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

Chapter 31 The Pendulum Swings Both Ways

"Next up, we have our second match of the day! You Show Duel School and LDS's very own Sakaki Yuya versus LDS's Sawatari Shingo!" Nico announced, his voice booming across the stadium.

As Yuya strode into the arena, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers that echoed from every corner.

"Wow," Yuzu said, her eyes widening at the sheer volume of support. "He really has a lot of fans now."

"Of course he does," Yuni replied with a small smile. "Now that everyone knows we're the Vice Presidents, it makes sense. They see Yuya as a pro—someone endorsed by the very people who make the cards they use."

Just then, the opposite entrance opened. Sawatari emerged, puffing dramatically on a leaf like a flute. He wore a wide straw hat, a loose robe, and wooden sandals, completing the picture of a wandering minstrel.

"What kind of cosplay is that?" Jean asked, deadpan.

"Mabuta no Haha... by Hasegawa, isn't it?" Shuzo guessed, tilting his head in recognition.

"The cards are calling to me," Sawatari declared in a theatrical tone, spreading his arms as if to embrace the heavens. "They whisper for me to draw! A new star has risen above the earth! Behold—the greatest dueling star of all!"

Yuya and most of the audience stared at him, utterly baffled.

"Do you know who I am?" Sawatari asked, tilting his straw hat downward in mock mystery.

"...Sawatari, right?" Yuya replied, his patience already thinning.

"Wrong!" Sawatari ripped off the disguise in one swift motion. Beneath it, he stood proudly in his crisp school uniform, his teeth gleaming unnaturally bright as he struck a pose.

"I am Neo New Sawatari!"

In the stands, Kakimoto, Yamabe, and Ootomo leapt to their feet, clapping and shouting his name like rabid fans.

Yuya raised an eyebrow. "You do know that 'new' and 'neo' mean the same thing, right?"

But Sawatari ignored him, basking in his self-declared glory. "Mark my words, Sakaki Yuya! You may carry the title of Vice President of LDS, but today you'll taste the bitterness of defeat! The greatest defeat of your life!"

"What confidence! Sawatari is already declaring victory before the duel has even begun!" Nico exclaimed for the audience.

"His introductions are always so long-winded," Hokuto muttered, and the other LDS boys beside him sighed in agreement.

"Pendulum Summoning may have carried you this far," Sawatari shouted, pointing dramatically across the arena, "but today it will spell your downfall!"

Yuya smirked, brushing off the threat with ease. "So what? Even if my sister was the one who trained me to master Pendulum Summons, I'm not about to lose here either."

Ron blinked in surprise and turned toward Yuni. "Wait... you're the one who trained him?"

"Yeah," Yuni admitted, folding her arms. "Though with that attitude of his, it wasn't easy. But I had no choice—especially with Yuto lurking in the shadows and ambushing him. Someone had to cover for him."

Katrina furrowed her brow. "What does that mean?"

Yuni exhaled, shoulders dipping slightly. "It means that since he looks so much like my brother, this is the only way to keep him from being accused... or worse, arrested."

The explanation hung heavy for a moment, but Nico's booming voice quickly recaptured the arena's energy. "I wonder how this match will turn out! Now, let's select the Action Field!"