"Absolute Zero!" Youyu commanded, "Attack the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!"
Mokuba was stunned.
Absolute Zero's attack power is lower than Blue-Eyes Alternative's. At first glance, this seems like a pointless sacrifice, but combined with Absolute Zero's powerful special effect, it's a self-destructive attack potent enough to clear the field instantly.
As long as Absolute Zero is destroyed by the Alternative White Dragon, its effect will trigger, destroying Kaiba's Alternative White Dragon. Then, with Youyu's remaining heroes launching a full attack, victory would be secured.
That being said, such a straightforward tactic won't escape Kaiba's notice.
After all, Kaiba's backfield is set with a "Mirror Force"!
"Hmph, although I'm not sure what you're planning." Kaiba raised his voice sharply, "Activate the Set Card! Mirror Force!"
This classic powerful trap makes another appearance in this duel! A boundless holy light is released, forming a hemispherical shield that blocks Absolute Zero's attack, and retaliates with an even stronger brilliance a thousandfold!
"Mirror Force's power will wipe out Brother Youyu's heroes." Mokuba held his breath in tension, "And Absolute Zero's effect will destroy Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon..."
Will it end in mutual destruction?
Of course not.
"Quick-Play Magic - My Body as a Shield!" Youyu played a card with a wave of his hand, "Pay 1500 Life Points, negate and destroy the effect of 'destroy all monsters on the field'!"
[Youyu, LP 1600 → LP 100]
"Negate and destroy 'Mirror Force'!"
Kaiba scoffed: "Tch..."
"At this moment, Quick-Play Magic - Emergency Provisions!" Youyu continued, "Send any number of your own Magic Trap Cards on the field to the Graveyard, and recover 1000 Life Points for each.
I send the Continuous Trap 'Mirror Activation' and the Quick-Play Magic 'My Body as a Shield' just activated to the Graveyard, recovering 2000 Life Points!"
"Hmph, even if the activated cards are sent to the Graveyard, it won't affect the resolution of the effects. Cleverly using this trick to avoid the cost of 'My Body as a Shield' paying Life Points, huh?"
Even though the situation was against him, Kaiba showed an approving expression instead.
"However, the moment of the attack declaration hasn't ended!" He raised his hand, "Open the Set Card! Counter Trap - Negate Attack!
Negate the opponent's monster's attack and forcibly end the Battle Phase!"
In the intense exchange of Magic Traps, a series of attack and defense reversals—Absolute Zero's attack was bounced back by Mirror Force's divine light, but was then dispersed into a myriad of light particles by the golden light shot out by "My Body as a Shield."
Emergency Provisions was activated, Youyu's Life Points first plummeted to rock bottom, but then rose back up like a roller coaster. The sacred shield shattered, Absolute Zero pursued relentlessly, but then collided with the white whirlwind unleashed by "Negate Attack," forcing it to withdraw temporarily.
[Youyu, LP 100 → LP 2100]
However, in the end, Youyu's attack evidently didn't go through.
Honestly, it's quite impressive seeing Kaiba manage to defend up to this point. Even though Youyu held the advantage on the field throughout, Kaiba seemed just like an unyielding steel plate, responding with endless means, and one careless move could lead to a reversal.
For instance, take that Cyber Jar from earlier...
Youyu glanced, intentionally or not, at the two Set Cards at his feet.
He already had an almost complete killer combo coming together, just missing one last component in his hand.
If he could draw that card next turn!
...Wait, did I just say something I shouldn't have?
"Set another card, end turn."
"My turn!"
This time, Kaiba's draw was entirely different in momentum from before.
As the card was drawn from the deck, it seemed to bring forth a transparent vortex, lifting the hem of his coat.
It may sound exaggerated, but his movement at that moment truly gave the illusion that this draw was akin to the creation of heaven and earth.
And as expected for a top Duelist's God Draw, it didn't betray him.
Scanning the card he drew, Kaiba first let out a low chuckle, then threw back his head and laughed heartily.
Youyu was quite used to it by now. Crossing his arms, he tapped the ground lightly with his toes out of boredom, patiently waiting for the CEO to finish laughing.
After all, I'm just an employee here to entertain the CEO by playing cards. As long as the CEO enjoys it, it's all good...
"Hmph, I've already seen your progress, You ↑ Yu ↓." Kaiba said, "But I have changed as well! Let me show you my strength now!"
He waved his hand dramatically.
"First is Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon's effect! Once per turn, at the cost of its attack for this turn, destroy one monster on the opponent's field!
Vanish, Masked Hero Dark Claw!"
The CEO pronounced "Dark Claw" with an exceptionally heavy emphasis, revealing just how much this black-masked Hero might have annoyed him...
A destructive light bullet surged from the White Dragon's mouth, trailing visible white air currents, piercing right through Dark Claw's armor on the chest and out the back, scattering black metal fragments everywhere.
The Dark Hero let out a muffled groan, dissipating with the resounding explosion and wave of blue light.
Thus ended the life dedicated to justice... No wait, wrong narrative.
"With this, that annoying disruptive effect is gone." Kaiba shouted, "Now is the main event! Watch closely, Youyu!
Magic Card - Dimension Fusion!"
Youyu: "..."
Here it is again, the infamous Eternal Forbidden Card used by Kaiba Seto in DM...
"Pay 2000 Life Points, both players special summon as many monsters as possible that have been removed from play!"
[Kaiba, LP 4000 → LP 2000]
If placed in ancient times, perhaps it would be considered a powerful magic able to rewrite spatial laws. The unparalleled magic force seemed to transform into invisible hands, forcibly tearing a giant rift in mid-air, summoning back banished souls from the Other Dimension!
Three beams of light descended from the heavens, the majestic White Dragons emerged from the waterfall-like light screen like divine soldiers, instantly dominating the battlefield!
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon, ATK 3000] x3
[Cyber Jar, DEF 900]
Although the "Cyber Jar" from the banished zone was also summoned back, this monster can only activate its effect when flipped face-up. Thus, it's completely useless now, merely there to make up the numbers.
"My banished zone includes 'Masked Hero: Mist Water' and 'Elemental Hero Liquidman'." Youyu said, "But they were banished due to the effect of 'Necro Fusion'. According to Necro Fusion, fusion material monsters are banished in face-down position, unable to be special summoned by 'Dimension Fusion'."
Kaiba remained calm, raising a card in his hand: "Magic Card - Polymerization! Fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons on the field to summon the strongest dragon that transcends time and space!
Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!!"
The three White Dragons combined into a single beam of light, releasing immense radiant brilliance! The White Dragon raised its three heads; its massive form covered the sky, with their roars resonating as if piercing the heavens!
[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]
Youyu raised his arm, squinting amidst the raging winds and the overwhelming pressure from the Ultimate Dragon that rivaled the Egyptian Gods.
Kaiba summoned the "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon", instead of the stronger "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon", indicating that wasn't his true aim.
Sure enough, Kaiba followed with a burst of laughter, raising another card high.
A card that had yet to enter the field, yet already radiated a daunting brilliance, stunning everyone present.
The invisible pressure seemingly manifested as shadows over Kaiba's head, even prompting Youyu to recall the aura when first dueling Kaiba and facing the Obelisk the Tormentor.
"A summon greater than ultimate monsters, the Light Dragon that erases everything!"
Kaiba exclaimed loudly.
"Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon!!!"