Chapter 12: Confirmation

A week after the extraordinary events in the isle of Monte Cristo (A/N: coincidentally(?) the date is now the day of Yugi's 25th birthday, June 4, 2012) , Yugi and his friend return to their home country, Japan.

Once back in Domino, Yugi learns from the locals that Solomon Mutou had died a year after his grandson's arrest, and that the 'Gardner' girl left about two years ago. The young Mutou wasn't surprised at his grandpa's death, but where did Téa go? Did she go to New York to become a dancer?

Then, a day or two later, a Korean priest can be seen walking in a rundown part of Domino. The minister then enters a cheap, sleazy apartment, which two infamous renters are none other than a twenty-two year old Weevil Underwood, and Rex Raptor who's in his twenty-third year. The former was kicked out of college, while the latter is merely a high school graduate.

Both roommates have been living very crudely, such as eating out often, going to brothels, etc. When someone knocks on the two roommates' door, they think it's the owner, asking for the monthly rent again.

"Forget it, Weevil, it's probably for rent again," said Rex.

However, much to their surprise, a different voice is heard behind the door. "Is there a Weevil Underwood here?" asked a voice with a distinct Korean accent.

"Who's there?" replied Underwood.

"I am but a religious figure in the House of God; my name is Father Buu Soh Nii."

"Sorry, Father, but I don't believe in any religion, so--"

"I have come here to inform you of the fate of a certain Yugi Mutou."

"Yugi?" muttered Weevil. "Ah, well... come in, Father."

As the Korean minister enters the apartment room, he is offered the most decent looking chair. He then sits down, with Weevil in the opposite direction, while Rex is watching a small television set in a corner.

"Although I know Yugi personally, but the question is: Have you?" asked Underwood.

"Other than for his reputation, yes. I was his religious confidant on his deathbed."

"You mean he is... dead?" asked Weevil and Rex.

"I've heard that you, Weevil, used to be a rival of sorts with this Mutou?"

"Ah, yes... I was. Despite our mutual animosity towards one another, I merely wanted to beat him..."

Rex abruptly stated: "Yeah, by trying to take his soul the second time you two dueled."

The old priest asked, "Take away his soul? What are you kids talking about?"

"We were tricked by some guy named Dartz years ago. Long story."

"Ah, well."

Underwood questioned, "What was the cause of Yugi's death?"

"Why, he died of immense grief. And to make matters worse for him, he confided in me that he was entirely ignorant of the reasons for his incarceration."

Weevil gave the Korean an ironic expression. 'If only I could have hurried to inform of Kaiba and Wheeler's act! Damn it!'

He continued, "Before Yugi Mutou had died, he befriended a rich Chinese inmate, who upon the latter's release, gave Mutou... this."

The minister produced a Duel Monsters card. It was the Dark Magician, but instead of the usual purple costume, this one had an alternative 'tablet' artwork instead.

"But rather than using the rare card to buy his way out of prison, Yugi kept it in the hopes of using it for a fortune should he be released like his friend; the card was worth around 7 million yen."

"What a coincidence! The Dark Magician has always been Yugi's favorite monster... but sadly, it seems that he won't use it--"

"However, before he died, he wanted me to find the seven people that haven't deserted him after his arrest. They are his best friends, Joseph Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, and Duke Devlin; his girlfriend, Téa Gardner; his rival, Seto Kaiba, and you."

"But you only said six people so far!" cried Underwood.

"Yes... because one of the people have been dead long before Yugi: his grandfather, Solomon Mutou. I assume that you knew the old man?"

"Why, yes, I did, Father. It was almost a year after his grandson's arrest that he died!"

"What did he die from?" asked Father Buu Soh Nii.

"Doctors said that it was due to the stomach flu, but those who knew him personally, like I..."

The anxious voice asked, "You say he died of...?"

"I... old man... died of starvation!"

"My God! Starvation?! Not even the poorest animals on the street are allowed that kind of cruel death!" cried Buu Soh Nii.

Seeing himself overreact, the Korean (Yugi in disguise) excuses for his sudden reaction. Meanwhile, the two roommates can only think of the rare card that's just a couple of feet away from being theirs. "So, you say that you were gonna divide the card's value into 4 parts... since he's dead?" asked Weevil.

"Ah, yes. Since now that I know...but the tone of your voice suggests hesitation, and pangs of guilt, immense guilt." said the old priest.

"Oh, me? Well, you see... all those people don't deserve to be rewarded or can be reached at all."

"And why is that?"

"Well, Tristan is nowhere to be found, last time I saw, Duke was successful... while Kaiba, Joey, and Téa have betrayed him."

"How so, my young friend?"

"Kaiba, Joey, and Téa... the one who Yugi called friends..."

"You can continue. I am a priest, so your secrets are safe with me; I work for God alone."

"All right then. The night before Yugi's arrest, I was with Wheeler and Kaiba at a local bar. I was severely drunk at the time, when they... plotted the downfall of the boy."

"Two of his friends wanted to be rid of him?!"

"Sadly, yes. The two of them were the one who made the accusation letter that sent Yugi to rot in prison until his untimely death."

"Then that means you are morally responsible for Mutou's false incarceration."

"No! No! It's not what you think! I had nothing to do with their plan, Father. I swear it!"

"Then after your 'confession' you had better devote yourself to better society."

"All right! I promise. Um... can I continue the story?"

"Yes, continue."

"Shortly after Yugi was arrested, Kaiba easily reclaimed his title as the 'Number One Duelist', Wheeler gained tons of profits in tournaments and... possibly from illegal methods; he eventually became a Banker a year ago due to his apparent talent with handling money. Those two are the richest men in Domino now."

"And what of Yugi's girlfriend, Téa Gardner?"

"Well, she... uh... is currently engaged to Kaiba for the past year. They plan to get married sometime in the Fall."

The Korean paused momentarily, as in deep shock. 'No... this can't be happening to me. Even when I'm free... those two continue to turn my life upside down.'

"And what happened to the judge that sentenced Yugi to life in prison?"

Confused, Weevil replied, "I do not know who his judge was. Sorry to inform you, Father."

As he was leaving, Buu Soh Nii said, "Ah, well. Here's the card then. It seems to me that you're the one most worthy of having it. The 7 million yen is all yours, my boy."

And with that, the Korean minister leaves the rundown apartment. The two roommates are now shocked at this unexpected find.

"Looks like we're rich, Weevil!"

"Who said that we were sharing the card's worth?" asked Underwood, who produced a hidden blade...

Meanwhile outside the apartment, Buu Soh Nii quickly enters a Cadillac Hearse. Once inside the vehicle, the man removes his fake facial hair, and hat... revealing a grim Yugi Mutou.

"Happy Birthday, Zata-- I mean Yugi," said the driver, Jack O. Poe.

"Some birthday... I must go somewhere else, Jack."

"Where to?"

"The Hall of Records, my young friend."

'I must confirm Pegasus' involvement for my imprisonment. If he is guilty, then I fear that he might be my greatest opposition for my revenge...'