Yuma's LP: 0

Yuma's body quivered as he sank to his knees, his breaths coming out in sharp, uneven bursts. His fingers dug into the earth beneath him, seeking stability in its unyielding surface. His eyes, filled with a haunting blend of confusion and desperation, darted toward the figures closing in on him.

"Yuma," Kotori rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

He paused, his gaze tracing the wounds that marred Kotori's skin. "Yeah, I'm okay. But Kotori, you're hurt... Tetsuo too. Did I... did I do this?" His fingers trembled as he stared at them, half-expecting to see his hand stained with blood.

"No," Kotori reassured him, her hands moving in gentle circles on his back. "We're all okay. You didn't hurt anyone."

"What happened? How did I end up here?"

"It appears you were possessed," Astral materialized beside him, appearing as suddenly as he had vanished, a dim flash announcing his return. He stood there, relaxed, one hand cupping his chin as though the day's events were nothing but a mere inconvenience.

"Astral!" Yuma's face lit up at the sight of his spectral companion. His hand reached out instinctively but then hesitated, pulling back as if a physical touch could shatter the moment. "Where were you?"

"I was temporarily imprisoned within the Emperor Key," Astral explained, his voice laced with a hint of surprise. "I must admit, I didn't expect a single Number card to have such capability."

"Imprisoned?"

"After Kaito nearly beat us. I had a moment of weakness. While I was within the Emperor Key. Doubting how we would ever be able to defeat Kaito. He appeared and staged a revolt with the other Numbers that we collected."

"He?"

"Number 96." Astral said calmly. "But it seems that all has been taken care of now." The spirit's eyes moved to Kotori and Tetsuo.

"All thanks to your friends, of course."

Yuma pouted. "Are you trying to say I was useless?" He wasn't really angry. Just wanted to fall back in their usual bickering routine. Taking comfort in that.

"I mean you were the one who got possessed."

"If you hadn't disappeared, that thing would have never gotten me!" Yuma countered. Stomping the ground.

Kotori and Tetsuo observed the scene. Sweat rolled down their face. They still couldn't see Astral. But they were glad that Yuma seemed to have returned to his usual self.

"Yuma, my man." Tetsuo placed a hand on Yuma's shoulders. "Why don't you just tell Astral that you missed him?"

"Hmph! A jerk like that? No way!" Yuma said. Crossing his arms and turning his head away in defiance.

Everyone laughed.

Naruto quietly pushed open the door to Rio's hospital room, the soft click of the latch echoing in the silence. He stepped in, his eyes drawn to the girl lying on the bed. Despite her deep coma, Rio looked almost ethereal—her blue hair sprawled messily on her sheets like a halo of the ocean's waves.

For a moment, Naruto just stood there, lost in thought. A lot had happened since his duel with Yuma. He had met so many new people, encountered the mysterious Luna, and even learned of the existence of Numbers—cards that held unimaginable power.

And he had reunited with Anna, a friend who had once been a constant in his life until she moved away.

"How I wish you could be here to share all of this with me, Rio," Naruto whispered, his voice tinged with bittersweet emotion. "My life has taken such a wild turn, it's almost hard to keep up."

He pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, holding onto Rio's hand. "Tomorrow, I'm planning on going up the mountains," he said softly, as if telling her a secret. "There's a duel temple run by some hermit up there. I'm hoping to find a new power. Then maybe, just maybe, I will be able to bring you back to us."

With that, he squeezed her hand gently, hoping that somewhere in the depths of her unconscious mind, Rio could hear him. Then, with a sigh, he got up and headed for the door, pausing only to take one last, lingering look at her.

"Wait for me, Rio," he murmured before stepping out into the corridor.

Kaito stormed into the laboratory, his footsteps resounding off the cold, metallic walls like a series of hammer blows. His Duel Disk was inactive, a bitter reminder of the Numbers he had lost. Orbital 7, his robotic dog-shaped drone, followed him with a hesitant whirr, its optic sensors dimming in a submissive gesture.

"Kaito-sama, perhaps if we t-" Orbital 7 started, but the words were barely out of its speaker before Kite slammed his hand down onto his desk with a thunderous crash. The force of it made the various tools and gadgets scattered across the surface jump.

Orbital 7 reeled back, startled. "Apologies, Kaito-sama," it stammered.

"Shut it, Orbital," Kaito snapped, his voice tinged with a bitterness that the drone had rarely heard.

Kaito's eyes, usually so focused and unyielding, were shadowed with worry as he thought of his younger brother, Haruto. The boy's health had been deteriorating, a constant source of concern that weighed heavily on Kaito's mind. He felt like he had failed him, failed to protect him and provide the stability that Haruto so desperately needed. And now, losing the Numbers only added salt to the wound.

"That Uzumaki Naruto," Kite growled, his fists clenching involuntarily. "He's the reason I lost the Numbers…"

Orbital 7, picking up on Kite's seething rage, wisely chose to remain silent. The drone knew that when its master got like this, it was best to let him vent.

"I swear on everything I hold dear," Kite continued, his voice hardening like tempered steel, "the next time I see him, I won't just defeat him in a duel. I'll crush him. I'll make him regret ever crossing paths with me."

As if on cue, the multiple screens in the lab flickered to life, showing various data streams, algorithms, and strategic simulations.

Kite turned to Orbital 7, his expression icy but determined. "Prepare my deck, recalibrate the D-Pad, and run diagnostics on all my traps and spells. I want to be ready."

"Of course, Kaito-sama," Orbital 7 complied immediately, springing into action.

As the drone busied itself, Kite looked at a photo frame on his desk. It was a picture of him and Haruto, smiling in a moment of rare tranquility. His resolve hardened even more, a renewed sense of purpose flooding through him.

He would get the Numbers back, heal his brother, and avenge his losses. No matter the cost.

By the break of dawn, the silhouette of the vast mountain loomed over Naruto and Luna as they waited patiently at its base. The sky, painted in soft hues of orange and pink, played backdrop to the towering peak before them.

In just a few minutes, they would scale through the mountains. All they needed to wait for was for Anna to arrive.

Their thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, laborious and heavy. It was Anna, panting softly as she arrived. The sleek rocket thruster strapped to her back contrasted sharply with the cumbersome backpack she was struggling with. The disproportion between her petite frame and the oversized load she carried was almost laughable, with it swinging heavily with each step she took.

Anna's face was a canvas of exertion, flushed and dotted with beads of sweat. "I brought snacks," she panted, her words interlaced with deep breaths, "for everyone."

"Took you long enough!" Luna greeted, her voice holding a trace of amusement as her lips curved into a warm, teasing smile.

Anna responded with a pout, as she began to unzip the large bag, revealing an array of snacks. "I thought we might need them." From protein bars to potato chips, the variety was endless, and there was even a collection of beverages, ranging from energy drinks to Coca-Cola.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle "Anna," he said, his tone light, "you might have over-prepared a bit." His eyes traveled to the colossal bag. "Carrying that up the mountain is going to be hard."

Anna's gaze flickered between her companions and the mountain, a hint of worry in her eyes. Naruto was telling the truth. The way ahead was sure to be perilous and steep, and every additional pound would make the ascent more taxing. "But," she protested weakly, her voice tinged with reluctance, "I thought…"

"It's appreciated, but impractical," Luna interjected gently, her eyes softening. "We'll have to leave some behind. We need to be light on our feet to make the climb."

Anna looked from Naruto to Luna, then to the massive backpack she was carrying. "It's okay," she declared with a determined grin, patting the sleek rocket thruster attached to her back. "This will get me up there in no time!"

Luna tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Why would you want to zip right up and miss the chance to experience nature? This is a great opportunity to soak in the beauty around us and, you know, get a little exercise."

Naruto nodded in agreement. "She's got a point, Anna."

Anna's confident demeanor faded, replaced by a hint of disappointment. She hadn't expected them to react this way. With a sigh, she carefully set her rocket launcher down, deciding to leave it behind. She then started to empty half of the contents from her enormous backpack, reducing its weight considerably.

The trio then began their ascent. The rugged terrain, combined with the mountain's steep gradient, made the climb challenging. Naruto, with his inherent athleticism, seemed to move effortlessly, setting the pace for the group. Anna, even with her reduced load, huffed and puffed but managed to maintain a steady rhythm.

Luna, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up. Anna frequently glanced back, noticing Luna's slower pace and heavy breathing. It wasn't surprising to her; Luna had always seemed more like the nerdy type.

Anna waited for Luna to catch up and offered a hand. "Need a break?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Luna, slightly out of breath, smiled gratefully. "No. Let's keep going."

"Are you sure?" Anna asked.

"Yeah."

"Alright then!" Anna cheered. Trying to keep the mood up.

Anna continued to walk trudging alongside Luna, occasionally casting a curious glance towards her. "Luna, why did you decide to hunt for Numbers?" she asked, her voice breaking the steady rhythm of their footsteps against the rocky terrain.

Luna's eyes momentarily vacated the path ahead, losing herself in a distant memory. "The world I come from is not peaceful, Anna," she began, her voice low, almost a whisper against the mountain breeze. "It's a world ravaged by conflict and senseless killing." Her eyes returned to meet Anna's, laden with a combination of pain and resolve. "But someone once showed me a way. A way to end the suffering and bring peace. Someone very dear to me," Luna added, a faint, melancholy smile gracing her lips. "I plan on using the Numeron Code to hopefully be reunited with her."

Anna could see the vulnerable sincerity in Luna's eyes. But it was her next words that hit deeper.

"Don't you think everything deserves a reset?" Luna asked, her voice carrying a note of desperation.

She continued, her eyes fixed ahead, "Even in this world. Everyone is struggling. Hurting each other. Using each other. Betrayal has become commonplace. Don't you think everyone needs a reset? People use Numbers for evil, and become possessed by them. Everyone has some form of dissatisfaction, don't they?"

They continued onward for a bit in silence. Until, unexpectedly, Luna's foot dislodged a loose rock, shattering the silence with a sharp crack. She stumbled, cascading towards the abyss below with a startled scream. But Anna was there – instinctively, her arm shot out, securing Luna with a firm grip. A moment of relief was immediately shattered as Anna's footing also gave way beneath her, causing a new wave of panic to wash over them.

Naruto, without hesitation, lunged, securing both Luna and Anna. Their breaths hitched collectively, hearts thundering against ribcages as they dangled precariously between salvation and catastrophe.

Steadying her voice, Anna locked eyes with Luna, "It's true that there are a lot of things wrong with this world. But isn't this why we have hope?"

Luna smiled lightly. "Maybe you're right, Anna."

Naruto quickly pulled them up. And they continued their way to the Duel Temple.

They eventually arrived, a few more hours later. Gasping for air and wiping sweat from their brows, Naruto, Luna, and Anna took a moment to appreciate the temple before them. The grand entrance was guarded by stone lions that seemed to glare down at them, their chiseled features foreboding and wise. The temple's massive doors were ornate masterpieces, carved with depictions of celestial battles and cosmic peace, hinting at the dualistic nature of the teachings inside.

Suddenly, a rush of wind filled the air, a whirling vortex of shadows that materialized into human forms. Ninjas. They struck aggressive stances, kunai drawn, their eyes locked onto Naruto, Luna, and Anna.

"Name yourselves," the lead ninja commanded, his voice as sharp as the kunai he wielded.

Naruto stepped forward, unwavering. "I'm Naruto, and these are my friends, Luna and Anna. We're here to undertake the Trial of the Duel Temple."

A ripple of mocking laughter surged through the ninjas. "The Trial? You think you can waltz in and partake in our sacred tests?" sneered the lead ninja. "If you wish to enter, you'll have to defeat us in a duel."

Naruto's eyes sparkled with fierce resolve. "Fine. I'll fight all of you myself."

Luna and Anna moved to stand beside him, their D-Pads coming to life with a series of mechanical clicks.

"Not so fast, Naruto," Luna chided with a playful smirk. "You're not the only one who wants a piece of the action."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Anna added.

Three ninjas stepped forward, their Duel Disks humming to life. "Very well," one of them hissed, "we accept your challenge."

With a flurry of rapid motions, all six activated their Duel Disks, and cards were drawn with the gravitas of warriors unsheathing their swords. In the next moment, the duels began.

"Starry Eyes Starry Dragon, attack him directly!" Luna's voice soared through the air, resonating with authority and excitement. Her dragon swooped down, its scales glittering like a night sky, and unleashed a cosmic ray of energy straight at one of the ninjas.

"Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max's effect activates! By detaching 1 Xyz Material, I can inflict 2000 points of damage to you!" Anna followed, her giant rail cannon humming ominously before firing an explosive round.

Naruto clenched his fist, feeling the tension build. "Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Attack Yaguramaru the Armor Ninja! Go, Lightning Disobey of Rebellion!" His dragon roared, circling above before diving, its maw brimming with crackling lightning, and decimated the ninja's monster.

The sound of diminishing Life Points chimed through the virtual interface, echoing like a death knell for the ninjas. All three were thrown back by the sheer force of the attacks, their Life Points hitting zero.

Grimacing, the ninjas began to rise, their pride stung, unwilling to accept their defeat. Just as they were about to continue the battle, a voice from the temple arrested their movements.

"Enough," the voice rang out, solemn and full of authority.

The temple doors swung open to reveal an elderly monk who walked out with an air of wisdom and tranquility. "My apologies for the trouble my pupils have caused you," he said, bowing slightly. "Naruto, Luna, Anna, you are welcome here. I heard you would like to undergo the Trial of the Mirror?"

"Yes," Naruto replied without hesitation, his eyes meeting the monk's.

The elderly monk led them into the depths of the temple, stopping in front of a large, ornate mirror that stood like a portal on one of the walls.

"To confront oneself is to find what one seeks," the monk explained. "Walk through the mirror, and you shall face yourselves."

Anna chuckled nervously, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Is this some kind of prank? Are you guys planning to film us walking into a mirror and smashing our faces?"

Naruto felt no such hesitation. With a steady gait, he approached the mirror and stepped into it.

As he crossed the threshold, he found himself in a world awash in pure white, as if the entire universe had been blanked out, leaving only endless emptiness.

"Yo, Naruto!"

Startled, Naruto turned to see a boy standing across from him in this surreal void. The boy looked exactly like him—a mirror image in this world within the mirror. Naruto's eyes widened, his heartbeat quickening.

Luna and Anna stood before the mirror, their eyes widening as they watched Naruto vanish into its silvery surface. For a brief moment, Anna's skepticism melted away, replaced by the sudden realization that the head monk wasn't the liar that she had imagined him to be.

"So, what do we do now?" Anna pondered aloud, her eyes scanning the mirror as if expecting Naruto to suddenly reappear. "Should we, like, poke a rope in there or something? You know, just in case he needs help getting out?"

Luna shook her head, her eyes fixed on the mirror, glowing softly with conviction. "We're going in too. We agreed to take this trial together, didn't we?" She said as she walked ahead.

Anna paused, struck by Luna's resolve. She felt a twinge of inadequacy wash over her, wondering if her own commitment to Naruto had been somewhat lacking in comparison.

"Y-Yeah, of course!" Anna said as she ran after Luna. She too melded right into the mirror.

When her eyes blinked open, Anna found herself enveloped in an expanse of pure whiteness, an infinite canvas devoid of any distinguishing features. Just like the world Naruto had seen.

"Naruto? Luna?" she called out, her voice dissipating into the void, as if swallowed by the emptiness. There was no echo, no response—only silence.

"I thought you would never make it here, Anna." A voice called out to her.

When she turned around, what she saw was a girl that looked nearly identical to her.

"Now this is just creepy!" Anna shouted.