The graduation duel concluded in spectacular fashion—a perfect finish to a legendary showdown. For many students, it was a match they would never forget.
That explosive damage, that cataclysmic clash… it was branded into their memories.
In the days that followed the seniors' graduation, the underclassmen couldn't stop debating one thing:
Who was stronger now?
"Jaden used to get crushed instantly by Zane, but now he fought him to a draw!"
"His progress is insane. Honestly, it's kinda inspiring. Guess now we've got someone to chase."
"I wonder… between Jaden and Hikaru Amagi now, who's stronger?"
Even members of the Fusion Club found themselves pulled into the discussion.
Some claimed Jaden had caught up to Zane, which surely meant he'd surpassed Hikaru. Others pushed back—Hikaru had already beaten Jaden once. Until they dueled again, nothing could be certain.
"You're really getting underestimated, Hikaru!" Tierra huffed as they passed by another group of arguing students. She turned to him, arms crossed. "Go challenge that Jaden Yuki and make him eat dirt! Prove once and for all who the king of Fusion really is!"
Hikaru stared blankly at her.
He was on the phone.
"…Yeah, don't worry about it," he said calmly into the receiver. "Jaden's been doing fine. You know how he is—once he says his goodbyes, he won't linger."
Indeed, Hikaru was talking to Zane Truesdale.
Zane had officially left Duel Academy and signed with a major corporation as a pro duelist. Before his departure, Hikaru had made sure to get his contact info—he'd sensed Zane still had some unresolved concerns.
"Sho? He's alright," Hikaru said, tapping his chin. "Ever since Aster Phoenix showed up, the Brotherhood's been keeping a low profile. They mostly use Sho's face as PR bait to recruit newbies now.
But anyone who spent a year around him knows better. I figure they might stir up something again once the new semester starts."
Hikaru didn't hold any grudge against Syrus. Sure, the original version of Syrus got… weird during the Dark World arc, but right now he was just a harmless dork with a dash of unchecked "simp energy."
Besides, Syrus was more of a meme than a menace.
He'd been personally recommended by Hikaru to join the Fusion Club, and he bore no ill will—mostly he just shared random "banned" sketchbooks with classmates. You know... high school boys being high school boys.
Even Chazz had heart-eyes for Dark Magician Girl. Syrus being a diehard DMG simp? Totally normal.
As long as no one's getting bullied, it's fine.
"Sorry, Hikaru," Zane said from the other end of the line. "I should've handled this myself. But in the end, I chose to duel Jaden instead."
He'd thought about facing Syrus in a final match—but couldn't walk away without answering Jaden's growth. So now, he was asking Hikaru to keep an eye on his little brother instead.
Though honestly, Hikaru wasn't sure Syrus needed protecting... if anything, he might be the bad influence.
Syrus had serious natural talent. In the anime, his win record in simulated duels was actually the highest in the school—even Jaden got stomped in VR by him.
But emotionally? He was a blend of coward and pervert.
He'd already gotten a bit cocky from being the Brotherhood's poster boy. The "simp" part... that was incurable.
Still, nothing dangerous.
It's not like he was dueling Yubel or prepping to fight Sartorius.
"Don't worry about it," Hikaru said casually. "If it's related to Fusion, then it's my responsibility too."
"…Hah. That's reassuring," Zane chuckled.
A moment later, Hikaru ended the call.
Tierra pounced on the silence. "So? What are you waiting for? Go duel Jaden already! C'mon, it's time to show the world who's really on top!"
"There's no need," Hikaru replied, puzzled. "Even if we fought, the result would only reflect a single moment in time."
He eyed her, uncertain.
Tierra wasn't the kind who cared about her own "reputation." She usually ignored human affairs. To her, mortals were like wind—only worth noting if they piqued her interest.
So why this sudden push for a duel with Jaden? She'd watched the graduation match calmly enough… and hadn't shown much reaction even during the climax.
And now she was even calling Jaden by name?
That wasn't like her at all.
"…You're not doing this on purpose, are you?"
"Ohoho~ not bad, my chosen champion. You saw right through me." Tierra grinned slyly, resting her chin on clasped hands without a hint of guilt.
Of course she wanted Hikaru to prove he was the strongest. He was her proxy, after all. But since she'd been found out, no need to hide it anymore.
…He hadn't expected her to admit it so easily.
Or maybe, the second she got caught, she just decided to drop the act altogether.
Which meant—she believed he'd accept the challenge anyway?
Still leaning forward, Tierra lifted one finger and wagged it teasingly.
"Fine, I'll be honest. I felt it. From that Jaden kid… I sensed a powerful, terrifying darkness. Something ancient and buried deep. I glimpsed it once before, a flicker, but it reappeared in the infirmary...
And then—during that duel. When the damage totals broke fifty thousand, I knew. There's something inside him, awakening."
She tilted her head, eyes glinting.
"This is your perfect chance. If you duel him now, you might snag a top-tier card out of it~"
"…And speed up your energy recovery, right?" Hikaru sighed. "Don't think I didn't notice your little scheme."
Still… an awakening of power?
It made sense.
The Light of Ruin was surfacing. Yubel's shadow loomed. The "Supreme King" within Jaden... beginning to stir.
Tierra shrugged. "You're dueling all kinds of people every day anyway, trying to absorb different energies. What's one more match with him?"
"A true duel," Hikaru said quietly, "needs the right time. The perfect stage. That's why Jaden hasn't challenged me either."
Tierra paused. Then nodded.
Ah. So that's how it was.
They wanted to face each other at the right moment—when the world was watching. A duel worthy of the name. Just like Zane had chosen Jaden as his final opponent.
…How interesting, these duelists.
"In that case, you'd better hurry up and power up. That Jaden kid already gathered the powers of Light, Wind, Fire, and Water. And you? You've only got Darkness and Wind."
She meant Elemental HERO and El Shaddoll archetypes.
"It's time to catch up—wait! I've got the perfect idea! Let's convert White Crystal into a FIRE monster!"
She'd done it before. She could do it again.
"Lady Winda..." White Crystal's captain murmured, horrified.
Hikaru just shook his head.
He wasn't doing that.
Besides—he already knew exactly where he was heading next.