"Kaiba! Ah…"
Yuto let out a helpless sigh as he watched Kaiba's back disappear beyond the gate.
He opened his hand. The five Star Chips still shimmered faintly in his palm.
"That guy didn't even take the chips!"
He hurried after him, with Yugi, Joey, and Tristan close behind.
The grand gate of Pegasus's mansion had been transformed into a massive device of modern design—a giant metal panel with ten recessed slots.
Clearly, only by inserting ten Star Chips could the final stage be unlocked.
Kaiba stood at the door like a cold statue, back to them, as though suppressing the urge to charge in immediately… or perhaps simply steadying his breath.
"Catch!"
Yuto's voice broke the silence as he tossed the five Star Chips forward.
Kaiba raised his hand precisely, catching all five in his palm.
Without pause, he deftly slotted the five chips—along with his own—into the panel.
Whirr—clack!
Lights flickered across the panel as the heavy door slowly slid open, revealing a dazzlingly lit, palatial hall beyond.
Kaiba didn't look back or offer thanks. With a snap of his coat, his figure strode resolutely into the glow.
Yuto, Yugi, and Joey exchanged glances, then each inserted their hard-won Star Chips into the remaining slots.
The door remained open, and they stepped through, instantly enveloped by the hall's luxurious splendor. Towering ceilings, glittering chandeliers, priceless works of art—Pegasus's taste was on full display.
Guided by faint voices and signposts, they ascended a broad staircase lined with thick carpet.
The view opened onto a massive balcony, overlooking the entire hall below.
And from one side of the balcony came a familiar, teasingly lazy voice:
"Yo~ Finally here? Took you long enough—"
Turning toward the sound, they saw Mai Valentine draped elegantly across the carved railing.
One hand propped up her chin, the other idly twirled a card between her fingers.
Her trademark outfit shimmered under the lights, and her gaze, equal parts playful and knowing, was that of an audience member who had long secured the best seat, awaiting the arrival of the main act.
"Yeah, a lot… happened along the way." Yuto's reply carried a hint of weariness, tinged with something more complicated.
Yugi offered a polite nod. "Miss Mai."
"Look there." Mai tilted her chin toward the grand hall below.
Somehow, the floor had vanished, replaced by a yawning abyss.
A single bridge spanned the chasm.
Spotlights flared upon it, illuminating Seto Kaiba, standing tall and proud on one end.
He was clearly waiting for his opponent—Maximillion Pegasus.
"Looks like Kaiba earned himself the privilege of challenging Pegasus first." Mai crossed her arms, her tone a mix of insight and faint mockery.
"As for the rest of you…"
Her eyes swept over Yuto, Yugi, and Joey.
"The rules are brutal—only the last one standing will have the right to go up."
"Correct."
An aged, steady voice echoed from behind them.
A butler in immaculate attire approached, his hair perfectly combed.
His expression was stern, his sharp eyes noting the number of people—far more than expected. Four finalists, plus their so-called companions.
"Honored Duelists of the finals…" The butler bowed with practiced precision, his voice formal and deferential.
"Welcome to Master Pegasus's castle."
He paused, his gaze drifting briefly over Tristan, Téa, and the others. Though his tone remained polite, there was a faint trace of puzzlement.
"…Master Pegasus has also instructed that your friends may watch the match. He wishes all of you to witness a special Duel here."
"Hmph." Mai gave a light scoff, her lips curving with sharp knowingness.
"A special Duel? He just wants us to see exactly what he's made of."
The butler betrayed no irritation—if anything, he gave a subtle nod, the barest flicker of acknowledgment crossing his lips.
"Perhaps so, Miss Valentine."
Not denying her words only made her guess more certain.
"Please enjoy the match from here." The butler bowed once more, then faded into the background like a shadow, leaving the stage to the impending showdown.
Right then, the heavy double doors at the far end of the hall creaked open.
Maximillion Pegasus, creator of Duel Monsters, stepped in flanked by two bodyguards. His trademark flamboyant smile stretched across his face as he spread his arms wide, voice lilting with theatrical flourish:
"WELE! Welcome to my castle, Kaiba Boy~"
From the balcony, Yuto barely managed to keep a straight face. That voice, that tone—every time, it hit like a sledgehammer.
"To Duel a prestigious opponent like you," Pegasus said, eyes gleaming as they fixed on Kaiba, his tone warm with praise—or perhaps the relish of a hunter admiring his prey, "fills me with anticipation."
"Where's Mokuba?!" Kaiba's voice was a blade of ice, cutting through Pegasus's performance.
"Oh, don't worry, Kaiba Boy~" Pegasus waved a hand casually, his smile calm yet commanding.
"Win this Duel, and I promise your brother Mokuba will be returned to you unharmed."
With a flourish, he brushed aside his bangs.
In that instant, the golden gleam of the Millennium Eye embedded in his left eye socket shone ominously.
A psychic weight pressed invisibly across the hall.
"Now then, Kaiba Boy~" Pegasus's voice carried a strange, enchanting resonance.
"Let's enjoy this Duel to the fullest~ Show Time!"
"…"
Kaiba ignored the theatrics.
Wordlessly, he crouched, snapping open his briefcase and preparing his Duel Disk.
He refused to use Pegasus's provided stage. To him, it was rigged from the start.
Pegasus's gaze drifted upward to the balcony, sweeping across Yuto, Yugi, Joey, and Mai.
"Ah~ So all the finalists are present… hmm?"
His gaze paused—lingered—when it met Yuto's. Far longer than on anyone else.
The Millennium Eye's glow flickered subtly.
In that instant, Yuto felt a jolt of strangeness!
It was as if countless cold, slippery tendrils were trying to worm their way into his mind, probing his thoughts!
He shook his head sharply, and a primal resistance surged from his very soul, shattering the intrusion!
Impossible?!
For the first time, Pegasus's perfect smile faltered, stiffening almost imperceptibly.
Inside, a storm raged.
The Millennium Eye's power… had failed against this boy?!
Why? Why couldn't he read the mind of Yuto Tenshou?!
For the one who always controlled everything, the father of Duel Monsters… this was an unfamiliar, unsettling taste of being denied control.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]