Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon, Summon!
[Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon, Attack Power 2400]
Youyu looked up at the imposing variant black dragon and couldn't help but exhale deeply—
——Impressive, they've even printed Alternative Black Dragon.
Jonouchi's skills are improving!
"A new Red-Eyes, huh? Wow, it looks really impressive," Yugi said with a smile, "But neither 'Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning' nor 'Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon' can defeat Youyu's 'Ehther the Heavenly Monarch', right?"
"Heh heh, just watch." Jonouchi said confidently, waving his hand, "Battle! 'Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon', attack 'Ehther the Heavenly Monarch'! Black Dragon's Breath!"
The black dragon twisted its body, its long tail carving out a sweltering whirlwind. The dark red scorching breath came rushing forward, only to be effortlessly dispersed by the emperor's scepter.
Holy golden light reflected back from Ehther's scepter, like a divine punishment from the heavens, tearing back against the direction of the black flame breath, shattering the black dragon to pieces.
[Jonouchi, LP 1600 → LP 1200]
"Choosing to self-destruct voluntarily?" Youyu asked.
"That's right, that's just fine." Jonouchi chuckled, "The second effect of 'Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon' has been triggered! When this card is destroyed by battle or the opponent's effect, Special Summon one Level 7 or lower 'Red-Eyes' monster from the graveyard, except itself!"
A card ejected from the Graveyard on the duel disc. Jonouchi ritualistically raised it high, and the swirling undercurrent gathered into a vortex.
"The legendary dragon that brings infinite possibilities, my ace——
——Red-Eyes Black Dragon, resurrect!!!"
A dragon's roar pierced the sky, its agile form bursting forth with a towering spout of lava. The black dragon swiftly flew into the air, the scorching magma washing away from its pitch-black body at high speed, sprinkling downward like a fiery rain.
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Attack Power 2400]
"Youyu, you're probably thinking that even if I summon Red-Eyes, its attack power is only 2400, not enough to break 'Ehther the Heavenly Monarch', right?" Jonouchi laughed.
No, I never thought that at all, Youyu thought to himself.
"But the Red-Eyes' abilities are far beyond that!" Jonouchi waved his hand, "When the monster summoned by 'Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon's effect is 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon', its original attack power is doubled!"
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Attack Power 2400 → Attack Power 4800]
"Attack power of 4800!" Yugi exclaimed beside them, "Impressive, so strong Jonouchi!"
Youyu couldn't help glancing at him.
Yeah, it's really strong. If you were here, you would have already activated the trap Magic Cylinder, right?
"Attack 'Ehther the Heavenly Monarch' with 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon'!" Jonouchi raised his fist, "Double Black Flame Bullet!!!"
A storm gathered around the black dragon as a sphere of black flame quickly formed. With attack power of 4800, the double-powered Black Flame Bullet hurtled forward, piercing the emperor's abdomen head-on, the emperor's scepter breaking into two under the aftermath of the impact.
[Youyu, LP 4000 → LP 2000]
"Jonouchi still hasn't attacked with 'Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning' yet..." Yugi noted.
[Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning, Attack Power 2500]
"Hey, Youyu, you better watch out!" Jonouchi shouted, "Go, Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning, direct attack!"
The Red-Eyes demon began gathering its power, golden lightning flashing up to the sky. Countless bolts cheered and hurled down from above, the sound of the electric strikes deafening.
"The effect of 'Swift Scarecrow' in my hand."
Youyu briefly showed a card from his hand and quickly sent it to the Graveyard.
"When the opponent declares a direct attack, discard 'Swift Scarecrow' from your hand to negate that attack and forcibly end the Battle Phase."
A small scarecrow jumped out from the card Youyu showed, and the endless lightning released by the Red-Eyes demon struck that tiny scarecrow, electric currents crackling and scorching the surrounding ground black.
This is a card that shouldn't belong in this era.
Several years ago, a time traveler from the end of time, Z-ONE, returned to the present, remotely controlling Kaiba Group's duel robots to duel with Youyu. Among the card deck he used at the time was this future divine Hand Pit "Swift Scarecrow".
After that duel, it goes without saying that this card had been claimed by Youyu.
"There's even such a card?" Jonouchi was surprised, but then said, "But my assault isn't over yet."
"Oh?"
Jonouchi waved his hand: "Quick-Play Spell 'Raid from the Dark'! This card can only be activated at the end of the Battle Phase. Target one monster you summoned this turn; it can conduct an additional attack!" (Anime card)
He raised his arm high, pointing at the black dragon above him.
"The one I choose, of course, is 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon'! Grant it permission for another attack!"
As if understanding its master's command, Red-Eyes Black Dragon raised its head, roaring, the edges of its dark red eyes seeming to ooze with fiery light.
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Attack Power 4800]
The duel once again reached a critical moment!
If this double-powered Black Flame Bullet goes through, it will undoubtedly declare Youyu's defeat!
"This is the full power I possess now! Take this hit, Youyu!"
Jonouchi waved his hand grandly.
"Red-Eyes Black Dragon, attack again! Double Black Flame Bullet!!!"
The black dragon opened its mouth, unleashing an attack like a volcanic eruption! The scorching flames pierced through the space, and the force of the black flames seemed to burn everything away!
On Youyu's field, there were no monsters, no Set Cards, and the protective Divine Artifact "Swift Scarecrow" had already been used.
Even Yugi, who was watching, glanced at Youyu curiously.
In this situation, does Youyu have any way to defend against this critical strike from Red-Eyes?
The answer is... of course, he does.
"The effect from the Graveyard's 'Kiteroid'." A card ejected from Youyu's duel disc's Graveyard area, "While this card is in the Graveyard, there's one chance to make a direct attack ineffective." (Anime effect)
A translucent steel silhouette appeared, a chibi, humanized glider acting as an impregnable shield to protect Youyu.
The impact from the Black Flame Bullet exploded against that steel shield, the waves of energy dispersing in all directions.
"That card... oh! The 'Hand Destruction' from the beginning, huh?" Jonouchi quickly realized.
"Indeed." Youyu nodded, "When facing the current Jonouchi, you can't have too many insurance measures."
"Impenetrable defense, there's no chance at all..." Jonouchi was a bit dejected.
"Don't feel that way," Youyu laughed, "This is already my last line of defense."
"...Then I'll set three cards, and the turn ends."
The long turn finally came to an end.
To be fair, Jonouchi's performance in this turn was already impressive enough. To push this far despite the interference from Youyu's side, it's worthy of the title of "Legendary Duelist", unlike those two who only flaunted their reputation, the Paradox Brothers.
The strength was indeed formidable, but even so, Youyu felt something was missing.
He couldn't help but want to ask—
——Jonouchi, where are your dice?
Did Sister Mai confiscate them?