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

Chapter 18 Duel Consequences

The next day dawned with a roar. The Friendship Cup stadium pulsed with energy, banners snapping and voices rising like a tide. Melissa's voice cut through the buzz, bright and commanding.

"The City is one! We are all friends! Doing great, everyone?!" The crowd roared back. Melissa spun on her heel, throwing out an arm. "Then let's fire up the second day of the Friendship Cup! Our first match: Sakaki Yuya versus Duel Chaser 227! What kind of clash will we witness today?"

The cheers rolled like thunder.

"Yuya..." Yuzu whispered from the screen room, her hand pressed to the glass as his name echoed through the dome.

"So, it's finally his turn." Dennis leaned back, lips curling with intrigue.

Vivian cupped her hands around her mouth. "Go for it, Brother!"

Shingo nearly toppled forward from his seat, face twisted in frustration. "Look at this! I'm the perfect choice to get the crowd pumped with Yuya! Why don't they get it?!"

Meanwhile, Yuya pushed open the door of his waiting room—and stopped. Sam was standing there, back straight, eyes solemn.

"I'm here to lead you to the grounds," Sam said.

Yuya hesitated. The words Jack had told him last night burned in his mind. He wanted to ask Sam directly about them, but instead his eyes dropped to the card tucked in his deck case. "That card you gave me... You said you wanted me to win and give it back to Jack, right?"

Sam nodded once, firmly.

Yuya inhaled, his resolve sharpening. Then before this duel begins, there's something I need to do.

On the arena floor, the gates hissed open.

"First up!" Melissa declared as a tall figure stepped into the light. "Duel Chaser 227 makes his entrance! Once a proud officer, he lost his career after a failed pursuit duel. Now, stripped of rank, he returns to the field as a Commons!"

The audience erupted—some booed, some jeered, others just muttered.

Yugo snorted from the waiting room. "That unlucky bastard's here too."

Melissa leaned into the mic. "He's registered as an ex–Duel Chaser, but today he fights for redemption!"

Up in the command center, Roget's gaze lingered on the screen, cold and calculating. "This duel decides it all. Win, and you reclaim your reputation... and your job."

Jean crossed his arms, frowning. "I almost pity him."

Ron shook his head. "Doesn't matter. He's going to lose."

The second gate opened.

"And now—Sakaki Yuya!" Melissa's voice boomed, but the crowd fell into hushed awe. Every head turned as Yuya strode into the arena. The silence was heavy—this was the boy who had tied with their King. The air felt electric, like the audience didn't know whether to cheer or hold its breath.

From the observation room, Yuzu pressed her bracelet tighter against her palm. "Yuya... my feelings... they reached you, didn't they?"

Melissa gestured broadly. "With that, let the duel begin! Action—"

Yuya raised his hand. "Wait a second, please."

Melissa froze mid-sentence, blinking at him. The entire stadium seemed to draw in a single breath.

Yuya's gaze swept the arena, steady and clear. "Before we start... there's something I want to announce."

Melissa tilted her head, then offered the microphone into Yuya's hand. The stadium buzz dulled to a low murmur of curiosity.