Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

Yan Xiao's cheerful voice rang out, and just by listening to his voice, one could imagine the smile on his face.

"It's not like you're the only one who lost. Didn't I lose to Youxi too? We're all in the same boat."

"But……!"

"There's nothing wrong with that."

Yan Xiao interrupted Ranpo, who had just looked up, and said, "If we fall here, it only means that our strength is still insufficient. Although what Kaiba Masashi said was a bit harsh, it wasn't wrong. There's always tomorrow. What we lost today, we'll fight hard to win back in the future. Ranpo, your potential is higher than mine, and the future belongs to you. I believe you can do it."

Yan Xiao is also a third-year student this year. After this year's Star Cup, he will leave the team to prepare for graduation.

For the next two years, the main players in the Star Cup will be Jonouchi Ranpo and others. Emmmm... well, this is really bad news for Jonouchi Ranpo. After all, Yuuki and Kaiba Mashiro are also first-year students like Jonouchi Ranpo. I imagine many of them will be struggling to breathe under this nightmare. Just like when he faced Amagi Naruto.

However, he knew a lot about the Jounouchi Ranpo.

Ranpo Jonouchi has talent, but he's not quite a genius. However, he doesn't give up because of this; instead, he strives to catch up.

Tell me, Ranpo!

Yan Xiao looked directly into his eyes: "Are you confident you can catch up with them?"

"Have!"

Ranpo Jounouchi excitedly shouted back, "Don't worry, Captain! I will never let them have this shining stage! Our Beacon Fire will definitely be there!"

"very good!"

Yan Xiao put his arm around his shoulder and laughed, "Then let's keep our eyes wide open and watch how these future enemies fight. Make sure you remember all of this."

"Yes!"

"It seems that Jonouchi-kun is fine."

Apart from the Stars team's VIP room, the rest areas for the other three teams are not far apart.

With his good eyesight, You Xi could barely see what was happening on the side of the Beacon Fire team, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Well, anyone who's made it this far can't have a bad mentality. If they were that bad, they wouldn't be a regular on the school team." Xingye Wu sat next to him and talked casually. "Moreover, don't you have anything you want to say to Xiaoxue, Xiaoxi? Xiaoxue is about to go on stage and fight a woman for you."

"What the hell? Wu, what you're saying is way too much..."

The "wild and lewd words" spoken by Xingye Wu made Youxi's expression very subtle, while the blonde girl tilted her head.

"Hey, isn't that right? Look, Mashiro wants to duel with you, and Yuki wants to meet you in the finals. Isn't this all a fierce battle for you, Nozomi? I shouldn't be wrong, right?"

"That's right, but is it necessary to say it in such a strange way?"

You Xi was helpless; Xing Yewu's occasional witty remarks were really catching him off guard.

Involuntarily, Yu Xi turned her head to look at the white-haired girl who was making final adjustments to the deck.

"Xue, why don't you say a few words about dancing?"

"Huh? What?"

Immersed in deck building, Izayoi Yuki looked up in confusion, glanced at Yuki and Hoshino Mai's expressions, and immediately understood something. Her eyes narrowed: "Mai, you're talking nonsense again."

"No! I'm just stating the facts."

Facing Izayoi Yuki's rather imposing gaze, Hoshino Mai skillfully put on an innocent face, as if she had truly suffered an injustice, and then skillfully changed the subject, saying, "By the way, Yuki, you've changed your deck so many times, are you confident you can defeat Mashiro? How is your physical condition now?"

"Dr. Anne has already examined him, and there's nothing wrong with his health; in fact, he's in very good condition. As for whether he can win, we don't know."

Izayoi Yuki shook her head slightly.

"I watched her duel too. Kaiba Mashiro is very strong after getting back 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon.' Whether she can win or not, we'll have to wait and see in the actual fight. But with Yuki's support cards, I think my side has a better chance of winning."

"Yeah."

Xingyewu looked at Youxi: "So, in the end, Xiaoxue's victory must have been partly your doing, Xiaoxi. Are you happy? You were able to fight alongside Xiaoxue in this way."

Ah, that's wonderful, she wants to have that kind of treatment too.

"Um, if you're willing, I should have some cards here that you might need."

Having lived together for so long, You Xi could still discern some of the girl's unspoken meanings, and immediately spoke up. Hearing his words, Xing Yewu's eyes lit up: "Really? I knew you wouldn't favor one over the other, Xiao Xi. In that case, I'll have to choose carefully... which one should I pick..."

Xingyewu was caught in a temporary predicament.

"I think these two cards should be pretty good."

"Huh? 'Giant Eye'? I can use this card, but it's already bound to you, Xiaoxi, so forget it. I'll take this card."

"This? Are you sure it's okay?"

"It's okay, there's no update. I was just worried about not having enough R7s. Anyway, you haven't really used this kid, Xiaoxi, much. And here I am... um, this will do! It should come in handy for you, definitely!"

"This can only be used as a surprise attack..."

"As the saying goes, strike unexpectedly when the enemy is unprepared. That's a famous saying of the Kaiba people! This kind of surprise attack that no one can predict will definitely give everyone a big surprise. Well, we'll see if Mashiro can actually beat Yuki first."

In front of Izayoi Yuki, Yuki and Hoshino Mai exchanged the cards they each held, chatting and laughing.

The sunlight shines down, and the warmth is just right.

This scene wasn't anything special; it happened quite often, but it took on a different meaning now. However, the white-haired, red-eyed girl didn't dislike it.

She pursed her lips, sometimes quietly observing the interaction between the boy and girl and occasionally interjecting into their conversation, sometimes bowing her head to complete the final adjustments to the deck, before standing up—

"It's almost time, everyone, I'm off."

"Okay! Keep going, Xue, we'll be waiting for you to come back."

Upon hearing this, both Yuki and Hoshino looked at Izayoi Yuki and offered her their sincerest blessings.

With these blessings in mind, the girl headed towards the final battlefield of Group B.

The host's roar as he reviewed the competition and introduced the current contestants echoed throughout the arena.

The epic battle between girls is about to begin!

Chapter 257 I love watching women fight!

Take a deep breath, then exhale.

The moment she stepped onto the stage, Izayoi Yuki suppressed all her emotions and distractions.

The surrounding noise and clamor could no longer affect her in the slightest; her eyes were only on her opponent.

At most 11 years old, Mashiro Kaiba, who should be in elementary school, is several heads shorter than Yuki Izayoi, and looks petite and cute.

Of course, being small doesn't mean you can be looked down upon.

Izayoi Yuki never underestimates any opponent.

"Very well, you're my final opponent now."

As Izayoi Yuki sized up the bunny-eared loli, the latter was also sizing her up.

Since their initial chance encounter during their date... ah, I mean, their offline meet-up, coupled with their alliance battles on Duel Island and Kaiba Shinpachi's frequent visits to Yuuki, they've gradually become quite familiar with each other.

However, duels are usually fought between people you know well, especially in competitions.

"Let me make this clear beforehand, Izayoi, I will absolutely not give Yuki to you! I will be the one to duel alongside Yuki!"

With a gleam in her deep blue eyes and a hint of hostility in her gaze, Kaiba Mashiro made her opening declaration as she stared at Izayoi Yuki.

She was completely unaware of the misunderstandings and uproar these words would cause if they got out; even if she did know, she probably wouldn't care.

Given her current age and the habits she developed since childhood, the concept of humility is nonexistent in Mashiro Kaiba's dictionary. She directly states what she likes and wants, and will never give it up to someone else.

"It's the same here."

Kaiba Mashiro's blatant hostility successfully ignited Izayoi Yuki's fighting spirit. She didn't say anything harsh, but simply raised her Duel Disk.

"Come on, Mashiro. Let's decide who advances to the finals with this duel."

"Hmph, of course!"

Kaiba Mashiro eagerly unfolded her silver-blue Duel Disk, which was specially made smaller than her own height: "That's why I'm here! Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're Yuki's teammate—"

"Duel!" x2

【Izayoi Yuki LP: 8000】

【Seahorse True White LP: 8000】

The atmosphere was already quite tense shortly after they met and started talking.

Without the need for a host to hype up the atmosphere or provide any prompts, the duel began with the two men's tacit declaration.

The first to turn on the lights was the girl with white hair and red eyes.

"During my turn, I activate the effect of 'Crimson Resonator'. Once per turn, if you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand."

"Crimson Resonator, Level 2/Dark/Demon/Tuner" "ATK: 800/DEF: 300"

Izayoi Yuki glanced at her five starting hand cards, picked one out and immediately flipped it face-up, then placed it on the duel disk.

A demon with ram horns materialized behind him, burning with DNA-like spiral flames.

Beside them, an orc in a green cloak roared as he leaped out of the car.

"Then summon 'Wind King Wild Wind,' and use the 2-star 'Crimson Resonator' to adjust the star level of 'Wind King.'"

The demon struck the tuning fork in his hand with force, transforming it into two rings of harmony that enveloped the orcs who had entered the arena.

2 stars + 4 stars = 6 stars!

The clear, cold voice of Izayoi Yuki rang out.

"Crimson Dragon, awaken the demon to illuminate the path ahead! Synchro Summon, 'Crimson Rising Dragon'!"

"Crimson Rising Dragon, Level 6/Dark/Dragon/Synchro" "ATK: 2100/DEF 1600"

"One or more Demon-type Tuner monsters + one or more non-Tuner monsters"

Flames soared into the sky, and amidst the exploding light of syncopation, a fiery dragon emerged, its wings flapping and sparks flying everywhere.

Despite the different card names, just by looking at the appearance of "Crimson Rising Dragon" you can tell that it has a close relationship with "Crimson Demon Dragon".

"When 'Crimson Rising Dragon' is successfully Synchro Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 'Resonator' monster from your Graveyard. During the turn this effect is activated, I cannot Special Summon Synchro Monsters that are not DARK/Dragon-Type monsters from my Extra Deck."

With a roar, "Crimson Rising Dragon" controlled the flames to drill into the bottom of the duel arena, pulling back "Crimson Resonator," which had just become Synchro Material and entered the graveyard.

Besides "Crimson Rising Dragon", "Crimson Resonator" also has the same self-restriction condition. This is why Izayoi Yuki lent "Black Rose Dragon" to Yuuki – in the "Crimson Demon" deck, "Black Rose" is a little out of place.