What Fusion Monster can't be summoned using "King of the Swamp" but can be summoned by fusing tokens? If you said "F.G.D.", you were wrong. That one can indeed be summoned using "King of the Swamp" as one of the Monsters.
However, if you said "Ojama Knight", you were successfully able to Name that Card!
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I use the Six Samurai in my deck, and I know that even historically speaking, the Samurai weren't the average soldiers or warriors.
In feudal Japan, the Samurai was a member of the ruling class. They were often the upper echelons of the large clans that ruled the lands as local governments. They were similar to knights, who reported to a landowner or similar noble, whom they referred to as a liege.
Most important to a Samurai was something called Bushido, a special code that they lived by. It had various tenets, and stressed honor above all else. A Samurai would sooner die than commit a dishonorable act, and would kill himself if he did.
Depending on the version followed by the specific clan, Bushido could be simple or complicated. All versions stressed seven basic virtues: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Loyalty, and naturally, Honor. All of them were good traits to have. Other parts of the Bushido philosophy covered methods of raising children, martial arts mastery, care for the elderly, appearance and grooming, and most of all, constant preparation for death. One might say that death was at the very center of Bushido as the overall purpose – to die a good death and with one's honor intact.
Naturally, Samurai hated to be confused with that other group of warriors, whose methods didn't care much for these virtues, and violated the ways of Bushido.
In a sense then, the duel I'm in now is rather symbolic…
I'm in the middle of a feud that dates back a long time…
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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
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Rivalry
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Around the time that Ren was starting his duel with Chaos Sorcerer, Nicholas and Olga were riding the e-train across Domino.
Nicholas's cell phone rang, and he quickly answered it.
"Sheena?" he said. "Is that you?"
"Yeah," said Sheena. "I have an update. I managed to sneak into the central processor of KaibaCorp's computer… You know, the brain? Anyway, I found out what Daala is using to control it.
"Are you sitting down? This is gonna shock you good…"
"What?" said Nicholas. "Some sort of computer virus?"
"I wish," said Sheena. "I had expected a virus or a worm, but what I found was something that isn't exactly in the manual.
"Remember our little discussion about Duel Spirits? Well there's a Duel Spirit inside the computer!
"Ironically, it's an Insect-Type Duel Spirit."
"Someone used an Insect against you?" shouted Nicholas.
"Ironic, right?" muttered Sheena. "I recognized it too… There aren't any Insects that I don't know about. It's a rarely used Insect called Zachtrigger's Magnet.
"In the actual game, a Zachtrigger's Magnet is like a Monster version of Change of Heart, which only works on Machine-Type Monsters. Apparently, this Spirit can control any machine, so it was able to control my computer. Daala is apparently sending it orders via her own system, allowing her to control it via proxy.
"And this explains why my anti-viral systems and firewalls couldn't defend against it. This is no virus. This is a Spirit. KaibaCorp's antiviral systems are the world's best, but no system is designed to combat invasions by living things."
"Do you have any plans for getting rid of it?" asked Nicholas.
"The only way I can think of to get rid of it would be to somehow send a Duel Spirit of our own in there to fight it," said Sheena. "If I could do that, it wouldn't be hard. Zachtrigger's Magnet is a pretty weak Monster, stat-wise. But while I've dabbled in sorcery on occasion, I really can think of no way to do that.
"Just any Spirit wouldn't do, in fact. It would need to be… I dunno, I guess an incorporeal one, who could work its way through the circuitry somehow…
"How in the world am I going to send a living creature inside my computer's central processor to deal with another one??"
"Okay, Sheena, okay…" said Nicholas. "We'll keep working on a solution. I'm betting that there is a way to do it, and someone in Domino knows how. And we'll find him."
"Be careful, okay?" replied Sheena. "My insurance isn't covering you, in case you forgot."
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In the more rural part of town, the Mermaid's Cups stood out slightly. It was a moderate-sized bathhouse, and it apparently got its name from the two ivory statues flanking the entrance, each one depicting a mermaid with shells covering her breasts.
"Nicholas…" muttered Olga, as they approached the entrance, "are you sure it's wise to just walk into a Yakuza meeting place?"
"I've got a plan," said Nicholas. "And a few backup plans… And if all else fails, we run like Hell…"
"Not very reassuring," said Olga.
They walked inside, into the reception area, where a young woman, dressed in an old-fashioned, low cut, black dress and wearing a fancy hairdo stood behind the desk.
She was writing something in a ledger, but she quickly closed it when the two of them walked in.
"May I help you?" she said, in a very unfriendly voice.
Nicholas cleared his throat.
"We're looking for Katsu Hideo," said Nicholas.
The woman chuckled.
"A lot of people are looking for him," she said, narrowing her eyes. "If you want to make a deal with him for some reason, you'll have to wait. He's busy.
"If you're planning to kill him, word is you have to get in line for that privilege.
"Might I ask what your business is with him anyway? I'll write it down…"
She opened the ledger.
"Xanadu," said Nicholas.
The woman slammed the ledger closed.
"Katsu is very busy," she said, nervously. "I doubt he can speak to you right now…"
"You mean he's here?" asked Nicholas. "Who are you?"
"My name is Cho," said the woman. "I'm an… acquaintance of his."
Olga chuckled.
"I've seen this before, Joshua," she said. "It happens all the time in crime circles. Her only real job is likely keeping him warm at night."
Nicholas looked at the door behind the desk.
"If you don't mind, Cho," he said, "and even if you do…"
Cho simply crossed her arms as he went to try the door. Unfortunately, it didn't budge. He struggled with the knob.
"As you might realize by now, it's locked," said Cho.
She held up a key.
"Let's have it," demanded Nicholas.
Cho grinned. Then she dropped the key into her cleavage.
"OOH!" shouted Nicholas. "You're gonna make this difficult, sister?"
"Indeed," said Cho. "I see the two of you are duelists…"
She lifted a Duel Disk, and placed it on the deck.
"Even if you get that key, you won't get far," she said. "But if you beat me, I'll gladly let you see Katsu."
"No joke?" said Nicholas.
He stepped back, and shuffled his deck. Cho grinned, and placed the Disk on her arm. She walked forward to face him, a wicked little gleam in her eye.
"Just one thing," she purred. "Stand on that circle on the floor…"
Nicholas looked at the circle.
"Well, okay," he said, "but I don't see what difference it…"
As he stepped on the circle, he heard the click of a pressure plate. Then two shackles rose out of the floor, and clamped onto his ankles.
"HEY!" shouted Nicholas. "What's the big idea?"
"You're strapped in for the long haul, Joshua," said Cho.
Then another pair of shackles latched onto her ankles.
"See? I have a pair too. Now the fight is fair. We both can't escape.
"You see, Joshua, whenever you duel a member of the Usagi family, a regular duel isn't enough…
"You have to be prepared to meet your opponent in Hell!"
"Let him go!" shouted Olga.
"Make one more move and he dies," said Cho. "I suggest you just have a seat and watch."
Olga slowly sat down.
Nicholas… she thought. What have we gotten into?
The two Disks activated.
"Game on!" they both shouted.
(Nicholas: 8,000) - - - - - - - - - - (Cho: 8,000)
"Ladies first," said Cho, drawing a card.
She looked over her hand.
"I'll set this in Defense Mode, and that will be all."
A facedown Monster appeared.
"Not much of an opening move," said Nicholas, making a draw.
"I'll also set a Monster in Defense Mode, and end my turn."
A facedown Monster appeared on his side of the field.
"Humph," said Cho, drawing a card. "This duel is gonna be pretty dull if all we do is put things in Defense Mode…
"I flip my Monster into Attack Mode… Meet White Ninja!"
Her facedown card flipped up, and a tall Ninja dressed in white with a flared hood, holding a long knife appeared. (1,500/800)
"By flipping him, I can destroy one Monster in Defense Mode."
A blade slashed across the field. Sangan appeared on the card, and shattered.
"Thanks," muttered Nicholas, taking his deck. "Now I get to add a Monster to my hand."
"But not to the field," said Cho, taking a card from her hand. "Next, I summon Ninja Commander Ikusa."
"Huh?" said Nicholas.
As Cho played the card, another Ninja appeared on the field, this one dressed in green, with twin swords on his back. (750/700)
"Not very strong," said Nicholas.
Then a gong sounded, and Ikusa started to blur. A third Ninja appeared from the blur, this one dressed in blue. (400/400)
"It's a Ninja trick called multiplicity," said Cho. "When Ikusa is summoned, I get to Special Summon his partner, Ninja Soldier Katana."
"Just great…" said Nicholas.
"White Ninja, attack him directly! White lotus blade!"
White Ninja leapt at Nicholas, and stabbed at him with the knife. He grunted.
Then, as his Life Points went down, a surge of electricity shot through the shackles on his legs. He screamed.
"What happened?" he gasped.
"I told you you'd meet me in Hell," said Cho. "They're called pain bands. When you take damage, those shackles will hurt you for real.
"This isn't the Good Ship Lollypop, Joshua. This is Yakuza. A duel here isn't just a game. The losers are punished with real pain… Or in your case, much more.
"Now, if you were a member of Usagi, you'd get mercy when you lost, and just be out of commission for a few days.
"But Usagi doesn't show any mercy when it's a duel with an outsider. The loser in this case gets one final jolt that's lethal.
"Now then… Ikusa, Katana… You attack too."
The two Ninja hurled a set of shuriken at Nicholas, and he screamed again as the electricity surged through him.
(N: 5,350) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 8,000)
Nicholas… thought Olga, with her eyes widening in fear.
"Your move…" said Cho, with an evil smile.
"Gladly," muttered Nicholas, drawing a card.
He added it to his hand.
"I summon Marauding Captain."
He played the card, and the aged, battle-scarred veteran appeared, holding his blades. (1,200/400)
"Now I'll use his effect, to summon Six Samurai – Nisashi."
He played another card, and the armored, muscular Samurai holding the paired katana and wakisashi appeared. (1,400/700)
"Next up," he said, throwing a card into his Disk, "I play Monster Gate. I sacrifice one Monster, like my Captain…"
Marauding Captain vanished into grains of light.
"Then I pick up cards from my deck until I reach a Monster that can be Normal Summoned. Then I Special Summon it.
"So let's see…"
He picked up one card.
Nuts, I could have used that… he thought.
He picked up another card.
NUTS! I can't Normal Summon this guy…
He picked up a third.
There we go.
He discarded the first two cards, and then played the third.
"I summon Six Samurai – Irou!"
The dark, katana wielding, blindfolded Samurai appeared. (1,700/1,200)
"Since I have two Samurai on the field, Nisashi gets to attack twice. Nisashi, attack Ikusa and Kitana with Strike of the Driving Gale!"
Nisashi sped forward, and with two slashes, the two Ninja were cut down.
Cho held her chest and closed her eyes. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
"Irou, destroy White Ninja! Setting Sun Strike!"
Irou slashed with his katana, and the other Ninja shattered.
Cho glared at Nicholas.
(N: 5,350) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 6,150)
"Uh… Doesn't that hurt?" asked Olga.
"Excruciating…" said Cho, with a grin. "But I've done it so often, it doesn't bother me…
"Sure, I cried and screamed a little when I dueled during my initiation… But in the Usagi, we're taught to use the pain, use it to harden us and make us stronger. In fact, Joshua, I've dueled with this system so often, it almost feels good…
"Most Yakuza families harden themselves by covering themselves with fancy tattoos using old-fashioned needles, in processes that take years to complete… The Usagi use this. Both methods cause pain, and both methods make you stronger… tougher. For us, it's a way of life."
Nicholas stared at her.
"I set one card facedown, and play the Field Spell Shien's Castle of Mist," he said.
A facedown card appeared, and then the whole room changed. They were now standing in a courtyard of a huge, dark, Japanese shiro, with mist covering the ground, and ominous ravens perched in the trees.
"My move!" said Cho with a laugh.
She drew a card. Then she fit it into her Disk.
"I play Premature Burial to bring back Ikusa."
She played the card, and glowed with a red aura as the Ninja Commander appeared again. (750/700)
"Now…" she said. "I remove Katana and White Ninja from play, and then sacrifice Ikusa, to summon Ninja Master Shogun!"
In a burst of flames, Ikusa vanished, and a new Warrior appeared on the field. He was dressed in a fiery, red kimono and vest, and wore a long, white wig and a demonic mask with horns. Two flags with kanji symbols decorated his back. (1,600/1,400)
Not the most subtle or functional outfit for a Ninja, thought Nicholas. But no problem… If he attacks while my Field Spell is in play, he'll lose 500 Attack Points.
"My Ninja Master has a powerful effect," said Cho. "By summoning him, I get to Special Summon not one, but two more Ninja. So, I think I'll summon Lady Ninja Yae, and Ninja Commando Kabuki."
Two new Warriors flipped onto the field. One was a woman in a purple jumpsuit with green hair, carrying a dagger. (1,100/200) The other was a Ninja in white, wearing an orange kilt. (700/700)
"And guess what?" said Cho. "When Kabuki is summoned, I get to summon another Ninja. So I'll summon a second Kabuki."
With another flip, a twin of the first Kabuki appeared. (700/700)
"Meaning you get to summon someone else, right?" asked Nicholas.
"Of course," said Cho. "And since I've already summoned Yae, I think I'll bring out her partner too. I summon Goe Goe the Gallant Ninja."
A new Warrior somersaulted onto the field. It was a handsome young man wearing a red martial arts gi, holding an unlikely-looking weapon. It resembled a long length of pipe topped with a large faucet head. (1,500/1,000)
"Five Monsters in one turn?" shouted Olga.
"Well what do you know?" chuckled Cho. "She can count.
"Now I activate Lady Ninja Yae's effect. By discarding a Wind Monster, like my Kunoichi Warrior here, I can blow all your Spell and Trap Cards off the field."
She discarded a card, and one of the Yae's eyes glowed.
"Chain!" shouted Nicholas. "Emergency Provisions!"
His facedown card lifted and the Field Spell vanished.
"Ah, well," said Cho. "Ready for more pain? I have five Monsters on the field… What Equip Spell would be perfect, I ask you?"
"You don't mean…" gasped Nicholas.
Cho showed him the card. It was United We Stand.
She threw it into her Disk, and Ninja Master Shogun roared as his Attack Score skyrocketed. (5,600/1,400)
Cho laughed an evil laugh.
"Attack his Irou!" she shouted. "Merciless flame attack!"
Ninja Master Shogun exhaled a burst of fire with the force of a flamethrower. Nicholas screamed as electricity coursed through him…
He gasped for breath. Sweat poured down his face.
(N: 2,450) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 5,350)
When the smoke cleared, Irou was still standing, but Nisashi was gone.
"Huh?" said Cho.
"I used the Six Samurais' effect," gasped Nicholas. "I had Irou use Nisashi as a shield. And it looks like none of your other Ninja are strong enough to beat him."
"Whatever…" said Cho. "Make your move. It will be your last."
She may not be far off, thought Nicholas, looking at the two cards in his hand. If I don't get the best draw ever, I'm finished…
What does Yumi always like to say?
That's right… One draw changes everything. Let's hope it does.
He drew a card. He held it up without looking at it.
"Better take a look," said Cho. "Your life may depend on it. After all, if you move your Samurai to Defense Mode, my Shogun can attack you next. Keep him in Attack Mode, and it will be just as bad."
Nicholas looked at it.
Well, he thought, I guess it's all up to fate now…
"I summon Spirit of the Six Samurai!" he shouted.
He played the card, and the Monster that appeared resembled, more than anything, a ghostly, and very fancy suit of oriental armor, with blue flames where the wearer's flesh would be. (500/500)
"So that was the best you could do, huh?" said Cho. "A haunted suit of old armor? And not a very strong one, at that."
"It's a Union Monster, Cho," said Nicholas, "one that can be worn by any member of the Six Samurai. You see, this armor once belonged to the founder of their clan, and he swore even in death to watch over them.
"Let's see if it works…"
The Spirit glowed with eldritch energy, and then split apart. The armor formed over Irou, bonding to him with glowing, sparking energy. Then, a glowing, crackling naginata appeared in his hands.
"When wearing this armor, a member of the Six Samurai gains 500 points for both attacking and defending."
(2,300/1,700)
"Please," said Cho. "He's still far from a match for my Shogun."
"That's not who I'm aiming for," said Nicholas. "Nisashi, attack Lady Ninja Yae!"
Nisashi charged, and thrust at the female Ninja with his blade. She gasped, and then shattered.
"I almost forgot to mention," said Nicholas, "when a Samurai kills an enemy when wearing the Spirit, I get to draw one card."
He drew a card. He looked at it.
"And I think I'll use it… Pot of Greed!"
He played the card, and drew twice.
"And it seems like luck is on my side! I play… Double Summon! This lets me make a second Normal Summon this turn."
He played the card, and took a card from his hand.
"I summon… Six Samurai – Kamon!"
In a burst of flame, a new Samurai appeared. He was dressed in leather armor, and had soot and grime all over his face. At first, it appeared as if he had no weapon, but a closer look showed that he carried dozens of primitive gunpowder explosives on his armor. (1,500/1,000)
"Now I activate Kamon's effect," said Nicholas. "Since I have another Samurai on the field, if I don't attack with him this round, I can destroy one face-up Spell or Trap Card. And since I already ended my Battle Phase anyway…
"Kamon, wipe out United We Stand!"
A flame appeared in Kamon's hand. He lit the fuse of one of the explosives, and then hurled it, blowing the Equip Spell to pieces. Ninja Master Shogun's Attack Score plummeted back to 1,600.
"I set one card facedown, and end my turn," said Nicholas, as a facedown card appeared.
(N: 2,450) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 4,150)
Cho fumed with anger as she drew a card.
"Shogun, attack that blasted Kamon!" she shouted.
The Ninja Master breathed fire at the Samurai.
"Activate… Shrink!" shouted Nicholas, as his facedown card lifted.
Ninja Master Shogun fell to an Attack Score of 800. Kamon swatted the blast aside, and it fell back on the Ninja, toasting him with his own attack. Cho cringed as she was shocked by the manacles.
"I move everyone else to Defense Mode," she said with a growl, "and end my turn."
A facedown card appeared, and both Kabukis and Goe Goe all knelt and shielded themselves.
(N: 2,450) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 3,450)
"I draw one card…" said Nicholas.
"Kamon, torch Goe Goe with Greek fire grenade!"
Kamon hurled another explosive, and the Gallant Ninja screamed as he went up in flames.
"Irou, attack the first Commando!"
Irou charged, and stabbed one of the Kabukis. The Ninja shattered.
"Don't forget, I get to draw a card now," he said, drawing.
He looked at the card.
"Now I'll set one card facedown, and summon Samurai Yariza."
He played the card, and a Samurai in black, leather armor, wearing a peaked helmet and a mask covering the lower half of his face appeared. He carried a spear with a glowing blade. (1,000/500)
"I end my turn…"
Cho angrily drew a card.
"I play MY Pot of Greed!" she shouted.
She played the card, and drew twice.
"I'm going to disarm your Samurai. I play Mystical Space Typhoon!"
She played the card, and the whirlwind tore across the field, striking Irou. His armor shattered into pieces.
"Next, I play… Double Spell. I'll toss one Spell Card…"
She discarded her copy of Card Destruction.
"And I get to use a Spell Card in your Graveyard. I think I'll use your Monster Gate."
The art for Double Spell changed to the one for Monster Gate, and the second Kabuki vanished. Cho picked up one card, and then placed it on her Disk.
"I summon Strike Ninja!" she shouted.
In a dark shadow, a Ninja that looked much like the traditional Ninja appeared, all in black, with gold trim. He carried a pair of daggers. (1,700/1,200)
"Next, I Equip him with Fuhma Shuriken. This increases his Attack Score by 700 points."
She fit the card into her Disk, and Strike Ninja glowed. (2,400/1,200)
"Attack his Yariza!" she shouted.
Strike Ninja dashed towards the Samurai…
"Activate… Mirror Force!" shouted Nicholas.
His facedown card lifted, and a blinding light covered the field.
Then Strike Ninja vanished in a burst of smoke.
"Huh?" said Nicholas.
Then he screamed as a swarm of shuriken plowed into him.
Cho chuckled, and held up the Ninja Commander Ikusa and Ninja Master Shogun cards.
"I simply removed two Dark Monsters from play," she said, placing them inside her dress, "and my Ninja was able to vanish into the shadows and escape your Trap. Even better, the Fuhma Shuriken was destroyed, so its other effect activated, and you lost 700 Life Points."
Nicholas gasped for breath.
"I end my turn," said Cho.
Strike Ninja appeared again in a puff of smoke. (1,700/1,200)
(N: 1,750) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 3,450)
Nicholas drew a card.
Aw, Chamberlain of the Six Samurai? he thought, looking at it. No offense, buddy, but you were NOT the guy I wanted…
"Yariza, attack!" he shouted.
Yariza lifted his spear.
"What?" shouted Cho. "My Ninja is much stronger!"
"But he's not the target," said Nicholas. "You are."
Yariza leapt right over Strike Ninja, and stabbed Cho in the chest with his spear. She screamed and fell on her behind.
"In case you haven't figured it out yet," said Nicholas, "Yariza can attack directly. That will end my turn."
(N: 1,750) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 2,450)
Cho got up. She drew a card.
"First I set this facedown," she said, as a facedown card appeared in a flash.
"Then my Ninja attacks that blasted Yariza!"
Strike Ninja sped towards Yariza…
"Kamon!" shouted Nicholas. "Defend Yariza!"
Kamon threw himself in front of Yariza, and he shattered from the blow. Nicholas cringed as he was shocked again.
(N: 1,050) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 2,450)
"My… move…" he muttered.
He drew a card.
YES! he thought.
"Let me introduce you to a real Shogun!" he exclaimed. "I Special Summon Great Shogun Shien!"
A bonfire erupted on his side of the field, and the mighty Shogun in his plate armor, holding his burning katana, stepped out of it. (2,500/2,400)
"Surprise," said Cho. "I have a Trap…"
Her facedown card lifted, showing a picture of Lady Ninja Yae in a maelstrom of magical energy.
"It's called Ninjitsu Art of Transformation. Now I can sacrifice a Ninja on my side of the field, and summon from my deck a Beast, Winged Beast, or Insect that's up to three Levels greater than the Ninja I'm sacrificing.
"Strike Ninja is Level Four, so…"
Strike Ninja vanished in a glowing light.
"I summon Behemoth, the King of All Animals!"
In the next minute, Cho's whole half of the room was taken up by a titanic creature. It combined the worst aspects of oxen, lion, and bear, with purple fur, a shaggy mane, and razor sharp teeth and claws. (2,700/1,500)
No… thought Nicholas. If I keep Yariza in Attack Mode, I'll lose on her next turn…
"I move Irou and Yariza to Defense Mode, and set a new Monster in Defense Mode."
A facedown Monster appeared, and Yariza and Irou knelt and held their weapons down.
"That's all I can do," he said.
Cho grinned a sinister grin as she drew a card.
"I play The Warrior Returning Alive," she said. "Now I get a Warrior back. Think I'll choose my Kunoichi Warrior…"
She took a card from her discard slot.
"Now, I'll summon her."
In a whirlwind of energy, a female figure appeared. She didn't look much like the typical practitioner of Ninjitsu, unless the art had adjusted for modern times. She had bright blue hair, and wore a leather tank top, a yellow skirt, a red bandana, knee-high red leggings, and punk sunglasses. She still carried a katana, which she quickly drew from its sheath.
She grinned at Nicholas. (1,800/1,000)
"Attack Yariza!" shouted Cho. "Strike of the assassin!"
Kunoichi Warrior leapt up, and did a flip. She slashed with her katana, and Yariza shattered.
"Behemoth, crush his Shogun!"
Behemoth lifted his mighty paw…
"Nisashi! Defend Shien!" shouted Nicholas.
Nisashi leapt up and threw himself in front of Shien. He was crushed flat. Nicholas cringed again.
"You might as well give up," said Cho. "You won't be able to save him next round."
(N: 850) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 2,450)
Nicholas drew a card.
"I set a card facedown, and move Shien to Defense Mode," he said.
A facedown card appeared, and Shien sheathed his katana and knelt down.
He glared at Cho.
Cho drew a card.
"This is the end, Joshua," she said. "First, I play Shield Crush."
She played the card, and a beam of energy shot towards Nicholas's facedown Monster. A man with cybernetic limbs, holding a sword, appeared on the card before he was blown to pieces.
"Behemoth, crush his Shogun!"
The King of All Animals roared, and slammed down with its mighty paw, flattening Shien.
"Now to finish you! Kunoichi, attack him directly!"
Kunoichi Warrior rushed towards Nicholas.
"Go, Trap Card!" shouted Nicholas. "Call of the Haunted!"
His facedown card lifted, and a large, wicker coffin appeared on his side of the field. It opened, and Shien lifted himself out. (2,500/2,400)
Cho chuckled, and put her hand on her hip as the female ninja stopped.
"You just don't give up, do you?" she said. "Any great general knows when he's outgunned. Seems your Shogun doesn't know that.
"Well, I end my turn. So what will you do?"
Nicholas drew.
"Look familiar?" he said, showing her the card. "I have The Warrior Returning Alive too."
"Go ahead!" she said with a laugh. "Nothing you've played so far can beat my Behemoth."
"But I haven't played this guy yet…" said Nicholas, taking a card from his discard slot. "I discarded him when I played Monster Gate, because he can't be Normal Summoned.
"His name is Enishi, Shien's Chancellor, and I summon him by removing from play two Samurai in my Graveyard.
"So, I think I'll remove my Chamberlain, and Yariza."
Two cards slipped out of his discard slot, and he pocketed them.
Then, in a burst of light, a new figure appeared on the field. He was dressed in the rich clothes of nobility, in green and golden hues. He had a neatly-trimmed beard and moustache, and long hair that was tied in back in a topknot. He carried a fancy katana and wakisashi by his side. (2,200/1,200)
"Heh," said Cho. "A lot of preparation for a Monster that can't even do the job…"
"But he can," said Nicholas, as Enishi drew his sword. "If I don't actually attack with him this round, he can destroy one face-up Monster on the field."
"Say what?" shouted Cho.
"Enishi," said Nicholas, "destroy Behemoth!"
Enishi made a downward slash with his blade, and The King of All Animals roared. It shattered into shards.
"All right!" shouted Nicholas. "Shien, attack Kunoichi Warrior! Sword of burning pride!"
Shien slashed downward with his katana, and Kunoichi Warrior screamed right before she was burned to ashes. Cho groaned too, as she was shocked again.
(N: 850) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 1,750)
"Why don't you surrender?" said Nicholas. "Enishi can use that effect every round. There's no need for you to die here, Cho."
"Can't," said Cho, drawing a card. "I'd face a much more horrible death if I ever stopped a duel before it finished. In case you forgot, this is Yakuza.
"Besides, I haven't lost yet…"
She played a Spell Card, which was revealed to be Stray Lambs. Two Lamb Tokens appeared. Then she placed another card on her Disk, and a facedown Monster appeared.
"Your move…"
"Okay," said Nicholas, drawing, "if that's really what you want…
"I play Pot of Avarice."
He played the card, and then took Marauding Captain, Spirit of the Six Samurai, Nisashi, Kamon, and Sangan from his Graveyard, and reshuffled. He drew twice.
"I play Premature Burial, to bring back Irou," he said.
Once again, the blindfolded Samurai appeared. (1,700/1,200)
Cho grinned.
He foolishly reduced his Life Points to double digits, she said. I can still win…
"Now, I summon someone new…" shouted Nicholas. "Come out, Zanji!"
He played the card, and in a burst of light, the armored Samurai holding a glowing naginata appeared. (1,800/1,300)
"Zanji, Shien, destroy her Lambs."
The Shogun and the Samurai slashed with their weapons, and the two Tokens were cut in half.
"Irou, destroy her last defense!"
Irou charged at the facedown card. A diabolic looking assassin in a black cloak holding two blades appeared on the card, and was sliced in half.
"That was my Night Assailant!" laughed Cho. "Now…"
"It won't do anything, Cho," interrupted Nicholas, shaking his head. "Since I have two Samurai on the field, Irou automatically destroys any facedown Monster he battles, and negates its Flip-Effect."
Cho's eyes opened wide. Enishi drew his katana.
"Enishi… finish this…" said Nicholas.
The whole world slowed down, as Enishi slammed his sword into Cho, knocking her over.
(N: 50) - - - - - - - - - - (C: 0)
Then Cho screamed at the top of her lungs as a massive jolt of electricity shot through her. The shackles holding Nicholas unlatched. He tried to run to her, but he almost collapsed.
Olga ran up to her instead.
"Cho…" she said. "This was all a waste. I hope you're happy with yourself."
"Oh, but I am," said Cho, weakly. "Your friend… might have won… but this duel gave Katsu plenty of time to escape…
"He's in the clear now… You'll never catch him… You'll never pin Xanadu on him…
"And he'll remember me…
"And he'll avenge me too… You can be sure…"
And then she collapsed.
"Yeah, right…" muttered Olga. "He likely thought to sacrifice you without a second thought… And he'll probably have a new girlfriend tomorrow."
"Hey…" said Nicholas. "A little help here?"
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
It didn't take long for Nicholas to recover. They started to look through the offices of the bathhouse, but as Cho had said, everyone had fled.
"Nothing…" muttered Nicholas. "Seems they covered their tracks pretty well… Cho was pretty dedicated to stalling us so they could make good their escape without leaving any evidence."
Olga paused.
"Wait…" she said. "Cho didn't get away!"
She pulled Nicholas back to the reception area where Cho's body was still lying.
"What?" shouted Nicholas.
"Help me search before the cops get here," said Olga. "When did you call them, anyway?"
"About ten minutes ago…" he replied.
Olga started to look through Cho's purse.
"Then we probably have just five minutes until…" she started. "Well lookee here!"
She pulled out a cellular phone.
"What good will that do us?" asked Nicholas.
Olga turned on the phone, and hit a button. A series of numbers came up.
"Speed dial numbers," she said. "Take a pen and paper. We've got until the police get here to copy these down."
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One hour later, after answering a lot of questions, Nicholas had convinced the police that he had taken Olga to the bathhouse to treat her to a massage, and that Cho had started the duel simply as her sadistic means of fun (which wasn't a lie, after all). The police had suspected the bathhouse of being a Yakuza den for a long time anyway. Fortunately, Detective Akuma wasn't handling the case at this time, and the police had no reason to suspect that they were anything but the exchange students they claimed to be. The officer in charge gave them the number of a trauma center in case they needed it, but they knew that they never would. After giving their numbers to them, Nicholas and Olga managed to slip away.
When they were out of earshot, Olga dialed Sheena's number.
"Sheena?" she said. "Olga. We have some numbers for you to trace…"
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NINJA COMMANDER IKUSA (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 3
ATK: 750
DEF: 700
Card Description: When this card is Normal Summoned, Flip-Summoned, or Special Summoned, you may Special Summon one "Ninja Soldier Katana" from your hand or deck.
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NINJA SOLDIER KATANA (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 400
DEF: 400
Flavor Text: A young apprentice in the art of Ninjitsu. His skills are limited, but his potential is strong.
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NINJA MASTER SHOGUN (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 5
ATK: 1,600
DEF: 1,400
Card Description: This card cannot be Normal Summoned unless you first remove two "Ninja" Monsters in your Graveyard from play. When this card is Tribute Summoned, you may Special Summon up to two "Ninja" Monsters that are Level Four or less from your hand or deck.
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NINJA COMMANDO KABUKI (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 3
ATK: 700
DEF: 700
Card Description: When this card is Normal Summoned, Flip-Summoned, or Special Summoned, you may Special Summon one "Ninja" Monster that is Level Four or less from your hand or deck.
Note: The proceeding four cards were first used by Jean-Claude Magnum in the original anime episode "Lights, Camera, Duel!" Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
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KUNOICHI WARRIOR (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
ATK: 1,800
DEF: 1,000
Card Description: When control of this card switches, the controller of this card randomly discards one card from his hand.
Note: "Kunoichi Warrior" was recently released in Japan in "The Duelist Genesis". (American release date not yet known.)
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ZACHTRIGGER'S MAGNET (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Insect/Effect
Attribute: Light
Level: 3
ATK: 200
DEF: 1,400
Card Description: FLIP: You may take control of one face-up Machine-Type Monster on your opponent's side of the field until the End Phase of the turn. Deduct 500 points from the ATK and DEF of the Monster that destroys this card as a result of battle.
Note: "Zachtrigger's Magnet" is a Japanese card that has not yet been released in the United States. (Some video games have called this card "Electromagnetic Bagworm".)
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Coming up next:
Chelsea pits her skills against the Lord of the Sea of Infinite Tears! But despite the upgraded powers of her Deck Lord, she's soon backed into a corner, when she finds that her opponent's strategy turns one of the greatest strengths of Zombie-Type Monsters into a dangerous liability. Can she survive? It's a chapter called "Level Lock", coming soon.
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Name that Card!
When Yugi fought Gurimo, he used an anime-only Spell called "Magical Academy" to summon "Dark Magician Girl" and raise her Level high enough for her to use "Diffusion-Wave Motion". If you want her to use "Diffusion-Wave Motion" in the actual game, a Spell Card has recently been released in the OCG that will let her do just that. Can you name it?