Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Looking at the strange phenomena around him, Yusei couldn't help but utter such a sigh.

Who would have thought... that younger brother, Phantom Card, who wouldn't even be bothered with dogs in the past world, could actually exude such a powerful aura in this anime world.

It has various resistance bonuses, combined with its already extremely high attributes.

While granting its holder immortality and forcibly absorbing the life energy of other monsters, it also constantly exudes the pressure of a powerful being...

Just right now, it gives me a suffocating feeling.

It's hard to imagine what it would be like after the Three Phantom Demons gained their full power and were truly liberated...

I fear that by then, the world will be shrouded in endless darkness, just as the prophecy foretold, and will gradually be destroyed and perish...

"That's it, that's why... I need your elven power!"

With his eyes bulging, Kagemaru stared intently at Yusei's face and said, "Yusei! After defeating you and winning the Dark Duel... I will absorb your spirit power and thus obtain the full power of the Three Phantom Demons!"

"And the three Phantom Demons will fly out of this barrier and devour the spirits that are attached to the Duel Monsters!"

"...At that time, even outside the seal of the Seven Star Gate, I will be able to freely manipulate this power to achieve my grand ambition of world conquest!!!"

"Possessing immortal life and immense power to defy all... I, Kagemaru, will become the true King of the World, standing at the very pinnacle of all humanity and all living beings! I will become the ultimate, strongest being!!!"

"Hahahahahahahahahahaha...!!! At that time, even if a true god were to be reborn, he would only be able to submit to me, filled with endless fear, and await my commands!!!"

"..."

Shocked by Kagemaru's frenzied behavior, the crowd was momentarily at a loss for words to refute him.

He may be called a madman, but the Three Phantoms do indeed possess such abilities.

If you call him a ruthless hero, does Kagemaru really have the confidence... that he can control this power that doesn't belong to him?

Want to become a god in the new world? Are you worthy?

"Ah... I feel it! I feel it!!! This power!!!"

While everyone remained silent for a moment, seemingly having absorbed enough life force, the two phantom demons simultaneously transmitted this influence to their wielder, Kagemaru.

After receiving the power of the Illusionary Demon, Kagemaru's body underwent a very noticeable change at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His waist-length white hair gradually turned black, his aged skin regained its hydration, and even his cloudy eyes began to sharpen, radiating a keen light...

In just a few breaths, Kagemaru's entire body was restored to its youthful, prime-age state!

With his solid muscles and eight-pack abs, even though all that was left on his body was a pair of big, bandaged shorts, his Tarzan-like physique still gave people an incredibly awe-inspiring feeling.

A withered tree blossoms again, a youth reborn...

Can playing cards really have a rejuvenating effect?

Where the hell is that old and frail look from just now?

Is this bizarre phenomenon really reasonable?

"Chairman...?!"

"……how come?"

"Is this... still the same old man from before?"

"...How is that possible?! Chairman Kagemaru should be over a hundred years old by now???"

"Drink--!!!"

Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, Kagemaru, now rejuvenated, offered no explanation.

Like a Saiyan unleashing his power, he suddenly exerted force and shattered the glass life support pod that had previously bound him.

"Ah ah ah ah ah……"

Shards of glass littered the ground, along with spilled nutrient solution. Kagemaru himself confidently stepped out of the robot, displaying his perfect body to everyone.

"Hmph hmph hmph hmph... This kind of thing is no longer needed!"

Removing the Duel Disk from the mechanical arm and attaching it to his own, feeling the boundless power emanating from his flesh, Kagemaru, who felt a sense of "I can do anything," smirked. He then picked up the robot, which was several times taller than him, and performed a classic example of "crossing the river and destroying the bridge," effectively scrapping his old companion of many years...

Once a creature has lost its usefulness, there's no need to keep it in the way anymore!

Everyone: "..."

"Eternal life, and the world's hegemony that is about to be obtained..."

Stretching his arms wildly, feeling the endless flow of energy surging into his body, Kagemaru's face revealed an uncontrollable, arrogant smile: "Hahahahahahahahaha...!!!!!!!!! Finally... I've finally taken my body back from that damned God!"

"Time will no longer be my enemy; only eternity will! No one can take everything away from me anymore!!!"

"...From this moment forward, I, Kagemaru, am the center of this world!!!"

"Are you done talking? If so, let's continue the duel."

Listening to Kagemaru's chuunibyou (delusional) remarks, Yusei tilted his head, picked at his ear with his pinky, and impatiently urged, "I've been waiting forever!"

"Hmph...pretending to be calm!"

Extending his right hand, he clenched his fist with his five fingers together, his expression arrogant. With a confident tone, he declared, "[Rapid Raptor - Ultimate Falcon] with 3500 attack power, [Hope Emperor Hope] with 3500 attack power, and [Different Heat Servant - Hope Sage] with 2000 attack power... Do you think you can stop the Phantom Demon's attack with these three monsters?"

"I can't speak for other things, but I can definitely stop the illusion demons."

Shrugging, Yusei gave a noncommittal answer.

Despite his boastful words, in reality, the only weapon Kagemaru could declare an attack was the Thunder Emperor.

The Divine Flame Emperor, resurrected through his own effect, cannot declare an attack this turn.

"You brat... I hope you can maintain this composure from now on!"

Somewhat dissatisfied with Yusei's lukewarm reaction, Kagemaru immediately swung his arm, entering his battle phase: "[Thunder Emperor Hamon]! Attack [Different Heat Servant - Sage of Hope]... Take this! Thunder of Lost Paradise!!!"

As Kagemaru finished speaking, a layer of blue lightning began to appear on Hamon's body.

These bolts of lightning converged and eventually transformed into a single thunderbolt, rising into the sky and then forming a swarm of lightning that struck down from above towards the location of the Sage of Hope.

"The Thunder Emperor's attack power is 4000, while the Sage of Hope's attack power is only 2000..."

"Oh no! Yusei only has 2000 HP left. If he takes this hit, he's going to lose!"

"No! That's not how it is..."

Seeing the calm expression on Yusei's face, Caesar said, "You can tell from Yusei's expression that he has no intention of losing here."

"Huh? Is that so? But this current situation..."

"【NO.39 Royal Hope】effect activated: Remove 1 Xyz Material from this card to negate your opponent's attack... Luna Shield!"

Just as when he blocked the attack of the Divine Flame Emperor, after absorbing the golden sphere of light surrounding him, Hope once again spread his wings and stood in front of the Sage of Hope, taking the hit in his place.

The lightning struck the shield formed by the light, creating ripples.

The powerful impact caused Hope and the Sage of Hope to collide, and both fell backward.

However, they still managed to survive this round of attacks.

"Hmph! What a troublesome bunch..."

The effect of 【Thunderbolt of Paradise】can only negate the activation effects of the opponent's Spell & Trap Cards, and does not target monsters. Therefore, facing Hope's absolute defense, Kagemaru, unable to respond, can only be helpless and let Hamon's attack be negated.

"Next up is [Divine Flame Emperor Uria] (Attack Power: 4000). You've used up all your materials and can no longer withstand this attack! That's it... though I really want to say that..."

Crossing his arms, Kagemaru sighed, "But unfortunately... the Divine Flame Emperor cannot declare an attack during the turn he is resurrected through his own effect."

The other effects of the Continuous Trap Card [Super Flame Wave] can only be triggered when [Divine Flame Emperor Uria] attacks, so at this moment, Kagemaru can only end his battle phase like this.

"Heh... what did I tell you?"

Health points remain at 2000, neither increasing nor decreasing.

Having blocked this attack, Yusei raised an eyebrow, revealing a knowing look on his face.

"Next, we move on to Main Phase 2. Since I haven't performed a Normal Summon this turn, I can continue to summon monsters..."

Holding a card in his hand and waving it around, Kagemaru then slammed it onto his Duel Disk: "I Normal Summon the Level 2 [Dark Summoner] and activate its effect to add [Dark Summoner] from my Deck to my hand."

"...【Dark Summoning God】As long as it exists in the Monster Zone, in addition to the Normal Summon, during my Main Phase only once, I can summon one Fiend-Type monster with 0 ATK and 0 DEF."

"Then, I will unleash the [Dark Summoning God], and summon the 5-star [Dark Summoning God]!!!"

Crimson wings unfurled, revealing a humanoid demon draped in a red robe, a ferocious beast head bearing a hypocritical smile.

Accompanied by the light of summoning, it reappeared in front of Kagemaru.

Before it could even activate its effect, it was sent to another dimension by the light chariot's sword...

And now, it finally has a chance to make its appearance again...

Jaden Yuki: "A monster with 0 attack power... This card again?"

"Is the third Phantom Demon coming...?" Frowning, Yusei patiently waited for Kagemaru's next move.

Three phantoms...

Three phantoms.

So far, only two have appeared...

That is to say...

"The [Dark Summoning God] is a monster that can access the darkness within a person and unleash its power..."

Pointing to the humanoid demon with zero attack power in front of him, Kagemaru continued, "I activate the monster effect of [Dark Summoning God], and Tribute it to Special Summon one of the following from my Deck, ignoring the Summoning conditions: 'Divine Flame Emperor Uria,' 'Thunder Emperor Hamon,' or 'Phantom Demon Emperor Rabiel!'"

"Another... ignoring the summoning conditions?!"

“However, after activating this effect, I cannot enter the battle phase this turn.” Having uttered the non-existent cost, Kagemaru raised his arm: “Come forth! Appear in your strongest form! The last, and also the strongest, phantom demon…”

"—【Phantom Demon Emperor Rabiel】(Attack Power: 4000)!!!"

-

【Phantom Demon Emperor Rabbi El】

(Demon/Dark/10-star/Attack: 4000/Defense: 4000)

effect:

This card cannot be Normal Summoned; it can only be Special Summoned by Tributing 3 monsters you control.