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

Chapter 32 Roget's Request

The air inside the Underground Facility was cold and dry, filled with the faint hum of generators that powered the steel labyrinth below the stadium. Harsh fluorescent lights flickered along the corridor as Vivian stepped through the checkpoint, escorted by guards who wordlessly turned back once she passed the gate.

She exhaled slowly, the echo of her footsteps trailing behind her until she reached the open chamber where the other Lancers and their allies had gathered. Tables built from scrap metal were stacked with tools, Duel Disks, and blueprints — it looked more like a resistance base than a prison.

"Hey, guys." Vivian's voice broke the stillness.

Heads turned instantly.

"Vivian?" Gongenzaka rose from his seat, eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

Ryu's face went pale. "Don't tell me... You lost too?"

Vivian rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish grin. "I don't know whose idea it was to have me duel Akaba Reisho. How was I supposed to beat him when even my brother and sisters couldn't win once he got serious?"

Sawatari threw his hands up, half in disbelief and half in frustration. "You got to duel Akaba Reisho? That's not fair! I wanted to face him!"

Yuzu stepped forward, her expression calm but tinged with sympathy. "It can't be helped. Ray told me before — Reisho's one of the strongest. You did what you could."

Jean folded his arms, trying to sound composed. "How about my brother and Shun? Are they still in the game?"

Vivian nodded. "Ron hasn't dueled yet. He'll be facing either Risu, Yugo, or my sister Katrina."

Crow crossed his arms, a confident grin on his face. "Don't count Yugo and Risu out that easily. Those two are tougher than they look."

Jean snorted lightly. "And Ron and Katrina aren't exactly weak either."

As the brief debate faded, Vivian turned her gaze toward Yuzu. Her tone softened. "Yuzu... can we talk in private?"

Yuzu blinked. "What is it?"

Without answering, Vivian gently took her by the wrist and led her away from the group, disappearing into one of the side tunnels that led deeper into the facility.

Kiryu watched them go, leaning back against the wall. "What was that about?"

Satoshi shrugged. "No idea. But think about it — the ones we know who've made it to the third round are Yuya, Yuni, Serena, Kurosaki, Reisho, and Sergey."

Jean adjusted his glasses, his tone suddenly more serious. "Katrina's a special case. Even if she loses, she won't be sent here. But what worries me more is Academia. Dennis has already gone back — which means they might come after us sooner than we think."

Ryu frowned, lowering his voice. "You're right... if Academia moves now, this whole facility might turn into a battlefield."

The group fell silent, the distant echo of footsteps and machinery the only sounds beneath the earth.

Behind a mountain of discarded scrap and broken machinery, far from the others' view, Vivian and Yuzu crouched among the shadows of the Underground's waste depot. The faint hum of engines echoed overhead, blending with the distant clatter of tools.

Yuzu glanced around nervously. "Vivian... what is it you wanted to talk about?"

Vivian exhaled, her tone turning solemn. "Yuzu... what I'm about to tell you must stay between us. No one else can know."

Yuzu blinked. "Eh? O-okay..."

Vivian slowly rolled up the sleeve of her left arm. A faint purple glow shimmered beneath her skin — the unmistakable Mark of the Hands. Yuzu gasped, stumbling back a step. Even though she had never seen that symbol before, the violet light told her everything.