Turn 2:
The Iron Knight strikes
MORNING - AT YUKIMURA'S PLACE
"An S-Class battler called Hidetaka? I never heard of him..."
Kanna shook her head at Yukimura's question. Apparently, after she and Sasuke fell asleep, Yukimura went out in the night and was challenged by this Hidetaka, who Kanna knew nothing about.
"Sorry, Yukimura." she said. "It would be my job to help you with this kind of information, but I know nothing of this battler."
"Don't sweat it!" Yukimura smiled. "I had a fight with Hidetaka and he's very good!"
"Then I hope you two will have another fight someday." Kanna nodded with a smile.
"Are you two talking about me?"
"EEEEEEHHHHHH!?"
Yukimura and Kanna screamed in unison at the sudden voice behind them, causing them both to jump. As they turned around, they saw none other then Hidetaka, an embarrassed expression on his face.
"Oh, sorry." he chuckled with a wave of his hand. "I heard my name and didn't think of making myself be known. My bad..."
"N-No problem..." Yukimura smiled wryly.
"You must be Hidetaka." Kenna pointed out. She made a little bow at the teen. "My name is Kuroda Kanna, Yukimura's traveling companion. Happy to make your acquaintances."
"The same." Hidetaka made a bow as well.
"What are you doing here, Hidetaka?" Yukimura asked.
The teen in question shrugged and smiled. "I wanted to know if you're free today." he told, extracting his Deck Case. "For a battle, that is."
"Of course!" Yukimura nodded. "However, I already made a promise I would fight somebody else. You'll have to wait in line, Hidetaka."
"You accepted the challenge. That's enough." Hidetaka chuckled and placed his Deck Case away inside his hoodie. "Well, where's this person?"
"Oh, here he comes now." Yukimura noticed a person walking in their direction. "I was waiting, Sasuke! Let's go!"
Sasuke, who just arrived at their location, tilted his head. "Go where?" he asked.
"To the Stadium, of course!" Yukimura smirked. "Today, our match will be a 3D one."
"3D battle!?" Sasuke's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really!? Alright!"
"You are..." Hidetaka's words caught Sasuke's attention. "...The boy who tried to challenge Toshiie to a fight."
"And you... you were there to see Yukimura against Toshiie." Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. "Who are you?"
"My name is Hidetaka." he introduced himself. "I'm Yukimura's..." Hidetaka turned to the red-haired teen. "Um... what?"
Sasuke made an anime-fall at that. "If you don't know yourself...!" he muttered and stood up.
"We're rivals!" Yukimura finished for him. "After all, we still have to make our Key Spirits clash, remember?"
"Oh, of course." Hidetaka grinned. "Since we're all here, let's get moving."
"Yeah!" Yukimura nodded.
TIME SKIP: FIVE MINUTES LATER - AT MUSASHI'S STADIUM
"How unexpected to meet you people here, in a place like this..."
Gunjou Souun commented dryly upon noticing the other Province rulers arrive at the Stadium. She narrowed her eyes at Yoshiko, Yurin, Nagayoshi, and last but not least, the person she was once sided with, Houryokuin Kanetsugu. Each one of them had numerous members of their gangs with them, except Yurin, who was all alone.
"By unexpected, you must mean totally expected." Yurin shook his head with a sly smile.
"The two fighters who control two port cities..." Kanetsugu spoke up, eyeing Souun and Yurin, and gave a smile himself. "If that wasn't enough, the angel princess of the skies and ruler of two Provinces..." he added, glancing at Yoshiko and Nagayoshi. "What business do you all have in Musashi?"
"I believe we all know each other's motives..." Nagayoshi pointed out.
"If we're all here, that means word spreads out quickly in Japan." Yoshiko said.
"I heard that Homura Toshiie, who rules over this Province, was defeated by another Red user," Souun explained. "Perhaps you all came here because you heard the same thing?"
"Of course..." Nagayoshi closed his eyes.
"It was obvious." Yurin told. "Then, what do you intend to do, princess?"
"You know that already, Susuida." Souun scoffed. "I have only one objective: it is to battle the man who defeated Toshiie."
"That objective and mission is mine, Gunjou." Yoshiko stepped forward, glaring at Souun, who gladly did the same. "The one to take over Musashi will be me, Tenshi Yoshiko! I won't let this new chance be taken away from me."
"You should calm down..." Nagayoshi interrupted them. "After all, I didn't come all the way here empty-handed."
"Smart aleck is right." Yurin told, earning a glare from him. "I too came here for a reason, and I won't fail to seize my fangs on it."
"Perhaps everyone's ulterior motive is to spread their color influence in this town upon succeeding?" Kanetsugu spoke up, catching everyone's attention.
"Aren't you talking about yourself?" Yoshiko asked.
"Nan-da?"
"Now that Toshiie, whom your control of Musashi is split with, was defeated," Souun explained. "You see this as a once in a lifetime chance to make your Green color stand above all."
"What's wrong with that!?" one of Kanetsugu's gang members said. "This is Musashi's concern!"
"It's none of your business, outsiders!" another one added. "Get out of here!"
"What did you say!?" someone behind Souun exclaimed.
"How could you make those kinds of remark to our princess!" one of Yoshiko's members shouted.
"Our leader will you give a good beating!" one of Nagayoshi's gang members told.
Suddenly, gang members of Yurin seemingly stepped out of shadows that were behind him, standing in formation behind their boss.
"Susuida-sama will be the one to do so." one of them remarked.
"What was that!? You wanna fight!" somebody from Kanetsugu's side yelled.
As they started a riot, on the street's other side, Sasuke's friends were watching the event unfold with shocked faces.
"Are you serious?" Taichi asked. "All the other rulers are here as well!?"
"Something really bad is happening, isn't it?" Takuma gulped.
"Hey! Taichi! Yuya! Takuma! What are you doing here?"
The three sweatdropped upon seeing Sasuke and the others walking in their direction. They quickly ran to them, stopping them from advancing.
"Wait! You don't want to go there!" Yuya said.
"It will be trouble if they find you!" Taichi added.
"They?" Hidetaka inquired, and they all glanced to the other side, seeing the gangs shouting at each other.
Sasuke gasped. "The five rulers all in one place!? Why are they here!?"
"They must of heard Yukimura defeated Toshiie..." Hidetaka thought out loud. "It seems you are a wanted man, rival."
"That's not a problem." Yukimura assured him with a smirked.
"Those five are S-Class battlers who use different colors," Kanna explained. "You're so lucky, you didn't even need to ask for it, Yukimura."
"Yeah, chances like this are why I came to Musashi!" the red-haired teen nodded before running towards the gangs.
"Eh? Yukimura, where are you going!?"
Ignoring Sasuke's shout, Yukimura ran forward and stopped on the other side of the road, staring directly at the five S-Class battlers.
"The man you're looking for is right here!" Yukimura shouted, catching their attention. "I'll accept challenges from anyone!"
"Then you are..."
"The man who defeated Toshiie." Kanetsugu finished Souun's sentence.
"Yes! My name is Rekka Yukimura!" he introduced himself. "The man who rules the Battle Spirits world!"
"What was that?" Yoshiko frowned.
"Rule the Battle Spirits world...?" Nagayoshi wondered in confusion.
"And I thought I was too cocky!" Yurin sighed in exasperation.
"So, which one of you will be my first opponent!" Yukimura asked.
"WAIT A MINUTE!" Sasuke cried out, prompting everyone to stop. "Don't mess around, Yukimura!" he shouted and ran up to his friend. "You promised to battle with me today!"
"Right, I did!" Yukimura realized and smiled in embarrassment. "Uh, sorry..."
"What are you talking about!?" Souun questioned.
"You can't just rouse us up and end this!" Kanetsugu said.
"That small fry can wait." a member of Yurin's gang told.
"You're going to battle Kanestugu-sama, Yukimura!"
"What do you mean 'small fry'!?" Sasuke snapped. "Now you got me mad! In that case, I'll be your opponent! If you want to battle with Yukimura, first you've got to defeat me!"
"Sasuke..." Yukimura muttered in shock.
"Oi, wait." Hidetaka placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Sasuke, you weren't able to defeat a gang member of Toshiie's group, and yet you want to fight all of the five Province rulers? Once after the other? That's crazy, you won't be able to survive."
Yurin's eyes narrowed at the teen. "That boy... isn't he..."
"Nonsense!" Sasuke shouted. "I can and I will! So, who's first!"
"I'm not going to waste my energy on this useless battle." Yurin shook his head as his subordinates vanished from the shadows they came from.
"Not to mention, whoever goes first, will show the others their skills." Yoshiko pointed.
"Putting them at a great disadvantage..." Nagayoshi added.
"I will do it." Souun stepped forward. "However, in turn, I will be the first to battle Yukimura when I win."
"A good drawback." Kanetsugu smiled and they all nodded.
After that, everyone entered the Stadium and Souun fought Sasuke. By using a magnificent combination of Nexus and Deck Destruction, Souun was able to send all cards from Sasuke's deck to his Trash. When a player's deck reaches zero, it's the same as losing a fight, thus Souun was able to win.
The Homura gang appeared out of the blue, urging the other gangs to leave their Stadium. Souun accepted this, and everyone moved over to the top of a large building in Musashi. The two battlers took distance on a heliport and summoned a battlefield.
That's what two S-Class battlers can do: no matter where or when they can summon a battlefield to their disposal.
Souun never lost her composure throughout the entire match, surprising Yukimura. Moreover, her Deck Destruction proved to be quite powerful, and it managed to destroy his Sengoku-Gurendragon before it could appear. However, Yukimura didn't give up and managed to draw his Key Spirit, The Sengoku Dragon Souldragon, and defeat Souun with its amazing Consecutive Blade ability!
"So that's his Key Spirit, huh... Sengoku Dragon Souldragon..." Hidetaka thought in interest. He let loose of a wide grin. "Rekka Yukimura, my Key Spirit will profoundly enjoy killing it."
"Rekka Yukimura!" Souun addressed the victor. "It appears I still have much to learn. However, one day I will stand before you again, and that will surely be the day you sink into the blue abyss."
That being said, she turned around and walked away, followed by her gang.
"Sure!" Yukimura smiled at her words. "Come at me any time! I'll be waiting! So, who will be my next opponent!?"
He turned to the other rulers who were watching on adjacent rooftops. They all exchanged quick glances, and Yurin stepped forward.
"That challenge...will be accepted by–none of us." he told.
"Eh?" Yukimura blinked twice, confused. "What do you mean?"
"It should be obvious we can't come to an agreement without a drawback," Nagayoshi explained. "That's why you'll be the one to decide who to fight, Rekka Yukimura."
"He can decide who to challenge?" Sasuke muttered.
"The location where we rule is easy to find among the public." Yoshiko said. "You're going to come to our hometown and challenge us there!"
"Interesting." Yukimura smirked and nodded, seeming excited. "I accept those conditions!"
"Eh!?"
"That's not fair!"
"How do we know where and when the fights will take place!?"
Were the shouts of the public, who didn't seem happy with the ruler's choice.
"The reason we do these fights isn't to entertain the public." Kanetsugu spoke up. "We do it to decide the strongest in Japan!"
"For the public, it's enough if they know the winner." Yurin said. "So, Rekka Yukimura, we'll be waiting for you with open arms!"
That said, they all walked away, leaving everyone's replies unanswered...
TIME SKIP: THE NEXT MORNING - AT YUKIMURA'S PLACE
"What could I take out...?"
Yukimura wondered as he, Kanna, and Hidetaka stared at the cards of his deck spread on a roundtable at their lodging. After the rulers left, they did the same and called it a day, saying they'll worry about stuff tomorrow. Now, the three were trying to strengthen Yukimura's deck but with no luck.
"Everything fits in well..." Hidetaka commented, scratching the back of his head. "Maybe you should try to add more Wall cards, like Burst Wall."
"Burst Wall is a good card indeed, however, Yukimura's cards are only Red, meaning he'll have to pay 4 Cores to use it." Kanna pointed out. "That's why he doesn't play that many copies of it."
"In that case, what about Fire Wall?"
"Fire Wall?" Kanna muttered at Hidetaka's suggestion. "That could work since it has two Red cost reductions... but, you would have to destroy a Red Spirit in order to apply its effect. It's a double-edged sword because you leave yourself wide open but stop the enemy's assault."
"What about taking out this card and replacing it with Fire Wall?" Hidetaka held up The Fierce Dragon Castle, a Red Nexus. "Since Yukimura already has other cards which increase BP and majority of his Spirits have the True Clash ability, this card could be switched."
"A good observation." Kanna smiled and turned to her friend. "Yukimura, what do you think?"
The person in question blinked, glancing at the two with a sheepish smile.
"Um, sorry. I wasn't paying attention..."
Kanna sighed in exasperation. "Were you thinking of the rulers?" she asked.
"Yeah..." Yukimura nodded.
"Honestly, that was such a let-down yesterday, with the leaders." Taichi, who was fighting Sasuke at a nearby table with Yuya and Takuma watching, pointed out. "After beating the formidable Souun, next, he was going to battle Kanetsugu... is what we thought."
"Watching Yukimura battle probably scared them away." Yuya told.
"I don't think they got scared." Hidetaka said. "They made a tactical retreat."
"Tactical retreat?" Takuma parroted, confused.
"After witnessing their new opponent's strength," Kanna explained. "They slipped away to meditate and think on what they saw. Surely, they're preparing their decks with which they'll fight Yukimura."
"So there was more to it..." Yuya realized.
"Moreover, I don't think those four aren't the type of people who'd get scared." Sasuke pointed out.
"What type of people are these rulers?" Yukimura asked intrigued.
"When the Battle Spirits boom started spreading in this country, because of how popular it was in Musashi, a lot of battlers came here." Sasuke told. "Among them were many outlaws and the west district, in particular, was devastated by them. Then, he defeated them with his overwhelming strength, and just like a hurricane, Houryokuin Kanetsugu took control of West Musashi."
"He took out the outlaws with his power?" Yukimura asked.
"Yeah." Sasuke nodded. "And at the same time, someone's influence was growing in East Musashi: Homura Toshiie. They were both draw to the other and clashed in countless battles. However, Kanetsugu and Toshi had even power, and as long as they couldn't reach a settlement, they chose to split the territory between east and west. That's why Musashi is controlled by two powers."
"A battler who's even with Toshi?" Yukimura smirked. "That makes me want to fight him even more! And what about the other rulers, for example, Yurin?"
"Yurin is the leader of the Susuida gang and ruler of the Izumo Province, which is near the Sea of Japan," Takuma explained. "When the Battle Spirits boom started, he and his group took control of Izumo in the blink of an eye! It was said he struck fear into the hearts of his enemies by using a Purple deck, and like a shadow, he appeared out of nowhere and became a leader. He barely accepts challenges or walks in the light, so there's little information on him among the public."
"After him, there's Hogo Nagayoshi, a White user and ruler of two Provinces, Settsu and Awa." Hidetaka continued. "He was born at a small village in Awa, and slowly but surely, he was able to take control of Awa. Then, with the Battle Spirits boom, he went over to Settsu, the homeland where his parents are said to be born at, and gained control of it as well."
"For him to control two Provinces..." Yukimura narrowed his eyes. "He must be strong. Very strong, huh?"
Kanna nodded. "Lastly, there's Tenshi Yoshiko, who uses Yellow and rules the Echizen Province. By using an overwhelming strategy focusing on BP reduction, she quickly gained control over her homeland, Echizen, and obtained the title 'the angel princess of the skies' because everyone thought she was like an angel who appeared from the sky to pass judgment on Earth."
"These will be hard fights, rival." Hidetaka told.
"Yeah, I know." Yukimura nodded with a smirk. "But I can't back down, can I? The only question left is in which order I'll fight them."
"I suggest we go in this order." Hidetaka took out a map from his hoodie and showed it to everyone. "First, we'll take care of what's left Musashi, namely Kanetsugu." he placed a finger on Musashi before moving it to Awa. "After that, we go to Awa and take care of Nagayoshi."
He moved his finger to Izumo. "Then, being the closest Province which has a ruler, we'll go Izumo and fight Yurin. The time we make our way to each Province and back to Musashi, we can safely say I'll take a day, so tomorrow..." Hidetaka trailed his finger back to Musashi and to Echizen. "...the angel princess will be defeated."
"That sounds good." Sasuke and his friends nodded.
"Alright, it's decided!" Yukimura stood up and bowled his fists. "Houryokuin Kanetsugu will be our first target!"
TIME SKIP - ON THE PLAINS OF EAST MUSASHI
The wind blew strong on the plains, continuously swaying the grass and the trees' leaves from left to right, and not making anyone's hair standstill as they walked amidst nature.
"How can there be a Stadium here?" Kanna wondered, turning to Hidetaka, who was trying to hold a map. "Are you sure this is the right way?"
"Um... a moment please." Hidetaka said through gritted teeth, trying to hold the map still. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind flew by, causing the map to launch out of the teen's hands.
"THE MAP!" Sasuke and his friends exclaimed in horror, seeing the piece of paper fly away.
"Maybe we shouldn't have taken a shorter route..." Yukimura muttered. "Now we're lost."
"Don't worry. I memorized the position before the map flew away!" Hidetaka said confidently, pointing ahead. "It's that way!"
"Well, okay..." Kanna slowly nodded. "But after that?"
Hidetaka's cheeks turned a little red. "Uhhh... we ask for help!" he stated.
"You said you memorized it!" Sasuke pointed out, and Hidetaka scratched the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.
"I guess for now we just walk ahead." Yukimura said.
"The route up ahead is closed because of wild animals' presence, Rekka Yukimura."
As the group turned their heads in the direction from which the sudden voice came, they saw Kanetsugu walking towards them with his gang.
"W-Wild animals...?" Yuya, Taichi, and Takuma gulped in unison, thinking what animal could've attacked them if it wasn't for Kanetsugu stopping them.
"What are you doing here, Houryokuin Kanetsugu?" Sasuke inquired.
"A subordinate of mine saw you take this route, and I decided where our battle will take place." Kanetsugu said. He folded his arms and his coat was being blown back by the wind. "Here, that is. This way, no-one will interfere when we fight."
"I'll fight anywhere if I get to battle a strong opponent." Yukimura smiled. "Show me your power, Houryokuin Kanetsugu!"
"Then let's begin." the other told. He raised his left arm and extracted his deck from its case, which was tied around his bicep. Kanetsugu pointed it at the sky as the eyes of the miniature-insect attached to it flashed yellow. "Come! God of the early summer breeze!"
Yukimura did the same and shouted. "Come! Dragon of the soaring sky!"
As their battle machines appeared from the distance and took their second forms, the two battlers jumped onto them and started the battle. Using the specialty of the Green color, Core Boost, and The Hornet King Fong-Need, Kanetsugu was able to corner Yukimura, and with The Blowing Whirlwind nexus, he combined an attack and defense battle formation.
Kanetsugu then revealed the reason why battle and his "Battle Spirits love", the feelings with which he fights. He tried to end the fight by using a second Fong-Need, but Yukimura's Souldragon and its Consecutive Blade were able to defeat him first.
"Alright!" Sasuke and his friends cheered in victory.
"The Soul Core can decide the outcome of a battle." Kanna commented. "It's truly a victory of the soul."
"Thanks to the Soul Core, he was able to defend with Samurai-Dragon's Awaken, and end the battle with Souldragon's Consecutive Blade." Hidetaka pointed out. "Yukimura has to thank the Soul Core for this victory."
"You were just lucky!"
"In your next fight, Kanetsugu-sama will definitively-"
"Stop it." Kanetsugu stopped his subordinates, who were addressing the winner. "Rekka Yukimura, your feelings have indeed been carved into my body. I look forward to the next time we meet."
He smiled after that and started walking away. His gang followed him afterwards, however, one of them said another thing before leaving.
"If his Key Spirit came, Kanetsugu-sama would have won!"
This caught everyone off guard.
"His Key Spirit?" Sasuke muttered. "Then, Fong-Need wasn't..."
"He had a stronger Spirit than that?" Kanna narrowed her eyes.
"Hoh, now that made things even more interesting." Hidetaka grinned.
"Three down, three more to go!" Yukimura shouted, jumping down from his battle machine. "Now, Hogo Nagayoshi is next on the list!"
"Yeah!" they exclaimed with a nod.
TIME SKIP: SOME HOURS LATER - AT THE AWA PROVINCE
"So this is the Awa Province, huh?"
Yukimura thought out loud as he stared outside the window of a bus they took after exiting a train station. They were currently on the Tosanaka Highway, going towards the north of the Naka District in the Tokushima Prefecture, the birthplace of Nagayoshi.
"It isn't a shabby place." Kanna pointed out from beside him, looking out of the window as well, seeing several green hills and trees, the sun's light giving further beauty to everything.
"I wouldn't mind coming here to spend a vacation!" Takuma added as he straightened his glasses, Yuya sitting beside him, with Taichi and Sasuke behind them.
Hidetaka, who was sitting in front of Yukimura and Kanna, turned around and held up a map.
"Where this you get that map from?" Sasuke asked from the far back.
"At the station." Hidetaka waved his hand and gained a serious expression. "I won't lose this map as well! Who knows what's happening to the other poor map..."
"Hidetaka?" Yukimura said, seeing his rivals sudden gloom.
"Ahem. I mean..." he pointed at the Kawa District on the map. "The Stadium's here, on the village's other side. When we get off the bus, it's enough if we go straight."
"Isn't that what you said at East Musashi as well...?" Taichi asked in a low tone.
"That was one-time miss." Hidetaka huffed. "It won't happen again!"
"You are Rekka Yukimura, right?"
Somebody who walked from the bus's front to them asked. The group noted one thing about the person: he wore a sweatshirt identical to Nagayoshi's.
"Yes, I am." Yukimura nodded. "You... Are you from Nagayoshi's gang?"
The youth nodded at the question. "Nagayoshi-sama is waiting. He doesn't train at the Stadium, so I'll lead you to him once the bus stops."
"And I was getting excited to lead the way..." Hidetaka's head dropped, causing the others to laugh a little.
As the bus stopped and everyone got off, the gang member lead the team to the village's north and up a tall hill. At its tip, there was a wide opening with other Hogo gang members and a couple of standard battle machines.
"You came, Rekka Yukimura..."
The voice of Nagayoshi said upon taking notice of the newcomers.
"Thank you for leading them here." he told his subordinate, who joined the others. Nagayoshi then turned to the red-haired youth. "If I may ask, have you battled another ruler before me?"
"Yes." Yukimura smiled. "Houryokuin Kanetsugu was my last opponent, and I managed to defeat me as well!"
"Toshiie's Red deck wasn't able to stop you with its brute force, Souun's Deck Destruction failed, and now Kanetsugu's Core Boost..." Nagayoshi adjusted his scarf around his neck. "It seems my White deck is going to be tested. I look forward to this, Rekka Yukimura."
"As much as I do, Hogo Nagayoshi!" the red-haired battler smirked, extracting his Deck Case and pointing it at the sky. "Come! Dragon of the roaring sky!"
Nagayoshi moved his hand to his back, where his Deck Case was attached to the right pocket of his white pants with a clip. He detached it and raised it towards the sky, revealing a white-colored case with a golden, medieval-looking helmet attached to its front. The helmet's eyes flashed yellow. "Come, Ancient warden of metal!"
Emerging from behind a hill of the Tosanaka Highway was a missile-shaped battle machine with four propellers attached to its sides. As it neared its user, the missile's top and bottom parts split into two and took the shape of Reuleaux triangle-shaped shields, positioning themselves on the machine's front and back. The four propellers were moved under the machine's platform, and from this platform's front, a stanchion emerged on which the same medieval helmet, like the one on the Deck Case, was.
Yukimura's battle machine arrived to the location as well, and the two battlers jumped backwards and onto their machine's platforms.
"Gate Open! Release!" the shouted in unison, summoning a battlefield around them.
Nagayoshi: 5 Life Cores
VS
Yukimura: 5 Life Cores
"The first turn shall be mine. Draw." Nagayoshi announced. "I summon The Artifact Fjalar to my field."
As he placed the cards on his board, a humanoid knight clad in white armor, holding an axe and shield in its hands, and having a helmet that resembled a rooster with crimson feathers, materialized on his field with a battle cry.
The Artifact Fjalar: 1 Soul Core / LV 1 / 2000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 3→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→3 Cores
"It's your move, Rekka." Nagayoshi said as the helmet's eyes attached to his machine stopped glowing, signaling his turn was over.
"Go, Yukimura!" Sasuke cheered.
"You got this!" the other kids added.
"Yeah! Ore no turn!" Yukimura declared. "Core Step! Draw Step! Main Step! I summon Mushadraco at Level 1!"
A human-sized, bipedal dragon with orange scales and a white jaw, with two little wings, clad in crimson armor and holding a spear between its hand, appeared with a roar.
Mushadraco: 1 Soul Cores / LV 1 / 3000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
Yukimura - Reserve: 4→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→4 Cores
"The effect of Mushadraco upon summon activates!" Yukimura stated as his dragon roared again. "I reveal the top four cards of my deck and add one Spirit in the family War Dragon to my hand. The remaining cards are discarded."
Four, oversized cards appeared in front of his battle machine, revealing Soul Draw, Shippuudragon, Mushadaryu, and Sengoku-Gurendragon.
"Alright." Yukimura smirked. "I add Sengoku-Gurendragon to my hand, while the rest are sent to the Trash!"
"He added Gurendragon to his hand!" Sasuke cheered.
"He's off to a good start." Hidetaka nodded.
"Turn End!" Yukimura concluded his turn.
"Boku no turn." Nagayoshi declared on cue. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step."
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 0→1→4 Cores / Trash: 3→0 Cores
"Main Step." he placed down a card. "I summon Fenrircannon to my field. Then, I raise Fjalar to Level 2."
Appearing beside the knight was a mechanical beast made of black and crimson armor with a cannon attached to its back. At the same time, Fjalar gave a small battle cry as its strength rose.
The Artifact Fjalar: 0→1 Cores + 1 Soul Core / LV 1→2 / 2000→4000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Fenrircannon: 1 Core / LV 1 / 3000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 4→1→0 Cores / Trash: 0→2 Cores
"Attack Step!" Nagayoshi turned Fjalar's card to the right. "The Artifact Fjalar, attack!"
"Take it from the life!"
The knight leaped forward, running across the field and jumping into the air to break the Life Core which protected Yukimura.
Yukimura - Life: 5→4 / Reserve: 0→1 Cores
"That's the way, leader!" a gang member yelled.
"Beat him up!"
"Turn End." Nagayoshi told.
"Ore no turn!" Yukimura shouted. "Core Step! Draw Step! Refresh Step!"
Yukimura - Reserve: 1→2→6 Cores / Trash: 4→0 Cores
"Main Step! Come forth, Jinraidragon at Level 2!"
Following Yukimura's words, Jinraidragon appeared on his field with a loud roar.
Jinraidragon: 3 Cores / LV 2 / 4000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
Yukimura - Reserve: 6→1 Cores / Trash: 0→2 Cores
"Alright, it's Jinraidragon!" Taichi said.
"Then, I switch Mushadraco's Soul Core with one of Jinraidragon's Cores!" Yukimura stated as the two cores were switched. "And now, Attack Step! Do it, Jinraidragon! Its effect when attacking: it gains 3000 BP, and with the Soul Core's power, True Clash!"
"Protect me, Fenrircannon!" Nagayoshi ordered his beast, which pointed its cannon at the enemy dragon.
"Jinraidragon has 7000 BP, while Fenrircannon only has 3000 BP." Yuya pointed out. "Yukimura wins it!"
"Fenrircannon, its effect when blocking activates!" Nagayoshi cried out. "It gains 5000 BP and an ally White Spirit is refreshed! I choose Fjalar as the target for that effect."
"Nani!?" Yukimura gasped.
(Fenrircannon: BP 3000→8000, Jinraidragon: BP 4000→7000)
Fjalar was enveloped in a white aura and it stood back up in attention. At the same moment, Fenrircannon unleashed a barrage of bullets from its cannon, hitting Jinraidragon and caused it to explode.
"No! Jinraidragon was..." Takuma gasped.
"It gained BP and refreshed another Spirit!?" Sasuke's eyes widen.
"That's the White color's specialty," Kanna explained. "It's great at defense. There's no other color stronger than White when defending."
"This won't be easy for Yukimura." Hidetaka narrowed his eyes.
"Unlike Toshiie or Kanetsugu who make brutal assaults, Nagayoshi has an incredible defense..." Yukimura thought. "Turn End!" he shouted out loud.
"Boku no turn." Nagayoshi said on cue. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step."
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 0→1→3 Cores / Trash: 2→0 Cores
"Main Step." he placed down a card. "First, I demote Fjalar to Level 1, and using that Core, I summon The Soldier Hrungnir to my field."
Fjalar dropped its head as its power vanished. Seconds later, a small humanoid machine appeared on the field, riding a hoverboard and holding a futuristic gun.
"Magic: Reload Cores, activated." Nagayoshi stated. "Through its Main Step effect, I move one Core from the Void to my Reserve up to the number of Spirits I control that are in the family 'Armed Machine'. Since I have two such Spirits, I get two Cores, which I'll add to Hrungnir and raise it to Level 3!"
The Soldier Hrungnir: 1→3 Cores / LV 1→3 / 1000→3000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 3→0 Cores / Trash: 0→3 Cores
"He even has Core Boost!?" Sasuke gasped.
"Turn End." Nagayoshi announced, surprising his opponent.
"He didn't attack..." Hidetaka rubbed his chin in thought.
"He must be waiting for the right opportunity to strike," Kanna explained. "After all, a White deck isn't quite aggressive, meaning its user has to look out when shifting from defense to attack."
"Ore no turn!" Yukimura declared. "Core Step! Draw Step! Refresh Step!"
Yukimura - Reserve: 3→4→6 Cores + 1 Soul Core / Trash: 2→0 Cores
"Main Step! I summon War Lizard at Level 1!" he told as the lizard appeared on his field with a small cry. "Then, I summon Sengoku-Gurendragon at Level 2! To ensure the cost, I use War Lizard's Core!"
War Lizard vanished from the field as a giant tornado of fire erupted from the ground. Sengoku-Gurendragon roared from inside the tornado, causing it to disappear.
Sengoku-Gurendragon: 2 Cores + 1 Soul Core / LV 2 / 7000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
Yukimura - Reserve: 6→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→4 Cores
"Go, Gurendragon! Attack!" Yukimura addressed his dragon. "And with its effect, it gains 5000 BP, and True Clash activates!"
"Fenrircannon will block!" Nagayoshi said as his beast started running forward, firing at the enemy dragon bullets from its cannon. Sengoku-Gurendragon dodged every one of them, and it launched forward, smashing Fenrircannon under its feet.
"Because it destroyed a blocking opposing Spirit, Gurendragon's Level 2 and 3 effect activates!" Yukimura stated. "With the Soul Core's power, one opposing Life is destroyed!"
A Life Core materialized in front of Nagayoshi's machine, which was easily destroyed by the dragon's blades.
Nagayoshi - Life: 5→4 / Reserve: 1→2 Cores
"Alright!" Yukimura clenched his fist, happy that he was able to get rid of Fenrircannon who had that powerful effect when blocking. "With this, it's your turn, Nagayoshi!"
"It's too early to cheer, Rekka. Boku no turn! Core Step. Draw Step." after seeing his new card, the grey-haired youth's eyes widen a little. "The goddess of luck wants me to win. Refresh Step!"
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 2→3→6 Cores / Trash: 3→0 Cores
"Main Step! Descend onto this battlefield!" Nagayoshi slammed the card he just drew onto his board. "Iron forged knight of white steel! The Iron Knight Yggdrasill, appear!"
A small twister that crackled with electricity manifested on his field upon those words. Moments later, a humanoid Spirit clad in white and golden armor with a cloak tied around its back launched out of the twister and landed on the field, its red eyes glowing behind its helmet.
The Iron Knight Yggdrasill: 2 Cores / LV 2 / 10000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 6→0 Cores / Trash: 0→4 Cores
"It's here! Leader's Key Spirit!" a gang member cheered.
"His Key Spirit..." Hidetaka narrowed his eyes.
"Go, a full attack!" Nagayoshi announced, turning all his Spirits' cards sideways. "Yggdrasill's Level 2 attacking effect: all opposing Spirits with 3000 BP or less are returned to the hand! Vanish, Mushadraco!"
Yukimura gritted his teeth as Mushadraco roared in agony before disappearing. Since his only remaining Spirit, Sengoku-Gurendragon was at rest, three Life Cores protected him from Fjalar, Hrungnir, and Yggdrasill, sending his battle machine back a bit.
Yukimura - Life: 4→1 / Reserve: 1→4 Cores
"Yukimura!" Sasuke and his friends cried out in concern.
"In one turn, he took three lives..." Kanna remarked.
"With this, I end my turn." Nagayoshi concluded. "Victory is in my reach. Next turn, I'll end this fight."
"It's too early to end this fight, Nagayoshi." Yukimura, even in this dire situation, smiled. "The true fight starts now! Ore no turn! Core Step! Draw Step! Refresh Step!"
Gurendragon roared as it stood back up.
Yukimura - Reserve: 4→5→9 Cores / Trash: 4→0 Cores
"First, I switch Sengoku-Gurendragon's Soul Core with a normal Core from my Reserve," Yukimura explained as he switched the two said cores. "Then, by adding one more Core to Gurendragon, I level it up to Level 3. Next, I summon OosodePtera at Level 2! And as long as it has the Soul Core while at Leve 2, OosodePtera gains 4000 BP!"
A pterodactyl with black scales and clad in crimson armor materialized on his field with a loud screech.
Sengoku-Gurendragon: 2→4 Cores / LV 2→3 / 7000→10000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
OosodePtera: 1 Core + 1 Soul Cores / LV 2 / 2000→6000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
"Then, I re-summon Mushadraco at Level 2 and activate its effect when summon!"
Mushadraco reappeared on Yukimura's field with a roar, and four cards materialized in front of his machine, revealing Burst Wall, The Sengoku Dragon Souldragon, Jinraidragon, and Flame Sword Strike.
The red-haired youth grinned wide. "I add Souldragon to my hand, the rest are discarded!"
Mushadraco: 3 Cores / LV 2 / 6000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
"Turn End!"
"Alright, he got his Key Spirit." Hidetaka smirked. "All he has to do now is survive Nagayoshi's turn and make a comeback."
"Yukimura made a good choice by summoning Spirits that don't have 3000 or less BP, seeing how Yggdrasill's effect would return them to the hand." Kanna commented.
"Boku no turn." Nagayoshi announced. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step."
All of his Spirits stood back up, ready to finish the fight.
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 0→1→5 Cores / Trash: 4→0 Cores
"Main Step!" he called out. "I use three Cores to bring Fjalar at Level 3!"
The Artifact Fjalar: 0→3 Cores + 1 Soul Core / LV 1→3 / 2000→5000 BP / 1 White Symbol
"Attack Step!" Nagayoshi yelled. "Go, The Iron Knight Yggdrasill! Next, Flash Timing! Magic: Regain! This Magic allows me to refresh one of my Spirits, and I choose Yggdrasill!"
The armored knight gained a white aura as it launched forward, summoning a long sword in its right hand.
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 2→0 Cores / Trash: 0→2 Cores
"This is bad!" Takuma straightened his glasses. "After that attack, Nagayoshi can attack three more times! Yukimura will only have to blockers, and he has one Life!"
"With another full attack, he'll lose!" Taichi exclaimed.
"No! Yukimura still has Sengoku-Gurendragon with 10000 BP!" Sasuke pointed out. "It's the same as Yggdrasill's!"
"I don't think Nagayoshi would forget about such a trivial thing..." Hidetaka muttered.
"No matter what you choose, I win, Rekka." Nagayoshi thought. "Even if you block with Sengoku-Gurendragon, I can use The Artifact Fjalar's effect, exhausting it to give its BP to Yggdrasill, making it stronger than any of your Spirits."
He smiled in victory. "I win!"
"Sore wa dou kana!" Yukimura smirked, shocking his opponent. "Block it, OosodePtera! Then, Flash Timing! Magic: Fire Wall!"
"Fire Wall you say!?" Nagayoshi gasped.
"By destroying one Red Spirit I control, after this battle, your Attack Step is forced to end!" Yukimura stated. "I use Mushadraco's Core to pay for its cost and sacrifice OosodePtera!"
Just before Yggdrasill's sword would've bisected the pterodactyl, a large wall of fire erupted from the ground, engulfing it in it and stopping the knight from advancing.
"Nani!?" Nagayoshi's eyes widen.
"Alright, he made it!" Sasuke and his friends cheered.
"That was close." Yukimura sighed. "If it wasn't for Kanna and Hidetaka placing this card in my deck this morning, I would've lost right there. Now, it's my turn! I'll end it this turn! Core Step! Draw Step! Refresh Step!"
Yukimura - Reserve: 1→2→7 Cores + 1 Soul Core / Trash: 5→0 Cores
"I lower Sengoku-Gurendragon to Level 1, and then..." Yukimura grinned as he slammed a card onto his board. "I summon The Sengoku Dragon Souldragon at Level 3!"
A giant sphere of flames appeared on his field upon those words, from which his Key Spirit emerged and landed on the battlefield with a loud roar.
The Sengoku Dragon Souldragon: 4 Cores + 1 Soul Core / LV 3 / 13000 BP / 1 Red Symbol
"It's here, his Key Spirit!" Hidetaka cheered.
"Attack, Souldragon!" Yukimura shouted and threw the Soul Core from his dragon's card to the Trash. "Its effect when attacking! Consecutive Blade, activated! By sending Souldragon's Soul Core to the Trash, the opponent has to block with two Spirits if possible! A simultaneous battle!"
"Block it, Yggdrasill, Hrungnir!" Nagayoshi ordered, his two Spirits launching forward to battle the enemy dragon. "At the same time, Flash Timing! By exhausting Fjalar, I activate its effect to add it BP to Yggdrasill!"
(Yggdrasill: BP 10000→15000)
"Oh no!" Yuya cried out. "It has more BP than Souldragon!"
"I win, Rekka Yukimura!" Nagayoshi shouted.
"No, you won't get a next turn!" the red-haired teen vowed. "Flash Timing! Magic: Soul Aura, activated! All Spirits I control gain 3000 BP this turn!"
Yukimura - Reserve: 1→0 Cores / Trash: 5→6 Cores + 1 Soul Core
(Souldragon: BP 13000→16000)
"Impossible!" Nagayoshi gasped in shock.
Yukimura was surrounded by flames as he gave a battle cry. "My soul is burning!" he exclaimed, clenching his fists. "Burn, Souldragon!"
Souldragon's eyes flashed blue as it roared, extracting its sword from its sheath and bisected Hrungnir with it. While it was doing that, Yggdrasill took the chance to jump behind it and strike the dragon's back with its sword, but Souldragon deflected the attack by using its lance. Before the knight could move away, Souldragon's sword pierced its chest, causing both it and Hrungnir, which fell to the ground, to explode.
"Due to its effect, for every Spirit destroyed by comparing BP through Consecutive Blade, one opposing Life is sent to the Reserve!" Yukimura revealed, his dragon slashing apart two Life Cores that protected Nagayoshi.
Nagayoshi - Life: 4→2 / Reserve: 5→7 Cores
"Sengoku-Gurendragon, Mushadraco, attack!" Yukimura yelled. "This is it, Hogo Nagayoshi!"
The White user could do nothing as he watched the red-haired teen's remaining Spirits destroyed his last Life Cores, the force of their destruction sending him falling off his machine and onto the grass.
Nagayoshi - Life: 2→1→0
Winner: Yukimura!
"L-Leader!" the Hogo gang cried out in concern for their boss as the fight ended and the battlefield vanished.
"I-I'm alright..." he muttered and slowly stood up. He then addressed the winner. "Rekka Yukimura... it seems my White deck failed this test of strength. However... the next time we'll fight, the results will be different..."
"I'll be waiting for that moment, then." Yukimura nodded with a smirk.
That being said, Nagayoshi started walking away.
"L-Leader-"
"Don't come." Nagayoshi stopped his gang from following him. "I'd like some time alone." he whispered before moving on.
"Alright, you did it, Yukimura!" Sasuke exclaimed as the said person jumped off his battle machine. "That was an amazing win!"
"The ones we should applause for are Kanna and Hidetaka." Yukimura pointed out. "If it wasn't for their Fire Wall idea, I would've lost the match. Thanks a lot, you two!"
"It was my pleasure." they said in unison, much to their surprise as well. They looked at each other and blinked before laughing together with everyone.
Unknown to them... a person was watching them the whole time from a different hill.
They had long spiked hair, which comes down in a ponytail, colored yellow with some purple strands. The person smiled before walking away between the trees, the darkness making them vanish from sight...
Aaaaaaaaand that's it, everyone! Chapter 2 is done. Today's star is once again Yukimura, who managed to defeat Nagayoshi thanks to the help of Kanna and Hidetaka. Next chapter, he'll have to face yet another ruler! But after that, Yukimura won't fight again for a long time, so those who're bored of him won't have to wait too much!
By the way, if any of you were wondering, the locations mentioned in this chapter and the ones that come are always based on real-life locations!
With that said, I'll see you all next time! Don't forget to review!