The Fool, the beginning of all Tarot—or the end of all Tarot—represents infinite possibilities, and is often given special significance in works related to Tarot.
Here, in the Arcana Force series, it is an exceptionally unique card.
How unique? A glance at its 0 ATK / 0 DEF stats says it all.
[Arcana Force 0 - The Fool, ATK 0]
"I'm well aware that Number 0—Arcana Force 0 - The Fool—has a very special ability even among all Arcana Force cards," Kira said with eyes narrowed in a smile.
"Once The Fool is summoned, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and it cannot change its battle position to Defense Position. In other words…"
Sarina realized: "You just summoned a 0 ATK target onto the opponent's field that can't switch to Defense and can't be destroyed by battle."
Which means all of Kira's attacks basically become direct attacks on Sartorius!
Sartorius: "…"
In truth, this tactic wasn't Kira's original invention—if anything, you could say Sartorius taught it to him. Not the Light of Destruction persona, but Sartorius's normal persona.
In GX's finale, when Sartorius's sister Sarina was held hostage by Nightshroud and he had to duel Jaden for life and death, Sartorius found a chance to secretly slip The Fool into Jaden's deck. Then he used the trap "Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny" to force The Fool out of Jaden's deck onto Jaden's field, leaving him with a stubborn, unkillable target.
Combined with the trap "Tour of Doom" that prevented Jaden from conducting any Normal, Special, or Flip Summons, he couldn't even fuse it away or tribute it for a Tribute Summon—the card was basically a squatter.
Kira didn't pull a Weevil Underwood stunt by stuffing cards into his opponent's deck, but he knew that as a master of the complete Arcana Force, Sartorius absolutely wouldn't omit Number 0. To Sartorius, the full set is his destiny and the embodiment of his power; missing even one would be incomplete.
And in the anime meta, The Fool is actually quite strong on its own and worth running.
Sartorius scowled. "But when The Fool is summoned, like other Arcana Force cards, it spins to determine head or tail!"
Of course, the interpretation of the result was entirely up to Sartorius.
"The Fool's spin is tail!" Sartorius declared. "The tail Fool cannot be targeted by your card effects and is unaffected by them!" (anime effect)
This shows how powerful the card is.
In the anime, you can Normal Summon in face-up Defense. So if you summon The Fool in Defense and declare it tail, you get an "indestructible by battle, untargetable, unaffected" absolute shield.
Short of attacking directly by bypassing monsters or using piercing, there's almost no breaking through this invincible defense…
Oh right—except Lava Golem.
But what Sartorius never expected was: why would someone who doesn't even play Arcana Force include "Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny" in their deck?
What's the meaning of this?
You're clearly gunning for The Fool, aren't you?
"And 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool' has another drawback, doesn't it, Sartorius?" Kira smiled.
Sartorius's face darkened and he snorted. "While The Fool is face-up on the field, whenever the opponent would flip a coin for an effect, they can skip the coin toss and freely choose heads or tails." (anime effect)
He abruptly stopped and looked up at Kira in surprise.
Then, realizing something, he felt the hairs on his neck stand up.
"You—you can't mean…"
"Oh? You figured it out?"
Kira beamed.
"Indeed," he said calmly. "With The Fool's summon resolved and the Draw Phase over, we now enter my Standby Phase.
Remember the trap I activated last turn, 'The Deep Grave'? During this Standby Phase, the chosen monster is Special Summoned from the GY to my field. Appear—
—Arcana Force XXI - The World!!!"
[Arcana Force XXI - The World, ATK 3100]
"Arcana Force XXI - The World spins on summon to determine head or tail," Kira paused, then chuckled. "Of course, we both know that if it spins, head or tail is entirely up to you to declare.
But since 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool' is on your field, I can choose not to spin and freely pick head or tail. Now guess—do I choose The World's head or tail?"
Sartorius's face twitched. "You bastard…"
"Smart," Kira said. "That's right—I choose 'Arcana Force XXI - The World' head!"
The World's card didn't spin at all; it simply appeared above the monster in the head position.
"Let me experience the power you claim to command—the power to control time and fate," Kira raised his hand. "Arcana Force XXI - The World! Attack 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool!'"
Seeing his own ace charge at him with overwhelming force, Sartorius had a momentary vision: all his recent grievances and rage took shape in The World, advancing mercilessly under the opponent's command.
Yes—this feeling.
It was clearly his own destiny, his own board under his control, suddenly thrown into chaos.
As if, in an instant, fate had taken the other side, betrayed him, and colluded with his despicable enemy.
All those grievances suddenly took form, becoming the towering World, striking at him under this man's orders.
Sartorius's pupils shrank.
"Don't tell me… it was you all along!?"
The unseen player, the one behind the scenes who scrambled the board of fate and sent every piece leaping from its rightful square—
Was it this Duel King?
But it was only a hunch; he had no time to dwell on it.
"I activate a set card!" Sartorius shouted. "Counter Trap—Negate Attack! Negate the attack and end the Battle Phase!"
A counter vortex blew out; The World's blow crashed into the transparent swirl and was pushed back.
At least he'd held it off for now.
But the sense of danger in Sartorius's chest didn't fade. Soon enough, events proved him right.
"Blocked it, huh," Kira said coolly. "Then I'll Normal Summon this card—'Samsara Lotus.'"
[Samsara Lotus, ATK 0]
"With that, preparations are complete."
Kira's voice remained calm.
"Now I'll show you the true power of 'The World.'"
Sartorius: "???"
Something felt off.
Aren't you piloting my monster right now?
Why do you sound so practiced at this?