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

Chapter 36 Yuya and Dark Rebellion

The next day, Gongenzaka, Katrina, and Ron had already secured victories in their second-round matches, advancing confidently to the next stage of the tournament. The crowd buzzed with energy as Nico took center stage once more.

"And now, for the next duel in the Junior Youth Division!" Nico announced dramatically. "From You Show Duel School and Vice President of LDS—Yuya Sakaki! Versus the pride of Ryozanpaku Duel School—Isao Kachidoki!"

A murmur rippled through the audience as the two duelists stepped forward.

"Hey, what's with everyone looking so tense already?" Shuzo asked, scratching his head.

"Because his opponent today is that Kachidoki Isao!" Yuzu snapped, her eyes narrowed. "Were you not watching his match yesterday?"

Jean crossed his arms uneasily. "She's right. Something about this duel... it just feels unsettling."

Vivian nodded grimly. "After what he did to Yaiba, who wouldn't feel uneasy? And remember—Kachidoki was last year's runner-up. He's no ordinary duelist."

"The champion from last year's bracket already advanced to the Youth Class," Gongenzaka added, his tone heavy. "So right now, Kachidoki's the number-one candidate to win it all."

Katrina glanced toward the arena. "So what's the deal with this Ryozanpaku School, anyway?"

Shuzo's face darkened. "They don't believe in smiles or fun in dueling. To them, winning is everything. Like you saw yesterday—their brutal, forceful style is their creed. Their principal, Godagawa Ryozan, has been criticized for years for pushing that philosophy. But no matter what the critics say, his school keeps racking up titles."

"He sounds... harsh," Ron muttered.

"Harsh doesn't even begin to cover it," Yuni sighed. "It's a boarding school. Students can't leave except for classes, and they aren't even allowed to see their parents until they make it as pros."

Futoshi shivered. "I'd run for the hills if I had to live in a place like that!"

"And yet," Yuni went on, "despite those conditions, so many kids fight to get in. Ryozanpaku is second only to LDS at producing pros. And at the top of their current generation—Kachidoki Isao."

Nico raised his arm, signaling the start. "Now, begin the Action Field! Field Magic—Bamboo Battleground, activate!"

The arena shifted instantly, the audience gasping as walls of bamboo shot up from the ground, forming towering forests. Yuya stood at the mouth of a bamboo shelter, while Kachidoki loomed from the jagged peak of an isolated stone, his stance brimming with raw, combative energy.

Yuya tightened his grip on his Duel Disk, his voice firm and cutting. "Even as Vice President of LDS, I can't stay silent. I won't say your style is right. What you did yesterday... that wasn't dueling."

The crowd stirred, surprised by Yuya's bold challenge.

But Kachidoki only smirked, dropping into his martial stance. The bamboo rustled in the wind as he raised his voice with Yuya in unison.

"Action—Duel!" (Yuya: 4000) (Kachidoki: 4000)

Yuya slid a card onto his Duel Disk. "Well then, the first move goes to me! I summon Entermate Silver Claw from my hand!" (ATK:1800/DEF:700/Level 4/Scale:5)

The beast bounded forward with Yuya riding on its back, the crowd cheering—until Ayu and Futoshi shouted, "Big Brother Yuya, watch out!"

Too late. Bamboo smacked into Yuya's face, and he sputtered as leaves stuck to his mouth.