Traveling in reverse through the Yu-Gi-Oh! world with the MD system

As he spoke, Crow raised the hand that had been resting on Yuya's shoulder, clenched it into a fist in front of Yuya, and said...

"Don't underestimate us. We'll go all out when we duel you. Make sure it's a great fight with us. Otherwise, Amanda and the others who are watching our duel will be disappointed."

Amanda, Frank, and Tana—these are the names of the three children Crow adopted. While Yuya was undergoing his D-Wheel piloting training, these three children frequently watched the duels between Yuya and Crow.

Moreover, the three children quite enjoyed the duels that Yuya displayed, so they became very close to Yuya during those days.

Having understood what Crow meant, Yuya immediately raised his fist and clashed with Crow's:

“I understand, Crowe. I will not let them down.”

But just as Kro thought he had convinced Yuya and was about to smile, a voice rang out softly:

"Although I know very well that the atmosphere you are in right now is not suitable for me to disturb you, there is one thing you will be disappointed about."

Yuya, who knew perfectly well whose voice it was, instantly showed a look of joy on his face:

"Red Horse Zero!"

Indeed, escorted by the brothers Hikage and Tsukikage, Reiji Akaba, the leader of the Synchro Dimension team from the [Lancer Legion], appeared before everyone.

Those who didn't recognize him, such as Shinji, immediately frowned:

"You said... there's something that will disappoint us? What is it?"

"According to the agreement reached between our [Lancer Regiment] and the Administrative Council, in this Friendship Cup, all losers will no longer be sent to underground forced labor facilities, but will be sent elsewhere. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, you will also have the opportunity to go home."

These words instantly caused a huge uproar among the commoners, and Crowe even cast an excited look at him:

"You mean seriously!? So even if I lose, I still have a chance to go back to the lower class and take care of Amanda and the others?"

Although he didn't know who Amanda was, whom Kro was talking about, Reiji Akaba nodded nonetheless:

"Yes."

"Great!"

Upon receiving a positive answer from Akaba Reiji, most of the duelists from commoner backgrounds instantly showed expressions of joy. After all, there was only one winner of the Friendship Cup, and that winner would have to challenge Jack, the three-time reigning champion.

In other words, the duelists who still chose to participate in the Friendship Cup under these circumstances were all mentally prepared to lose and be sent to forced labor facilities.

But now, not only will they not be sent to forced labor facilities, they can even return to the bottom of society, which is enough to make them happy.

Shinji, however, remained wary and cautious towards Reiji Akaba.

"Who are you? How do we know you're not lying to us?"

This time, before Reiji Akaba could even introduce himself to Shinji and the others, Yuya preemptively introduced him to them:

"He is Akaba Reiji, and also our [Lancer Regiment] leader in the Synchro Dimension. I believe he would not deceive any of us."

Even with Yuya's explanation, Shinji still didn't let down his guard against Reiji Akaba; in fact, his guard only grew stronger.

"But he just said that they reached an agreement with the top-level administrative review council. Who knows if he's helping those people at the top to deceive us!"

Just like those people on the top floor who forced us to live here, it seems like it's to show their benevolence and let us enjoy this kind of life. But in reality, it's still to monitor us so that we can be taken to forced labor facilities after we lose the game!

My fellow ordinary folks, please don't be fooled by these kinds of people!

"Shinji!"

Upon hearing Shinji's words, Crowe immediately called out his name to stop him. Crowe knew that Shinji hated the people at the top, believing that they were the ones who created the miserable lives of the lower classes. In this respect, Crowe shared Shinji's hatred for these people at the top.

But to Crowe's surprise, Shinji harbored such hostility and malice towards Reiji Akaba, who was Yuya's partner and, in a way, half a partner.

All of this was simply because Reiji Akaba reached an agreement with the top-level administrative council. This agreement even helped the participants of this year's Friendship Cup change their fate of being sent to forced labor facilities and never returning to the ground.

At that moment, Kro suddenly realized that Shinji seemed to have gone a bit too far.

Chapter 181 Shinji vs. Crow, the Changed Black Feather

"Now, the duel is finally about to begin! The two who will make their glorious entrance in the opening battle are—Kro Hogan and Shinji Waver, both of commoner origin!"

As the female host announced it, two D-wheels, one as black as a raven and the other with black and yellow stripes resembling a bee, drove into the arena.

"I never expected that we would meet in the opening match. But, Crowe, whichever of us wins, I hope that the final victor will show Jack the bond between us commoners."

Looking at Shinji, who was sitting on the D-Wheel to his right, raising his hand and smiling as he spoke, Crowe couldn't help but recall the scene of Shinji's conflict with Reiji Akaba just now.

This left him feeling confused:

"The bonds we ordinary people share..."

“That’s right! I must show Jack that even though we commoners are not as strong as those at the top, we, bound together by bonds, will unleash a much greater power, powerful enough to overthrow those at the top!”

Shinji clenched his fists in front of his chest, and Kro could see the fighting spirit in his eyes. However, this fighting spirit, which used to bring him a sense of security, now made him feel a little scared.

"Shinji, who exactly are these top-level people you're talking about?"

The words that Crowe spoke with his head down were somewhat unfamiliar to Shinji. Crowe used to agree with these kinds of things.

However, out of trust in his comrades, Shinji still gave a thumbs up and said:

"Of course, it's everyone! Whether it's the administrative council that created this terrible distinction, the security bureau that acts as their lackey, or all those at the top who enjoy the fruits of our people's lives, they are all my enemies!"

Shinji's words chilled Crowe to the bone. He understood that, in Shinji's eyes, everyone at the top was born with original sin, and he was there to judge these sinners.

Regardless of age, gender, or whether the person has actually done anything wrong, he might not even spare an innocent child.

But in Crowe's view, these innocent and ignorant children should not suffer for sins that have nothing to do with them.

Ultimately, before the start of the D round, Crowe didn't say a word, but he had already made up his mind.

Shinji's thinking has undoubtedly gone down the wrong path. Therefore, he must correct Shinji's thinking before this flawed idea bears any disastrous consequences!

As the materialized panel began its countdown, Crowe tightened his grip slightly, and his beloved Blackbird seemed to sense its owner's mood, emitting a series of roars.

Finally, at midnight, the two D-wheels, which were already prepared, shot off from the starting line, signaling the start of the duel.

"Duel!" ×2

"Oh! The first one to cross the bend is—Shinji Waver! Let's congratulate him on gaining the right to attack first!"

As the female host said, the first of the two to cross the bend was Shinji, who was on the outer circle.

This result slightly surprised Shinji, who had won the first turn. After all, as Crow's opponent, he could clearly feel that Crow still had room to accelerate and overtake when he just turned the corner, but his speed gradually slowed down.

Is this... a deliberate attempt to go easy on me?

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Crow! My turn!"

As Shinji slammed a card onto his Duel Disk, a cute, round-headed bee flew around him.

"I usually summon [Bee Army - Guaranteed Hit Needle Bee]! And activate its effect! Once per turn, deal 200 damage to the opponent!"

In an instant, a sharp needle flew out from the little bee's face, blasting a cloud of white mist on Crowe's Blackbird and reducing Crowe's LP to 3800 points.

"Next, I'll set two cards face down. End of turn!"

"Then my turn is to draw a card!"

Looking at the card he had drawn, Crow immediately slammed it onto his duel disk.

"I activate the effect of [Blackwing - Shadow of Karma] in my hand! This card can be Special Summoned from my hand if I have no monsters on my field!"

Amidst the swirling tornado, a monster appeared on Kro's field, seemingly bound by chains. It was unclear whether it was a person hiding inside a fat black bird's suit or a black bird with yellow feathers holding a human-faced mask in its beak.

When [Blackwing - Shadow of Karma] is successfully Special Summoned, you can Special Summon two [Shadow of Karma Tokens] to your field!

As Kro spoke, [Black Feather - Shadow of Karma] raised its head, and the human face in its mouth opened, letting out a clear bird cry.

Instantly, two monsters appeared beside it, similar in size but resembling shadows.

"Then, I activate the effect of another monster in my hand, [Blackwing - Sudden Wind]! If you control a [Blackwing] monster other than [Blackwing - Sudden Wind], you can Special Summon it from your hand!"

Another card fell from Kro's hand, and a jet-black bird-beast with an exaggeratedly large red crop below its yellow beak and dark green eyebrows flapped its wings and flew onto Kro's field.

"I'm using a level 1 [Shadow Derivative] to adjust the star level of my level 1 [Shadow Derivative]!"

As Kro's voice rang out, the newly arrived black bird instantly transformed into an emerald halo, enveloping a black bird shadow within it, and a synchronized radiance shone forth.

"Raise your black wings! Slice through the wind with your hidden blade! Synchro Summon! Come forth! [Strike Blackwing - Rain-Hidden Night Blade Bird]!"

The pale blue beam of light was severed by a black blade. The bird-beast, standing like a person, dressed in ninja-like night clothes and armor, raised its short sword. Its dark green tattered scarf fluttered beneath its red hair.

"Next, I will sacrifice the [Shadow Token] on the field and summon it! Come, [Strike Blackwing - Kunai Bird of Mist]!"

The last remaining black bird suddenly began to struggle, but soon, a dark blue claw sheath with silver claw blades emerged from the black bird's body, tearing its body to shreds.

This time, however, it was a bird-beast with a dark green body draped in a blue ninja outfit. Behind it, several long, dark green feathers, resembling a screen, were fluttering in the wind.

Shinji, however, couldn't help but frown as he watched this scene:

"A level 5 monster with an attack power of 2100..."

This monster has transcended the boundaries of the weak monsters in Shinji's mind and begun to advance into the realm of powerful monsters. In particular, its appearance by using other monsters as sacrifices for high-level summoning is, in Shinji's view, exactly the same as the way the upper class exploits them, the common people.

"Kro, why are you showing this kind of dueling style? This is so different from before!"

But just as Shinji's mind began to fall into turmoil, Crow also took his next step:

"Because the Summoning Material for [Strike Blackwing - Rain-Hidden Night Bird] includes the [Blackwing] monster, based on its effect, this card can also be used as a Tuner card!"

Therefore, I used a level 2 [Strike Blackwing - Rain-Hidden Night Bird] to adjust the star level of a level 5 [Strike Blackwing - Mist-Rain Kunai Bird]!

Chapter 182 Raikiri no Bird, Bee Synchronization Summoning

"Flap your jet-black wings and run with thunder! Lightning slash! Synchro Summon! Unleash your fury! [Strike Blackwing - Thunder Cutter Bird]!"

Amidst the light of a Synchro Summon composed of two birds and beasts with ninja-like appearances, a humanoid night raven wielding a long sword, with one jet-black wing and the other a steel wing on its back, instantly swung its sword, tearing the Synchro Summon's light apart with its sharp blade.

Clusters of bright yellow spikes stood upright on the purple armor covering its arms, echoing the purple armor covering its left chest and right leg.

"Now, I activate the effect of [Assault Blackwing - Thunder Cutter Bird in a Shower]! Once per turn, for each [Blackwing] monster you control, you can destroy one of your opponent's cards!"

I have two [Blackwing] monsters on my field, so I can destroy two of your cards! Therefore, Shinji, I'm going to destroy the two face-down cards you placed in your back row!

As [Sudden Rain Thunder Cutter Bird] sheathed itself, two bright white blades flashed out from the scabbard in the next second.

As the blade flashed, the two face-down cards were instantly shattered into specks of light, and Shinji's face turned pale. As a result, his [Bee Army - Sure-Hit Pin Bee] on the field lost its protection.

However, one of the cards he stamped was an interesting one that he had asked Yuya for when he realized Yuya didn't need it.

"I activate the effect of [Rally of the Clan] which was just destroyed and sent to the Graveyard! If this card in the Spell & Trap Zone is destroyed by an opponent's card effect, you can place one [Rally of the Clan] from your Deck into your Spell & Trap Zone."