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

Chapter 27 Numbers Fight

The Different Dimension Airship cut across the dim skies, its engines humming softly as it descended toward a crumbling city swallowed by silence.

Yuya stood by the window, scanning the ruins below. "According to the navigation data," he said, "the location of the next ruins containing a Number is here—Sparda City."

Astral's form flickered beside him, his eyes glowing faintly. "Indeed. The coordinates confirm it. This place once held a powerful bond between two souls."

Shark looked out through the broken skyline, his voice low. "Still... it's been completely destroyed by Academia. Not a single sign of life anywhere."

Rio nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Maybe that's exactly why Academia abandoned it. There's nothing left to take here—so they all went to Heartland instead."

As the airship landed near the city's core, they stepped down onto the cracked streets. The wind whistled through the ruins, carrying echoes of the past.

Rio looked around the empty arena looming in the distance. "So what's the story behind this Number... and the Barian Emperor tied to it?"

Yuni's gaze drifted toward the massive colosseum ahead. "If I had to guess—it's waiting for us inside. This place once honored a gladiator who won countless battles with his bare hands. He had a rival... the prince of this nation. Despite their differences in status, the two shared a bond born from battle."

Yuya walked beside her, his tone reflective. "When the time came for their final match, the prince was forbidden to lose in front of the people. His advisors, desperate to maintain the illusion of royal strength, falsely accused the gladiator of treason. They captured him under false charges."

Vivian's eyes darkened. "That's horrible..."

Yuya nodded. "The prince begged for mercy—he knew his rival was innocent. But the advisors refused. The gladiator was executed before a cheering crowd."

For a moment, no one spoke. The only sound was the faint echo of their footsteps on the ancient marble.

Yuni finally broke the silence. "That's the legend. But the truth, uncovered by Tsukumo Yuma, was far worse. The advisors were under the influence of the Barian god, Don Thousand. He wanted to corrupt the gladiator's soul with hatred so that, upon death, it would fall into the Barian World—fueling his divine power."

She paused, her voice lowering. "Even the prince, overwhelmed by despair, was eventually controlled by Don Thousand as well... and in that state, he permitted the execution himself."

Rio shook her head slowly. "That's... so cruel. Both of them were victims."

When they reached the heart of the Colosseum, they were met by a towering figure. A massive, humanoid lion clad in golden armor stood at the center of the arena, his mane shining like fire beneath the dim light.

"Sakaki Yuya. Sakaki Yuni." His deep voice reverberated through the walls. "I have been waiting for you."

Yuni stepped forward and nodded respectfully. "Lion Heart. It's been a while. You already know why we're here."

The lion warrior's eyes glowed with challenge. "If you wish to reclaim this Number Card, then you must face me in battle. Unlike Abyss and Mach... I will not test your wisdom. I will test your spirit."

Yuya smirked. "So, this time, it's a duel of strength." He turned to the group. "That means you have three Overlay Units and your Life Points start at four thousand, right?"