"As expected," Asuka said.
She knew that Yugen couldn't possibly let things be so simple.
The duel had just begun, and already such an exciting offensive and defensive display left the surrounding students holding their breaths. Mitsuzawa's magnificent chain had pulled out an OTK lineup in one turn, but with such an offensive and defensive exchange, his resources seemed to be overwhelmed by just one card, turning into an absolute disadvantage.
Yet, Mitsuzawa remained calm and even showed a confident smile, "As expected. Statistical data shows that hand destruction and trap interference are tactics you heavily employ in various card decks.
But this was also anticipated long ago! Watch closely, number one, this is my answer!"
He raised his hand, and the moment the cover card in the back row was flipped open, it seemed to release endless pressure across the venue.
"Continuous Trap - Royal Palace Notice!
As long as this card exists on the field, all other trap cards on both sides... become invalid!"
The trap effect of Torrential Burial became immediately nullified, with the raging torrents dissipating as a phantom under the trap's constraints.
"It's the Royal Palace Notice," Marufuji Ryo mused, "Indeed, for decks that rely heavily on traps, this card's suppression is a devastating blow. It seems like that Mitsuzawa really did his homework in the preliminary investigation.
This way, his opponent seems to be at a disadvantage.
Traps have been completely sealed, and there's also the Variable Mecha on the field. Regardless of whether he can withstand this turn, even if he manages to endure this wave of attacks, breaking through such a formation next turn seems nearly impossible."
"Indeed, that's true. But..." Asuka crossed her arms, leaned against the railing, and smiled slightly, "Underestimating that guy will cost you."
"Oh?" Marufuji Ryo glanced at Asuka, "I heard you've dueled with him. Do you have any insights?"
"Hmm."
At this point, a brief flashback in Asuka's mind occurred, where she faced the five-fusion mecha with overwhelming power, exerting all her strength end up feeling helpless.
"I think perhaps making people feel that 'it's especially trap-resistant' might just be part of his strategy," Asuka said.
"What do you mean?"
"He intentionally crafted such an image for himself so that everyone would remember this most prominent feature at first glance. That way, even if someone wanted to analyze and target him, they would undoubtedly start with his most outstanding feature.
If someone hid in the shadows to gather intelligence and study him specifically, it would usually be a disadvantage for him, with the enemy in the dark and him in the light. But if he uses this persona he intentionally crafted as bait..."
"...Then, the way the enemy targets him might instead become predictable, turning it to his advantage." Marufuji Ryo seemed to understand, but he furrowed his brow in apparent skepticism, "But if that's the case, then this freshman's mind is too deep.
And this must be based on a premise, that even without using his usual tactics, he can skillfully handle various changing strategies to counteract. Are you sure he is such a Duelist?"
"I think he might be. He's... very strong," Asuka said seriously.
Marufuji Ryo smiled, "As a classmate you've only met once, you surprisingly have confidence in him."
Asuka: "I... I don't! It's just that because I've dueled with him once, I can understand!"