The following morning was a relatively quiet affair. Everyone woke up, got ready, and headed outside in silence, with Tatsumaki only breaking it by asking what everyone would like for breakfast. They settled on the same cafe they had visited yesterday, and got their orders to go. Naturally, Tatsumaki's order included four coffees. He would have ordered more if he could reasonably carry them, but such is the limit of human anatomy.
Finally, Noroi piped up. "So, boss, what kind of decks do the Dustshoot Gang use?"
"Oh, right," said Enzo. "I forgot that you kids wouldn't know since you're too new to have fought them before. The Dustshoots all use aggressive decks that specialize in a certain Attribute of Monster. There's Ao, who uses Water monsters, Midori with Wind, Aka with Fire, Kuro with Dark, Shiro with Light, and the leader, Chairo, who uses Earth. Each one is a skilled Duelist in their own right, so don't take them lightly."
"Gotcha," replied Noroi. "How are we gonna decide the matchups?"
"It's done by lottery. Normally the leaders don't participate, so if we want to force Chairo to Duel, we need to win every single other Duel."
"And since you're hanging back, you'll need to nominate someone to Duel him in your stead," remarked Emi.
"True, but I'll worry about that if we eliminate the rest of the gang first."
"You mean, when we eliminate them," said Tatsumaki, sipping his third coffee. "Trust me, this will work. We won't lose even a single Duel today."
"I'll believe it when I see it," replied Enzo.
"Then get ready to become a man of faith," smiled the black-clad coffee addict.
About an hour later, the Breakers arrived in front of their hideout. Six new faces were waiting for them, sitting on the steps leading to the front door. Their clothes all matched, dark blue long-sleeved collared shirt with brown vests over them, black jeans and dark brown boots.
"Well, there you all are," said one, standing up. His face was haggard and framed by his salt-and-pepper hair and beard.
"Yeah, about that, Chairo. I know it's not proper form to be late to a showdown you set up, but someone insisted on ordering four coffees and that held us up." explained Enzo.
"Sorry," said Tatsumaki, somewhat ironically. "I am trying to curb my caffeine habit. Baby steps."
"And who are these little shits?" asked Chairo.
"Oh, did I forget to mention? We've done a bit of recruiting since our last meet. These three are the newest members of the Breakers."
Chairo laughed. It was a raspy, strained laugh. "The Breakers are so desperate for members that they're bringing in kids? How far you've fallen, Enzo."
Enzo smirked and puffed his chest out slightly. "These kids are all incredibly talented Duelists. Save the shit talk for if you can actually beat them."
"You mean, you're actually gonna have them Duel us today? You must have gone insane to think we'd be scared of some high school punks. By the way, what's with the new clothes? Either you robbed some upscale shop or you've got a benefactor."
"It'd be the latter," said Tatsumaki with a smile. "I've been helping them get ready to move up in the Dueling world. Unfortunately, our path to the big leagues necessitates that we go through you guys. Can't go compete in high profile tournaments while worrying about rival gangs taking over the place while we're gone."
"So you intend to take down the Dustshoot Gang in one fell swoop, eh?" mocked Chairo. "A brat like you getting by on your parents' money isn't even fit to shine my shoes, let alone take us on in a showdown."
Tatsumaki's smug grin was quickly replaced by a scowl. "Enzo. This asshole is mine."
"Oh, did I touch a nerve?" asked Chairo, still in his mocking tone. "Get in line, kid. You'll have to beat the rest of the gang before the leader is on the menu."
"Fine by me. The rest of the Breakers will stomp your groupies flat, and then you're all mine."
"Well then, I guess we should get on with it before you get distracted by your phone or something. Midori, the lots."
The lone woman among the Dustshoots stood from the steps, pulling two sets of paper strips color-coded on the tips from her shirt pocket, separating them into each hand with the colored side closed in her fists. Her blonde hair bobbed slightly as she descended the steps, and she held out her hands.
"We'll pull from the left, and you'll pull from the right," explained Chairo. "Pairings for the Duels will be decided by who pulls matching colors. I won't be drawing, since I wanna put the brat in his place."
"The feeling is mutual," spat Tatsumaki.
Each of the Dustshoots picked their lots, followed by five of the Breakers: Noroi, Emi, Jo, Ryo, and Taza.
"Not gonna partake, Enzo? You haven't gone soft on me, have you?" asked Chairo.
"You're the one who picked a fight with the kid. If you're too small-time to handle an angsty teenager, then why would I bother with you?"
"When this is over, we'll find out who's really small-time."
"Just don't be disappointed when I prove how right that statement is," replied Tatsumaki.
Lots were drawn, and the matches were decided by the colors that were pulled.
Black: Jo and Midori.
Blue: Ryo and Aka.
Orange: Noroi and Shiro.
Purple: Emi and Kuro.
Green: Taza and Ao.
Jo and Midori took their places, and began. Challengers yielded the right to go first in these showdowns, so Midori opened the Duel.
"Hope you're ready for this! My Wind deck will blow you away!"
"You mean how a stiff breeze will blow you away, skinny? You could use a sandwich before you wither away," mocked Jo.
"Laugh it up while you can!" Midori examined her opening hand and made her move. "I Normal Summon Flying Kamakiri #1 and Set 2 backrow. You're up."
"Alright, draw!" Jo checked his hand briefly, containing Delinquent Duo, Pitch-Black Warwolf, Mirror Force, Graceful Charity, and King Tiger Wanghu. He drew Snatch Steal for turn.
"I activate Delinquent Duo and select the card in the center of your hand!"
Midori discarded the indicated card, Torrential Tribute. Midori then selected Twin-Headed Behemoth to discard.
"Next, I Normal Summon Pitch-Black Warwolf, whose effect prevents you from using Battle Traps! Now he'll attack your big bug!"
"When you destroy my Kamakiri, I can Special Summon a Wind monster from my deck! Come forth, Harpie Lady #1!"
"I'll set a backrow and pass the turn over."
Jo: 7000 Life Points.
Midori: 7800 Life Points.
"My turn! Draw! I remove from play the Twin-Headed Behemoth in my Graveyard to Special Summon Silpheed, and attack your Warwolf!"
"I activate my Mirror Force to stop your attack and destroy your monsters!"
"Damn. I'll set another backrow and activate Call of the Haunted to revive my Silpheed and pass."
Jo's draw for turn was MST. Perfect.
"I activate Graceful Charity to draw three cards, then I'll discard my King Tiger Wanghu and Solemn Judgment. I activate MST to destroy your Call of the Haunted and get rid of your Silpheed, then I use my newly drawn Pot of Greed to get two new cards! Next, I Normal Summon Berserk Gorilla and activate Snatch Steal to take your Silpheed!"
"I'll use Solemn Judgment, paying half my Life Points to negate your Snatch Steal!"
"Too bad for you, 'cause I have a Solemn of my own!"
"Dammit, no!"
"Oh, yeah! Your Silpheed is mine! Next, I'll activate MST to get rid of your remaining Set card! Now I'm home free to attack for game!"
Jo: 7000 Life Points.
Midori: 0 Life Points.
"Well, look at that. One on the board for the Breakers," remarked Enzo. "Nice job, Jo."
"Thanks, boss. That wasn't even a challenge."
"As per the rules of the Showdown, Midori's deck and Duel Disk are forfeit, and she is no longer a member of the Dustshoot Gang," declared Chairo. "Midori, you stupid bitch. How could you embarrass us like that?"
"I'm sorry, sir. I really tried, but these guys are stronger than the last time!"
"No excuses! Rules or not, anyone who loses that easily isn't fit to be in this outfit. Leave your deck and disk and get out of my fucking sight."
Midori threw her Duel Disk to the ground in a rage, storming off into the sunset cursing loudly.
"All right!" exclaimed Emi. "One down, five to go, and I'm up next! Let's get this show on the road!"
Emi and Kuro took their places and drew their opening hands.