Chapter 6: Hunt or be Hunted
Kaito Tenjo sat at his computer in thought. It was undeniable. Two energy sources had grown exponentially after the past couple of days. No doubt the Number Hunters that had defeated Thunder Spark and Cologne. He had opted to go for the more, admittedly villainous, approach. He would let these two gather more and more Numbers, then when the time was right, we would swoop in and take them all instantly. He admitted that such thoughts, didn't sound noble. But he kept his conscience clear remembering that his goal was justified.
"Master Kaito!" Orbital 7, Kaito's serving robot, wheeled up behind him. "I have finished scanning the data we retrieved from the Duel with that fool, Yuma Tsukumo!"
"And?" He questioned.
"There is no doubt! The Key around his neck emits incredibly strong Astral World energies!" Orbital 7 relayed.
Kaito clasped his hands together. That could only mean one thing. "Has Dr. Faker given any orders regarding it?"
"N-No." Orbital stammered, for he had to be careful talking about Dr. Faker around Kaito.
"What about Heartland?"
"I have encrypted the files so that he may not access them."
"Good." Last thing he needed was Heartland breathing down his neck again, especially after Thunder Spark and Cologne's losses. He didn't trust the man as far as he could throw him, but he was providing all the funds and medical care to keep his family alive. Right now, he had collected enough Numbers and flaunted them to appease Heartland's ego and convince him Kaito was on his side, so now he could pursue personal ambitions.
"If that key has any clue towards Haruto's condition, or Astral World itself, I must obtain it." Kaito stated as he stood up. "Orbital, we are leaving."
"Right, Master Kaito!" The robot saluted, before latching onto Kaito and transforming into a winged jetpack, allowing him to take off.
"Wow! All of that happened!? I can't believe I missed that!" Dennis cried.
"Trust me, you wouldn't want to be there." Kotori shudered.
The 'Numbers Club' consisting of Yuma, Noda, Rio, Kotori, Tetsuo, Cathy and Dennis had set up in an empty classroom thanks to Dennis' position, allowing them to discuss things freely.
"It couldn't have been any worse then when we were all caught by Jin!" Cathy remembered.
"Have you seen any Number holders, Dennis?" Yuma wondered.
"Not anymore in Heartland Theme Park at least." He assured them. "Still though, this is beginning to get worrying. You and Noda have so many now, surely you're both bound to be targets?"
"Definitely." Noda casually agreed. "All we have to do though, is be prepared for when that happens."
"It's going to be Kaito, for sure." Yuma nodded seriously.
"If he is as dangerous as you said he was, we should all Duel him together!" Dennis declared.
"I doubt he'll let that happen." Rio shot him down. "A guy like that, letting a disadvantage happen? No way. He'll try to pick us off one by one."
"R-Rio, that's...worrying..." Tetsuo smiled nervously.
"Just gotta stick together, right?" Cathy reasoned.
"Bit difficult when half of us are in different classes." Yuma admitted. "Like, I've got swimming next period."
"Lucky." Noda said, making Rio elbow him. All he would do was swim around lazily. "All we can do right now is keep hunting Numbers."
"Remember everyone! Only start Number Duels you think you can win." Dennis said. "Now, we'd better be getting to our classes, periods almost over."
"Aw, man! I didn't even get to Duel!" Yuma realised.
As they all made their way out, Ryoga turned the corner from his listening spot. Of course Rio would get herself all wrapped up in this after he told her it was a bad idea. Getting more then one just led to more trouble, Kyoji was an example of that for goodness sake! Thankfully he had set off just this morning with a much better head on his shoulders, but he couldn't let something like that happen to Rio. He needed to protect her! He was the older brother!
He shook his head. He didn't want to dredge up past frustrations. Still, what the hell was Thomas thinking that night?
His thoughts paused as...he thought he saw something out the window? A big bird? Wait, no way that was a bird. Was that...a person? Wearing a jetpack? Landing in the school field? What the hell was this all about? Ryoga had to check it out.
"This is the fools locker, Master Kaito." Orbital reported after scanning it. Yuma Tsukumo was currently taking swimming classes. Even if he wore it like some healing crystals, school policy trumps a 14 year old. Sure enough, as Orbital lockpicked the locker, there was the Emperor's Key.
He picked it up. Nothing. He expected something to happen at least, but all that meant was he needed to get home and scan it. However, there was also that other signal he wanted to check out.
"Who the hell are you?"
Kaito whipped around to see the angry face of Shark glaring at him. "And what are you doing with Yuma's key?"
"Master Kaito! We've been found out!" Orbital panicked.
"So you're Kaito, huh? The Number Hunter." Shark figured, making Kaito shoot Orbital an accusing glare which the robot shrank from.
"What? Are you a friend of Yuma's?" Kaito expertly adopted his hunting persona, flashing Shark an intimidating glare and smile.
"Yeah." Shark said that more naturally then he thought. "So I'm not just gonna let you do whatever you want!"
"I don't have time for you. Orbital." Shark grit his teeth. Was this guy really just gonna fly off! He couldn't let him!
"Hold it! You want Numbers, right?" The perfect lure. Kaito instantly stopped and turned back to him, as he pulled out 73. "I've got one right here, if you want to Duel me for it!"
"Number, Master Kaito!" Orbital pointed.
"So you're the signal?" Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Fine then, if you're that willing, I'll Duel you." He grinned darkly. "But if I win, I take your Number, along with your soul!"
'This guy could go after Rio, Noda or Yuma.' Shark thought, hardening his own look. 'I have to take him out now!'
"Let's take this outside." Kaito said, as the two walked out of the room, before Kaito seized Shark's wrist before shooting off into the sky thanks to Orbital. Shark thrashed around, but was eventually dropped onto the roof of the school, with Kaito landing on the opposite side.
"All about setting, are we?" Shark quipped as he got himself ready.
"Don't wanna cause a fuss by leaving your body somewhere noticeable." Kaito threatened with a smile.
"If you're trying to scare me, give it up and Duel already!" Shark snapped.
"If you insist." Kaito held his arm out as Orbital 7 ejected a moon-shaped D-Pad from his head, that attached to Kaito's wrist and formed his Duel Disk.
"Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!" Kaito had a blue D-Gazer tattoo that turned his eye red.
"AR Vision - Link Established."
"DUEL!"
Kaito vs. Shark LP: 4000
"I'm going first! Draw!" Shark stated. "I Normal Summon Left-Hand Shark! And since I Summoned a Fish, I can Special Summon Shark Stickers from my hand!" The clawed shark appeared, followed by a thin, purple fanged fish. "I overlay my Level 3 Left-Hand Shark and Shark Stickers! Xyz Summon! The ultimate weapon of the depths! Xyz Armour Torpedo!" The armoured warrior launched, transforming in front of Kaito and aiming its weapons at its foe. "I activate Torpedo's effect! By detaching 2 overlay units, I draw a card!" Shark did so as Torpedo 'reloaded', making its comets vanish. "I set 2 cards and end."
Shark glared at his opponent. Yuma had told him about Kaito's ace monster, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. It could banish itself when it battles, and absorb its opponents overlay units. However, that effect would be null and void against Armour Torpedo's equip effect, or Valiant Shark Lancer's destruction effect. He could take out his ace in multiple ways the moment he brought it out, depriving hi of his key card!
"I think you're the one with the tough act here." Kaito glared. "My turn! First, I activate the Spell, Galaxy Cyclone! I target and destroy your Set card on the left!" Shark hissed with bared teeth as Torrential Reborn was destroyed. "As I control no monsters, I Special Summon Photon Thrasher!" What appeared in a series of slashes was a humanoid figure glowing light blue with photon particles, wielding a sword with an impressive 2100 ATK for a Level 4. "Then, I Normal Summon Photon Crusher!" Another humanoid, this time with green armour and wielding a double sided bat appeared with 2000 ATK. "And since I control a Photon monster, I Special Summon Photon Advancer from my hand, who gains 1000 attack while another Photon is on the field!" A more bulky white Photon appeared, its attack doubling to 2000.
"3 monsters with around 2000 attack!?" Shark gasped.
"It's too early to be impressed." Kaito smirked. "I overlay my Level 4 Photon's Thrasher and Advancer! Xyz Summon! Rise up! Starliege Paladynamo!" Emerging from the red portal was a galactic warrior clad in pure white armour, wielding a sabre of light particles with 2000 ATK. "Paladynamo's effect! By detaching 2 overlay units, I target Xyz Armour Torpedo to negate its effects and reduce its attack to 0!" Shark gasped as lightning it his Xyz Monster, rendering it useless. "With these 2 attacks, I'll OTK you! Photon Crusher! Attack Armour Torpedo!"
"It won't be that easy! Trap card, open! Poseidon Wave!" Shark said. "This negates your attack!" The figure of Poseidon emerged from the card, releasing a powerful storm wind that halted the attack.
"Is that all?" Kaito practically laughed menacingly. "Starliege Paladynamo attacks Armour Torpedo!" The monster swung its blade, easily bisecting the warrior and slashing Shark.
Shark's LP: 2000
"Now that the Battle Phase is over, I tribute the 2000 attack power Photon Crusher and Starliege Paladynamo!" Both monsters burst into light, as what looked like a red star materialised next to Kaito.
'It's here!' Shark realised, finding himself clenching his fists.
Kaito grabbed the star. "The galaxy that lurks in the darkness. Become the light of hope and my very servant!" He tossed the star skyward, as it glowed, and began absorbing photon particles around it.
"The embodiment of light, now descend! Appear now, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
The particles formed together, creating the body of a dragon, with claws and a trident tail. As its body solidifed, it glowed with a soft, beautiful existence, as within its eyes, an entire galaxy could be seen sparkling. The dragon roared to the heavens, causing the entire roof of the school to light up as tiny stars scattered.
'So this is Galaxy-Eyes...' Shark thought, staring at the 3000 ATK dragon. It was everything Yuma had said and more, a terrifyingly amazing creature.
Kaito smirked at Shark's expression. "I set this card and end."
Shark was stunned for a moment, then shook himself out of his stupor. "You sacrificed both Crusher and Paladynamo for it?"
"Galaxy-Eyes is my very soul. Consider yourself very lucky to be in its presence." Kaito snapped.
"Paladynamo had an effect to draw a card upon its destruction. It would've been more logical to keep it as a wall!"
"You're not in the position to be criticising strategy. And besides..." Kaito gave Shark a look he really didn't like. "I don't need any effort to defeat you."
"What did you just say!?" Shark growled, his Duelist pride challenged.
Kaito grinned darkly. "You heard me. You lack the power to defeat me. You're weak, and I can end you easily."
Shark's blood boiled at that. He knew that was meant to get a rise out of him, but he didn't care. This son of a bitch was mocking him! The guy who came to steal a key from a kid mocking the guy who challenged him!
"You're gonna regret that, asshat! It's my turn!" Shark scrutinised his hand. Lantern Shark, Eagle Shark, MST and Armoured Xyz. With this, he could bring out Valiant Shark Lancer to destroy Galaxy-Eyes, then attack twice and finish him with his own OTK! But first...
"I activate Mystical Space Typhoon! This destroys your one defence!" Kaito's card shattered. "Then, I'll-"
"You won't do anything else." Kaito spoke, a look of absolute control in his eyes. "It's your End Phase."
"Huh!?" That couldn't be right! But when he went to play Lantern Shark, the ERROR message popped up. He checked his D-Gazer...why did it say End Phase!? "What? How...?"
"The Trap you destroyed was Photon Timestop." Kaito revealed. "When this Set card is destroyed whilst I control Galaxy-Eyes, it instantly becomes your End Phase!"
Shark's eyes widened in shock, and he physically stepped back. Such a play was...!
"Duelists like you are so predictable." Kaito chided. "Lacking powerful monsters, you focus on destruction and setup. It's easy to take advantage of." He drew his card.
"I've learned this, from hunting Duelists exactly like you! You are no different, my next target!"
"Guys! Guuuuuuuuuuuys!"
At the same time, Yuma was running down the hall with Kotori, Tetsuo, Dennis and Cathy in pursuit, up to Noda and Rio, who turned to them.
"Woah, slow down there, Yuma." Noda said.
"And stop screaming in the middle of the school!" Rio snapped.
"But it's bad news!" Yuma gasped. "The Emperor's Key's been stolen! And all the Numbers with it!"
"What!?" Rio gasped whist Naoki frowned.
"We were having swim class today, so Yuma had to take it off, and when we came back, it was gone!" Kotori said.
"And I checked everywhere too!" Yuma cried.
"Number 78?" Noda asked, making her spirit appear.
"Since it's Astral and so many Numbers in one place, it shouldn't be too difficult to find." She reasoned as she closed her eyes, and the pages of her book flipped. "It's on the roof."
"The roof?" Dennis echoed in confusion at Noda stating it.
"That is not a good sign!" Tetsuo cried.
"Let's go, then!" Yuma yelled as he ran on ahead of them.
Shark's entire body shook. His breathing was heavy. This couldn't be happening. He stared at Kaito in disbelief. He gave off an aura exactly like what he had encountered in the Junior Pro Leagues. Confidence. One honed through battle and knowledge of the game. But also determined, and with absolute faith in his own abilities. And it was warranted. Kaito had read him like an open book, and not just shut down any play he made, but prevented him from doing something altogether!
He couldn't do anything...!
"Galaxy-Eyes!" Kaito pointed. "Attack him directly! Galaxy Photon Stream!"
The dragon opened its jaws, gathering a huge amount of light behind its fangs, before unleashing it in a scream of pure energy that enveloped Shark as he fell to his knees in utter defeat.
Shark's LP: 0
Kaito: WIN!
"As expected of Master Kaito!" Orbital praised.
"I should let you know..." Kaito spoke, walking up to the downed Ryoga. "The Numbers don't reveal themselves to me after defeating an opponent. I have to...extract them. And that comes with some side effects."
Shark just stared at the ground.
Kaito held his hand up as it began to glow. "Remember that feeling, of being unable to protect something important."
Yuma and the others arrived on the roof, just in time to see Kaito activate his Photon hand, and rip Ryoga's Number 73 out of his body, along with his soul.
"Kaito!" Yuma called.
"Shark!" Kotori, Dennis, Tetsuo and Cathy yelled.
"RYOGA!" Rio screamed and Noda gasped.
"You two must be..." Kaito mused, holding his prize in his hand.
"What did you do to Ryoga!?" Rio roared.
"Give Shark back his soul, Kaito!" Yuma begged.
"I can't afford to Duel you right now." Kaito lied. "Orbital!"
"Yes, Master Kaito!" Orbital saluted, before turning into his jetpack form and elevating the Number Hunter before Rio could strangle him.
"Get back here! You coward!" She screamed at his fleeing figure.
"Rio! Ryoga!" Noda called out to her.
She instantly changed priorities, looking down at her brother. His eyes were sunken and lifeless, ad his purple hair was faded. "Ryoga? Can you hear me Ryoga? Ryoga!?"
"I'm calling an ambulance!" Noda hurriedly typed on his D-Gazer.
"Shark...for the Emperor's Key, you...!" Yuma grit his teeth in anger. "Shark!"
There wasn't much doctors could do for a young man who'd had his soul stolen. They gave him a bed and hooked him up to life support, which produced the steady signs of life, but other then that, there was nothing the Numbers Club could do accept be there.
"Ryoga..." Rio whispered.
"I'm sorry..." 78 said. "If I had realised things sooner-"
"It's not your fault, 78." Naoki said. "Right now, we need to think about what we're going to do."
"Kaito took Astral and my Numbers." Yuma mumbled. "I didn't think he was the type of guy to do something like that! I need to talk to him about it!"
"But, Yuma, we don't know where Kaito is!" Dennis pointed out.
"We have to find him." Everyone flinched at Rio's very sharp voice. She turned to them with a look of anger that could freeze Hell. "We need to find that son of a bitch and take Ryoga's soul back!"
"But he could be anywhere in Heartland!" Cathy said. "Where are we going to look!?"
"I know where he is!"
Yuma, Rio and Noda blinked at that.
"Was that one of yours, Noda?" Yuma asked.
"Uh-uh." Noda shook his head.
"It's me!" A spirit declared as it emerged.
"Number 55!?" Yuma gasped.
"I thought all of the Numbers Yuma had were with Astral!" Rio said.
"Well, since I'm Yuma's Number, I guess I'm stuck to him instead of the Emperor's Key! Lucky, huh?" Gogogo Goliath laughed, making the three sweatdrop. Yuma's Number certainly did take from him.
"How do you know where Kaito is, 55?" 94 asked.
"Well, since I hung out in the Emperor's Key, I kinda got a feel for it, right? So I know where it is! And that's where Kaito must be!" 55 said.
"So we have a way to find him." Noda nodded, making all the non-Number Holders confused.
"That's more then enough for me!" Rio declared, her icy nature hardening. "Let's go already!"
"Shouldn't we form a plan, first?" Noda suggested.
"There's no time for that, Noda! Shark's already comatose, and Astral might be in danger!" Yuma said. "This is a time for Kattobingu!"
Noda relented easily. "Kattobingu it is, then."
"Lead already, 55!" Rio snapped.
"Y-Yes Shark sis!" 55 panicked as they all ran out.
"Wait! Where are you all going!?" Kotori called.
"We know where Kaito is! Follow us!" Yuma hurriedly explained.
55's directions took a little getting used to, and it quickly began to grow dark, until they finally arrived, at Heartland Planetarium.
"I thought this place was being renovated." Cathy said, noting all the signs.
"Remember, Kaito works for Mr. Heartland, so he's got to have some perks." Noda figured, as they made their way to the front door.
"How are we supposed to get in there?" Tetsuo wondered.
"Break it." Rio stated with real intent, despite the fact it was a thick iron door.
"Hey! Open up!" Yuma actually banged on the door. "Kaito! Give back Shark and Astral!"
"Yuma...you don't really think he'll just let you in, do you?" Dennis said.
"What else are we supposed to do!?" Yuma cried. "We've come all this way! We have to get back Shark! It's because of me that he-!"
"Yuma!" Rio snapped. "Don't blame yourself for Ryoga's actions! I have no doubt he didn't regret it!" Her gaze then softened. "You changed him, Yuma. You helped him to believe again. He may not look it, but he's the kind of guy who will gladly return a favour. Which is why we are going to help him! Together!"
"Rio..." Yuma breathed.
"Hey, you got her name right." Noda clapped.
At that, the doors suddenly opened.
"Woah! What happened!?" Yuma gasped.
A cough made them all turn towards Tetsuo, who was next to a keypad. "Uh, my sister taught me a bunch of electronics. I gave it a go, and managed to get it open."
"Brilliant, Tetsuo!" Dennis praised.
"Alright! Let's go, Numbers Club!" Yuma declared as they all charged in.
The Heartfield Planetarium was decorated with novelty stars and planets, and even some made up ones in extravagant colours that all hung from the ceiling. The help desk was obviously empty, as two corridors split up to the left and right.
"Which way?" Cathy wondered.
"Let's split up. Half of us go one way, half the other." Noda reasoned.
"But there's seven of us."
"Kattobingu!" 55 reappeared. "I sense the Emperor's Key down the left corridor!"
"And I sense Numbers down the right! Must be Kaito!" 63 spoke up.
"Alright!" Rio took command. "Me, Noda and Yuma are going right! You four go left! Got it!?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Everybody saluted.
"Wait, Rio! I should go to the Emperor's Key!" Yuma said.
"Yuma, you said you wanted to know why Kaito does what he does, right? Best way is to ask him. After we beat the crap out of him of course!" She asserted.
Yuma frowned. "Right...Dueling means communicating with your opponent. When you Duel, you can become friends too!" He nodded, reaffirming himself. "Rio! Noda! Let's do it!"
The Number Holders all nodded, as the group split up.
Kaito sat in the office of his base. He had left Orbital to analyse the Emperor's Key. He already had an evidenced theory on what was behind it. Astral. The mastermind behind Yuma Tsukumo's Dueling. He had seen the ghost of a being in his first Duel with him thanks to the D-Gazer tattoo and the Photon Transformation. He prayed to God such a being would be able to help, somehow. Even if he had to squeeze it for every drop of Astral World energy it had...
He looked at the photo he had put on his desk. Of him and Haruto during simpler times. He liked to come to this room to be...vulnerable. It was so tiring being Heartland's ruthless, merciless Number Hunter. He could still recall the days he would hunt butterflies just to release them again. How he wished he could go back to that...
But then he glanced at the security cameras. Well, well, well, it seemed like the group from the school had somehow found him. Perhaps they tracked him when he flew away? But Kaito had anticipated even something like his hideout being found, and was prepared. He stood up, and walked out, ready to face them.
Orbital 7 meanwhile was analysing the Emperor's Key. The amount of Astral Energy it gave off was astonishing, there was no doubt that it was an important artefact from that world. Usually, Master Kaito would be working beside him on a project like this, but instead he had retired to the office of the planetarium he had made his own. Master Kaito seemed so tired nowadays. If it wasn't his own recklessness in collecting Numbers for the sake of Haruto it was Heartland watching over his shoulder.
He was interrupted however, by beeping! Intruders heading this way! This was bad! He had to deploy Orbitals 5 and 6 to take care of them. He had the important task delegated to him of studying the key, and he felt like he was close to cracking it.
Meanwhile inside the Emperor's Key, Astral and the Numbers all stared skyward, unsure of their fate.
"Yuma..." Astral mused.
"Is this it for us?" 16 thought aloud. "Taken and locked away again?"
"You must have faith in Yuma, 16." 39 told him.
"The boy?" 11 scoffed. "Without Astral, he cannot Duel Kaito."
"Don't underestimate spirit, ye bilge rat!" 50 argued. "That lads got it in spades! And he's got 55 with him, remember?"
"55 is just as bad!" 91 barked. "There is only so much that will can do! Kaito is an insurmountable force!"
"No." Astral turned to the Numbers. "We must believe in Yuma! Not just him, but the Numbers Club as well! When they pool their efforts together, they are strong! Just like all of us! Unless you just want to fall into Kaito's hands so easily?"
The Numbers looked amongst themselves. It seemed Astral was right. All they could do right now, was believe in them.
"You can do it, Yuma." 39 said.
The Numberless team raced down the corridors.
"I know Rio said to go this way, but what exactly are we looking for!?" Tetsuo wheezed.
"If they're analysing the Emperor's Key, they must have a makeshift laboratory around here somewhere." Dennis reasoned. "Keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Look up!" Cathy suddenly screamed, confusing everyone until two robots landed in front of them. One looked like a robotic blue gorilla whilst the other an orange spider, blocking their path.
"What are they!?" Kotori gasped, as the Orbitals bared down on them.
Yuma, Noda and Rio cautiously opened the door into a wide open room. It was one of the viewing rooms, though obviously it was off for now, so everything was dark, save for some soft lights lining the circular room.
"Is Kaito really here?" Yuma wondered.
"He'd better be." Rio said. Her anger hadn't dissipated, it was just tempered now, but even the two next to her could feel her icy rage.
"Don't worry. We'll get Ryoga back." Noda tried to assure her, with Yuma agreeing.
The trio carefully (Yuma fumbled) their way past the rows of seats right into the middle, when suddenly the lights came on. They all jumped as the walls and ceiling suddenly lit up with stars and constellations, whilst holograms of planets, comets and distant galaxies materialised all around them.
"Cool!" Yuma marvelled with his usual joyousness.
"So you've all come for revenge, have you?" The three whipped around, to see Kaito standing at the top of the stairs. "Only a matter of time I suppose."
"Kaito!" Rio shouted. "Give me back Ryoga's soul before I rip it from your hands!"
"All of you have multiple Numbers on you it seems." Kaito seemingly ignored her in favour of frowning at them. "You don't know how lucky you are. A mere mortal like myself cannot obtain Numbers as easily."
"What does he mean by that?" Noda whispered.
"Well, Yuma has Astral, you have me..." 78 reasoned. "But it's a good point, why Rio? 94? 21?"
"No idea, admittedly." 21 said. "But it is indeed helpful."
"A Number binds itself to the soul. Ergo, in order to take it, I must take the soul as well!" Kaito declared.
"But why, Kaito? Why are you gathering the Numbers!?" Yuma called. "You're working for Mr. Heartland, right?"
"I will never hand the Numbers over to him!" Kaito snapped, making Yuma recoil. "My purpose for the Numbers is none of your business! Did you come here to take revenge, or are you here to run your mouth!?"
"Revenge, obviously!" Rio declared.
"Um, not really." Noda interjected, making Rio shoot him a look that could kill, but he recovered and spoke anyway. "Kaito, I'm here to get my friend back. And honestly, I don't agree with your method for Number Hunting. But if we understood why you're doing this, maybe-"
"Like I care what you think of me." Kaito walked down the stairs to join the three of them, the holograms illuminating him. "I was hoping to wait a while, but no matter. I will hunt all your Numbers now!" He already had his Duel Disk ready. "Since this is going to be a three on one Battle Royal, you three will take your turns consecutively and have 4000 Life each, so I will have 12000 Life as balance!"
"Like hell we'll agree to that!" Rio denied. "We'll all have 4000! This wasn't a fair fight the moment you took-!"
"I agree with Kaito." Surprisingly, it was Yuma who said that. "If we Duel him like that, he'll be at a huge disadvantage!"
"That's the point!" Rio turned on him. "We can't give him any kind of advantage!"
"But if we Duel like that, it'll just be filled with hatred and anger! That's not the kind of Duel I want!" Yuma argued.
"I agree with Yuma." Noda spoke up, but he actually knew how to appeal to Rio. "Rio, you wouldn't feel satisfied winning such a one-sided Duel. If you're scared of losing, don't be. Me and Yuma will be here for you as well. Trust us, Rio, and we'll save Ryoga without this getting ugly, for anybody."
Rio looked at him desperately, but began to soften up a little, then shook her head and built the ice around her heart again. "Fine. You two better pull your weight."
"If you're done arguing amongst yourselves." Kaito prompted.
"Kaito! I'll find out what you're fighting for in this Duel!" Yuma declared, as they all got ready.
"Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!"
"AR Vision - Link Established."
"DUEL!"
Kaito (12000 LP) vs. Yuma, Rio and Noda (4000 LP Each)
Numbers Count
Yuma: 55
Noda: 13, 14, 22, 31, 35, 37, 57, 70, 72, 77, 78, 84
Kaito: 10, 23, 30, 73, ?
Rio: 21, 94