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

Chapter 20 Beyond Belief

The office of Leo Duel School was quiet, save for the faint hum of monitors. After the chaos of the Kurosaki siblings' duel, everyone had gathered—Reisho standing stiffly near the window, Reiji seated behind his desk, and Yuni, Yuya, Yuzu, and Katrina waiting anxiously for answers.

Yuni broke the silence first. She glanced at Reisho, her childhood friend, her voice low but edged with tension. "So, Reisho... why are you here? What's the situation in Academia?"

Reisho exhaled through his nose, his expression grim. "Father is... frustrated. He still hasn't found Ruri or Rin. They vanished without a trace, and it gnaws at him. Because of that, he's shifted all priorities to locating them. Yuzu, for now, that means you're safe—but no one can guarantee how long that will last."

Relief softened Yuzu's shoulders, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "At least... for now."

Reiji's eyes flicked sharply from Yuzu to Yuni and Katrina. His tone was measured, but probing. "Then tell me—did you two confront the culprit directly?"

Yuni shook her head. "Not exactly. Ruri and Rumi were the ones who fought. Their duel disks... they've been modified. They can inflict real damage outside the Action Fields. By the time it was over, the warehouse looked like a warzone."

Katrina's brow furrowed. "And Rumi's monsters... they aren't just strong. They're colossal. Compared to my sister's dragons, they're in a completely different league."

Reiji folded his hands, his gaze calm but heavy. "With our resources, repairing a warehouse is trivial. What troubles me is the scale of that destruction. It makes one thing clear—this Kurosaki Shun requires closer observation. Has he regained consciousness?"

Yuzu shook her head, worry etched into her face. "No. He and his sisters are still out cold."

Reisho crossed his arms firmly. "Then the first priority is obvious. We need Shun as part of the Lancers—no matter what. His strength is too great to ignore. And since so many of the Xyz Duelists here have ties to Ruri and Rumi, they can help us shield them."

Yuya leaned forward, concern flashing in his eyes. "Right. But what about Professor Marco and Tio? Are they awake?"

Reiji's voice didn't waver. "Not yet. Unlike the Top Team members you rescued, they've been sealed as cards for far longer. Their recovery will take time. As you requested, we won't allow anyone to enter the wards."

Yuzu sighed softly. "I see... though I can't imagine Masumi sitting back. She'll want to see him regardless."

Yuni's gaze darted back to Reisho, a flicker of doubt in her voice. "But Reisho—hasn't your father grown suspicious of your constant trips here? Doesn't he notice?"

Reisho's lips curved into a bitter smirk. "Not at all. I kept a lab back in Academia. I told him I was locked inside, conducting experiments with Duel Monsters. He never questioned it. He never even tried to open the door."

For a moment, silence lingered. Reiji finally rose from his seat, hands clasped behind his back as he looked out over Miami City. The skyline glimmered with neon light, but his words cut through the quiet.

"Whatever paths brought us here, one truth remains. Academia's invasion is inevitable. We must prepare—not only for ourselves, but for every participant, no matter where they come from."

The room tightened around his resolve, each of them feeling the weight of what was to come.

The streets of Miami were still buzzing with the aftermath of the tournament, but the alleyway Jean slipped into was quiet, cloaked in dim light. Ron and Yuto were already waiting.