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Chapter 701: Are There No Decent Duelists in the Tomb Keepers?
Looking at the golden item the Gravekeeper's Elder wore on his wrist, Hayato asked with some curiosity, "That style... is that a Duel Disk?"
"Sort of," Marik said casually, stepping forward to stand beside Hayato. "Anyway, our clan's had this thing as long as I can remember. Looks like it's been passed down for thousands of years." He added, "While I know I did a lot of wrong things in the past, not just anyone has the right to punish me."
As he spoke, he reached out to Hayato, palm open, and said, "Brother-in-law, lend me your Duel Disk for a bit. I'll take down this old guy."
"This old guy's had his eye on the Clan Head position for a long time, always targeting our family. I just didn't expect that after I killed my Father, my Older Sister would take over as Clan Head, leaving his ambitions thwarted again. Now he's probably trying to use this chance to cause trouble and use me as an opening to usurp the throne."
"I won't let him have his way."
"The power struggle in your clan is quite complex," Hayato remarked slightly upon hearing Marik's brief explanation. He took out his Duel Disk from his backpack, but instead of handing it to Marik who had reached out to him, he simply put it on his own wrist.
Stepping forward, Hayato blocked Marik. "Ishizu specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you. Although you've recovered enough to handle normal Duels now, this old guy's Duel probably won't be ordinary, right? I'll take your place."
"But—"
"No buts about it. If Ishizu finds out I couldn't even protect someone as immature as you, how much face would I lose?" Without turning back, Hayato looked at the Gravekeeper's Elder opposite him and said, "Also, don't call me Brother-in-law."
"Hmm? You rude fellow, are you trying to stop me from inflicting punishment on Marik?" The Elder glanced at Hayato and said disdainfully, "Hmph, it doesn't matter who goes first. I wasn't planning on letting you off anyway, daring to kick me!"
"Oh? You actually have the courage to accept a Duel with me? You chose to Duel instead of escape?" Using a magic trick-like method, Hayato took out the Deck stored in his System. Since he wasn't sure what kind of Deck his Opponent was playing, he chose the most stable deck build.
The Elder grinned and chuckled, "If we don't Duel, how can I properly torment you all?"
"Ho ho, then come closer," Hayato said, pushing his Deck into the card slot of his Duel Disk. The automatically expanding Duel Disk displayed the Life Points.
"Duel!"
"Duel!"
[Hayato: 4000LP]
[Elder: 4000LP]
"I'll take the first turn, Draw!"
Drawing a card from the golden Duel Disk, the Gravekeeper's Elder gave a proud smile and said, "Excellent! Although it's the first turn, I've already drawn the most powerful Card in my Deck! I'm guaranteed to win!"
"Isn't it a bit too early to be talking so big? Looking down on people like that?" Joey Wheeler could't help but say, seeing the Gravekeeper's Elder's arrogant look. "What's the use of just drawing a powerful Card? If you can't use it, it has no meaning."
"Although Yugi, you guys always say to be serious and give it your full power no matter what opponent you encounter, this annoying-looking old man doesn't even know who Hayato is, right?" Tristan, not showing any fear towards the long knives pointed at them, cheered Hayato on, "Don't hold back, go all out, Hayato! Give that old guy a good lesson!"
Hayato nodded upon hearing that. "Don't worry, I'd do that even if you didn't say anything. Besides, for a True Duelist, there's no such thing as a bricked hand. I've also drawn a perfect hand."
Hearing Hayato's words, the Gravekeeper's Elder's face revealed a sinister smile.
"Oh, is that so? If your Hand is good, then let me use the best Card in your Hand!" With a smug smile, the Gravekeeper's Elder Set all four cards in his Hand on his Spell/Trap Zone, then played the card he had drawn this turn. "After Setting four cards, I activate the Spell Card, Hand Exchange!"
"Both players reveal their Hand, then each player chooses one card from the opponent's Hand and adds it to their own Hand!"
"Nani!?" Yugi, who was watching, almost got PTSD when he saw Hand Exchange appear. He couldn't forget how Rafael had forced a Seal of Orichalcos into his Hand back then, which ultimately led to Aibo almost being taken away from him.
"First he Sets all his cards except one, then he Activates Hand Exchange? Doesn't that mean Hayato has no way to choose what card he gets, while the opponent can freely choose from Hayato's Hand!" Téa said angrily. "Before, he deliberately said he drew the strongest card; wasn't that also to test the strength of the cards in Hayato's Hand? How cunning!"
"Hmph hmph, say whatever you want. The fact is, my strategy has been effective." The Gravekeeper's Elder didn't take Téa's accusations to heart at all, looking at Hayato and saying, "Let me see your Hand!"
"D-damn it, he actually used such a powerful combo. This is bad, my powerful monster in my Hand is going to be taken~"
Hayato wore an unwilling expression, slowly turning the card he held in his Hand towards the Gravekeeper's Elder. The opponent, wanting to see Hayato's Hand clearly, stared at the card in Hayato's Hand while enjoying the angry expression on Hayato's face that gave him immense pleasure.
But when the Hand was fully flipped, the expression on Hayato's face changed. "...You thought I'd say that, idiot? Come on, pick the card you want to take. Don't be shy."
The five cards in Hayato's Hand were revealed before the Gravekeeper's Elder—
[That Grass Looks Greener] [Foolish Burial] [Monster Gate] [Reasoning] [Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon]
"???"
The Gravekeeper's Elder was also stunned. Didn't he say it was a "perfect hand"? How could it be a Hand full of Spell Cards? Even the only Monster Card gave off a feeling that choosing it would be a mistake.
At a glance, the effects of the four Spell Cards were all so meaningless. The Gravekeeper's Elder couldn't understand at all what Hayato was trying to do by putting so many cards that send cards to the Graveyard into his Deck. Was he trying to kill himself?
After a brief consideration, he felt that instead of getting a bunch of completely useless Spell Cards, it would be better to take the only Monster Card. At least he could Summon it and use it as a wall on his Field.
"I choose Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon, and I'll take this card." As he spoke, the Gravekeeper's Elder flicked the only card in his Hand towards Hayato and accepted the Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon that Hayato flicked over.
Hayato took the card. The card the Gravekeeper's Elder gave him was the Trap Card Localized Tornado. Its effect is to return all cards in your Hand and Graveyard to the Deck and shuffle it. On the surface, it was just a meaningless card, completely inferior to Pot of Avarice or Jar of Greed, which could selectively recycle cards and replenish Hand.
However, wasn't this card super suitable for the Deck Hayato was using this time?
"Hmph hmph, I'll take your card. Then I'll Summon this Monster I got from your Hand onto my Field in Defense Position." Setting Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon horizontally on his Field, the Gravekeeper's Elder looked at Little Blue, dressed in a maid outfit, appearing on his Field, and said proudly, "How does it feel to see your own Monster commit betrayal? It must be even more painful to break through this Monster with your own hands later, right?"
"Hmm, let me see this Monster's effect. 'When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard'? Hmph, what a meaningless effect. I won't use it."
"With that, I end my turn."
[Elder: 4000LP, Hand 0]
[Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon] [DEF1600]
[Set Cards] X4
The Gravekeeper's Elder had already announced the end of his turn, but Little Blue, standing on his Field, still couldn't understand why she was on a stranger's Field while her Master stood opposite her.
"M-Master!?" For some reason, as Little Blue watched Hayato slowly raise his head, an ominous premonition rose in her heart.
Looking at Little Blue standing on the opponent's Field, Hayato said with a serious expression, "Little Blue, Little Blue, I always thought only those rebellious Ojama Yellow and their gang would commit betrayal. I didn't expect you, with your innocent look, to become a traitor too. Since that's the case, I won't hold back!"
"My turn, Draw!" After drawing a card from the top of his Deck, Hayato played the card that was already revealed in his Hand. "Then, I activate the Spell Card That Grass Looks Greener! If you have more cards in your Deck than your opponent does: Send cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard until you have the same number of cards in your Deck as your opponent!"
With the activation of the Spell Card, a brown-furred canine appeared on Hayato's Field. It had metallic fangs in its mouth and a pair of scythes growing from its chin. It looked perfect for the grass strategy.
To maximize the effect of the Card That Grass Looks Greener, Hayato's deck build was still a full 60-card build. Now that both players hadn't consumed many of their Deck's resources, Hayato could use this card to send a full 20 cards to the Graveyard in one go!
However, seeing Hayato activate That Grass Looks Greener, the Gravekeeper's Elder waved his hand and ordered one of the cards on his Spell/Trap Zone to flip. "Although I don't know what you're trying to do, it's common sense in a duel ritual not to let your opponent have their way. I chain to that card and activate the Trap Card I Set last turn."
"Counter Trap Card Direct Line Disconnect! When a Monster Effect, Spell, or Trap Card is activated in the same Column as this card: You can activate this Set card on my Field; negate that activation, and if you do, destroy it!"
Before the grass strategy creature that appeared on Hayato's Field could send cards from Hayato's Deck to the Graveyard, a golden light suddenly shone from beneath it, then violently burst, negating and destroying the That Grass Looks Greener that Hayato activated, and sending it to the Graveyard.
"Tsk, bad luck placing it in the wrong position." Hayato glanced at the four Set cards in the Gravekeeper's Elder's Spell/Trap Zone and said, feeling annoyed. There were five positions to place cards, but he had accidentally placed it in the sole wrong position. Was it bad luck, or...?
"Since That Grass Looks Greener was negated, I'll use this card then. Spell Card Reasoning."
Following the grass strategy creature, a figure of a detective, smoking a pipe, appeared beside Hayato. A screen with scrolling numbers hovered above his head. "The opponent declares a Level from 1 to 12. Reveal cards from the top of my Deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears."
"If the Level of that monster is the same as the declared Level, send all revealed cards to the Graveyard; otherwise, Special Summon that monster onto my Field, and send all remaining revealed cards to the Graveyard."
After explaining, Hayato saw the Gravekeeper's Elder frown and actually wave his hand again to flip a card in his Spell/Trap Zone. "Another card that sends cards to the Graveyard? In that case, I'm even more certain I can't let you send cards to the Graveyard! The second Set card flips, Counter Trap Card Dark Bribe!"
The figure of a detective, waiting for the Gravekeeper's Elder to declare a Level, turned his head and saw that at some point, someone had left a huge red envelope behind him. A note with the word "Bribery" written on it was even stuck on the envelope. How blatant!
"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card, Dark Bribe can be activated." The Gravekeeper's Elder pointed a finger at the figure of a detective on Hayato's Field. "Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it, then your opponent draws 1 card."
"You want to buy off me, who is full of curiosity for the truth, with money? This is an insult to me!" Picking up the red envelope casually, the detective left a card for Hayato. "Although I wanted to say that, he really gave too much."
With a "bang," the easily bribed detective turned into smoke and disappeared from Hayato's Field, and Hayato helplessly drew a card from his Deck.
Both attempts at milling were stopped by the Gravekeeper's Elder's Set cards, which made Hayato look at the two Set cards that remained in his Spell/Trap Zone again, his gaze quite strange.
One might be excusable, but two negations would definitely not be a coincidence. Especially since the opponent could even use that annoying psychological tactic last turn of "tricking out the quality of the opponent's Hand, then using Hand Exchange to steal." Are there no decent Duelists in the Tomb Keepers?
Rishid, whose Deck is full of Trap Cards, Ishizu, who plays Exchange of the Spirit, plus this old man in front of him who has negated him twice in a row... In comparison, Marik, who just likes to give people weird items and powerful monsters with high ATK, has actually become a genuinely sunshine boy.
However, since his opponent was such a Heretic, Hayato didn't need to pretend to be an upright gentleman anymore.
"Activate Field Spell Card Magical Meltdown! When this card is activated: You can add 1 Aleister the Invoker from your Deck to your Hand." This time, corresponding to the activation of the Field Spell Card, the Gravekeeper's Elder opposite him didn't chain timing to flip his Set card in the Spell/Trap Zone, but instead watched as Hayato added a card to his Hand. "Next, I Normal Summon Aleister the Invoker!"
"Then, when Aleister the Invoker is Normal Summoned, I activate its effect! I can add 1 Invocation from my Deck to my Hand!"
(End of Chapter)
Looking at the golden item the Gravekeeper's Elder wore on his wrist, Hayato asked with some curiosity, "That style... is that a Duel Disk?"
"Sort of," Marik said casually, stepping forward to stand beside Hayato. "Anyway, our clan's had this thing as long as I can remember. Looks like it's been passed down for thousands of years." He added, "While I know I did a lot of wrong things in the past, not just anyone has the right to punish me."
As he spoke, he reached out to Hayato, palm open, and said, "Brother-in-law, lend me your Duel Disk for a bit. I'll take down this old guy."
"This old guy's had his eye on the Clan Head position for a long time, always targeting our family. I just didn't expect that after I killed my Father, my Older Sister would take over as Clan Head, leaving his ambitions thwarted again. Now he's probably trying to use this chance to cause trouble and use me as an opening to usurp the throne."
"I won't let him have his way."
"The power struggle in your clan is quite complex," Hayato remarked slightly upon hearing Marik's brief explanation. He took out his Duel Disk from his backpack, but instead of handing it to Marik who had reached out to him, he simply put it on his own wrist.
Stepping forward, Hayato blocked Marik. "Ishizu specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you. Although you've recovered enough to handle normal Duels now, this old guy's Duel probably won't be ordinary, right? I'll take your place."
"But—"
"No buts about it. If Ishizu finds out I couldn't even protect someone as immature as you, how much face would I lose?" Without turning back, Hayato looked at the Gravekeeper's Elder opposite him and said, "Also, don't call me Brother-in-law."
"Hmm? You rude fellow, are you trying to stop me from inflicting punishment on Marik?" The Elder glanced at Hayato and said disdainfully, "Hmph, it doesn't matter who goes first. I wasn't planning on letting you off anyway, daring to kick me!"
"Oh? You actually have the courage to accept a Duel with me? You chose to Duel instead of escape?" Using a magic trick-like method, Hayato took out the Deck stored in his System. Since he wasn't sure what kind of Deck his Opponent was playing, he chose the most stable deck build.
The Elder grinned and chuckled, "If we don't Duel, how can I properly torment you all?"
"Ho ho, then come closer," Hayato said, pushing his Deck into the card slot of his Duel Disk. The automatically expanding Duel Disk displayed the Life Points.
"Duel!"
"Duel!"
[Hayato: 4000LP]
[Elder: 4000LP]
"I'll take the first turn, Draw!"
Drawing a card from the golden Duel Disk, the Gravekeeper's Elder gave a proud smile and said, "Excellent! Although it's the first turn, I've already drawn the most powerful Card in my Deck! I'm guaranteed to win!"
"Isn't it a bit too early to be talking so big? Looking down on people like that?" Joey Wheeler could't help but say, seeing the Gravekeeper's Elder's arrogant look. "What's the use of just drawing a powerful Card? If you can't use it, it has no meaning."
"Although Yugi, you guys always say to be serious and give it your full power no matter what opponent you encounter, this annoying-looking old man doesn't even know who Hayato is, right?" Tristan, not showing any fear towards the long knives pointed at them, cheered Hayato on, "Don't hold back, go all out, Hayato! Give that old guy a good lesson!"
Hayato nodded upon hearing that. "Don't worry, I'd do that even if you didn't say anything. Besides, for a True Duelist, there's no such thing as a bricked hand. I've also drawn a perfect hand."
Hearing Hayato's words, the Gravekeeper's Elder's face revealed a sinister smile.
"Oh, is that so? If your Hand is good, then let me use the best Card in your Hand!" With a smug smile, the Gravekeeper's Elder Set all four cards in his Hand on his Spell/Trap Zone, then played the card he had drawn this turn. "After Setting four cards, I activate the Spell Card, Hand Exchange!"
"Both players reveal their Hand, then each player chooses one card from the opponent's Hand and adds it to their own Hand!"
"Nani!?" Yugi, who was watching, almost got PTSD when he saw Hand Exchange appear. He couldn't forget how Rafael had forced a Seal of Orichalcos into his Hand back then, which ultimately led to Aibo almost being taken away from him.
"First he Sets all his cards except one, then he Activates Hand Exchange? Doesn't that mean Hayato has no way to choose what card he gets, while the opponent can freely choose from Hayato's Hand!" Téa said angrily. "Before, he deliberately said he drew the strongest card; wasn't that also to test the strength of the cards in Hayato's Hand? How cunning!"
"Hmph hmph, say whatever you want. The fact is, my strategy has been effective." The Gravekeeper's Elder didn't take Téa's accusations to heart at all, looking at Hayato and saying, "Let me see your Hand!"
"D-damn it, he actually used such a powerful combo. This is bad, my powerful monster in my Hand is going to be taken~"
Hayato wore an unwilling expression, slowly turning the card he held in his Hand towards the Gravekeeper's Elder. The opponent, wanting to see Hayato's Hand clearly, stared at the card in Hayato's Hand while enjoying the angry expression on Hayato's face that gave him immense pleasure.
But when the Hand was fully flipped, the expression on Hayato's face changed. "...You thought I'd say that, idiot? Come on, pick the card you want to take. Don't be shy."
The five cards in Hayato's Hand were revealed before the Gravekeeper's Elder—
[That Grass Looks Greener] [Foolish Burial] [Monster Gate] [Reasoning] [Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon]
"???"
The Gravekeeper's Elder was also stunned. Didn't he say it was a "perfect hand"? How could it be a Hand full of Spell Cards? Even the only Monster Card gave off a feeling that choosing it would be a mistake.
At a glance, the effects of the four Spell Cards were all so meaningless. The Gravekeeper's Elder couldn't understand at all what Hayato was trying to do by putting so many cards that send cards to the Graveyard into his Deck. Was he trying to kill himself?
After a brief consideration, he felt that instead of getting a bunch of completely useless Spell Cards, it would be better to take the only Monster Card. At least he could Summon it and use it as a wall on his Field.
"I choose Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon, and I'll take this card." As he spoke, the Gravekeeper's Elder flicked the only card in his Hand towards Hayato and accepted the Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon that Hayato flicked over.
Hayato took the card. The card the Gravekeeper's Elder gave him was the Trap Card Localized Tornado. Its effect is to return all cards in your Hand and Graveyard to the Deck and shuffle it. On the surface, it was just a meaningless card, completely inferior to Pot of Avarice or Jar of Greed, which could selectively recycle cards and replenish Hand.
However, wasn't this card super suitable for the Deck Hayato was using this time?
"Hmph hmph, I'll take your card. Then I'll Summon this Monster I got from your Hand onto my Field in Defense Position." Setting Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon horizontally on his Field, the Gravekeeper's Elder looked at Little Blue, dressed in a maid outfit, appearing on his Field, and said proudly, "How does it feel to see your own Monster commit betrayal? It must be even more painful to break through this Monster with your own hands later, right?"
"Hmm, let me see this Monster's effect. 'When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard'? Hmph, what a meaningless effect. I won't use it."
"With that, I end my turn."
[Elder: 4000LP, Hand 0]
[Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon] [DEF1600]
[Set Cards] X4
The Gravekeeper's Elder had already announced the end of his turn, but Little Blue, standing on his Field, still couldn't understand why she was on a stranger's Field while her Master stood opposite her.
"M-Master!?" For some reason, as Little Blue watched Hayato slowly raise his head, an ominous premonition rose in her heart.
Looking at Little Blue standing on the opponent's Field, Hayato said with a serious expression, "Little Blue, Little Blue, I always thought only those rebellious Ojama Yellow and their gang would commit betrayal. I didn't expect you, with your innocent look, to become a traitor too. Since that's the case, I won't hold back!"
"My turn, Draw!" After drawing a card from the top of his Deck, Hayato played the card that was already revealed in his Hand. "Then, I activate the Spell Card That Grass Looks Greener! If you have more cards in your Deck than your opponent does: Send cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard until you have the same number of cards in your Deck as your opponent!"
With the activation of the Spell Card, a brown-furred canine appeared on Hayato's Field. It had metallic fangs in its mouth and a pair of scythes growing from its chin. It looked perfect for the grass strategy.
To maximize the effect of the Card That Grass Looks Greener, Hayato's deck build was still a full 60-card build. Now that both players hadn't consumed many of their Deck's resources, Hayato could use this card to send a full 20 cards to the Graveyard in one go!
However, seeing Hayato activate That Grass Looks Greener, the Gravekeeper's Elder waved his hand and ordered one of the cards on his Spell/Trap Zone to flip. "Although I don't know what you're trying to do, it's common sense in a duel ritual not to let your opponent have their way. I chain to that card and activate the Trap Card I Set last turn."
"Counter Trap Card Direct Line Disconnect! When a Monster Effect, Spell, or Trap Card is activated in the same Column as this card: You can activate this Set card on my Field; negate that activation, and if you do, destroy it!"
Before the grass strategy creature that appeared on Hayato's Field could send cards from Hayato's Deck to the Graveyard, a golden light suddenly shone from beneath it, then violently burst, negating and destroying the That Grass Looks Greener that Hayato activated, and sending it to the Graveyard.
"Tsk, bad luck placing it in the wrong position." Hayato glanced at the four Set cards in the Gravekeeper's Elder's Spell/Trap Zone and said, feeling annoyed. There were five positions to place cards, but he had accidentally placed it in the sole wrong position. Was it bad luck, or...?
"Since That Grass Looks Greener was negated, I'll use this card then. Spell Card Reasoning."
Following the grass strategy creature, a figure of a detective, smoking a pipe, appeared beside Hayato. A screen with scrolling numbers hovered above his head. "The opponent declares a Level from 1 to 12. Reveal cards from the top of my Deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears."
"If the Level of that monster is the same as the declared Level, send all revealed cards to the Graveyard; otherwise, Special Summon that monster onto my Field, and send all remaining revealed cards to the Graveyard."
After explaining, Hayato saw the Gravekeeper's Elder frown and actually wave his hand again to flip a card in his Spell/Trap Zone. "Another card that sends cards to the Graveyard? In that case, I'm even more certain I can't let you send cards to the Graveyard! The second Set card flips, Counter Trap Card Dark Bribe!"
The figure of a detective, waiting for the Gravekeeper's Elder to declare a Level, turned his head and saw that at some point, someone had left a huge red envelope behind him. A note with the word "Bribery" written on it was even stuck on the envelope. How blatant!
"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card, Dark Bribe can be activated." The Gravekeeper's Elder pointed a finger at the figure of a detective on Hayato's Field. "Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it, then your opponent draws 1 card."
"You want to buy off me, who is full of curiosity for the truth, with money? This is an insult to me!" Picking up the red envelope casually, the detective left a card for Hayato. "Although I wanted to say that, he really gave too much."
With a "bang," the easily bribed detective turned into smoke and disappeared from Hayato's Field, and Hayato helplessly drew a card from his Deck.
Both attempts at milling were stopped by the Gravekeeper's Elder's Set cards, which made Hayato look at the two Set cards that remained in his Spell/Trap Zone again, his gaze quite strange.
One might be excusable, but two negations would definitely not be a coincidence. Especially since the opponent could even use that annoying psychological tactic last turn of "tricking out the quality of the opponent's Hand, then using Hand Exchange to steal." Are there no decent Duelists in the Tomb Keepers?
Rishid, whose Deck is full of Trap Cards, Ishizu, who plays Exchange of the Spirit, plus this old man in front of him who has negated him twice in a row... In comparison, Marik, who just likes to give people weird items and powerful monsters with high ATK, has actually become a genuinely sunshine boy.
However, since his opponent was such a Heretic, Hayato didn't need to pretend to be an upright gentleman anymore.
"Activate Field Spell Card Magical Meltdown! When this card is activated: You can add 1 Aleister the Invoker from your Deck to your Hand." This time, corresponding to the activation of the Field Spell Card, the Gravekeeper's Elder opposite him didn't chain timing to flip his Set card in the Spell/Trap Zone, but instead watched as Hayato added a card to his Hand. "Next, I Normal Summon Aleister the Invoker!"
"Then, when Aleister the Invoker is Normal Summoned, I activate its effect! I can add 1 Invocation from my Deck to my Hand!"
(End of Chapter)
