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

Chapter 26 A Duel in the Ruins

Once they returned to the Security Building, the atmosphere grew heavy. Yuya, Yuni, Katrina, Vivian, Yuzu, and Reisho sat around the long table in the quiet meeting room. Across from them were Reiji and Reira, listening in silence. The door was locked—this was a private briefing, and only those who had the right to know were present.

Reiji folded his hands, his sharp eyes moving from one face to another. "So... there are four figures appearing in your dreams," he said slowly. "And you believe they're connected to both Zarc's attempt to destroy the world—and my father's current actions."

Reisho nodded grimly. "That's right. The only one we've identified so far is Supreme King. After its defeat in the Original Dimension, its essence somehow merged into Yuni's and Yuzu's bodies." He paused, eyes lowering. "If Zarnie hadn't pushed me out of the way back then... I might have ended up with one inside me as well."

The room fell silent. The faint hum of the lights was the only sound.

Vivian broke it first, sliding a few files toward Reiji. "We've managed to gather partial information on the other three. The first one revived Number 96: Black Mist, forcing it to steal fifty-eight of Yuni's Number Cards. She's managed to reclaim seventeen, but..." Vivian exhaled. "Whoever orchestrated that clearly wanted to stall us. It's not random—it's strategy."

Katrina leaned forward. "And that same mysterious individual is also responsible for teaching Akaba Leo how to extract energy by carding people. That's no coincidence."

Reisho's gaze hardened. "The second figure is still unidentified. But when we analyzed Sergey's duel data, we discovered a pattern in his remodeling codes. That leads us to believe this person was the one who taught Roget how to redesign the Tops sector's surveillance system."

Yuzu gripped her arm, her voice quieter. "And the final one... I don't know who it is. But when my mother and I dueled that man in the mask—I could feel his presence." She shivered slightly. "It was the same energy from my dreams."

Yuya and Yuni exchanged a look—twin expressions of realization forming between them. Yuya spoke first. "When we connect everything we've found, it points toward something bigger. These figures might be linked to Darkness from Judai Yuki's timeline, Z-one from Fudo Yusei's, and Don Thousand from Tsukumo Yuma's."

Yuni nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Or maybe they're something even beyond that—something older and far more sinister. Whatever they are, we can't underestimate them."

Reiji sat back in his chair, deep in thought. "So these four... are the real threats lurking behind everything."

"Yes," Yuya confirmed. "We need to be wary of all of them."

Reiji's eyes glinted as he rose to his feet. "Then our next move is clear. We'll head to Heartland City and regroup with the others."

Everyone nodded in agreement, the tension in the room slowly turning into resolve.

Outside, the air shimmered faintly against the city skyline—an unseen omen of the battles yet to come.

Once Yugo and the others returned from their missions, the group gathered aboard the Different Dimension Airship. The clouds parted as the vessel descended, revealing the gleaming skyline of Heartland City below.

Reiji stood near the window, his reflection caught against the glass. "So... this is Heartland?"

Yuya smiled. "Yes. We've finally made it. I'll take you to meet the others."