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

Chapter 30 The Tested Steadfast Heart

The following day, the stadium was buzzing with energy as Yuya and his friends gathered near the entrance.

"So today is Brother, Ron, Jean, Gongenzaka, and Sora's duels, right?" Katrina asked, glancing toward the digital bracket boards flashing overhead.

"Yeah," Yuya nodded. "And Gongenzaka's up first. His opponent is Gen Anzokuji..."

Vivian frowned at the name. "That guy, huh? I just hope Gongenzaka crushes him for insulting Dad yesterday."

"I know Gongenzaka can—" Yuni started, only to be cut off when a bald boy collided into her with a thud. "Ow! Watch it!"

The boy scrambled to his knees, bowing frantically. "Sorry! That's the young master's—Gongenzaka Noboru-san's sash for today's match!" He dropped a white cloth onto the ground.

"Gongenzaka's sash?" Yuya blinked.

Before anyone could react, a pink-haired boy with a sharp mohawk darted in, snatched up the sash, and sprinted down the corridor.

"Hey! Give that back!" Yuya shouted after him.

Shuzo clutched his head. "Gongenzaka's match is going to start soon!"

Yuni's expression hardened. "Brother, leave everything to me. I'll get Gongenzaka's sash back." Without hesitation, she bolted after the thief, the bald boy following close behind.

Yuya sighed, but his trust in her was clear. "I guess we should let her handle it..." He turned to the others. "Come on, let's get inside."

As Yuni weaved through the crowded hallways, her voice carried over her shoulder. "Why is he after Gongenzaka's sash anyway?"

"He's probably one of Ankokuji's friends!" the bald boy huffed as he kept up. "They'll use any cowardly trick if it helps them win!"

"Ankokuji..." Yuni muttered through clenched teeth, her pace quickening.

The boy glanced at her curiously. "You're Sakaki Yuni, right? The Vice President of You Show? Shouldn't you be at the stadium instead of chasing thieves?"

Yuni shot him a sharp but determined smile. "Gongenzaka comes first. Titles don't matter when it's about protecting your friends. Besides, I know my brother and the others can win without me. This is my fight now—I'll get his sash back!"

The boy's face lit up with admiration, his earlier panic easing. "You really are his friend... Young master Noboru is lucky to have you!"

"My dear audience!" Nico Smiley's voice boomed across the stadium. "Thank you for coming to see the even more exciting second day of the Junior Youth Championship! For our first match of the day—introducing our Duelists! He may not belong to any school, but with a blazing six-game win streak, he qualified for the tournament! Give it up for Ankokuji Gen! And his opponent, the proud successor of the Steadfast Dueling style of the Gongenzaka Dojo—Gongenzaka Noboru!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as both Duelists stepped onto the field.

Gen smirked as his eyes flicked toward Gongenzaka's waist. "That's a nice sash you've got there. Tell me, did you get that from your father?"

Gongenzaka straightened his stance, his deep voice carrying authority. "The master of our dojo grants us a new sash before every pivotal match! This is the tradition of the Gongenzaka Dojo!"

"Well..." Gen's smirk widened, his words dripping with malice. "I've already taken a little advantage of that so-called tradition."

"What?" Gongenzaka's eyes narrowed, his voice a low growl.