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

Chapter 51 Friendship Finale Part 1

Yuya and Hana finally found their friends and sprinted toward them, breath quick and hearts pounding. The moment they drew close, Katrina and Vivian broke from the group and ran to meet them.

"Brother, you've come," Katrina said, relief softening her voice as she threw her arms around him.

Sona smiled faintly. "I heard you defeated Captain Barrett. That's no small feat."

Yuya scratched his head, modest as ever. "Well... I can't really say I defeated him. Hana came to help me—she broke the chains that held me."

"That's nice of you," Mark remarked, a rare note of warmth in his tone. Hana's cheeks flushed pink at the attention, glancing away with an awkward smile.

Reiji stepped forward, hands folded behind his back, the tension in his gaze cutting through the reunion. "Even with Academia and Sergey gone, there's still Roget. He's the last Dark Signer we need to face."

Yuya's expression hardened. "I see. Then we'd better hurry."

Before they could move, a familiar shout echoed from behind them. "Yuya!"

They turned. Standing in the street, panting from exhaustion, was Sam.

Yuya's eyes widened. "Sam! Why are you here!?"

"I was searching for you—Jack asked me to!"

"Jack... did?" Yuya asked, his tone mixed with surprise and confusion.

Sam nodded. "Yeah. He said there was a message you needed to hear."

The others fell silent as Sam repeated the words Jack had once told Yuni—the message about Dueling without hatred, about fighting not for destruction, but for connection. When he finished, Yuya clenched his fists.

"No reason for us to fight...?" Yuya muttered, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Great, that Roget..."

Katrina frowned. "But Sister should've told Jack you were being controlled by Roget."

Sam shook his head. "Jack knew. But he still wanted me to tell you this himself. He said—if this isn't the Dueling you're aiming for, then prove it to him in a Duel! Show him what your Dueling means, Sakaki Yuya! If you're trying to accomplish something... then don't falter!"

Yuya's breath caught for a moment. The Dueling I believe in... from the bottom of my heart... His thoughts turned to Yuni—how everyone had cheered, laughed, and smiled during her Duel. That's it. Dueling isn't about control... It's about bringing joy.

He turned sharply to Reisho. "Reisho! We need to split into two groups."

Reisho blinked. "Huh? What are you saying?"

"One group heads to Security headquarters—to save the Security officers and the Tops who were remade. The other follows me to the Duel Palace!"

Reiji adjusted his glasses, catching on immediately. "I see what you're planning. Then I'll take the group to Security."

Yuya nodded. "Good. We'll meet again when this is over."

The allies divided swiftly—Sora, Yuri, Sona, Shun, and his parents, Katrina, Vivian, and Tsukikage followed Reiji, while the rest stayed with Yuya, ready to storm the Palace.

When Yuya's group reached the Duel Palace, their path was blocked—Security forces stood waiting, rows of soldiers forming a solid wall at the gate.