Response to Reviews

Thank you to HunterHQ, Anonymous, Noobmaster, Guest, Ambiguous, ZeroMK7, ZarcEternal, Ambiguous, Unknown, Guest, Unnamed, Guest, Kingdom Hearts Guy, Yuman28, Donjusticia, Guest, and E.T 2000 for reviewing Chapter 57 of Obscured Truth.

Hello there, folks! I hope you're all doing well during this spooky season. Glad to see you all like the second-anniversary chapter, that's for sure. I'm curious as to how you'll enjoy the rest of the Turf War arc. And don't worry: Once that's done, we'll go back to the anime, starting with the Earth Ignis of course.

But enough talk. Let's get to some reviews:

HunterHQ: You can't have too much money, as otherwise, people will get suspicious. Besides, Azrael built it up over the years he was in LINK VRAINS. You're thinking too far ahead. What happens to Ace will be revealed in due time. Zeta's out of commission for now, as their main headquarters blew up if you recall. So all the agents are focusing on rebuilding, and don't have time to join up with Ace. Yeah. I actually went with sterilization after realizing I can differentiate Rosetta from Akiza. Most of Yuhiro's jobs came from Monty, enabling him to get a glimpse of the other branches, but not enough to know how to get in. Arashi's actually staying at Café Matsuo for the time being, if you recall from the end of Chapter 55. Yuhiro would have revealed his identity to SengokuQueen eventually, to point something out. Just because something's virtual doesn't mean it has to look real after all. The brain chips were actually inspired from the chips from Suicide Squad, not the Arc V or SOL's AI chip. Yeah, the chip was doing the talking for Sandalphon rather than herself. Clarice did not put the chip in her own brain nor did she sterilize herself. The fleur de lis pattern was actually the Barian emblem, believe it or not. I put that in for an easter egg, not to confirm the Barian and Astral World's existence.

Anonymous: SOL Technologies didn't have the time to put a team together due to everything going on with the Hanoi. Only those who signed up to join for the team will be paid if they succeed. The Turf War arc was inspired by PS4 Spider Man game, believe it or not. Everyone's story contributes to the overall story, as if it was a giant puzzle coming together. Chainslaver will return, that I can confirm. We'll see what El Rocco's fate will be, as he was kicked out of the Gamma Branch after losing to Slipstream. Speckles works for Ace right now. As for the celebration, I put that in because the girls completed a successful mission that made a long-term impact for the other deathstalkers. They freed them from slavery, so that's worth celebrating. Recall that Lord Kazuma volunteered to investigate the Black Market, so that's a guarantee he'll appear in the Turf War arc.

Noobmaster: You can see small bits of Blue Angel on Blue Girl, so it's obvious to recognize her. Yes, I meant the other Chaos Xyz monsters when I said the Deadly Seven. Good comparisons of the Chaos Xyz monsters with the sins, well done. As well as how each branch represents a sin. I see Windy as more like Dark Mist rather than Vector, believe it or not. That's because of what Windy nearly did to Flame, who in my opinion's almost like Astral. Lightning doesn't have the craziness Vector has, that's for sure. After the FBI arrested Clarice in the virtual world, they were able to track her down very quickly in the real world, that I can confirm.

Guest: Clarice is nuts. Period. Although Athaliah trumps her in what she did to scores of people, both boys and girls of different ages with Project: Apotheosis.

Ambiguous: I can confirm that one other Chaos Xyz monster will appear in the story, that's a guarantee. Not sure which Chaos Xyz monster Ace would wield, though. Ghost Girl's roses electrocuted people, not blew them up, as that would cause a bigger commotion. Yup. There's more than one way to skin a cat (in this case, Uchida Industries and the Knights of Hanoi).

ZeroMK7: Thanks very much for the awesome review.

ZarcEternal: Yeah. Beta Branch is among one of the worse branches in the Black Market due to their 'practices'. It's very likely Sandalphon will return, but right now, she and the others have to free their sisters from enslavement. Glad you liked the singing parts of the chapter. To clarify: Was it Arashi and Herald singing, or the girls at the karaoke bar?

Unknown: Each of the branches are dangerous in their own way. Yup. The deathstalkers used weapons from the Sky Striker deck, that I can confirm. It would not end well if Lightning got his hands on Uchida Industries, as that enables him to expand his influence in the real world. Malf eats peoples hearts to gain strength, and sends them to the Den City Hospital as well. Watchman and the others are focused on Ignis matters at the moment. At the end scene, Aoi was singing with Emma. The meeting between Akira and Epsilon will be in the network.

Guest: Yes. There are three golden rules in the Black Market, which will be revealed later. Ace is definitely angry with what happened.

Unnamed: The Beta Branch's animals didn't appear in Chapter 57, as I wanted to focus on the human aspect of the branch. No animals will duel in the story. If Ace went to try and free Clarice, it'll only expose him, so he won't. For the last time, ATHALIAH was the one fascinated with the Cyberse, not Ace. This was but a farce to hide Athaliah's true intentions. Rosetta actually admitted her atrocities to the authorities months ago, and was pardoned for helping to stop the Hanoi. She helped fight against the Beta Branch to ensure no one else would go down the same route she did.

Guest: Blue Girl actually did use her energy whip in this chapter. Queen may be a double crosser, but Akira isn't. He's actually someone with honor.

Kingdom Hearts Guy: Glad you liked the chapter. To answer your questions. One: Sandalphon's ace monster is Orcustrion, while her boss monster is Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star. Two: I don't think Dr. Kogami and Azrael have anything in common because their goals majorly differ. Dr. Kogami wants to save humanity, while Azrael has an unknown goal that'll be revealed later on, and the goal's selfish if you asked me. Three: There's already a fusion between Decode Talker and Salamangreat Heatleo, which is Decode Talker Heatsoul.

Yuman28: Happy you liked Chapter 51. I made it entertaining as per your request. I mean, I don't see the Hanoi being children. Rather, they're knights (with no honor, which is ironic) rescuing their comrade from jail. Wraith would NEVER spy on someone in the shower. His spying level is excellent, that I can confirm. The difference between Infearno and Zahhak is that Infearno can summon literal demons to do his will, while Zahhak can lock down LINK VRAINS, travel through red lightning, and who knows what else he can do? The difference between Lord Kazuma and Jester is that the former is the student, while the latter is the teacher. I one hundred percent doubt that Merlin and Dancho have whatever you said they have against female protagonists (makes no sense whatsoever. Last I checked, Merlin and Dancho are duelists of honor). The Knights of Hanoi actually still have Lord Kazuma's spy equipment. The police has no data on the Hanoi because they wiped it out using the clean slate.

Donjusticia: Hooray, you're back! Glad you caught up to where the story's at. Hey, Slipstream's not a Yugo rip-off. I mean, when creating him, I had to do so in a way that would surprise characters in the story. If you think about it, when someone duels Slipstream, who would expect him to use a Synchro Summoning deck with lockdown strategies that consisted of toy monsters? Yeah. Malf's back, and will make a bigger impact this time around, considering how he nearly beat Raguel and tried to blow up to nearly kill him and Herald. For the Knights of Hanoi chapter, it wasn't really explained in the anime how they got Baira back, so that's why I made a chapter dedicated to that. Blood Shepherd's Ritual Monster is meant to support his other 'Drone' Link Monsters and pile up on both effect and battle damage. It's more of a support card than a firepower card. Glad you like Electrolyzer. Abyss Actors is already taken by none other than Gil Ariba. As for the duel readers thing, I already sent you a message.

Guest: A good majority of the deathstalkers have been freed, so Sandalphon and those deathstalkers now must free their other sisters by giving them the red mist. If Ace went to freed Clarice, it'd only give his position away. The Guzik Family is that of siblings.

E.T. 2000: Glad you liked the duels. Goes to show that Clarice is nuts, that's for sure. Regarding decks for the Epsilon Branch, you are correct, as one of them are shown in this chapter.

So with all reviews answered, let's get to the next chapter of the Turf War arc. Enjoy!

Chapter 58: Honor Among Duelists

The sky appears, full of clouds. Playmaker races through the clouds on his duel board, followed by Raguel, Soulburner, and Slipstream. Two swords then slice the clouds completely to reveal NEW LINK VRAINS. One of the swords, a katana with symbols inscribed on the blade, crosses downwards to the left. Crossing downwards to the right was a typical western sword, with a golden rain-guard and a blue grip. The sword also had symbols inscribed on the blade as well. The two swords made a shining X, causing the Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS! logo to appear, and underneath it, the words "OBSCURED TRUTH" ominously appear.

Yuhiro and Yusaku are walking down the street to school. Naoki runs past them, a large smile on his face. Aoi walks past them on the other side, smiling lightly and blushing at Yusaku. Then Takeru walks up behind them and wraps one arm around Yusaku. He then wraps the other arm around Yuhiro, surprising him for a few moments before being pulled to the side by Rachel, who's clearly happy to see him. Yuhiro smiles back at her.

Tsubaki and Hideki are shown boarding an airplane as they head to their destination. After sitting down next to each other in their respective seats, Tsubaki looks out in the window, which shows a reflection of Rosetta, while Hideki picks up the airplane guide and reads it. In the sky above them is Ace, a malicious sneer on his face.

Go Onizuka is shown wearing a hoodie as he leaves the waterfront for the last time. Outside of his home, he encounters Kenmochi and Yoroizaka, who are waiting for him. Smirking, the three of them raise their left arms into the air and enter NEW LINK VRAINS, with Go in his new avatar riding beside his new allies. Stregone crosses his arms as he looks down at them, a look of shock and disappointment on his face.

Kusanagi is then shown with Roxy at a nearby picnic table, both enjoying food and laughter while talking about technology. Flame and Ai are shown arguing in Café Nagi, while Herald ends up getting annoyed with their bickering. As a result, he snaps his fingers, causing Progleo to jump onto the desk and startle Ai and Flame.

At SOL Technologies, Akira Zaizen and Hayami are shown in Queen's office, with Queen handing them a signed order regarding Playmaker and Raguel. A look of hesitation appears on Akira's face, but he hides it just in time.

Azrael and Wraith are then shown with Ace and Athaliah standing behind them, shrouded in shadow along with their ace monsters Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed and El Shaddoll Construct. Standing behind Azrael and Wraith though, is a black, bipedal dragon with red sclera, white irises, and black pupils obscured in shadow. The dragon roars before disappearing with Zerrziel and El Shaddoll Construct. Jumping above Azrael and Wraith is Malf, sporting a demonic expression on his face. He then extends his right arm forward towards the screen, darkening it completely.

When the screen becomes clear, Playmaker and Raguel are shown riding their duel boards next to each other, with Cyberse Witch and Cyberse Magician in front of Playmaker, and Cyreath Hercules and Cyreath Medusa in front of Raguel. The two are chased by Blood Shepherd, who directs two copies of Battledrone Sergeant to fire at them. Although the two of them are hit by the explosions the missiles caused, they escape unharmed. Suddenly, Drachen orders Red-Eyes Black Dragon to fire at them. In response, Playmaker and Raguel are shown swerving left and right to avoid the consecutive fire blasts. Joining the young man in the hunt is Electrolyzer, who orders PSY-Framelord Omega to attack Playmaker, but Raguel turns his duel board around and activates a card, causing Hercules to glow a bright light before transforming into Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode. His eyes glowing red, Hercules/Alpha Mode charged forward with his axe sword and clashed with PSY-Framelord Omega.

The screen then shifts to Slipstream watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, while Raguel duels Electrolyzer. Noticing Haru, who's also watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, Slipstream takes a card and summons Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, who roars at the boy. Haru, in response, takes a card and summons Hydradrive Nagini, who hissed at Clear Wing in the process.

Blue Girl and Rosetta are shown in NEW LINK VRAINS at a picnic table, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The two of them then turn their heads towards the duels going on in the sky, a look of concern on each of their faces.

Watchman's group is then shown, with Percival standing slightly apart from them as he makes a fist with his left hand. Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon appear before a massive, red-skinned demonic looking monster with golden elements, several eyeballs embedded on its body and four tentacles with bladed claws rises from behind them.

The Knights of Hanoi are shown summoning their monsters. Motor Worm Spread Queen, Helixx Necro Darwin, and Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps first appear before fading into the background. Next is Dark Magician, Berserker of the Tenyi, and Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss, with Sunavalon Dryanome behind them. Borreload Savage Dragon then rises from behind the four monsters and roars loudly.

Akira is shown at Green Park with Emma, Gekiryushi, and Aoi, giving them details on finding the Ignis. Emma proceeds to make a flirtatious gesture at Akira, making Gekiryushi facepalm and comment on how flirting can be useful at a time like this. The two women then begin to argue, with Akira and Aoi trying to break up the argument.

Yuhiro and Progleo are shown with Miyu at the Den City Hospital, trying to help her walk. Miyu, who's using the parallel bars, ends up slipping, only for Yuhiro to immediately catch her from behind and help her stand up. Roxy then runs out of nowhere and starts pummeling Yuhiro, causing Miyu to almost fall backwards again to their shock. Catching her this time though is Medusa, who appears behind her and smiles, much to everyone's relief. Miyu smiles back, grateful for Medusa's help. The screen then flips around before showing Yuhiro on his knees, clasping an unconscious Miyu's hand in sadness and rage.

Cyreaths Hercules/Alpha Mode, Medusa, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus are then shown in the air, with Turboblaze Dragon racing past them. The five of them prepare to attack alongside Turboblaze Dragon, who unleashes his Desolation Flare attack as well.

Raguel and Herald are then shown on top of a tower, facing off against Azrael and Wraith in a duel. Behind Raguel and Herald is Turboblaze Dragon, while behind Azrael and Wraith is the black, bipedal dragon from earlier in the opening. Both dragons roar at each other. Raguel reeves up his sword, while Azrael unsheathes his katana before the two of them and their dragons charge at each other.

Yuhiro, Roxy, Miyu, Kusanagi, Takeru, and Yusaku are all shown sitting outdoors at a picnic table near the Den City Hospital, all of them eating hot dogs, and Takeru, Kusanagi, and Roxy are laughing. Three duel disks are shown on the table, with Flame lecturing Ai while Herald plays a game on Yuhiro's tablet.

Yuhiro, Roxy, and Miyu are sitting down on a bench outside the Den City Hospital, with Medusa standing nearby them and Progleo on Roxy's lap. Miyu proceeds to rest her head on Yuhiro's shoulder, causing him to blush as she smiles. Yuhiro smiles back at her, while Roxy and Medusa both smile at them, happy they're able to find happiness with each other. The scene then switches to NEW LINK VRAINS, with Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner standing on a building and looking out into the radiant sky.

At SOL Technologies...

Akira arrived at his office, the meeting with Queen and Pawn finally over. Having received his orders to stop the Turf War, he went over to his desk and grabbed his duel disk before leaving his office. Akira knew that ending the Turf War would take a lot of work, which is why he needed allies. While Aoi, Gekiryushi, Emma, and Tsubaki were a great team, along with Yuhiro and his allies, it wouldn't be enough firepower to end the Turf War.

That's why Akira decided to negotiate with the Epsilon Branch and secure an alliance with them. Of all the branches, Epsilon was the most honorable among them. They'd listen to him, and if everything went well, the alliance will very likely be made. With Omega and Epsilon fighting against the other branches, it only made sense to try and ally with them. Besides, both branches will eventually fall to Ace's might if they continued fighting on their own.

"Mr. Zaizen, sir?"

Akira turned his head, only to see Hayami run over to him. He was so focused on his thoughts that he already entered the command station of SOL Technologies.

"You seriously intend on logging into LINK VRAINS and negotiating with crooks? Hayami asked out of disbelief, surprised that the security chief would actually do something like that.

"It's the only way to get more allies. At least for now. " Akira answered, walking over to one of the pods used to enter LINK VRAINS. "Besides, I already contacted SengokuQueen. She'll be going in with me should something happen."

"I just can't believe that Queen and Pawn would actually set aside the Ignis hunt for a matter like this." Hayami admitted.

"Me neither, Hayami. Me neither." Akira agreed, thinking back to his meeting with Queen and Pawn.

Flashback: Ten minutes earlier...

"You wished to see me, Queen? Pawn?" Akira asked both of them. The office he was in turned into a resort just like last time the moment he went inside of it. And just like last time, Queen relaxed on a deckchair with a drink in her hand. In addition, Pawn was sitting on a deckchair or two away from her.

"Indeed." Queen answered. "I originally intended to contact you for a report on the Ignis Hunt, but there's more pressing matters at stake."

"You're referring to the escalations in the Black Market, correct?" Akira figured out, surprising Queen.

"He's got you there, Queen!" Pawn declared, getting a laugh before turning to Akira. "That intuitiveness Zaizen is why you're the perfect fit as SOL Technologies' security chief!"

"Shut up, Pawn!" Queen furiously ordered him, having been humiliated by Pawn's comment. Why must Pawn show up at every meeting she was in? She took a deep breath before turning to Akira. "I admit, I didn't expect for you to already know what's happening in the Black Market, Zaizen. Color me impressed."

"And you want me to stop it permanently, right?" Akira figured out once again.

"Correct." Queen confirmed, getting up from the deckchair she was sitting on. "Lately, people have been questioning SOL Technologies' ability to protect them. If this keeps up, we'll end up losing not just our stakeholders, but the people's faith as well." She narrowed her eyes at Akira. "As you already figured out earlier, I'm ordering you to stop the Turf War at all costs."

Akira nodded. Whatever Queen said was final, and no one disobeyed her orders out of fear they'd be fired. There was still one question he had to ask, though. "And what of the Ignis Hunt, Queen. Is that being on pause for the time being?"

Queen sighed, as if she didn't want to say the next few words that came out of her mouth next. "Yes. The Ignis Hunt is paused for the time being. But don't get too comfortable, Zaizen. Once this whole mess is cleaned up, I expect you to refocus all your efforts on finding and capturing the Ignis. Do you understand?"

"I understand fully." Akira confirmed.

"There's one thing we forgot to mention." Pawn interrupted, getting Akira's attention. "While you'll be busy focusing on ending the Turf War, I've been tasked to create a piece of technology that will help you in capturing the Ignis."

"For the last time Pawn, I told you to-!" Queen began, only for Pawn to wag his finger at her.

"Ah, ah, ah. I'm not finished, your highness." Pawn sarcastically told Queen, making her fume with rage. "As I was saying, this new piece of technology will help you Zaizen in completing your mission. Once it's complete, I expect you and the bounty-hunter task force to be in attendance. Okey doke?"

"Uh, I understand completely." Akira replied, a little weirded out with what Pawn just said. While Queen was strict and had the authority to back up her orders, Pawn was laid back and didn't care about whether he insulted someone, even if it was someone like Queen. Although he carried a sense of authority with him, he was more lenient of the higher-ups.

"Guess I better get going before Queen blows her top." Pawn smirked at Queen, who was on her breaking point. "Bye!" He vanished afterwards, leaving Akira and Queen alone in the digital resort.

"You heard your orders, Zaizen. Now leave." Queen ordered Akira before vanishing along with the resort. Once that was done, Akira sighed to himself. What did he do to deserve this? He then left the room and started walking back to his office. Unbeknownst to him, Akairo was eavesdropping nearby, having heard the entire conversation. After walking away from the area, he dialled a number and waited for the person on the other end to answer.

"Hello?"

"Ryoken, it's Akairo." Akairo said, walking downstairs. "Zaizen's efforts have been shifted to dealing with the Turf War, and Pawn's developing a piece of technology to aid the bounty hunters in capturing the Ignis."

There was a silence on the other side as Ryoken was processing this information. "I see. Lord Kazuma's currently investigating matters on the Turf War and how to stop Ace. For the time being, I need you to help SOL Technologies in stopping Ace, and assist Lord Kazuma if needed. I also need you to be a double-agent for a bit longer, Aka. We need to know what kind of technology SOL Technologies is developing for the bounty hunters. If it's something that can help eliminate the Ignis, then we must obtain it from them."

"You got it, Ryoken. Leave it to me." Akairo then hung up before leaving SOL Technologies. Something told him that this Turf War would have a bigger impact than everyone expected.

Flashback End: Present Day...

"Hayami, I'm leaving you in charge until I return." Akira told her before entering the pod.

"You got it, Mr. Zaizen." Hayami replied. If she succeeded, then Akira would notice her attraction to him, or that's what she hoped anyway.

"Deck Set! Into the VRAINS!"

In LINK VRAINS...

Akira walked into LINK VRAINS, at an unnoticed portion of the Black Market central area. This area had paths that connected all the branches to one another. However, there was one branch Akira needed to go, and that branch was Epsilon.

It was here where SengokuQueen told him to meet her, as she knew where Epsilon was. To conceal his identity, he wore a poncho with a hood. After all, if anyone found out that SOL Technologies' Security Chief was in the Black Market, they'd hunt him down with no end.

"Glad to see you made it on time." Akira said, noticing SengokuQueen around the corner as she walked up to him. She also wore a poncho with a hood as well.

"It's not like you to ask a Black Market boss for help." SengokuQueen admitted, crossing her arms. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I have to." Akira confirmed. "While I have great confidence in you and the others' dueling abilities, we need allies if we're going to end this Turf War." The two of them then started walking down the aisle, unnoticed by the other people nearby. "Besides, I worked for Yeshurun before." At that moment, SengokuQueen stopped walking, making Akira stop before turning around to face her.

"You worked for a Black Market Boss?" SengokuQueen raised her eyebrow in disbelief, confused as to why one of SOL Technologies' honorable workers would do such a thing. In response, Akira gestured for her to continue following him.

"Ten years ago, Aoi and I lost our parents in a car accident. After that, we lost our parents inheritance." Akira began, whispering quietly to SengokuQueen. "During that painful time, I did everything and anything just so Aoi and I can live another day. One day, I met a person who worked for Yeshurun, and offered my services as a hacker. I ended up passing the test, and got money as a reward." He sighed. "Aoi was what kept me going, even though the dirty work I did every day threatened to break my spirit. Eventually, all my hard efforts paid off, and Aoi and I were able to gain some semblance of life again." He turned and glared at SengokuQueen to ensure he got the point across. "Nothing's ever simply black and white, SengokuQueen. We live in a world where there's many grey areas in life. While people may judge actions as evil, other people see it as necessary to help others. While I don't like doing dirty work, I'll do it if it means I can protect the people I care about."

"I didn't know..." was all SengokuQueen responded with. Hearing this story made her think of what Raguel told her. "You think everyone who works on the black market is cut from the same cloth? Well let me tell you this. Not everyone who works on the black market is evil. That's because everyone's circumstances are different! Take me for example, SengokuQueen. I don't do work on the black market for the sole purpose of making money. Rather, I do this so I can help someone who can't even interact with the outside world!"

She then thought of what Rosetta said. "I never asked to be the person I am right now, and I never asked to lose one of the most important people of my life! And yet you still judge me?! If that's the case, then you're JUST AS DIRTY AS I AM!"

Last but not least, SengokuQueen's thoughts wandered to what Dancho lectured her on before he won their duel. "If I can teach you one last thing, it's this: Life isn't as black and white as you believe. You can't just look down on others by refusing to see their perspective. Otherwise, you're no better than the people you judge as evil!"

All her life, SengokuQueen vowed not to trust the word of criminals, as they committed heinous acts just for their own gain. But hearing that Akira did heinous work just so he and Aoi can survive day by day after losing everything. And with the experiences she went through months earlier, she felt her beliefs had started wavering since going undercover in the Gamma Branch. Does justice even exist in a world that has many obscured truths?

"SengokuQueen." SengokuQueen snapped out of her thoughts upon Akira calling out her name.

"Yes?" She walked up to Akira to keep up with him.

"We're taking this path, correct?" Akira requested. The duo reached a large kiosk, which displayed the map of the entire Black Market. Akira had typed in directions for going to Epsilon Branch, in which the kiosk provided him with the shortest route there.

"That's the one." SengokuQueen confirmed. "Follow me." The duo then walked straight before taking a right at the end of the area. Going down the pathway, Akira couldn't help but notice the scenery change from the run-down central area to a more sophisticated area. There were ancient Shinto temples where multiple people trained to hone their skills. The floors were literally covered in firm, but gentle tatami mats, which was a nice change from walking on a hard surface.

Various types of plants hung on the edges of the Shinto temples, giving it a nice natural look. Akira also noticed Japanese wall art on the walls, as if it was depicting a story. Japanese paper lanterns decorated each of the Shinto temples that had different colored lights, as if they were making the area a lively place. Some people were playing koi-koi, while others were throwing darts at dart boards. That's not really Japanese-like, Akira thought, looking at the dart boards. SengokuQueen motioned for Akira to follow her, which he did.

Eventually, they reached a massive Todai-Ji temple, which was built using only wood. It had a Japanese paper lamp at each of the corner's ends, along with a large gateway that had a sliding door.

"There it is." SengokuQueen said. "The Epsilon Branch's main headquarters."

"And the place where Yeshurun and his family live." Akira added. If Akira had to be honest, he was nervous at seeing Yeshurun again. It had been a long time ago that he worked for Epsilon, and they were honorable with their end of the deal in paying Akira the money needed for him and Aoi. Hopefully, negotiations will be smooth sailing and SOL Technologies will gain an ally to end the Turf War. Besides. They needed to widen their circle of trust, and Akira was not going to pass up on an opportunity to gain allies, especially someone who he worked for once. The duo then walked up the stairs towards the temple.

"Like I said before, this is something I never expected you to do."' SengokuQueen reiterated.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Akira responded. "Even though Epsilon's not our ally yet, I intend to gain their trust."

"A point you might make with more subtlety, given your surroundings," a female voice stated, as various samurais suddenly appeared out of nowhere and surrounded the duo. Their leader, a young woman with thick, black hair and a slender, but fit build, leapt down in front of them. She wore a dark-green kimono, which had shreds and tears on it. The kimono was tied around her waist, where its length reaches just above her knees. Along with her kimono, the woman wore black, knee-high boots. What made her stood out, however, was the white, cat mask with red stripes and a wide grin on her face. It resembled that of a Cheshire cat. "Now state your business. Including a reason why we shouldn't kill you."

"Good to see you as well, Cheshire." SengokuQueen said, addressing the young woman, who smirked behind her mask.

"Now this is a surprise. I didn't expect the bounty hunter SengokuQueen to show up in Epsilon." Cheshire replied. "Nor did I expect SOL Technologies' own Security Chief to be at our doorstep."

"Cheshire..." Akira repeated. "The bounty hunter Cheshire? The one who lead a supply run with only ten samurais and made it out alive without any deaths?"

"Ex-bounty hunter..." Cheshire clarified. "State your business."

"We need to talk to Yeshurun. Here." Akira pulled out a golden medallion that had a Kagemusha-crest on it and gave it to Cheshire. When SengokuQueen looked at it, the medallion reminded her of the Bushido crest on her Six Samurai cards.

Cheshire, after looking at the medallion, shook her head. "You'll need more than that to get an audience with Yeshurun."

After thinking for a moment, an idea crossed Akira's mind. "Look," he began. "You can arrest us, even kill us. But I doubt that's Epsilon's way of getting rid of people, and if we're telling the truth, I don't think Yeshurun will be happy with your decision. Take us to him, I'll tell him you took us down. He'll be happy that you defeated two people from SOL Technologies, and may even reward you. It's a win-win for everyone."

Cheshire thought about it for a moment, then nodded to the other samurais, who sheathed their swords. "Follow me." The duo, along with the samurais, followed Cheshire into the Todai-Ji temple.

"I can see you've been busy training your troops." SengokuQueen stated, looking at the various samurais training in their sword and dueling techniques. If there was two things in common, it's this: All the samurais had Warrior decks, and were proficient in their fighting techniques.

"In times of war, we must be ready to fight." Cheshire explained. "Since Ace took over, we knew he wasn't fit to be the Black Market's Overseer. Along with Omega, we opposed him, and he sent his troops to try and wipe us out. If we take Ace down, peace will return to the Black Market."

"I'm with you there." Akira agreed. Soon, they reached a large set of doors, which lead to the throne room. Inside, there were three thrones, two of which were bigger than the small one.

On one of the big thrones was a middle-aged man with long, black hair that was tied up with a golden band, as well as a black goatee. He primarily wore dark-red robes with golden outlines all over them, as well as shoulder pads. On his feet were sandals.

On the other throne was a woman with long, black hair that had a small bun at the top thanks to a small, golden crown. Like her husband, she wore dark-red robes, only they didn't have the golden outlines on them. On her feet were sandals.

On the small throne was a small boy with thick, black hair. Like his parents, he wore dark-red robes, along with golden-outlines. On his feet were sandals.

"Cheshire, who are these people you brought in?" the man asked her, narrowing his eyes at Akira and SengokuQueen.

"People from SOL Technologies, Yeshurun. More specifically, Akira Zaizen and SengokuQueen." Cheshire answered back at Yeshurun, whose eyes widened in response.

"Rinoie. Please go to your room." Yeshurun told his son. "Your mother and I have an important meeting."

"Yes, father." Rinoie complied, getting up from the throne and leaving the throne room.

Yeshurun then turned to his wife. "I think you should meet the man who helped us in the past, Vernita."

"I think I should." Vernita agreed.

"Akira Zaizen. It's been too long." Yeshurun stated with a smile as Akira took off his hood, with SengokuQueen following suit.

"Too long indeed." Akira concurred, a smile on his face as well. He then bowed in front of Yeshurun and Vernita, SengokuQueen doing the same as well.

"I've heard you got a job at SOL Technologies as its Security Chief." Yeshurun recalled. "What exactly brings you and your bounty hunter here?"

"We do not allow bounty hunters on our grounds." Vernita explained. "Would you mind explaining why you brought one with you?"

"Apologies, but during these times, I needed a bodyguard, and SengokuQueen was willing to lend me a hand." Akira replied. "I'll get to the point. As you're aware, the Turf War's happening across the Black Market, resulting in chaos across all the branches. I propose an alliance between Epsilon and SOL Technologies. Our goal in stopping Ace and ending the Turf War aligns, so wouldn't it make sense to join forces now while we still can? If you help us, I'll definitely repay the favour, so long as it's in my power of course." Unfortunately, Yeshurun got up from his throne, a furious expression on his face.

"Honey..." Vernita began, only for Yeshurun to ignore her.

"I see what's going on. SOL Technologies wants to use me and my family to fight their battles so they don't need to lift a finger." Yeshurun immediately deduced. "Why would you want me to side with SOL Technologies? Remind me, Akira Zaizen. Didn't SOL Technologies fail to stomp out the Another threat, and had to rely on heroes to stop the Hanoi? Didn't SOL Technologies fail to contain the Tower of Hanoi? And last I checked, Kitamura wanted to sell out the company to the Knights of Hanoi! When those incidents occurred, Epsilon fought hard to protect its own territory since SOL Technologies couldn't deal with these threats themselves!"

Akira scowled to himself upon remembering these events. Damn you, Kitamura, he cursed in his mind. Thanks to that idiot, SOL Technologies' reputation took a nosedive. Ever since the Tower of Hanoi had been brought down, people had been questioning SOL Technologies' ability to protect them. If this kept up, well, it won't be good for the company at all. "I'm responsible for letting Kitamura gain power, that's on me," he acknowledged.

"That is no excuse!" Vernita countered, standing up from her throne. "Just because you admit your faults doesn't mean they're instantly fixed!"

"Vernita's right." Yeshurun added. "We will not ally with someone that can't defend themselves. The next time my family's blood is spilt, it will be for Epsilon and Epsilon alone!"

"Yeshurun. Vernita. This problem concerns us all." Akira pointed out.

"We may have helped you in the past, but it doesn't mean we're obligated to heed your request." Vernita told Akira.

"Besides, you're nothing more than a puppet to be bossed around." Yeshurun reprimanded him. "Saying that you're following orders is no excuse at all. This makes you spineless!"

"He's not spineless!" SengokuQueen began, only for Cheshire to suddenly pull out her Sai and put it at SengokuQueen's throat.

"Manners, SengokuQueen." Cheshire warned her, pulling the Sai away from her throat, as if to inform her of what will happen if she spoke out of turn again.

"You're spinless as well, SengokuQueen." Vernita chastised SengokuQueen. "A bounty hunter who brings justice on all criminals and doesn't see their viewpoint has no honor at all. Just pathetic, if you ask me." SengokuQueen's eyes widened upon hearing this.

"I don't trust you or anyone from SOL Technologies. If you were anyone else, I'd send you back with injuries as a warning to those who send their dogs rather than speak to me themselves." Yeshurun said. "But because you are someone with honor, I'll make an exception. Now leave, and never set foot here again."

"And when Ace and his followers are on your door step and knocking?" Akira questioned.

"Epsilon will defend itself." Yeshurun replied with authority.

Akira narrowed his eyes. This conversation was not going well. Still, he wasn't someone who'd give up that easily. "It may be sooner than you think. We need to help each other."

"Go! I do not need your distraction." Yeshurun narrowed his eyes back at Akira to get the point across to him.

"No! We're NOT leaving!" SengokuQueen suddenly said, pulling out her sword as the guards pulled out their swords. Cheshire also pulled out her Sai and once again pointed it to SengokuQueen. Akira looked around the situation with worry in his eyes. The situation just escalated from bad to worst!

"You're all cowards! You say you want to protect each other, but are you willing to not protect others? Let innocents suffer? Where's the honor in-?!"

"WATCH YOUR TONGUE, YOUNG LADY!" Vernita shouted with such a loud voice that it made everyone shudder, even Yeshurun for a brief moment. This was why you don't mess with the queen. "Need I remind you where you stand? Like I told you before, a bounty hunter like you has no honor whatsoever!"

"At least I'm willing to admit my mistakes!" SengokuQueen shouted back.

"Cheshire, take them away!" Vernita ordered. "As my husband said, never set foot again!"

"Very well." Akira complied, bowing before Yeshurun and Vernita. "We will leave." The guards then began to escort him and SengokuQueen from the throne room. As they left, Akira placed a finger on the comm piece in his ear.

"Hayami, log us out. The mission was-." To his surprise, he got static on his end. "Hayami? Can you-."

KABOOM!

The entire temple shook as various grunts smashed the windows and landed inside the temple. Each of the grunts wore white armor, and their white helmets had a grey visor. In response to this, the guards immediately began to engage the grunts.

"Okay, this isn't good." Cheshire commented, activating her duel disk. "Get to Yeshurun! I'll hold these guys off!"

"Right!" Akira and SengokuQueen said at the same time, running back to the throne room.

"Find Rinoie and get out of here!" Yeshurun told Vernita, who ran out of the throne room to do so. A red dot then appeared on Yeshurun's chest, and in a surprising twist, Akira knocked him out of the sniper's range, thus saving his life.

"Are you alright?" Akira asked, helping Yeshurun stand up on his feet.

"I am." Yeshurun replied. "These troops... They're from Delta."

"Delta?" Akira repeated. Why would the Delta Branch attack now of all times? This made negotiations more rocky than before, that's for sure.

"My men are getting flanked! Hold this line! Be our rear guard!"

"On it! And you?"

Yeshurun smirked. "I'm the vanguard!" He then charged forward, intent on eliminating the Delta Grunts.

At that moment, a rough-edged muscular man broke the windows and landed in the temple before standing up on his feet. He wore a red-undershirt with black lines over it, along with grey sneakers and open gloves on his hands. Around his waist was a belt that carried munitions. While he was bald, he wore sunglasses and a metal headset on his head to make up for it.

"I know you. You're Sharpshot." Akira immediately deduced.

"And you're SOL Technologies' Security Chief Akira Zaizen." Sharpshot replied back. "To be honest, I didn't expect you to be here. But since this is the case, capturing you will bring a nice bonus for Delta." He snorted upon saying that.

"I have no intention of being captured today, thank you very much." Akira stated, readying his duel disk.

"So you wish to do this the hard way, huh?" Sharpshot readied his own duel disk. "As the Delta Branch's right hand man, I always succeeded in shooting up my targets."

"Then prepare for this to be your first failed mission."

"Time to duel!" Akira and Sharpshot said at the same time.

Akira Zaizen: 4000 LP

Sharpshot: 4000 LP

"You challenged me, so that means I go first." Akira told Sharpshot. "My turn! I'll start by activating the Spell card Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two cards from my deck." He drew the top two cards of his deck. "Next, I activate the Continuous-Spell card, Nagel's Protection. Now 'Tindangle' monsters in my Main Monster Zones cannot be destroyed by battle or your card effects. I Set one monster in face-down position and end my turn." A face-down card in defense position then appeared afterwards.

Sharpshot raised an eyebrow. That's it? That's all the Security Chief of SOL Technologies did? Guess there was nothing to fear from him after all. "My turn! I draw!" Sharpshot drew the top card of his deck. "I summon Magical Musketeer Starfire from my hand." A woman wearing a black top with a long black and blue skirt appeared on Sharpshot's field, who carried a derringer pistol in her right hand.

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK: 1300 DEF: 1700 LV: 4

"Magical Musket..." Akira muttered. Oh boy. That archetype? Something told Akira that this duel was going to be more challenging than he anticipated.

"I activate the Trap card Magical Musket - Desperado from my hand." Sharpshot continued. "Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can target and destroy one face-up card on your field. I target and destroy Nagel's Protection!" A cannon blast erupted from Desperado and hit Nagel's Protection, destroying it in a massive explosion, much to Akira's annoyance. "I activate Starfire's effect. Since a Spell or Trap card was activated in her column, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower 'Magical Musket' from my deck in defense position with a different name. I Special Summon Magical Musketeer Caspar from my deck!" A young blond man wearing red and black clothing, along with pieces of armor on his chest and legs appeared on Sharpshot's field in defense position. He also wore a long dark-red cape, and carried a futuristic gun in his left hand.

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK: 1200 DEF: 2000 LV: 3

"It's time to shoot a bullseye through my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Sharpshot. "The summoning conditions are one Level 8 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster. I Set Magical Musketeer Caspar into the Link Markers!" Caspar went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Magical Musketeer Max!" A man wearing black leather clothes and a hat appeared on Sharpshot's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He wore a red cape, along with a black waist cape. Max also carried a machine gun as well.

Magical Musketeer Max ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"If you think I'm done, you're wrong. I activate Max's effect! Since he's Link Summoned, I can activate one of two effects!" Sharpshot informed Akira. "I can either add 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap cards from my deck to my hand up to the number of monsters on your field, or Special Summon 'Magical Musket' monsters with different names from my deck up to the number of Spell or Trap cards on your field. I choose effect one and add one 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap card because you only have one monster on your field." A card popped out of Sharpshot's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I also activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Magical Musket – Bullet Burst from my hand!" The card showed Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel teaching Caspar to fire a gun at a target, with the end result of Caspar accidentally firing an explosive bullet and causing a huge explosion, much to Zakiel's happiness and Caspar's surprise. "This turn, one 'Magical Musket' monster gains 300 attack points for every 'Magical Musket' monster on my field until the End Phase. It can also deal piercing battle damage as well. I target Starfire, who gains 600 attack points!" A red aura surrounded Starfire as she powered up.

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK: 1300 + (300 X 2) = 1900

"Battle!" Sharpshot declared. Magical Musketeer Starfire attacks your face-down monster." Starfire fired bullets from her derringer pistol at Akira's face-down monster.

"The Set monster you're attacking is Tindangle Angel." Akira explained, as the card flipped face-up to reveal a female violet-colored angel with bat-like wings, each one having an eyeball at the top of them. There was also an eyeball in her ribcage as well.

Tindangle Angel ATK: 500 DEF: 1800 LV: 4

The bullets from Starfire's derringer pistol glowed with energy that pierced Angel, destroying her and making Akira's avatar fizzle as his life points slightly dropped.

Akira Zaizen: 4000 – 100 = 3900 LP

"You may have destroyed Angel, but her Flip effect activates." Akira told Sharpshot. "Since she was flipped face-up, I can Special Summon one Flip monster from my hand or Graveyard in face-down defense position. In addition, if it's your Battle Phase, I can immediately end it! I Special Summon Tindangle Hound from my hand in face-down defense position!" A face-down card in defense position then appeared afterwards on Akira's field.

Sharpshot grit his teeth. That... was rather annoying. Had it not been for Angel, he would have inflicted more damage on Akira. Still, his life points dropped, even though it was a tiny bit. "I end my turn, which means Bullet Burst's effect ends, and Starfire's attack points return to normal." A red aura surrounded Starfire as her attack points reverted to normal.

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK: 1900 - (300 X 2) = 1300

Meanwhile...

SengokuQueen circled against two Delta Goons,

"We heard you're the bounty hunter SengokuQueen." Delta Goon 1 stated.

"The one who led the attack on the Hanoi's headquarters." Delta Goon 2 added. "Takes a lot of balls for someone like you to do that."

"Do not remind me." SengokuQueen harshly responded back. "You have no sense of decency in attacking a sacred place like this!"

"That's life, little girl." Delta Goon 1 taunted. "We do what we must to complete our mission."

"No, No, No." Delta Goon 2 told his ally. "A little girl like her would never understand."

"You dare judge me just because of my gender?" SengokuQueen furiously exclaimed. "You'll regret that!" She readied her duel disk.

"Oh, I'm so scared." Delta Goon 1 said. "Let's take this little girl out and continue our mission."

"Agreed." Delta Goon 2 concurred. Both goons readied their duel disks as well.

"Let's duel!" SengokuQueen and the two Delta Goons said in unison.

SengokuQueen: 4000 LP

Delta Goons 1 and 2: 4000 LP

"I'll go first." Delta Goon 1 said. "I summon Filo, Messenger Fur Hire from my hand." An anthropomorphic yellow chick wearing a blue and white dress appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field.

Filo, Messenger Fur Hire ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"The 'Fur Hire' archetype..." SengokuQueen muttered, recognizing the archetype. An intriguing archetype. One that focused on swarming and activating effects to build a field that'll eventually defeat the opponent. Especially with that Field Spell of theirs, which was basically a flying whale and pirate ship combination with wings.

"Filo's effect!" Delta Goon 1 continued. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon one 'Fur Hire' monster from my hand with a different name. Come, Bravo Fur Hire!" An anthropomorphic salamander with dark-violet skin and a mane of long, orange hair appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field. He wore yellow pants, along with armor parts on his shins and forearms. On those forearms were long claws at the end of them.

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK: 1900 DEF: 200 LV: 4

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Rookie Fur Hire. By tributing a 'Fur Hire' monster on our field, I can Special Summon one 'Fur Hire' monster from my hand or deck whose level is one higher or lower than the tributed monster's level in exchange for not declaring attacks this turn. I tribute Bravo to Special Summon Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire from my deck!" After Bravo turned into particles that dissipated from the field, a female, anthropomorphic raven armed with a rifle appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field in defense position.

Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire ATK: 1200 DEF: 2400 LV: 5

"At this point, the effects of Filo and Sagitta activate in sequence." Delta Goon 1 informed SengokuQueen. "First, when a 'Fur Hire' monster is Special Summoned to my field while she's on our field, I can target one 'Fur Hire' monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it back to our field. Return, Bravo!" Bravo then reappeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field.

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK: 1900 DEF: 200 LV: 4

"Second, when Sagitta is Special Summoned, you take 500 points of damage for every 'Fur Hire' monster on our field. There's three, which means you take 1500 points of damage!" Sagitta fired her rifle at SengokuQueen, forcing her to take a step back due to the impact.

SengokuQueen: 4000 – (500 X 3) = 2500 LP

"I also activate the Spell card, Night Watch Fur Hire!" Delta Goon 1 added. The card showed Rafale, Champion Fur Hire, Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire, Wiz, Sage Fur Hire, Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire, and Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire at a campfire. Rafale was awake and keeping an eye out for trouble, while the others were resting. "By returning one 'Fur Hire' monster from my field to my hand, I can Special Summon one 'Fur Hire' monster from my hand or deck whose level is one higher or lower than the returned monster. I return Filo to my hand to Special Summon Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire from my deck!" An anthropomorphic rabbit wielding a sword appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field.

Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire ATK: 1200 DEF: 500 LV: 3

"It's time to call my circuit Fur Hire!" A Link Portal appearing above Delta Goon 1. "The summoning conditions are three monsters with different types. I'll Set the Warrior Beat, the Reptile Bravo, and the Winged Beast Sagitta into the Link Markers!" Beat went into the top arrowhead, Bravo went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Sagitta went into the bottom-right arrowhead.

"Link Summon! Arise! Link 3! Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!" An anthropomorphic wolf in armor and wearing Japanese style clothing appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He unsheathed his katana, ready for battle.

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK: 2400 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"Folgo's effect!" Delta Goon 1 stated. "Since he was Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Fur Hire' monster from my deck in defense position, as long as it's a different type than the monsters I used to Link Summon Folgo. I Special Summon the Spellcaster Wiz, Sage Fur Hire from my deck in defense position!" An anthropomorphic, pink female octopus wearing a sailor's outfit with a golden rope around her lower waist appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field in defense position. In her hands, she carried a large scepter.

Wiz, Sage Fur Hire ATK: 1600 DEF: 2800 LV: 7

"Wiz's effect! When she's Special Summoned, we gain 500 life points for every 'Fur Hire' monster on our field! There's two, which means we gain 1000 life points!" A light-blue aura surrounded Delta Goon 1 and 2 as their life points increased.

Delta Goon 1 and 2: 4000 + 1000 = 5000 LP

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Delta Goon 1 concluded. "Okay, bounty hunter. Let's see how you do against the two of us."

"You'll regret underestimating me just because I'm a girl!" SengokuQueen replied. "My turn! I draw!" She drew the top card of her deck. "I summon Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki from my hand!" A samurai with bronze armor and high boots with yellow lines appeared on SengokuQueen's field, carrying a katana in each arm. The samurai had a bronze mask with wires on his helmet. On the samurai's back was a set of mechanical arms, which also had a katana in each hand.

Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki ATK: 200 DEF: 2000 LVL: 3

"Kageki's effect! When he's Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Six Samurai' monster from my hand. Come to me, Secret Six Samurai – Kizaru!" A samurai wearing black robes with silver outlines appeared on SengokuQueen's field. His hair was done in a ponytail, and he had golden accessories around his waist and forearms. In his left hand, he carried a katana.

Secret Six Samurai – Kizaru ATK: 1900 DEF: 1000 LV: 4

"Secret Six Samurai?" both Delta Goon 1 and 2 repeated. Based on their research, SengokuQueen used regular and legendary Six Samurai monsters. But this... was something they didn't anticipated.

"That's right." SengokuQueen confirmed. "Kizaru's effect activates! When he's Special Summoned, I can add one 'Six Samurai' monster from my deck to my hand with a different attribute for every monster I control. There's two monsters on my field, which means I can add two 'Six Samurai' monsters from my deck to my hand." Two cards popped out of SengokuQueen's deck, which she took and added to her hand. "I activate the effect of Legendary Secret of the Six Samurai from my hand. If I Normal or Special Summon a 'Secret Six Samurai' monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." A purple-eyed samurai wearing red armor with a blue flame emblem at the lower center and a long cape appeared on SengokuQueen's field. His entire body was made up of purple mist, as if the armor was possessed.

Legendary Secret of the Six Samurai ATK: 500 DEF: 2000 LV: 4

"I also activate Great Shogun Shien's effect from my hand." SengokuQueen continued. "As I control two or more face-up 'Six Samurai' monsters, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" A samurai with blood-red crimson armor and a long, magenta cape on his back appeared on SengokuQueen's field. His eyes glowed red, as he swung his katana, ready for battle.

Great Shogun Shien ATK: 2500 DEF: 2400 LV: 7

"I now perform a Contact Fusion!" A Fusion Portal appeared above SengokuQueen. "The summoning conditions are three 'Six Samurai' monsters with different attributes. I use the Wind Kageki, the Earth Kizaru, and the Dark Legendary Secret of the Six Samurai as Fusion Materials!" Kageki turned into red particles, Kizaru turned into blue particles, and Legendary Secret of the Six Saumrai turned into green particles, which went into the Fusion Portal before swirling into a vortex. A massive tornado of energy then shot downwards from the portal to the ground on SengokuQueen's field.

"Samurai hidden in the night, ambush your enemies, and ensure nothing is left!" SengokuQueen chanted. "Fusion Summon! Reveal yourself, Level 5! Secret Six Samurai – Rihan!" A male shinobi wearing grey robes and armor pads with neon-yellow lines running over them appeared on SengokuQueen's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. The man had a red scarf around his neck, along with a face-mask and face visor on his head. He also had spiked-brown hair and a ponytail as well. In his right hand, he carried a Sai, while the brass knuckle on his left hand emitted four translucent blades.

Secret Six Samurai – Rihan ATK: 2400 DEF: 2400 LV: 5

"A Contact Fusion monster..." Delta Goon 1 said in surprise.

"I didn't know she had that..." Delta Goon 2 told his comrade, also surprised by what they saw.

Ever since my defeat against the Hanoi, I knew I had to make changes to my deck, SengokuQueen thought, reflecting back on her duels against Dancho and Lord Kazuma. While brute force is strong, it turned out to be my undoing. What I needed was a way to anticipate my opponents moves not through power, but through evasiveness. A way to strike my enemies quickly and silently while maintaining the lead in a duel. These goons will be the first test subjects against my Secret Six Samurais. To see whether they'll be strong against the enemies that lie ahead. Especially that monstrous creature Malf. "I activate Rihan's effect. Once per turn, I can banish a 'Six Samurai' monster from my hand to target one card on your field and banish it. I banish Secret Six Samurai – Doji from my hand to target and banish Wiz, Sage Fur Hire from your field! " Rihan threw his green Sai at Wiz, which glowed with green energy before she turned into particles.

"Battle!" SengokuQueen declared. "Great Shogun Shien attacks Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!" Great Shogun Shien charged forward and slashed Folgo in two, destroying him before he turned into particles.

Delta Goon 1 and 2: 5000 – 100 = 4900 LP

"I don't think so. I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Mayhem Fur Hire!" Delta Goon 1 countered. "This card lets me target one 'Fur Hire' monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it in defense position. Return, Wiz!" For a second time, Wiz reappeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field in defense position.

Wiz, Sage Fur Hire ATK: 1600 DEF: 2800 LV: 7

Just great, SengokuQueen thought. If the 'Fur Hire' archetype has anything, it's monster recovery, that's for sure. "I Set two cards face-down and end my turn."

Elsewhere...

Yeshurun repelled several grunts that charged him, knocking each one down easily in the process. Two goons, however, fired their duel anchors, which wrapped around Yeshurun's left arm before ensnaring it for a moment or two.

"We got him!" Delta Goon 3 said in victory.

"We got him indeed!" Delta Goon 4 agreed, the both of them smiling in the process.

"Why attack Epsilon?" Yeshurun inquired. "We have no quarrel with Delta!"

"While that may be the case, if we succeed, Ace will leave us alone!" Delta Goon 3 answered.

"So you serve a false ruler just to survive..." Yeshurun muttered out of disgust. "Makes you nothing more but children that don't know any better!"

"Save your petty arguments, old man." Delta Goon 4 told Yeshurun. "In a battlefield like this, words won't get you anywhere."

"That we can agree on." Yeshurun assented, the three of them activating their duel disks. "You two need to be taught a lesson!"

"Duel!" Yeshurun and the two Delta Goons shouted at the same time.

Yeshurun: 4000 LP

Delta Goons 3 and 4: 4000 LP

"I'll go first," Delta Goon 3 said. "I activate the Continuous-Spell card, Convulsion of Nature. As long as this card's on the field, all of us must turn our respective decks upside down and proceed with the current duel." Yeshurun frowned as he turned his deck upside down along with the others. The fact that a card like that was played meant only one thing. These guys were playing the SPYRAL archetype, which focused on guessing correctly and combining the card's effects to win the duel. "Next, I activate the effect of SPYRAL Super Agent from my hand. By declaring one type of card, you must reveal the top card of your deck, and if I guess correctly, I can Special Summon him to our field. I declare Monster!" After Yeshurun revealed the top card of his deck, which obviously was a monster card, Delta Goon 3 grinned. "Because I guessed correctly, I can Special Summon SPYRAL Super Agent from my hand!" A man with brown, blonde hair and a brown suit with a red tie appeared on Delta Goon 3 and 4's field. In his right hand, he carried a suitcase.

SPYRAL Super Agent ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200 LV: 4

"I summon SPYRAL GEAR – Drone from my hand." A black drone with four rotors and mechanical claws appeared on Delta Goon 3 and 4's field.

SPYRAL GEAR – Drone ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 1

"Drone's effect!" Delta Goon 3 continued. "When it's Normal or Special Summoned, I can look at the top three cards of your deck and rearrange them in any order I wish." He looked at the cards before saying, "I think you can have a Monster first, then a Spell, and then a Trap afterwards." The cards rearranged themselves in the respective order, much to Yeshurun's chagrin. "And now it's time to begin my circuit's mission!" A Link Portal appeared above Delta Goon 3. "The summoning conditions are two 'SPYRAL' monsters. I'll set SPYRAL Super Agent and SPYRAL GEAR – Drone into the Link Markers!" Super Agent went into the left arrowhead, while Drone went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Begin your mission! Link 2! SPYRAL Double Helix!" Two people, one a younger version of Super Agent, and the other a big man with dark skin and braided white hair that held a gun appeared on Delta Goon 3 and 4's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

SPYRAL Double Helix ATK: 1900 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️

"Double Helix's name becomes 'SPYRAL Super Agent' while on the field or in the Graveyard." Delta Goon 3 explained. "Double Helix's effect! Once per turn, I can declare one type of card and you reveal the top card of your deck. If my guess is correct, I can take one 'SPYRAL' monster from my deck or Graveyard, and either add it to my hand or Special Summon it to a Main Monster Zone Double Helix points to! I declare Monster!" Yeshurun once again revealed the top card of his deck, which obviously was a monster card. Once that was done, a card popped out of Delta Goon 3's deck. "From my deck, I Special Summon SPYRAL Quik-Fix!" A young man carrying a screwdriver appeared on Delta Goon 3 and 4's field in defense position in the Main Monster Zone Double Helix pointed to. He wore a lab coat and glasses, and also had brown hair.

SPYRAL Quik-Fix ATK: 500 DEF: 400 LV: 1

"Quik-Fix's effect! When he's Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one 'SPYRAL GEAR' card from my deck to my hand." A card popped out of Delta Goon 3's deck, which he added to his hand. "I now activate the Equip Spell card SPYRAL Gear – Fully Armed, and equip it onto Double Helix. While this card is equipped onto my monster, it gains 1000 attack points!" After Double Helix attached the large gauntlet onto his left arm, he and the other man glowed with strength.

SPYRAL Double Helix ATK: 1900 + 1000 = 2900

"I end my turn here." Delta Goon 3 concluded. "From what we heard, you people in the Epsilon Branch don't use Link Summoning. Why is that? Is it because you're so stuck in your traditions that you and your family don't want to change?"

"Just because something is new doesn't mean it's strong. And just because something's old doesn't mean it has to be weak." Yeshurun replied. "I'll show you firsthand! My turn! I draw!" He drew the top card of his deck. "I activate the Spell card, Flower Gathering. This card lets me Special Summon four 'Flower Cardian' monsters with 100 attack points from my deck in attack position, but their effects are negated and can't be used for a tribute summon in exchange. What's more, I can't Special Summon other monsters the turn this card is activated, except 'Flower Cardian' monsters. From my deck, I Special Summon Flower Cardian Pine, Paulownia, Zebra Grass, and Willow to my field!" Four card-like monsters appeared on Yeshurun's field.

The first card's design consisted of a flamingo, with three black circles at the bottom, and a red circle on the top right.

The second card's design consisted of a garden with purple flowers, and in the middle was a man-eating plant.

The third card's design consisted of three-colored flowers, one white, one pink, and one red in the middle of a garden. At the bottom were two eyes.

The fourth card's design was basically that of Giant Trunade and Hey! Trunade about to destroy a land that had a house on it.

Flower Cardian Pine ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 1

Flower Cardian Paulownia ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 12

Flower Cardian Zebra Grass ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 8

Flower Cardian Willow ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 11

"I tribute Willow to Special Summon Flower Cardian Peony with Butterfly from my hand!" A card-like monster whose design consisted of a large rose with butterflies going to it appeared on Yeshurun's field.

Flower Cardian Peony with Butterfly ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 6

"Peony with Butterfly's effect!" Yeshurun continued. "When it's Special Summoned, I can draw the top card of my deck and reveal it. If the card is a 'Flower Cardian' monster, I can send the top three cards of your deck to the bottom of your deck and rearrange them in any order I wish. I draw!" He drew the top card and revealed it, which was the Spell card, Sneaky Sleeve, much to Delta Goon 3 and 4's amusement. "I send the Spell card Sneaky Sleeve to my Graveyard. But that won't matter, because I now activate Peony with Butterfly's second effect. If it's used to Synchro Summon, I can treat it and all other monsters as Level 2 monsters!"

"Say what?!" Delta Goon 3 and 4 exclaimed at the same time. Okay. That was... surprising.

"I tune the Level 2 Peony with Butterfly with the Level 2 Pine, the Level 2 Paulownia, and the Level 2 Zebra Grass!" Unlike a regular Synchro Summon, all four monsters attached to each other before turning to a massive white ring, the screen displaying "2 + 2 + 2 + 2" in the process. The screen changed to "8" as light surged through the ring.

"Kabuki of the warrior tribe, come forth and strike those that intrude on your territory!" Yeshurun chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Flower Cardian Lightshower!" A male kabuki with long black hair at the top and wearing a kimono appeared on Yeshurun's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. In his left hand, he carried an umbrella-like weapon.

Flower Cardian Lightshower ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000 LV: 8

"While Lightshower's on my field, neither of you can target 'Flower Cardian' monsters I control with card effects, nor can you destroy them with card effects." Yeshurun explained. "It's time to battle! Flower Cardian Lightshower attacks SPYRAL Double Helix! Ame-Shiko Strike!" Lightshower charged forward and thrusted the umbrella-like weapon at Double Helix, destroying them in the process.

Delta Goons 3 and 4: 4000 – 100 = 3900 LP

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Yeshurun crossed his arms. "You better not underestimate someone like myself. Otherwise, you'll hit the ground before you finish the ABC's."

At SengokuQueen and the Delta Goons duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Delta Goon 2 said, drawing the top card of his deck. "Let's end this! I activate the Spell card, Polymerization. This card lets me lets me Fusion Summon one Fusion monster from my Extra Deck by using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials. I use Wiz, Sage Fur Hire on our field, Helmer, Helmsman Fur Hire and Dyna, Hero Fur Hire from my hand as Fusion Materials!" Two silhouettes, one an anthropomorphic, blue-skinned monster with the tail of a fish and wearing a sailor's outfit, and the other a large and muscular anthropomorphic lion wearing armored pants and gauntlets appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field. Wiz turned into red particles, Helmer turned into blue particles, and Dyna turned into green particles before they swirled into a vortex. Three tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a white and yellow whirlwind.

"Massive creature of the land, make all who roam it tremble with your unrelenting might! Fusion Summon! Arise, Level 9! Guardian Chimera!" A massive, four-headed armoured beast with large wings appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. One head was that of an eagle, the second head was that of a dragon, the third head was that of a horned fiend, and the fourth head was that of a snake at the end of its tail. All four heads roared at SengokuQueen, ready for battle.

Guardian Chimera ATK: 3300 DEF: 3300 LV: 9

"Way to go!" Delta Goon 1 praised his partner. "With this monster on our field, this little girl will wish she never messed with the Delta Branch!"

"It gets better for us!" Delta Goon 2 told his partner. "You see, if Guardian Chimera is Fusion Summoned with a Spell effect, I can draw cards equal to the number of monsters used as Fusion Material from my hand, as well as destroy cards on the opponents field equal to the number of monsters used as Fusion Material from the field. Two monsters from my hand were used, so I draw two cards." Delta Goon 2 drew two cards from his deck. "And one monster was used on our field, which means one card on your field's destroyed. I destroy Secret Six Samurai – Rihan!" All three heads breathed hot fire at Rihan, intent on destroying him.

"I activate Kizaru's second effect!" SengokuQueen said. "If exactly one 'Six Samurai' monster I control would be destroyed by a card effect, I can banish him from my Graveyard instead!" A silhouette of Kizaru appeared on SengokuQueen's field, who got Rihan out of harm's way at the last minute.

"You may have dodged Guardian Chimera's effect, but let's see how you dodge this!" Delta Goon 2 replied. "I summon Bravo, Hero Fur Hire from my hand." A second copy of Bravo appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field.

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK: 1900 DEF: 200 LV: 4

"Bravo's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one 'Fur Hire' monster from my hand with a different name. Come, Recon, Scout Fur Hire!" An anthropomorphic fennec carrying a telescope/sniper hybrid appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field.

Recon, Scout Fur Hire ATK: 1000 DEF: 500 LV: 2

"Bravo's second effect!" Delta Goon 2 added. "When a 'Fur Hire' monster is Special Summoned to the field while Bravo's on the field, all 'Fur Hire' monsters gain 500 attack and defense points until the end of the turn." A red aura surrounded both Bravo and Recon, increasing their attack and defense points.

Bravo, Hero Fur Hire ATK: 1900 + 500 = 2400 DEF: 200 + 500 = 700

Recon, Scout Fur Hire ATK: 1000 + 500 = 1500 DEF: 500 + 500 = 1000

"Recon's first effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one 'Fur Hire' monster from my hand with a different name. Arise, Rafale, Champion Fur Hire!" An anthropomorphic, light-blue dragon armored warrior wearing black pants with blue stripes appeared on Delta Goon 1 and 2's field as well. On his back were four, medium sized dragon wings, along with a long draconic tail. He carried a long rapier in his right hand.

Rafale, Champion Fur Hire ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200 LV: 8

"Recon's second effect and Rafale's effect activates in sequence. First, when a 'Fur Hire' monster is Special Summoned to the field while Recon's on the field, I can target one Set card on the field and destroy it!" Delta Goon 2 added. "I choose the card on the left!" Recon fired a bullet from his telescope/sniper hybrid, which revealed the face-down card as Martyr Flag before it turned into particles, much to SengokuQueen's chagrin. "Second, Rafale lets me excavate the top cards of my deck equal to the number of 'Fur Hire' monsters we control, add one of them to my hand, and shuffle the others into my deck. Since there's two 'Fur Hire' monsters on our field, I can excavate two, choose one, and shuffle the other into my deck!" Two cards popped out of the top of Delta Goon 2's deck, and after picking a card, he shuffled the other into his deck. "I now activate the Spell card, Monster Reborn! This card lets me-!"

"Great Shogun Shien's effect!" SengokuQueen suddenly said. "You can only activate one Spell or Trap card per turn!"

"Tch!" Delta Goon 2 grit his teeth. That was rather... annoying. Still, there were other ways to deal with tricky opponents. "It's time to battle! Guardian Chimera attacks Great Shogun Shien! Flames of the Mighty!" All the heads breathed orange fire at Great Shogun Shien, incinerating him in the process before he turned to particles.

SengokuQueen: 2500 – 800 = 1700 LP

"I activate the Trap card, Six Style – Dual Wield!" SengokuQueen responded. "Since I only control one 'Six Samurai' monster in face-up attack position, I can target two cards on your field and return them to your hand."

"WHAT?!" Delta Goons 1 and 2 exclaimed, Delta Goon 2 regaining his focus really quickly.

"You can't target Guardian Chimera with card effects while Polymerization's in my Graveyard," he stated.

"That's fine. I target Bravo and Rafale!" Two green slashes fired out of Dual Wield, hitting Bravo and Rafale before returning to Delta Goon 2's hand. "And with Bravo no longer on your field, Recon's attack and defense points return to normal." Recon groaned as his strength returned to normal.

Recon, Scout Fur Hire ATK: 1500 – 500 = 1000 DEF: 1000 – 500 = 500

"Fine, I end my turn." Delta Goon 2 grinned. "Even if you destroy Recon, you won't be able to defeat us this turn!"

"We'll see about that! My turn! I draw!" SengokuQueen replied before she drew the top card of her deck. With the three cards in my hand, the duel will be over. "Since I control a 'Six Samurai' monster other than 'Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan', I can Special Summon him from my hand. Now come, Kizan!" samurai with dark blue armor appeared on her field. Unlike his brethren, this samurai's mask did not come with the helmet. His long black hair was on his sides, and he carried a katana in his hands.

Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan ATK: 1800 DEF: 500 LV: 4

"Kizan's second effect! Since there's two or more face-up 'Six Samurai' monsters on my field, he gains 300 attack and defense points!"

Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan ATK: 1800 + 300 = 2100 DEF: 500 + 300 = 800

"I also activate the effect of Grandmaster of the Six Samurai from my hand." SengokuQueen continued. "Since I control a 'Six Samurai' monster on my field, I can Special Summon him from my hand!" An old samurai with a mechanical eyepatch on his face where his right eye should have been and a scar on the right side of his face also appeared on SengokuQueen's field. He had long, white hair and a long beard to go with it. The robes he wore were an odd mix of silver-grey in the chest area with dark brown at the shoulders. Grandmaster also had mechanical arms with white lines and wrapped yellow rope at the joints. He swung his katana, ready for battle.

Grandmaster of the Six Samurai ATK: 2100 DEF: 800 LV: 5

"Last but not least, I activate the Spell card, Six Strike – Triple Impact! As I control three or more face-up 'Six Samurai' monsters, I can activate one of three effects. I choose to activate the first effect, which lets me destroy all face-up monsters you control, and this does not target!"

"SERIOUSLY?!" Delta Goons 1 and 2 exclaimed out of fear, as Grandmaster, Kizan, and Rihan charged and destroyed Guardian Chimera and Recon in a series of quick and fast strikes before returning to SengokuQueen's field.

"I told you not to underestimate a girl, and for that, it'll be your undoing!" SengokuQueen declared. "Battle! Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan attacks the both of you directly!" Kizan charged forward and slashed both Delta Goons 1 and 2.

Delta Goons 1 and 2: 4900 – 1800 = 3100 LP

"Grandmaster of the Six Samurai attacks the both of you directly!" Grandmaster also charged forward and slashed both Delta Goons 1 and 2.

Delta Goons 1 and 2: 3100 – 2100 = 1000 LP

"This duel is over! Secret Six Samurai – Rihan attacks the both of you directly! Izuna Takedown!" Rihan teleported behind Delta Goons 1 and 2 before delivering a series of attacks from his Sai and his four translucent blades, knocking both of them down in the process.

Delta Goons 1 and 2: 1000 – 2400 = 0

"I did warn you not to underestimate a little girl..." SengokuQueen reminded both goons. She then ran off, intent on getting rid of the other goons.

At Akira and Sharpshot's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Akira drew the top card of his deck. What annoys me about the Magical Musket deck is that its user can activate Spell and Trap cards from their hand, he thought in irritation. Still, I have to play through it, like any other duelist would. "I Set one monster in face-down position." Another face-down card in defense position then appeared on Akira's field. "I also activate the effect of Nagel's Protection from my Graveyard. By banishing it from my Graveyard and discarding one 'Tindangle' card from my hand, I can add a second copy of Nagel's Protection from my deck to my hand. I discard Tindangle Delaunay from my hand." After Akira discarded a card from his hand, a card popped out of his deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I now activate the second copy of Nagel's Protection from my-."

"Like I'll miss my chance to snipe my target! I activate the Counter-Trap Magical Musket – Last Stand from my hand!" Sharpshot interrupted. "If you activate a Spell or Trap card while I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can negate and destroy that card. Say goodbye to your second Nagel's Protection!" A barrage of machine gun bullets fired out of the card and towards the second copy of Nagel's Protection, destroying it.

You have got to be kidding me, Akira thought. Just as he deduced, this duel was getting annoying fast. "I Flip Summon Tindangle Hound!" An eerie-looking hound with a long tongue and an eyeball in its mouth appeared on Akira's field. It had mostly purple skin, with long, dark-violet nails on its claws and the back of its body.

Tindangle Hound ATK: 2500 DEF: 0 LV: 7

"When Hound's Flip Summoned, I can target one face-up monster on the field and increase its attack points equal to that monster's original attack points. I can also change it to face-down defense position as well." Akira explained, much to Sharpshot's surprise. "I target Starfire!" Hound gave a loud howl at Starfire, turning her to a face-down card in defense position as its strength increased.

Tindangle Hound ATK: 2500 + 1300 = 3800

"Oh, there's one more effect. All your monsters lose 1000 attack points for every monster linked to it." Sharpshot's eyes widened once again out of surprise. "Last I checked, Max was pointing to Starfire. That means he loses 1000 attack points." Hound gave a second loud howl at Max, whose strength was decreased.

Magical Musketeer Max ATK: 1000 – 1000 = 0

"Battle!" Akira declared. "Tindangle Hound attacks Magical Musketeer Max!" Hound charged forward, intent on biting its prey.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Magical Musket – Cross Domination!" Sharpshot interrupted. "Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can target one face-up monster on your field and not only negate its effects, but also decrease its attack and defense points to zero until the end of the turn. So be a good boy and play dead, Hound!" Two shots erupted from Cross Domination and pierced Hound's skin, making it whimper in pain.

Tindangle Hound ATK: 3800 – 3800 = 0

Magical Musketeer Max ATK: 0 + 1000 = 1000

"Will you continue your attack?" Sharpshot asked Akira, who frowned at what happened.

"I cancel my attack." Akira decided, Hound walking over back to his side of the field in pain. "I Set two cards face-down and end my turn, which means the effect of Cross Domination ends, and Hound regains its attack points." Hound roared as its strength returned to it.

Tindangle Hound ATK: 0 + 3800 = 3800

"My turn! I draw!" Sharpshot drew the top card of his deck. "I tribute Max to Tribute Summon Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel from my hand." A demon wearing a black trench coat with bright red wings on his back appeared on Sharpshot's field. In each of his blue hands, he carried a large bronze gun.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK: 2500 DEF: 2500 LV: 8

"Hang on a minute! Zakiel is a Level 8 monster! You need to tribute two monsters to bring him out!" Akira protested.

"Zakiel's effect lets me Tribute Summon him by tributing one 'Magical Musket' monster." Sharpshot explained, getting the point across. "I also activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Magical Musket – Steady Hands from my hand. This card lets me target one 'Magical Musket' monster on my field and double its original attack and defense points until the end of this turn. In exchange, it can't attack directly. I target Zakiel!" Zakiel cackled as he was surrounded in a red aura, which doubled his strength.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK: 2500 X 2 = 5000 DEF: 2500 X 2 = 5000

"I Flip Summon Magical Musketeer Starfire to my field!" Starfire then reappeared on Sharpshot's field.

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK: 1300 DEF: 1700 LV: 4

"It's time to shoot a bullseye through my circuit!" Sharpshot declared, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one Level 8 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster. I Set Magical Musketeer Starfire into the Link Markers!" Starfire went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! A second copy of Magical Musketeer Max!" A second copy of Max appeared on Sharpshot's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Magical Musketeer Max ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"I now activate the second Max's effect!" Sharpshot continued. "Since he's Link Summoned, I can activate one of two effects. I can either add 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap cards from my deck to my hand up to the number of monsters on your field, or Special Summon 'Magical Musket' monsters with different names from my deck up to the number of Spell or Trap cards on your field. This time, I choose effect two and Special Summon Magical Musketeers Doc and Wild from my deck because you have two cards in your Spell & Trap card zone." Two monsters then appeared on Sharpshot's field.

The first monster was a man in a lab coat with a red cloak and a scope on his forehead that carried a sniper rifle.

The second monster was a large, tattooed man with bandoliers of bullets across his chest and multiple weapons attached to his arms and shoulders.

Magical Musketeer Doc ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

Magical Musketeer Wild ATK: 1700 DEF: 900 LV: 4

"In addition, I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Magical Musket – Reload from my hand!" The card showed Doc and Kidbrave quickly reloading bullets into their respective guns while Wild was providing cover fire to protect his comrades. "By shuffling one 'Magical Musket' monster on my field back into my deck, I can target one 'Magical Musket' monster on my field and have it attack all monsters you control once each in exchange for not attacking directly this turn. I shuffle the second copy of Max back into my Extra Deck and target Zakiel for Reload's effect!" After Max turned into particles, they surrounded Zakiel's guns, powering them up.

"Doc's effect!" Sharpshot added. "Once per turn, when a Spell or Trap card is activated in a column he's in, I can add one 'Magical Musket' card from my Graveyard to my hand." A card popped out of Sharpshot's Graveyard, which he took and added to his hand. "From there, I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Magical Musket – Cross Domination. Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can target one face-up monster on your field and not only negate its effects, but also decrease its attack and defense points to zero until the end of the turn. I target Hound!"

"What?!" Akira exclaimed, as two shots erupted from Cross Domination and pierced Hound's skin, making it whimper in pain for a second time. He knew that this situation became worse due to the multiple cards that Sharpshot played this turn. Luckily, Akira had a card that would help him get through the turn.

Tindangle Hound ATK: 3800 – 3800 = 0

"Time to battle!" Sharpshot thrusted out his right hand. "Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel, attack Tindangle Hound and put it down like the rabid dog it is! Devil's Bullet!" Zakiel lifted both of his guns and fired them at Hound.

"Continuous-Trap card, activate! Morley's Shield!" Akira interrupted. "Once per turn, if a 'Tindangle' monster in my Main Monster Zone battles, I take no battle damage from that battle."

"You still lose your monster." Sharpshot reminded Akira, as the bullets pierced through Hound's skin and forced it to cry out before turning to particles. "Alright, Zakiel. Reload and attack his face-down card! Devil's Bullet!" For a second time, Zakiel lifted both of his guns and fired at the face-down defense position monster.

"The Set monster you're attacking is Tindangle Trinity." Akira explained, as the card flipped up to reveal a violet and dark-yellow angel-like creature with bat-like wings each one having an eyeball at the top of them. The creature also had three heads as well. One head was grey and at the bottom of its body. The second head was violet and on the right side of its body. The third head was dark-yellow and on the left side of its body. In the middle was an eyeball.

Tindangle Trinity ATK: 0 DEF: 1500 LV: 4

"And because Trinity was flipped face-up, its two effects activate! First, I can Special Summon Tindangle Base Gardna from my deck." A purple regular icosahedron with eyes and spikes appeared on Akira's field in defense position.

Tindangle Base Gardna ATK: 0 DEF: 2300 LV: 5

"Second, 'Tindangle' monsters on my field cannot be destroyed by battle." Akira finished, much to Sharpshot's chagrin.

"Damn it..." Sharpshot muttered. Thanks to Trinity's effect, there's no point in attacking any further this turn, he thought. Still, unless Zaizen summons a monster that can attack multiple times, I'll be safe. Just need to make it through this turn, and I'll win the duel. "I end my turn, which means the effects of Reload, Cross Domination, and Steady Hands ends." Zakiel was surrounded in a red aura as his strength returned to normal.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK: 5000 / 2 = 2500 DEF: 5000 / 2 = 2500

"My turn! I draw!" Akira said, drawing the top card of his deck. "I activate the second effect of the Nagel's Protection that's in my Graveyard. By banishing it from my Graveyard and discarding one 'Tindangle' card from my hand, I can add another copy of Nagel's Protection from my deck to my hand. I discard Tindangle Dholes from my hand." After Akira discarded a card from his hand, a card popped out of his deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I activate the effect of Tindangle Delaunay from my Graveyard. Since I have no monsters in my Extra Monster Zone, I can banish this card from my Graveyard, and by doing so, I get to Special Summon three 'Tindangle' monsters with different names to my field in face-down defense position. Return Tindangle Angel, Hound, and Dholes!" Three monsters appeared on Akira's field in face-down defense position.

"I also activate my Trap card, Desert Sunlight. When this card is activated, all monsters on my side of the field are changed to face-up defense position. That means my three new monsters, along with Trinity, are changed to face-up defense position!" Trinity changed its stance to defense position as the other three cards flipped themselves up to reveal three monsters that were also in defense position.

The first card was Angel.

The second card was Hound.

The third card was a worm-like creature with eyes on its skin and spikes sticking out on the sides. Upon opening its mouth, it revealed a single eye in the middle, with teeth on the top, left, and right sides of it.

Tindangle Angel ATK: 500 DEF: 1800 LV: 4

Tindangle Hound ATK: 2500 DEF: 0 LV: 7

Tindangle Dholes ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 5

"The effects of Hound and Dholes activate!" Akira continued. "First, when Hound's Flip Summoned, I can target one face-up monster on the field and increase its attack points equal to that monster's original attack points. I can also change it to face-down defense position as well. I target Zakiel!" Hound gave a loud howl at Zakiel, turning him to a face-down card in defense position as its strength increased.

Tindangle Hound ATK: 2500 + 2500 = 5000

"Second, Dholes lets me send one Spell or Trap card from my deck to my Graveyard." A card popped out of Akira's deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard. "I can't activate Angel's effect because I have no monsters in my Graveyard to Special Summon, nor do I have any Main Monster Zones to summon them in. But that won't matter, as I can still do this! Come forth, Euler's Circuit!" Soon, a Link Portal appeared above Akira's head. "The summoning conditions are three 'Tindangle' monsters! I'll set Tindangle Base Gardna, Angel, and Dholes into the Link Markers!" Base Gardna went into the top arrowhead, Angel went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Dholes went into the bottom-right arrowhead.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Tindangle Acute Cerberus!" A three-headed eerie-looking hound with dark-blue skin and violet armor over parts of its body jumped out of the Link Portal and appeared in the right Extra Monster Zone on Akira's field. On its back were bat-like wings, and in each of its mouths with an eyeball in the middle. The beast howled, ready for battle.

Tindangle Acute Cerberus ATK: 0 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"For a Link 3 monster, it's practically weak!" Sharpshot exclaimed in confidence.

"Never underestimate the mind of a Security Chief." Akira warned Sharpshot. "Acute Cerberus's effect! Since there are three or more 'Tindangle' monsters in my Graveyard, including Tindangle Base Gardna, it gains 3000 attack points! It also gains 500 attack points for every 'Tindangle' monster it points to! Last I checked, Acute Cerberus is pointing to Hound and Trinity. That means it gains an additional 1000 attack points!" Acute Cerberus howled as its strength increased, causing Sharpshot to sweat in fear.

Tindangle Acute Cerberus ATK: 0 + 3000 + (500 X 2) = 4000

"Dholes' second effect! Since it was used as Link Material for a 'Tindangle' Link Monster, it can attack up to three times!"

"T-T-Three times?!" Sharpshot repeated, taking a step back. Three attacks from Acute Cerberus was... definitely overkill.

"That's right!" Akira confirmed. "Battle! Tindangle Acute Cerberus attacks your face-down defense position monster!"

"The Set monster you're attacking is Zakiel." Sharpshot reminded Akira, as Zakiel reappeared on Sharpshot's field.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK: 2500 DEF: 2500 LV: 8

Acute Cerberus released a wave of flames from its tongues, which morphed into a large serpent of fire with a canine-like head. The tornado of fire scorched Zakiel, destroying him.

"Now attack Magical Musketeer Doc!" Acute Cerberus released a second wave of flames from its tongues for a second, turning Doc into particles as Sharpshot's life points went down.

Sharpshot: 4000 – 2600 = 1400 LP

"End this duel, Acute Cerberus!" Akira declared. "Attack Magical Musketeer Wild with Isometric Inferno!" The three-headed hound released a wave of flames from its tongues, which morphed into a large serpent of fire with a canine-like head that headed straight for Wild!

KABOOM!

By the time Acute Cerberus was finished with its attack, no trace of Wild remained, and a wounded Sharpshot was lying on the ground in defeat.

Sharpshot: 1400 – 2300 = 0

"Never underestimate man's best friend, especially if it's a three-headed dog." Akira told Sharpshot, who got up with surprising speed and punched him in the face before running off.

"Zaizen!"

Akira turned his head, only to see SengokuQueen run over to him. She offered him a hand, who accepted it before standing up.

"I'm guessing you're done with your duel?"

"Yeah." SengokuQueen confirmed.

"You're not the only one who's done with their duel." Cheshire said, going over to where Akira and SengokuQueen were. "We better get moving. Yeshurun needs all hands on deck." The others nodded before running over to the other side of the throne room.

At Yeshurun and Delta Goon 3 and 4's duel...

"We'll see about that, old man!" Delta Goon 4 snarled. "My turn! I draw!" He drew the top card of his deck.

"Lightshower's effect!" Yeshurun interrupted. "Since you drew a card during your Draw Phase, the both of you take 1500 points of damage!"

"SAY WHAT?!" both Delta Goon 3 and 4 exclaimed.

"Ame-Shiko Slam!" Lightshower leapt forward and slammed his umbrella-like weapon at both goons, pushing them back.

Delta Goon 3 and 4: 3900 – 1500 = 2400 LP

"I activate the Spell card, Card Destruction." Delta Goon 4 stated, shaking the effects of the slam. "All of us must discard our entire hands and draw the number of cards we discarded by this effect!" Thanks to Card Destruction, Yeshurun drew three new cards, Delta Goon 3 drew two new cards, and Delta Goon 4 drew five new cards. "I now activate the effect of SPYRAL Sleeper from my hand. By banishing three 'SPYRAL' cards from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon him from my hand. I banish SPYRAL Gear – Fully Armed, SPYRAL GEAR – Drone, and SPYRAL Tough from my Graveyard!" An older version of the big man from Double Helix appeared on Delta Goon 3 and 4's field. He wore a black bodysuit and had two copies of Fully Armed equipped to him.

SPYRAL Sleeper ATK: 2800 DEF: 1200 LV: 8

"I summon SPYRAL GEAR – Drone from my hand." A second copy of Drone appeared on Delta Goon 3 and 4's field.

SPYRAL GEAR – Drone ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 1

"Drone's effect!" Delta Goon 4 continued. "When it's Normal or Special Summoned, I can look at the top three cards of your deck and rearrange them in any order I wish." He looked at the cards before saying, "I think you can have a Trap card first, then a Spell card second, and a Monster card last." The cards rearranged themselves in that specified order. "Drone's second effect! By tributing it, I can target one 'SPYRAL' monster I control, and have it gain 500 attack points for every card you control. I target Sleeper, who gains 1000 attack points because you have two cards on your field!" After Drone exploded into particles, they surrounded Sleeper, who roared as he gained strength.

SPYRAL Sleeper ATK: 2800 + 1000 = 3800

"I activate the Spell card, Back-Up Rider! Until the end of this turn, one face-up monster gains 1500 attack points! I choose Sleeper!" Sleeper roared for a second time as his strength went up.

SPYRAL Sleeper ATK: 3800 + 1500 = 5300

"I also activate the Equip Spell card, SPYRAL GEAR – Big Red." Delta Goon 4 added. "I can target one 'SPYRAL' monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to my field before equipping it with this card. What's more, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle. Return to the field, Super Agent!" For a second time, Super Agent reappeared on the field before hopping into a red car.

SPYRAL Super Agent ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200 LV: 4

"Battle!" Delta Goon 4 thrusted out his right hand. "SPYRAL Sleeper attacks Flower Cardian Lightshower!" Sleeper charged at Lightshower, intent on punching him. However, Yeshurun had other plans.

"Trap card, activate! Fraud Check!" Yeshurun stated. "All 'Flower Cardian' monsters I control can't be destroyed by battle!"

"You're still taking damage, old man!" Delta Goon 4 reminded Yeshurun, as Sleeper's punch forced Lightshower back before hitting Yeshurun, who took a step or two back.

Yeshurun: 4000 – 2300 = 1700 LP

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn, which means the effects of Drone and Back-Up Rider end." After Delta Goon 4 said this, Sleeper's attack points returned to normal.

SPYRAL Sleeper ATK: 5300 – 1500 – 1000 = 2800

"And because it's the end of your turn, Lightshower's second effect activates!" Yeshurun said. "I must either skip my Draw Phase or negate Lightshower's other effects until your Standby Phase. I choose the former option!" His deck was surrounded with a red aura, preventing him from drawing any more cards. "My turn! I activate the Spell card, Card Advance. I can rearrange the top five cards of my deck in any order. What's more, I can perform an additional Tribute Summon this turn!"

"But you can't draw, gramps!" Delta Goon 3 pointed out with a smirk.

"Who said I'm incapable of drawing any cards?" Yeshurun replied with a smile as he looked at the top five cards of his deck and rearranged them in a quick manner. "I activate the Spell card, Super All In! By returning one Synchro Monster back to my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon four 'Flower Cardian' monsters from my Graveyard before drawing a card and showing it. If the drawn card is a 'Flower Cardian' monster, I can Special Summon it to my field ignoring its summoning conditions. If the card isn't a 'Flower Cardian' monster, I must destroy all my monsters and halve my own life points."

"But you rearranged your cards with Card Advance! That means..." Delta Goon 4's eyes widened in shock. "You've been playing with us the whole time!"

"The youth of today's time can be arrogant." Yeshurun muttered before returning his focus to the duel. "I return Lightshower to my Extra Deck and Special Summon Pine, Paulownia, Zebra Grass and Willow from my Graveyard to my field!" After Lightshower turned into particles, Pine, Paulownia, Zebra Grass, and Willow reappeared back onto Yeshurun's field.

Flower Cardian Pine ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 1

Flower Cardian Paulownia ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 12

Flower Cardian Zebra Grass ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 8

Flower Cardian Willow ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 11

"And with the second effect of Super All In, I draw!" Yeshurun drew the top card of his deck before revealing it. "The card I drew is Flower Cardian Clover with Boar, which I immediately Special Summon to my field!" A card-like monster whose design consisted of a boar in a clover field appeared on Yeshurun's field as well.

Flower Cardian Clover with Boar ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 7

"Clover with Boar's effect! Since it was Special Summoned, I can draw one card and show it to you. If the card drawn is a 'Flower Cardian' monster, I can destroy one monster you control. Otherwise, I must send that card to my Graveyard. I draw!" Yeshurun drew the top card of his deck before revealing it. "It seems I drew the Trap card, Draining Shield. That means I must send it to my Graveyard." He sent it to his Graveyard. "But that won't matter, because I now activate Peony with Butterfly's second effect once again. If it's used to Synchro Summon, I can treat it and all other monsters as Level 2 monsters! I tune the Level 2 Peony with Butterfly with the Level 2 Pine, the Level 2 Paulownia, the Level 2 Zebra Grass, and the Level 2 Clover with Boar!" Unlike a regular Synchro Summon, all five monsters attached to each other before turning to a massive white ring, the screen displaying "2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2" in the process. The screen changed to "10" as light surged through the ring.

"Ultimate warrior from the ancient tribe, come forth, and deliver your wrath on those who mock our ways!" Yeshurun chanted. "Synchro Summon! Arise, Level 10! Flower Cardian Lightflare!" An ancient warrior wearing a purple Japanese warrior's outfit with orange lining appeared on Yeshurun's field on the right Extra Monster Zone. He wore a small crown with wings, and around his arms were large rings. At the back was a long, ornate-like accessory with a large bell on each side. Lightflare brandished his katana, ready for battle.

Flower Cardian Lightflare ATK: 5000 DEF: 0 LV: 10

"Holy shit! That monster has 5000 attack points!" Delta Goon 3 exclaimed.

"Don't worry! I got this!" Delta Goon 4 assured his ally. "Trap card, activate! SPYRAL GEAR – Utility Wire! Since I control 'SPYRAL Super Agent', I can-!"

"Pointless!" Yeshurun replied. "Lightflare's effect! During either of our turns, when you activate a Spell or Trap card, that effect's instantly negated! Goko Burst!" The bells on Lightflare fired at Utility Wire, greying it out. "In addition, I activate the Equip Spell card, Megamorph, and equip it onto Lightflare. If my life points are lower than yours, the equipped monster's attack points are doubled. Otherwise, the equipped monster's attack points are halved. Since the former is happening at the moment, you know what that means!" Lightflare roared as his strength increased.

Flower Cardian Lightflare ATK: 5000 X 2 = 10000

"GAAH! IT'S ATTACK POINTS ARE OVER 9000!" Delta Goon 3 and 4 exclaimed at the same time.

Yeshurun narrowed his eyes in disappointment as his opponents. "Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"

"I'm sorry..." Delta Goon 3 responded.

"Please spare us..." Delta Goon 4 begged.

"You youngsters need to be taught a lesson!" Yeshurun decided, his tone having changed to that of a reprimanding father. "Battle! Flower Cardian Lightflare attacks SPYRAL Sleeper! Goko Judgment!" Lightflare aimed his katana at Sleeper before quickly charging forward and slashing Sleeper in two, destroying him and sending both Delta Goon 3 and 4 flying back.

Delta Goon 3 and 4: 2400 – 7200 = 0

"Respect your elders!" Yeshurun reprimanded both goons, only to hear a scream from nearby.

"Yeshurun!" Akira, SengokuQueen and Cheshire ran over to where he was.

"That was my wife!" Yeshurun realized, running to one of the chambers in the throne room, the others following after him. After entering inside, they found Vernita on the ground unconscious. As for Rinoie, he was being held hostage by Sharpshot.

"Father, help me!" Rinoie cried out, only for Sharpshot to hold him tighter.

"Listen here, old man!" Sharpshot exclaimed. "Unless you want your son and wife to die, you'll do three things for me. First, you and your forces will surrender before Delta. Second, you and Mr. Security Chief over there will come with us to face judgment at the hands of my boss. Third, you will give Epsilon's territory over to Ace. Do these things, and I'll spare your family. Otherwise, they'll pay the price!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Yeshurun exclaimed. Unbeknownst to everyone, SengokuQueen and Cheshire were sneaking around the corner, staying out of everyone's sight.

"Actually, I would old man." Sharpshot replied, a smirk on his face as he pressed the gun to Rinoie's head. "In the Black Market, it's survival of the fittest, and emotions and bonds never-!" The next thing Sharpshot knew, Cheshire threw her Sai at him, which impaled his hand and made him cry out in pain as he dropped the gun in his hand. SengokuQueen then charged forward and hit his face with her knee so hard that he was sent flying to the other side of the room. In mere moments, she charged forward and slashed Sharpshot across the chest, rendering him unable to move.

"Father!" Rinoie cried out, going over to his dad for safety.

"You're okay!" Yeshurun said, hugging his son before the two of them ran over to Vernita. "Are you okay, honey?"

"I am." Vernita answered, getting up on her feet with his help. Akira then ran over to the wounded Sharpshot, who moaned in pain.

"Why did you and Delta attack Epsilon?" he demanded.

"I can answer that." SengokuQueen stated. "Prior to finishing my duel, the goons said that if Delta succeeded, Ace would leave them alone."

"So he contracted you to kill us..." Yeshurun muttered, an infuriated expression on his face.

"You... would... never... understand..." Sharpshot coughed. "And besides... you don't have the..."

"Evidence?" Akira repeated, giving a sphere of data to Yeshurun. "Just press the top, and it'll scan Sharpshot's memories." Curious, Yeshurun pressed the top of the sphere, surrounding them all as it scanned Sharpshot, revealing a certain memory. A tall man with silver, snake like hair sat down at his desk, looking at Ace. He wore a purple jumpsuit, along with a red waist cape. Last but not least, he wore gold and black sunglasses over his light-red eyes. On his right side was Sharpshot.

"Why would we attack Epsilon?" the man asked Ace. "We have no quarrel with them."

"That may be true, but you're forgetting who's in charge here Gardai." Ace replied, addressing the man by his name. "After all, most of the branches are on my side."

"You only have Gamma and Alpha now that Beta's been destroyed." Sharpshot pointed out.

"Do not test me." Ace warned him.

"If we were to do this, what will you give us in exchange?" Gardai asked Ace, who was glad to be back on topic. He thought it over before responding.

"Well, everyone else knows you're neutral at the moment." An idea then popped in his mind. "If you do this favour for me, I'll not only reward you for your efforts, but also promise not to harm you and Delta in any way possible. In other words, I'll leave you alone to do your operations without worry."

Gardai stood up, his decision having been made. "Very well. As long as you honour your end of the deal, we'll honour ours." The two men shook hands, but unbeknownst to Sharpshot and Gardai, Ace crossed his fingers using his other hand. As the sphere disappeared, Sharpshot's eyes widened in shock.

"I... I can't believe that Ace would do that..." Sharpshot said, a sad look on his face.

"If you knew, then you wouldn't have attacked Epsilon!" Yeshurun replied, several samurais running in and pulling out their swords at Sharpshot. Shaking his head at them, the samurais sheathed their swords before helping Sharpshot get up, escorting him out of the throne room in the process.

"You spared their live's..." SengokuQueen stated out of surprise.

"Taking someone else's life is never worth it, even if it's an enemy's life." Yeshurun told her. He turned to Akira. "The both of you put yourselves at risk for Epsilon. Maybe you can be trusted."

A smile formed across Akira's lips. "So... you're in?" Unfortunately, Yeshurun shook his head.

"I can't... I belong here, defending my family. I can't abandon them." Akira nodded his head. He knew that feeling too well. Protecting those you care about... was one of the greatest and hardest things to fight for. SengokuQueen also understood what Yeshurun meant as well. After all, to fight not for yourself but for others was truly honourable.

"But I can lend you some of my best men, as well as my commander." Yeshurun turned his head to Cheshire, who rolled her eyes.

"Are you serious right now?" Cheshire questioned, only for Vernita to glare at her.

"Whatever my husband says is law!" Vernita reprimanded her. "Until this Turf War ends, you will help SOL Technologies!"

"Okay. Fine." Cheshire complied, going over to SengokuQueen. "Looks like we'll be working together again like old times."

"How joyful..." SengokuQueen rolled her eyes. Cheshire was similar to that of Ghost Girl, only less playful and more serious. That was the only reason why SengokuQueen tolerated her. Otherwise, it'd be like having two Ghost Girls on the same team.

Akira walked over and offered his hand to Yeshurun, who shook it to response. "Thank you. I appreciate you doing this."

"If it means ending the Turf War, then I'll assist however I can on the sidelines." Yeshurun promised, the two men having a determined smile on their faces. What a great way to end a rocky negotiation, that's for sure!

In the real world...

The limo Akira was in pulled up to a sidewalk near his apartment, who exited out of the vehicle afterwards.

"You sure you don't want me to drive you the rest of the way?" Isomaki asked him.

"I just need to get some air." Akira responded. "If you can park the limo, that would be very nice."

"Understood." Isomaki then drove away, intent on completing his task. As Akira walked down the sidewalk, he reflected on today's events. Especially what Yeshurun said before chaos arose.

"I see what's going on. SOL Technologies wants to use me and my family to fight their battles so they don't need to lift a finger. Why would you want me to side with SOL Technologies? Remind me, Akira Zaizen. Didn't SOL Technologies fail to stomp out the Another threat, and had to rely on heroes to stop the Hanoi? Didn't SOL Technologies fail to contain the Tower of Hanoi? And last I checked, Kitamura wanted to sell out the company to the Knights of Hanoi! When those incidents occurred, Epsilon fought hard to protect its own territory since SOL Technologies couldn't deal with these threats themselves!"

In a way, Akira couldn't help but admit the truth. Yeshurun was right. SOL Technologies was incapable of solving its own problems, and had to rely on other people to do it for them. What did the company do after the Another and Tower of Hanoi events? Send in bounty hunters after Playmaker and Raguel, who fought to take down the Hanoi during those events. Despite all the bad things that were happening, Akira still had hope, for he too had a say within SOL Technologies. If he can convince his bosses of the truth by utilizing his perspective, it can lead to changes within the company. That made him smile in comfort.

"There's a smile on your lips, Mr. Security Chief," a voice said out of nowhere, making Akira stop in his tracks. After looking around, he found Yuhiro leaning on a nearby railing. "You should be careful on who you show that to."

"Is that what it looked like?" Akira asked.

"Indeed it did." Yuhiro narrowed his eyes back at Akira. "A smile befitting that of a successful, yet conflicted man. Did you have a pleasant encounter in Epsilon, Akira?"

Akira's eyes widened in surprise. How... How did Yuhiro know that? He shook that off, making a mental note to figure it out later. "Yes, I did," Akira answered. "I feel as if I have been reunited with an old friend."

"A friend from the Black Market you worked for a long time ago." Yuhiro mused. "I'm not mad or anything. After all, you and me are similar, as we both worked on the Black Market for someone else's sake."

"The Turf War's beginning to escalate, Yuhiro." Akira told him. "As Security Chief, I need to end it so Ace won't hurt anymore people."

"Even if the network turns into Hell in the process?" That question made Akira shudder in shock as Yuhiro walked down the stairs and past him in the process before stopping.

"Yuhiro, please tell me Playmaker and Soulburner's identities." Akira pleaded. "If you do-."

"If I tell you, you'll be forced to tell SOL Technologies' higher ups. Besides, I can guarantee you that the situation would become ugly if that happened." Yuhiro narrowed his eyes for a second time, not bothering to look at Akira as he recalled a certain memory. "SOL Technologies prevented me from saving someone that I really care about. Someone who the azure-overcoated man put back in the hospital, just when she was about to finally get her life back. I can't blame you, for you didn't send them out yourself. However, you do have the responsibility to rein them in. If you fail..." Yuhiro turned to Akira, a furious, yet calm expression on his face. "…then I'll do it for you, and it won't be pretty." He then chuckled to himself as he walked away from Akira, leaving him alone in the night.

You're not yourself, Yuhiro, Akira thought. What happened to you recently must have affected you on a personal level. I'll do everything I can within the company to help you. Just... don't lose yourself. Otherwise, I feel we'll all pay a terrible price for what's to come.

A light shines and the letters spelling out VRAINS light up the screen before a network is formed and several cards are drawn in towards a pillar of light. Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner are shown with their respective Ignis and stats, along with real-life forms that across the backgrounds that match their Ignis' colors. The screen then shows each of them being shocked while wearing VR sets as kids, along with Arashi.

The screen gets swallowed with darkness at it reveals a young Yukage huddled up and crying, his shadow shrinking behind him before taking the form of Wraith and comforting him. Yukage looks up with a menacing and soul piercing glare before the darkness consumes him and he's replaced with an older version of himself. Azrael and Wraith are then shown in NEW LINK VRAINS, as they look out into the digital sky. The scene then shifts to Bohman standing tall above NEW LINK VRAINS and holding the earth in his hands with Haru by his side. Malf grins in the shadows behind them, his red eyes shining bright in the process.

A drop of light falls down, and as it explodes, it reveals Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner, standing on buildings watching over the network, along with Slipstream as well. Blood Shepherd is shown commanding a trio of Battledrone Sergeants before the screen shifts to Drachen, who is shown commanding Red-Eyes Black Dragon. The screen then shifts a third time to Electrolyzer, where above him was PSY-Frame Driver, with PSY-Framegears Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta. The screen then shows Go Onizuka, Kenmochi, and Yoroizaka with Dinowrestler King T Wrextle, Gouki the Blade Ogre, and Gouki the Solid Ogre behind them ready for battle.

Blue Girl, Ghost Girl, Numera and SengokuQueen are then featured together riding their duel boards across the night sky with shooting stars flying across them. Trickstar Holly Angel was with Blue Girl, while Numera was with Geomathmech Final Sigma. Ghost Girl was with Altergeist Dragvirion, while SengokuQueen was with Secret Six Samurai - Rihan.

The screen then changes to Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner riding on their duel boards with Cyreath Medusa and Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode, Cyberse Magician, Cyberse Witch, and Salamangreat Heatleo behind them. Following the trio is Slipstream and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. The four of them join together with a fist bump and smile in the real world as the wind blows, with Kusanagi, Roxy, and Greg watching them from Kusanagi's truck. Rachel then runs toward the quartet, and more specifically, Yuhiro, a look of joy clearly on her face. Unbeknownst to everyone, they're watched from the shadows by a cloaked person who glares at them, biding his time.

Card Gallery

Sharpshot

Magical Musket – Bullet Burst (Quick-Play Spell card)

Effect: Target 1 'Magical Musket' Monster on your field; it gains 300 ATK for each 'Magical Musket' monster you control until the End Phase, also, the targeted monster can inflict piercing battle damage this turn. You can only activate 1 'Magical Musket – Bullet Burst' per turn.

Magical Musket – Reload (Quick-Play Spell card)

Effect: You can shuffle 1 'Magical Musket' Monster on your field, then target 1 other 'Magical Musket' Monster you control; that Monster can attack all Monsters your opponent controls once each. It cannot attack directly the turn you activate this card from your hand or field. You can activate 1 'Magical Musket – Reload' per turn.

Delta Goons 1 and 2

Night Watch Fur Hire (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Target 1 'Fur Hire' Monster on your field; return it to your hand, then Special Summon 1 'Fur Hire' Monster from your deck whose Level is one higher or lower than the targeted 'Fur Hire' monster. You can only activate 1 'Night Watch Fur Hire' per turn.

QOTC

If Herald and Wraith met other OC Ignis's from other Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS fanfics (ex. Cypher and Wraith from Hidden Memories) or (Grim and Lily from Overdrive), how do you think that would go down? In other words, what do you think would happen?

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 59: Return to Gamma. One Skyhook has been destroyed. However, two more remain. Raguel, Playmaker, Soulburner, and Slipstream log into the network to destroy the Skyhook at Gamma. However, the Guzik family splits the group apart in the midst of their mission, wanting to prove they're the strongest of all duelists by defeating them one by one...

Author's Notes

Credit goes to HunterHQ and Donjusticia for reviewing these duels twice. As there were a total of three duels this turn, I had to make sure each of them were perfect so that no mistakes were made. As such, I salute you guys for your help. Anyhow, let's recap what happened:

One of the things that happened in this chapter was the interaction between Akira, Queen, and Pawn. Something to note here: While Queen is someone that's ruthless, amoral, and obsessed with money, she is able to recognize the situation and is willing to put aside current matters to address the one at hand. Besides, if people kept questioning SOL Technologies' ability to protect them, it wouldn't end well at all for the company, which is why she (and Pawn) assigned Akira to end the Turf War. Now onto Pawn. He's basically the little brother who constantly gets under your skin and annoys you. Want to know what's funny? Queen can't do anything about it, as Pawn's a member of the higher members in SOL Technologies.

The next thing that occurs is Akira and SengokuQueen's meeting with Yeshurun and Vernita, the rulers of the Epsilon branch, as well as their son Rinoie. Yeshurun's appearance is based off of Ozai from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Vernita's appearance is based off of Ursa from Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Rinoie's appearance is based off of young Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender before he got his trademark scar. How does Akira exactly know Yeshurun? Well, it's because ten years ago, he worked for Epsilon so he and Aoi can survive and eventually get some semblance of life again. Something to point out from Akira and Yeshurun's conversation: He doesn't trust SOL Technologies because of their failures to protect people. I mean, when you look back on the Another Incident and the Tower of Hanoi crisis, he's right. What's more, even Akira begins to think about SOL Technologies' incapability in solving their own problems. Still, he does maintain hope that he can change the company from within.

Let's get onto SengokuQueen and her beliefs. A long time ago, she believed that all criminals deserved to be brought to justice, and to not trust them as well. However, after her defeats from Dancho and Lord Kazuma, as well as her undercover work in the Gamma Branch and hearing Akira's story, her beliefs started to waver. Does justice even exist in a world that has many obscured truths? Is it ethical to kill someone to save other people's lives? What will happen to her if she goes down the path of killing? How SengokuQueen responds to these questions will impact her character development, that I can confirm.

Then there's the attack from Delta Goons, with their appearances being based off of Team Cipher from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (does anyone remember that game?). It leads to three duels, which I'll talk about individually.

The first duel was between Akira and Sharpshot, whose appearance is based off of Gorigan from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. His deck, which was the Magical Musket deck, focused on using their monsters to accumulate their Spells/Traps in order to disrupt almost any moves their opponents may be attempting, as well as activate them from the hand. I chose this deck for Sharpshot to give Akira a hard (and annoying) challenge. Because let's face it. The Magical Musket deck can be a pain in the butt.

The second duel was between SengokuQueen and two Delta Goons, with the both of them using Fur Hire decks and the Fusion Monster Guardian Chimera. For those of you who don't know, the Fur Hire deck focused on swarming and activating effects to build a field that'll eventually defeat the opponent. This duel also saw the debut of SengokuQueen's Secret Six Samurais, as well as their Contact Fusion monster Secret Six Samurai – Rihan. Using this sub-archetype shows that SengokuQueen's learning as a duelist and finding ways to address the weaknesses in her deck. In her own words, she seeks to anticipate her opponents moves not through power, but through evasiveness. A way to strike her enemies quickly and silently while maintaining the lead in a duel.

The third duel was between Yeshurun and two Delta Goons, with the both of them using SPYRAL decks. This deck focused on guessing correctly and combining the card's effects to win the duel. As for Yeshurun, he used a Flower Cardian deck (remember Chojiro Tokumatsu from Arc V?). As Epsilon was Japanese-themed and its members used decks that mainly focused on old summoning methods, I chose Flower Cardian for Yeshurun, as that deck can be deadly if played right. If you learn anything from that duel, it's to always respect your elders.

Following the duels, Akira gives Yeshurun a memory sphere (courtesy of Blood Shepherd) to gain evidence that Delta was hired by Ace to defeat Epsilon in exchange for being paid and being left alone for the duration of the war. We get to meet Delta's boss Gerdai, whose appearance is based off of Nascour from Pokémon Colosseum. Don't worry, we'll see him in a later chapter. What archetype do you think he will wield? With that out of the way, Yeshurun gives Akira some of his best men to aid in ending the Turf War, while he helps in the sidelines. Great way to end a rocky negotiation, that's for sure.

The last scene is between Yuhiro and Akira, which I'll leave you to decipher for yourself. What do you think it means?

With the recap over, I want to thank you all for waiting so long for me to complete this chapter. November's basically crunch time in terms of school, and luckily, not even that will stop me from typing chapters, that's for sure. As a reward for your patience, I want to reveal the matchups for next chapter, as well as the archetypes that the Guzik family will use. Think of it as something to look forward to:

Match One: Slipstream vs Muziano (uses the Unchained archetype, as shown in Chapter 44).

Match Two: Soulburner vs Jayla (she uses the Ritual Beast archetype).

Match Three: Playmaker vs Luc (he uses the Invoked archetype).

Match Four: Raguel vs Seamus (he uses the Monarch archetype).

In other words, which matchup are you looking forward to?

Without further ado, I want to thank all of you for reading Chapter 58 of Obscured Truth. As always, please let me know your thoughts about the chapters below in your reviews. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated, as your tips and advice helps make the story better. In addition, don't forget to favorite and follow the story. That way, you will get a notification once the next chapter is released.

Now before I finish up, I want to make a quick announcement. Considering how November's basically crunch time in terms of school, I estimate Chapter 59 to be released in early or mid-December. This is because there's four duels I need to write, along with the content that occurs in between. Luckily, I have some very good news for you all. While I have a lot of school work, I have only one final exam, which will be on December 13. Once that day is done, expect a faster work rate during the holidays. My goal is to get a good majority of the Turf War done by the end of December. If I'm extremely lucky, I may be able to finish it all and go back to the anime events starting with meeting the Earth Ignis himself!

What did you enjoy the most about this chapter? Akira and SengokuQueen getting the spotlight they deserve? The dialogue? The duels? The end scene? Or something else?

Remember: As evident by Akira, Blue Girl, and SengokuQueen getting their chance to shine, other characters will have that chance as well. Which characters do you want to see getting their moment in the sun next?

That's all for now. Stay tuned, as there'll be a brawl between the Guzik Family and the good guys in Gamma next chapter!