7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Standard Arc)

Chapter 18 Family Rebellion

"So she won." Akaba Reiji's calm voice echoed across the polished office of LDS Headquarters. He stood by the window, glasses glinting faintly in the light. Across from him, Sakaki Yuya leaned against the desk, arms folded. Yuni had called her brother earlier, sharing the news—Vivian had achieved her fiftieth victory.

"Although I'm surprised," Yuya said, eyeing him curiously. "You seem to be paying a lot of attention to my sister Vivian, Reiji."

Reiji adjusted his glasses. "Is that what you think?"

"Well, considering that you gave her her own Pendulum Cards before anyone else..." Yuya pressed, his tone a mix of suspicion and teasing.

The moment was interrupted as the office door slid open. Nakajima entered briskly, bowing. "President, the Control Room has detected another summoning reaction."

Reiji turned, his voice steady. "This is not the first?"

"No, sir," Nakajima replied. "Recently, we've picked up exceptionally strong Fusion Summoning readings across Miami City."

"Fusion?" Yuya repeated, tilting his head.

"Fusion is part of the standard curriculum in the schools," Nakajima explained. "At first, I assumed the readings were just students practicing... but the strength of these reactions is different."

Yuya's expression hardened. "You mean it's similar to the energy from Ryu—or Vivian?"

"Correct," Nakajima said with a nod. "These reactions are far beyond anything we've seen from the average student."

"Understood." Reiji's tone remained measured, though his eyes sharpened. "Tell the Control Room to continue monitoring the readings closely."

"Right away, sir." Nakajima bowed again and departed.

The silence lingered until Yuya spoke, lowering his voice. "Remember the blue-haired boy at You Show? Shiun'in Sora. We know for sure he's from the enemy, and he's spying on us."

Reiji's gaze flicked toward him. "If that's the case, why not capture him now and interrogate him?"

Yuya shook his head. "No. We won't move until they make their first strike. Besides..." he smirked faintly, "he wants to join the Championship. That might give us the chance we need."

He laid out the plan in detail, each step methodical. Reiji listened silently, then gave a small nod. "I hope your plan will work."

"It will," Yuya said firmly as he turned to leave, heading to check on the Pendulum Cards.

Left alone, Reiji gazed at the city skyline, his thoughts turning heavy. First Xyz... and now Fusion...

Meanwhile, near the warehouses, Yuzu and Sora were running practice duels.

"I use the Magic Card Fusion from my hand!" Yuzu shouted, holding the card up with determination. "I fuse Aria the Melodious Diva and Sonata the Melodious Diva! Echoing melodious voice! Flowing melody! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power—Fusion Summon!"

Her Duel Disk flared—then suddenly screeched with a harsh error signal. The holograms fizzled out instantly.

"W-What?!" Yuzu panicked, staring at the flashing red warning on her screen. "Why did it error out?! Why didn't it summon my Fusion Monster?! Come on!"

Sora sweatdropped, hands on his hips. "Hey... did you actually remember to put the card in your Extra Deck?"

"H-Huh? Extra...?" Yuzu blinked in confusion.