"Brother Hikari has lost it, he says he's going to set up a New Fusion Department!"
"What, a New Fusion Department?"
"Did you hear? Hikari actually applied to leave the Fusion Department!"
"Oh my gosh, really, Brother Hikari?"
Today, Duel Academy was particularly lively. Duel Academy isn't very big, it's actually just a small island. The students on the island see each other often, and everyone's pretty much familiar. Whenever something exciting happens, word spreads quickly throughout the school.
For example, things like the manor on the lake, or the arena in the forest.
These things become common knowledge within a couple of days, there's no stopping the students' enthusiastic gossip.
Moreover, no matter what, Tenjo Hikari is still a first-year representative. He recently participated in a "world-class" exchange event. He's a legendary campus figure, not to mention he's known as a super fusion fanatic, someone even fusion extremists would call "too extreme." Such a person leaving the Fusion Department, and even wanting to set up a new Fusion Department, with a name already thought out and an application submitted to the professor, seemingly about to have his own activity room—how could that not be surprising!?
"So do we still stick with the Fusion Department?"
"Hmm... Does Brother Hikari have any cards with him?"
The first-year students, especially those of the Yellow Academy and Red Academy, mostly don't have a strong sense of belonging to the Fusion Department. They joined the Fusion Department more for the "Ancient Gear Deck." After all, it's hard for the more ordinary students to get rare cards, which is why the Fusion Department was able to grow so quickly, to the point of having its own department's purple uniform.
But if Tenjo Hikari also has a departmental deck to share, they might consider jumping ship.
After all, in the Fusion Department, they have to endure bullying from higher grade and Blue Academy students, which they've long been fed up with.
"I heard Professor Cronos also agreed with Brother Hikari. He said they could use the Ancient Gear Deck—after all, that's Professor Cronos' deck, isn't it? Since Brother Hikari is his disciple, he would definitely support Brother Hikari more, right?"
"Wow, really!"
In the responsibility office, Akaba Leo crossed his arms and frowned, clearly impatient.
"What's all that noise outside?"
"Uh..."
"Speak up!" Akaba Leo furrowed his brow, and those who knew him understood that this was one of his rare angry states.
If this continues, he might just "take action."
"Professor, I heard... Tenjo Hikari left the Fusion Department."
"Hmm?" Akaba Leo turned his head, somewhat confused. "What did you say?"
The Yellow Academy's third-year head, when faced with his gaze, was startled and quickly lowered his head to explain, "Well... Hikari... Tenjo feels that the current Fusion Department isn't fusion enough, the students aren't pure enough, they keep doing all sorts of random things, and even bully other classmates. He's really dissatisfied, so he decided to leave the Fusion Department and create a new one..."
He was very scared.
Akaba Leo is a decisive and ruthless person, and anyone who displeases him will undoubtedly be "eliminated." Tenjo Hikari's act of defiance, even attempting to "establish his own territory," naturally would make him an enemy.
As the senior of Yellow Academy, he hadn't even noticed Tenjo Hikari's intentions earlier and only belatedly reported it to the professor, surely he was in for trouble.
"Is there such good news?" Akaba Leo blurted out instinctively.
"Eh?"
The three third-year seniors exclaimed in surprise.
"No, it's nothing." Akaba Leo turned back around, not knowing why, but suddenly feeling a bit relieved.
Although just a tiny bit.
Perhaps Cronos is scared?
He felt slightly better.
In fact, his current frustration wasn't really caused by Tenjo Hikari or the noise outside.
It was because...
Serena.
Perhaps arguably considered his daughter.
She's currently a second-year student in Duel Academy's middle school. Ever since he discovered her, he took her under his wing at his research institute under the guise of a "promising talent" to cultivate dueling abilities in her.
As a vessel for the rebirth of his true "daughter."
However, previously, that research institute had been tasked with investigating parasites and Spirits and was, by his orders, supposed to duel Tenjo Hikari to obstruct Professor Cronos and others from causing him trouble when an unthinkable incident occurred, causing the entire institute to lose contact.
He sent his soldiers to search, but there had been no word yet.
He didn't care what Serena had gone through; he just needed to find her quickly.
Originally, hearing about Tenjo Hikari again caused his anger to flare up, making him want to personally confront this brat. Yet, unexpectedly, he heard such great news!
For him, the Fusion Department, Dimension Department, or whatever else they're called, it didn't matter.
What he sought were soldiers of absolute loyalty, ones he could control, cannon fodder to strive for his grand ambitions.
Conversely, people like Tenjo Hikari, and those true "fusion supremacists" willing to follow him, were the "poisonous blood."
If this group was willing to leave, it was actually a good thing for him.
Hence, his subconscious response, "Is there such good news?"
Hmm—
While unclear on what had transpired in Domino City, it seemed that Cronos, after all, loved his disciples' safety; in this respect, he couldn't compare to himself.
Probably didn't want his disciple to face more crises, so he allowed him to be independent?
Ha-ha-ha, Cronos was ultimately no match for me!
"It doesn't matter. Students joining which club is their freedom," Akaba Leo stated.
The three third-year students stared at Akaba Leo in amazement, even doubting if this was someone else in disguise.
Akaba Leo, due to Serena's disappearance, had his discontent dissipate somewhat, but after pondering for a moment, he realized another point.
First, he couldn't pretend to not care at all and let Tenjo Hikari develop unchecked.
Then, isn't this the perfect place to train and cultivate soldiers?
"However, who truly represents the Fusion Department shouldn't be decided by him."
"Huh?"
"What are you implying?"
"You all go take care of them."
"Me?" The three looked at each other, pointing at themselves, then even the Captain of the Blue Academy couldn't help speaking up, "It's impossible, Professor! They've invited Marufuji Ryo to join!
There's no way we can beat him!"
Can I take on Marufuji Ryo?
Can we win?
Hopeless!
Marufuji Ryo is a bona fide third-year "Monarch," not some "uncrowned" champion, but the already "crowned" Academy Chief, truly the strongest Duelist of Duel Academy—they've all lost to Marufuji Ryo, and they want us to go?
Even setting aside Marufuji Ryo, Tenjo Hikari, Yuki Judai, Mitsuzawa Daichi, they're the top three first-year duelists!
Akaba Leo's face clouded, he glared coldly at the three. "Did you not understand what I said?"
"Yes!" The three stood at attention, terrified.
"I don't care if you guys go yourselves or seek help one year at a time!"
"Get it done!"
"Yes!"