Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Just as the two were about to argue, Principal Samejima raised his arm to interrupt them: "Well, let's put this aside for now, and I'll listen to you talk about it when we have the chance."

"But there is something even more important right now."

Professor Kronos: "More important things?"

Napoleon the Emancipator: "...What is that?"

"...Next, we will begin a school-wide meeting. You two go and gather everyone in the auditorium, where I will give my presentation."

Professor Chronos & Coach Napoleon: "???"

……

Despite their deep doubts, the two, feeling guilty, obediently carried out Principal Samejima's order, gathering as many students as possible, including those from the Society of Light, into the Duel Academy's auditorium.

Manjoume Lightning, Tenjōin Asuka, Misawa Daichi, Saiō Takuma...

Ed Phoenix, Jaden Yuki, Yusei, Dilano Kenzan, Sho Marufuji...

With various motives in mind, the two opposing sides, from opposing camps, have gathered together in one place, a rare occurrence.

Naturally, despite being diametrically opposed, they glanced at each other and tacitly sat down in seats facing completely different directions.

"Long time no see, everyone."

Surrounded by Professor Chronos and Coach Napoleon, Principal Samejima strode to the front of the auditorium's podium.

He glanced at the white uniforms that occupied most of the field and continued, "...while I was away, it seems there have been some students wearing strange uniforms."

Professor Kronos & Coach Napoleon: "..."

King Zhai: "...Heh."

"Well, let's put that aside for now. The reason I've gathered everyone here today is because I've prepared a very special gift for you all..."

Yusei: "...A gift?"

Yuki Judai: "It seems like the principal has been traveling around the world lately, right? Did he bring us some delicious local specialties?"

Kenzan: "Hmm... I guess it's a dinosaur fossil!"

"Ahem, neither!"

Clearing his throat, and listening to Yusei and the others' guesses, Principal Samejima raised his arm and pointed to the large screen behind him.

As he moved, the screen automatically lit up, displaying a circular badge symbol with the "GX" logo on the large screen.

Everyone: "GX... what is this?"

What is that? Is it some kind of special symbol?

The thought involuntarily popped into everyone's mind the moment they saw the screen.

"...In order to determine who is the world's number one, I hereby announce that the first GX Duel Tournament will be held!!!" Clenching his right fist, Principal Samejima's face showed an excited expression: "Everyone present here, that is, all the students of the Duel Academy's senior division, will be qualified to participate."

"...In addition to the well-known Duel Academy Northern Branch, representatives from other branches around the world will also participate in this competition. In addition, professional duelists will also participate in this duel. It is an all-out duel that does not distinguish between professionals and amateurs!"

"...Amazing! Does this mean we can duel with professional duelists?"

Infected by Principal Samejima's emotions, Jaden Yuki's eyes also ignited with a flame of excitement.

"A professional duelist, which means my brother can also..."

Recalling the Hell Caesar whose personality had drastically changed that he had seen on TV before, a rare look of worry appeared in Marufuji Sho's eyes.

He had never been a match for his older brother.

And now, this gap will only widen.

Perhaps the gap between these brothers has become higher than a mountain and deeper than the sea.

"The competition covers the entire island, and participants must possess this GX badge!"

Holding the badge he had previously given to Hell Caesar, Principal Samejima added, "...To prevent anyone from becoming passive and lazy, participants must attend at least one duel every day, and cannot refuse the first person who challenges them."

"...The winner of the duel will gain all of the opponent's badges, while the person who loses their badges will naturally be disqualified from the competition and eliminated from the duel."

"Finally, the two players with the remaining badges will duel to determine the champion of the GX tournament."

"...While I was traveling around the world, I was looking for powerful duelists and trying to get them to gather on this island."

"I hope our students can win this competition. By the way, the winners will receive a special prize."

"The GX tournament will have professional duelists participating..."

Rubbing his chin, Yusei couldn't help but mutter to himself, "So, in the future, some powerful duelists from all over the world will appear, right?"

"Oh? Yusei, are you also looking forward to this duel?"

Hearing Yusei's mutterings, Jaden Yuki, with a bright smile, said, "But the winner of this duel will be me! I'm taking this prize!"

"Uh... Judai, what if the prize is like before, a kiss from Aunt Tomie? Would you still want it?"

Recalling the cringe-worthy scenes he had witnessed in the past, Yusei kindly reminded him, "The older generation's aesthetic is a little different from ours, so I think it's better not to have too high expectations."

"...No, no way."

Turning his head to look at Aunt Domi, who was standing on the side of the podium with the other teachers, Yuki Judai couldn't help but break out in a row of fine beads of sweat.

He vaguely seemed to see the voluptuous Aunt Duomei giving him seductive glances.

Feeling a chill run down his spine, Yuki Judai immediately shrank back and hid in the crowd.

Yamei! No way!

Aunt Domi's kiss... is just too terrifying!

Just thinking about it is unacceptable! I'd rather fight Yusei a hundred times than be hugged and kissed by the old lady at the convenience store!

……

"The GX tournament... what kind of professional duelists will be coming?"

"I wonder if those ranked higher will come, since they are usually very busy and probably don't have time to come here."

"There seem to be some very strong individuals among the semi-professional duelists, and also in other academies..."

After that, everyone received their own GX badge from Principal Samejima.

After the meeting ended, the people who walked out of the auditorium began to discuss enthusiastically what Principal Samejima had just announced.

Like other small groups, Yusei, Jaden Yuki, and Atobe also found a corner to discuss the GX tournament.

"According to Principal Samejima, whoever has the most badges will be the winner of the tournament."

"Heh... As long as you defeat the guy who won the most, the result will be the same."

The silver-haired girl, arms crossed, expressed her opinion with a nonchalant expression.

She seemed to be planning to wait for the opportune moment, then seize the most badges from the victors of the duels in order to achieve her ambition of victory in one fell swoop.

"However, the number of badges one receives also seems to affect an individual's performance."

Playing with the round badge in his hand, Yusei looked at Edward and said, "Principal Samejima said that everyone must have at least one duel every day and cannot refuse the first person who challenges them. If you don't fight, you might be judged to have forfeited."

"Heh... It's none of my business. I have no interest in that so-called championship and the prize."

With a flick of his long silver hair, Edward turned and left, saying, "I'll remain an observer for now and see how things go before making a decision."

"Huh? Is Edward not interested in the championship?"

Watching Edward's departing figure, Jaden Yuki scratched his head and asked his companions, "Yusei, Kenzan, Sho, what do you guys think?"

“Once I lose my badge, I’ll lose the right to participate in the competition. I’ll start by fighting the weaker opponents.” Resting his chin on his hand, Kenzan seemed to have thought of something and squinted at Marufuji Sho.

"...?"

As Kenzan stared at him with a mischievous gaze, Marufuji Sho immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

As if in response to Kenzan's idea, the others who shared similar thoughts also turned their attention to Marufuji Sho.

"Xiang, it seems like everyone's watching you."

With a smirk, Yusei reached out and patted Marufuji Sho on the shoulder, kindly reminding him, "You can't refuse the first challenge. If you don't want to lose your badge in the blink of an eye, I suggest you make a run for it."

Marufuji Sho: "Uh..."

Just as Yusei said, when recalling the weakest guy in the entire arena, everyone immediately thinks of Marufuji Sho.

If it weren't for the presence of formidable figures like Yusei and Jaden Yuki around him, Marufuji Sho would have been surrounded and attacked immediately, becoming someone's experience points.

Unlike his older brother, who shines like a star, this bratty younger brother seems to have mutated genetically. Whether in appearance or ability, he is not even one ten-thousandth as good as Marufuji Ryo.

He gives the impression of being a cowardly brat who always hides behind Jaden Yuki.

It was like this before, it is like this now, and it may be like this in the future.

"How about it? Marufuji Sho-senpai~~~ Would you like to duel me?"

Kenzan, rubbing his hands together, revealed a kind smile and slowly approached Marufuji Sho.

Sensing the danger, Marufuji Sho subconsciously took a few steps back and looked cautiously at Kenzan, whose attitude was completely different from usual.

Realizing the other party was serious, Marufuji Sho immediately flashed a smile and made a lightning-fast escape without hesitation...

"Ah! That kid got away!"

"Holy crap...Stop right there!"

"Brothers, charge! The free experience points have slipped away!"

Seeing Marufuji Sho's escape, the group, having regained their senses, immediately led by Kenzan and chased after him.

In an instant, most of the crowd was drawn away by Marufuji Sho.

In a sense, Xiao Xiang, who comes with his own taunting AOE, is quite popular.

Although it's in a negative sense...

574 The Prince's Ambition

In the grand hall of the Society of Light, everyone gathered around Saiou and the society's executives, awaiting further instructions.

After hearing Principal Samejima's words, everyone couldn't help but show excited expressions, rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a big battle.