"Instantly reducing the Monster's Attack Power to just over 1000? So strong!"
"This way—"
Tenjo Hikari's supporters began cheering simultaneously, while Manjome's second brother couldn't help showing a sinister smile.
"Haha—naive!"
The Maze Brothers also started shouting almost in unison, even though they couldn't hear each other: "Too naive!
Gate Guardians Combined's effect!
Up to three times per turn! When the opponent activates an effect targeting a card on their field, negate that effect and destroy it!"
"What?" Manjome Thunder exclaimed softly.
This effect, his XYZ are useless—
"Can actually be used three times!?" Serena focused on this.
"Three times to negate targeting effects, and it's for the entire field—does it mean even the environment can be protected?"
So tricky!
Even with 3750 Attack Power, it comes with three protection effects!?
Gate Guardians Combined took a simultaneous deep breath with its three heads, then the phantom on its body instantly dissipated. It turned around and glared at its worshiper, releasing a thunderbolt that instantly shattered its image into pieces—and even then, its water and wind mechanisms can continue to escort it!
"How about that, this is our invincible protection, blocking any who cross the Maze!" The Maze Brothers began posing again.
"Hehe—"
"Haha!"
Tenjo Hikari and Judai laughed almost simultaneously.
Seeing this, the Maze Brothers' fighting spirit suddenly wilted.
The spectators realized that the two could still laugh, and suddenly understood—
This was probably within their expectations.
"Heroes sacrifice themselves to protect others, and fusion is like that, it requires recycling—activate the effect of Evil Hero Vicious Claw in the Graveyard!"
"What? What card is that?"
"When was it sent to the Graveyard?"
"Ha... It was the card Judai sent to the Graveyard last turn—"
"What, that's not your card, how do you know its use?"
"A tag duel is a cooperative duel, it's synergistic fusion. Of course, I checked the Graveyard in advance!" Tenjo Hikari shouted, waving his hand, "In a duel, it can only be used once when a Monster on your field is destroyed by battle or effect. This card Special Summoned!"
A handsome, charming Monster printed on the Equip Spell "Vicious Claw," appeared with a confident smile, waving its claw.
Evil Hero Vicious Claw, Dark Attribute, Fiend-Type, Attack Power 2500.
"Can it be summoned from the Graveyard when destroyed by battle or effect?" Maze was taken aback.
"Since that's the case, why not summon it directly when my brother destroyed the Brave Neos?" Dox instinctively asked.
Tenjo Hikari snapped his fingers lightly.
Though he hadn't seen the card before coming to this world, he recognized the Spell Card Vicious Claw, so upon seeing Judai had sent one to the Graveyard, despite being surprised, he wasn't overly shocked.
Maybe it was a quirky tool from the original The Supreme King, and he couldn't remember all the original cards, so missing it was normal.
But—
Its effect was just right to handle this situation.
"The reason is simple, at that time, Judai didn't want to 'waste' its effect."
"Vicious Claw's effect, when a Monster on your field is destroyed by battle or effect, activate from the Graveyard for Special Summoning. Afterward, when there is a Monster with 'Dark Fusion' in its name in your Graveyard, you can destroy 1 card on the field—Judai's hand and Graveyard do not have that card.
However, the Phantom the Shadow Mist added to my hand, is exactly that Monster with 'Dark Fusion' in its name!"
"Oh no—" Dox shouted in panic.
"Eh, what's surprising? With the invincible Gate Guardians Combined..." A spectator unaware of the truth asked.
"Heh, the answer is simple, Gate Guardians Combined cannot counter this effect." Thunder explained, shaking his head, "Not to mention Vicious Claw's effect is not a 'targeting' effect.
More importantly, Vicious Claw's effect is 'Special Summon from the Graveyard', and the destruction effect that follows is extra, not considered its true effect, hence Gate Guardians Combined cannot cope with this effect—"
Really?
Manjome's second brother showed a panicked expression.
Doesn't this mean—
"That's right, using Vicious Claw's effect to destroy your Gate Guardians Combined!"
The confident Archfiend waved its right claw, leaped and struck Gate Guardians Combined, causing it to stumble, its body starting to disintegrate.
Vicious Claw single-handedly took down Gate Guardians Combined!
"Incredible—"
"Amazing!"
The Maze Brothers each spoke: "Though cut off from conversation."
"You managed to cooperate."
"You are undoubtedly excellent duelists!"
"But—never underestimate the prowess of Maze Gatekeeper!"
They both shouted simultaneously.
"Gate Guardians Combined's effect. When this face-up card Special Summoned leaves the field due to the opponent, from your Deck or Extra Deck Special Summon 1 'Gate Guardian' below LV 11, ignoring conditions!"
"It still has an effect!?"
"Also—it's similar to Absolute Zero Hero's effect!"
Maze looked at the opponent's field and calculated.
Gate Guardians Combined has three forms, namely Water and Thunder, Thunder and Wind, and Wind and Water; Wind and Water can negate up to twice per turn the effects of Spell and Trap Cards on the opponent's field, but its Attack Power is only 2450 and would be directly destroyed by battle with Acid Water or Vicious Claw; Thunder and Wind can add a Spell or Trap with the names of three Guardian Gods to your hand during your Main Phase, but has no other protection abilities.
So—
"I Special Summon Gate Guardian of Water and Thunder!"
Kazejin detaches from Gate Guardians Combined's body to fiercely tussle with Vicious Claw, finally exploding, leaving a shrunk Gate Guardians Combined.
Gate Guardian of Water and Thunder, LV 9, Water Attribute, Aqua-Type, Attack Power 2550.
"Such a hassle..." Judai couldn't help but say.
Given it can disassemble like this, it's likely that when this Monster is dealt with, further divisional forms can be Special Summoned!
But—
He wore a smile of excitement.
Since it's known now, it's easier to handle!
The Maze Brothers also felt a renewed fire of passion at this moment.
This opponent is equally matched in 'coordination', a rare and excellent adversary!
The trusty adrenaline of duelists calls to them!
"Come on, Tenjo Hikari, let us see what kind of duel you have!"
Tenjo Hikari had many cards still in his hand, up to now, likely just preparation for dealing with Gate Guardians Combined! Next, is Tenjo Hikari's real offensive!