Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

"Oh? Manjoume... so you're finally not going to keep hiding like a coward anymore?"

Upon seeing the albino Manjoume make such a bold statement, Yusei exchanged a glance with Yuki Judai beside him, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up.

Good lad, I've finally caught you in the act!

Once words are spoken, they are like water spilled; once the arrow is released, there's no turning back!

If you run away again, you'll be my grandson!

"...What do you mean, 'coward'? That's called tactics, you understand? Tactics!"

Humiliated on the spot by Yusei, Manjoume's face instantly turned bright red: "It's perfectly reasonable for duelists to observe their opponent's information before a duel, right?"

"Fine, fine... whatever you say!" Yusei waved his hand dismissively, indicating that he didn't want to dwell on this topic any further.

In any case, he was going to deliver a "friendship-shattering punch" to Manjou, who was stuck in a state of delusional chuunibyou, to shatter his illusions!

"What do you mean by 'can't' or 'can't'? I'm just telling the truth! Hmph! Yusei... I admit you're strong, but... now that I've received the baptism of light, I'm much stronger than you!"

After emphasizing several times that he was not afraid, Manjoume pulled out a Duel Disk from somewhere and put it on his arm.

Next, he planned to make Yusei, this guy who dared to humiliate him in public, taste the bitterness of defeat...

I am no longer the incompetent person I used to be!

Yusei, I will take the victory of the duel, along with Tenjouin's feelings, from you!

Just watch, this is the ultimate power I possess—a million horsepower!!!

"No, Manjoume, you should step back first..."

Just as Manjou was full of ambition and ready to make a big splash, the cold voice from Saiou suddenly jolted him out of his reverie.

Upon hearing this seemingly irresistible voice, Manjoume struggled for a moment before deflated like a punctured balloon. He glared at Yusei helplessly, then put down his duel disk and obediently retreated to Saiou's side.

"...Holy crap, has Manjoume been tamed by Saiou already?"

Recalling the unruly and arrogant Manjō-me Lightning of the past, Yuki Judai, feeling a sense of unease at his current willingness to submit to Saiō, couldn't help but let out a surprised sigh.

529 Princess Rose

As the first person to become a traitor, Wan Zhangmu has now taken the form of the King of the West.

Therefore... when Yusei challenged Saiou to a duel, he was the first to jump out, fully demonstrating his presence.

New grudges and old hatreds surged into his heart at the same time. These long-accumulated resentments gradually made Manjoume's attitude towards Yusei become quite hostile.

At this moment, the time of nirvana!

When forbearance reaches its limit, there's no need to forbear any longer!

With this in mind, Manjoume resolutely pulled out his Duel Disk, intending to engage in a one-on-one duel with Yusei right there!

However, just before he was about to unleash all his anger, the voice from the Prince of Zhai poured cold water on his heart, forcibly transforming his anger into deep helplessness in an instant...

After showing a conflicted expression, Manjoume finally returned to Saiou's side with a reluctant look on his face.

"Heh... a duel, is that it?"

"Yusei, I agree to your request..."

After patting Manjoume on the shoulder, signaling him to remain calm, Saiou turned his gaze to Yusei and his group and continued, "...However, in return, you must also bear the corresponding risks!"

"……risk?"

Raising an eyebrow, Yusei awaited Saiō's next words.

Judging from this, it seems that Saiō does not intend to choose to escape like Manjō-me.

"That's right, if you lose..."

With an unusual glint in his eyes, Saiou slowly continued, "...You'll have to join the Society of Light, just like Tenjouin-kun said earlier!"

Try to turn righteous heroes against their cause and get them to join the opposing camp.

This wonderful feeling of being a minotaur is simply an unparalleled pleasure!

Youxing: “…”

"No! Yusei... we absolutely cannot agree to his request!"

Before Yusei could speak, Kenzan, who had witnessed Saiou's strange state earlier, quickly took over the conversation and began to persuade Yusei.

Joining the Light of the Knot society leads to misfortune; one's entire being will become like Manjoume, acting strangely and eccentrically...

No way!

"Yes! If even you, Yusei, become like Manjoume, what will happen to the rest of us?" For once, Misawa Daichi, whose presence was rather faint, uttered a relatively objective line.

If Yusei joins the Society of Light, then their side will likely be completely crushed by the absolutized hero deck...

By then, Duel Academy might truly become Saiou's property.

"...Everyone, have you also been misled by those words about fate and divination?"

Seeing that his companions behind him were not optimistic about the duel, Jaden Yuki couldn't help but speak up and explain, "Since Yusei has said so, he must have his reasons. Let's trust his choice! Let's stop saying such unambitious things!"

"Big brother..."

"Tenth generation..."

Upon hearing Jaden Yuki's words, Kenzan and Daichi Misawa were momentarily stunned.

After seeing Yusei's reassuring figure from behind, they buried their negative thoughts deep in their hearts.

Yes, Yusei always manages to bring miracles to everyone.

Even the King of the West, who possesses bizarre abilities, would surely be no match for him, right?

"...That's right, exactly."

"You don't need to worry, just leave everything to me."

Without making his words too explicit, Yusei turned his head and nodded seriously to the people behind him.

Whether it's allies who have joined opposing sides or friendships that have already faded away.

What I have lost now, I will take back with my own hands in the future!

Whether it's the King of Fasting or the Light of Destruction.

Everything is just a stepping stone for me to take next!

……

“Your Highness, I grant your request.”

Patting his chest, Yusei then pointed in the opposite direction: "So, when do you plan to come and settle things with me?"

"Heh... This time, I hope I won't have to fight myself."

With a slight smile, Saiou, whom Yusei was pointing at, uttered a statement that left everyone somewhat puzzled.

"What do you mean? Prince Zhai... are you planning to run away?"

Narrowing his eyes, Yusei spoke in a questioning tone towards the direction of Saiō.

You summoned Manjoume back to your side when you were planning to fight. I thought you were going to come and duel with me in person.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not planning to run away, nor am I afraid of this duel."

Turning his body to look out the window, leaving his back to everyone, Saiou explained to Ms. Yu, who was the acting principal, "Well... since I am a new student who just transferred here, I want to avoid such eye-catching behavior as much as possible."

"You're already damn conspicuous enough, okay?"

Speechless at Sai-o's explanation, Kenzan couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Excuse me?

Surrounded by so many members of the Society of Light, you still say you want to keep a low profile?

Are you kidding me?

If you're going to make an excuse, at least make one that's plausible!

"That's how it is, Yusei... Now you will duel the duelist I have chosen." Ignoring Kenzan's complaints, Saiou glanced at Yusei and his group out of the corner of his eye, and then made a concluding statement: "...I accept this duel of fate."

Like Jaden Yuki, Saiō was also unable to foresee Yusei's fate.

Therefore, he chose to play it safe for now, postponing the decisive battle to the near future.

Next, let someone else have a match against Yusei, and let him see the result.

Everyone: "..."

"...Since Lord Sai-ou has said so, then I have no objection." After giving Yusei a fierce glare, Manjoume clenched his fist, accepting the outcome.

“Then, I’ll go and call that person over.” Having received instructions from Saiou to invite someone to participate in the battle, Asuka nodded and then stepped out of the room.

Amamiya Yui: "It seems like we've reached a consensus. So let's decide it this way. Next, Yusei-kun will duel with the duelist chosen by Saiou-kun, and the winner of the duel will have the power to decide the location of the school trip... Neither side has any objections, right?"

Prince Zhai: "...That's right, I have no objection."

Yusei: "Well... that's fine too."

After carefully weighing the pros and cons and giving it much thought, Yusei finally agreed to the conditions proposed by Saiō.

In any case, it's time for them to take the initiative.

And next, Yusei's duel will begin.

……

...

Formerly Obelisk Blue Dormitory, now the headquarters of the Society of Light Duel Academy.

Within this large dormitory complex, which resembles a European castle, a separate area has been designated for female students who have joined the Society of Light.

Besides Asuka, who moved here from the Obelisk Blue girls' dormitory, there are naturally some other girls living here as well.

At that very moment, from one of the rooms, the voice of a woman telling a fairy tale could be heard intermittently.

"The princess helped the ugly frog on the bed up, held him, and fed him..."

"...And then what happened? Well, of course, the frog was transformed into a handsome and dashing prince with an elegant aura!"