Those Who Endure

Chapter 3: Crossed Paths

"ZZZ…ZZZ…ZZZ…"

A snort escaped from the blonde's nose as he slept blissfully on his bed. Last week had quite interesting; the Ghost Turbo Duel; meeting new people like the former and current Duel King; Sector Security; that girl Fuuka, etc.

But that was then and this is now. And now is the time to sleep with no interruptions.

"Rise and shine!"

Scratch that thought.

Naruto groaned before he pulled the bed sheets over his head, briefly forgetting who's standing over his bed. He regretted that the moment he found himself on the floor instead of the bed and his mother standing in front of him. "M-morning, mom."

"Morning. Now come on, you need to get ready." Misaki stated, confusing her eldest.

"For what?"

"School of course."

It took him a moment to register what she said. "EH?!" Naruto sat up from his former position. "Why? Wait, when did you enroll me?"

"Before we moved and your return home."

"What?! You already did this without me knowing." Naruto shouted before sighing. Nothing could be done now that his parents already enrolled him. "And I was really looking forward to taking a year off from studies."

"What was that?"

Naruto flinched and put his hands up in defense. "Nothing, nothing at all." An unconvinced Misaki stared at her son but let it go as she went into his closet. "So what school am I going to?"

His mother answered him by placing an outfit on his bed. Naruto got up and looked at the clothing: it was a red jacket with a yellow tie atop a white long-sleeved shirt and black shoes.

"No way." Naruto declared with absolute.

"Naruto…"

"Sorry mom, but I'm not wearing that."

The mother and son stared down at each other with neither letting up and no signs detailing otherwise. It was intense that when Joshua passed by and quickly retreated back downstairs to avoid being in the crossfire.

TWExTWExTWE

The engine of his Duel Runner was music to his ears after such an intense argument with his mother followed by an equally intense negotiation regarding the uniform. Finally, they had reached an agreement that left them both happy: the red jacket over dark blue t-shirt with black jeans and his orange headband wrapped around his right wrist during school hours.

Naruto sighed as he rode through the busy streets of the city before entering the highway that would lead him to his new school. While weaving through the tight spaces between each car and truck that passes by, Naruto thought about the people who paid him a visit not too long ago.

-(Flashback Begins)-

The Signers, Mina and Trudge were somehow exhausted after leaving the Ea household, home to Naruto Ea; the one who defeated Ghost in his first Turbo Duel. The main reason for their exhaustion was watching the poor blonde being questioned and softly punished by his expecting and possibly hormonal mother.

"I never knew moms could be that." Crow said.

"She sorta reminds me about Martha." Yusei said politely. "They're both fierce and caring."

"That may be true." Jack reluctantly agreed.

The three of them grew up in Satellite under Martha's care at her orphanage. This was years before the formerly crime-ridden island reconnected to Neo Domino City's mainland during the six-month construction.

"Oi!" The group looked back to see Naruto coming up to them. His cheeks were colored a deep red thanks to his mother's excessive pinching. "Sorry about my mother. She's even more protective due to her pregnancy."

"We're sorry for causing you, Mr. Ea." Mina apologized with Trudge nodding.

Naruto shook his head and waved his hand. "Please don't call me 'Mr. Ea'; just Naruto is fine. Calling me formally makes it sound like I'm top of everybody." Naruto said genuinely, noticing Jack's reaction while Crow pointed at him.

"Sounds like Jack here."

"What?!"

The kids, Luna and Leo chuckled while Naruto and Crow laughed at the embarrassed Jack who soon left for the garage. Soon, Mina and Trudge left to tend to their Sector Security duties, leaving six remaining behind.

"So how long you guys lived here?" Naruto asked, starting the conversation.

"All our lives actually." Luna answered politely.

"Are there any good places to go to or hang out?"

"There's a bunch of fun places in the city." Yusei answered before Leo invaded Naruto's personal space, startling the blonde.

"Can I see it?!"

A confused Naruto tilted his head at the kid. "See what… K-kleo?"

"Leo!" The boy flinched at his sister's words who walked up to them and bowed to Naruto. "I apologize for my brother's attitude. He's overly excited because…"

"'Cause what?" Naruto asked. He looked at Yusei and Crow, then at Leo and Luna before putting the two together. "I see. You know about me having the Dark Magician."

"Can I please see it?!" Leo demanded with excitement. Luna tapped him hard on the head.

"No."

"May we please see it, Naruto?" Luna asked this time instead.

"Sure." Naruto responded with a smile, surprising Leo at the sudden turn as he pulled his deck out and took the card from it. "Here he is." He flipped the card to show the monster Leo and secretly Luna wanted to see.

"So cool!" Leo and Luna said together as they stared at the legendary card. And they weren't alone.

Akiza was also in awe of the legendary card once wielded by the King of Games himself. As for Yusei and Crow, they felt honored to be in the presence of the famous monster despite seeing the monster in the Turbo Duel.

"Naruto! Help us out here!" Joshua called out from inside the house.

Naruto looked back and responded, "Yeah! On my way!" The blonde put the card back in his deck, much to the twins' chagrin. "It was nice meeting you guys, although I wish it would've been in different circumstances."

"Same here." Crow said with his arms behind his head.

"Naruto…" Yusei spoke, stopping Naruto in his tracks. He smiled at the blonde. "Let's have a Turbo Duel someday."

Everyone present was surprised, Naruto soon smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "I'm done for that." With that, the Signers and Naruto went their separate ways for now.

-(Flashback Ends)-

Upon seeing his intended destination, Naruto slowed down Kurama upon seeing the huge building in the center of connecting highways around it. He eventually stopped his Duel Runner and walked it inside the the campus grounds before parking it in the garage.

Naruto, after placing his Duel Disk in his backpack, walked through the main building and got his class schedule before he made his way towards the first class with the hopes of having a quiet, peaceful day.

"That's where you're wrong and and there is no useless card in the world."

"Is that Yusei?" Naruto thought when he heard the voice.

"Hah! You're just an outsider, Mr. Fudo. You have no say in this matter and thereby interfere here." A smugly voice shouted back, irritating Naruto as he turned the turn and saw Yusei and Akiza near a classroom.

"Oi! Yusei. Akiza!"

The Signers looked down the hall to see Naruto coming up to them. "Naruto, you're here? You're a student?" Akiza asked with surprise.

"Apparently so." Naruto said with a big sigh. "So what's going on here?"

Akiza pointed at the funny-looking man in a suit who seem to be glaring at them. "Mr. Heitmann, the vice principal, wants to expel Leo, Luna and their friends."

"Why?"

"Because they're using low-level monsters and that contributes to their losses! This Duel Academy is the best throughout the city. Those who have or use weak monsters don't belong here. They have no place in the dueling world." Heitmann said without a care.

"…"

"Oh, but you're a transfer student from Tokyo, so I'll pretend you don't exist as well."

"Hey, both Yusei and Naruto could beat you with Stardust Dragon and D-"

"Leo!" The boy saw Naruto shake his head before he looked at the smug vice-principal. "You believe those who have weak monsters doesn't belong in the dueling world. You're so wrong about that."

"How so?" Heirtmann asked irritably. The transfer student is starting annoy him worse than Yusei.

Naruto pulled out his deck and took one particular card, but not the one Leo and Luna expected. It was Kuriboh."This card is a lot stronger than you know."

"That monster is so weak. No duelist would use that card!"

"One Duelist did." Yusei interjected. He and Naruto shared a look before they nodded. "The King of Games himself had that exact card in his deck."

Naruto spoke next as he walked forward. "Yugi Muto used Kuriboh in his duels, and that had helped him escape particularly dangerous situations." He paused before smirking, "The best example I could think is the Battle City Tournament Semi-Finals: when Kuriboh saved Yugi's LP from Obelisk the Tormentor!"

Heitmann gritted his teeth since the teenagers made a solid point with the King of Games. "I challenge you two to a duel and if I win, the students including the transfer student are expelled!"

"No thanks." Naruto deadpanned, gaining a gawk from Hiertmann. "Let Yusei duel you. I'd rather watch the Turbo King mop the floor with you."

"Oh, sounds like someone's afraid of a challenge."

Naruto, Yusei and Akiza looked at the door away from the smirking Hiertmann to find a teenager taller than the three of them. He had a buzz cut with short black hair that smelled like it'd been through the wringer with a small scar on his lip and wore the school uniform of the academy although it was blue unlike his and Akiza's.

"As expected of a Slifer."

"Huh?" Naruto drawled out as the newcomer sized him up. "Who are you?"

"Roger Highman; one of our best students here in Duel Academy." Hietmann said with a smug smile. "He has a powerful deck thanks to my guidance."

"…" Naruto stayed silent as Roger got close to him.

"You don't look tough. Defeating you will be a cinch."

Yusei and Akiza stood there while Naruto unwrapped his headband from his wrist and tied it around his forehead. Despite not knowing him well, they feel that was his answer.

"Fine, I'll Duel you."

"Meet you two at the Dueling Arena in one hour." Roger then turned around and left the room along with Hiertmann who sent them an arrogant smirk.

TWExTWExTWE

(Meanwhile)

Principal's Office

The principal, an elderly man with gray hair and moustache in a suit, walked into his office where his next appointment was apparently waiting for him. He didn't expect him to be here so early. His only hope was that he was forgiving, but given his reputation, it didn't seem possible.

"Please forgive my lateness, but I had an earlier business that was a little out of my way than I initially expected."

"…"

The principal sat in his seat and looked his guest as the latter held a powerful presence. The guest was an elderly man with long, spiky white hair with a moustache and a beard, a scar on his right running diagonally from the middle of his forehead to the cheekbone. He was wearing an olive-colored yukata tied by a white obi and geta.

"What can I do for the director of Totsuki Academy, the Food's Demon King, Senzaemon Nakiri?"

"I'm looking to make this year's elections much more promising than before."

"Oh?"

TWExTWExTWE

Duel Arena

Naruto and Yusei fitted their Duel Disks on their arms as the former glanced at the latter's, surprising him.

"Oh Yusei, your Duel Disk is also the Battle City one. Wait." He took a closer look on the disk and noticed the changes. "You modified it and changed its appearance slightly. It's one of those hybrid Duel Disks, isn't it?"

Yusei nodded at his friend. "Yes, it is. By looking at yours, it's clear that its age is around the Battle City Era. It looks like it it's in good condition."

"Thanks. My family had taken great care of it since it was only the thing my great grandfather could get at the time."

Their conversation was cut short when their opponents arrived and took their positions on the opposite side of the arena. The two parties agreed to have two one-on-one duels: Yusei against Hiertmann; Naruto against Roger.

"You two ready to lose?" Hiertmann taunted his opponent as their Duel Disks activated.

The two Duelists then shouted, "LET'S DUEL!"

Yusei: 4000 LP

Hiertmann: 4000 LP

"My draw first!" Yusei declared. "I summon Flamvell Guard (1/ATK-100/DEF-2000) in DEF mode." A dragon with silver armor-like plates with flames bursting out of each opening appeared and put its wings in defensive posture "And I place one facedown, ending my turn."

"My move!" Hiertmann drew his card. "I summon Ancient Gear Statue (2/ATK-500/DEF-800) in ATK mode!" A clunky and smaller version of the Golem card the archetype's known for with metal shards protruding from behind. "Then I activate Machine Duplication!"

Yusei, Naruto, Akiza and the kids became curious when the card revealed itself.

"Since I have a Machine-Type monster that has 500 ATK or less, I can Special Summon two monsters with the same name as the one on the field."

Leo, Luna and their friends were afraid when two more Gear Statues appeared on the field, but their fear grew when Hiertmann did this.

"Now I activate my three Statutes' special abilities: I can sacrifice each of them as Tribute and then Special Summon three Ancient Gear Golems (8/ATK-3000/DEF-3000), ignoring its original summoning condition!"

Naruto stood up from his seat while Akiza, the twins, and their school friends watched as three long golem-like machines arose from the spots where the Statues once stood. They each reached a height of two stories and they were staring at Yusei who looked a little nervous.

"Now my Golem, attack his weak monster! Mechanized Melee!"

One of the Golems launched a straight punch that sent out an afterimage of the fist towards Yusei's dragons.

"Activate Trap Card! Tuner's Barrier!" A white translucent barrier shielded the dragon from the afterimage fist, angering Hiertmann. "This prevents a Tuner monster on my field, which is Flamvell Guard, from being destroyed in battle or the opposing monster's effect until the end of the next turn."

"But I still have two more Golems on my field and I'll send them to attack your weak monster."

"Yusei!" Luna cried out to her friend. "Those monsters can inflict Piercing Damage on you by attacking a monster in DEF mode!"

"Heads up!" Naruto said with crossed arms.

"Go!" The two other golems attacked the opposing dragon in vain due to the barrier protecting it. "What're you going to do now, outsider?" Hiertmann taunted as Yusei's LP dropped from 4000. "Now I play Level Thunder! This card can inflict damage to you equal to the combined levels of all face-up monsters on my field times 100. Since each Golem has eight stars and there are three of them…"

"Yusei'll received 2400 points of damage." Akiza said worryingly.

"He'll lose!" Leo and Luna cried out.

"Say good bye!" Hiertmann declared as a rainbow-colored energy enveloped around the golems before it shot towards directly at Yusei.

"I activate the special ability of Hanewata's special ability! By discarding this card, any Effect Damage I take this turn is now 0." Yusei declared as the energy passed through him without damaging his LP, much to the relief of his friends and the kids.

"I end my turn."

"Draw!"

Yusei: 1000 LP

Hiertmann: 4000 LP

"How is he going to destroy those three monsters? They each have 3000 ATK." One of kids wondered.

"He'll find a way." The kids, Leo, Luna and Akiza looked down at the arena floor where Naruto stood as he watched the Duel. "I don't know Yusei like you guys, but I have a feeling he's trying to deliver a message to the douchey vice principa of yours."

"Don't you mean 'our'?"

"Nope." Naruto popped his mouth at the 'p'.

"I activate Cards of Consonance: By discarding a Dragon-Type monster from my hand, I can draw two more cards." Yusei did the mentioned action and drew two cards. "I summon Eccentric Boy (3/ATK-800/DEF/200) in ATK mode!" A young lightning bolt-spiked haired boy in orange shorts, a white robe-like shirt with blue feathers on the shoulder and crimson red wings that formed the Omega symbol on the back took its place next to Flamvell Guard. "Now I activate Eccentric Boy's effect: When using this monster as Synchro Material, I can choose another monster in my hand as the other material."

"Here it comes!" Leo said excitedly.

"I tune the Level 5 Turret Warrior from my hand to the Level 3 Eccentric Boy on my field!" Turrent Warrior, a monster with castlestone-like limbs and odd body with a head that has no eyes appeared in the air as Eccentric Boy morphed into three green rings that surrounded the taller monster before it turned into five stars. "Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon (8/ATK-2500/DEF-2000)!"

Everyone present, especially Naruto, were amazed and in awe of the magnificent creature that floated behind Yusei. It was a large dragon with complete white/silver body except the blue orbs on its shoulders and chest and semi-tattered-like wings as dust fell from them hence its name.

"AAhhh!" Hiertmann took a step back.

"Now I activate Variety Comes Out Spell Card!" Yusei declared. "By returning Stardust Dragon to my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon Tuner monsters whose total Levels equal its own Level! Now I bring back Eccentric Boy (3/ATK-800/DEF-200)—" The lightning-bolt haired monster appeared. "—Hanewhata (1/ATK-200/DEF-300)—" A yellowish-beige fluffy monster similar to Watapon except with small, white wings and antennas with small puffs at the end took its place next to its fellow Tuner monster. "—And Debris Dragon (4/ATK-1000/DEF-2000)!" A smaller and probably younger version of Stardust Dragon was the last to appear on the field.

"Huh?" Everyone sans Naruto were surprised when he played the card. "What's he thinking?" asked Sly, one of the kids.

"A message." Naruto felt the stares from the confused audience on the stands above. "I don't know Yusei like you guys, but I bet he has a message for that douche of a vice principal."

"What?!" Hiertmann cried out in surprise. "Why would you send your strongest monster for a few weaker ones to take its place?!" That's when he noticed the three of the four monsters on the field. "Those monsters! They're cards from the kids I'm trying to expel!"

Yusei gave a curt nod. "That's right and I'm about to show how powerful they are! I activate my other facedown: Tuner's Explosion! With this, I can Tribute the Tuner Monsters I have equal to the number of monsters you have on the field and I can destroy them! Go Hanewhata, Eccentric Boy and Flamvell Guard!"

The mentioned monsters nodded before they glowed with power and dashed at the three golems, destroying themselves along with the machines. Hiertmann groaned from the explosion, but his troubles weren't gone yet.

"And for each destroyed monster on your field, you receive 1000 points of damage!" Yusei explained as Hiertmann's LP reduced to 1000. "Now Debris Dragon, attack him directly!"

"AAAHHH!" Hiertmann cried as he fell to his knees while his LP reached 0.

"YAY! Yusei won!" The kids cried out with glee while the vice principal slowly walked out of the room in solemn defeat. Akiza, the twins and their friends ran down to the ground level to congratulate Yusei's win. "You were awesome, Yusei!"

"It was all thanks to the three of you and your monsters." Yusei took the three Tuners out before he gave them back to their owners. "I hope he'll learn better from this experience."

"So do I." A firm voice called out. Everyone's attention looked at the doorway and saw the principal, which surprised Yusei greatly.

"You're the…"

"Mr. Fudo, I'm the principal of Duel Academy. Forgive me for deceiving you earlier about Hiertmann." The principal stated, surprising his lower-ranked colleague and Roger, "I'd fire him if I could, but his mother—who he still lives with—is one of our academy's donors."

Yusei doesn't like to be used, but nodded as he understood somewhat. Hiertmann on the other hand couldn't believe this, but he understood the truth about Duel Monsters: there are no useless cards.

"As for Mr. Highman and Mr. Ea, their Duel will commence now."

"Eh?" Naruto wasn't expecting this. He'd thought the principal would stop the duel since it was mainly between Yusei and Hiertmann. "Something's up."

"Oh, so does that mean you're forfeiting our Duel?" Roger asked tauntingly with a smug look. "I guess you're a moron. Perhaps even your parents are bigger morons." The Signers, Leo, the students were taken aback with Yusei and Akiza about to step in.

However, they stopped when a throbbing but familiar pain rang through their right arms. "Our Marks?" Akiza asked with concern.

"They're reacting to something…" His eyes widen when Yusei found the origin. "Or someone." When the twins and Akiza traced his gaze, they were surprised when it was Naruto who had a very intense gaze.

And it was directed at an arrogant Roger who didn't seem to notice it.

"Mr.-"

"Let's do it."

Smirking at him, Roger activated his Duel Disk as Naruto had done the same as well.

TWExTWExTWE

"Sir, the car is ready to take you back to Totsuki."

"Hai."

The tall elderly man in the yukata and his assistant were walking through the Duel Arena as a short cut while taking care business all the same. It was expected for one at the head of the famous culinary academy that spawned countless, famous chefs around the world. It was also those chefs who also helped famous Duelists be the people they are. After all, you can't duel on an empty stomach.

Without warning, the Nakiri patriarch stopped when he felt an impressive aura and turned to the right to a delinquent looking black-haired kid and a blonde kid about to enter a Duel. He had seen countless Duels, both culinary and Duel Monsters-alike, where the competitors' fighting spirits were at an all-time high.

And yet the blonde boy's aura is higher than any of those competitors. He recognizes this kind of fighting spirit: the kind to protect and fight for.

"Sir?"

"Let us watch. This may be interesting." Senzaemon stated firmly and his secretary nodded casually since there's nothing he could say to persuade him otherwise. "That boy though…"

TWExTWExTWE

"LET'S DUEL!"

Naruto: 4000 LP

Roger: 4000 LP

"I'll go first!" Naruto drew his card as he said, "I summon Rapid Fire Magician (4/ATK-1600/DEF-1200) to the field in ATK mode!"

A Spellcaster in black armor connected to a rope that flared out and a hood over his blue hair appeared in front of Naruto with its dual scepters' jewels brimming with power.

"Then I put a facedown and end my turn. Your move."

"Good. My draw." Roger smirked upon the card he drew. "First I summon Jinzo-Returner (3/ATK-600/DEF-1400) in ATK position."

"Jinzo-Returner? His deck probably has the Jinzo archetype and Machine-Type monsters in it. This may be rough." Naruto thought to him as the monster made its entrance on the field.

It was a younger version of the legendary monster except it was shorter and wears a one-piece gray/orange battle outfit with two yellow shoulder protecters and its mouth was uncovered unlike its adult version.

"Now I activate its special ability: it can attack you directly despite of you having a monster on your field!"

"Oh no!" Leo and Luna cried out.

Naruto grimaced when the monster punched him in the stomach as his LP dropped to 3400.

"I end my turn here. Now make your move."

"With pleasure." Naruto drew his card. "I summon Mystical Elf (4/800/DEF-2000) in DEF mode." A light-blue skinned woman with light green long hair that reached her back in a beige robe that opens at the shoulders kneeled on the field. "Now Rapid-Fire Magician, attack his Jinzo-Returner!"

"Why would Naruto attack while Roger has a facedown?" Akiza asked.

"The better question is why did Roger leave his monster in ATK mode?" Yusei spoke, catching his friends' attention. "Naruto's magician has more ATK points than his Jinzo, so why… unless…"

Jinzo-Returner was obliterated by a shower of gold-yellow fireballs by none other than Rapid-Fire Magician.

Naruto: 3600 LP

Roger: 3000 LP

A chuckle escaped from Roger, then a small bout of laughter before he pointed at Naruto. "You just activated Jinzo-Returner's effect. When this monster is destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon one of my strongest monsters: Jinzo (6/ATK-2400/DEF-1500)!"

"Jinzo?!" Leo, Luna and Akiza cried out in surprise. "He has one of the legendary monsters from the old days?!"

Naruto gulped as the summoned monster made its appearance on the field. It was tall, imposing and powerful-looking with its signature crossed arms gesture as its black long-sleeved tight attire with dull gray shoulder and upper-chest guards while its long and powerful neck was supported by a metal neck brace.

"I'm sure you know about his special ability. While Jinzo is on the field, all Trap Cards on the field are negated and destroyed." Naruto's only facedown card was destroyed by the infamous red laser beams of Jinzo. "Now you can't activate any of your Trap Cards!"

"I end my turn."

"Good." Roger smugly drew his card and smirked at it. "I summon Jinzo #7 (2/ATK-500/DEF-400)." A cyborg-like purple-colored monster with a dull silver helmet and a big bulk etched with the number 7 on it. "And I activate its special ability: it can attack you directly!" His smugly smirk grew bigger when his monster hit his opponent directly. "Now Jinzo, attack his Rapid-Fire Magician!"

Naruto: 3100 LP

"Not so fast!"

"Huh?"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Dimension!" Naruto declared as the card appeared on his field. "There are more ways to Duel than with just Trap Cards. And I'll prove to you here. This card only works if I have a Spellcaster-Type monster on my field and I have two of them. Now I must sacrifice one of them so I can Special Summon a Spellcaster-Type Monster from my hand!"

"I doubt you have a monster that's stronger than my Jinzo."

"And somehow you're in Duel Academy. I could only wonder." Naruto deadpanned before getting serious. "I sacrifice my Rapid-Fire Magician as Tribute for the card's effect…" He raised the card chosen before playing it. "He whose loyalty is never questioned by those of his king or allies; whose power is unrivalled by his peers or foes and protects the innocent; the ultimate master magic…!"

"Here he comes…" Yusei said in anticipation. "Leo, Luna, Akiza… you're about to see him."

Then everyone was completely shocked when they heard the words from Naruto.

"Come forth! Dark Magician (7/2500/2100)!" The legendary magician burst out of the sphere of light from above as he landed next to Mystical Elf and nodded at her while she nodded back as Naruto made the next phase of his countermove. "Now Magical Dimension will allow me to destroy on a monster and I choose your Jinzo!"

Roger was in complete shock that he didn't flinch or counter when his Jinzo was destroyed by Dark Magician's attack, resulting a loss of LP.

Roger: 2900 LP

"I-I… good…" Roger grinned afterwards. "This is interesting… how we make a wager then?

Naruto narrowed his eyes as Roger made the proposal.

"How about if I win: I take your Dark Magician as a prize—"

"Forget it. No wager. I'd rather die than let anyone else I don't know hold Dark Magician."

"Have it your way. I'll get the card one way or another. I play the Magic Card: Monster Reborn! And I get to bring back my Jinzo from the field, then I equipped him with the Equip Spell: Amplifier!"

Akiza gasped lowly. "Now Roger can play his Trap Cards while Jinzo's canceling Naruto's facedown."

"What's he going to do without Trap Cards?" Leo asked as Luna sighed at her brother's claim. There are more ways to duel than with Trap Cards or in Leo's case, his dragon monster.

"With that, I end my turn here with a facedown."

Instead of retorting, Naruto stifled a chuckle, much to the ire of his opponent. "You sure that was wise to say in front of the principal?" Roger gawked as the principal gave a stern look that said 'We'll talk after' look. "Anyways, it's my move."

Naruto drew his card and formulated a plan from there.

"Now I play my Dark Magic Attack Spell Card: since Dark Magician is on the field, all of your facedown cards, whether Spell or Trap, are destroyed!" Roger grimaced as a sphere condensed of dark magic blasted his face-downs including the Amplifier Equip Spell. "Next I attack your Jinzo with Dark Magician. Go! Dark Magic Attack!"

Leo, Luna and Akiza along with the students watched in awe as the legendary monsters clashed with Dark Magician emerging as the victor. Roger put his arm down after putting himself from the explosion caused by his monster.

"Next turn will decide everything." Roger declared despite the bead of sweat on his brow and the nervousness in his voice.

"You seem to forgot about my Mystical Elf." Naruto pointed out as his female monster stood up from her kneeling position. "I switch her to ATK mode."

"I think you need to rethink your plan. That weak monster can't put a dent to my LP! Your Dark Magician is the type to do so."

"That's where you're wrong. Any monster has a value and it's up to us Duelists to find a way to make them valuable in Duels." Naruto placed the magic card into the slot. "I play Magician's Unite! This allows me to increase one of my Spellcasters's ATK—if I have two of them on the field—to 3000!"

Mystical Elf (ATK-3000)

"That means-!"

"Mystical Elf, attack his LP directly! Holy Harmony!"

A bright light emerged from the graceful elf as she sang an incantation while Roger screamed in defiance as his LP reached zero.

The principal gave an approving nod as he went to Roger and Hiertmann for a stern lecture about their behavior while Naruto was approached by Yusei, Akiza, the twins and the excited students who wanted to see his both Dark Magician card Mystical Elf cards as they proved to be the factors of his victory.

TWExTWExTWE

"Sir?"

The assistant was worried as his employer kept staring at the blonde surrounded by others. His cheery demeanor completely replaced the fighting spirit displayed in the duel. The appearance of the legendary Dark Magician certainly surprised him as he hadn't seen the card for years.

"Hehehe… Looks like this year will be very interesting for the Jewels' Generation."

The Nakiri patriarch continued onward for the limo while his assistant glanced a last look at the smiling blonde who was leaving with his friends and students.

"He looks oddly familiar though."

TWExTWExTWE

"Wow, just wow!"

"Naruto, that was amazing!"

The blonde chuckled sheepishly with a small blush. "That was nothing actually." He said as if it wasn't a big deal. "Although I made him payback for those comments about my parents." Naruto chuckled heartily with a gleam in his eyes.

"N-Naruto's scary right now." Leo muttered as he and Luna were shaking a little by Naruto's sudden aura.

Naruto heard that and calmed down as he wrapped his headband around his right wrist after dueling. "Sorry about that. I just get irritated by those kind of people." Naruto sighed as the trio went to the garage where his and—apparently Yusei's—Duel Runners are parked. "Anyway, I'm beat. I'll take a nap at home."

"Uh…"

"See you guys around. Race you, Yusei?"

Yusei pondered about it before shrugging, "Sure. We live next to each other."

"Um.." Leo tried to speak, but was cut off by the Duel Runners' roaring engines

"See you guys later!"

Naruto and Yusei then left the school grounds, leaving Akiza, Leo and Luna behind with sweatdrops on their heads.

"He does realize school is still in session, right?" Luna asked hopefully. That hope was dashed when Naruto didn't come back for the next 10 minutes. "Oh Naruto."

"I feel bad for him when he gets home."

"Why?" asked Akiza. Leo sent her a 'You know' look and both she and Luna realized what he meant. "Oh he's dead."

"Yep."

With that in mind, the trio went back to their classes with hopes that everything goes right with Naruto. An hour later, they felt a chill in their bodies as a begging voice called out to them for help.

TWExTWExTWE

(Few Days Later)

It was Saturday for Duel Academy students. That meant sleeping in for Naruto, but his mother on the hand had a different plan in mind.

"Go out."

"Huh?"

"Go out and have fun. Hang out with Yusei and his friends at the garage. Don't spend all your time sleeping in and studying."

"I'm always tired from school, training with dad and now with your pregnancy, late-night fast food shopping." Naruto drawled out as Misaki looked a little bashful while chopping him at his head. "Ouch! Okay, I get it!"

An hour later in his casual attire, Naruto tied his orange headband tied around his forehead as he walked to Yusei's garage before knocking on it.

"Hello! Can I come in?" No answer, so he entered inside. "Pretty big space with bedrooms." Naruto commented as he observed the place, but found no one inside. "Guess they're not here." The blonde closed the door and walked back to the house until he saw a family standing in front of the door. "Um… Excuse me. May I help you?"

A familiar person jumped out from the house. It was that Fuuka girl he saved the other day.

"Everyone!" Fuuka pointed at the blonde. "This is the one who saved me that day; Naruto Ea."

Naruto looked at the family and could tell that four of them are related; the mother has the same blue eyes and hair as her daughter while their youngest one and the father looked a lot alike with disheveled black hair and brown eyes.

"Wait, how'd you know where I live?" asked a surprised Naruto.

"We tracked you down, duh!" Fuuka answered as if it was obvious.

"A family of stalkers?!" Naruto shouted with fear in his thought.

Fuuka's mother grabbed his hands and bowed to Naruto, surprising him. "Thank you, thank you so much! Thank you for saving our daughter!" She stood up and wiped away her tears. "My name is Suzuka Akitsuki. Again thank you so much." Her husband bowed as well while Suzuka did once more.

"Ah, please! You don't have to bow or anything like that." A bashful Naruto tried to placate, only to be hugged in the leg by Fuuka's sister.

"Thank you for saving my big sister!" The younger one said. "I'm Haruka."

"And I'm Fuuka's father; Yamato Akitsuki." The older man took Naruto's hand and shook it. "Thank you for saving our daughter. I don't know what our lives would be like without her around."

At this point, Naruto could only nod and gave a small smile as the last member made himself know. Judging by the way Fuuka wrapped her arms around the boy's left arm, he's probably her boyfriend. He was taller than Fuuka but shorter than him with black hair and soft green eyes.

"T-thank you." The boy spoke lowly.

"Huh?" Naruto put his hand near his ear as he got closer to the boy. "What was that? I couldn't hear you." Suddenly Fuuka smacked her boyfriend on the head.

"Yuu, you got to speak louder! No one could hear your voice when you talk like that." Fuuka scolded

"H-Hai." Yuu rubbed the bump on his head before he cleared his voice and spoke a bit louder. "Thank you for saving Fuuka. My name is Yuu Haruna."

"Y-you're welcome. It was nothing really. I just did what anyone could've done."

"But you're not anyone." Suzuka interjected hastily. "You rushed to save a complete stranger from certain death. Someone else's daughter and sibling."

"Naruto, is someone out there?" Misaki called out from inside the house before she came out of there. "Oh we have visitors. Please come in." She gestured the Akitsuki family to come inside which they obliged as Naruto was about to enter as well. "Oh Naruto, you have a call on the phone."

"From who?"

"That Crow fellow. Says it's urgent."

"Okay then. Thanks, mom." The mother and son entered inside the house where the latter picked up the phone. "What's up, Crow?"

"Hey Naruto, have you seen Yusei all day? In case you're wondering, we haven't heard from him in a while and I was wondering if you did."

"Does Yusei have a job repairing things?" Naruto asked. It was one of the things they talked during their race.

"Yeah, but we haven't heard from or seen him since he took a job this morning."

Naruto's eyes narrowed in suspicion as the Akitsuki family and Yuu talked to Misaki about school for their children. "You think something's up?"

"Well, there was that strange message from this morning. It said Yusei was kidnapped by an unknown party and stuff like that."

"Really?" Naruto deadpanned in disbelief. "You could've lead with that in the first place, you know. You're one of his childhood friends; you should've know something was wrong."

"You know, Akiza said something somewhat similar when I told her."

"Akiza knows?" Naruto asked with a raised brow. "Does Jack and those Sector Security know about Yusei too?"

"Yeah, but we could use an extra hand in finding him."

"Say no more. I'm on my way." Naruto said before ending the call. He grabbed his Duel Disk on the way out. "I'll be back!"

"Where are you going?" Misaki asked while the Akitsuki family stared at the mother and son. "Oh, we need some ingredients for the ramen tonight, so can you buy some?"

"Sure, bye!" Naruto quickly closed the door as possible. The Akitsuki family and Misaki heard then heard the roar of an engine and the tires screeching minutes later.

TWExTWExTWE

Streets of Neo Domino City

"Damn it. Where could he be?"

Aboard Kurama, Naruto was riding around the city for quite a while. There were no signs of Yusei anywhere and apparently they took his Duel Runner as well. You would think it would be easier to find one painted with a rare color like Yusei's.

"They must be hiding him in a truck or a van." Naruto suddenly realized. "Okay, now I have to find out which truck they're hiding him." He then got a call on Kurama's HUD. "Hello?"

"Naruto?"

It was Akiza.

"Akiza!" Naruto said as the girl's face appeared on the HUD. "Any luck?"

"Yes, I found him. He's in a truck heading to the outskirts of the city." Akiza answered. Naruto noticed the slight panic in her voice. "Are you nearby?"

"Where are you?"

"We'll send you our coordinates." Mina said this time.

"Is that the Sector Security lady?" Naruto asked before he received a 'yes'. His HUD 'blipped' as it showed a blinking spot on the map and his location was another spot, but it was blue. "Okay, I'm actually no far from you guys. I'll rendezvous with you shortly."

"See you then"

"Yeah." Naruto cut the call as he revved Kurama before accelerating to reach the others, hopefully in time.

Minutes later and after driving up the side of the mountain, Naruto spotted something ahead on the road. He quickly leaned closely to the ground and picked it up before accelerating once more. It was the deck slot portion of a Duel Disk with the card deck still in it.

"I should keep this with me just in case." Naruto said as he put the unknown deck in his deck box for safe-keeping. It wasn't long after he drove past by Mina in her stalled car until he spotted the people who was clearly in danger. They were inside a swerving truck. "Yusei! Akiza!"

"Naruto!" Akiza and Yusei called out in surprise.

"You guys okay?!" The truck swerved sharply and Akiza cursed badly with a punch. "Never mind! Get out of there, you guys!" Naruto shouted.

"No way!" Akiza complained with crossed arms while Yusie got on his Duel Runner.

Yusei and Naruto both said, "This isn't the time for that! Just get on Yusei Go."

"But-" Akiza and Yusei stopped and looked at Naruto. "Yusei Go?"

"That's what Leo told me; the name of Yusei's Duel Runner."

"Akiza now!"

The beauty Signer reluctantly got on Yusei's Duel Runner and held on tight while wearing a replica of Yusei's red helmet. "I-I'm still okay with this."

"Akiza, just relax, okay?" Yusei said while turning on the engine. He then noticed the four member of their party. "Naruto who's that?"

A confused Naruto was lost until he looked behind him and saw a Turbo Duelist in a tight, white form-fitting outfit riding a Duel Runner resembling a white horse. Then suddenly, both Kurama and Yusei Go's HUD suddenly activated 'Duel Mode'.

"Huh?"

"What's going on?" Akiza asked as Yusei drove his Runner out of the swerving truck and drove in the opposite direction while Naruto sharply turned Kurama around and caught with Yusei and Akiza.

Soon the unknown Turbo Duelist caught up with them as well.

"Who are you?!" Naruto asked the Duelist.

"Yusei Fudo, I challenge you to a Turbo Duel!" The unknown Duelist commanded in a deep voice.

"Huh?"

"Why?" asked Yusei with suspicion.

"If you refuse, the bomb in your Duel Runner will go off." The Duelist said, shocking the trio.

"Hey!" Naruto called out, catching the Duelist's attention. "You're dragging Yusei and Akiza into this?! For what?!"

"That's none of your business. Now leave!"

"Fat chance! You think I'm going to leave my friends behind to some nutcase?! Think again!" Naruto responded as he pointed at his HUD. "You also invited me to a Turbo Duel, so let's do it! Me and Yusei against you!"

Yusei nodded as he seemed to agree with Naruto. "I'm down with that. Let's do this! Hold on tight, Akiza."

"A-all right then." Akiza responded timidly as she tightened her hold on the Runner.

"… Fine." From the sound of it, he wasn't pleased by it.

"All right then!"

The quartet were soon directed to the dueling lanes as Naruto, Yusei and the unknown Duelist shouted…

"Let's Duel!"

END OF CHAPTER

Another chapter is done yet again and in record time. This is the fastest pace I've ever been in writing for a long time. I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter. From the looks of the reviews, people liked it and I'm happy to hear that. I hope you all continue to support this story.

Chapter 2 Q&A's:

Blackseal84 (July 8): Yep, it's going to be epic especially since one of them might appear in the next chapter.

DarkLord98 (July 8): I'm glad that I was able to improve on the dueling quality and I sure hope you like this chapter as well. Fusion Monsters were kind of the gateway for Synchro Monsters and I thought that with the many Fusion support cards, it should make a comeback in the Synchro Era. Yeah, Naruto's presence will disrupt the Yliaster's plans for a while. During the duel between Leo, Luna and Lester, the group will find out why Synchros are useless against the Machine Emperors.

GodX (July 8): I'm glad you like my story and I hope you'd continue to read it from here on. Not all of Yugi's monsters, only the Dark Magician archetype and related cards since Naruto's deck is mostly Spellcasters. I understand about Dark Magician Girl and I will consider that secondary effect for her later or soon in the story.

Jebest4781 (July 8): Thank you and your ideas with the story.

Bowser3000000 (July 8): Really? Naruto in "The Traveler" lost his way to you? I didn't know that. What are your suggestion or ideas to fix it? Pleas, I'd like to know what I can do.

Edrick Twilight Legend (July 8): I'm pleased you enjoyed the last chapter and the duel with the Dark Magician. Honestly, doing this type of story with Duel Monsters and writing the duel scenes is actually somewhat challenging, but it's fun at the same time. Of course Fusion Monsters like Dark Paladin will make an appearance in the story. Yeah, Eatos is the correct way to spell and perhaps I'll add them, but I think Naruto should encounter someone who possess those cards first, then it'll be more rewarding at the end. Sayer is dead and I'll keep him that way… perhaps or perhaps not… you'll have to find out.

Lightningblade49 (July 8): I'm glad to know you like the story. I hope you like this chapter as well. That goes without saying, my friend.

Heru4u (July 9): Probably not since he'll be using mostly Fusion Monsters in place of Synchro Monsters. Who knows? You'll have to read on from here if you want to know if Naruto uses Synchros or not.

RoyalTwinFangs (July 9): Thank you. Yes, he does and they'll make appearances in the upcoming duels in later chapters against tough opponents.

Megakdre100 (July 9): Good to know you're a fan. Funny thing is that I never played any of the games, but I was surprised there were Speed Spell versions of old Spell Cards from the old days.

R-king 93 (July 11): Hope you like this new chapter.

Guest (July 11): Well, here it is. Do you like it?

Ito Uchiha (July 11): Did you enjoy the new chapter? Obviously Dark Magician Girl is in his deck and I don't know how to make a pairing between them, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try it out.