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

Chapter 15 The Black Rose Witch

"When the second round began, Melissa's cheerful tone faltered mid-sentence. "Now, making his entrance is... Huh? Tsukikage..? Why was the match-up changed? I didn't hear about this!"

The masked ninja silently guided his D-Wheel onto the field, his calm presence unsettling the crowd. Melissa tried to recover her composure. "This is... well... I suppose the change must be due to... various reasons—"

At that moment, Shinji entered, his glare fixed on the stands above. "The Tops never change," he spat bitterly. "They always do whatever they like, thinking only of themselves. Commons like us are nothing more than worms to them."

"Such crude remarks..." one of the Tops muttered.
"That's exactly why Commons should—" another began, frowning at the display.

Shinji's voice rose, shaking with conviction. "But Commons are Commons because we allowed it! We numbed ourselves to their treatment. We threw away our pride long ago! We've been tamed completely!"

"Hey, excuse me!" Melissa shouted, her voice cracking under the tension. "Don't provoke the audience like that!"

Shinji ignored her. "I broke out of the Detention Facility, only for those higher-ups to drag me here. They want me to be part of their show, their exhibit! But I won't play their game. I won't be their puppet! I'll tear down this rotten society!"

Melissa pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated. "Geez, what are you saying right now? Everyone just came together as one! Why throw all that away?! If you call yourself a duelist, then prove it—duel fair and square!"

Yuya watched the broadcast, his eyes narrowing. "Shinji... what are you trying to do?"

Meanwhile, back at the council chamber, Reiji, Reisho, and Reira's link broke. Reira staggered, clutching her chest, a frown shadowing her face. Reiji calmly addressed the council. "We kept you waiting."

Melissa tried to salvage the mood, forcing brightness back into her voice. "The city is one! We're all friends! Let's shake off the tension and get pumped!"

"I apologize for selfishly requesting that the match-up be changed," Reiji said with a bow. "Please forgive us."

"It's not a problem," White Taki replied evenly.

Reisho added, "Tsukikage, who will participate in her place, hails from a combatant sect skilled in ninjutsu dueling. We can vouch for his ability. Please, look forward to his performance."

Reira's lips trembled. "Big Brothers... why? Do you really think more highly of Tsukikage... than me...?"

The crowd roared as the Action Field came alive, towers and gears rising around them. Shinji and Tsukikage revved their D-Wheels, eyes locked in challenge.

"Duel!" both shouted in unison. (Shinji:4000)(Tsukikage:4000)

Roget looked at the screen and sneered. "Tsukikage... and the Commons youngster... Ultimately, neither will remain standing."

"Both accelerate at full throttle towards the corner! Tsukikage takes the first corner!" Melissa announced as the two D-Wheels thundered around the track.

"I summon Twilight Ninja – Shingetsu! (ATK:1500/DEF:100/Level 4). Next, I activate the Continuous Magic Illusion Ninjitsu – Hazy Shuriken!" Tsukikage declared, his voice sharp and calm.

He snatched an Action Card from the field and held it high. "When I add a card to my hand, I can send it to the graveyard and deal 300 damage to my opponent! Hazy Shuriken!"

The glowing spell released a volley of shimmering blades that tore through the air. They slammed into Shinji's D-Wheel, jolting him violently. (Shinji:4000-3700)