Who Let Him Play Yugioh? (Re-Upload)

”Ah, now that you mention it, I think I heard something about it,” Syrus said, resting his chin on his hand.

”I saw the ad. They said this year’s Duel City tournament will be different from previous years.”

”Different?” Chumley peeked over in confusion.

Chumley was a bit of a slacker, always on the verge of dropping out of Slifer Red, usually just sleeping in the dorms and cut off from the outside world.

Though he’d gotten more lively since Jaden showed up, he was still a shut-in and didn’t care much about outside news.

”You guys seriously didn’t know? It’s the biggest event Kaiba Corp has been hyping up lately!”

Syrus quickly pulled out his device, tapped a few times, and brought up the event poster.

Kira leaned in for a look.

Yep, no surprises—a big White Dragon took center stage. President Kaiba himself was striking his usual over-the-top pose. Though the text said it was an invitation for duelists to join, it looked more like a challenge than an invite.

”I thought Duel City was held every year?” Jaden asked.

”Yeah, but everyone knows the standard dropped after the first tournament in Domino City,” Syrus explained.

”But that’s only natural. Every year, the Duel City tournament is still a high-level event. Tons of strong duelists enter, including some top pros.”

Top pros, huh…

Kira hadn’t thought much about it before, but after dueling the guy who claimed to be ranked eighth, he felt like the pro level wasn’t all that intimidating.

When people talked about how strong the pros were, it reminded him of how people talk about all the Jonin in Konoha being elites. Not exactly weak, but it felt like all the pro circuit’s real strength was concentrated in Aster.

Aster Phoenix really might be the only star of the GX pro circuit. Maybe if you count the later addition of the rookie Zane Truesdale, that’d make two.

Other than that, most of the professional duelists in the anime were just background characters. In the Light of Destruction arc, they couldn’t even beat the academy’s elite students—who knows how strong they really were.

”Anyway, in previous years, the only requirement for signing up was your duelist rank in the Kaiba Corp system,” Syrus continued. ”As long as you met the rank, anyone could enter.

Of course, high-ranked duelists are usually pretty good, but it wasn’t like the first tournament.”

Jaden nodded: ”Makes sense.”

The first Duel City tournament’s recordings were still priceless collector’s items. You couldn’t say the new generation was weaker—it’s just that the original tournament was a clash of gods.

Yugi Muto was recognized as the most valuable champion, and the acknowledged King of Games, a title earned during Duel City. Every opponent he defeated in that tournament was a legend.

In retrospect, people realized all four semifinalists from the original Duel City—plus even the quarterfinalists—would be championship-level in any later tournament.

Truly, the original Duel City was a clash of gods.

”But, there aren’t any duelists now who can compare to all those legends, right?” Jaden asked.

”True, but this time, even Kaiba Seto himself said he’ll be participating!” Syrus said, excited. ”It’s the first time in years!

Do you know how long it’s been since anyone saw Kaiba in a public tournament?”

”Seriously?”

Jaden’s eyes sparkled.

”So, if I join, I could actually face off against President Kaiba?”

”Uh, but there’s a catch—this year’s entry requirements are tougher than ever,” Syrus said. ”Besides the usual rank, this year Kaiba himself will lead a team for qualification screening.

Rumor is, even some legendary duelists didn’t pass.”

Kira immediately thought of the Paradox Brothers.

Wonder if those two can pass Kaiba’s screening…

”I think as a Slifer Red student, your file probably wouldn’t even make it to the screening team,” Syrus said, embarrassed.

”Huh?” Jaden was disappointed. ”So why does Kira get to go?”

Chumley whispered, ”Kira’s different. If someone told me he was on the screening team, I’d believe it.”

Jaden perked up: ”Really? Kira, can you get me a spot?”

”Don’t get your hopes up—I’m not on the screening team; I just got an invitation.”

Kira paused, then smiled.

”But, if you just want a spot, maybe I can ask.”

Jaden let out a whistle, then gave Kira a bear hug.

”Thanks a million! I’ll remember this forever!”

”You’re exaggerating… Besides, I only said I’d make a call—I don’t know if it’ll work.”

”Haha, still, thanks anyway~!”

”…”

The group kept chatting as they walked, their shadows stretching long in the sunlight.

…

That same day, in the Duel Academy principal’s office…

”Any plans for the break, Zane?”

Chancellor Sheppard leaned back in his chair, smiling at his star pupil and the rightful heir to his Cyber Style, Zane Truesdale.

”Nothing special, Master,” Zane replied with a smile. ”I’ll look for chances to duel strong players outside the academy, hone my skills, and seek new breakthroughs.”

”Good. In that case, I happen to have an opportunity for you.”

Chancellor Sheppard smiled, handing him a flyer.

Zane took it and raised an eyebrow.

”Duel City?”

PS: 2 Bonus chapters at 2000 PS.