Atem had originally thought that introducing these strange concepts, and getting Jaden to accept all of it, would be troublesome.
The process turned out to be absurdly simple.
Jaden understood Duel Spirits, Millennium Items, and Shadow Games after a single explanation. He had no doubts at all.
Erina still couldn't fully believe it, but she knew when to speak and when to stay quiet. Because of that, Jaden grasped everything completely after Atem finished explaining.
So completely, in fact, that Atem felt a little dissatisfied.
"Jaden, that was only a rough overview," Atem said. "Do you understand?"
"Yes," Jaden replied. "Five minutes was more than enough."
Jaden already knew most of this. Atem had only added a few details about Shadow Games and Dark Power, things that were easy enough to digest.
Still, even after understanding everything, Jaden felt confused about one thing.
"To be honest, I mainly came here to see Old man," Jaden said. "Now that I understand all this, there has to be a reason you needed me to know it, right?"
That was what puzzled him.
If Old man needed help, Jaden would definitely give it his all. But now Old man had regained his youth. Kaiba was here. Even the other Old man-the Pharaoh Atem-could manifest in the human world.
With those three present, was there really anything on this side that required his help?
Atem and Kaiba should both be able to wield the God Cards.
Even if Old man wanted to use them, after so many decades, he should be able to as well.
If there was a problem, couldn't they just slam down three God Cards?
And if the God Cards weren't enough... there was still the Creator God of Light.
Could anyone possibly win against these people in a Duel?
Based on the manga Jaden had read... honestly, if you dueled that Jaden Yuki, you might win if you shuffled his deck enough beforehand. But against these three?
Unless you could figure out how they were printing counter cards mid-duel, did you really think you had a chance?
They'd probably pull Obelisk the Tormentor out from under the floor and smash your head in.
"There is indeed a reason," Atem said.
He smiled as he looked at Jaden.
"But for your current self, there's no urgency. Telling you these things now is only a heads-up. Other matters need to be postponed for a while, and..."
Atem raised his single hand toward Jaden.
Golden light flashed.
A golden box appeared in midair.
Erina's eyes widened.
An object had appeared out of nothing. If her mental fortitude had been any weaker, she might have screamed.
Jaden, on the other hand, wasn't particularly surprised. He had read the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga.
"Open it," Atem said. "Take a look."
Jaden opened the box and took out the card inside.
-Super Polymerization.
The moment he saw it, several thoughts crossed his mind.
This card had belonged to Jaden Yuki in the original series. Or more accurately, it was the power the Supreme King should possess.
But now Atem was giving it to him.
Which meant-
Could I be the one who gets lucky draws?
A strange mix of emotions surged through him.
Atem spoke at that moment.
"Jaden, I can't call this a gift. It should be returned to you. It was originally yours."
He paused briefly.
"Although, in this modern era-where only a few Duel Spirits remain and the age of Duelists has already passed-this item is likely nothing more than a commemorative token with symbolic meaning."
"Even so, the card must be returned to you. And while returning it, I intend to tell you something."
Jaden blinked.
He looked up at Atem and nodded seriously.
He thought Atem was about to warn him about Dark Power, or tell him not to touch Millennium Items or Shadow Games.
Instead, Atem mentioned names Jaden recognized immediately.
"Jaden, you haven't investigated the relationship between the Sanzenin family, the Tennousu family, and yourself, have you?"
Jaden frowned.
"Rather than not investigating," he said, "I believe I have no relation to them at all."
Atem nodded.
"This is your personal matter. Naturally, you should follow your own judgment."
Then he added, "However, I suggest you look into it. The relationship between you and those two families may bring you something."
Those words made Jaden think.
Only briefly.
He nodded.
"If you and Old man need me to-"
Before he could finish, Atem interrupted him.
"Jaden, as I said before, you must decide your own affairs."
He continued calmly.
"Originally, this meeting was supposed to take place later. I came today to tell you this: do not consider us, or anyone else, when making future decisions. You only need to consider yourself."
"I'm mainly here to give you confidence."
"Believe us. For the things we will do later, no power is absolutely necessary, and no power is absolutely unneeded. Having a little more or a little less is irrelevant."
"I was concerned you might overthink things and make a choice you didn't like for our sake. That's why I advanced the timing of this meeting."
Atem stopped there.
Kaiba snorted lightly.
"That's right," he said. "Although the next phase still relies on you, leave the rest to us."
Yugi smiled and spoke as well.
"Yes. This matter goes beyond what we can handle alone. But it would be embarrassing if the older generation couldn't contribute at all."
Hearing Atem, Kaiba, and Old man Yugi speak, Jaden felt a flicker of curiosity about the Sanzenin and Tennousu families.
He didn't show it.
He just smiled.
"You really didn't need to tell me all that," Jaden said. "Even if no one had said anything, I would've prioritized myself anyway. I'm not that nice."
"Compared to self-sacrifice, I prefer putting myself first."
Kaiba and Yugi said nothing.
Atem crossed his arms.
The eyes of the body he possessed were vacant, unfocused. And yet, the depth behind them felt as if it had already seen through everything long ago.
He stared at Jaden for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"...That's good."