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

Chapter 18 Fake Numbers 2 and 3

After returning safely from the Fusion Dimension, Yuya and Yuni wasted no time regrouping with the others. Their goal was clear: destroy Academia's second base before reinforcements could arrive. The air was tense, the horizon streaked with faint crimson light as the sun began to set over Heartland's skyline.

Along the route, they encountered squads of Academia soldiers. Blades of Duel Disks clashed under the setting sun, the streets echoing with the cries of duels. Yuni's group split to cover more ground, each duelist taking on opponents across the narrow streets and ruined plazas.

Yuya and Chris fought side by side, their coordinated strikes dismantling one group after another. But as the smoke cleared, a strange buzzing noise filled the air — a sound sharp and fast, like an insect's wings beating against metal.

"Do you hear that?" Chris asked, lowering his guard as he glanced around the empty square.

The buzzing grew louder, and from above descended a man dressed in a bizarre, insect-like suit. His helmet bore a long proboscis, and his eyes glowed faint red through the visor.

"Who are you?" Yuya demanded, stepping forward with his Duel Disk ready.

The man landed lightly on one knee, wings folding neatly behind him. "I am the Mosquito Ninja," he said, his tone carrying a sneer. "If you want the Number, then you'll have to defeat me first."

Yuya's expression hardened. "So... another Number Spirit."

The figure tilted his head mockingly. "You sound surprised. Did you think you'd collected them all already?"

Before Yuya could respond, Chris stepped forward, his confidence unshaken. "Yuya, let me handle this one," he said, adjusting his Duel Disk with a sharp click. "You have bigger things to worry about."

Yuya hesitated only for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'm counting on you, Chris. Don't let him sting too hard."

Chris smirked. "I'll make sure this bug learns who's really flying high."

The Mosquito Ninja crouched low, the buzzing of his wings rising into a shrill hum. "Before we begin, let me make one thing clear. I hate gigantic things more than anything in this world — and that includes you Duelists who rely on enormous monsters to win your battles!"

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Then you're going to hate me, because I'm not holding back."

With a flick of his wrist, his Duel Disk extended in a burst of blue light. The Mosquito Ninja did the same, his insect-shaped disk glowing blood-red. "Duel!" (Mosquito Ninja:4000)(Chris:4000)

Energy filled the air as holographic platforms shimmered into existence around them. The hum of wings and the pulse of Duel Energy blended into one rhythm — the first beat of a battle that would decide the fate of yet another Number.

Chris took a firm step forward, his Duel Disk gleaming under the battlefield lights. "I'll take the first turn!" he declared, his voice echoing across the plaza. "I Special Summon Deep-Space Cruiser IX! (ATK:900/DEF:900/Level 9)!"

A massive silver battleship descended from a dimensional rift in the sky, its engines roaring like thunder. "This monster can be Special Summoned by sending one Machine-Type monster from my hand to the Graveyard!" Chris explained as a burst of holographic light flared around his arm.

"Then I activate the Magic Card—Hologram Projection!" The spell shimmered on the field, projecting bright blue grids across the air. "By targeting one monster on the field, this card is placed on my Monster Zone with the same Level, ATK, and DEF! I target Deep-Space Cruiser IX and Special Summon a Hologram Projection to the field!"