It seemed like a massive misunderstanding had ensued, so Youyu put considerable effort into explaining to Chinai that the Dark Magician Girl was his card spirit, a partner in his battles, and things weren't as she imagined...
To prove this, he even had the Dark Magician Girl perform a switch between spirit body and physical form in front of Chinai, roughly explaining the situation.
Youyu let out a long sigh: "Phew~ So this explanation should make sense, right?"
Chinai dazedly nodded her little head, hesitated for a moment, then looked warily toward the spot where the Dark Magician Girl had vanished.
"So what you mean is... she's with you all day from morning till night?"
Youyu: "..."
She still seems like she hasn't listened at all...
Come on, she's a spirit, a spirit!
What kind of serious Duelist would have thoughts about their own spirit? Would you?
However, Chinai clearly thought otherwise, as the big word floating over her little silver head was—
—Danger!
...
The efficiency at Kaiba Group is truly remarkable, highlighting the decisive and swift characteristic of their president. Just one day after the tournament, a new trophy was already delivered by several men in black suits.
The leader of this team was Uncle Izono again—Youyu quite suspected that this uncle might also have quite a background. Not only did he remain calm when facing all kinds of supernatural phenomena as a referee, but he also seemed to be the one always running errands for Kaiba Group, suggesting he probably had some connections.
An additional interesting point is that just the second day after the Duel City Tournament ended, the president finally adopted Youyu's suggestion from the beginning and removed the restriction "Fusion monsters cannot attack during the turn they are summoned"...
In the original anime, the president also seemed to remove this rule right after Duel City ended.
As for the reason... Youyu personally found it not hard to guess.
Before the tournament, when Youyu discussed this issue with the president, Kaiba waved his hand dismissively, saying it wouldn't be considered because "if I fuse the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and attack quickly, wouldn't the opponent be instantly crushed without any chance to hit back?"
However, now after the tournament and being shattered by the king, the president found things seemed to not quite align with his expectations. Looking back on Youyu's initial suggestion, he couldn't help but feel there was indeed some sense to it...
Of course, since fusion monsters can attack in their summoned turn, the rule "Magic Cards can be used during the Battle Phase" naturally also had to be removed.
Otherwise, the monsters used as fusion materials could attack first, after the attack ends, fuse these material monsters to continue attacking, once the attack is over, use fusion dispel to revert the materials back to their pre-fusion state, then attack again...
Ultimately, the suggestions Youyu initially made were all adopted by the president now. Although concepts like spell speed, chains and timing regarding card effects haven't been introduced yet, the duel rules finally became closer to the physical card environment familiar to players.
The reasoning is not important, what's important is the result.
This move is purely a hero's victory.
Now that this annoying rule is removed, Youyu expressed that he was totally fired up!
Can you imagine how painful it is to play a hero fusion engine with attack restrictions?
Even if Youyu's duelist level increased, the bonds maxed out, and he used Kaiba's 502 glue to stick fusion and quick play cards together, the gameplay still felt utterly frustrating.
Honestly, the impact was also quite significant.
If he hadn't filled his card deck with things like Pot of Greed and Graceful Charity up to the limit, the originally card-losing fusion engine heroes would explode on the spot from having to spend an extra quick play card for an attack declaration.
Regarding this, Youyu was in a great mood, feeling the president finally did a good deed!
Though he definitely shouldn't get complacent because of this.
Even acquiring the title of Duel King doesn't mean he graduated max level in this world, a fact he understands very well.
In fact, just like many online games, the Duel Monsters card game keeps updating and evolving. The environment will change, and the cap will continue to rise.
Therefore, the concept of graduation doesn't really exist in this game. With the version updates, both players and NPCs will constantly grow stronger.
Today's "Duel King" simply represents an honor and doesn't signify anything conclusive. Youyu understands that most of his advantage lies in advanced deck building and awareness, now at Duelist Level 7, although already considered among top duelists, is still very far from the cap.
Not to mention others, just talking about President Haima, after losing this tournament, he probably has shut the door to research and is ready to outfit his wife (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) with a new costume...
The higher you stand, the harder you fall, while becoming the Duel King brings benefits, corresponding risks will inevitably follow. Now Youyu must make continuous progress, and not only that, he must be faster than the others to maintain his status as the top runner.
...Obviously, it'll be easier for him to harvest his crops too in the future.
Yet somehow news leaked out, and soon rumors surfaced online saying that removing the "fusion monster cannot attack during their summoned turn" restriction was Youyu's suggestion.
Then some proposed that Youyu, as the Duel King, was actually a consultant for Kaiba Company's Duel Monsters module. It's said he was one of the few duelists recognized by Kaiba Seto, and President Haima valued his input significantly, greatly influencing the current Duel Monsters rules.
Although it's unclear where the news was leaked, it wasn't necessarily bad for Youyu and related people.
For instance, over in the Nightwalker World, President Tosawa Mukuro received so many gifts over the past few days that they nearly piled into a small mountain.
Every other day, there's a high-ranking member from some underground organization coming over to present gifts and show their stance, and occasionally, someone calls to express their long-standing admiration for Mr. Wang of Duels from your esteemed side.
This is only natural. Duelists in the Inner World play cards with their lives on the line every day; they naturally respect top-tier strongmen with the title of Duel King. Furthermore, they tirelessly flatter those internal bigwigs who can influence the rules of the game.
However, President Haima has a peculiar personality and mocks the Dark Duelists of the Inner World, most people find it tough to curry favor with him.
Therefore, Youyu, who holds the title of Duel King and is rumored to have high authority with President Haima, has become a coveted figure among major organizations.
But since Youyu clearly expressed that he wants to take a few days off after finishing the tournament and is lazy to bother with these affairs, all related matters are being handled on behalf of Nightwalker World.
President Mukuro has been busy with receiving gifts and socializing these days, running around outside, listening to the endless flattering from Dark Duelists from around the world; his ears are almost growing lice.
Days upon days of big gifts are making our president quite distressed...
Some may be good at playing cards, but not necessarily at flattering. Maybe all the complimentary phrases have already been taken by others, one guy looked at the poorly developed, featherless chicken-like President Mukuro and somehow squeezed out "strong and handsome," turning the president's face dark at that moment—
—What kind of talk is that? Does flattery also need to be taught?
Why the heck don't you just say my hairstyle is flamboyant?
...
Meanwhile, Youyu is happily browsing forums, watching how recent changes affect the foolish players. Just then, Chinai quietly approached.
"...Apple, want some?"
"Huh? Oh." Youyu snapped back to reality, "Sure."
"Do you want me to wash it?"
"Alright, thank you,~"
"Want me to peel it?"
"Uh... sure."
"Want me to cut it up?"
Youyu: "..."
What's up with this girl?
Why does it seem like since I came back yesterday, she's been acting a bit off?
Could it be... because I've gotten the title of "Duel King"?
Though Chinai's expression seems steady like an old dog, with no ripples, in truth, she's panicking within.
At Youyu's request, the store has actually stopped paying him.
After all, the title of Duel King means not just honor but also commercial benefits. If Youyu wishes, he shouldn't have any money issues now.
Chinai finds it unsurprising if he decides to move out and bid farewell to the store anytime, though it seems for some reason he hasn't shown any intention (she doesn't know why).
Chinai had once guessed that maybe Youyu stays in the store just to interact with those quirky folks daily... but because the thought seemed absurd, she quickly dismissed it.
Previously, she often helped Youyu and, as a senior, could teach him how to handle some store affairs, yet now, even those opportunities are taken from her.
It's all because of that weirdo called Xue Lang!
This guy stands guard at the store's entrance before dawn every day, tirelessly doing errands for Youyu and grabbing all the work!
The worst part is, according to Chinai's observation, this guy seems to neither eat nor drink nor rest, like an emotionless working machine!
Seeing his granddaughter in this state, Ito Makoto Grandpa is both worried and anxious.
How has my granddaughter Chinai become so unmotivated?
Back in my day, five-year-old me was the acknowledged star of the kindergarten, by seven, I was chasing pretty older sisters for their contact info...
...Why haven't my excellent genes been passed down to my granddaughter?
And this Youyu kid makes me mad too.
My granddaughter Chinai is so adorable and trying so hard, yet he still reacts as stiff as a board!
Getting more upset, Ito Makoto Grandpa couldn't hold it in anymore, he jumped in front of Youyu without a word.
"Hey, kid!" Grandpa Makoto said with arms akimbo, "Come duel me!"
Youyu: "?"
Chinai: "?"