7. Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V: A New Story of Pendulum (Fusion Arc)

Chapter 30 Revival Zero

The heavy doors to the Professor's Chambers creaked open, their metallic echo rolling through the immense, dimly lit hall. The group stepped inside—Yusho, Yuya, Reiji, Sarah, Yuzu, Yuni, Hana, and the others—each of them instantly feeling the overwhelming pressure that filled the air.

At the far end of the chamber, beneath the shimmering light of a massive energy conduit, sat Akaba Leo upon his throne. His expression was calm, unreadable, the faint hum of machinery surrounding him like a heartbeat.

"It's been a long time, Yusho Sakaki," Leo greeted, his tone cool but steady, carrying both familiarity and distance.

"Indeed, Leo Akaba," Yusho replied, taking a deliberate step forward. The polished floor reflected his every movement, each stride echoing like a challenge. His eyes met Leo's with a mixture of nostalgia and disappointment. "Tell me, Leo—why would a genius like you invade other dimensions in pursuit of this so-called utopia?"

He paused, his voice softening with sincerity. "You were the man who created Real Solid Vision from nothing. Without it, there would be no Action Duels, no Entertainment Dueling—none of the wonder that changed the world. My encounter with you... it changed my fate. And I still appreciate that."

A faint light flickered behind Leo's lenses as he leaned slightly forward on his throne. "I am no genius," he began, his voice calm yet heavy with conviction. "I merely recreated the technology that already existed."

"Yeah," Yusho replied quietly, a faint sigh escaping him. "I remember. It already existed back in the Original World, didn't it?"

Before anyone else could speak, Sarah stepped forward, her heels striking sharply against the metal floor. The glow from the overhead reactor bathed her in pale light as she stared straight at Leo.

"Why are you doing this, Leo?" she demanded, her voice filled with both anger and grief. "Why bring sorrow to these children? You weren't like this before! You kidnapped Principal Samejima, turned Academia into a military school, and now you're using technology that turns people into cards! Why?!"

The chamber fell silent. Even the hum of the machines seemed to fade under the weight of her words.

Leo Akaba slowly turned his head toward her, his expression unreadable at first. "To think you are still alive after all this time... Sarah." His tone softened briefly—then hardened again as his eyes drifted toward Hiiragi Yuzu.

"However," he continued coldly, "it doesn't really matter anymore... because she is here." He extended a hand toward Yuzu, his eyes narrowing with painful recognition. "Akaba Ray, my daughter."

The words struck like thunder. Yuzu's breath caught in her throat as she instinctively stepped back, confusion and fear flashing across her face. "W-What are you saying...?"

Sarah immediately moved to stand between them, her arms spreading protectively. Her voice trembled, but her resolve was unshaken. "If you think I'll hand Yuzu over to you, then you're wrong, Leo. Yuzu is my precious daughter—just as Ray was."

For a brief moment, sorrow flickered behind Leo's stern gaze, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"Mom..." Yuzu whispered weakly, clutching her chest as her heart pounded with the weight of truths she could barely comprehend.