Turn 5:
Musashi's Strongest
IN MUSASHI'S STADIUM
"Come on Yukimura, hurry up..."
Hidetaka was bitting his thumb's nail anxiously, seeing how Yukimura hasn't arrived yet at the Stadium for his rematch battle with Toshiie. If he doesn't arrive soon, he's going to lose by default...!
After leaving Yukimura and the gang to go and find his sister, that, much to the entire IBSA organization's annoyance, decided to leave the country for a day and take a day off- like seriously, what was Oichi thinking when she did that!?- he returned to Musashi and found out what his friends did.
First, they traveled to the Echizen Province where Yukimura didn't get to fight Yoshiko because a mysterious battler named Kurai Kage destroyed her self-confidence in a fight.
They went to the Chichibu Stadium after that so Yukimura could battle someone called Murashige, but a Yellow S-Class Battler named Hyakki Hanzou already beat him, and Yukimura challenged this Hanzou to a battle. In this fight, Yukimura was able to find a new conviction.
The next day, Toshiie made an open declaration about his rematch battle with Yukimura- which is today- and the other Province rulers also appeared, except Yoshiko, and requested a battle with the winner. Since the other rulers are four, they'll fight between each other to find the one who'll fight Musashi's best Red battler.
"Hidetakaaaa!" came Yuya's voice as he, Takuma, and Taichi ran up to the spot where he sat, prompting him to be a little relieved.
"Guys," Hidetaka watched them sit down beside him. "What happened? Where's Yukimura? His match is about to start!"
"We don't know either!" Taichi said. "Kanna told us to go ahead and she's going to bring Yukimura here..."
"Was Kanna able to find the card needed to defeat Toshiie's Brave Spirit?" Hidetaka asked.
"Yeah, she did, in the nick of time too." Yuya nodded, which made him calm down a little.
"But Yukimura needs to get here quickly, or there's no point in it!" Takuma muttered.
In the Stadium's opposite side, Nagayoshi sat with his hand crossed in front of his mouth, his gang sitting on the row behind him, while no one was on his, probably scared to sit beside a Province ruler.
What is Rekka thinking...? the ruler thought, adjusting the scarf around his neck in a clear sign of frustration. Ten minutes until noon and he's nowhere to be seen. If this continues, Toshiie will win by default...
"Look at smart aleck using his brain! What are you thinking about?"
Were Yurin's words as he came up to Nagayoshi's row, sitting down beside the fellow ruler with an over-the-top carefree attitude. The White user's gang members weren't very happy about this, but a gesture of Nagayoshi's hand stopped them.
"Probably the same thing you should be as well..." he snorted.
"Oh, Yukimura's absence?" Yurin raised an eyebrow. "Nah, that's the least of my worries now."
"Is that so... Why such a thing?"
"Rekka Yukimura isn't the type of guy to chicken out and leave," Yurin explained. "He accepts every challenge that can be thrown his way. In my opinion, that could be considered his weakness."
"Finding your enemy's weakness... how unoriginal of you, Susuida Yurin."
"Making boring comments is all you can do, Hogo Nagayoshi?" the Purple user shot back.
"Tch..." the White user adjusted his scarf again, this time to calm down a little. "Do you have any information on Tenshi Yoshiko? I was shocked she from all the rulers didn't come and try to fight..."
"That girl is currently in an internal conflict with herself, debating if she's worthy of being her Province's ruler... is what I believe." Yurin waved a hand. "I can't read minds that well. Albeit, if we're fighting, that's a different story."
"An arrogant answer, from an arrogant battler." Nagayoshi sighed in exasperation. "I don't want to give a higher-than-thou vibe, but sometimes you are too carefree, Susuida."
"Not the first one to tell me that." Yurin chuckled.
Right when it turned noon and it looked like this was all over, a shout proved the crowd wrong.
"If you're looking for me, here I am!" Yukimura, together with Kanna and Sasuke, entered the Stadium and were panting for breath. The Red battler gave a smile nonetheless. "Sorry for the wait!"
The crowd went wild at that, happy to find out they didn't come here for nothing.
He made it, but will this fight end well? Hidetaka thought, narrowing his eyes as the two Red battlers started talking, getting ready for their battle. Whatever card Kanna chose for him, without a doubt will help Yukimura win... however, this will be his first battle using said new card. I guess we'll find that out once the battle ends.
The battle started out slow, Yukimura looking very tense. But once the two Red battlers went all out on the offensive, the match got exciting until the point Toshiie summoned his Key Spirit and Braved it. When the situation took a turn for the worse, Yukimura set a Burst- much to everyone's surprise- and purposely let his own Key be destroyed, so that he can use his General Transmigration Burst card and revive Souldragon, and then went for the final blow!
Having lost to the same person twice, Toshiie had no choice but to recognize Yukimura's strength, and the two bumped fists in a friendly manner. However, Yukimura fainted out of the blue, more than likely out of fatigue, and Toshiie took him to the infirmary.
Yukimura's battle went just as I hoped. Souun thought as she and the other rulers started walking towards the Stadium's center. Therefore... I'll beat whoever tries to oppose me!
There is no force that can surpass my love. Kanetsugu narrowed his eyes at the rulers reached the center, forming a circle. I'll win these next fights and battle Rekka Yukimura myself!
In order to make up for the shame I brought upon my Provinces when I lost to Rekka... Nagayoshi adjusted his scarf one more time. I won't lose.
"I see you are all eager to fight and win." Yurin chuckled. He snapped his fingers, and a member of gang walked up to them, holding up four chopsticks. Yurin took hold of them and showed them to everyone. "We'll use this to decide who fights who. These chopsticks are divided into two groups of different length, and as you might think, those who pull the same length will battle each other."
"I see; a simple yet efficient way to determine your opponent." Kanetsugu remarked.
Yurin handed the chopsticks back to his subordinate, who shuffled them in his hands before extending them to the rulers. The four took hold of their respective chopsticks, and the fights were revealed.
[Souun vs. Kanetsugu]
[Yurin vs. Nagayoshi]
The first battle was between the Blue and Green users. Souun was able to get an early advantage with her Deck Destruction by drawing a good starting hand, while Kanetsugu avoided his own Core Boost strategy. When it seemed like he was about to lose, with the Soul Swift ability his Key Spirit holds, Kanetsugu was able to win!
As Souun left the Stadium in evident anger with her gang, and Kanetsugu returned to sit down amidst the crowd and watch the next battle.
"Purple against White... this will be an interesting fight." Hidetaka commented.
"Susuida's Curse or Hogo's impenetrable defense... which one will prevail?" Kanna added.
"Only fate can predict this battle's outcome." Kanetsugu thought aloud, folding his arms.
As the two battlers arrived at the stage, the crowd went wild once again.
"Now that I think of it, we didn't fight in quite some time." Yurin remarked.
"This fight will determine who rot in time and who didn't, is what you want to say?"
"As expected of a smart aleck, you caught up quick!" Yurin chuckled, much to Nagayoshi's annoyance. "Now, shall we start already? I don't want to waste more time with chitchat!"
"On that, I agree." Nagayoshi said and extracted his Deck Case, which was attached to the right back pocket of his pants with a clip, and pointed it to the sky. "Come, Ancient warden of metal!"
Yurin extracted his own Deck Case from within his coat and did the same with a grin. "Come, Wandering dead ruler!"
Moments later, their respective battle machines flew into the Stadium, changing to their hovering modes. The two battlers jumped backwards and onto their machine's platforms.
"Gate Open! Release!" they shouted in unison, summoning a battlefield.
Nagayoshi: 5 Life Cores
VS
Yurin: 5 Life Cores
The orb attached to the Purple user's machine flashed to life. "It seems I'll be going first." he told. "Draw! Nexus: No. 32 Island Root, deployed!"
After he placed the card onto his board and paid the cost, a spot under Yurin's battle machine took the form of an eerie staircase that leads to a small, wooden cottage.
No. 32 Island Root: 0 Core / LV 1 / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 3→0 Cores / Trash: 0→3 Cores
"A Nexus!?" Sasuke exclaimed in surprise.
"He didn't use that in his fight with Yukimura..." Taichi pointed out.
"Island Root's effect when deployed allows me to draw one card." Yurin stated, doing just that. "I end my turn!"
He's preparing his field for the next turn. Nagayoshi analyzed the situation. "Boku no turn." he finally said. "Core Step. Draw Step."
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 3→4 Cores + 1 Soul Core
"Main Step." the ruler played two cards from his hand. "I summon two Prod-Falcons to my field, one of which is at Level 2."
Appearing on his side of the field were two, satellite-based robots that had a falcon-shaped head attached to their fronts, therefore making their namesake evident.
Prod-Falcon: 1 Core / LV 1 / 2000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Prod-Falcon: 2 Core + 1 Soul Core / LV 2 / 4000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 4→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→1 Cores
Susuida's deck is revolved around Curse, an ability that destroys an opposing Spirit that blocked their attack and destroyed them at the same time. Nagayoshi thought. Which means I have to be prudent when blocking. Since we're this early in the game...
He turned his two Spirits' cards sideways. "I'll start with the offensive! Attack!"
"Interesting!" Yurin grinned. "Come, take it from the life!"
Following his words, the two satellite robots fired beams from their lenses, striking the two Cores that appeared to protect the Purple battler.
Yurin - Life: 5→3 / Reserve: 0→2 Cores + 1 Soul Core
The crowd went wild at the sudden and fierce attack. "Turn End!" Nagayoshi shouted.
"He already took two Lives!?" Takuma questioned.
"He wants to end this quickly before Susuida can gather a nasty formation." Hidetaka remarked. "Since the White deck's specialty is defense, under a Purple deck's Curse, the former can be at a disadvantage if its user isn't careful."
"Ore no turn!" Yurin stated. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step!"
Yurin - Reserve: 2→3→6 Cores + 1 Soul Core / Trash: 3→0 Cores
"Main Step!" he grinned wide. "The decision you made last turn was a surprising one, so let me gift you with this! I summon two Jangohebi to my field, one at Level 2! Then, I level up Island Root to Level 2!"
Appearing from a black fog were the long serpents with white, black, and red scales, jade-colored eyes and very sharp fangs. They hissed at the enemy and released a purple liquid from their mouth in the process.
At the same time, the Nexus gained a soft, violet glow, making it look even eerier.
Jangohebi: 2 Cores / LV 2 / 2000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Jangohebi: 1 Cores / LV 1 / 1000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
No. 32 Island Root: 0→2 Core + 0→1 Soul Core / LV 1→2 / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 6→1 Core + 1→0 Soul Core
"I also set a Burst!" Yurin slammed another card onto his board. "Attack Step! Jangohebi, both of you, attack!"
"Even he starts off this fiercely!?" Yukimura, who has returned from the infirmary with Kanna after Souun and Kanetsugu's fight, said.
"For both, take it from the life!" Nagayoshi shouted.
The snakes let loose of venom torrents from their mouths, which hit the Life Cores and caused them to shatter.
Nagayoshi - Life: 5→3 / Reserve: 0→2 Cores
"I end my turn with this." Yurin chuckled with a wave of his hand.
"Like in his fight with Yukimura, he continues to leave himself defenseless." Hidetaka pointed out. "But no doubt he has a plan to escape, and that Burst might be the answer."
"From now on, the mind games start." Kanetsugu narrowed his eyes. "Which will fall first, an impenetrable defense, or a shadow with its Curses...?"
"Boku no turn." Nagayoshi said. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step."
His two Spirits' energies returned and were on standby for battle.
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 2→3→4 Cores / Trash: 0→1 Cores
"Main Step!" Nagayoshi raised a card from his hand. "I'll end this before your Curse's roots would fully spread, Susuida! Descend onto this battlefield, iron forged knight of white steel! The Iron Knight Yggdrasill, appear and aid me!"
A small twister that crackled with electricity manifested on his field upon those words. Moments later, the 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.
At the same time, the Level 2 Prod-Falcon lowered its head as some of its Cores were used to summon the mighty warrior of steel.
Prod-Falcon: 2→1 Core + 1→0 Soul Core / LV 2→1 / 4000→2000 BP / 1 White Symbol
The Iron Knight Yggdrasill: 1 Core + 1 Soul Core / LV 2 / 10000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 4→0 Cores / Trash: 0→4 Cores
"It's Leader's Key Spirit!" a member of his gang exclaimed, the crowd going wild again.
"He summoned it this early!?" Sasuke gasped.
"I see, that's not a bad plan." Hidetaka realized his thinking. "He wants to use that Spirit's effect when summoned!"
"Yggdrasill's effect when summoned!" his words were soon confirmed. "Until my next Start Step, all my Spirits in the family "Armed Machine" are unaffected by opposing effects, therefore, your Curse ability is useless!"
"Hoh, you don't say..." Yurin gave a grin nonetheless.
"Attack Step!" Nagayoshi cried out. "Go, my Key Spirit! Attack!"
"The life!"
Following those words, Yggdrasill summoned its sharp sword and cut an opposing Life Core in half, sending Yurin's battle machine back a little.
Yurin - Life: 3→2 / Reserve: 1→2 Cores
"Because my Life decreased, my Burst activates!" Yurin exclaimed, flipping his face-down card up. "Ultimate Wall! Its Burst effect: your Attack Step is forced to end!"
A wall of ice erupted from the ground and stopped any remaining attacks from passing.
Nagayoshi remained unfazed. "As expected, he set a Burst 'wall'... I end my turn."
"Ore no turn!" Yurin announced. "Core Step. Draw Step!"
Yurin - Reserve: 2→3 Cores
Glancing at his new card, the Purple battler chuckled in his mind. Killer Telescope... perfect. Once my own Key Spirit arrives, I can end this game in one, quick swoop.
"Refresh Step!" his two snakes stood back up with their respective hisses. "Main Step. I raise my other Jangohebi to Level 3, set a new Burst, and end my turn with that."
Jangohebi: 1→4 Cores / LV 1→3 / 1000→3000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 3→0 Cores
"He only raised his defenses?" Yukimura muttered.
"With no doubt, he's scheming something in that head of his." Hidetaka said.
He knows my Yggdrasill's effect when attacking at Level 2, so that set Burst is another 'wall'. He's waiting for the right moment to end this... or could it be that he doesn't have Jungle Crow Demon in his hand yet? Nagayoshi thought. "In any case, it's my turn! Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step."
His Key Spirit was refreshed.
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 0→1→5 Cores / Trash: 4→0 Cores
"Main Step!" Nagayoshi exclaimed. "I raise one Prod-Falcon to Level 2, add one Core to the other one, and add two Cores to Yggdrasill."
"Why did he add all those Cores?" Yuya asked in confusion.
"It's because Susuida's Nexus had an effect when at Level 2," Kanna explained. "He's getting ready to withstand it."
"Attack Step!" the White user turned his Key's card to the side. "Yggdrasill, do it!"
"I activate Island Root's Level 2 effect!" the Purple user abruptly stated. "When an opposing Spirit attacks, by sending the Soul Core on this Nexus to my Spirit, two Cores from an opposing Spirit are sent to the Reserve! It's you, Prod-Falcon with two Cores!"
No. 32 Island Root: 2 Core + 1→0 Soul Core / LV 2→1 / 1 Purple Symbol
Jangohebi: 4 Cores + 0→1 Soul Core
Prod-Falcon: 2→0 Core (DEPLETED)
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 0→2 Cores
Since Spirits with zero Cores cannot exist on the battlefield, the depleted Prod-Falcon vanished.
"So that's the effect of No. 32 Island Root...!" Taichi realized.
"Hogo lost a Spirit, but his attack isn't over yet!" Yukimura reminded him.
"At this moment, Yggdrasill's Level 2 effect when attacking activates, returning all opposing Spirits with 3000 or less BP to their owner's hand! Vanish!"
Following Nagayoshi's words, the Iron Knight swung its sword, creating a crescent-shaped energy slash with hit the two Jagonhebis and made them vanish, leaving Yurin's field empty.
"No choice but the life!" he shouted, having lost both his blockers.
Yggdrasill used its sword to shatter another one of Yurin's lives, sending his battle machine back by the attack's force.
"Because my Life decreased, my Burst activates!" Yurin exclaimed. "Burst Wall! Its Burst effect: I move one Core from the void to my Life! Then, by paying the cost, I activate its Flash Effect: your Attack Step is forced to end!"
Yurin - Life: 2→1→2 / Reserve: 6→7→3 Cores + 1 Soul Core / Trash: 0→4 Cores
Another wall of ice erupted from the ground and stopped any more attacks from passing.
"As I thought, he set another 'wall'..." Nagayoshi muttered. "Turn End!"
"Ore no turn!" Yurin stated. "Core Step. Draw Step!"
Glancing at his new card, he frowned. No Jungle Crow Demon, huh? This might be bad. I don't know for how long I can remain on the defensive...
"Refresh Step!" Yurin spoke up.
Yurin - Reserve: 3→4→8 Cores + 1 Soul Core / Trash: 4→0 Cores
"Main Step! I summon Batknight to my field, at Level 2!"
That being said, a new Spirit materialized on his side of the field. It was a tall knight clad in black armor with a bat-like motif, a red cape attached to its shoulders, and holding two swords in its hands.
Batknight: 2 Cores / LV 2 / 3000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
"Its effect when summoned activates, letting me draw a card," Yurin explained, doing just that. He cursed in his mind after not seeing his Key Spirit, but the result wasn't that bad. "I summon Jaw-Scythe to my field, at Level 2. I also raise my Nexus back to Level 2!"
The skeleton of a dead shark appeared next, surrounded by a purple glow and having a purple gem engraved in its fin. The shark gave a deep growl as it entered the fray.
Jaw-Scythe: 2 Cores / LV 2 / 4000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
No. 32 Island Root: 2 Core + 0→1 Soul Core / LV 1→2 / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 8→4→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→2→4 Cores
"Attack Step!" Yurin declared. "Jaw-Scythe, attack! With its Level 2 effect when attacking, I draw one card!"
"Flash Timing! Magic: Holy Elixir!" Nagayoshi revealed a card from his hand. "By paying the cost, I move one Core from the Reserve to my Life. To ensure the cost, I'll take one of Yggdrasill's Cores."
The Iron Knight Yggdrasill: 3→2 Core + 1 Soul Core
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 2→1→0 Cores / Trash: 0→2 Cores / Life: 3→4
"He regained a Life with an effect...?" Takuma muttered.
"Then, for your attack, I'll take it from the Life!" Nagayoshi shouted.
The shark gave another growl before it launched forward, headbutting the Life Core which protected the White battler and sent his battle machine back a bit.
Nagayoshi - Life: 4→3 / Reserve: 0→1 Cores
"Not bad, smart aleck." Yurin chuckled. "I end my turn."
"Boku no turn." Nagayoshi said. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step."
His Key Spirit was refreshed again.
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 1→2→4 Cores / Trash: 2→0 Cores
"Main Step." Nagayoshi glanced at the cards in his hand, seeing one The Artifact Fjalar, one Prod-Falcon, one Crystallize Illusion, and The Artifact Dragon Swordrander he just drew. With this hand... he let out a sly smile. I've won.
"For you to let out a smile in the middle of a battle... it means you've got everything ready to win, right?" Yurin asked.
"Yes, I do. The goddess of victory has given me what I need to win." Nagayoshi replied. "Although... I wouldn't need any help with winning this. I simply won't lose to the likes of you."
"Is that so? Why did I do to be on your bad side?"
"Your attitude isn't worthy of a Province ruler," Nagayoshi explained. "You are an important symbol for the Province you lead and the people in it, truly the sun of our planet Earth. The importance of a ruler comes with great risks and tasks, however, every time I look at you, I don't see an attitude worthy of a Province ruler... You are too carefree and arrogant."
Kanetsugu couldn't help but agree with the White battler, disliking the attitude his fellow ruler has.
"However, I cannot deny the fact you do respect your job and execute it flawlessly." Nagayoshi continued, and Kanetsugu could agree with that too. "After all, you are still a Province's ruler even if countless people tried to steal your position. But that does not overshadow your attitude."
He adjusted his scarf before talking. "As I said before Rekka and Homura's fight, I don't want to give off a higher-than-thou vibe... but I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks of you like this, Susuida Yurin."
"You mean to tell me I'm not worthy of my position?" suddenly, Yurin's expression turned to slight anger. "I decided for myself what attitude and position to take, Hogo Nagayoshi. A carefree and arrogant attitude doesn't matter if you have power and are able to achieve victory. That's how I do things, and that is your weakness."
"Nani...?" Nagayoshi inquired.
"Your way of thinking is short, and your primary concern is what others think of you, instead of what you think about yourself. That's your limit, we could say." Yurin stated. "Instead of trying to walk a path you wish, you let others choose for you and therefore weaken you. That's why you will never be able to win against me, or Rekka Yukimura for that matter. Your strength is limited by your own hands."
Kanetsugu concurred with that as well.
"I limit myself, you say...?" Nagayoshi glared at his opponent. "Nonsense... I'll show you my strength by defeating you! I summon another Prod-Falcon with three Cores, and I play an additional Core on Yggdrasill!"
A third Prod-Falcon appeared on the field beside the White battler's other Spirits.
Prod-Falcon: 3 Core / LV 2 / 4000 BP / 1 White Symbol
The Iron Knight Yggdrasill: 2→3 Core + 1 Soul Core
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 4→1→0 Cores
"Attack Step!" he cried out. "Go, Yggdrasill, attack!"
"Island Root's effect!" Yurin exclaimed. "I move its Soul Core to Jaw-Scythe and move two of the newly summoned Prod-Falcon's Cores to the Reserve!"
The mentioned Spirit lowered its head as its power vanished.
No. 32 Island Root: 2 Core + 1→0 Soul Core / LV 2→1 / 1 Purple Symbol
Jaw-Scythe: 2 Cores + 0→1 Soul Core
Prod-Falcon: 3→1 Core / LV 2→1 / 4000→2000 BP / 1 White Symbol
Nagayoshi - Reserve: 0→2 Cores
"Even then, my Spirit remains!" Nagayoshi pointed out. "And Yggdrasill's Level 2 effect when attacking will return Batknight, which has 3000 BP, to your hand!"
True to his words, Yggdrasill made the dark knight vanished with a swing of its sword.
"Susuida has no blockers left!" Sasuke's eyes widen.
"And Hogo has three attackers!" Yuya added.
"Unless he has something in his hand..." Hidetaka muttered.
"You lose!" Nagayoshi yelled.
Yurin's lips curved in an almost demonic grin. "Don't get too ahead of yourself! Flash Timing! Magic: Burst Wall!" he slammed the card onto his board. "By using Island Root's Cores to pay for the cost, after this battle, your Attack Step is forced to end! Take it from the life!"
A Life Core appeared in front of his battle machine, which Yggdrasill cut into two and, immediately afterwards, a wall of ice erupted from the ground, throwing the Iron Knight back.
Yurin - Life: 2→1 / Reserve: 2→3→0 Cores / Trash: 0→4 Cores
No. 32 Island Root: 2→1 Cores
"Impossible...!" Nagayoshi gritted his teeth. "The card you drew by Jaw-Scythe's effect was Burst Wall!?"
"Using your own words, the goddess of victory has helped me." Yurin chuckled.
"Tch... I end my turn." Nagayoshi concluded. No matter... I still have two blockers and Crystallize Illusion in my hand. Moreover, my Life is still at three, while Susuida's at one. I got this...
"Ore no turn!" Yurin announced. "Core Step. Draw Step!"
The Purple battler gave a loud snicker at the card he got. "It seems this battle has reached its climax. Refresh Step!"
Yurin - Reserve: 0→1→9 Cores + 1 Soul Core / Trash: 8→0 Cores
"Main Step! By using No. 32 Island Root's last Core, I re-summon one Jangohebi to my field at Level 1."
Following his words, a poisonous snake reappeared with a hiss.
No. 32 Island Root: 1→0 Cores
Jangohebi: 1 Cores / LV 1 / 1000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin slammed his drawn card onto his board. "The gates to the underworld are now opened! Descend, bringer of death and havoc! Jungle Crow Demon, at Level 3, is summoned!"
Lunching out of the shadows was the anthropomorphic raven-like creature wearing purple armor on its shoulders, hands, and waist, along with a helmet on its head that had two horns and a raven-like design. The demonic creature swung its scythe as it entered the field with an ear-piercing screech.
Jungle Crow Demon: 4 Cores / LV 3 / 6000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 9→2 Cores / Trash: 0→3 Cores
"It's here, Susuida's Key Spirit!" Taichi cried out.
"Next, I pay the cost to activate the Magic: Killer Telescope," Yurin explained, using the last two Cores in his Reserve to pay for the card's cost. "With its Main effect, this turn, my Spirits can attack exhausted Spirits under my opponent's control!"
The cards in Nagayoshi's hand fell down as the youth's face went pale.
"It's over." Kanetsugu closed his eyes. "In the end, the shadow with its Curses won."
"Attack Step!" Yurin turned his Key's card to the side. "Jungle Crow Demon will attack The Iron Knight Yggdrasill with Killer Telescope's effect!"
"It may have less BP than its opponent..."
"But Jungle Crow Demon has Destructive Curse!" Yukimura finished for Hidetaka.
True to their words, Yggdrasill defeated the opposing Spirit with great ease, but a Life Core appeared in front of Nagayoshi's battle machine as Jungle Crow Demon reappeared from the shadows, shattering the Core with its scythe.
Nagayoshi - Life: 3→2 / Trash: 0→1 Cores
"I call this my Sure-Curse-Kill combo..." Yurin gloated. "With my Key's effect when destroyed, I draw one card. Then, I'll have it attack Yggdrasill again!"
"B-But if that happens again..." Takuma's eyes widen.
"As long as the opponent has nothing to do in response, Jungle Crow Demon will revive over and over again until the opponent's Lives are all destroyed." Kanna muttered. "What a terrifying curse..."
The same scene from before repeated itself.
Nagayoshi - Life: 2→1 / Trash: 0→2 Cores
Yurin chuckled as he drew again. "This fight was good while it lasted. Now, get lost, dear opponent of mine. Jungle Crow Demon, last attack!"
Nagayoshi could do nothing as his last Life Core was brutally destroyed and he fell off his battle machine by the attack's force.
Nagayoshi - Life: 1→0
Winner: Yurin!
The crowd roared with cheers as the battle ended, the remaining cards on the field vanishing. The Hogo gang ran down to their leader's side, but Nagayoshi stopped them with a gesture of his hand.
"Hoh, you aren't even gonna praise me for winning?" Yurin teased, seeing the White user walk away and out of the Stadium, leaving his gang behind.
When he was far away by everyone, Nagayoshi punched the wall beside him.
"Why...?" he gritted his teeth. He gave another punch. "Why!? My formation, strategy, and thoughts were all perfect! There were no flaws in this fight... yet I lost...!"
Instead of trying to walk a path you wish, you let others choose for you and therefore weaken you.
Nagayoshi clenched his teeth, remembering his opponent's words, which he knew were true...
Back to the Stadium's center, Kanetsugu just walked down from the stands to meet with Yurin at the bottom, was still standing on his battle machine and shuffling his deck for the incoming battle.
"The one who'll win this fight will battle me." Yukimura narrowed his eyes.
"Core boost or Curse... it's hard to tell which one will win." Kanna told.
"I guess we'll see once the fight is over." Hidetaka added.
In the Stadium's shadows, a figure was watching the events unfold with an amused smile. "Please, put up another good fight, Houryokuin Kanetsugu..." Ranmaru chuckled. "Or else it would've been a waste of my time to choose you as the catalyst of Master's plans."
"Let's start this, Susuida Yurin." Kanetsugu said and extracted his deck from its case, which was tied around his bicep. He pointed it at the sky. "Come! God of the early summer breeze!"
After his battle machine zoomed into the Stadium and changed to its hovering mode, Kanetsugu jumped onto it and the match started.
"Gate Open! Release!" they shouted in unison, summoning a battlefield.
Kanetsugu: 5 Life Cores
VS
Yurin: 5 Life Cores
The orb attached to the Green user's machine flashed to life. "Let's play, Susuida. Draw Step!" Kanetsugu declared, drawing his fifth card. "Turn End."
The crowd was confused by this move, whilst Yurin chuckled.
"He didn't do anything just ended his turn!?" Sasuke asked.
"He must have some sort of plan ready..." Hidetaka rubbed his chin.
"Could it be..." Yukimura remembered the Spirit that defeated Souun.
"Ore no turn!" Yurin stated. "Core Step. Draw Step."
Yurin - Reserve: 3→4 Cores + 1 Soul Core
"Main Step!" he shouted. "If you aren't going to move, I'll do it in your favor! I summon two Demo-Bones to my side of the field, one is at Level 2!"
Erupting from the ground were the small skeleton soldiers, wearing some armor and holding a sword and a shield in each of their hands. Their bones clung together by an unknown force, and the two soldiers brandished their little swords.
Demo-Bone: 1 Soul Core / LV 1 / 1000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Demo-Bone: 2 Cores / LV 2 / 2000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 4→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→2 Cores
"Then, I set a Burst!" Yurin slammed a card face-down on his board. "Attack Step! Demo-Bone at Level 2, attack!"
"Flash Timing!" Kanetsugu took hold of his Soul Core, moving it to his Trash. "Soul Swift!"
As I expected... Yurin thought with a smile, amused. He already had it in his hand!
"Come, now!" Kanetsugu twirled a card from his hand in the air before slamming it onto his board. "The avatar of my love: The Whirlwind Ninja Kirikage!"
Raging winds took over the Stadium, causing everyone to shield themselves. Seconds later, the winds took the shape of a large twister, from which Kanetsugu's Key Spirit leaped out, landing on his field with a loud screech.
The Whirlwind Ninja Kirikage: 3 Cores / LV 2 / 10000 BP / 1 Green Symbol
Kanetsugu - Reserve: 3→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 0→1 Soul Core
The crowd went wild for the sudden Soul Swift.
"Alright!" Yuya shouted. "He can protect his Life now!"
"Take it from the life!" the Green user declared.
Demo-Bone jumped forward, hitting a Life Core with its sword until shattering it.
Kanetsugu - Life: 5→4 / Reserve: 0→1 Cores
"He didn't block with Kirikage...?" Taichi tilted his head.
"That was a wise move." Hidetaka said. "Demo-Bone, at Level 2, has the Curse effect, which means even if he would've blocked with Kirikage, it would've been destroyed by Curse."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot that..." Taichi muttered.
"I end my turn with that." Yurin stated.
The Green user started his turn. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step!"
Kanetsugu - Reserve: 1→2 Cores + 0→1 Soul Core / Trash: 1→0 Soul Core
"Main Step!" he yelled. "I power up Kirikage to Level 3 and summon Kacchumushi to my field!"
Appearing beside his Key Spirit was a small, green insect covered in an armor of the same color. Kanetsugu used up all of his Cores in the Reserve.
The Whirlwind Ninja Kirikage: 3→5 Cores / LV 2→3 / 10000→13000 BP
Kacchumushi: 1 Soul Core / LV 1 / 1000 BP / 1 Green Symbol
"Attack Step!" Kanetsugu exclaimed. "Kirikage attacks! Its Level 3 effect when attacking activates, exhausting your other Demo-Bone, therefore leaving you defenseless!"
"The Life!" was all Yurin said back.
The Whirlwind Ninja crushed the Life Core between its claws, sending his battle machine back a little.
Yurin - Life: 5→4 / Reserve: 0→1 Cores
"Turn End." Kanetsugu concluded.
"Ore no turn!" Yurin announced. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step!"
His two Demo-Bones stood back up in attention.
Yurin - Reserve: 1→2→4 Cores / Trash: 2→0 Cores
"Main Step!" he told. "I am actually glad you summoned your Key Spirit, Houryokuin... after all, I have the perfect to plunder that annoying insect! By using my Level 2 Demo-Bone's Cores, I summon this: The Shikigami Ura, at Level 2!"
The mentioned Spirit vanished from the field as a much scarier Spirit took its place, giving an eerie battle cry upon appearing.
Demo-Bone: 2→0 Cores
The Shikigami Ura: 3 Cores / LV 2 / 6000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 4→0 Cores / Trash: 0→3 Cores
"Attack Step!" he turned Ura's card to the side. "Thanks to The Shikigami Ura's Level 2 and 3 effect, it can target attack opposing exhausted Spirits. And just so you know, this Spirit has the Curse ability!"
"Which means Ura can attack Kirikage, be destroyed, and let its Curse activate." Kanna said. "As expected of Susuida Yurin, he was able to come up with an effective plan very quickly."
"Kirikage will be destroyed...?" Yukimura muttered, not so sure of this plan will work.
Kanetsugu let out a sly smile before gaining a much more serious one. "Absurd!" this confused Yurin. "My love won't be destroyed by such a weak curse! Flash Timing! Magic: Body Flicker Technique! I use Kirikage's Cores to pay for it!"
The mentioned Spirit lowered its head as some of its power vanished.
The Whirlwind Ninja Kirikage: 5→3 Cores / LV 3→2 / 13000→10000 BP
Kanetsugu - Trash: 0→2 Cores
"Thanks to this card, I can refresh one of my Spirits in the family 'Ninja Gale'," Kanetsugu explained. "The one I choose is Kirikage!"
His Key Spirit stood up as it gained a green aura.
"I see... by refreshing it, you are able to avoid Ura's target attack..." Yurin said begrudgingly. "In any case, you have yet to answer Ura's attack!"
"Life." was all the Green user replied.
Using the broadsword in its hand, Ura cut a Life Core into two.
Kanetsugu - Life: 4→3 / Reserve: 0→1 Cores
"I end my turn with that." Yurin told.
"Amazing, he was able to counter Susuida's plan!" Sasuke said.
"This won't be an easy fight for either side, that's for sure." Hidetaka commented.
The other battler started his turn. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step!"
Kanetsugu - Reserve: 1→2→4 Cores / Trash: 2→0 Cores
"Main Step!" he placed down a card. "First, I exchange Kacchumushi's Soul Core with a normal one from my Reserve. Then, I summon Shinobikogane!"
His infamous Spirit with long and sharp blades attached to its arms appeared with a screech.
Kanetsugu - Reserve: 4→0 Cores / Trash: 0→3 Cores
"I activate its effect when summoned," Kanetsugu stated. "I place a Core from the void onto it. Then, because I used the Soul Core for its summon, I add one more Core to Kacchumushi. And by moving these new Cores to Kirikage, I raise it to Level 3 again!"
Shinobikogane: 1 Core / LV 1 / 2000 BP / 1 Green Symbol
The Whirlwind Ninja Kirikage: 3→5 Cores / LV 2→3 / 10000→13000 BP
"Attack Step!" Kanetsugu cried out. "Go, Kirikage! With its Level 3 effect when attacking, I put Demo-Bone to rest!"
Wind surrounded the said Spirit, exhausting it.
"Susuida's defenseless again!" Takuma exclaimed.
"No choice but the life!" Yurin declared with a smile.
The same scene from the last turn repeated itself.
Yurin - Life: 4→3 / Reserve: 0→1 Cores
"Attack, Shinobikogane!" Kanetsugu ordered his other Spirit, which started running forward.
"Since Kirikage is exhausted and Ura can target attack it next turn, he must be planning to end the fight now." Hidetaka realized. "He must have a Magic in his hand to help him do that."
"Sorry to ruin your parade, but that attack won't reach me!" Yurin revealed a card in his hand. "Flash Timing! Magic: Necro Blight! Through its effect, I summon Demo-Bone from my Trash at no cost! To ensure the cost of this Magic, I use two of Ura's Cores."
An eerie magic circle appeared on his field, from which Demo-Bone emerged.
Demo-Bone: 1 Core / LV 1 / 1000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
The Shikigami Ura: 3→1 Cores / LV 2→1 / 6000→4000 BP
Yurin - Reserve: 1→0 Cores / Trash: 0→5 Cores
"Block it, Demo-Bone!" the Spirit he re-summoned was quickly destroyed by Shinobikogane's attack. "When my Spirit is destroyed by the opponent, my Burst activates! The Curse Hero Chaotic-Seimei's Burst effect: one Core from an opposing Spirit is moved to the Trash. Bye-bye, Kacchumushi."
A black fog erupted from the ground and swallowed the little insect before the only Core on it vanished. Since Spirits without Cores can't exist on the field, Kacchumushi also vanished.
"My Burst effect continues." Yurin informed. "If the destroyed Spirit that activated this Burst was a Purple Spirit, I can draw a card and return Seimei to my hand!"
"As always, the shadow sneaks from your grasp at the last moment." Kanetsugu remarked. "I end my turn with that."
"Ore no turn!" Yurin grinned. "Core Step. Draw Step. Refresh Step!"
His two Spirits stood back up.
Yurin - Reserve: 1→2→7 Cores / Trash: 5→0 Cores
"Main Step!" he chuckled. "First, I set a Burst and power up Demo-Bone and Ura to Level 2 each! Then, I summon Batknight at Level 2 as well!"
The dark knight with a bat-motif appeared on his field, and his other two Spirits got powered up.
Demo-Bone: 0→1 Core + 1 Soul Core / LV 1→2 / 1000→2000 BP
The Shikigami Ura: 1→3 Cores / LV 1→2 / 4000→6000 BP
Batknight: 2 Cores / LV 2 / 3000 BP / 1 Purple Symbol
Yurin - Reserve: 7→0 Cores / Trash: 0→2 Cores
"Its effect when summoned activates, letting me draw a card," Yurin explained, doing just that. "Attack Step! With your Key Spirit at rest, it's perfect prey for Ura... is what I would say, but you have something in your hand, don't you? You tried to end the match last turn, after all."
"As I thought, you read me." Kanetsugu admitted. "However, that was a mistake from your part."
"What did you say?"
"In your previous fight, Hogo Nagayoshi made a point which cannot be overlooked," Kanetsugu explained himself. "The fact that you're arrogant and too carefree, that is. While Hogo said that's one of your flaws... I would like to use the term weakness instead."
He pointed at his opponent with a finger and hard glare. "Your attitude is your own weakness, Susuida Yurin!" he shouted. "I knew that by using Kirikage from the start, you would try to destroy with a well-thought-out plan, and you did exactly that. You are too easy to read! Come, attack Kirikage with Ura, I allow that fight!"
"Nani!?" Yurin gasped in shock. "You're purposely letting your own Key be destroyed!?"
The Shikigami launched forward, and Kirikage did the same, bisecting its opponent with a swift slash. However, the ghostly form of Ura reappeared on the field and pierced Kirikage's body with its broadsword, destroying it as well.
"Kanetsugu's Key Spirit was...!" Yukimura gasped.
"W-When my Spirit is destroyed by the opponent, my Burst activates!" Yurin stated, shaken by this sudden turn of events. "The Curse Hero Chaotic-Seimei's Burst effect: one Core from an opposing Spirit is moved to the Trash, I draw a card, and return Seimei to my hand! Vanish, Shinobikogane!"
The said Spirit also vanished from the battlefield.
"Flash Timing!" Kanetsugu abruptly declared. "Magic: Double Body Swap! All opposing cost 4 or less Spirits are exhausted!"
Demo-Bone and Batknight were surrounded by a green glow that made then kneel down.
"Damn it..." Yurin cursed. "I don't have attacks to make, so it's the end of my turn..."
"Susuida!" the other shouted, catching his full attention. "Your resolve to win is excellent. But until you continue to have traces of hubris in your heart, you will never be able to surpass the power of my love!"
"We've finally reached the climax." Ranmaru smirked.
"Core Step!" Kanetsugu started his turn. "Draw Step! Refresh Step!"
Kanetsugu - Reserve: 1→2→10 Cores + 0→1 Soul Core / Trash: 8→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core
"Main Step!" he slammed a card onto his board. "I summon The Hornet King Fong-Need at Level 2!"
Emerging from the ground was the bee-like warrior with four arms, and holding a spear in its hands. It gave a loud screech upon entering the field as its eyes flashed red.
"I activate its effect when summon!" Kanetsugu cried out. "I add three cores from the void to Fong-Need!"
The Hornet King Fong-Need: 3→6 Cores + 1 Soul Core / LV 2 / 10000 BP / 1 Green Symbol
Kanetsugu - Reserve: 10→0 Cores + 1→0 Soul Core / Trash: 7→0 Cores
Yurin gritted his teeth as sweat ran down his forehead. In my last battle, I was pretty lucky to draw all of those 'wall' cards. But in this battle so far, I didn't get a single one yet! he glanced at his hand, seeing his Key Spirit in there. I wasn't even able to summon Jungle Crow... what a humiliating defeat...!
"Attack Step!" Kanetsugu turned his new Spirit's card sideways. "Go, Fong-Need!"
"Take it from the Life...!" Yurin said begrudgingly.
Using its spear, Fong-Need cut the Life Core into two.
Yurin - Life: 3→2 / Reserve: 3→4 Cores
"I activate Fong-Need's Level 2 effect when attacking!" Kanetsugu declared. "When this Spirit's attack decreases my opponent's Lives, by sending three Cores from it to the Trash, I can refresh Fong-Need! Once more time!"
"The Life!"
Following those words, the same scene from before reoccurred.
Yurin - Life: 2→1 / Reserve: 4→5 Cores
"It's over." Ranmaru chuckled.
"Fong-Need's effect! I refresh it once more time! DO IT!"
Yurin gritted his teeth. "I won't forget this, Houryokuin Kanetsugu!" he shouted as the Green Spirit destroyed his last Life Core, sending him flying off his battle machine.
Yurin - Life: 1→0
Winner: Kanetsugu!
The crowd started shouting again, obviously having enjoyed the fight. Yurin was able to land on his feet before hitting the floor, but he immediately left the Stadium, evidently not pleased with the end result.
"So the ruler Yukimura will be fighting..."
"Is Kanetsugu." the said person finished for Sasuke.
"This will be a difficult fight." Kanna told him. "How will you battle, Yukimura?"
"How...? How doesn't matter." the Red user remarked. "I'll pierce through, battling my way. I'll trust myself, and in Souldragon, and we'll just have a fair battle. I'll definitely win, otherwise, it would put shame to the extent of power Toshi gave in our fight."
"We all have high hopes for you, rival." Hidetaka gave a thumbs up.
"Right, leave it to me!" Yukimura nodded.
The battle between Musashi's strongest started out fiercely, both of them battling brilliantly. Kanetsugu was using his Core boost tactics to the max, and so was Yukimura with his Red Spirits and their destructive power. When Yukimura summoned his Souldragon and challenged Kirikage to a fight, Kanetsugu didn't give him what he wanted and survive his turn. On his next turn, by using an unexpected Soul Burst, Kanetsugu was able to win!
"Yukimura... really... lost...!?" Hidetaka muttered in shock, not expecting such an outcome...