkei still stood, albeit 800 defense points lower.

Gong: 900

"Good thing I had my Soulfire Suit. Now Big Benkei is still alive. Nice try, but Gong ain't going down just yet!"

"I expected no less. I set one card facedown and end my turn there."

Gong smirked when he saw what card he had drawn. Time to throw Yuya for a loop.

"I summon my Superheavy Samurai Trumpeter (300/600) in attack mode! And do you know what makes him so special? That's because he's a tuner monster!"

"WHAT?! You don't mean..."

"That's right, my level 2 Trumpeter tunes with my level 8 Big Benkei in order to Synchro Summon! Come on out, Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo (2400/3800) in defense mode!"

The ground shook as a mountain of a machine landed on the ground, dwarfing even Big Benkei easily. Yuya could only gape in awe and fear and Gong smirked.

"I told you Gong wasn't going to hold back. Meet the evolution of the Heavystrong Dueling Style!"