Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

"Yusei, don't lose to that traitor from Northern Academy!"

The cheers that followed the opening announcement instantly filled the entire dueling arena.

Several lifting platforms, equipped with cameras, filmed all directions of the dueling arena, while dedicated photographers coordinated the shots from all angles on the sidelines of both sides' arenas.

Such a professional and comprehensive setup clearly indicates an intention to present the full picture of this duel to audiences across the country in an incredibly realistic manner.

"If I win this year, I'll leave the reward to you!" Johnson Ikemen nudged Samejima beside him, a look of anticipation on his face.

Even the school's prized possession—the Armed Dragon—was lent out with tears in its eyes, and we still can't handle you? You little brat!

"...Of course, I've been looking forward to this day too!" Somewhat reluctantly, Samejima, having reached some kind of shady deal with Johnson, began to feel secretly delighted.

Hehehe... Manjoume is no match for Yusei!

This year's reward, isn't it just a freebie?

"Oh ho ho ho ho ho..."

"Hahahahahaha..."

And so, the awkward yet polite laughter of the two principals echoed once again in the dueling arena.

……

"Yusei, relax. You've beaten Manjoume before, there's no need to be overly nervous..." Patting Yusei on the shoulder, Jaden Yuki indicated that Yusei shouldn't put too much pressure on himself: "The current Manjoume, although he has changed somewhat, is clearly no match for you!"

"That's right... You're the rising star of our Red Dorm! Nothing can stump you!" Marufuji Sho gave a thumbs-up, expressing his admiration.

Although I can't do it, my roommate can!

My roommate won, so that's the same as me winning... (Logic master)

Uh... you say my logic is flawed... but let's not worry about that now! Can't you let me fantasize a little?

"Speaking of which... that Manjoume guy, he left the academy all by himself, then became the leader of another school and fought his way back here... he's really impressive!"

Looking at Manjoume, who was surrounded by his underlings, Maeda Hayato's face showed a look of admiration.

Perhaps this is what is meant by personal charisma...

It's something I can't learn or envy!

"Cough cough..."

Surrounded by Jaden Yuki, Sho Marufuji, and Hayato Maeda at the edge of the dueling arena, Yusei scratched his cheek and said, "No, I wasn't worried about Manjoume... Actually, I'm just not used to cameras..."

The thought that his actions would be seen by the whole country made Yusei feel nervous.

Unlike Manjoume, who was burdened with many expectations, Yui-san did not put too much pressure on Yusei.

From the very first time we met until now.

Yusei has always acted on his own whims, as free as a whirlwind.

Just before the duel, his communication with Amamiya Yui via mobile phone was nothing more than ordinary daily conversations, and there was no interrogation situation like that of Manjoume.

Of course, victory or defeat is one thing, but even knowing the pressure of Wan Zhangmu, Yusei would not choose to voluntarily lose.

Given Manjoume's arrogant and proud personality, if Yusei really did that, it would only make him feel insulted!

True duelists should fight each other with all their might!

"Actually, we are too..."

"Hey Hey……"

Upon hearing Yusei's words, the three members of Osiris Red also began to confess at the same time.

Like Yusei, this was also the first time they had ever seen such a grand spectacle at the academy...

……

Seeing that Manjoume and Yusei were ready to take their positions, the two principals, who were in charge, quickly stood up and declared, "Now that both sides' contestants are in place, I hereby announce that Duel Academy..."

Principal Samejima paused deliberately at this point, then glanced at Johnson Iglesias beside him.

That posture clearly indicated that he intended to shift the conversation to the principal of Northern College.

"...The duel with Northern Academy shall begin!" Understanding the implication, Principal Yi Qiangsen took over the conversation and waved his hand, announcing the official start of the duel.

"Ohh ...

The enthusiastic responses and cheers, along with the speeches of the two principals, once again echoed in the dueling arena.

And so, the duel, which outwardly staked the honor of both schools but inwardly concealed the private desires of the principals and the ambitions of the Manjoume brothers, officially began.

318 Assault, Armed Dragon - Thunder!

"I can't believe it! My handsome face is actually being seen by audiences all over the country..."

Professor Chronos, standing in the center of the dueling arena, touched his face with a touch of narcissism, still finding the current situation somewhat unbelievable.

Who could have imagined that the Wan Zhangmu he had abandoned would actually crawl out of the bottomless abyss and then return with the entire Northern Academy...

Who could have imagined that a seemingly ordinary inter-college competition would draw so many people into it...

"Ahem! First up is the supernova from Duel Academy—Yusei!" Professor Chronos held the microphone to his mouth and gestured in Yusei's direction.

At that moment, he had just bid farewell to everyone and stood on the edge of the dueling arena.

"And his opponent was from the Northern Division..."

"Stop! I'll say my own name! Didn't I tell you to shut up, you damn kappa!" He stepped onto the dueling arena and snatched the microphone from Professor Chronos's hand.

"I...I'm not a kappa! Manjoume...you...you...how dare you talk to me like that..."

Professor Chronos, whom Manjoume called "Kappa," stomped his right foot angrily as veins bulged on his forehead.

Just a few months ago, Manjou had been very subservient to him.

However, he was being spoken to in this tone at this moment...

Wan Zhangmu, you've gotten too cocky, haven't you?!

"...Look over here, everyone!"

Having shed his Obelisk-blue trench coat and now dressed in all black, Manjoume, resurrected from the abyss, completely ignored Professor Chronos's presence. He extended his left arm, adorned with the Duel Disk, towards the crowd and declared, "In this academy, those who think my disappearance will bring peace, those who think my expulsion was self-inflicted, and those who are unaware… all of you, listen up! My name, resurrected alone from the abyss of hell!~"

Directly illuminated by the camera lens, Wan Zhangmu, with his arms raised high under the spotlight, and countless students from Northern Academy behind him, simultaneously shouted:

"indivual!"

"ten!"

"Hundred!"

"thousand!"

"Ten-Ten-Ten-Ten! Lightning!"

"...Lightning! Lightning! Manjoume—Lightning!"

The cheers from the Northern Academy, like a tidal wave, instantly drowned out the entire arena as Wan Zhangmu raised his arm.

At this moment, Manjōme was undoubtedly the focus of everyone's attention!

The more destitute and disappointed he was in the past, the more triumphant and successful he is now.

"Here we go, Yusei! I absolutely cannot lose this duel!"

Recalling the changes in his mindset during the break, Wan Zhangmu, now surrounded by cheers from the crowd, spoke with an unwavering determination to win no matter what.

"Come on, Manjoume!"

"...It's the Ten Thousand Eyes Lightning!"

Yusei, having seen the determination in Manjōme's eyes, raised his Duel Disk.

Both sides have the will to win and the reason why they cannot afford to lose.

So……

What follows is the clash of beliefs between the two sides!

Whether we win or lose will only be known after this duel.

"Zhun, I'm counting on you from now on, for the future of the Wanzhangmu Group!"

Manjoume Nagasaku, watching his younger brother in the dueling arena from the audience, clenched his fists.

Although he wasn't entirely clear on the matter of the fight, he could still tell from the reactions of the crowd that Wan Zhangmu was very popular and that he was determined at this moment.

"Duel!" *2

(Manjoume LP: 4000)

(Yusei LP: 4000)

"I'll go first, draw a card!" Riding on his previous momentum, Manjoume seized the initiative and fiercely drew the top card of his deck.

"Should we attack first...?"

Seeing Wan Zhangmu's actions, Yusei began to think about how to deal with him.

Knowing that their [Hero] deck has a natural advantage in going second, they still managed to seize the first turn.

It seems that Manjoume has immense self-confidence!

"You'll find out soon enough! I'll show you the new power I've gained!"

After saying this, Manjoume pulled out a card from his hand and slammed it into the back row of the Duel Disk: "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Armed Dragon's Thunder' from my hand! According to this card's effect, I can Special Summon one Level 3 or lower 'Armed Dragon' monster from my Deck!"

"Come forth! [Armed Dragon - Lightning LV3] (Dragon/Wind/3-Star/Attack 1200/Defense 900)!"

With a crackling flash of lightning, a small yellow dragon, its hands crackling with golden lightning, strode confidently before Wan Zhangmu.

Compared to the original Armored Dragon, the new "Thunder" card appears to be much more intimidating.

At least on the surface...

"Armed Dragon? Is this Manjoume's new monster?" Upon hearing this unfamiliar card name from Manjoume, Jaden Yuki in the audience couldn't help but ask this question.