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

Chapter 12 Academia War Begins

The morning following the defeat of Infection Baal Zebul felt charged with a tension that none of the Resistance members could ignore, the air thick with the quiet determination of those preparing for war. Inside the dimly lit command room, lanterns flickered against cracked walls while maps of Heartland spread across the table like open battle scars, glowing faintly under the projector's blue light.

Yuni stood at the center of the room, six gleaming Number Cards fanned carefully between her fingers as if they were fragments of hope itself. The numbers pulsed faintly with spiritual light, reflecting off her determined eyes as she said, her voice steady but filled with weight, "We're slowly getting them back. I guess it's time for us to do this, once and for all."

Yuya, standing beside her, exchanged a firm nod with the others as their gazes swept across the assembled Resistance fighters who had gathered in silence. The atmosphere was a mixture of awe and fear, of loyalty and uncertainty, a fragile balance that could shatter with a single command. Condor, one of the senior members, finally stepped forward, his brow creased in concern as he asked, "Are you really sure you're going to do this? This isn't a scouting run—this is an assault that could decide everything."

Yuni met his eyes without hesitation, her posture unwavering even as several others shifted nervously around the table. "We're sure," she answered with calm authority that carried across the room. "It's time for us to fight back, and it's time to reclaim Heartland from Academia's hands before they destroy everything that still breathes here."

A ripple of murmurs swept through the group, the flickering lights reflecting against worried faces and clenched fists. Aera, unable to contain her anxiety, stepped closer, her hands trembling as she protested, "But that's too dangerous, Yuni. If their forces are concentrated around every base, even getting close will be suicide for you all."

Yuya placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his expression a mixture of confidence and sadness. "It's true that we don't know what dangers are waiting out there," he admitted slowly, "but one thing is absolutely certain—we can't just sit here doing nothing while Academia keeps crushing lives and turning people into cards. Standing still means letting them win without a fight."

Yuni nodded at his words, then straightened her Duel Disk with decisive precision as she spoke again, her tone carrying the kind of conviction that silenced fear. "We've already discussed it among ourselves and reached an agreement. I'll lead the Lancers to the First Base personally, and along the way we'll rescue anyone we can. This isn't just a counterattack—it's a promise that Heartland still has people who won't surrender."

The statement hung heavily in the air until Yuya broke the silence, his voice quieter but firm. "We can't all go. Someone has to stay here to protect the camp and coordinate if things go wrong. I'll stay behind to handle communications and fallback orders." His words met no resistance; everyone understood the necessity even if it pained them to leave him behind.

Moments later, as the sun climbed higher behind the smoke-choked skyline, five figures stood ready near the fractured edge of the city ruins—Yuni, Katrina, Rio, Reisho, and Johan. The sound of broken metal crunched under their boots as they moved forward, leading a small band of Resistance soldiers toward the first visible bastion of Academia's control: the towering First Base, whose black walls shimmered with defensive fields.

When they arrived, the view before them confirmed every warning they had heard. Dozens of Academia duelists stood at attention, their coats snapping in the wind, Duel Disks already active and gleaming like drawn blades. Yuni exchanged a silent glance with her companions; no orders were needed because they all knew what had to be done.