# Chapter 135: Friendship Duel, Joey Wheeler vs. Yugi
The next morning.
"Hah~" Yawning, Joey Wheeler sat up from his bed, unable to stop himself from yawning, his eyes still heavy with sleep. To be able to use his full strength, Joey Wheeler had stayed up very late last night, constantly studying his Deck and practicing the Drawing Technique that Grandpa Solomon had taught him.
Before receiving Grandpa Solomon's guidance, Joey Wheeler, like Tristan, hadn't thought much of Grandpa Solomon's Drawing Technique, believing it was just ordinary drawing. He felt that spending time practicing it was less worthwhile than buying a few Card Packs to improve his Deck. But by today, Joey Wheeler had somewhat grasped the deeper meaning behind the seemingly simple Drawing Technique.
Although he didn't quite understand the specific principle, after learning "Mutou-ryuu Drawing," Joey Wheeler often felt during Duels that he could draw whatever he wanted, as if his Deck had been laid out face-up, allowing him to pick and choose freely.
Even Hayato, after witnessing the amazing effect of the "Drawing Technique," had specifically asked Grandpa Solomon for guidance.
After finishing washing up, Joey Wheeler picked up the Deck placed beside his bed. Looking at the [Flame Swordsman] he had placed on top of his Deck, he said to himself, "I'm dueling Yugi today, huh? Come to think of it, how many times have I challenged him now?"
"Although up until now, my duels with Yugi have all ended in my defeat, my growth during this time is more than just a little bit." He carefully checked his Deck once, card after card flashing before his eyes. [Red-Eyes Black Dragon], [Time Wizard], [Baby Dragon]...
Putting the Deck back into the Card Box on his waist, Joey Wheeler patted his face, looking radiant and revealing a confident smile: "You're not the only one with a reason not to lose, Yugi! Alright, let's go!"
Carrying high fighting spirit, Joey Wheeler pushed open his door.
And Yugi, just happened to walk out of his room.
As the two looked at each other, they exchanged a look of understanding, sensing the soaring "must-win" fighting spirit on the other, and revealed smiles.
Hayato, who was beside them, glanced at Téa. Under her confused gaze, he patted her shoulder and said comfortingly, "Take it easy. It's because this anime is called Yugi King, after all."
"?"
Having already had the experience from yesterday, the group went straight to the Spectator Area of the Duel Arena and took their seats. Yugi and Joey Wheeler, meanwhile, went to the Backstage to prepare for the Duel.
Téa, Tristan, and Bakura sat in one row, while Hayato sat in the row in front of them. After some time passed, seeing that the match start time was approaching, Kujaku Mai and Hayato's opponent for today—Samejima Iemitsu—finally arrived.
"You're already waiting here so early! Young people really have energy, hahaha." Samejima said with a cheerful smile, sitting in the seat next to Hayato. Kujaku Mai sat down one seat away from the two men.
"Hayato-kun, how prepared are you? After Yugi and Joey Wheeler finish their Duel, it will be our turn," Samejima said seriously, glancing at Hayato beside him. "I can't wait to duel you, you know?"
Hayato returned a smile: "I'm already prepared. You're not the only one looking forward to the Duel. I'm also feeling my blood boiling for our upcoming Duel."
"However, no matter how passionate our enthusiasm, we have to wait until Yugi and Joey Wheeler's Duel finishes."
Samejima followed Hayato's gaze. There was one minute left until the match officially started. The big screen used for displaying data had descended from the ceiling along with the Duel Platform. Pegasus's Butler was also waiting beside them, ready to announce the start of the match.
Walking out from their respective Passages, Yugi and Joey Wheeler came before the Duel Platform, one on each side, along the automatic walkway. They shuffled the Decks they held in front of everyone and placed them down. The Old Butler held a microphone in his hand, looked down at the time, and said, "It's time. Both Players are ready."
"Then I announce, the Duelist Kingdom Semifinals, Mutou Yuugi versus Katsuya Jounouchi. The Semifinals officially begin!"
"Duel!" X2
[Yugi: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
[Joey Wheeler: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
"I'll take the First Turn! Draw a Card!" Joey Wheeler secured the first turn, looking at Yugi and saying with a smile, "When dueling you, Yugi, I have to attack with all my might. I've lost to your Traps many times!"
"I'll show you my growth during this time! I Normal Summon [Rocket Warrior] in Attack Position, and then equip [Legendary Sword] onto it!"
Playing two cards, a rocket appeared on Joey Wheeler's Field. Its metal shell transformed into armor. That was actually a Monster wearing "rocket"-themed armor. In this Monster's hand, it was also dragging a long sword roughly the same size as the entire [Rocket Warrior].
[Rocket Warrior][4☆/Light Attribute]
[Warrior Type/Effect]
[1500/1300 → 1800/1600]
"I Set two cards in my Spell/Trap Zone. My Turn ends." Joey Wheeler Set two cards from his Hand and said proudly, "Heh heh, how about that, Yugi? Why don't you attack and try?"
[Joey Wheeler: 4000 LP, Hand 2]
[Rocket Warrior] (Legendary Sword) [ATK 1800]
[Set Card] X2
Looking at Joey Wheeler, Yugi, who had switched to "Pharaoh" mode without him noticing, curved the corner of his mouth and revealed a smile: "Joey Wheeler, you're being a bit too obvious, aren't you? I won't be so reckless as to step into your Trap!"
"My Turn, Draw a Card!"
"Activate Magic Card, [Mystical Space Typhoon]! Joey Wheeler, I choose to Destroy the Set Card on your left."
Spiraling airflow flipped up a Set Card in Joey Wheeler's Spell/Trap Zone, revealing its true form, [Sakuretsu Armor]. Then a lightning bolt struck and shattered it. Joey Wheeler felt a bit awkward, regretting in his heart that he should have listened to the advice Hayato once gave him and taken [Sakuretsu Armor] out of his Deck after all.
Because, just as Hayato had said, he had used [Sakuretsu Armor] so many times after putting it in his Deck, and not even once was it successfully Activated. It was either Destroyed or Negated.
"It was actually [Sakuretsu Armor]! No wonder you wanted to lure me into attacking, Joey Wheeler. But now, the Trap you left has been dismantled!" Yugi said with a smile, Summoning his Monster, "I Normal Summon [Queen's Knight] in Attack Position, and then Activate Magic Card [Smashing Ground]! Destroy the Monster on the Field with the highest ATK."
[Queen's Knight][4☆/Light Attribute]
[Warrior Type/Normal]
[1500/1600]
"The highest ATK?" Joey Wheeler glanced at the Field. "Isn't that my [Rocket Warrior]!"
A giant wooden mallet appeared above the Field, smashing down heavily onto [Rocket Warrior] on Joey Wheeler's Field. The entire Field was momentarily filled with the armor fragments of [Rocket Warrior] flying outwards as it was Destroyed.
"Then I Activate Magic Card, [Reinforcement of the Army]! I choose [Queen's Knight] on my Field. Until the End Phase, her ATK increases by 1500 points. Then I Activate Magic Card [Pot of Greed] to draw two cards."
A white horse appeared out of nowhere beneath [Queen's Knight]. While increasing her ATK, it also allowed her to become mounted and elevated, becoming a true "Knight" in name and reality. Drawing two cards from his Hand, Yugi pointed his right hand towards Joey Wheeler's Field: "Battle Phase! [Queen's Knight] declares a Direct Attack on Joey Wheeler!"
[Queen's Knight][ATK 1500 → 3000]
"Oh no, this is bad! It's actually 3000 ATK points! If I get attacked, it'll be terrible!" A panicked expression appeared on Joey Wheeler's face. Immediately his expression changed, and he said triumphantly, "As if! I wouldn't say that! Let me show you my growth, Yugi!"
"Activate Set Card!"