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

Chapter 44 The Sinister Bell's Chime

The group walked through the desolate valley, the winds carrying faint echoes of duels past. The ground trembled slightly with each step, as though the Earthbound power beneath them had not yet fallen silent.

At last, they arrived before a massive gate carved in the shape of a whale's jaw — the Whale Gate, the sixth of the Dark Signer seals.

Yuya looked up at the towering structure. "So this is the Whale Gate..."

Yuni nodded, her tone quiet but heavy. "And we know full well who the Dark Signer is."

The others fell silent. Even before the next words could be spoken, the distant hum of an engine broke through the still air.

The sound grew louder — fast, fierce, and familiar. Dust scattered as a dark pink D-Wheel raced into view, cutting across the barren terrain before screeching to a halt in front of them.

The rider wore a purple robe and a black visor helmet. She removed it slowly, letting long green hair flow free. Her eyes, however, were no longer their usual emerald hue — they were pitch black, marked by the darkness of resurrection.

On her right hand glowed the Whale Mark.

"I've been waiting," she said coldly.

"RIN!" Before anyone could stop him, Yugo dashed forward — only to receive a sharp knee strike to the stomach, sending him tumbling to the ground. "Ugh—o-ouch..."

Rin sighed, lowering her leg. "You're still the same... Yugo." Her eyes shifted toward the others. "And it's been a while for some of you too, hasn't it?"

Ryu stared, stunned. "She really looks just like Yuzu..."

Vivian frowned slightly. "So that's Rin... Ray's Synchro Fragment."

Yuzu nodded quietly as Rin folded her arms. "I've come back from the depths of death — as a Dark Signer."

Still crouched on the ground, Yugo looked up at her, confused and desperate. "What do you mean!? What happened to you!?"

Rin's voice softened for just a moment. "I tried to save Yuzu from falling off the highway... and I was the one who fell instead."

"Why!?" Yugo shouted, eyes burning.

"I just wanted to be a little closer to you, Yugo," Rin said simply. Then she turned back to the group. "What's wrong? Don't tell me none of you intend to fight me."

Yuya clenched his fists. "This is bad... all six of us still haven't recovered from our last duels."

Yuni looked around. "So what do we do?"

Everyone hesitated — until Yuzu stepped forward. Her voice was firm, her resolve unshaken. "I'll duel you."

Shock rippled through the group.

"Yuzu? Are you serious?" Reisho asked.

"I may not be a Signer," she said. "But Rin died trying to save me. That makes me responsible for saving her in return." She held up a glowing card — Arctic Blizzard Synchro Dragon. "And this dragon wants to save her too."

Rin's expression flickered as she saw the familiar card — and behind Yuzu, the phantom image of Arctic Blizzard roared softly.

Yugo, now standing again, clenched his fists. "Then I'm joining you, Yuzu! I'll team up with you!"