"Don't draw me just to throw me to my death, Master! I can fight!!"
Even though she was technically just a card, Oda Nobunaga used her gag-character power to cling tightly to the deck, forcing Hoshino Alter to use all her strength just to pull her free.
"What's the point of resisting? In the end, you're still going to obediently hit the field as a wall."
Finally displaying the card she had worked so hard to draw, the AR device over Hoshino Alter's left eye projected Nobunaga's image. Pursing her lips, Hoshino Alter felt sparks of fire flicker at her feet.
"It's time to showcase the power of a new era! I Special Summon in Defense Position—Heroic Spirit – Oda Nobunaga!"
[Heroic Spirits – Oda Nobunaga ★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)] [FIRE] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 3000 / DEF 2500]
As Nobunaga emerged from the flames, Kaiba's eye twitched slightly.
"The same stats as Blue-Eyes… Is this your ace, Hoshino?"
"I'll take that as praise! It's been too long since I've taken the stage—I almost forgot how much stronger I've become compared to the past!"
Her black cloak swirled, igniting flames as the floating muskets around her crossed in an X-formation, forming a defensive barrage to repel the impending assault.
"Bear witness to my life's epitaph—the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven's final battlefield! —GUDAGUDA Final Honnōji!"
[①: When this card is successfully Special Summoned, you can activate 1 "GUDAGUDA Final Honnōji" from your hand or Deck.]
After paying the steep price of 30 Saint Quartz for a Spirit Origin breakthrough, after years of toiling in the Graveyard, Nobunaga finally attained this honor after two long years.
Hoshino Alter drew a blazing card from her AR Duel Disk, holding it high as it illuminated the field.
"Create it, then let the battlefield burn! By Nobunaga's effect, I activate the Field Spell—Final Honnōji!"
The sparks at Hoshino's feet erupted like an explosion, surging outward into an all-consuming inferno that engulfed the arena. Bathed in the scorching flames, Nobunaga looked every bit the Demon King.
"Ahahaha! Now come forth! On this battlefield, I am invincible!!"
With a roaring laugh, Nobunaga, timid just moments ago, now had her boiling blood ignited by the flames of war.
"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! Ultimate Jet White Lightning, third blast—!!"
Unafraid of the raging inferno, Kaiba commanded his dragon to unleash its final assault. The blazing white beam pierced through the firestorm, wrapped in crimson heat, and struck Hoshino Alter's field, swallowing the "invincible" Nobunaga in an instant.
[Oda Nobunaga destroyed]
From the stands, Jonouchi's lips twitched. "What the heck? She spouted such a cool line when she showed up, and then got one-shotted right after? Nobunaga's a total gag character!"
Bakura stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, they do say Oda Nobunaga perished in the flames of Honnōji Temple. So her being destroyed here actually matches history… But I wonder what that Field Spell Hoshino just activated will do."
Using her Mage's Association Uniform in tandem with Mash's effect, Hoshino Alter had successfully blocked all of Neo Ultimate Dragon's attacks this turn. Nobunaga's destruction didn't faze her in the slightest.
"Have you calmed down now, Kaiba? You should realize that no matter how you continue attacking, you can't break through the wall of Mash and the Servants."
"Mage's Association Uniform, is it?" Kaiba's gaze flicked toward the sleek black uniform that accentuated Hoshino Alter's legs. After having three consecutive attacks blocked by monster draws, even his burning desire for victory couldn't ignore the danger.
"By rearranging your deck and combining it with Mash's effect, you blocked every one of my attacks this turn. Only you could come up with such an outrageous tactic."
Since Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon had already used its effect to destroy a monster, the only monster left on Kaiba's field able to attack was Deep-Eyes White Dragon.
Hoshino Alter continued: "Next, because Nobunaga was destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, the effect of the Field Spell Final Honnōji activates—"
[Once per turn, if a "Nobu" monster you control is sent to the Graveyard, you can add 1 "Nobu" monster from your Deck to your hand.]
Hoshino muttered, "You even brought mini-Nobu along? What kind of weird stuff did you cram into this Deck, other me?"
"I'll use whatever it takes! To make up for two years of difference, I need every possible chance to increase my odds of victory!"
Hoshino smirked. "To not even brick with all that randomness… Guess that's just like me."
"And since a Heroic Spirit monster was destroyed by battle, my Continuous Trap Wish Come True also activates!"
[Once per turn, when a "Heroic Spirit" monster you control is destroyed by battle: Both players draw 1 card.]
Drawing another card, Kaiba declared firmly: "But after searching a monster with your Field Spell, the deck order you carefully set with Mage Uniform should've been shuffled, right? That means my next attack might actually go through!"
Seizing his last glimmer of hope in the Battle Phase, Kaiba called out:
"Deep-Eyes White Dragon! From the depths of the abyss, reveal your radiant form! Direct attack!!"
The azure glow built up on its back, then roared forth as a 3000 ATK direct strike.
"Heh, now this is where luck truly comes into play, Kaiba! Though at this point, I've got a pretty good idea which Heroic Spirit I'll be drawing next."
Hoshino Alter's fingers could barely restrain the restless energy within her deck. The warlike spirit inside seemed ready to burst out, burning even hotter than the flames of Honnōji.
"Draw! Monster Card—Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji! Special Summoned in Defense Position!!"
[Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)] [WIND] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2500 / DEF 2000]
A gale tore across the fiery battlefield as Okita's furious cry rang out, brimming with indignation toward Kaiba.
"Hey, debt collector over there! Repeat after me ten times—Okita-san is Master's real ace! You can mistake me for anyone, but you absolutely cannot mistake me for Nobu!!"
Isn't this just jealousy, Okita? Look at that jealous expression~
In response to Okita's rant, Kaiba only smirked disdainfully. "Oh? Is that so? Then let's see your so-called ace… crushed beneath the abyssal power of Deep-Eyes!"
Summoning her haori over her shoulders, Okita unsheathed her blade, its glint reflecting off the flames of Honnōji with lethal intent.
"Heh heh… Did you think Nobu was the only one who evolved? The gacha-strengthened Okita-san, version 2.0—can even cut through light itself!!"
[①: When this card is successfully Special Summoned, you can Set 1 Spell/Trap card from your Deck that lists "Okita Soji" in its text, or "Haori of the Vow," directly to your field. The card Set by this effect can be activated during the turn it is Set.]
With a swift motion, Hoshino Alter slid a card onto the field. The azure light of Deep-Eyes White Dragon, rushing at her like a tidal wave, was instantly split in two.
"According to Okita's effect, I Set the Trap Card Haori of the Vow onto my field—and activate it!"
[Haori of the Vow – Trap Card Effect: When a face-up WIND-Attribute "Heroic Spirit" monster you control is chosen as the attack target, destroy the attacking monster.]
"This is the invincible Okita's strike—the blade that severs even light itself! Face the storm!!"
A whirlwind sharpened into a blade, guided by the power of the Haori. Okita swung her sword, slicing through the dragon's luminous attack—and in the same instant, cleaving into its massive body.
"ROOOAARR—!"
With a pained cry, Deep-Eyes White Dragon, the one who had initiated the attack, was utterly destroyed by Okita's counterstrike.
[Deep-Eyes White Dragon – Destroyed]
"The Duel King is incredible! Even under the relentless storm of Kaiba and his Ultimate Blue-Eyes, she's managed to turn the tables!"
"Those Heroic Spirit monsters look so much smaller than the White Dragons, yet they're holding their ground as equals."
"So this is the charm of a King's Duel, huh? I've gotta invest more in those new Heroic Spirit packs!"
After four consecutive waves of White Dragon assaults, all blocked thanks to Mash's effect, Kaiba finally lowered his Duel Disk. He clearly had no intention of pressing the offensive further.
"…I take back what I said, Hoshino. In two years, you've become a far more troublesome opponent than before."
Hoshino (internally): "(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ Two years of being a complete slacker and I actually bluffed Kaiba into believing me. There's hope, other-me—let's win this duel and secure our shining future as Academy Director!"
Okita, victoriously sheathing her blade, wore a proud grin.
"Relax, Master. With the invincible Okita-san ver2.0 here, victory is already in the bag!"
Hoshino Alter muttered under her breath: "Just between us… the last one who set a 'truly invincible' flag—Nobunaga—died a really tragic death."
"Wha—?! (ﾟﾛﾟﾉ)ﾉ"
But Kaiba wasn't about to let the momentum slip. Raising his hand, the abyss glowed once more.
"Even if you've become more troublesome, Hoshino, destroying Deep-Eyes White Dragon drags you into hell as well! Deep-Eyes White Dragon's special ability activates—"
[When this card is destroyed: Destroy all monsters on your opponent's field.]
"Now take this—the revenge strike! Destructive White Light of the Deep!!"
[Okita Soji – Destroyed]
You two comedians… why do even your graveyard exit lines sound identical?
"I Set two cards and end my turn! With that, the Trap Card The Ultimate Creature of Destruction's effect also wears off."
[Kaiba's: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]
Hoshino Alter smirked, drawing for her turn. She stomped her foot, scattering the flames still lingering around her.
Kaiba lifted his chin arrogantly.
"A counterattack? Don't make me laugh. You expect to topple my invincible emperor with an empty field?"
"The flames of Honnōji have been burning for two turns already, Kaiba. And now, it's the perfect moment to call back the Demon King who perished within them! Field Spell Final Honnōji—activate its effect!"
[①: During your Standby Phase after this card's activation, Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit – Oda Nobunaga" from your Deck or GY.]
[Heroic Spirit – Oda Nobunaga – ATK 3000]
"—Life is but fifty years, fleeting as a dream. To be born is to die—what regret can a warrior have?"
The flames of Honnōji blazed higher, and from within them, Nobunaga strode forth—reborn through fire. With a sweep of her blade, she parted the inferno, chanting her verse as she emerged.
"Hah! Magnificent! To return in this moment, under the gaze of all—this is the moment I've long yearned for!"
"Please, Nobu—we're not here just to look cool! The hope of destroying Blue-Eyes rests entirely on you now!"
With a swipe across the AR display, Hoshino Alter dragged another card into the Monster Zone.
"And next—I activate the effect of the 'Nobu' monster I searched last turn! Super Mecha Nobu – MARK II!"
In the VIP box, Jaden tilted his head.
"Super Mecha Nobu? What even is that? I thought all the Nobu monsters looked like… big goofy idiots?"
He recalled his past duel with Hoshino, back when her identity was still hidden. At the time, he had thought the Duel King would never use such silly-looking monsters. Looking back now, he realized he had simply been too young and naïve.
"Watch closely, Kaiba. This isn't just any Nobu. This is the strongest of them all—Super Mecha Nobu MARK II, a monster with epoch-making power!"
[①: If you control "Heroic Spirit – Oda Nobunaga," you can Special Summon this card from your hand.]
[Super Mecha Nobu – MARK II ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)] [DARK] [Machine/Effect] [ATK 2500 / DEF 2000]
"NOBU~~~!!"
Jetting down from the heavens, clad in jet-black Super Alloy Z and dual laser swords blazing, Super Mecha Nobu landed with a crash.
From the graveyard, Okita shouted:
"Oi, oi, oi! What's going on here?! This Mecha Nobu has the same stats as me, a proper ace?! You're deliberately undermining my role as Master's true ace, Nobu—admit it!"
Okita, you talk like you aren't a gag character yourself…
Standing tall with her two "Nobu" at her side, Hoshino Alter assumed her battle stance.
"All preparations are complete. Now it's time to face the ultimate emperor in battle, Nobus!"
Mana twitched at the corner of her mouth.
"Is Hoshino… serious? She's going to challenge Kaiba's… with those things that look like toys?"
Sheathing her katana and drawing her trusty matchlock, Nobunaga's eyes gleamed with unshakable confidence, even amidst the collapsing flames of Honnōji.
"Leave it to me, Master. Like I said earlier… this time, I can carry!!"