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

Chapter 7 Dueling's Most Wanted

Gallagher's limousine rolled to a stop under the dim light of a flickering streetlamp. The door swung open, and the self-styled promoter stepped out with a smug grin. Behind him followed Dennis, Ron, and Gongenzaka, who eyed their surroundings warily. The alley ahead was narrow, reeking of oil and smoke, the kind of place none of them wanted to linger.

Gongenzaka folded his arms stubbornly. "I'm not going. We should be looking for Yuya and Yuni, not chasing after some unknown duelists."

Dennis lifted his hands disarmingly. "Wait, Gon-chan. Just think for a second. For all we know, they could be here too."

Ron frowned, her tone uncertain. "I don't think either of them would want to be in a place like this..."

Dennis shook his head. "The Lancers came to the Synchro Dimension to recruit strong duelists, right? If Yuya and Yuni caught wind of a place where duelists gather, then this might be exactly where they'd show up."

"But are you sure?" Gongenzaka pressed. His voice was low, doubtful. "Strong duelists, in a dump like this...?"

Gallagher stopped in his tracks and shot him a glare. "Are you questioning me? You think I, the great promoter Gallager, would spout nonsense?!"

Before Gongenzaka could retort, Gallagher seized him by the collar and yanked him forward. "Enough whining! You'll see soon enough."

The others had no choice but to follow. Gallagher led them to a rusted panel embedded in the wall. With a dramatic flourish, he entered a code. A hidden elevator door clanked open, the display flickering as a new floor registered.

Gallager smirked as the doors slid apart. "We're here. See with your own eyes whether I'm lying!"

The group stepped out—and froze.

A colossal underground chamber stretched before them, packed with shouting spectators. The roar of the crowd was deafening, the smell of sweat, grease, and smoke mixing into a choking haze. At the center stood a massive track circling a duel arena.

Ron's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what is this place...?"

Gallager spread his arms wide as if unveiling a masterpiece. "This, my friends, is the largest underground dueling arena in the entire City. A social gathering of darkness where fortunes are won and lost on illegal Gambling Duels!"

"Gambling Duels?!" Gongenzaka's voice thundered with outrage. "How dare you drag us into something this disgraceful!"

But Dennis gasped and pointed toward the track. "Wait—look!"

The others followed his finger. On the course, a D-Wheel roared by, its rider leaning into a sharp curve. The duelist's monster cut through the holographic air—Raidraptor – Rise Falcon—swooping down with a decisive strike that brought the match to a crashing end.

Ron's breath caught. "Shun?!"

Sure enough, Shun Kurosaki reined his D-Wheel to a halt, his eyes cold and unyielding. Cheers erupted from the stands as his opponent's Life Points hit zero.

The four wasted no time. They pushed through the crowded corridors until they found him in the resting room. Gongenzaka stormed in first. "Shun, what are you doing here?!"

Shun rose from his chair without hesitation. "What do you think? Looking for strong duelists."

Dennis grinned knowingly. "I figured as much. It's way easier to find serious fighters in a place like this than out on the streets."

Shun crossed his arms, his expression darkening. "So far, though, it's been nothing but disappointment. They talk big, but none of them have given me a real challenge."