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

Chapter 1 The Synchro Dimension - "City"

A faint voice drifted through the fog of Yuzu's half-conscious mind. "Hey... hey! Hey, are you alright?"

Her eyelids fluttered open. The first thing she saw was a face hovering close—far too close. A boy with sharp teal eyes, messy blue hair tied back with goggles perched on his forehead. Startled, Yuzu gasped and jolted upright, shoving him back with both hands.

"W–Wah!" The boy yelped as he toppled backwards, landing flat on the floor with a loud thud.

Yuzu's heart hammered in her chest. "W–who are you?!"

"Argh, ouch..." the boy groaned, rubbing his back before shooting her an indignant glare. "Unbelievable! Even when I try to check if you're okay... are you kidding me?!"

Still breathing fast, Yuzu blinked at him, momentarily too bewildered to respond. Her surroundings finally came into focus. The glow of evening filtered through glass walls, painting the sleek modern interior in shades of gold and crimson. Plush leather couches, marble flooring, and a grand balcony—it was nothing like Miami City.

"...Where are we?" she asked, pushing herself to her feet.

The boy dusted himself off, shrugging as if it were the most natural thing. "New Domino City. My hometown."

Yuzu turned toward the balcony. She stepped outside, the cool air brushing her skin, and froze. The view stretched endlessly—rows upon rows of neon-lit city blocks rising from the ocean, a colossal metropolis humming with life. She gripped the railing, unease gnawing at her.

"New Domino...?" she whispered.

Behind her, the boy muttered with exaggerated annoyance, "Good thing I'm used to taking hits. Gotta be careful, after all."

Yuzu turned sharply. "Wait, but... what about the Battle Royale?"

"Battle what now?" He tilted his head, confusion etched across his face.

"The Battle Royale for the Junior Youth Championship in Miami!" Yuzu's words tumbled out, frantic. But then her voice faltered. Her memory flickered back—she'd been on the tournament field when Yuri appeared, his shadow closing in on her. Yuya and Yuni had rushed in, shouting at her to hide. She had obeyed, trembling in fear, until suddenly this boy... this stranger... had embraced her, calling her Rin.

And then the light had engulfed them.

Her eyes widened. "So... you and I were teleported together?"

The boy blinked, then clenched his fists as if remembering something heavy. Rin. Yuya. The overlapping names rang in both their ears.

Yuzu swallowed hard. "You... you look like Yuya. Don't tell me—are you Yugo?"

The boy's expression flipped instantly into a wide grin. He jabbed a thumb proudly against his chest. "Yeah! You got my name right!"

Yuzu stepped back slightly, nerves prickling. "That means... you're with Fusion too?"

"Fusion?" His face twisted into outrage. "The heck is that supposed to mean?! Who's Fusion? I'm Yugo! Don't mix me up with anybody else!" His voice cracked with raw frustration, echoing through the penthouse.

Yuzu flinched at his intensity. He turned his back to her with a huff, arms crossed, shoulders tense.

"You're not Rin after all," he muttered bitterly. "Rin wouldn't get my name wrong."

Yuzu's lips trembled as a name slipped out, heavy with guilt. "Rin..." Her mind flashed back to the moment she realized the truth—that Rin's soul had been absorbed into her. The weight pressed down on her chest, and her voice quivered as she went on. "The duelist from Academia... he chased me, tried to capture me... he took Rin away."