"The Legendary Duelist?"
In the principal's office, Principal Samejima's small eyes were filled with great confusion.
"But as an opponent for our students, wouldn't such an opponent be too overwhelming?" Samejima asked.
Though they had no idea, just ten minutes earlier, that "Legendary Duelist" in question had been beaten up in the small grove behind the school...
"I believe it's perfectly fine. Everyone has seen Yuki Judai's strength and there are very few opponents in the academy who can match his capabilities."
Professor Chronos said, pausing for a moment and looking around shadily before lowering his voice to Samejima: "Besides, 'that lord' has also agreed."
The matter involved Yuki Judai, and Principal Samejima naturally understood that the "lord" the professor referred to was undoubtedly the true mastermind of the academy, Duel King Youyu.
"He agreed?" Samejima arched an eyebrow.
"Agreed in person," Chronos said confidently.
"Well... if that's the case, I have nothing more to say," Samejima nodded, "Let it be so then."
Professor Chronos left, and shortly after, a new visitor arrived at the principal's office.
This time, it was Tenjouin Asuka.
Principal Samejima had a strong impression of this young lady. After all, her entrance scores were extremely outstanding, and her dueling level was top-notch among the freshmen. With high popularity and a prominent reputation among students, it was hard not to know her.
But today, Asuka seemed a bit less composed and ladylike than usual, appearing somewhat anxious.
"Principal, I heard that the targets for the punishment duel are only Yuki Judai and Marufuji Shou... is that true?"
She had just been in the grove, witnessing her mentor's impressive two-on-one performance, and naturally soon heard about the mission the Paradox Brothers had upon arriving on the island.
Asuka asked Cola Sprite if there was anything she needed to prepare for the punishment duel she was about to accept. Cola Sprite was momentarily stunned before telling her that the duel had nothing to do with her. The upper echelons had decided that the punishment targets were only Judai and Shou...
This left Asuka unable to sit still.
Clearly, she was the first to break into the prohibited area and become a hostage. Judai rescued her, yet he had to take the blame and face punishment for her.
Asuka was originally a proud girl, and her self-esteem would not allow such a thing to happen.
"I was also in that dormitory at the time, Principal!" Asuka said. "Please punish me as well!"
She was clear that pleading for Judai would be in vain, so at the very least, she wanted to share the responsibility, even if it could only make her feel a little better.
Hmm? You say another person accepting the punishment is Marufuji Shou?
Asuka automatically ignored this minor character...
"Ah, this...
Principal Samejima scratched his bald head and sighed helplessly.
"I understand your feelings, Tenjouin," Samejima said. "But this is a decision from the higher-ups of the academy, and I'm powerless."
What? You say as the head of the school, he has no say at all?
Samejima expressed, what can I do?
The true boss of the academy, Kaiba Seto, personally named the individuals to be punished—and coincidentally, that individual happened to be the personal disciple of the academy's other legendary deity, Duel King Youyu.
With the higher-up deities clashing above, what could a small, helpless principal like him possibly say?
Disappointed, Asuka left the principal's office.
She stubbornly believed that Judai was in this expulsion crisis because of her, yet she couldn't even stand by his side to fight together.
Could it be that because of her impressive entrance scores, the academy decided to exempt her from punishment?
Of course, the girl only saw the surface of things. Although she guessed a part, it was only a small part.
Firstly, the so-called "expulsion crisis" Judai faced wasn't really her responsibility; it turned into this mess mainly because of the sudden appearance of President Kaiba...
Secondly, the so-called "expulsion crisis" essentially didn't exist. With Youyu around, even if Judai lost the punishment duel, expulsion was unlikely.
Ultimately, it would likely develop in the following way.
"As punishment for violating school rules, Yuki Judai must be expelled!" President Kaiba would personally show up.
"What if I disagree?" Youyu would stand in opposition.
"Hmph, I knew it. In that case, cursed You↑yu↓, let's settle this with our skills!" President Kaiba would pull out his Duel Disc.
...
So in the end, expelling Judai was impossible.
But Asuka wasn't aware of these inside stories!
Speaking of which, even though the one about to be punished was Judai, he went about his daily activities without a hint of urgency, and his mentor wasn't worried either. Excluding Judai's roommate, among involved parties, perhaps only the unrelated Asuka was worrying on his behalf...
"Yo."
As Asuka walked out of the academy building, lost in thought, she suddenly heard someone call out to her from the side.
Coming to her senses and turning her head, she almost exclaimed in surprise as she covered her mouth: "Youyu... sir?"
Youyu smiled, "I just happened to pass by the principal's office. I heard from Principal Samejima that you also want to accept the punishment?"
Asuka snapped out of the shock of meeting her idol and quickly nodded, "Y-yes. Judai and they are in this mess because of me..."
"Got it. Then go prepare yourself," Youyu patted her shoulder. "Prepare to team up with Yuki Judai for the duel."
"Eh?"
Asuka was stunned for a while before reacting and hurriedly bent down to bow... even causing certain areas to move dramatically due to her large gesture.
"Thank you so much!"
Though the principal's words might not carry weight with the upper echelons, this was the legendary First Duel King!
Even though Asuka didn't know why such a high-level figure cared about this small matter, she knew things were now secure!
Youyu walked away, sighing leisurely.
Honestly, President Kaiba didn't care about school rules or punishments; he simply targeted Judai—or rather, Youyu's student.
Marufuji Shou was merely a byproduct of being in the wrong place at the wrong time; no one really cared.
To be honest, Youyu didn't take the Paradox Brothers' level of trash seriously. In the original anime, Yuki Judai could beat them up with Marufuji Shou as a burden; Youyu was confident that with today's Judai, he could take down both of them handicapped, rendering any teammate irrelevant.
Rather than bringing along an unhelpful sidekick, it was better to seize the opportunity during a duel to bond with fellow female students...
Youyu reached the side of Chinai, who was waiting for him not far away to have a meal together.
Chinai hugged his arm while walking and glanced in the direction he came from: "That was... the girl from last time?"
"Yeah, her name's Tenjouin Asuka," Youyu said. "What do you think?"
Chinai tilted her head, unconsciously picturing Judai and that girl together.
"…Pretty good."
After all, Asuka had a face at the idol level, excellent scores, and outstanding dueling skills. She could genuinely care for her friends...
The only thing that made Chinai uncomfortable was the excessive fat in certain areas, which made her feel a bit dizzy.
So young yet having such an impressive size!
Chinai thought for a bit: "But don't you think she looks a little like... that someone?"
"Who?" asked Youyu.
Chinai thought carefully: "Um... the one you dueled before in Duel City... the one who throws dice?"
"Jonouchi?"
Youyu was stunned for a moment.
He recalled Gambling God Jonouchi's smooth, unruly blonde hair and eye color, then thought back to Asuka's hair and eye color...
…Whoa, there really was some resemblance!
If that wasn't enough, Youyu then thought of Asuka's biological brother, the one once known as the "King" in this academy, Tenjouin Fubuki, whose ace monster happened to be the legendary rare card "Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
In today's world, whose signature monster is the Red-Eyes Black Dragon?
Isn't it precisely the emblem of Gambling God Jonouchi?
This coincidence was indeed fascinating.
It was hard not to imagine what connection these siblings might have with "The Legendary Mortal"...