For a moment, Ed's mind froze.
For someone world-renowned, called the fourth best Duelist by Pegasus, Ed Phoenix naturally never lacked wisdom and composure as a Duelist. It was precisely because he didn't lack wisdom that when Marufuji Shou shouted Tenjo Hikari, while others called that person Hikari, Ed realized—
Oops, did I hit the wrong person?
"Brother Hikari, Mitsuzawa!" On the other side, Kagurazaka, who had been watching the duel and noticed that Marufuji Shou couldn't even beat a newcomer, suddenly burst into laughter and hurriedly ran over, pointing at Ed, who was trying to pretend he didn't exist, and shouted, "This is the freshman who just came to visit our Fusion Department, saying he's considering joining our club in the future!"
"Huh?"
"Really!?"
Mitsuzawa and Manjome exclaimed in surprise.
Is it true that their Fusion Department is so famous? Even a professional like Ed Phoenix is interested in their department?
Ed put on an embarrassed yet polite smile, colloquially known as the professional smile, a basic skill typically associated with a handsome professional Duelist.
Tenjo Hikari noticed the badge on Ed's chest.
It was an alchemy product he rushed to create overnight a few days ago for an exchange meeting he heard about. It didn't have any special powers, just slightly enhanced Spirit Power, but useless for Spirit Adaptability above LV 4.
It was a badge he temporarily made to identify members of the Fusion Department.
Even wore a badge on his suit?
Even Tenjo Hikari was puzzled.
Could it be that Ed in this world truly came to visit the Fusion Department?
He remembered that in the original, Ed came to the island because Saiou foresaw that someone on the island could make Ed stronger, and that person was Judai—roughly speaking.
And as for Saiou himself, he developed a second personality due to the "Wave of Light" from "Light of Destruction" and embarked on a path to "destroy the world."
Though these two weren't biological brothers, in reality, they were as close as family, with Ed constantly receiving Saiou's help to find his father's killer. Saiou foresaw that Ed was one of those who could free him from a doomed fate.
However...
Considering that Darkness in this world had already stepped down early, who knows what Light of Destruction might have been up to in places unknown to Tenjo Hikari?
Especially since, up until now, Tenjo Hikari still had no idea what the "collapse of the Spirit World," which every spirit had gone through, was all about.
Of course, there could be another possibility as well?
For example, in "Yu-Gi-Oh! A5," Ed Phoenix joined Duel Academy and became the "Fusion Army Commander" of Duel Academy. Maybe Ed was someone who liked fusion all along, so he became part of the Fusion Army in A5. Then in this world, he merely found his way back and ended up becoming a member of the Fusion Department?
Tenjo Hikari pondered on this possibility and felt it was quite high.
Haha, looks like keeping an eye on the Integration Department and taking over the name of the Fusion Department did work after all!
Tenjo Hikari greeted Ed, his face bearing an awkward grin in response.
He had no other choice; a Duelist must stand their ground, no way they could change their stance that quickly!
Just then, his phone suddenly rang. He slightly bowed to the students before quickly stepping aside to take the call.
"Could it be his parents?" "Or maybe his agent?" "A professional Duelist sure is busy."
Ed hurried into a corner, glanced at the caller ID, and finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"Hello? Saiou!" His tone carried an unusual hint of complaint.
"Ed, how's the duel on the island..." Saiou's gentle voice came through the phone to his ear.
The little resentment that had just risen was barely suppressed, and then he looked at Judai, Shou on the other side, filled with complexity and a bit of helplessness: "Don't mention it... too... sigh..."
"Are you very disappointed?"
By now, Ed had already learned from Judai and the others' conversation that Marufuji Shou was the "Integration Department representative" for his freshman year, the top student in Akaba Leo's club.
The best?
Seriously?
To be honest, if he were less polite, seeing Marufuji Shou launch a big attack, he almost wanted to activate a Set Card to win without losing LP. But thinking it might be too harsh for ordinary students and he was merely there to test the waters, he held back.
Of course, if Saiou had asked him to go all out, he wouldn't have dueled like that.
Yet, just the thought that this was the "Integration Department's" outstanding student made him a bit dizzy.
Should I really go to a place like this?
"Someone arranged by Akaba Leo should have come to find you, saying they'd bring you to his Fusion Army." Saiou continued, while in the background, the sound of shuffling cards could be heard, "However, the divination shows that you seem to have already met the person who can influence your destiny."
What?
He glanced at Kagurazaka.
No way.
Then looked once more at Marufuji Shou.
Too weak.
Could it be...
He looked at Tenjo Hikari, Judai, Manjome, and the others, hmm, one or some of them?
Yet considering his current predicament, he instantly ceased thinking in that direction and instead started talking to Saiou: "No... Saiou, the things here are a bit complicated."
"Hmm?" Saiou felt confused for a moment.
What's so complicated about it.
Find the Fusion Department, join the Fusion Department, find the enemy, duel, win.
Quite straightforward.
Ed noticed a group of students in purple uniforms approaching, realizing these should be the ones looking for him, hastily said: "Saiou, I'll tell you the details when I return; it's too complicated to explain here!"
"Uh, alright..."
On the other side, the people from the Integration Department had already spotted Ed and cheered.
"We found him, it's Ed Phoenix!"
"Marufuji Shou is here too! As expected of Marufuji, easily locating the low-key Ed Phoenix!"
People here turned to look.
Besides a few members of the Fusion Army, there were several tall adults in the group searching for Ed. Although they weren't wearing the purple uniforms, their clothes were adorned with several special badges, suggesting they held some status. Additionally, two fairly tall but awkwardly shaped girls, one with blond hair and the other with silver, ran over, sporting bizarre hairstyles.
Are they Professional Duelists who graduated from the Fusion Army?
Tenjo Hikari immediately realized.
Since other Professional Duelists and big company employees can visit the island, the Fusion Army certainly can too.
"Wh-what, do you want something from me?" Ed asked bravely.
He wasn't being stubborn out of pride. The situation had escalated: he already chatted with the Fusion Department people, even accepted a badge from Kagurazaka. He couldn't just pull out now and say to the other side, "Haha, I fooled you." That would be too foolish and unfit for a Duelist's attitude.
"Ed Phoenix, come with us quickly, the professor was notified, right?" The leading Professional Duelist said offhandedly.
"Hey!" Judai jumped in front of Ed, blurting out, "You Integration Department guys are too much! Trying to snatch even students who haven't enrolled yet!"
"Exactly!" Manjome gruffly equipped his Duel Disk, "In front of our Fusion Department, you'll never succeed!"
Hearing this, Ed couldn't help but cover his face.
What's going on? I just came for a simple visit?
"You guys again!" Members of the Fusion Army noticed Tenjo Hikari and others, naturally shrinking back. But remembering they had Professional Duelists and even Elite Warriors from the Fusion Army beside them, they gathered courage, saying, "Don't think it'll be like before; this time it's Ed Phoenix's agent who contacted the professor, saying he's joining our Fusion Army!"
"Really?" Judai looked at Ed in surprise, "Impossible, I didn't get that impression at all."
"Moreover, he's already about to join our Fusion Department!" Manjome added.
Hearing that Ed had joined the Fusion Department, Fusion Army members' expressions drastically changed.
Of course, they weren't aware of the dealings between Saiou and Akaba Leo. They only heard that the professor had contacted Ed's agent, but they had no clue about Ed's own intentions!
"I get it!" Seeing their expressions, Tenjo Hikari squinted his eyes, stepping in front of everyone, "I understand, definitely!
Ed, do you really like fusion, so you want to join a fusion-related club in Duel Academy, and then got recommended by your agent?"
"Uh... yeah." At this point, denying was impossible.
Ed felt like he couldn't breathe.
Meanwhile, Tenjo Hikari felt he had everything figured out.
Understood, understood it all!
Normally, Ed would join the Fusion Department due to his love for fusion; then, due to his exceptional talent, he'd earn the trust of Akaba Leo and become the Fusion Army Commander, starting an invasion of the Xyz Dimension—all connected!
Then—
We absolutely can't let the Integration Department take him away!
For any reason.
The "Commander" can't be deceived by the Integration Department!
Missing a commander during the dimensional war, how would we fight!
"I, Tenjo Hikari, won't let any Fusion-loving Duelist be deceived!" Tenjo Hikari confidently equipped his Duel Disk, "At the very least, he should know the difference between our Fusion Department and your Integration Department! Let him decide himself!"
"Again with this, always like this... Tenjo Hikari!!" The Fusion Army members were fuming.
While fuming, a chorus of crisp laughter rang out.
"Hahaha~~" The two nearly identical girls in the group laughed in unison, the blond, seemingly older girl said, "I've long heard the main Academy's Tenjo Hikari gives the professors headaches."
"Seeing it in person is quite amusing." The silver-haired sister added.
Them two...
Are the Tyler Sisters from Yu-Gi-Oh! A5 in the Fusion Army?
Only now did Tenjo Hikari recognize them.
"In that case, seniors, why not… let him choose the way he loves?"
The two girls said in unison, looking at a middle-aged adult in the group wearing a badge, appearing to be in his twenties.
"All right, Tenjo Hikari, if so, then the way you prefer—Duel!" He casually took a Fusion Army Duel Disk; the sharp Duel Disk resembling more of a sword, "Although I am a Professional Duelist, today happens to be an exchange day, how about it?"
"Heh, as a Professional Duelist of a certain age, challenging a student on his own, how interesting." Manjome let out a cold snort.
"Sure, I'm also quite curious about the level of you Fusion Army Professional Duelists." Tenjo Hikari didn't mind.
Ed had already started dialing; he wanted to quickly contact Saiou and let him divine his fate again.
Could he skip this school?
It seemed Saiou was busy, the call didn't go through temporarily.
He let out a long breath.
Never mind…
A Duelist of destiny?
He looked at Tenjo Hikari, who was preparing for the duel.
The "thorn in the eye" of Akaba Leo, the world-known "Absolute Fusion Duelist."
Interesting…
In that case, if Tenjo Hikari can indeed defeat a Professional Duelist, then joining the Fusion Department was acceptable.
"Duel!"