After confirming the President Kagemaru's death, Youyu's only lead was completely cut off.
Although the Titan who infiltrated Duel Academy was successfully captured, the big oaf couldn't even remember why he ended up on the island, let alone provide any useful clues.
However, the news of President Kagemaru's death had the greatest impact on his Heaven and Earth Imaging Society. There was a massive upheaval within the Imaging Society, and it's foreseeable that this group is about to face a storm.
Mokuba arranged a special team to continue the investigation, promising to notify Youyu immediately should they discover anything. For now, Youyu had nothing else to do and returned to the Academy.
Meanwhile, Judai wasn't idle either.
The school's higher-ups finally made their decision, formally notifying that the students who trespassed into restricted areas and violated school rules must undergo a duel with assigned opponents as an assessment. If they failed, they might face expulsion.
Marufuji Shou, already demoralized by his new mentor, was even more disheartened upon hearing the news and almost gave up. While Judai was trying to cheer him up, he inadvertently heard Asuka mention that Shou had an older brother in the academy known as "Caesar," the strongest in the academy.
Judai's dueling instincts immediately sparked with excitement. He couldn't wait to find this so-called "Caesar" and duel, eager to see how strong the academy's best really was.
Coincidentally, Marufuji Ryo appeared right at that moment in front of them.
"Long time no see, Judai." He approached and said.
"Brother!" Shou, who had been lifeless, exclaimed.
Listening to Marufuji Ryo's words, Asuka also felt surprised.
Long time no see... does it mean they have met before?
But Judai looked as confused as she was: "Huh? We've... met before?"
"Don't you remember? Well, it's been so many years after all." Ryo chuckled slightly, pulling out a card, "But you should remember this one, right?"
Cyber End Dragon!
Judai's eyes lit up, and he instantly recalled: "Ah! You're that guy from the Cyber Style dojo..."
"Marufuji Ryo." Ryo smiled, "Thank you for taking care of Shou."
Judai, who remembered the card but not the person, suddenly recalled everything, and approached him like an old friend, putting an arm around his shoulders: "Wow, now thinking about it, it really has been many years; brings back memories. I never expected the so-called Caesar would be you..."
"It's just a title someone arbitrarily gave me; I'm still far from your level..."
Watching the two chatting like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years, Shou and Asuka exchanged glances.
"My buddy... actually knows my brother?"
Asuka was also surprised: "So Caesar and Judai... are actually acquaintances?"
She looked at Judai with increased curiosity.
Yuki Judai... He really seems like someone with a lot of secrets.
Duelists meeting again tend to bring up rivalry rather than chat. Reuniting after so many years, they were more inclined to duel than talk. With their mutual young protégé, Marufuji Shou, watching, the two decided to spar right there after all these years.
But compared to the original anime timeline, Marufuji Ryo's mindset was completely different here.
If the first time he faced Judai in the anime, his role was "the one being challenged" from a higher position, here he saw himself as the challenger.
Years ago, the amazing draw tricks young Yuki Judai showed at the Cyber Style dojo deeply shook young Marufuji Ryo's heart.
Though little Judai forgot about that day entirely, the shadow of a certain jellyfish-haired boy couldn't be erased from young Ryo's mind.
For many years, he has been chasing after that figure.
Now the time has come to verify his progress!
"Duel!" x2
[Marufuji Ryo, LP 4000]
[Yuki Judai, LP 4000]
"I'm going first."
Ryo's luck wasn't good—being a Cyber Dragon deck user, and he got the first turn.
He knew well that Judai was said to be the direct disciple of that legendary First Duel King, and he had no doubt Judai had become an entirely different person over the years.
But he also never slacked off any day during those years, never stopping!
"Now is the time, Yuki Judai! Witness the results of my training!"
Marufuji Ryo swung his hand and drew four cards at once—
—I activate my Secret Skill: Power of 502 to directly fuse three Cyber Dragons!
Watching the electronic light burst into the sky, currents intertwining, and the three mechanical dragons twist their bodies into one, both Asuka and Shou were astonished.
What? A starting End Dragon as a sign of respect?
Why are you so formidable!?
As the metallic storm subsides, the three-headed dragon steadies itself and descends slowly. Metallic parts assemble and lock onto its body, while its neck joints pulse with electric light.
Cyber End Dragon, Fusion Summon!
[Cyber End Dragon, Attack Power 4000]
"Ohhh! It's Cyber End Dragon right from the start!" Judai's eyes gleamed. "That's super cool!"
"Incredible..." Asuka admired with awe.
Marufuji Shou was equally tense, saying: "Brother... is serious."
In his memory, he had never seen his brother being this serious!
Is his buddy really such a noteworthy adversary in his brother's mind?
However, unlike the two spectators, Judai, despite admiring the dragon's coolness, couldn't help but say: "But... fusing Cyber End Dragon right away, it can't attack on the first turn, so you're down by four cards in your hand, right?
With only two cards left, if I defeat 'Cyber End Dragon' next turn, wouldn't that be quite troublesome?"
Marufuji Ryo was stunned for a moment.
No one seemed to have ever asked him such a question.
But he soon gathered his composure, saying: "If you can defeat it."
He drew a card.
"Set one card face-down, end turn."
The card he set was "Fusion Dispel", which could either defuse the End Dragon during the Battle Phase, reverting it back to three Cyber Dragons for additional attacks, or defuse it when targeted by effects to dodge unfavorable conditions.
It's basically standard for Caesar's early game in the anime, focusing on maxing out Bonds and never shuffling.
With a starting End Dragon, ninety percent of the students in the academy might get wiped out right then. They had no countermeasures against this Cyber Style big brother boasting a hefty four thousand attack power and even piercing defense.
But Marufuji Ryo knew that the opponent before him wouldn't go down that easily.
Now it's Judai's turn: "Then it's my turn, draw!"
Judai glanced at Caesar, then looked at the card he had drawn, seeming briefly hesitant.
Ryo clenched his fist: "Don't hesitate, Judai! Just give it your all, let me see your full strength!"
Since his opponent said so...
"Alright!" Judai readily agreed, decisively playing the card he had drawn.
Asuka, commentating synchronously, said: "A monster with four thousand attack, like Cyber End Dragon, can't be defeated by ordinary means."
Marufuji Shou added: "That's what makes brother's dueling overwhelmingly powerful!"
Just as they spoke, the card Judai played was slotted into his Duel Disc.
"I activate the Magic Card 'System Down'!" shouted Judai, "Paying 1000 Life Points, all Machine-Type Monsters on the opponent's field and in the graveyard are removed from the game!"
Marufuji Ryo: "..."
Marufuji Shou: "..."
Asuka: "..."