Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

According to his imagination, he should be elegantly playing the organ while strolling through a sea of ​​flowers in Domino City with his lovely younger sister!

"...Hey! Me too! I was really hoping to finally see Mr. Game, whom I've been looking forward to for so long!"

With a disappointed look on his face, Jaden Yuki poked the fire idly with a stick, then continued, "I've always wanted to express my gratitude to him in person... It was because of the Winged Kuriboh he gave me when I enrolled that I was able to enter Duel Academy, meet everyone, and experience so many troubles and joys!"

"Tenth generation..."

"What?! So you're the one that the game always talks about?!"

Seeing Jaden Yuki's dejected state, Yusei was about to say something.

However, at this moment, Muto Sugoroku's voice suddenly echoed around them.

"Come on, everyone... here are some gifts."

Carrying two large bags of purchased supplies, Muto Sugoroku, who had been gone for a moment, reappeared beside the group.

After distributing the supplies to everyone, he looked down at Yuki Judai, who was squatting by the fire.

After observing Yuki Judai's expression for a while, Mutou Sugoroku's slightly aged face revealed a look of relief: "Jūdai, don't think too much about it. Since Yugi gave you that card, he must have his reasons... It's okay if you missed it this time. If you have the chance later, go and realize your idea and express your gratitude to him in person!"

"Old man..."

"Grandpa Shuangliu..."

"Wow, today's young people are much better than we were back then!"

Stroking his beard, Mutou Sugoroku, who had sat down next to the group, couldn't help but sigh, "I still remember when I first met Jonouchi, he was just a delinquent who didn't even understand the rules of duels~"

"...Back then, I really didn't expect that Jonouchi would become so famous, not only having his own life but also becoming a legendary duelist in the dueling world..."

"Even that blond kid Cheng Nei has become so successful. I believe... you will achieve even greater things than him in the future!"

Holding the hamburger from the supply pack, Sugoroku Muto's face was filled with reminiscence: "Heh heh... I hope this old man will be able to witness that day!"

Yusei & Yujo Judai: "Grandpa Sugoroku..."

"...Well! Let's not talk about these sad things. We'll deal with tomorrow's problems tomorrow. Let's just enjoy this time today! Otherwise, when it's time to fight, you'll feel lost again."

542 Destiny

"...Hey! Jaden, Yusei...Are you there? It's Misawa! I'm coming over here!!!"

As everyone chatted around the campfire, Misawa Daichi, who had been forgotten by everyone, followed their trail and arrived there.

Like Kenzan, he disliked staying at the Sun God Yellow Hot Spring Inn. After resigning from his post, he went straight to the riverbank where Osiris Red Camp was located, despite Professor Kabayama's reluctance to see him go.

Having been criticized by Edward before, he realized that his presence seemed to have faded recently.

"Hmm... Misawa? You've come out of the hot spring inn?"

While munching on the hamburger that Muto Sugoroku had brought over, Yusei took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Misawa Daichi, who had walked up to them.

"...Yes! That's right."

With a warm smile, Daichi Misawa explained his purpose to everyone: "...After careful consideration, I still feel that a school trip is more enjoyable when you're with your childhood friend!"

"Childhood friends? So you're the same age?" Muto Sugoroku asked in confusion as he listened to Misawa Daichi's explanation.

Looking at Daichi Misawa's mature face, and then at Yusei and Jaden Yuki, whose art styles were superior, Sugoroku Mutou couldn't help but cover his mouth, barely suppressing the laughter in his heart.

Hehe... This young man named Misawa looks a bit mature!

"Hmph... what a leisurely bunch of guys."

Edward, who was alone in his private RV, also heard the conversation of the group.

After glancing briefly at Misawa who had arrived, she reached out and pulled the curtains inside the RV, completely isolating herself from the outside world.

……

[【.

"Ahhh~~~ If we don't find a way to please Lady Misuchi, we'll end up like Hyomaru and Raimaru, having our imperial powers taken away and becoming just ordinary people!"

"...That's precisely why we've come out to find Jaden Yuki, isn't it?"

"And that guy named Yusei too... If either of these two were defeated by us, Lady Misutomo's impression of us would surely improve significantly, wouldn't it?"

That's true... but do you know what they look like?

"Uh... I thought you knew..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly know!"

"..."

"..."

Not far from where Yusei and his friends were camping, two young men, one fat and one thin, also appeared in the vicinity.

One of them had long, fiery red hair, while the other had a muscular physique that made people feel safe, like a clay figure.

As they spoke in languages ​​incomprehensible to most people, they unconsciously made their way toward the location of the person they were looking for.

"Damn it! Our future is so bleak! Bastard! I don't even want to do this anymore!"

Unable to see any glimmer of hope or perceive any possibility of a future, the red-haired man, whose temper was somewhat volatile, was overwhelmed by despair and confusion. He squatted down by the river, clutching his head, and began to complain.

"Hey! You rascal..."

Seeing his companion's seemingly resigned state, the burly man was about to say something when a slightly light and curious voice suddenly echoed in their ears.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

Seeing two strangers nearby who clearly needed help, Yuki Judai, who had just returned from the restroom and unexpectedly ran into them, took the initiative to strike up a conversation with them.

Why are you sitting here looking at the scenery instead of sleeping so late at night?

"Huh? Kid, didn't you see? I suddenly collapsed!"

Unable to find his purpose, hunger and exhaustion overwhelmed him, and feeling discouraged, the red-haired man simply adopted a "laissez-faire" attitude on the spot: "...I've met a wise boss, so I quit. I'm currently lazing around!"

It's going to fail no matter what.

Ah... it doesn't matter anymore.

With this thought in mind, the red-haired youth had clearly given up on continuing his search.

"Uh... I don't understand what you're talking about, but you two need help, right?"

Scratching his head, Judai Yuki continued, "By the way! Why don't you two come rest at our camp? We have extra hamburgers over there!"

"What?! Camp? Rest?"

"……Hamburger?"

Upon hearing Yuki Judai's words, both of them froze for a moment.

Although their focuses differed, their ideas were surprisingly aligned.

After exchanging a glance and confirming each other's thoughts, they quickly nodded and accepted Yuki Judai's invitation: "...Ah! Kind boy! Please take us there quickly! We can't wait (joy)!"

The red-haired man's attitude changed dramatically from before to after, a classic example of Sichuan opera face-changing.

Upon hearing the vision of the future described by Jaden Yuki, he was instantly revived, like a desert refugee who had seen an oasis, and a vigorous life force burst forth from the depths of his body.

This vitality drove him to instantly break free from his previous negative state and stand up abruptly from the ground.

Yuki Jaden: "Oh, oh..."

……

"Huh... a school trip from Duel Academy?"

"...I see, so you're students from that famous Duel Academy! No wonder your uniforms looked familiar!"

Sitting by the campfire, the two who had received help from Jaden Yuki were enjoying a rare delicacy (at least for them at this point in their lives, hamburgers were incredibly delicious).

During their casual conversation, after learning about the identities of Yuki and the others, the two couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Hmm? You guys know about the Duel Academy too?"

Looking at the two people brought back by Jaden Yuki, Yusei, who had gathered around out of curiosity, couldn't help but ask this question.

"M-Uncle? Cough cough... We're only in our twenties! We're only a little older than you guys!"

"Yes, yes! We're still young! We're not old enough to be called 'uncle' yet!"

Seemingly provoked by Yusei's nickname, the two stopped eating at the same time and then expressed their protest in unison.

"Uh...sorry, sorry, it's just a habit."

Having just finished defeating Hyomaru and Raimaru, Yusei subconsciously regarded the two people in front of him, who were about the same age as them, as peers and casually addressed them as uncles.

After realizing the problem, he quickly waved to express his apology.

Hmm... not an uncle, but a young man who looks a bit older than his age.

"Ahem...Speaking of Duel Academy, that was a place we used to dream of!"

After abruptly changing the subject, the red-haired youth's face immediately showed a look of reminiscence.

Seemingly reminiscing about the past, he continued in a self-deprecating tone, "...Unfortunately, we failed the entrance exam the first time..."

"Hehehe~~~ It really brings back memories! We didn't think much of it before we went, but after trying it out ourselves, we realized that the competition for admission to Duel Academy is really fierce!"

The burly man picked up where the red-haired youth left off, expressing his own sentiments: "Competing with the best duelists from all over the country was indeed a very difficult thing for us back then!"

"Back then? Is it not difficult now?" Noticing the information contained in their words, Yusei continued to ask.

"Well...I guess so..." After giving an ambiguous answer, the two continued to eat their hamburgers.

"Well, if that's the case..."

Hearing their conversation, Mutou Sugoroku glanced at the students around him wearing Duel Academy uniforms and then chuckled, saying, "Everyone here wearing uniforms has passed that difficult exam! Be proud! You are all chosen duelists!"

"...The chosen duelist, is that it?"

Hearing the special title coming from Muto Sugoroku's mouth, the red-haired youth, his fighting spirit ignited, immediately stuffed the rest of the hamburger into his mouth, then stood up and threw the outer packaging into the fire.

As flames erupted in an instant, the red-haired man, his face now filled with fighting spirit, clenched his fists and spoke towards Yusei and the others, proposing, "This is really interesting! Come and have a showdown with us!"

"A showdown?"